Father John Redmond CSAC DRAFT Meeting Agenda
Tuesday March 2, 2010

Father John Redmond CSAC Meting Agenda

Tuesday January 12, 2010

Meeting Minutes January 10, 2010

I.Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7 pm and began with an Opening Prayer.

II.Attendance: Irene Mercuri, Dianne Parwicki, Sandra Mudryj, Rhonda Bell, John de Ponte, Oksana Fuke, Sophie Hainer, Cathleen Holmes, Tanya Imola, Natalia Krencil, Susan Longo-Santia, Susan Marcinkowski, Wendy Moss, Cathy O’Toole (Fulton), Therese Stewart, Sandi Kiverago, John Wolwowicz, Janet Weech, Carolina Garcia

III.Regrets: Walter Spano, Trasa Bracken, Janet Day, Refa Fredericks, Carolina Garcia, Sandi Kiverago, Lola Marcocchio, Maggie Orange, Chris Timson

IV.Chair’s Opening remarks. The CSAC Co-Chair welcomed everyone back from the holidays, and wished everyone a Happy New Year. The Co-Chair once again raised the need for a Secretary and asked for any volunteers for the rest of the year. There were no volunteers, so the CSAC Executive will continue to share this role.

V.Approval of agenda. The agenda was moved by Therese Stewart and seconded by Tanya Imola.

VI.Approval of previous Minutes. Approval of the minutes of December 1, 2009 were moved by Therese Stewart and seconded by Wendy Moss.

VII.Business Arising from Minutes of previous meeting. No business arising.

VIII.Principal’s Report:

Safe School Plan: Mr. Spano was unfortunately ill and not able to present in detail the Safe School Plan. The principal did share that safety manuals are available in every classroom, explaining all safety procedures that are to be followed. A copy of the safety manual is available on the Redmond website.

The school will undertake a lockdown on March 30th; a practice lockdown takes place every semester.

Bill 157: Bill 157 comes into effect across the province of Ontario on Monday, February 1st. The Bill is an enhancement of two other province-wide bills that deal with progressive discipline, the enhancement being that now every person on school premises is responsible for the safety of students, and in reporting any wrongdoing. Everyone has the responsibility of reporting incidences to the school office; this includes cafeteria and caretaking staff, and even couriers that are on school premises.

Additionally, the Bill addresses preventative measures, not only intervention and action. Redmond faculty and staff will attend a full briefing on Bill 157 on Friday, January 29th. And for students, Police Constable Scott Mills will be coming in to speak to the grade 9’s about cyber-bullying, and other such initiatives will take place during the school year.

January Exams: The exam schedule was sent home last week to all students. Important to note are a) opportunities for students to meet with teachers in the morning on January 25th and 26th; b) Friday, January 29th is conflict day, enabling students that missed an exam due to personal reasons the opportunity to write the exam; and c) students must wear their full uniform for exams.

Students in Grade 9 will be writing a term test which will begin this week (January 11th) and continue into next week, completed in class.

2010/2011 Enrolment: Admission numbers are high for the 2010/2011 school year, and Redmond will once again need to turn some students away. For the RAP program, applications are almost double those of last year. Two well-attended workshops were held on Saturday, January 9th to assist visual arts and drama applicants on the audition process. For the CAP program, CAP staff is currently reviewing incoming applications.

Enrolment Dates:

1st week of February – letters and enrolment forms will be carried home by current students, accompanied by a syner-voice announcement.

February 3 – Grade 9 students must bring in their form and payment for enrolment into grade 10.

February 3 – Grade 10 students must bring in their form and payment for enrolment into grade 11.

February 4 – Grade 11 students must bring in their form and payment for enrolment into grade 12.

February – individual discussions with grade 12 students who will be returning.

February 23-incoming grade 9 students will register that evening.

Later in February – guidance counselors will visit homerooms to go over individual schedules and course options.

Important dates and upcoming events:

February 1 – Second semester commences

February 8 – Exams are returned.

February 11 – Report cards go home.

IX.Treasurer’s report:

Treasurer, Trasa Bracken was not in attendance, so the report was given by the CSAC Co-Chair. The balance currently sits at $2,854.93. The only CSAC expense since the last meeting was a cheque for $2,200 to the religious education department for their wish list item, a laptop and LCD projector. Further on the wish list, the DDME (Developmentally Delayed Multiple Exceptionalities) room has purchased a treadmill for $600.

X.CAP Standing Committee update and report: The Chair of the CAP Standing Committee will work with the administration to determine a night suitable to host a celebratory event at Redmond to recognize the school getting congregated AP status, recognizing the efforts of Trustee Ann Andrewchuk. The visual arts department will be asked to produce a piece of artwork to be presented to the trustee.

Grade 9 and 10 CAP students were invited this week to attend a helpful session on proper study habits and overall preparedness, etc. Another session will be held after school on Thursday, January 14th.

RAP Standing Committee report:

The next meeting of the RAP will be Monday, January 18th, so the Committee currently has nothing to report. The Chair was able to share, however, that their contact database has expanded to 107 names.

XI.Comments from Redmond Parents/Caregivers: Only two comments were received, and the mostly positive comments were read out at the meeting. As a result of one comment wondering if there would be a ski/snowboard club this year, the principal agreed to speak to the club coaches to be sure that club news is shared with students. The principal confirmed that there is a ski/snowboard club at Redmond this year, and they will participate at events on February 2nd, 9th, and March 8th.

XII.New Business:

Grade 10 Mock Literacy Test: A mock literacy test was given to grade 10 students in December, and tests were returned to them this week. Every single question was reviewed in class to better prepare the students for the actual test. The school also offers special classes to improve grade 10 literacy skills.

Grade 9 Test: Grade 9 students took a mock math test, and the results were taken up by teachers the following day. A second math mock test will be held in February, then a third one in May of this year.

Website: The Redmond website is currently being redesigned to a more user-friendly format. CSAC minutes and the meeting agendas will continue to be found under the CSAC link.

School Board: Redmond has a new electronic exterior sign on the lawn facing Kipling. The wiring for the board will happen during March Break.

Homework Club: A homework club will begin in February. It will be held in the school cafeteria, Monday through Thursday, from 3:40pm to 4:40pm (or longer if necessary). 44 Grade 11 and 12 students will serve as homework monitors, and a badge will identify their area of specialty. This club is open to everyone, and the homework monitors will be completing their own homework when helping other students out. Redmond also offers math and science clinics for students.

Clubs in General: All students at Redmond are welcome to speak to the administration about starting up special interest clubs. A reading club, for instance, is a good example. For example, a grade 11 student recently started up a debate club. Students should approach the school administration with their ideas.

Miscellaneous Items: The school clocks run three minutes fast, and parents/caregivers and students should plan around that timeframe. Also discussions regarding the athletic track lines between the administration and superintendent continue; the principal is not hopeful given budget cuts across the board.
XIII.Motion to Adjourn:

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm. The next CSAC meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2010, at 7:00 pm

Father John Redmond CSAC Meting Agenda

Tuesday December 1, 2009

Meeting Minutes December 1, 2009

I.Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm and began with an Opening Prayer.

II.Attendance: Therese Stewart, Sandi Kiverago, John dePonte, John Wolwowicz, Janet Day, Lolo Marcocchio, Tanya Imola, Natalia Krencil, Sophie Hainer, Wendy Moss, Janet Weech, Carolina Garcia, Dianne Parwicki, Walter Spano, Sandra Mudryj, Trasa Bracken

III. Regrets: Refa Fredericks, Chris Timson, Irene Mercuri, Susan Longo-Santia, Rhonda Bell, Maggie Orange

IV.Approval of agenda. Repetition of “approval of agenda” Item #6 was changed to “approval of last minutes.” The agenda was approved as amended. Moved by Therese Stewart and seconded by Trasa Bracken.

V.Executive vacancy. CSAC executive vacancy was announced. Chris Timson had to step down as CSAC secretary for personal reasons. No one volunteered to assume the role of secretary. For the remaining four CSAC meetings, the executive will take turns writing up the minutes. N. Krencil will take the first turn.

VI.Approval of previous Minutes. Minutes of October 20, 2009 minutes approved.

VII.Business Arising from Minutes of previous meeting. No business arising.

VIII.Chair’s Opening remarks. CSAC nominated Ms Parwicki for the TAPCE Principal of the Year Award. Ms Parwicki thanked CSAC for the nomination and commented that she had attended and enjoyed the TAPCE Commissioning Ceremony on Monday, November 23, 2009.

IX.Chair’s report:

School learning improvement plan: Ms Parwicki presented Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School and Regional Arts Program School Learning Improvement Plan 2009-10.

Our school went through an internal consultation process and the following smart goals have been identified as priorities for 2009-10. The full plan is available for review on the Toronto Catholic District School Board web site - http://tcdsb.org/assessment/slp/20092010/0540.pdf

1. FOCUS: Literacy

Goal: To increase the pass rate for FTE Applied level students from 73% in 2008-2009 to 78% in 2009-2010, as measured through the April 2010 Grade 10 OSSLT.

Notes: An after school literacy course will be offered to students running between November and January. Four groups of students will meet for 1.5 hours two times a week. A second semester course will run just before OSSLT. This literacy course is open to grade 9 and grade 10 students. FJR will run a “mock test” for students to provide them with experience in writing a literacy test on April 2, 2010. Supply teachers will be brought in to mark the tests in order to provide immediate feedback to students about the result of the test. The mock test will mirror real test conditions. This exercise is meant to provide some interventions to help students to prepare and to improve. There will be minor inconvenience the timetable for running the mock test, such s a late start for grade 11 and 12 students on the morning of the mock test.

2. FOCUS: Numeracy

Goal: To increase the number of students achieving Levels 3 and 4 in Applied Mathematics by 5% as measured through the 2009-2010 Grade 9 Applied EQAO Assessment of Mathematics (from 45% in 2008-2009 to 50% in 2009-2010).

To increase the number of students achieving levels 3 and 4 in Academic Mathematics by 9% as measured through the 2009-2010 Grade 9 Academic EQAO Assessment of Mathematics (from 76% in 2008-2009 to 85% in 2009-2010).

Notes: area of concern is problem solving, specifically the process of problem solving

3. FOCUS: Pathways

Goal: To double the number of opportunities for our students in Grade 11 to participate in authentic pathways experiences.

Notes: these are competitive programs and not all students who apply get in. Last year four students applied and got placements, and this year 10 students applied.

4. FOCUS: CCCC

Goal: To increase, by 5% (from 36% to 41%) from the 2009 "My School My Voice" survey, the number of students responding "yes" to the question, "Is there a caring adult in your school that you feel comfortable going to talk to?" by the 2010 "My School My Voice" survey results.

Fast Forward/Specialist High Skills Major Programme:

The board is asking us to look at the Fast Forward program, a transition program for students who choose to enter the workforce right out of high school. The focus of the Fast Forward program is skills mastery and skill development.

Statistics about the 2009 graduating cohort:

Of the 224 students who graduated in June, twenty students entered directly into the workforce. Of these twenty, 7 are going to colleges in January. The future goals of only one student is unknown at this time. Twelve of the 20 students are working until June and are planning to decide where to continue their postsecondary education at that time.

Of the graduating class, 17 students returned to grade 12 in September 2009. Many of these students were not clear about their future career aspirations and therefore decided to come back for another semester.

Important dates and upcoming events:

December 15 – Christmas concert

December 18 – last day of school – students will not be signed out and are expected to be in school for the full day

X.Treasurer’s report:

Treasurer, Trasa Braken, no cheques since last meeting. Trasa inquired about purchase requisition for computer. Would computers donated by CSAC which are not purchased through the board be looked after by the board?

XI.AP Standing Committee update and report: At a meeting at our school on November 9, 2009, Associate Director of Academic Services Ms Angela Gauthier, Superintendant Colleen Tovey-Shackleton and Trustee Ann Andrachuk addressed the FJR community audience of parents, students and teachers and announced that the board has agreed to our request and recognizes congregated AP to be one of the programs offered at FJR. Many thanks to the AP Standing Committee and to parents for their hard work. The students will be recipients of the fruit of the labour. Going forward, the committee will be known as the Congregated AP standing committee.

XII.RAP Standing Committee report:

a) Vocal & Dance have been very busy:
- Taste of the Arts Nov. 3rd & 4th, 2009 ‡ Vocal and Dance workshops conducted by Lisa Weiler, Roger Richard and Nicole Leone a huge success.
- RAP Vocal students performed at “Ladies Night Out”‡ an evening of song and caroling.
- RAP Open House Nov 10th, 2009‡ a success.
- TCDSB Angel Foundation Gala on Fri. Nov 6th, 2009‡ Gr. 10-12 dancers performed choreography by Lisa Weiler and the RAP String students performed repertoire conducted by Aneta Gronoswki.
- Remembrance Day Assembly‡ Gr. 10-12 RAP Singers and Gr. 10-12 dancers and Social Science department participated in the forth- period assembly for Gr. 10 students.
- Singers- Sang O Canada & Tilley’s “In Flanders Fields”.
- Dancers- danced a lyrical choreography (Weiler) to the song “Lost” by Anouk.
- “BEST OF BROADWAY” –DVD Released. Final product is amazing and will be made available to parents ASAP. A special thanks to Wendy Moss for all of her assistance in the completion of this DVD.
- Dec 5-9‡ Senior RAP dancers participating in a hip-hop workshop conducted by Krystal Glazier-Roscoe
- Dec. 15 – Christmas Concert at FJR (Vocal)

- Dec. 19 – Flynn Wedding (Vocal)
- Feb 27, 28th – Dancers (Gr. 9-12) performing in fundraiser with RAP Strings & Band.
- March 5th, 2009- RAP Dance & Vocal 12 hour A-thon‡ pledge forms will be given to students in 2010.
- The Kiwanis Dance Festival of Greater Toronto (APRIL)
- RAP Dance & Vocal Production UPDATE- Production meeting will be scheduled in 2010 and parents will be notified in a letter. Volunteers needed.

b) Clarification on the RCM Exams – The fee is covered this year for grades 11 and 12 out of the RAP fee, but grades 9 and 10 will have to pay themselves. We would like more clarification on this as it was felt that the exam fee was included with our RAP monies. We are the only school who does include this exam in the fee.

We still have further questions regarding the curriculum guidelines for our specialized programs and are seeking clarity around the budget for RAP.

c) Outreach - Discussed the importance of getting into our elementary schools and make grade 6-8 aware of the RAP program and letting it be known more widely on the high levels that we achieve.

d) Art in the Park – Suggested date: Sat May 29 – One event to showcase all streams

e) Master Classes – brainstorming on ideas of who to ask and how to present – lots of ideas came out of this

XIII.CSAC Donation:

Motion:

That the student activity fee for 2010-11 be set at $110.00 which includes $10.00 for CSAC.

Therese Stewart moved. Wendy Moss seconded.

Motion carried unanimously.

XIV.New Business: A question was raised about whether FJR was pursuing an elite sports program. Ms Parwicki replied that while this is always a possibility nothing is in place at this time.

Mr. Spano will be heading the safe school committee. Significant changes which will affect the school are expected with the enactment of Bill 157. Changes don’t take effect until February 2010. Safe schools committee will be called in the second term.

XV.Principal and Vice Principal Profile: A discussion ensued about the principal’s profile. It was agreed that the arts aspects of the Regional Arts Program should be included and then the profile would be ready to submit – deadline is January 31, 2010.

XVI.Motion to Adjourn:

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm. The next CSAC meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2010, 7:00 pm