Minutes from meeting held on March 7, 2017
Location: Cosburn Middle School Staff Room Time: 7 – 9 p.m.
Meeting Dates for 2016/17
Tuesday March 7, 2017
April 19, 2017
May 24, 2017
Meeting Attendees: David Finkelstein (Principal), Catherine Munro (Vice Principal) , Shannon Wiens (Co-Chair), Grant Daly (Co-Chair), Michelle Villis (Secretary) Lee Constant (H+S Co-Chair) Jolie Armstrong ((H+S Co-Chair), Kimber Tzogas, Ossama El Sarraf, Nick L, Maria Freitas, MaryAnn Gargano-Lucanie, Stella Droulias, Catherine Walker, Regrets:Litsa Babatsikos (Secretary)
Agenda Items / ActionsWelcome & Intro
Approval of Agenda / Recognition of First Nations Ancestral Lands
Guest speaker: Superintendent, Lucy Giannotta / Responsible for Learning Network 28, 19 schools, (approx. 10,000 students) and 37 Principals and VP’s (this is one part of the larger Learning Centre that includes the schools from East York to Etobicoke, running along Lake ON)
New Director and restructuring in Learning Centre - Network Superintendents work more collaboratively to serve schools and students
Goal of the Learning Centre is to be responsive to needs of school
Support Principals and Vice Principals to ensure learning and student achievement, well-being and equity, visits schools, meets students
Board recognizes that each school is unique. Restructuring addresses concerns to help improve conditions for learning and student success
Equity framework: action plan to ensure equity, inclusion, and student achievement
7 key areas: policy, budget, access and secondary program reviews, school improvement program, leadership capacity, inclusion and special education, employment
EQAO plans for improvement
Improvement Province wide for more robust math strategy and instruction
action plan to provide teachers with tools for ongoing learning and problem solving for 21st Century (Global Competency)
At Cosburn learning practices and workshops and math committee work together
Ext French:
No direct confirmation that Cosburn will feed into EY Collegiate EY is implementing French in near future but likely scattered entry and priority to Gledhill/DA Morrison where this is currently no feeder HS to continue French. Planning decision set to meet in the spring
Community involvement and engagement essential
Superintendent and Trustees work closely to ensure policy and procedure becomes operational
Boards definition of Equity can be found on their website
Agenda Bus Arising / Parent Reaching Out Grant:
Anne Douglas
Topic: Big Picture Parenting – modeling, guiding and scaffolding behavior, appropriate expectations, parenting through storms and challenging emotions
Wed, April 5 @7pm-8: 30pm – Location: Atrium – light refreshments will be available
Available Feb 7, 9 27 and April 26
Thanks to Stella for organizing.
Committee Reports
Ward Council / Committee Reports
Ward Council – ‘school council 101’ for new councils - getting started, governing regulations, support – PIAC (Parent Involvement Advocacy? Committee)
Next Ward meeting topic: Fundraising
Caring and Safe Schools / Roof work complete
Old air conditioning unit has been removed, new unit to be installed in spring
Work being done in boys change room repairing basement floor
Movie: Screenagers - March 22, 7pm-9 – for parents and students 10+
A highly recommended movie for parents and children that addresses challenges, control and communications surrounding growing up in the digital age
Eco schools / Eco status rating and success due to continued innovation and practices
Water week
Earth month
Get involved
Discussion / Grade 7 Ski trip
Great trip - 85 students participated – slightly lower number due to scheduling on Family weekend
Planning to book in early February for next years trip
Art Project / Mural: Growth Mindset
Great feedback on the mural work so far
Grade 6 – completed end of February
Grade 8 – have started and will continue likely after March break
Cost for both murals $18,000 – direct donations are welcomed and appreciated
Principal’s Report Vice-Principal’s Report
Events / March 6:
-Art Show - Good turn out, students excited to participate and display artwork Planning future art shows
-Grade 6 Concert – great performance that included Korean drumming
-EQAO information session
Thursday March 9 – 10th anniversary of ‘the big crunch’
Cosburn Sprit Week – superhero, comicon, pajama day, 80’s day, Cosburn gear
Summer 2017– Cosburn hosting summer school - more information to follow
April 6 – Semi Formal
End of April - Talent and Fashion show
Grad Date change from Mon 26 to Wed 28 in recognition of Ramadan
Adjournment / 9:00pm
Home and School
Grad theme letter sent to grade 8 parents outlining activities and H+S roles and contributions to grad
There are 200+ graduates, costs for food approx. 3,000
Direct ask to families and fundraising possibilities if needed
Current bank balance: $3296 - Mural: $1470 - QSP: $0 - Mables Labels: $86.46
Staff Luncheon: Very much appreciated. Thank you to Catherine Walker
Fundraising possibilities – pros and cons of bake sales, freezies, direct ask, pizza lunches
Direct donation and ideas welcome
Voted to use $140 to purchase popcorn, candy etc. for Screenagers Movie Night –proceeds to go to Mural project
Next meeting – Wednesday April 19
Possible guest speakers: Jennifer Storey or Healthy kids community challenge
Saturday March 11 – Ryan’s Day
Hockey, hotdogs and street party in celebration of Ryan
For more information please contact Shannon Weins