Present: Jim Ballos, Christine Bell, Arlete Cabral, Jaya Sundar (Community Rep), Pat Hyatt, Debbie Hamilton, Margarita Marotta, Laura Brown, Jane Young, Evelyn Kudjerski, Chun Hui (Student Rep), Sean Torrie (Student Rep), Kandiah and Pavalarani Senthilnathan, David Rowan (VP), Vicky Capogiannis (Teacher Rep), Craig Haid (Teacher Rep), Soriana Mantini (Principal)

Jane Young, Co-Chair, welcomed all participants to the meeting including new Principal, Soriana Mantini.

1. Approval of the Agenda. The agenda was approved as printed.
2. Correspondence:
1. People for Education Workshop - Keeping Teens in School, November 5, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., York University, $40.00
2. People for Education – Annual School Survey – Arlete to coordinate a group to complete this survey
3. TDSB Workshop for Parents on IPRC’s, October 25^th, 7 – 8 p.m., Council Chambers, 140 Borough Drive
4. TDSB – French Language Parent Involvement Advisory Committee – interested parents should contact TDSB
5. TDSB, Superintendent David Shory hosts open meetings first two Tuesdays of each month in different locations in our Ward; Arlete attended a recent session
6. Take your Kids to Union Day, November 2^nd – An alternative education program for grade 9 Take your Kids to Work Day, promoted by the Labour Education Centre and Ontario Federation of Labour
7. Letter sent to Councillor Norm Kelly by Mac School Council in June 2005 re: traffic/speed limit concerns in front of the school. Soriana will follow-up on this issue.
3. Council Elections.
Jane distributed School Council Biographies that were previously submitted. No further nominations received. All those attending tonight’s meeting agreed to serve on Council. Arlete was nominated as Council Chair and accepted. Christine was nominated as secretary and accepted. Arlete circulated a Summary of School Council Regulations #612 and #613 to clarify council member responsbilities. Council thanked Jane for her past leadership and Arlete for continuing as Chair this year.
4. Council Meeting Schedule.
The following dates (Thursdays – 7-9 p.m.) were selected for future meetings: November 24^th, February 9^th, March 30^th, May 11^th or 18^th – to be confirmed.
5. Principal’s Report.
1. School Opening. Smooth start to the year. Still dealing with large class sizes – 1385 enrolled in Mac – 48 students over current staffing. A new teacher has been hired and will start in next two weeks. Large ESL classes will be redistributed. Mac will then have 80.5 teachers in totals.
2. Conditions of OSSTF contract
settled in July have implications for class size targets that cannot be exceeded. This will mean some time table rearrangements for some students before the end of October.
3. "Student Success" Teacher
role being shared by two teachers after school to assist "at risk" students in attaining credits, improving attendance, and providing other support.
4. TDSB Facility Renewal projects
– signs posted on schools indicate some type of work was completed over the summer. Mac received a new roof over tech wing and a new gym floor.
5. Hall Monitor
, Mr. Thomson, continuing to provide 15 hours per week, primarily over lunch hour periods. Soriana outlined role of hall monitor as extra "eyes and ears" to ensure student safety/school security.
6. TDSB IPRC Parent Workshop
set for October 25^th.
7. Commencement
– November 4th.
8. Awards Assembly
October 14^th.

5.10 Remembrance Day Assembly – November 11^th a.m.

5.11 Musical – The Grinch – December 1, 2, 3

5.12 Christmas Concerts – December 20^th and 22^nd

5.13 Grade 8 Parent Night – December 7th

5.14 EQAO – March 29th.

5.15 School Council Input Questionnaire distributed by Soriana. Feedback requested.

5.16 Citrus Fund Raiser for music students taking place now.

5.17 TDSB did not grant Mac a specialized program designation for music. Other schools and parents lobbied against this in June. A recent review did not reverse this decision. This is very disappointing and will mean fundraising will be even more important for music program. Discussion ensued re: creative fundraising ideas – e.g. sell Mac concert CD’s (Vanier C.I. has offered to record Mac band/orchestra), approach former Mac "celebrities" for support – e.g. Eric McCormack, Elton John’s partner. Mr. Haid offerred to assist Evelyn and Ty Mac Music Association in these and other endeavours.

5.18 Corporate sponsorships would assist funding for special programs such as robotics. Council members were encouraged to identify potential sponsorship partners. Margarita has potential contact she will share with Soriana.

6. New Business.
1. Take Your Kids to Work Day, November 2^nd. Students not participating in this are expected to be in school. Info packages and release forms are in office. OSSTF does not support this program. Take Your Kids to Union Day is an alternative program.
2. School Voicemail.
Request was made to increase volume of recording.
3. Auto Shop.
Concern was expressed that this part of the school sits vacant and could be used to teach valuable skills as well as provide credits for interested students. Soriana is getting a price on outfitting the auto shop and will be exploring funding options for this. To explore interest/potential demand for this type of program, it will be included on a future option selection sheet. Soriana made the point that 22% of students do not go onto post secondary school education and we need to provide students with other skills and learning opportunities during their highschool education.
4. Glass in exterior doors.
A question was asked re: the "strength" of window glass. With force, this type of glass will shatter into pellets and therefore will not cause injury.
5. Outdoors Club.
Question was raised as to the potential for this type of club at Mac. Soriana explained that new clubs are created in response to a student proposal and teacher support for the proposed new club. Mr. Rowan informed attendees of existence of Duke of Edinborough Program which in addition to an Award component, has emphasis on outdoor experiences including camping.
7. Next Meeting – THURSDAY, 7:00 p.m., NOVEMBER 24^th
8. Adjournment.
Arlete adjourned meeting at 8:30 p.m.
9. Information Sources & Key Contacts Pertaining to Education:
   

• Premier, Dalton McGuinty: Tel: 416-325-7200; fax: 416-325-9895;
  dalton_mcguinty-mpp@ontla.ola.org
• Minister of Education, Gerrard Kennedy
• Scarborough Agincourt Liberal MPP, Gerry Philips:

Tel: 416-927-6558; fax: 416-297-4962; gerry_philips-mpp@ontla.ola.org
• NDP Leader, Howard Hampton:
Tel: 416-325-7116; fax: 416-325-8222; hhampton@ndp.on.ca
• OME
– Ontario Ministry of Education: www.edu.gov.on.ca
• School Trustee: David Shory,
Ward 20, 416-397-3066, david.shory@tdsb.on.ca
• TDSB
– Toronto District School Board: www.tdsb.on.ca
• TDSB
Superintendent of Family Schools: Saryl Jacobson, 416-396-9180
• Campaign for Public Education:
Tel: 416-657-2930; fax: 416-393-8912; www.campaignforpubliceducation.ca; info@campaignforpubliceducation.ca
• Ontario Parent Council:
www.ontarioparentcouncil.org
• People for Education:
www.peopleforeducation.com; p4e@peopleforeducation.com
• Toronto Parent Network:
torontoparentnet@sympatico.ca
• Dave Rowan – TDSB Superintendent of Special Education