Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) Meeting Tuesday, May 12, pm MINUTES

Transcription

1 Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) Meeting Tuesday, May 12, pm MINUTES Attendees: Camille Taylor, Eleanor McIntosh, Kathleen Abe-Gokool, Mary Hindle, Mayline Brown, Philip Switzer, Christine Winters, Jim Markovski, James Klodnicki, one guest in the gallery Fletcher Lu Regrets: Humberto Carolo, Karen Haslam, Bill Holtby 1. Opening Remarks and Welcome Mary Hindle and Kathleen Abe-Gokool 2. Superintendent s Update Camille Taylor Igniting Opportunities facilitated through the regional Parent Reaching Out grant; Three sites held events of the evening with different keynote speakers. The audience were students in grades 7 to 11. Focused workshops based on topics of cooperative education, financial opportunities. 500 participants attended the event (102 North, 200-Ajax, 200-Whitby). Looking to include opportunity in the Parents as Partners conference coming up in the next school year to continue the work Pickering High School Volunteer Fair held in early April. Funded in part by the regional Parent Reaching Out grant. The initiative is in support of the commitment for students to attain their volunteer hours to complete their diploma requirements School Parent Reaching Out grant applications due date May 19. Hard copies sent to all schools and SCC (a new practice) as well as an electronic copy.

2 Durham Black Educators Network (DBEN) events shared by Eleanor McIntosh And Still We Rise secondary student conference held on March 10 at the Education Centre. Theme was Cultivating Courageous Change. One day conference for students in grades Keynote speak is Trey Anthony, Canadian playwright, comedian and actress who identifies as a Black Lesbian. Fifteen schools participated with 250 students in attendance from across the region. The And Still We Rise elementary conference held April 11 at Bellwood PS. This event is hosted for students and families in grades 5-8 and featured keynote presenters Ricky Neckles, entrepreneur and self-made business man and Brandon Hay, founder of the Black Daddies Club. Students engaged in a workshop presented by high school ambassadors. Over 200 people attended this event. The third event was the Activating Student Success Awards and 10 year anniversary celebration held May 7 at Sinclair Secondary School. The theme of the event was Cultivating Pathways to Infinite Possibilities. Seven awards were presented to winners from Grades 7-12 including the inaugural Mark Joel Trailblazer award. Secondary School Labour disruption highlight the work of the Communications Department to keep the public informed with updates about the ongoing strike action. Camille highlighted the messaging that was posted on the school board website, specifically providing support resources for programming for students in the absence of classroom programming. There was an update today regarding Durham, Peel and Rainbow District School Boards filing a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board about the legality of the strike. This move suggests to the public that we are very committed to having our kids return to school. Job action with Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario in the preliminary stages, and action is only going to be administrative in nature (staff meetings, professional learning, etc.). At this point, there is no indication how long it will last. Parent Involvement Committee elementary reps terms has now ended and new positions will be posted. Co-chair term ending for Mary Hindle. Camille provided a gift of appreciation. During this meeting we would have process to elect a new cochair. However, due to the low attendance, this discussion would not be reflective of voices present. Hence there is a decision to delay this decision to the first meeting. New position for co-chair will be posted at first meeting in the fall of Current secondary school parent positions will continue for next year. Community representative seats will be available in the fall for the term of two years. To be posted through numerous communication channels for sharing of information.

3 June 10 th, Camille will put out the call for application for available seats on the committee. Specifically community representatives. Currently there are four people in those seats when there is supposed to have three. For the purposes of transitioning these positions remained for the full year and as they become vacant, there will be a posting for three in the upcoming year (2 year term) Questions: 1. Has there ever been a situation where the government has legislated teachers back to work? Camille responds that in the recent past this has not occurred. Camille spoke to the fact that labour laws change over time and may not lend itself to a change occurring now. 2. In regards to the volunteer fair, what kinds of opportunities were present? Examples provided were PFLAG community network, Windreach Farms, Museum from Oshawa, specific municipality representatives 3. Is there any thought about changing or updating the volunteer form so it is less ambiguous and subjective to interpretation about the types of volunteer opportunities that can be sought (e.g., Arts and Culture some people take it as not for profit while others indicate either )? Is there any process in terms of clarifying the meanings of the definitions? No discussion at this recent event but Camille indicated that she would take the feedback back to the Programs team for review 3. Ministry of Education PIC Symposium Update - Mary Hindle and Kathleen Abe-Gokool Symposium held annually with Minister Liz Sandals hosting. Held in Toronto. PIC members from across the province participate in the symposium. Author, David Bouchard and professor Dr. Lynda Colgan from Faculty of Education and Community Outreach Centre from Queen s University were the keynote speakers. Kathleen commented that the professor spoke about the importance of math in our lives and need to treat it with the same emphasis placed on literacy. The symposium also featured a panel of PIC representatives speaking about best practices. Additional presenters were student entrepreneur, Tristan Babbin, who created a company that makes soap, Mary Gordon from organization Roots of Empathy, and Spencer West from Me to We. Breakout sessions featured topics on the new health education curriculum, making career choices easier with employment profile, Stepping Stones resource on Youth Development Participants received a USB key with information from symposium and sessions. Jim will attach to the minutes from the meeting today.

4 4. Powerpoint for June Board Report - Mary Hindle and Kathleen Abe-Gokool Background: Annually in June, PIC provides an annual report to the trustees that committee has undertaken in that school year. Lead by the co-chairs of the PIC for the meeting. The draft PowerPoint was shared with participants to garner feedback. This year s presentation to occur on June 1 st. 5. Parent Involvement Committee Input for Continuous Improvement - Mary Hindle and Kathleen Abe-Gokool Participants will reflect on the current year and practices that we have engaged in. Each member will complete the STOP-START-CONTINUE form individually and then share with the group. Suggestions under the STOP heading: o Improve break-out sessions at regional SCC o PD Place is not user friendly REMOVE registration Suggestions under the START heading: o Combine areas and sharing information o Sharing information Area to Area AFTER the break-out session o Still think some of the fundraising policy needs to be reviewed (i.e. funfairs vs chocolate bar fundraising) o Perhaps booths at FUNFAIRS showing what the PIC is (perhaps a manual or brochure) o Student Voice bringing it into the conversation o Volunteering in a global way student feedback regarding how well students are doing o Involving student senate and student trustees leadership opportunities and platform o Aboriginal Voice absent at this point, need progress in this area o Idea of surveying our SCC chairs to the North as it is hard to bring them into Regional SCC. Perhaps go up there and meet OR put on an event bring someone from the board (Tim Ralph or Alison Potts) o Perhaps at the first Regional SCC advertise in the SNAP or Newspaper Suggestions under the CONTINUE heading: o Keynote speakers o Resources available, especially those that have been made available to kids o Where do I go to get my child help (e.g., resources beyond the school help in math; mental health support; community connections) o Bring your Parent to School Day model has been successful in some schools o Ways that PIC extends DDSB priorities (e.g., Year of the Ally) - providing a platform for local SCCs to engage on central messaging

5 o Looking at precise learning opportunities (i.e. accounting session with Sid Lashley) 8:45 9:00pm Desired Outcomes of Meeting: 1) Finalize the content of the Parent Involvement Committee Report for 2014/2015 that will be presented to the Board on June 1, ) Reflect on our achievements for the school year and look for opportunities to strengthen our impact in supporting local School Community Councils for 2015/2016