Parent Council
December 1st, 2014
Attendance: Sammi Khachi, Emil Milarevic, Lily Gall, Karen Ditoro, Joanne Jones, Noreen Palermo, Ruth Staples, Radolfo Rivas, Lee Weare, and principal Pat Daly.
Minutes
Opening Prayer – Sammi Khachi
Presentation: Public Health Nurse – Rosie Iinisky
1. Rosie Iinisky undertook to ascertain what if any questions public health addressed in the past in relation to the survey.
2. Rosie Iinisky is a public health nurse assigned to Jean Vanier and its feeder schools. She is in the schools 2 and a half days a week. Public Health works with Schools, Parents, and Families to build relationships and provide information. They do not do one on one consultation. Examples of programs they have been involved with include:
Girls running club – fund raising
Assistance to teachers with programs
Parent Groups – Tuesday’s at 10
Coffee chats
Arrange for speakers
Parent engagement strategies
Smoking
Bullying
Healthy eating
3. Public Health is active on Facebook, and Twitter for communicating with parents.
4. Public Health provide information on their Reference site: haltonparents.ca
5. 311 information line available to put parents in contact with a public health nurse and provide assistance on teen issues and how do parents support their teen.
Update: Sammi Khachi
1. Parent Handbook has been circulated to council members for review and input. Should be a high level overview of information available with hyperlinks provided. Reminder this electronic handbook is a reference guide to other agencies information and not something the council will be responsible for maintaining the relevance of the data.
2. Lumen Christi School – grade 8 parent’s concerns / questions regarding high school. They are considering conducting a survey to capture what questions or concerns the parents may have regarding their children starting high school. This council has no input at this time as we are not aware of what questions are being asked. Info item at this time.
Committee Report – Lily Gall
1. Parent Engagement sub-committee meet on November 3rd, 2014. Set April 17th, 2015 as the date for a cultural night (food and entertainment) to be hosted at J.V. Still in the planning stages for what it will actually look like, i.e. student participation, catering etc.
The next meeting will take place in January.
2. Faith Development – Candy Cane to be distributed to all students at the conclusion of the Advent Mass on Friday December 5th, 2014. This Candy Cane is reminder to “mark the date” April 17th, 2015 for the cultural night.
3. Pancake Tuesday – discussions ongoing regarding having this event.
4. Father Jim (St. Benedict’s) will be attending the next sub-committee meeting in January.
Principal’s Report – Mr. Daly
1. DECA Club attended their first Regional competition in Hamilton and did well. Some of the students have advanced to the Provincial round.
2. Nov 5th – Family of School Parent Night was well attended.
3. Grade 7 – confirmation retreat was hosted at J.V. and went well.
4. Numerous charitable events have occurred this year: Ice Bucket Challenge, Pink Week, United Way Jersey Day and CN tower climb were all successful.
5. Potential Educational Travel Opportunities
France – 2 day retreat with Jean Vanier and then 4 days in Paris. Approximately $2900.00 / student looking for about ten students to participate.
New York City – Canadian and World Studies/Drama trip in early stages of development.
6. Events
Dec 2nd – Hosting Inaugural School Board meeting
Dec 5th – Advent Mass at 9 am
Dec 12th – Hosting OASBO meeting
Dec 17th – Hosting Board Life skills Christmas Dance
Dec 17th – Christmas Concert
Dec 19th to Jan 5th – Christmas Break
Jan 13-15 – Hosting Board wide Sr. basketball Tournament
Jan 15th – Hosting Justice Sinclair – Chair of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Topic: Native Schools between 4 and 6 p.m., open to the public).
Jan 22-28 – Exams
Next meeting – Monday February 2nd, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.