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Vincent Massey High School

Parent Advisory Council

Meeting date: January 17,2006

Present Gwen Elliott, Aynsley Helwer, Joyce Agar, Brenda Kerswel, Leslie Loader, Terry Osiowy, Brent McEachern

Regrets-Bill Gordon, Candace Wolfe, Laurie Shewchuk, Maureen Stitt, Celia Speers, John and Barb Webber, Len and Edie Smith, Lily O’Driscol, Lynne McCaughey

Call to Order at 7:00 PM; Minutes reviewed.

Principal’s Report

· Terry gave us an interpretation of Bill 13 and it’s affects at VMHS.

This issue involves the issue of clustered verses non-clustered classrooms and at VM we have only ~30 students (in 3 classrooms) that are separated in special classrooms (i.e. clustered) and these are continually assessed and deemed appropriate. The focus here is to offer all supports to accommodate and adapt to the curriculum and to continue to include the student in the classroom and encourage future opportunities. It is to be noted that 350 students could be considered to have learning challenges but are accommodated into the regular classrooms. The goals here are to support all students, best support the teachers and enforce that students and families can make choices. Bill 13 emphasizes assessment and responsibility.

· Computer system for student and parental site viewing – called Home Logic - teachers are still being trained and are targeting parental training Feb 2007

· Recent student suicide during holiday season -Councillors were provided along with bussing to Sioux valley, and a support room at VM. -was handled by crisis response committee and procedure will be set up for future. VM is currently looking at recognition? plaques for all lost students and staff since opening of Vm.

· Graduation survey results had only 1/3 reply and it was planned to have a banquet but office recently received a student partition of 120 signatures requesting a prom style celebration-decision will be reviewed

· Smoking students are still at the southeast corner despite concern support from Bdn police dept, parents and staff and a polling of many Wpg high schools. Board has made a decision not to allow smoking on site so no action has taken place as yet at VM-will still consider antismoking programs.

· Feb report cards will be handed out to students and will included Massey Matters -parents present agreed it was not necessary to mail.

· Budget staff concerned re high costs and pending teacher arbitration and affects on the high schools and possible further budgetary restrictions

· Staff still feel a great difference from 1 year ago in atmosphere at VM and attribute it to BSD presence but especially to home school liaison /hallway monitor position-Derek Gaboury a 20ish year old who keeps on top of things!

Old Business

· Parent council meeting involvement- it was discussed re holding February meeting as Leslie will be away and it was decided to defer to March 14 when the International Baccalaureate program will be presented (and the PAC meeting will follow that evening). This information will be advertised in the newsletter as well as at the Advanced Placement program presentation for parents on Jan 16^th or 23 by Terry.

New Business

· Student survey re transportation from Brandon group council will also be included with Massey Matters to include feedback from VM parents regarding bussing throughout the years (whether to options or regular bussing) These surveys are to be returned to the office c/o Eva Cameron by Feb 15

Other reports

Student council are planning an off site dance in February then elections will occur before the end of Feb for the new student council for the 06/7 term.

Parent Division Liaison committee welcoming parents to meetings to represent parental views and discuss all schooling issues and policies with BSD administration. Contact Leslie if interested.