School Advisory Council Meeting Minutes February 2017

Minutes of a Meeting of

IRHS School Advisory Council

Held February 7, 2017 at 6 PM

In the School Library

Mark Yukich, School Advisory Council Chair, opened the meeting, welcoming all attendees.

Mark indicated that the School Advisory Council annually applies to the Halton District School Board for the Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant. This years application which will be submitted by the end of March, will be based on an initiative to support wellness.   Last year’s grant was used to fund a well-attended talk by Dr. Karyn Gordon at IRHS this fall.

Student Council Update

4 student representatives from School Council advised the School Advisory Council of some recent activities they had held, including Fall Fest, Scary Movie Night, Halloween dance, winter holiday spirit week, and visits by the local Dog Guides to the Ridge school library to help relieve student stress.  They indicated that the School Council is planning the annual semi-formal dance for Thursday, Feb. 23, at Otello’s Banquet & Convention Centre. The theme will be “James Bond”.

Parent Engagement Program (PEP) Update (Kim Smith)

Kim indicated that many new parents have joined the PEP team, and that next year will have a strong team.  Many activities have taken place already this year: Pink Football Game BBQ (over $600 raised for breast cancer research), Holiday Marketplace and holiday staff appreciation luncheon.  Dr. Karyn Gordon’s talk had an excellent turnout of over 200 community members, and PEP hopes to offer a similar talk next year.

Kim spoke of the “Ridge Cares” program, which supports students who otherwise would not have very nice holidays.  Kim thanked those who have already participated, and urged others to join this effort.

The ongoing Tuesdays at 10 & 7 series (1st Tue. of every month) continues. In December, a Ridge parent who is a drug counsellor came to speak about students and substance abuse, and a second parent gave a presentation in January on students’ mental health.  Other parent experts are sought to speak on subjects of concern to the parent community.  Parents are encouraged to come for at least one topic this year.

Community Update (Natalia Lishchyna, Town Councillor, Ward 6)

Councillor Lishchyna, a parent at the Ridge, gave attendees an overview of the Town’s plans to renovate the Iroquois Ridge branch of the Oakville Public Library, located beside the high school.  The new design includes more collaborative spaces, as well as quiet working/reading spaces, and more opportunities to use up-to-date technology.  More information about this renovation is available at: http://www.opl.on.ca/blog/1990/10/iroquois-ridge-branch-to-undergo-renovations-introduce-creation-zone/

There will also be opportunities for community members to have spaces in the new library dedicated (“in memory/honour of…”, etc.); please contact the Town if interested.

Other Town initiatives underway in Ward 6 include repairing and upgrading streets, and remediating the emerald ash borer infestation.
Coun. Lishchyna encouraged the community to contact her office with their concerns.

Principal’s Update (Darlene White)

Darlene thanked the attendees for coming out, especially on a foul-weather night, including PEP leaders Kim and Susan, and Coun. Lishchyna.  She mentioned ongoing school renovation, including new cafeteria seating, and redesigning the library to be more student- and collaboration-friendly.

She indicated that the student body had just completed summative tasks, exams and exam take-up day, and that report cards would be out on Fri. Feb. 10.  She also indicated that a promotion meeting had been held, at which staff had reviewed all students’ credits, marks, attendance and volunteer hours, and that families would be contacted as needed about the results.
Darlene stressed the need for the staff to spend time together as a community, as well as to continue their own learning, and to plan how to serve students’ needs.

She stated that the new semester had begun with a Collaborative Morning with a speaker, and that the practice grade 10 literacy exam would take place on Thurs. Feb. 9.

Upcoming dates:

Semi-Formal Dance: Feb. 23 (Otello’s)

Inside Ride: Thur. Mar. 2

P.A. Day: Fri., Mar. 10

March Break: Mar. 13-17

5th week reports: week following March Break

Gr. 10 Literacy test & Interview Night: Mar. 30

School Re-visioning & the Multi-Year Plan (Darlene White)

Darlene indicated that IRHS is still working on the school vision/mission/values.  To see it, go to www.hdsb.ca, and click the link “Mission Vision and Values”.  Parents present at the meeting, who had not yet participated, were given an opportunity to contribute.  Parents can still participate at: goo.gl/qAWs1w

There being no further business, Chair Mark Yukich thanked everyone for coming and adjourned the meeting at 7:00 PM.

______________________________________________

Sue Kronenfeld, Secretary

Next School Advisory Council meeting: Tue. 4 April @ 6PM