Present: Brian Ahearn, Jim Ballos, Christine Bell, Arlete Cabral, Alisha Hunnisett, David Lu, Erin O’Brien, Jaya Sundar, Jonathan Tsao, Nelson Yeung, Camil Youssef, Ruth Ann Whipp, Holly Doll, Pat Hyatt, Debbie Hamilton, Marilyn Deonarain, Laura Brown

Regrets: Jane Young, Tracey Allen, Elske Bosma

Arlete Cabral, Co-Chair, welcomed all participants to the meeting.

Approval of the Agenda:
The agenda was approved as printed. The article on Dr. Lois Kivesto as mentioned last meeting was distributed.

1. Review of Minutes of January 27, 2005:
   Moved by Arlete, seconded by Nelson, the minutes were approved as printed.
   
2. Principal’s Report:
1. Emergency Procedure/Lock Down Practice. Procedure for school lock down will be rehearsed in near future.
2. School Lottery/Enrolment. Much interest expressed in MAC by out of area students and their parents due to diversity of programs offered, leadership opportunities and reputation. Approximately, 700 people attended grade 8 info night. 282 grade 9 students are enrolled this year, 72 over the 210 restriction. Ruth Ann expressed concern re: potential increase in grade 9 numbers for September 2005. Planning extra teaching sections just in case. Arlete attended school lottery for out of area students with Ruth Ann and area superintendent. Process went smoothly.
3. Staffing Update. Ruth Ann attended a recent Principal’s meeting re: staffing. If schools offer more univeristy oriented courses, student to teacher ratio will probably go up. More money is being channelled into schools with programs being offered to more needy, less academic oriented students. Ruth Ann expects she will have less staff next year as a result.
4. EQAO Test. Next year’s test is being planned for one day – March 29, 2006.
5. Literacy Test. 89% of grade 10 students who took the test at MAC passed. The score of 82% included deferred ESL students.
6. CUPE/OSSTF Job Actions. Support and teaching staff are protesting salary, workloads and benefits. Their actions thus far are not impacting students directly.
7. Heating System. School’s heating is now automated by central computer and heat is now more regulated than before.
8. MACC (Macdonald Association of Canadian Culture). On March 4, 2005, students will attend assemblies featuring a mutilcultural show. Parents were invited to attend.
9. Kiwana’s Music Festival (Jazz Band), Computer Contest, Great Canadian Geography Challenge. MAC students have advanced in all these competitions.
4. Ty-Mac Report: (Brian Ahearn)
   Fundraising continues.
5. OTHER BUSINESS:
   A response was prepared re: the Parent Voice in Education on behalf of School Council by Jane Young, Arlete Cabral, Elske Bosma and Christine Bell and submitted on February 25, 2005.
6. Next Meetings – 7:00 PM, THURSDAY, April 14^th, 2005 and May 26^th, 2005
7. Information Sources & Key Contacts Pertaining to Education: