Louise ArbourSecondary School Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January27, 2015
Room 101
Members present:
Sharron Kuhl Bharat Mistry Bal Dhaliwal Salma Hossain Lakhwinder Khehora Settor Kemeh Nazir Bapoo Rafeena Mohamad Margret Sadowsiu
Agenda
1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Exam Review 3.Option selections 4.Timetable for 2015 - 2016 . 5. Confirming Next Meeting Date 6. Other Business
1. Welcome and Introductions
The principal for LASS declared the meeting opened at 7.05 pm followed by self-introduction of all attendees.
2. Exam schedule
The principal solicited and received the opinion of the council members on the exam schedule that was used in the January 2015 final exams. The council found the time slot used, 10am -12.noon, to be helpful andless stressful for the kids. As wellthe students completed the exams by noon and had the rest of the day to prepare for the next exam. In addition, the weekend break between exam days 2 and 3 was helpful since it gave the students an opportunity to complete 2 exams and also prepare for the next 2 exams over the weekend break.
A concern was expressed in the coming June exams coinciding with Muslim students who may be fasting and also write exams at the same time. A member of the council explained that Muslim are expected to go about regular activates on fasting days and that this should not be an issue. The principal informed the council that she is opened to the option of allowing Muslim students to write final examson another date should their exams time table conflict with Ramadan and other holy days.
Another concern was expressed about bussing students who have to wait after completing the final exams at 12.00 noon till 3.00pm to board the bus home. The principal plans to look at an alternative option for a school bus to take the bussing students to one location at Mount Royal and the students to walk home from there. She plans to find out how many students will be interested in this option.
3. Option selections
The principal gave a brief presentation on how to select courses on "My Blueprint". She provided parents and students with a view that helps them to select the required courses.
In an answer to a question, the principal mentioned that she will send a voice message in the first week of February to parents who want an opportunity to discuss course selection of their children with a guidance counselor to either call the school or come in to have their concerns addressed.
4. Timetable for 2015 - 2016
Due to various ongoing housing projects in the vicinity of LASS, it is anticipated that the student population will increase in the near future. The principaltherefore soughtinput from the council for a possibletimetable switch to allow for two lunch periods to accommodate for specialty courses such as science and physical education to better utilise the limited facilities available. The council members selected option 3-Stable Version A.
5. Confirming Next Meeting Date
The next council meeting will be on Tuesday, February 26, 2015 at 7.00 pm.
The meeting ended at 8.30 pm.