Sir John A. Macdonald School Council Meeting

Minutes of November 18, 2004

Present: Brian Ahearn, Frank Biss, Elske Bosma, Holly Doll, Craig Haid, Evelyn Kudjerski, Erin O’Brien, Jim Ballos, David Lu, Jonathan Tsao, Maureen Sajdik, Alisha Hunnisett, Jaya Sundar, Ruth Ann Whipp, Nelson Yeung, Jane Young, Camil Youssef

Regrets: Christine Bell, Arlete Cabral, Tracey Allen

  1. Approval of Agenda:
    Agenda approved as written
  2. Approval of Minutes from October 14, 2004:
    Minutes approved as written
  3. Correspondence:
    1. Received a copy of the Parent Community Student Involvement Policy Review from Lloyd McKell, Central Co-Ordinator, Community Services Office; Jane sent a letter to Lloyd re MAC experiences with comments on suggestions in the report (as distributed at the meeting).
    2. MAC SAC telephone tree (as distributed at the meeting).
    3. MAC 2004/2005 agenda (as distributed at the meeting).
    4. Principal’s Newsletter (as distributed at the meeting).
    5. SAC membership 2004-2005 (as distributed at the meeting).
    6. TDSB Newsletter, circulated for information at the meeting. The next issue will include a special review of Dr. Lois Kivesto’s career.
    7. "Buy a Credit" letter sent to Ministry of Education. There is general concern in the community regarding this issue. Jane spoke to Trevor Irving, Ministry of Education, 416-325-2683. For more information see www.edu.gov.on.ca/tools/eduminister/eng/openlist/ .
    8. Mediacs: information for parents with ‘media saturated kids’. See www.mediacs.ca , email: Gordon@mediacs.ca.
    9. Community Forum: "How Safe Are Our Schools?"
      Thursday, November 25, 2004, doors open at 6:45pm; session begins at 7:00pm, Winston Churchill Collegiate, 2239 Lawrence Ave. East, 416-396-6883.
  4. Commencement November 5, 2004
    Jane thanked the faculty and staff for their efforts in making the commencement a very special and memorable event for all, especially for the graduates and parents.
  5. Facility Services – Renewal Priorities/ Site Consultation Process (R.A. Whipp):
    The survey was completed, and an assessment to prioritize repairs has occurred.
  6. Principal’s Report:
    1. Jim Watt, Macdonald’s superintendent will be retiring. The council will send a thank you letter to Jim.
    2. Night school classes will commence at MAC in Feb 2005
    3. Grade 10 EQAO testing is complete.
    4. Grade 9 math teat results are available. Overall MAC students did very well. 85% of the academic students achieved level 3 of higher. 30% of the applied students achieved level 3 or higher. The staff is assisting the applied students through math tutoring. MAC has an ongoing school improvement plan to help with students taking applied level courses, ESL, music programme, and library programme.
    5. Awards Assembly, Friday, Nov 19th
    6. REPORT CARDS issued, Monday, Nov 22nd
    7. Semi-Formal, Thursday, Nov 25th
    8. Parents Day/Night, Tuesday, Nov 30th, parent teacher interviews, 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:30pm.
    9. The Wiz, school musical, Dec. 2nd, 3rd and 4th
    10. MAC Xmas Concerts, Tuesday Dec 14th and Thursday, Dec 16th.
  7. TY-MAC Music Council (B. Ahearn):
    1. Ontario Music Educators’ Association Conference, Friday Nov 25th to Sunday, Nov 27th, Toronto. The MAC Symphony will be performing under the direction of Dr. Lois Kivesto at the conference on Friday afternoon.
    2. Fundraising: Please contact Evelyn Kudjerski, if you would like to help TY-MAC contact sponsors for the spring raffle.
  8. Other Business:
    1. Mailing to parents vs. email – follow up discussion for future reference: Currently under investigation, there is an issue re maintaining the email list (current), and there is also an equity issue (not all parents have email).
  9. Future meeting: Please note: February meeting changed to March 3, 2005.
  10. Adjournment: 8:50pm
  11. Next meeting: 7:00pm, on Thursday, January 6th, 2005
    March 3rd, 2005 / April 14th, 2005 / May 26th, 2005
  12. Information Sources & Key Contacts Pertaining to Education: