Danforth CTI School Council Meeting

October 28, 2015

In Attendance:

Sean Ingram, Alisa Metcalfe, Jen Moore, Felicia E, Archana P, Ms. Martins, Mr. Kwan (Teacher representative), Ms. Lopes (VP), Lynn D, MD Namzul H, Mizanur R, Martin S, John R., Ms. Chan (Student teacher), Viorela P, Fawn F., Alice S., Kyle D, Adrian S., Monjour M

Regrets: Sanne, John H.

Sean opened the meeting at 7:05 pm.

Opening remarks:

Agenda approval: One addition by Sean – Update on Pupil Accommodation Committee (PARC) Moved: Alisa, Seconded Fawn

Minutes: Changes: re Job action please consult TDSB website. We received notification of PARC last March. Motion: Alisa, Seconded: Fawn

Student Council Update: John (President) & Martin (Spirit promoter) were in attendance.

Haunted hallway to open on Friday for Halloween
Hallowe’en costume contest (not really a contest, just recognition for those who wear them)
Spirit wear will include sweatshirts, water bottles, hats (not size specific)
There will be a Multicultural Week at the end of November including food and activities.

Chair’s Update:

Sean updated us on a Letter from the Superintendent of Education with regard to the PARC. Reviewing underutilization of schools in the TDSB. There is a working group being struck as well as public meetings. The working group needs two parent reps. Dates of public meetings are Nov 23, 26, Dec 7 March 9. Initially working group meetings will be held to establish meeting parameters, followed by a public meeting. The meetings will alternate. Please feel free to forward suggestions or concerns to Alisa and Sean. Sean is encouraging parents to come out to public meetings. The December 7thmeeting will include deputations. The deadline to submit a request to present a deputation is November 30th (see letter that went home with students)This website will provide more information: council will send out a copy of the letter to list members.

Principal’s Report:

Leonora Lopes was introduced as a new VP at the school. Howard Kwan is acting as the staff representative this evening in place of Carol Sutton. Grace Chan was also in attendance. She is a student teacher and completing a Masters degree at OISE. She is currently assisting in the math dept.

Enrollment is currently at 885 students, which was over projected enrollment. Since our last meeting, one teacher has been hired to teach 4 English sections and 2 history sections. Another teacher has also been hired to teach math & science. Both are teaching classes at the junior (Gr 9 & 10) level. Ms Martins has also been able to add an art class, Phys. Ed, and gr 9 Mast tech class. The transition has been smooth. We are now in alignment with collective agreement.

School Statement of Needs. This is created by the School Council Executive. This was done last year, but needs to be reviewed again this year and then submitted to the school Superintendent. This identifies skills and leadership qualities that would be preferred in a Principal.

PIAC – Parent Involvement Advisory Committee. (Find a copy of the brochure and post to our website) The brochure clearly explains the role of this committee. Parents can get more information at this website: There is an annual conference which will be held on Sat Nov 14thand will be held at Earl Haig SS. This year’s theme is Parent Involvement Makes a Difference.

The school librarian is promoting the TDSB “Reading for the Love of It Contest”. Encourages young people to read. Every month a draw is held at the TDSB. We have a lot of students participating and DCTI received a commendation letter and an Author Visit. On Tuesday Nov 24th, author Shane Peacock will be working with English classes in the morning and will work with the Danforth Dialogues club.

Honours tea. Students who are achieving top marks are invited to this event to be recognized for their success. Students will receive invitations. This is for non-graduating students in Grades 9-11 during 2014-15.

There are two other recognition opportunities for students, January – You make a difference at Danforth. Nominations by teachers based upon character development traits. Achievement tea, which is at the end of April, based upon class work. Recognizes hard work and commitment and dedication to their education. Several opportunities for students to be recognized in different ways in the school.

Remembrance Day – important day at the school. This is a War Memorial School. Largest school population that went to war in WWII. Ms. Martins feels that the students and staff at the school do a really great job of showing respect and remembrance of those who have fought for our country.

Student mental health summit will happen at DCTI on Wednesday November 4th. Champions of the Minds club students will be the ambassadors for the day. 20 schools with 5 student reps will attend. Focus is on mental health and well-being for students in the TDSB.

All information is on the Danforthcti.com website and the student agendas.

Ms. Martins reported on graduation statistics from last year:

172 Graduates, 74 university bound, 26 college bound, 39 workplace, 21 returned for a 5th year and 4 went to other schools to either upgrade, 4 to apprenticeships. 4 Graduates from Independent Learning Program (Developmentally delayed) at the age of 21. 44% of graduates were University bound. Ms. Martins feels there is a great balance and the stats prove that there are numerous pathways that are provided by a composite school. Danforth values all pathways and is unique in this regard in the area.

November 10th, MaST Gr8 parent information night. Dec 8th is general Gr 8 parent information night. The Danforth Ambassadors will be on hand to represent the school.

Front steps are fixed! The stairwells have been painted over the past few weeks. There have been issues with leaky roofs and windows.

Ms Martins would like to reschedule the March 9th meeting because it conflicts with the PARC public meeting. We will announce this at the next meeting. March 2nd is a possibility.

Current job actions – CUPE and support staff on job action Sept 29th Caretakers, EAs Office Staff, School Based Safety Monitors. The school has navigated successfully and managed to maintain harmonious relationship with those staff members. OSSTF Unit A staff (limited to the TDSB, local bargaining) went on work to rule (Child and youth counsellors, attendance counsellors and social worker). They are limited in their job functions. OSSTF teachers decided that they will not do things that will affect students and parents. There may be additional job actions taken going forward. Extracurriculars will not be affected; however, teachers will not cover for each other for release of time when activities begin early. Start times of those activities may be delayed until after school. The Late Starts (starting the first week of November) may be affected as part of this job action. One pending job action is to not enter electronic records of marks. This may affect report cards which will be coming out in a few weeks. Teachers will enter marks for students who are applying to post-secondary institutions. Teachers will attend Parent Interviews (December 2nd). They will participate in the 1-3:30 session if the selective withdrawal of services proceeds. The interview booking system will be up and running in the next week. Teachers marks are due week after November 6th. Report cards usually mailed roughly a week after marks are due.

Alice S. encouraged parents in attendance to contact trustees, MPPs etc. to show support for staff and also to encourage ongoing bargaining.

Review of the Potluck: Sanne sends regrets. Potluck was the best event yet. Thanks to all who attended, including the staff and admin. A note was made to advertise this event as a Family Potluck. She is looking for a successor for next year. She’s putting forward a motion to purchase a banner for the event. Sean recommended an upright banner. Ms. Martins felt that approximately 40-45 people attended. Future idea might include recipe sharing. UPS stores will create banners for reasonable prices. Fawn volunteered to price this out.

Committee Updates:

Ward Council meeting November 3rd. No representative from Danforth attended October 5th meeting. There will be a special presentation on Caring and Safe Schools.

Mental health is a main focus

Urban Priority High School Initiative Committee: Felicia reported (see last minutes for UPHS description)

Reviewed the last year’s budget.
Reviewed the effectiveness of the programs funded by the budget.
The committee is looking for ways to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs.
Tom Adams was in attendance from the Ministry of Education and seemed most interested in getting more information about efficacy.
Ms Martins will forward the surveys that the school has already developed, to Fawn and Felicia. Fawn is interested in creating Survey Monkey surveys for students in the UPHS programs, as a means of measuring the success or shortcomings of the programs.

Safe Caring and Accepting Schools Committee

Chaired by Mr. Bain. Student rep and parent rep were external members. Rest were staff.
Most of the meeting focused on goals for the year.
Next couple of meetings will focus on the school climate survey.
Guidelines were given for interpreting the data. Main issues, bullying, teen mental health, school safety. Each member will review the results.
Mr. Bain would like a staff member or members to chair the meetings in future.
He would like feedback on how staff can use the data to create professional development opportunities for the entire DCTI staff.
Duane Ford is the new School Resource Officer in the school and sits on the committee.

Parent Engagement & Communication challenge:

Communication has improved in the past 3 years.
The electronic school sign is a huge improvement in getting information to the school community in a timely fashion.
New call out system (and email system) have improved awareness of school and School Council activities.
This is the first year that there will be a dedicated communication person.
Would like to know how many visit the School Council website. It would be great to improve content on the website and keeping it current.
Sean suggested a feedback mechanism for parents.
Ideas for guest speakers, School Social Worker, head of Guidance dept., Asst. Curriculum leader of Student Success.

Next parenting workshop is on November 19th – Dealing with Teen Procrastination. 6-8pm.

Next meeting is December 9th. Meeting was adjourned by Sean at 9pm.