Fallingbrook Middle School

School Council Meeting

October 6, 2010 - 6:30 PM– Library

Meeting Minutes

Present:

Gaye Clarke (Principal)

Sean McCarthy (Vice Principal)

Erin Curtis (Chair)

Mohammed Askary (Co-Chair)

Susi Kristmann (Community Member)

Anastasia Georgas (Teacher Member)

Sharon Nagorsen (Secretary)

Parents

Welcome & Introductions – Gaye, Erin & Mohammed

Principal’s Report:

  • 2010/2011 Enrolment – Approximately 750 students
  • Vice-principal Consultation – Discussion with parents present (and VP absent) about qualities to be considered by the board for the VP position.
  • Website – Sean presented newly revised school website which is now up and running. It includes the board and school calendar (8-day cycle); parent resources, e.g. Student Character Rubric and Tips for Parents; Newsletters will be available and parents can sign up to receive email notices about updates. It was also suggested that School Council meeting information (agendas, minutes, etc.) could be added.
  • Some parents asked about the My Class site and whether teachers keep it updated. Gaye advised that teachers are not required to do so, it is their own choice.
  • Fundraising – Very low participation for chocolate sales this year – only 29%.
  • Re-organization - Went smoothly (grade 6 classes were reduced and grade 7 classes increased).
  • Lunch Program – Gaye was able to work out a great deal with Boston Pizza to be the exclusive provider of lunches for the 4 days (Monday to Thursday). Receiving good feedback so far. Cost is $2.00 for Pizza and $5.00 for Chicken or Pasta. Students can purchase lunch tickets in the main hallway before school begins.
  • Bussing Update – Many changes this year – from 300 students to 12 students that are bussed to school. No busses for grades 6 & 8 students who live south of Eglinton; eligibility is now based on the distance from/to the school. Parents thanked Sean for his diligence and constant communication while sorting out the bussing issues.
  • A parent mentioned a problem with notifications about pick up times for events that happen after school. The teachers usually advise the students of pick up times and the students should be writing the information in their agendas. At this stage, students need to start taking responsibility of noting and managing this type of information.
  • Growing Success – Ministry of Education is looking at the process of reporting to parents. There will be an information night on November 3rd. Details will be sent to parents.

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  • Student Event – Dr. Monty Selby will be at the school on November 3 to meet with student groups from each grade level. His topic/focus: Making our schools, community and world, a better place to live.

Parent Programs:

  • Peel District School Board – School Council Information Night, Wednesday, October 27th at 5:30 p.m. Council members are invited to attend and Gaye will handle registration for those interested.
  • Michael Reist Presentation – November 17th. Parents voted for the topic:Raising Kids with Character.

School Council Elections:

Co-Chair: Erin Curtis

Co-chair: Ingrid Khemraj

Community Representative: Susi Kristmann

Secretary: Sharon Nagorsen

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

2010/2011 School Council Meeting Dates

  • November 24, 2010
  • January 26, 2011
  • March30, 2011
  • May 25, 2011

@ 6:30 p.m. in the Library