Future dates for PSSC meetings:
February 9, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
March 16, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
April 20, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
May 11, 20090 - 7:00 p.m.
June 8, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
2008 - 2009 Parent School Support Committee
Members:
Andrew Rowe (Chair)
Sherry Thomson ( Secretary)
Heather Touchie-Blakely – Teacher Rep
Tracy Allen
Barb Brittany
Pat Campbell
Mitch Claybourn
Tracey Grattan
John MacKenzie
Shauna Miller
Anne Small
Ex Officio Member:
Alan Atkins ( Principal )
DEC Representative:
Carol Coleman
Andrew Rowe (Chair)
Sherry Thomson ( Secretary)
Heather Touchie-Blakely – Teacher Rep
Tracy Allen
Barb Brittany
Pat Campbell
Mitch Claybourn
Tracey Grattan
John MacKenzie
Shauna Miller
Anne Small
Ex Officio Member:
Alan Atkins ( Principal )
DEC Representative:
Carol Coleman
December 8, 2008 - Meeting Agenda
Nashwaaksis Middle School
PSSC Committee Meeting
December 8th 2008
Agenda
7:00-7:05 Welcome Barb Brittany as new PSSC member, Approval of October’s Minutes and Approval of November’s Agenda
7:05-7:09 Nomination and Election of Officers of PSSC (chair and vice chair)
7:05-7:10 Friends of NMS update- Vicky Patterson
7:10-7:15 D.E.C Report- Carol Coleman
7:15-7:35 Principal’s Report
7:35 -7:50 Action Item Follow-up
1. Provide a copy of the Glenda Saint report to the PSSC (Alan)
2. Provide a copy of the UNICEF program to the PSSC (Alan)
3. Nashwaaksis Middle School Annual report and feedback from Diane Wilkins Provide a summary of the feedback from Diane Wilkins regarding the NMS Annual report (Alan)
4. Nutrition Policy: Policy # 18-711 and Appendix A Provide FAQ’s of different products to Alan (Shauna Miller)
Review vendor machines and advise Alan of items that are in non-compliance of the criteria and suggest options. (Shauna Miller)
5. Talk mail new soft ware (Alan) Check into the system that Leo Hayes and FHS use (Alan)
6. PSSC Blog updated (Alan)
7:50-8:20 New Agenda Additional Items (identified prior to or at the meeting)
1. Email dated November 23rd, 2008, from a parent re: home and school (Mitch)
8:20-8:30 Additional items added at meeting
Adjournment
PSSC Committee Meeting
December 8th 2008
Agenda
7:00-7:05 Welcome Barb Brittany as new PSSC member, Approval of October’s Minutes and Approval of November’s Agenda
7:05-7:09 Nomination and Election of Officers of PSSC (chair and vice chair)
7:05-7:10 Friends of NMS update- Vicky Patterson
7:10-7:15 D.E.C Report- Carol Coleman
7:15-7:35 Principal’s Report
7:35 -7:50 Action Item Follow-up
1. Provide a copy of the Glenda Saint report to the PSSC (Alan)
2. Provide a copy of the UNICEF program to the PSSC (Alan)
3. Nashwaaksis Middle School Annual report and feedback from Diane Wilkins Provide a summary of the feedback from Diane Wilkins regarding the NMS Annual report (Alan)
4. Nutrition Policy: Policy # 18-711 and Appendix A Provide FAQ’s of different products to Alan (Shauna Miller)
Review vendor machines and advise Alan of items that are in non-compliance of the criteria and suggest options. (Shauna Miller)
5. Talk mail new soft ware (Alan) Check into the system that Leo Hayes and FHS use (Alan)
6. PSSC Blog updated (Alan)
7:50-8:20 New Agenda Additional Items (identified prior to or at the meeting)
1. Email dated November 23rd, 2008, from a parent re: home and school (Mitch)
8:20-8:30 Additional items added at meeting
Adjournment
November 10th Meeting Minutes
Minutes of Meeting
NMS – PSSC Committee Meeting
November 10th 2008
Attendees:
Tracy Allen Sherry Thomson Shauna Miller
John MacKenzie Pat Campbell Alan Atkins (Staff)
Andrew Rowe Carol Coleman (DEC Rep.)
Regrets:
Mitch Claybourn Anne Small Tracey Grattan
Guests:
Mary Rowe (Co-Chair of Friends of NMS)
**********************************************************************************************************
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm
1. Welcome, Approval of Minutes
· October’s meeting minutes were approved as presented. Moved Tracy Allen, Seconded Pat Campbell.
2. Friends of NMS update- Vicky Patterson PSSC liaison
Vicky Patterson gave an update of the Friends of NMS activities from last month. Highlights include:
Received positive media coverage in the Northside News about the Bookfair as well as many favourable calls from parents.
Held Grade 6 Welcome BBQ and Coil Boil on October 2, 2008.
Supported the Magazine Campaign
Held Scholastic French & English Book Fairs – Combined profits $6200. Proceeds to go to the purchase of books for the school and for curriculum resources for the administration.
September Need of the Month – NMS Breakfast Program – Received great response.
October Need of the Month – Fredericton Food Bank – Received hundreds of non-perishable food items.
Held first ever Jack-O-Lantern contest – Profits of $72.52 donated to the Christmas Families Fund at the school.
See written update at http://friendsofnms.blogspot.com/ for more details
Upcoming events for November include
Fire Fighters Challenge, Teacher Appreciation Lunch, Healthy Eating Initiative
Nominations for the positions of the 3 Co-Chairs will be accepted from December 1, 2008 until 3pm December 12, 2008. Nominations forms will be made available just prior to these dates and will be posted on the Blog. Elections will take place on Jan. 7, 2009 and Jan. 8, 2009.
3. D.E.C Report- D.E.C Rep- Carol Coleman
Carol Coleman gave an update from the D.E.C. Two major meetings held:
· Parents Forum held on October 16th – Objective was to gather input from education stakeholders as they develop priorities for their four-year mandate.
· Training/Orientation for PSSC Members – Communications was highlighted as a key area of focus.
Carol gave highlights from the Grade 5 and Grade 8 Mathematics Assessment:
· The briefing note provided by the Department of Education about the Grade 5 Provincial Mathematics Assessment reported that the goal of the government of New Brunswick is for 90% of students to meet or exceed the appropriate achievement level, with 20% of those at the strong achievement level. Provincially, 65% met or exceeded the appropriate achievement level in Mathematics. 68% of District 18 students achieved Appropriate or Strong Achievement.
Go to http://www.district18.nbed.nb.ca/dec.htm for minutes of the DEC meetings. Standard practice is that the meeting minutes will be posted the 1st Thursday of the month. The Podcast is posted the Friday following the DEC meeting.
4. Principal’s Report- Alan
School safety week was held on October 6 to 10. The objective of the school safety week is to help students, teachers, parents and administrators increase their awareness of the need to keep our schools safe. Activities held included fire drills, school bus evacuations, lock down drills, and school evacuation exercises.
Magazine campaign – Was down 25% from last year. This will have an impact on the programs that the school can offer.
Participated in Junior Achievement for Grade 8 (all classes).
Teacher Professional development days are scheduled for October 14 and November 10th. Will be working on school improvement plan (SIP) including incorporating SMART goals into the plan.
Held school dance on October 30th. Over 400 students went to the dance representing ¼ population. The dance went well. However, feedback from the students included the dance was too short and there was too much light.
Installed new seats in the theatre. Thanks to Mr. Springer for his efforts here.
Opened Re-connecting room on October 21st. Purpose of the room is to support students as they transition back to school who have been away for any number of reasons (i.e. sick, disciplined). Three – four students/day are using this service.
Grade 7 LA assessment is upcoming. The assessment will occur over a 3-day period. Expect to have results after Christmas.
Held Bookfares – Alan expressed his appreciation to the Friends of NMS for their great job in organizing the two bookfares.
Held Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 7th. The students were well behaved.
Action: Provide a copy of the Glenda Saint report to the PSSC (Alan)
5. Action Items Follow-up
School Improvement Plan (SIP) (Alan)
· The teaching staff have review this. A new document is expected in the new year. We are in year 2 of a 3-year plan.
Maximizing our outdoor space (Alan)
· Test of the use of new areas will be held in the spring. Students will need to go through the front door to access the new areas.
Action: Provide an update on the UNICEF program to the PSSC (Alan)
6. Nashwaaksis Middle School Annual report and feedback from Diane Wilkins- Alan
Action: Provide summary of annual report to PSSC (Alan)
7. Nutrition Policy: Policy # 18-711 and Appendix A –Alan
New criteria on nutrition was released in August and is available on the website.
Training with Chartwells was cancelled.
Question was raised – Do we provide the students adequate time to eat healthy, since it takes longer to eat healthy food verses fast food? Challenge as contractually teachers must be given 1 hour duty free. Looking at providing a Sub bar.
Concern raised that the pizza and ice cream rewards given to classrooms may be giving the wrong message. Alan will consider option options as opposed to “non nutritional” items.
Actions: Provide FAQ’s of different products to Alan (Shauna Miller)
Review vendor machines and advise Alan of items that are in non-compliance of the criteria and suggest options. (Shauna Miller)
8. Availability of qualified French speaking substitute teachers. –Alan
It is recognized that this is an issue. Retired teachers have a teaching cap of 20 days.
9. PRA Time (practical and related arts) and the Health Curriculum- Alan
Home economics is gone from the curriculum. Health is taught in PRA (some teaching time may be lost due to storm days).
10. Talk mail new soft ware- Alan
Aliant and Rogers are not compatible with the school’s software for Talk mail. We are not able to reach some parents due to the constraints.
Action: Check into the system that Leo Hayes and FHS use (Alan)
11. Dance admittance procedure-Alan
A list was posted identifying the students that were not granted admittance to the dance. There were concerns with this. A new method to be developed. The “no dance” list of students will be made available to screen attendees on the night of the dance.
12. Nomination of new Parent Rep. to PSSC
Barb Brittany was nominated and approved as a new Parent Rep. to the PSSC. Nominated by Andrew Rowe and seconded by John MacKenzie.
Action: Advise Barb of the results of the nomination (Andrew)
Advise Mitch of the results of the nomination (Alan)
13. Nomination of Officers of PSSC
As per the PSSC guidelines, nominations for the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer positions are to be held yearly. Nominations to be held at the next meeting.
Action: Send nominations to Alan by November 24th (current PSSC members)
14. PSSC Blog
The PSSC Blog is not current.
Action: Alan to have the Blog updated.
15. Inclusion of more students on Sports Teams - Shauna
Discussion held on the fact that it is always the same students on the sports teams. Is there a way to ensure better inclusion? It was recognized that this is an issue. However, no feasible alternatives to respond to this were identified, as it would need to be a policy change for all the schools.
Next Meeting – December 8th 7pm - room 200
NMS – PSSC Committee Meeting
November 10th 2008
Attendees:
Tracy Allen Sherry Thomson Shauna Miller
John MacKenzie Pat Campbell Alan Atkins (Staff)
Andrew Rowe Carol Coleman (DEC Rep.)
Regrets:
Mitch Claybourn Anne Small Tracey Grattan
Guests:
Mary Rowe (Co-Chair of Friends of NMS)
**********************************************************************************************************
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm
1. Welcome, Approval of Minutes
· October’s meeting minutes were approved as presented. Moved Tracy Allen, Seconded Pat Campbell.
2. Friends of NMS update- Vicky Patterson PSSC liaison
Vicky Patterson gave an update of the Friends of NMS activities from last month. Highlights include:
Received positive media coverage in the Northside News about the Bookfair as well as many favourable calls from parents.
Held Grade 6 Welcome BBQ and Coil Boil on October 2, 2008.
Supported the Magazine Campaign
Held Scholastic French & English Book Fairs – Combined profits $6200. Proceeds to go to the purchase of books for the school and for curriculum resources for the administration.
September Need of the Month – NMS Breakfast Program – Received great response.
October Need of the Month – Fredericton Food Bank – Received hundreds of non-perishable food items.
Held first ever Jack-O-Lantern contest – Profits of $72.52 donated to the Christmas Families Fund at the school.
See written update at http://friendsofnms.blogspot.com/ for more details
Upcoming events for November include
Fire Fighters Challenge, Teacher Appreciation Lunch, Healthy Eating Initiative
Nominations for the positions of the 3 Co-Chairs will be accepted from December 1, 2008 until 3pm December 12, 2008. Nominations forms will be made available just prior to these dates and will be posted on the Blog. Elections will take place on Jan. 7, 2009 and Jan. 8, 2009.
3. D.E.C Report- D.E.C Rep- Carol Coleman
Carol Coleman gave an update from the D.E.C. Two major meetings held:
· Parents Forum held on October 16th – Objective was to gather input from education stakeholders as they develop priorities for their four-year mandate.
· Training/Orientation for PSSC Members – Communications was highlighted as a key area of focus.
Carol gave highlights from the Grade 5 and Grade 8 Mathematics Assessment:
· The briefing note provided by the Department of Education about the Grade 5 Provincial Mathematics Assessment reported that the goal of the government of New Brunswick is for 90% of students to meet or exceed the appropriate achievement level, with 20% of those at the strong achievement level. Provincially, 65% met or exceeded the appropriate achievement level in Mathematics. 68% of District 18 students achieved Appropriate or Strong Achievement.
Go to http://www.district18.nbed.nb.ca/dec.htm for minutes of the DEC meetings. Standard practice is that the meeting minutes will be posted the 1st Thursday of the month. The Podcast is posted the Friday following the DEC meeting.
4. Principal’s Report- Alan
School safety week was held on October 6 to 10. The objective of the school safety week is to help students, teachers, parents and administrators increase their awareness of the need to keep our schools safe. Activities held included fire drills, school bus evacuations, lock down drills, and school evacuation exercises.
Magazine campaign – Was down 25% from last year. This will have an impact on the programs that the school can offer.
Participated in Junior Achievement for Grade 8 (all classes).
Teacher Professional development days are scheduled for October 14 and November 10th. Will be working on school improvement plan (SIP) including incorporating SMART goals into the plan.
Held school dance on October 30th. Over 400 students went to the dance representing ¼ population. The dance went well. However, feedback from the students included the dance was too short and there was too much light.
Installed new seats in the theatre. Thanks to Mr. Springer for his efforts here.
Opened Re-connecting room on October 21st. Purpose of the room is to support students as they transition back to school who have been away for any number of reasons (i.e. sick, disciplined). Three – four students/day are using this service.
Grade 7 LA assessment is upcoming. The assessment will occur over a 3-day period. Expect to have results after Christmas.
Held Bookfares – Alan expressed his appreciation to the Friends of NMS for their great job in organizing the two bookfares.
Held Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 7th. The students were well behaved.
Action: Provide a copy of the Glenda Saint report to the PSSC (Alan)
5. Action Items Follow-up
School Improvement Plan (SIP) (Alan)
· The teaching staff have review this. A new document is expected in the new year. We are in year 2 of a 3-year plan.
Maximizing our outdoor space (Alan)
· Test of the use of new areas will be held in the spring. Students will need to go through the front door to access the new areas.
Action: Provide an update on the UNICEF program to the PSSC (Alan)
6. Nashwaaksis Middle School Annual report and feedback from Diane Wilkins- Alan
Action: Provide summary of annual report to PSSC (Alan)
7. Nutrition Policy: Policy # 18-711 and Appendix A –Alan
New criteria on nutrition was released in August and is available on the website.
Training with Chartwells was cancelled.
Question was raised – Do we provide the students adequate time to eat healthy, since it takes longer to eat healthy food verses fast food? Challenge as contractually teachers must be given 1 hour duty free. Looking at providing a Sub bar.
Concern raised that the pizza and ice cream rewards given to classrooms may be giving the wrong message. Alan will consider option options as opposed to “non nutritional” items.
Actions: Provide FAQ’s of different products to Alan (Shauna Miller)
Review vendor machines and advise Alan of items that are in non-compliance of the criteria and suggest options. (Shauna Miller)
8. Availability of qualified French speaking substitute teachers. –Alan
It is recognized that this is an issue. Retired teachers have a teaching cap of 20 days.
9. PRA Time (practical and related arts) and the Health Curriculum- Alan
Home economics is gone from the curriculum. Health is taught in PRA (some teaching time may be lost due to storm days).
10. Talk mail new soft ware- Alan
Aliant and Rogers are not compatible with the school’s software for Talk mail. We are not able to reach some parents due to the constraints.
Action: Check into the system that Leo Hayes and FHS use (Alan)
11. Dance admittance procedure-Alan
A list was posted identifying the students that were not granted admittance to the dance. There were concerns with this. A new method to be developed. The “no dance” list of students will be made available to screen attendees on the night of the dance.
12. Nomination of new Parent Rep. to PSSC
Barb Brittany was nominated and approved as a new Parent Rep. to the PSSC. Nominated by Andrew Rowe and seconded by John MacKenzie.
Action: Advise Barb of the results of the nomination (Andrew)
Advise Mitch of the results of the nomination (Alan)
13. Nomination of Officers of PSSC
As per the PSSC guidelines, nominations for the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer positions are to be held yearly. Nominations to be held at the next meeting.
Action: Send nominations to Alan by November 24th (current PSSC members)
14. PSSC Blog
The PSSC Blog is not current.
Action: Alan to have the Blog updated.
15. Inclusion of more students on Sports Teams - Shauna
Discussion held on the fact that it is always the same students on the sports teams. Is there a way to ensure better inclusion? It was recognized that this is an issue. However, no feasible alternatives to respond to this were identified, as it would need to be a policy change for all the schools.
Next Meeting – December 8th 7pm - room 200
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
November 10, 2008 - Meeting Agenda
7:00 -7:05 Welcome, Approval of October’s Minutes and Approval of November’s Agenda
7:05-7:10 Friends of NMS update- Vicky Patterson
7:10 -7:15 D.E.C Report- D.E.C Rep-Pat Campbell
7:15 – 7:35 Principal’s Report
7:35 -7:50 Action Item Follow-up
1. School Improvement Plan ( see copy) – Alan
2. Maximizing our outdoor space- Spring-Alan
7:50–8:20 New Agenda Additional Items (identified prior to or at the meeting)
Naswaaksis Middle School Annual report and feedback from Diane Wilkins- Alan
Nutrition Policy: Policy # 18-711 and Appendix A –Alan
a) Are we in compliance?
b) Are there other ways to motivate students to action?
Availability of qualified french speaking substitute teachers. –Alan
PRA Time (practical and related arts) and the Health Curriculum- Alan
Talk mail new soft ware- Mitch
Dance admittance procedure-Alan
8:20-8:30 Additional items added at meeting
Adjournment
7:05-7:10 Friends of NMS update- Vicky Patterson
7:10 -7:15 D.E.C Report- D.E.C Rep-Pat Campbell
7:15 – 7:35 Principal’s Report
7:35 -7:50 Action Item Follow-up
1. School Improvement Plan ( see copy) – Alan
2. Maximizing our outdoor space- Spring-Alan
7:50–8:20 New Agenda Additional Items (identified prior to or at the meeting)
Naswaaksis Middle School Annual report and feedback from Diane Wilkins- Alan
Nutrition Policy: Policy # 18-711 and Appendix A –Alan
a) Are we in compliance?
b) Are there other ways to motivate students to action?
Availability of qualified french speaking substitute teachers. –Alan
PRA Time (practical and related arts) and the Health Curriculum- Alan
Talk mail new soft ware- Mitch
Dance admittance procedure-Alan
8:20-8:30 Additional items added at meeting
Adjournment
Monday, November 3, 2008
PSSC Minutes - October 8, 2008
Attendees
Tracy Allen Mitch Claybourn Tracy Gratten
John MacKenzie Andrew Rowe Ann Small
Regrets
Sherry Thompson Pat Cambell
DEC Rep
Pat Coleman
Absent
Shauna Miller
Staff
Alan Atkins
Guests
Mary Rowe (Chair of Friends of NMS)
Mary Leo Dick (Co-chair of Friends of NMS)
Vicky Patterson (Co-chair of Friends of NMS)
Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm
Andrew Rowe was asked to record the minutes for this meeting. To appoint the secretary at the next meeting.
Motion to approve Junes meeting minutes: moved Tracey Allen: no vote occurred as no other members were present at the June meeting other than the chair.
Agenda
The agenda was approved with the following addition:
- Update of “The Glenda Saint Report”
Friends of NMS report (Vicky Patterson PSSC liaison)
- They are a task based group with 86 volunteers at this point (62 same time last year)
- Review of activities of the parent volunteer group from June to date including: Grade 8
celebration, grade 6 BBQ, volunteer forms, needs of the month, French book fair and, Corn boil. Details on Friends of NMS Blog
School improvement plan (Mr. Atkins)
- Has been translated to “Smart language”
- 9 pages → 3-4 pages
- 3 year plan / 1year in (starting year 2)
- Copies to be emailed to members
Action Item follow up…
Spirit Committee
- Valerie (Guidance) involved
- Monthly meetings
- Motivation for students
- Activities for students
- 11 of 787 students involved
- Look to increase number of students involved
- More training in the future?
Update Friends of NMS and Home and School (Mr. Atkins)
- Had 5 meetings over the summer to finalize the Constitution and Guidelines for Friends of NMS.
(posted on the Friends of NMS Blog which is attached to the NMS Blog)
- Friends of NMS fits the needs of our school and is working well
- Home and school has been tried in the past and has failed twice
- The question was asked, why not have both groups?
We have one group working well; there is no need for a second group.
Outdoor Space
- Long term plan, “ to reduce crime by environmental design”
- More information to be provided at the next meeting
Grade 8 Celebration
- Provide parents with the information earlier in the school year that the school is planning a
celebration including a dance.
- Hope that Friends of NMS can provide the “Muscle” to pull off a successful celebration this year as they did last year.
Dividers on the walk way (Mr. Atkins)
- Only go 2/3rd way down main entrance
- Want more for safety
- Funding is the issue
Principals Report
- 787 students/44 teachers/75 staff total
- Magazine campaign ongoing
- Safety week completed
- Professional Learning Committees (PLC) next Tuesday: sharing ideas between schools
- Interim reports next week
- Report cards out November 20/21st
- Teacher hired for re-connecting room, served 150 students last year (from 1 day to 1 month) to help them with school learning. Valuable tool for all middle schools.
- Question: 701 and police check required for all coaches? Yes, athletic directors look after this.
Additional items
- DEC hosting training and orientation session for PSSC members October 28th
- “Parenting in the 21st century” 7 week course on effective parenting of teens. Mitch to email
information to members.
- After school detention program: used for discipline, not used by all teams, note sent home to
parents one day prior to detention as they have to arrange for transport home.
- Talk mail, paper communication and blog for school special events
To carry remaining agenda to next meeting
Next meeting
Monday November 10th (tentative)
Submit agenda items by November 1st
Agenda to be sent out 1 week in advance
Adjournment
Meeting ended 8:40pm
Respectfully Submitted Andrew Rowe
Next meeting - November 10, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. - Reconnecting Room - NMS
Tracy Allen Mitch Claybourn Tracy Gratten
John MacKenzie Andrew Rowe Ann Small
Regrets
Sherry Thompson Pat Cambell
DEC Rep
Pat Coleman
Absent
Shauna Miller
Staff
Alan Atkins
Guests
Mary Rowe (Chair of Friends of NMS)
Mary Leo Dick (Co-chair of Friends of NMS)
Vicky Patterson (Co-chair of Friends of NMS)
Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm
Andrew Rowe was asked to record the minutes for this meeting. To appoint the secretary at the next meeting.
Motion to approve Junes meeting minutes: moved Tracey Allen: no vote occurred as no other members were present at the June meeting other than the chair.
Agenda
The agenda was approved with the following addition:
- Update of “The Glenda Saint Report”
Friends of NMS report (Vicky Patterson PSSC liaison)
- They are a task based group with 86 volunteers at this point (62 same time last year)
- Review of activities of the parent volunteer group from June to date including: Grade 8
celebration, grade 6 BBQ, volunteer forms, needs of the month, French book fair and, Corn boil. Details on Friends of NMS Blog
School improvement plan (Mr. Atkins)
- Has been translated to “Smart language”
- 9 pages → 3-4 pages
- 3 year plan / 1year in (starting year 2)
- Copies to be emailed to members
Action Item follow up…
Spirit Committee
- Valerie (Guidance) involved
- Monthly meetings
- Motivation for students
- Activities for students
- 11 of 787 students involved
- Look to increase number of students involved
- More training in the future?
Update Friends of NMS and Home and School (Mr. Atkins)
- Had 5 meetings over the summer to finalize the Constitution and Guidelines for Friends of NMS.
(posted on the Friends of NMS Blog which is attached to the NMS Blog)
- Friends of NMS fits the needs of our school and is working well
- Home and school has been tried in the past and has failed twice
- The question was asked, why not have both groups?
We have one group working well; there is no need for a second group.
Outdoor Space
- Long term plan, “ to reduce crime by environmental design”
- More information to be provided at the next meeting
Grade 8 Celebration
- Provide parents with the information earlier in the school year that the school is planning a
celebration including a dance.
- Hope that Friends of NMS can provide the “Muscle” to pull off a successful celebration this year as they did last year.
Dividers on the walk way (Mr. Atkins)
- Only go 2/3rd way down main entrance
- Want more for safety
- Funding is the issue
Principals Report
- 787 students/44 teachers/75 staff total
- Magazine campaign ongoing
- Safety week completed
- Professional Learning Committees (PLC) next Tuesday: sharing ideas between schools
- Interim reports next week
- Report cards out November 20/21st
- Teacher hired for re-connecting room, served 150 students last year (from 1 day to 1 month) to help them with school learning. Valuable tool for all middle schools.
- Question: 701 and police check required for all coaches? Yes, athletic directors look after this.
Additional items
- DEC hosting training and orientation session for PSSC members October 28th
- “Parenting in the 21st century” 7 week course on effective parenting of teens. Mitch to email
information to members.
- After school detention program: used for discipline, not used by all teams, note sent home to
parents one day prior to detention as they have to arrange for transport home.
- Talk mail, paper communication and blog for school special events
To carry remaining agenda to next meeting
Next meeting
Monday November 10th (tentative)
Submit agenda items by November 1st
Agenda to be sent out 1 week in advance
Adjournment
Meeting ended 8:40pm
Respectfully Submitted Andrew Rowe
Next meeting - November 10, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. - Reconnecting Room - NMS
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Next PSSC Meeting
We will be holding our next PSSC meeting on Thursday, October 9th at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room at Nashwaaksis Middle School.
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