1. Welcome and Introductions:
   Jane Young welcomed all participants to the meeting.
   
2. Approval of the Agenda:
   The agenda was approved.
   
3. Review of Minutes of November 20th, 2003:
   Item 8 should read – Mailing of School Council Information Letter, not Mailing of School Newsletter. Minutes approved as amended.
   
4. Correspondence:
   Received as submitted.
   4.1: Ontario School Advocate [circulated for review].
   4.2: Globe and Mail, Sat. Jan. 3, 2004, article Are Some Students "Buying" a Spot at University? by Alanna Mitchell
   
5. School Council: Community Membership:
   Jane Young introduced Camil Youssef, who will be a Community representative.
   D. Windross, from Novapharm, will also be a Community Representative.
   Arlene Bacopoulos updated the council on Wal-Mart’s ‘matching gift’ programme (to a maximum of up to $2,000). Fundraisers are required to take place at Wal-Mart. Arlene will provide a contact name.
   
6. Principal’s Report:
   
   6.1. Email Distribution:
   Tracey Allen provided an update on the option of using email as a method of distributing the minutes, etc. At this time it is not feasible due to technicalities and administering the distribution list. Tracey reminded us that the minutes are available on the school web site: http://www.macdonald.egate.net/index.html.
   
   6.2. Parents’ Night, Tuesday, December 2, 2003:
   There was an excellent turnout for this event. The school is looking at options to extend Parents’ Night next year, by adding an afternoon session and starting the evening session earlier at 6:00 pm in order to accommodate everyone.
   
   6.3 Position of Responsibility (POR):
   The interview process is underway for the period for September 2004 to June 2007. MAC has 15 POR positions: six curriculum leaders and nine assistant curriculum leaders.
   
   6.4. EXAMS:
   The official exam period runs from Tuesday, January 20^th to Tuesday January 27^th. Please note: There will be exams on the mornings of Thursday January 15^th, Friday January 16^th and Monday January 19^th. Classes will begin at 11:15 a.m.
   
   
   6.5. School Improvement Plan Funds:
   The Superintendent is currently determining how the school improvement plan funds will be distributed. We still do not know how much money is available.
   
   6.6. School Activities:
   In December there were a number of school activities that took place, including the school play; the Xmas concerts on Dec 16^th & 18^th, the semi-formal; and grade 8 parent information night. There were over 500 attendees at this last event.
7. Awards Assembly:
   Arlene Bacopoulos attended this event on behalf of the school council. Jane Young sent her regrets.
8. School Constitution:
   The constitution was reviewed at the meeting.
   Holly Doll proposed a motion that all those in favour of the amendments to the Sir John A. Macdonald C.I. accept the constitution with the changes.
   Arlene Bacopoulos seconded the motion. The motion to accept was unanimous.
   Arlene thanked Holly for all her time and efforts re the constitution.
   
9. New Business:
   There will be a meeting to address the issue of struggling students who are at risk of failing.
   
10. Next meetings: 7:00 PM on Thursdays: February 26, 2004;
    April 15, 2004; and May 6, 2004.
    

Premier, Dalton McGuinty: Tel: 416-325-7200; fax: 416-325-9895; dalton_mcguinty-mpp@ontla.ola.org

Scarborough Agincourt Liberal MPP, Gerry Philips: Tel: 416-927-6558; fax: 416-297-4962; gerry_philips-mpp@ontla.ola.org

People for Education: www.peopleforeducation.com; p4e@peopleforeducation.com

Toronto Parent Network: torontoparentnet@rogers.com

Ontario Parent Council: www.ontarioparentcouncil.org

Ministry of Education: www.edu.gov.on.ca

Campaign for Public Education: Tel: 416-657-2930; fax: 416-393-8912; www.campaignforpubliceducation.ca; info@campaignforpubliceducation.ca

NDP Leader, Howard Hampton: Tel: 416-325-7116; fax: 416-325-8222; hhampton@ndp.on.ca