1. Welcome and Introductions:
   Jane Young welcomed all participants to the meeting and invited everyone to introduce himself or herself.
   
2. Approval of the Agenda:
   Amended with the addition of School Environment re New Business.
   The agenda was approved.
   
3. Review of Minutes of Oct 9^th, 2003
   Minutes approved as submitted
   
4. Correspondence:
   Received as submitted.
   3.1: Survey from People for Education was received and completed.
   3.2: Environmental survey received from the TDSB re the condition of the school.
   
5. Presentations:
   
   5.1: Guidance:
   Christine Gillespie, Guidance Department, gave a presentation on the option selection process for courses, including the process to request changes. Discussions covered Option Week in Feb; opportunity to request changes from April to June; the impact on staffing decisions due in April; summer school, night school and private school courses; co-op programme, which is outlined in the CHOICES course calendar. The co-op option is designed for grade 10 students who will participate in the programme when they are in grade 11; there is a business co-op (accounting, marketing, economics, etc) & a society co-op (teaching, policing, etc).
   
   Action Item: School council to write a letter to the OME to request that transcripts should indicate where additional courses were taken by students, with the designation for the day school, night school or private school. This issue arises from the situation where private schools guarantee student success in pre-requisite courses such as English & math. The concern is that the standards at these other institutions may not be in line with TDSB schools. The impact on scholarships and achievement awards. Jane & Arlene will prepare a letter with Ruth Ann’s input.
   
   5.2. School Improvement Budget:
   Omeela Latchman provided an update on the school improvement business budget plan. Areas under discussion are EQAO literacy, and math tests, ESL and special education students, and students who are taking Applied Level courses. Pathways to Success is the TDSB initiative, which focuses on high risk students. MAC will request funding for a computer lab for literacy & numeracy and funding for an assistant curriculum leader to look after ESL students. Other items requested include an automated voice communications system to report absences, funding for the music programme – new instruments are needed, and funding to renovate the library. The library was scheduled for a renovation in 1994 and 1998, which was cancelled for various reasons; the library is overdue for a renovation. The report is due to the TDSB the week of November24-28^th.
   Ruth Ann thanked Holly Doll for her assistance on this project.
   
6. School Council: Membership & Voting:
   Two new members joined the school council: Louise Boccia and Donna Mallett.
   Action Item: Elske to contact Camil Youssef re position as a community rep.
   Arlene to follow-up with Wal-Mart re ‘Adopt A School Programme’
   Ruth Ann to follow up with Novopharm re community rep.
   
7. School Constitution:
   Copies were distributed. Volunteers required to review the constitution.
   
8. Mailing of School Newsletter:
   After some discussion it was determined that the newsletter, which includes important dates, should be mailed to parents. The cost of a mailing is approximately $800.
   
9. Education Meeting December 8^th, 2003
   Arlene & Jane will be attending this meeting. It will be held at Pleasant View Jr HS. It provides an opportunity for school council members to interact with the TDSB.
   
10. Principal’s Report:
    
    10.1: Office Hours:
    Due to staff cuts, office hours will be 8am to 4pm. Two secretaries were cut this year. Also, the Info-Line is no longer being maintained.
    
    10.2: Parent Concern Protocol:
    The Parent Concern Protocol memo was distributed to attendees. Copies are available from the office.
    
    10.3: School Dances:
    MAC will continue to hold school dances. Guests will no longer be permitted at school dances due to recent issues with guests. Guests will still be welcomed at semi-formal & formal dances, which are held off site.
    
    10.4: New Literacy Course:
    A new English literacy course has been created to assist students who have not successfully completed the grade 10 EQAO literacy test.
    
    10.5: Athletics:
    The athletic teams have been very successful in field hockey, volleyball, tennis, cross-country and junior girls basketball. Look for details in the newsletter.
    
    DATES:

Nov 25th	Report cards will be sent home, with interview request sheet.
Nov 26th	TY-MAC Meeting at J.B. Tyrrell Sr. PS
Dec 2nd	Parent’s night - 7 to 9pm
Dec 4th, 5th & 6th	School Play
Dec 16th & 18th	Xmas Concerts
Dec 20th to Jan 4th	Xmas break
Jan 5th	Back to school
Jan 8th	School Council Meeting / 7pm

 

 

11. New Business:
    
    11.1: School Environment:
    Some Macdonald teachers are conducting a survey on school environment. Building maintenance has been seriously eroded during the past few years as a result of budget cuts. Linda Scott suggested that a special period could be created to clean the school. Student volunteers could credit the time to their 40-hours community service. Concerns were raised re union issues, safety & hygiene issues.
    Action Item: Parents: please let the office know if you are interested in completing a survey.
    
    11.2: Maintenance
    Guru indicated that students would be willing to help clean the school. Paul suggested that additional waste bins should be made available.
    Heating: uneven throughout the building re some rooms very cold, others too hot. Ruth Ann stated that this issue has been addressed.
    Entrance door (near classroom 109): This door will be kept unlocked for period one only.
    Cafeteria prices: Ruth Ann will investigate the level of cafeteria food prices – Are they too high?
    
12. Next meetings: 7:00 PM on Thursdays: January 8, 2004;
    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