Nashwaaksis Middle School
PSSC Meeting Minutes
2009-12-07
Attendees:
Pat Campbell
Alan Atkins
Tracy Allen
Carol Coleman (DEC)
Mitch Claybourn
Anne Small
Don Richardson
Tracey Grattan
Sherry Thomson
John MacKenzie
Guests:
Mike O’Brien, City Councilor
Regrets:
Shauna Miller
Andrew Rowe
Heather Touchie-Blakely
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm.
Approval of Minutes
Motion to accept the minutes from November by Sherry, seconded by Anne.
Friends of NMS Update – Alan Atkins
Munchie Table – November 12/13
Firefighters Challenge – November 19
H1N1 Clinic – November 25
Healthy Eating initiative – Taco Soup
Upcoming: Christmas Dance – December 17th
Nominations for Friends of NMS: Dec 7-11; Elections: Jan 13
D.E.C Report – Carol Coleman, D.E.C. Rep
Traffic Issue
Carol raised our concern with the D.E.C., they are sympathetic to our cause.
PSSC Orientation
This was successful, areas of discussion included
Supplemental Funding
Our request for funding was approved but the notice has not been received by the school yet.
Action Item Follow-up
Action Item: Mitch will invite a representative from the police and the city councilor for the school zone to attend a PSSC meeting to discuss this concern about school traffic patterns.
Update: Mike attended the meeting and was presented with our concerns regarding the traffic load at the bottom of the school driveway in the mornings. Mitch provided statistics collected on November 6th. Mike committed to look into getting a crossing guard.
Alan reported that he and Gary have a line on some surplus jersey barriers from the Smart Center. Alan took the opportunity to request that Mike also influence these negotiations.
Action Item: Carol will bring the issue of safety of pedestrians along the driveway forward at the next D.E.C. meeting.
Update: Done
Action Item: Alan to arrange for communication home reminding folks about the designated sidewalk area.
Carry forward
Action Item: Alan will arrange for communication home regarding availability of milk.
Update: Done December 7
School Improvement Plan Update & Overview – Alan Atkins
The school is conducting annual Math testing and will start Language Arts testing as well.
In relation to the SIP goal of providing a Positive Learning Environment, Alan noted that there has recently been an increase in involvement of students and a decrease in misconducts.
Action Item: Alan to bring a sample of the misconducts.
Alan explained that his goal is to have the new SIP ready by March. Alan plans to invite parents from the PSSC and the school community to provide input.
The current SIP is status quo while we’re working on the new SIP.
Agenda Building: PSSC to provide input in the new SIP, related to student involvement
Principal’s Report
Take your child to work
Write Traits in service PD for Language Arts – November 4
Report Cards – November 9
Soccer Tournaments – October
Friends NMS AGM - November 4
Remembrance Day ceremonies – November 10
Friday Frenzy (celebration for top sellers in fund raiser) – November
Float in Santa Claus parade
Healthy Eating Day – November 26
Student & Teacher Perception surveys done, still getting parent surveys back
Christmas Concert – December 2
Leo Hayes Band – November 30
Junior Achievement Presentation to Grade 7
Anne requested an update on the handling of situations of abuse of cell phones:
School has not been confiscating phones but has relaxed the rules, allowing students to use them before and after school hours
Schools have been instructed not to look at any phones
Call for Agenda Items/Approval of Agenda
Additional Items (identified prior to the meeting):
· Proposal for education evening for parents, to speak about drugs, planning session for next meeting (Dec)
· Tell Them From Me: review last year’s data at next meeting (Dec)
· Snow Plows/Removal
Parent Education Evening – Drugs
All agreed that we should move forward with this issue. Mitch suggested that we contact the city police for input. It was suggested that we also invite parents of Grade 5 parents from the feeder schools for NMS.
Action Item: Mitch will contact the police to invite them to come to the next PSSC meeting to facilitate planning this event.
Alan would like to bring the city drug dog into the school to check lockers. Alan is proposing that the school do extensive communications leading up to this to ensure parents are well informed.
Tell Them From Me
Alan distributed a Tell Them From Me report from May 3, 2009.
Highlights:
Participation in Sport & Clubs both low, which is influencing the SIP goals
Snow Plows/Snow Removal
Mitch mentioned that last year the end of the driveway got very narrow. Mitch suggested that some form of indicator be placed so that the plows have a target for width.
Alan also mentioned that there are issues with students crossing the traffic circle twice. Alan mentioned that they would like to divert the walking traffic away from the traffic circle.
Agenda Building: Teacher communication home regarding curriculum and how parents can support the learning outcomes at home. [Sherry]
Next Meeting/Meeting Adjournment
Next Meeting: January 11 @ 7:00pm
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Minutes - November 2009
Nashwaaksis Middle School
PSSC Meeting Minutes
2009-11-02
Attendees:
Andrew Rowe
Alan Atkins
Tracy Allen
Carol Coleman (DEC)
Mitch Claybourn
Anne Small
Don Richardson
Heather Touchie-Blakely
Sherry Thomson
Regrets:
Shauna Miller
Pat Campbell
Tracey Grattan
John MacKenzie
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:10pm.
Approval of Minutes
Motion to accept the minutes by Anne Small, seconded by Andrew Rowe
Friends of NMS Update – Andrew Rowe
Andrew distributed a written update from the Friends of NMS to the group. Highlights of Friends activities include:
· Approximately $9500 in profits from book fairs to be used to build classroom libraries
· Corn boil was huge success
· Firefighters Challenge next big event (Thursday, November 19)
· Friends are providing a ‘Munchie Table’ for teachers during parent/teacher interview time (November 12 & 13)
· Friends nominations for co-chairs accepted from December 7 through 11 with elections to take place on January 13, 2010
D.E.C Report – Carol Coleman, D.E.C. Rep
PSSC Orientation
The PSSC Orientation held October 22nd was poorly attended, therefore the D.E.C. has organized another Orientation event for November 19 @ 6:30pm at Kingswood Lodge.
Supplemental Funding
The D.E.C. has reviewed the sixteen supplemental funding requests that were received. There is a meeting on November 12 to make decisions on how to distribute the $5000 of available funding. The D.E.C. is considering alternatives to the current method of distributing this supplemental funding. This will be a discussion item at the PSSC Orientation.
Action Item Follow-up
Action Item: Tracy to prepare & submit application for supplemental PSSC funding [2009-09-28]
Update: The supplemental funding request was submitted on November 15. It is currently under review by DEC (see above).
Action Item: Mitch will invite a representative from the police and the city councilor for the school zone to attend a PSSC meeting to discuss this concern about school traffic patterns. [2009-09-28]
Update: Mitch provided the ‘Crossing Guard Location Guidelines’ and is proposing that we determine whether or not we meet the criteria. The area in question is the bottom of the front driveway.
New Action Item: Mitch will prepare a grid for counting (to track traffic, pedestrians crossing driveway, pedestrians using sidewalk by driveway). Don & Mitch will meet Friday morning to take the first count. After collecting the usage information, Mitch will set up a meeting with the city to present the request. If the request does not move forward, we will invite Mike O’Brien to the next meeting to discuss other options.
Action Item: Mitch will invite Wanda Bauer to attend a future PSSC meeting to discuss this request for barriers along the school driveway. [2009-09-28]
Update: Mitch provided a copy of email correspondence between Alan & Wanda Bauer. This email indicates that there is currently a budget freeze.
New Action Item: Carol will bring the issue of safety of pedestrians along the driveway forward at the next D.E.C. meeting.
Action Item: All PSSC members are requested to contribute ideas to Mitch for ensuring the continued safety of students walking along the school driveway. [2009-09-28]
Update: Anne proposed using spring loaded pylons in lieu of concrete barriers. She felt these might be more cost effective and could easily be removed for snow removal. Alan felt that the daily setup & removal would not be practical during the winter months. This continues to be an area of significant concern to the PSSC.
New Action Item: Alan to arrange for communication home reminding folks about the designated sidewalk area.
Action Item: Alan to work on communication/promotion to students to let them know that they can get subsidized milk and consider options for making this more accessible. [2009-09-28]
Update: A milk vending machine has been installed. The school has also arranged for a separate line-up in the cafeteria for milk, cookies & various baked goods. Grade 8 students assist with staffing this additional line. Sherry requested that communication go home regarding this new service.
New Action Item: Alan will arrange for communication home regarding availability of milk.
Ideas for subsequent PSSC agenda items include:
· Parent Involvement
· Safety Around the School
o Proposal for education evening for parents, to speak about drugs, planning session for next meeting (Dec)
· Snow Plows/Removal
· Tell Them From Me
o review last year’s data at next meeting (Dec)
· Parent/Teachers Meetings
o Same format as previous years (evening are teacher requested, first part of morning are parent requested, later part of the morning are walk-ins)
· Meet the Teacher
o Review this in May for next fall
School Improvement Plan Update & Overview – Alan Atkins
Alan provided a quick review of the SIP. Measurement of whether ideal targets have been met will be done during the school review process, which takes place next school year.
The PD on Thursday, November 12 will be focused on the SIP. Nasis will be looking at three specific areas: literacy, numeracy/science and communication. One of the January PD days will also be dedicated to SIP development. The new SIP will be a 2-3 year plan, starting at the end of this school year.
Principal’s Report
Kids now
UNB nurses are delivering this awareness program in several classes. Each class will visit 5 or 6 stations, learning about such health related topics as nutrition, self-esteem and drugs.
Magazine campaign
The magazine campaign was highly successful, resulting in about $76,000 in sales with about 1/3 coming directly back to the school.
Miscellaneous items
· Breakfast program resumed
· School safety week completed
· French & English Book fairs
· PD session October 8 & 9: Focus on literacy & numeracy
· Interim reports canceled but phone calls went out to parents of those students perceived as struggling
· Grade 7 literacy assessment Oct 19-22nd
· Halloween Dance held October 29
· Drugs confiscated from several students at the school
· Intramurals are working well
· Swimming on Mondays
· Math Mentor 2 x 2 month periods
Call for Agenda Items/Approval of Agenda
Proposed Agenda:
· PSSC Budget 2009-2010 [Mitch]
· Update School Website re: PSSC & Meeting [Mitch]
· Vending Machines [Tracy]
Action Item: Alan will look after updating the PSSC information on the school website
All agenda items carried forward to next meeting.
Next Meeting/Meeting Adjournment
Next Meeting: December 7 @ 7:00pm
Meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm
PSSC Meeting Minutes
2009-11-02
Attendees:
Andrew Rowe
Alan Atkins
Tracy Allen
Carol Coleman (DEC)
Mitch Claybourn
Anne Small
Don Richardson
Heather Touchie-Blakely
Sherry Thomson
Regrets:
Shauna Miller
Pat Campbell
Tracey Grattan
John MacKenzie
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:10pm.
Approval of Minutes
Motion to accept the minutes by Anne Small, seconded by Andrew Rowe
Friends of NMS Update – Andrew Rowe
Andrew distributed a written update from the Friends of NMS to the group. Highlights of Friends activities include:
· Approximately $9500 in profits from book fairs to be used to build classroom libraries
· Corn boil was huge success
· Firefighters Challenge next big event (Thursday, November 19)
· Friends are providing a ‘Munchie Table’ for teachers during parent/teacher interview time (November 12 & 13)
· Friends nominations for co-chairs accepted from December 7 through 11 with elections to take place on January 13, 2010
D.E.C Report – Carol Coleman, D.E.C. Rep
PSSC Orientation
The PSSC Orientation held October 22nd was poorly attended, therefore the D.E.C. has organized another Orientation event for November 19 @ 6:30pm at Kingswood Lodge.
Supplemental Funding
The D.E.C. has reviewed the sixteen supplemental funding requests that were received. There is a meeting on November 12 to make decisions on how to distribute the $5000 of available funding. The D.E.C. is considering alternatives to the current method of distributing this supplemental funding. This will be a discussion item at the PSSC Orientation.
Action Item Follow-up
Action Item: Tracy to prepare & submit application for supplemental PSSC funding [2009-09-28]
Update: The supplemental funding request was submitted on November 15. It is currently under review by DEC (see above).
Action Item: Mitch will invite a representative from the police and the city councilor for the school zone to attend a PSSC meeting to discuss this concern about school traffic patterns. [2009-09-28]
Update: Mitch provided the ‘Crossing Guard Location Guidelines’ and is proposing that we determine whether or not we meet the criteria. The area in question is the bottom of the front driveway.
New Action Item: Mitch will prepare a grid for counting (to track traffic, pedestrians crossing driveway, pedestrians using sidewalk by driveway). Don & Mitch will meet Friday morning to take the first count. After collecting the usage information, Mitch will set up a meeting with the city to present the request. If the request does not move forward, we will invite Mike O’Brien to the next meeting to discuss other options.
Action Item: Mitch will invite Wanda Bauer to attend a future PSSC meeting to discuss this request for barriers along the school driveway. [2009-09-28]
Update: Mitch provided a copy of email correspondence between Alan & Wanda Bauer. This email indicates that there is currently a budget freeze.
New Action Item: Carol will bring the issue of safety of pedestrians along the driveway forward at the next D.E.C. meeting.
Action Item: All PSSC members are requested to contribute ideas to Mitch for ensuring the continued safety of students walking along the school driveway. [2009-09-28]
Update: Anne proposed using spring loaded pylons in lieu of concrete barriers. She felt these might be more cost effective and could easily be removed for snow removal. Alan felt that the daily setup & removal would not be practical during the winter months. This continues to be an area of significant concern to the PSSC.
New Action Item: Alan to arrange for communication home reminding folks about the designated sidewalk area.
Action Item: Alan to work on communication/promotion to students to let them know that they can get subsidized milk and consider options for making this more accessible. [2009-09-28]
Update: A milk vending machine has been installed. The school has also arranged for a separate line-up in the cafeteria for milk, cookies & various baked goods. Grade 8 students assist with staffing this additional line. Sherry requested that communication go home regarding this new service.
New Action Item: Alan will arrange for communication home regarding availability of milk.
Ideas for subsequent PSSC agenda items include:
· Parent Involvement
· Safety Around the School
o Proposal for education evening for parents, to speak about drugs, planning session for next meeting (Dec)
· Snow Plows/Removal
· Tell Them From Me
o review last year’s data at next meeting (Dec)
· Parent/Teachers Meetings
o Same format as previous years (evening are teacher requested, first part of morning are parent requested, later part of the morning are walk-ins)
· Meet the Teacher
o Review this in May for next fall
School Improvement Plan Update & Overview – Alan Atkins
Alan provided a quick review of the SIP. Measurement of whether ideal targets have been met will be done during the school review process, which takes place next school year.
The PD on Thursday, November 12 will be focused on the SIP. Nasis will be looking at three specific areas: literacy, numeracy/science and communication. One of the January PD days will also be dedicated to SIP development. The new SIP will be a 2-3 year plan, starting at the end of this school year.
Principal’s Report
Kids now
UNB nurses are delivering this awareness program in several classes. Each class will visit 5 or 6 stations, learning about such health related topics as nutrition, self-esteem and drugs.
Magazine campaign
The magazine campaign was highly successful, resulting in about $76,000 in sales with about 1/3 coming directly back to the school.
Miscellaneous items
· Breakfast program resumed
· School safety week completed
· French & English Book fairs
· PD session October 8 & 9: Focus on literacy & numeracy
· Interim reports canceled but phone calls went out to parents of those students perceived as struggling
· Grade 7 literacy assessment Oct 19-22nd
· Halloween Dance held October 29
· Drugs confiscated from several students at the school
· Intramurals are working well
· Swimming on Mondays
· Math Mentor 2 x 2 month periods
Call for Agenda Items/Approval of Agenda
Proposed Agenda:
· PSSC Budget 2009-2010 [Mitch]
· Update School Website re: PSSC & Meeting [Mitch]
· Vending Machines [Tracy]
Action Item: Alan will look after updating the PSSC information on the school website
All agenda items carried forward to next meeting.
Next Meeting/Meeting Adjournment
Next Meeting: December 7 @ 7:00pm
Meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm
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