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Teachers' Links Students' Links What's Happening
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Parent Advisory Council Meeting date: March 14,2006 Present: Aynsley Helwer, Celia Speers, Brenda Kerswell,
Joyce Agar, Carol McInnis Rocan, Leslie Loader, Mathew Gustafson, Terry Osiowy,
Brent McEachen Regrets Maureen Stitt, Len and Edie Smith,
Gail Janz, Laurie Sewchuk, Lily ODriscol, Lynne McCaughey, Bill Gordon. Presentation; Mr Malasdrewitz from Neelin High School
presented their International Baccalaureate Program which has been in the works
for several years and is slated for operation next school year. It will take
place at Neelin and students that are interested can apply now for their S3-4
years or for individual courses to get an IB certificate. It targets students
are enthusiastic learners but not necessarily those with high marks. The basis
of the program started with embassy appointees in Europe whose families moved
frequently and required an internationally recognized graduation diploma. IB is
a well recognized high standing challenging diploma with an international focus.
The students take at least 2 languages, community service, arts/music and write
a thesis type essay that will be marked out of country. They study core subjects
as well that all have international focussed challenging curriculum.
Universities worldwide recognize the diploma and often offer scholarships or
unquestioned acceptance to its grads. Many accept the courses as equivalent to
their first year studies so students can go into their 2nd year of
studies initially. The staff involved have attended courses and workshops,
and the administration have devoted many efforts to be accepted by the IB
organization. The final acceptance letter is pending but all processes so far
have been well received and approved to date. Call to Order at 8:00 PM; Minutes reviewed. Principal’s Report · Mr Osiowy offered some comparisons between IB program recognition and
AP-which is offered at VM · Smoking area- Admin met with the students and have expanded the smoking
area and continue to deter on site smoking. Manitoba Theatre for Young Students
are doing a play about smoking at VM and further anti-smoking classes are still
to be planned · Graduation >2/3 majority voted for a prom style grad rather than a
meal and many committees have been formed to plan this. Expected cost will be
$10+ dollars. Date is June 23 and ideas included a dessert table, grand march,
mock-tail counter and a theme of ‘a night on the town’ · Grade logic, Home logic the computer program to include marks and
assignments on line are to be available to parents Feb07- ½ staff are trained
so far-parent info sessions planned for next year but email info is being
collected with registration forms this year. · Open house went well and registration forms for S1 are for return next
week · Awaiting teacher student ratio announcement from BSD April11 and this may
reduce staff by an expected ½ position only as student numbers as of Sept were
not down · Healthy Kids Healthy Futures initiative has prompted the provincial
directive of compulsory physical education time for all students. Currently S3-4
do not have gym time. This poses a challenge re gym scheduling and inclusion of
another compulsory credit for graduation. Admin await directives about including
community physical activity as logged time, which could include sports and
public gym use. · Cell phone use was brought up as a topic of discussion and admin noted
the # of cell phones has drastically increased this year but use during class is
well curbed by teachers . The topic of camera phones and confidentiality was
also discussed and currently BSD does not have a policy restricting this. An
example of a Bdn student using posted personal pornographic pictures was
worrisome and some schools ban cell phones altogether. At present the situation
is being monitored. New business
Since our council is technically an Advisory council with provincial recognition
as well as legislation we need to recognize that a quorum of the minimum of
7 is seldom met at our meetings. Therefore it was agreed that rather than change
our bilaws to reflect this we agreed to operate as a parent council at present
.We have been logged as such with the Dept of Ed. Other reports- Brandon group no
report from March meeting BSD Liaison- planning
a parent Forum April 19 7PM BSD admin building to get input on parental concerns
and current issues regarding school safety-from bullying to lockdowns. This
is open to all parents and you are encouraged to attend. Student council-new
council is in place now and are working on the order for benches for the foyer. Next Meeting: April
11- 7PM in the Library –(north west corner room) Presentation- Mathew Gustafson will hold a session to collect parental ideas about ‘Exploring characteristics of the socially responsible school student’ This is in response to the School Improvement planning process. |
Students who have purchased 2009-10 yearbook
http://www.purchaseyouryearbook.com/
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