BDHS School Council Minutes

Sept. 10, 2009

Attendance: M. Sherman, Principal, J. Cartier, Council Chair, G. Russell, Recording Secretary, A. Nanni, C. Brooke, T. Toll, P. Jackson, Teacher Rep., G. Snobelen, L. Bartlett, S. Welton, T. Velinou, K. Evans, L. McEwen

Regrets: A. Montgomery

Call to Order: 7:00

1. Welcome and Introductions: Conducted by Jane Cartier

2. Introduction of Chair: Jane has offered to stand for next year, however would like a co-chair to allow for a smoother transition for the next year.

Secretary: Ginny has offered to stand

3. Student Reports:

Student Council- Susan Snobelen, co-Prime Minister

-Niner’s night-Sept. 10-games, BBQ and dance

- Each month there will be a competition in the cafeteria

-Halloween dance being planned

-Fundraiser end of Sept.- chocolate covered almonds

- End of Nov. “12 hour lock-down”- activities in the school from Noon to Midnight, money raised to go to charity, participants must raise min. of $25. to participate.

-Dec. semi-formal being planned

SAA –Shawn Cartier

-First meeting has been held

- Spirit night next week on 17th

-Plans for this year: citrus fundraiser, athletic banquet

- Matt Price and Jake Lane will be co-presidents for next year

-Suggestions: - repair tennis courts- Mark has brought this to the Municipality for action,

Currently working on reciprocal maintenance agreement.

4. Staff Report: P. Jackson

-Red Feather- Sept. 18 & 19/09

-Teams currently running: senior football, girls’ basketball, girls’ and boys’ volleyball, golf, cross-country

-Booster Club is currently looking for volunteers to assist with bingos, see Pat

5. Principal’s Report: M. Sherman

a) Enrollment and staffing- currently have 520-525 students, down 25 from last year

New staff: Mark Bunning- science and Carrie-Ann Bradley- French

b) Summer Work- Washrooms being re-built, painted

c) Scoreboard finished, new project-hallways

d) Fundraising- Student Council- chocolate almond sales, Relay For Life transferred to Community. Kathy will look into KFC grant and report to Mark. Mark will look into the Trillium fund and LIBRO

e) Overnight Events- there will be only evening events, no more overnight

f) Exam Schedule- exams will be simplified, one per day, held in the morning only and run over four days. Exams will be held in the classroom with the course teacher

g) Fall Commencement: Friday Oct. 9/09

h) Teams- due to enrollment, staffing and costs, boys/girls’ hockey will not be running, girls’ soccer has been replaced by rugby

6. Website and Dates to Remember: handout- includes School Council meeting dates,

Also posted on school website.

7. Up-coming Events: School Council training event- Sat. Oct. 24/09, 9-2:30 at A.A. Wright P.S., Wallaceburg, theme: Encouraging Parental Involvement

8. Review Principal Profile: hand-out Council has been asked to review this document and e-mail any additions or changes to Mark by Sept. 21/09

9. Health & Safety: Staff training date- Sept. 25/09

BDHS has had regular inspections of the water, and checks for mould .

H1N1 concerns being addressed by hand sanitizers being available in all rooms that do not contain washing stations. (Guidelines for use sent out to Staff Sept.14 – should be in schools by end of the week Sept 18th)

10. Special Education: Heather DeNure is the new DD/MF teacher, students appear to have adjusted well to this change.

11. PRO Grant Application: Oct.16 –deadline for application- discuss further at next meeting

- Grad information night: Oct. 20/09 6:30 – 8:30 PM to be held for grade 11 and 12 students and parents. Possibility of kiosks and 3 or 4 individual sessions around workplace, apprenticeship,college and university, as well as application processes for scholarships etc.

- Parent’s Night & BBQ - Nov. 17/09 – consensus to run again

12. Overall Goal Setting- Council Direction 2009-2010:

“Positive Parenting”- info for parents in the Blenheim. Tribune

Each council member is asked to research and write a short item to bring to the next meeting. Jane will get a cost estimate from the Blenheim News.

13. Open Items:

- Members were reminded to keep in mind a nomination for Outstanding Teacher. Start compiling info now so we’re ready when applications come out.

- Members were asked if they were interested in a short demo on scientific calculators. Response was mixed.

14. Next Meeting: Thursday Oct.8 2009 at 7:00

Meeting adjourned : at 8:30