Next School Council Meeting: Mon. Feb. 27, 2012

Diane Fletcher

Jennifer Harker

Kate Urquhart

Karen Hamelin

Jenn Clugston

Jane Barnett

Avery Bassett

Mike Hamelin

Dave Harker

Your 2011/2012 School Council reps are: Diane Fletcher, Jennifer Harker, Kate Urquhart, Karen Hamelin, Jenn Clugston, Jane Barnett, Avery Bassett, Mike Hamelin, and Dave Harker. Absent on picture day were Morgan Anderson and Angie Marion.

We focus on parents’ interests related to school programs, administration and student achievement.

Let us know what you’d like to read about or come to a future meeting. Next meeting January 18, 2012, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

SCDSB PIC Video-Conference Mon. Feb. 27

Join us on Mon. Feb. 27 from 7 – 9 p.m. in the MSS library when the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) hosts a video conference highlighting the following topics:

• Parents Reaching Out Grant
• $500 Council Funding and Proven Ideas   
• Toolkit – Group discussion
• Ontario Scholarships
• Full day Kindergarten

Michele Locke, our Trustee, will join us to facilitate discussions and take your suggestions and ideas back to the PIC members.

Healthy Schools Webinar connection

School Council participated in a 1-hour webinar focussing on healthy schools and what we can do to promote student activity at school and home. Check out the video on youtube that OPHEA (Ontario Physical Health Education Association) highlighted during the session at www.youtube.com/opheacanada.

More instalments to follow.

Calling for Nominations

Do you know someone in the school community who demonstrates the board’s “commit to character attributes”:

• integrity
• responsibility
• co-operation                                                 
• empathy
• optimism
• respect
• honesty
• caring
• inclusiveness
• courage

The Simcoe County District School Board is accepting nominations and will hold a “character recognition evening” May 17 at 6 p.m.

The event formally recognizes 100 staff, students and volunteers who have been recommended by their peers and colleagues for outstanding demonstration of these traits. Nominations will be accepted until Feb. 24 and can be made by email, fax or through the inter-school courier.

For more information and the recognition form, visit www.scdsb.on.ca/parents-corner/commit-to-character

Highlights of the January 18th School Council Meeting

• School Administration Profile was approved with one change (this annually prepared document highlights qualities and skills set Council values and is used when Board considers transferring and/or appointing new MSS VP or Principal).
• Parent Involvement Fund ($500 given to schools to support parent involvement) MSS Council will consider partnering with other schools and possible speakers for future parent event.
• Jan. 11th Gr 8 Open House had a good turnout (thanks to Kate Urquhart for representing Council at event).
• Feb. 15 Healthy Schools Webinar hosted by People for Education will be run as part of School Council meeting. (session length TBD)
• High School Rush (Rogers TV covered Marauderpalooza for Gr 8, congrats to our Link Crew, students, staff and admin)
• Principal Update – auditor’s report released, exams begin Thurs. Jan 25 (for Gr. 12) and run through Jan. 31, nominations invited for individuals who exemplify commitment to character
• Teacher Update – english book fair Jan. 19 at 10:30 in library, Angie will coordinate future teacher guest speakers for Council
• Student Update –  semi-formal (Mar. 2) Partigras, organizing committee working on activities, DJ and meal, Valentine’s Day – red, pink and white theme and school groups planning events
• Future teacher guests – we’ll invite Lesley Beckley and Tim Jenkinson to highlight Healthy Citizenship/Mentorship and Leadership, also look at inviting Constable Dave Young re: safety in our school
• Other Business – Mike Hamelin noted that he is working with a group to determine whether a site like Barrie’s Youth Haven (sanctuary for youth between 16 – 18 years) may be feasible in Midland; also looking at combining with a First Nations home. These are safe places for students to stay for one month when they are no longer living at home for various reasons. Like Youth Haven, the goals would be to connect students with community services and enable students to continue to attend high school locally.

FREE Webinar on Healthy Schools

On Wednesday, February 15 from 7 – 8 PM, the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association and People for Education are providing a webinar on Healthy Schools. 

Find out:

• why schools are an ideal place to focus on improving kids’ health
• how to use a simple form to assess your school’s health promotion programs
• what you can do to make your school a healthy school

To register, click on this link:: http://p4e-online-training.eventbrite.ca/

School Council will run the webinar during our Feb. 15th School Council meeting. You are welcome to join us.

(picture credit school district 35)

High School RUSH

Our school received great coverage when Breeanna Booth with Rogers TV High School RUSH highlighted our Grade 8 Marauderpalooza day. Click on our MSS homepage above to see the video coverage. Congrats to our students in the Link Crew, staff and organizers who helped put MSS in the spotlight. 

Is your student pulling “all-nighters”?

Final evaluations are coming. Check out the great resources at our MSS school blog, mss.scdsb.on.ca or click on the MSS Homepage at the top of our menu.

Under the heading, ”About Our School”, select the Parent Involvement Library. There you’ll find some great resources including:

• How to Remember What You’ve Learned (3rd row)
• How to Study More Effectively (4th row)
• How to Do Better on Tests (4th row)

When you click on these resources, they open easy-to-read brochures that can help you and your teen(s) during the next couple of weeks leading up to finals.