Malvern Home & School

Minutes of Meeting, October 6th, 2009

Present: Leslie Rose (chair), Jennifer Nahorniak (Co-chair), Line Pinard, Marlene Bourdon-King, Mike Izzo, Leesa Blake, Vicky Tsorlinis (new Treasurer), Nanci Harris (recorder)

Guest: Sheila Cary-Meagher, Trustee

Regrets: Dianne Sharpe, Fermer Santos, Claudine Tyrell

  1. Welcome and introduction by Leslie, introduction of the Home & School Executive. Sign in list distributed. Line also acknowledged the contributions of Heidi Deschenes who has been instrumental in the pool advocacy and who had also stepped forward to co-chair.
  1. Student Council / MSAA Report: Given by Mutesi , Student Council President
  2. Terry Fox Run: raised $3119, Homeroom 9G won the class prize for most money raised.
  3. Frosh Week – was well attended and received. A variety of events offered. Laura Ambas is the new Grade 9 rep for Student Council.
  4. Events are planned for October
  5. No formal MSAA report tonight – Leslie spoke to the Oct 16th Red & Black Spirit Day being planned, more in Line’s report.
  1. Approval of Sept 3 minutes. No errors or omissions noted. Motion to approve minutes as read – Marlene Bourdon-King, seconded by Mike Izzo. Motion passed. One parent commented on the mention of hazing in the minutes – discussion to follow in Safe Schools report.
  1. Treasurer’s Report: we are transitioning the role of treasurer to Vicky – full report at November meeting.

5.  Introduction of Staff Reps present tonight. Presentation by Mike Izzo on Malvern’s Equity Council:

·  Mike teaches Grade 10 Civics as well as an online course in Native Studies and a new Grade 11 course on Equity and Diversity. He provided background on diversity/equity activity at Malvern including the annual survey conducted on bullying. Spoke to the root issues of bullying such as inappropriate language/use of language. Began to identify strategies to address these behaviours – have launched a series of events. Ex:. Pink Day – MCI was the first Ontario school to host Pink Day, scheduled to be a national event in February 2010. There will be Peace Week in March 2010 and an Equity Conference for Grade 9/10s to be held as a half day event on Nov 26th. The theme: Celebrating the Body. This year’s event will feature more student led workshops, very popular last year. There are 3 new equity focused groups that are student led this year: Race & Culture, National & Global Issues with the focus on Attawapiskat and Gender & Sexuality.

·  There is also a new Ministry of Education strategy – Inclusive & Equitable Strategy Initiative.

·  Mike acknowledged Malvern being the recipient of the Anne Hope award last year from the TDSB which recognizes a school’s efforts to be more equitable. He also spoke to increased staff training on issues of equity and inclusion in curricula. Mike will return to a later meeting to update us on what has transpired this year.

  1. Principal’s Report (No Vice-Principal’s Reports tonight).

·  Welcome to new Executive members. Thanks to Leslie and Jennifer who spoke on behalf of Home & School at Grade 9 Parents Night.

·  Interviews have been underway for the .5FTE teacher MCI was successful in obtaining – will be allocated to reduce 2 of the teachers’ largest classes. Also interviewing for maternity leave positions.

·  Onward Malvern Foundation: first meeting is tomorrow night. Line provided background info on the organization. Intent is to consolidate all fundraising efforts through this registered charity (arms length from school). Full report at November meeting. Parents will have received a letter of ask from SteveThomas, Chair of the Foundation earlier this year.

·  Physical Plant Report: Sheila updated group on status of proposed school sign – there were some unanticipated permit issues that are being sorted out as we speak. She also spoke to the efforts underway for us to surpass our current “Gold” level rating as an Eco school. She referenced a new solar panel initiative in the works. Line reported that incidences of graffiti and vandalism have been reduced – a possible benefit from the hall pass initiative – will continue to monitor.

·  Safe Schools: Line provided background on hazing activities which have occurred at MCI and efforts since she came to reduce the incidence on school property. Unfortunately some behaviour has continued off property – most notably in the Glen Stewart Ravine. Attempts to deal with these occurrences are hampered by student’s unofficial “Code of Silence” too reluctant to disclose what is going on. School administration is working with the Community officers from 55 Division who are willing to speak to classes. Have hosted “Ask a Cop” sessions and have requested increased policy presence both in marked and plainclothes roles in the area.

Re: Marijuana use: this remains something MCI and all schools deal with. Line encouraged parents to talk to their kids and to realistically discuss the consequences of being arrested and charged. This led to a discussion re: various strategies to address the issue of teen substance use. A focus on building capacity in the school community as well as involving parents and the greater community were noted. Leslie noted the Executive had discussed preparing a document with school admin that could go to parents of children entering Grade 9 which they would receive in the summer (part of the Registration package now sent out) that could provide parents with some idea of what to expect for their children – ex: The incidence of off property hazing, preparing kids not to bring valuables to school and locking what they do bring safely away when at school, the importance of being on the Email blast list, activities such as unsanctioned dances which occur etc. This is something to be worked on this year.

·  Pool Update: We now have permits for four evenings a week and are aiming for more. This will assist in generating the needed revenue to keep the pool open. Line acknowledged the tremendous support we have received from Sheila our trustee. Malvern’s advocacy efforts and strategies to keep the pool open have become a model for other schools. Monarch Park CI is hosting a meeting Oct 13th re: their own pool and we are welcome to attend. Also, Cory Skuffham Malvern pool instructor is launching her own swim school to be hosted at MCI, a poster to be sent via Blast email soon. Please distribute to any and all in your neighbourhood.

·  To Kill a Mockingbird: Line referenced a situation concerning the book which took an incorrect media spin. Students in the TDSB can always ask for an alternative choice of book if they find an assigned one uncomfortable. We are always open to new suggestions for reading materials.

·  Red & Black Spirit Day – October 16th. This is an initiative being coordinated by Lesley Gage to generate school spirit. To be held at Birchmount Stadium featuring football, soccer and field hockey against other schools. Students can “Buy-in” at $5 to attend and require permission by parents to leave school for the event. The curriculum that day to be planned based upon final numbers of those who will be present, hoping for full student involvement given the amount of planning this takes and the intended goal. Will likely be a half day event. As part of this initiative the Malvern Vintage Wear fundraiser is also being advertised so students can purchase Malvern clothing items done in a vintage style. Available for everyone to purchase. Acknowledged the need to monitor attendance so some students don’t use it as an excuse to skip.

·  MADD Assembly – planned for tomorrow.

·  Oct 13th – early dismissal – Focus for teachers on promoting student engagement and student success.

·  Nov. 4th – Take your Child to Work Day. (Grade 9)

7.  Trustee’s Report – Sheila Cary- Meagher

·  Spoke to the “My School” review process she started 2 years ago that has resulted in themes being identified by schools for long range planning. Ex. Resume junior swimming.

·  Acknowledged that Malvern received the Specialist High School Designation for a major on the Environment and other eco-school initiatives in the works. Currently 7/26 schools in the ward are rated “Gold”. The goal for our ward schools is to be carbon neutral – this requires community involvement, significant efforts in all areas and is a long term initiative. Could involve geothermal sources of energy.

·  Spoke to the 4-line signs she is arranging to be in front of schools - $ is provided by the trustee and in return the Parent Councils create a marketing brochure for the school (which we have). Working on the permit – goes to Council Nov 20th for approval.

·  Sheila is commencing an audit of each school in response to parental input to determine how and where a school will start in their goal to be carbon neutral.

·  She spoke to the lack of solar panel initiatives from the TDSB – Malvern was turned down as it was too prohibitive a cost to retrofit our roof.

  1. Commencement Reception – Nov. 13th

·  Home & School sponsors and organizes the reception. Requires lots of volunteers who donate time for set up, hosting, clean-up as well as food and $ to buy pizza which is so well received!

·  A blast email is going out asking for support and a list circulated this evening for volunteers.

·  This is a great opportunity especially for parents of Grade 9 & 10 parents to contribute a small amount of time to get to know other parents and become more familiar with the school. Is a “pay it forward” kind of event for when you are the parent sitting in the auditorium celebrating your child’s accomplishments.

9.  Staff Appreciation Event – December

·  Date to be determined. This event has been generously hosted by Nazli Dewji for the last seven years! This is her final year. Parents are asked to support the event (greater than 90% attendance by staff) by donating $ for Nazli to order food. Event runs 4-7pm usually in first or second week of December. Blast email asking for support will go out closer to the time after commencement. Likely Dec 8th or 10th.

  1. Vintage Clothing Fundraiser Update:

·  Leslie reported she is working with the MSAA and the Red & Black Society on providing modernized versions of some “vintage” type items to sell. Proceeds would go to the group who sold the items. One item being sold in time for Oct. 16th is a red and black scarf for which 200 have been pre-ordered at a cost of $20. Blast emails will go out to alert parents and students.

11.  Other Business:

·  Nanci reported on the Parents Reaching Out Grants available to school councils from the Ministry of Education. Maximum amount is $1000 and to be used to promote parent engagement. To facilitate the focus of the grant proposal (due Oct 16th) an online survey is going out via the Blast email asking parents to select from a series of 6 possible topics that would be hosted either on a weeknight or weekend depending on interest. Nanci, Leslie and Jennifer to collate responses and submit proposal.

·  Eco-cups are available for sale at Red & Black Day - $13. Ms. Blake will bring some to the next meeting.

·  Still to occur – a discussion at Home & School on the process to be formalized that will determine the allocation of any additional funds raised and which will be channeled through the Onward Malvern Foundation. A process that is equitable and transparent needs to be in place.

·  Stronger Than Fire – Nanci talked about Eva Olson, an extraordinary Holocaust survivor for which a documentary was created to profile her life and the work she does on anti-bullying with Ontario students. Strongly recommending she be booked to come speak at Malvern this year if possible. Nanci shared the documentary with Mr. Izzo and other teachers.

·  Ms Blake – Eco Club – they are cleaning up the Glen Stewart ravine – Oct 20th in the morning. Permission forms for students to attend to be completed. This counts as community service hours.

·  Request by parent to provide feedback and information on the Malvern website for how students acquire volunteer hours.

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