PSSC minutes (Approved) April 6th 2016

In attendance : Mike Belong ( Principal), Anne Marie Picone Ford (Chair), Mary Boucher (Teacher rep) , Joe Woodford, Jennifer Machum, Lise Bellefleur- Jonah, Sheila Cameron, Patricia Crowell , Adriana Campbell, Shawna Downey, Regrets: Lisa Farley, Scott Agnew. Michelle Doucet (Observer)

Anne Marie called the meeting to order at 6:30pm and welcomed all.

Mr. Belong introduced Laura McManaman the SPR for Language and Assessments and is also responsible for EAL (English as an additional language). The French department has 10 members. There are 443 students presently enrolled as French Immersion. 4 credits in French allows for a MHS diploma in French and 5 credits allows for the Provincial diploma. The oral proficiency interviews are conducted in Grade 12 for those students qualifying. In Grad 10 there is a random FSL oral proficiency test. This year there were 49 students selected, the results are not in yet. The FSL cultural experience includes speakers, artists, musicians and camps. Presently at MHS, there are 200 students as English language learners. There are over 35 different countries represented in the MHS population. The immigrants and refugees go to Edith Cavell for proficiency testing then to EAL, the needs vary tremendously. Mr. Belong along with Mrs.McManaman will be presenting a proposal to the District regarding the introduction of a Welcome Center. Here the new students will register and be assessed. There would be a common assessment process which is being developed now. They are hoping this idea will be well received because there needs to be a better set up for the EAL students.

Anne Marie thanked Mrs. McManaman for a very interesting and informative presentation.

The regular meeting continued.

Anne Marie thanked Shawna for once again taking the minutes and mentioned it was appreciated.

Approval of the agenda JW/ SC. MSC

Approval of the March minutes. LBJ/SC. MSC

Business arising from the minutes:

Anne Marie contacted Gregg Ingersoll to see if there had been any response to our deficiencies letter. All we know is they have received it and have filed it.

Anne Marie contacted Tamara with regards to our DEC rep. Apparently there was some confusion this year, but after the election we will have a representative assigned. Anne Marie also inquired with Tamara about the letter we had sent re: the deficiencies and she said she was in touch with Tony Weber but did not have any answer yet.

Principal’s report:

The dress code announcement was not well received, however, the intention was for neat, clean and modest attire, dress for success. No hats, jackets must be in the lockers. The homeroom teachers will speak to the students rather than having a school wide announcement. There will be better communication next time. Dominic LeBlanc, the liberal Member of Parliament, was in as a guest speaker to some of the classes and was very well received. Mr. Belong touched on the Greenhouse Project with feeding kids at lunch and having the culinary tech classes part of this initiative. Mr. Belong will have a power point down the road for the PSSC to see. The Alumni Wine Festival is scheduled for May 14th and tickets are available in the office. Following up on our discussion from the last meeting, Mr. Belong spoke of the Mental Health initiatives at MHS. He had spoken with Marc Poirier and the school offers yoga twice a week, the gym is full at lunch; badminton and basketball are the most prominent. They is also open the gym in the morning when there is staff present to monitor. There are different types of exercise offered and it is very diversified. Students with failing grades have an intervention set up. They are thinking of possibly having homeroom as 50 minutes per week rather than 10 minutes each day. This would allow for a class for intervention to help those students who require it. The Atlantic Educational Summit will be held July4-6 and MHS is hosting this year. % teachers from MHS will be sponsored to attend.

Student report:

No report

Teachers report:

Marks were due on the 5th, however, due to a major computer problem; the report will be delayed until after the week-end. Parent-teacher interviews will be April 7th in the evening and April 8th in the morning. The professional development scheduled for April 8th in the afternoon will be the Changing Minds Modules 7 & 8. It is extremely relevant with mental wellness and a good experience. The English department is already starting to think about the final assessments. OCA is being administered next week for District Office. They have begun intervention blocks and regrouping to help with deficiencies in Grade 9 & 10 English. MHS hosted the STEM Expo this year and came in 3rd place overall in the high school category and 1st place in the computer science category. New business:

There was discussion around the presentation of the Welcome Center to the District. It was moved and seconded that a letter of support/endorsement for this initiative be sent from the PSSC to the District. LBJ/SC

Mr. Belong will discuss this with Anne Marie following the presentation to determine the timing for the letter.

There was also discussion around the police situated on Eaglewood/Royal Oaks Blvd, ticketing students/staff for rolling stops. We will monitor the situation and if needed send a letter to the editor. This seems like a frivolous waste of police resources. What is the actual reason for this?

The next meeting will be held May 4th at 6:30.

Anne Marie reminded all members of confidentiality.

Meeting adjourned at 8pm. SD