Nashwaaksis Middle School
PSSC Committee Meeting
May 11 2009
Agenda
7:00 Call to order
Approval of Agenda
Approval of March 2009 Minutes
D.E.C Report- D.E.C Rep- Carol Coleman
Friends Report – Mary Rowe
Principal’s Report
Discussion: SIP update
Nutrition and exams
Action Item Follow-up:
Action: Mitch to send an electronic copy of the Parent’s Conference Planner to Alan.
Action: Copy of SIP to be distributed to PSSC members. Discussion on this to be held at the May PSSC meeting. (done)
New Business
Next meeting date: June 8 2009
Adjournment
Friday, May 8, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
March 25, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of Meeting
NMS – PSSC Committee Meeting
March 25, 2009
Attendees:
Anne Small Pat Campbell Shauna Miller
Tracy Allen Sherry Thomson Mitch Claybourn
Andrew Rowe Alan Atkins (Staff)
Regrets: Heather Touchie Carol Coleman (DEC Rep) Tracey Grattan John MacKenzie
********************************************************************************************
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
1. Welcome and Approval of Minutes
• Minutes of the February meeting were presented and approved with one amendment – Add follow up item - Posting of the DEC parent survey – posted on the blog. Ask parents to fill out the survey. Send out talk mail.
2. Friends of NMS Update- Vicky Patterson PSSC liaison
• See attached submitted written report.
3. D.E.C Report - Carol Coleman
• None. Carol was unable to attend the meeting.
4. Principal’s Report
o There are planned changes for northside middle schools. A driver of this change was the need to offer similar programs in all middle schools. The changes mean that over the next 3 years, around Nashwaaksis, we could have a smaller school population as some of the feeder elementary schools that have been coming here, will be redirected to other northside middle schools. Current students at NMS will be grandfathered (will complete all 3 years). It is estimated that 50 kids will be going to Devon that we usually had coming to our school. Next year we will still have 30 classrooms, however over the subsequent 2 years we will reduce overall to have an estimated 6 fewer homerooms. We will lose some funding that is based on student population. There will be staff changes.
o We are preparing for the Memphis Committee meeting – Laptop Institute. Recent budget cuts will impact the laptop program. It is unknown at this time how these cuts will impact our program.
o A geography challenge was held for grade 6.
o A committee is working on the NMS Vision statement for the school. This will be presented to the PSSC.
o A talent show was held on February 20
o The Winter Carnival was held prior to the March break.
o The anti-bullying day where kids wear pink went well.
o The Crash Test Dummies drummer spoke to the kids. City Police helped to sponsor that event.
o The field house committee announced that new bleachers will be coming. Potentially the field house will be closed for the full month of August.
o On March 11th a big challenge was held where all students and those in the school at the time chomped on an apple at once.
o Cleaning staff in the building are doing a good job and are also friendly. We received favourable comments from the district and Alex Dingwall.
o Creative Clothing came in for one lunch hour. There was a small uptake on this.
o We are completing school-wide speeches. The NMS oratorical contest is to be held on March 25th.
o The under 16 wrestling tournament will be held at NMS in May.
o The Grade 8 celebration is scheduled for June 16 or June 18. This involves a full day of activities including going to the lake, a BBQ and a dance. There will be a formal dance held.
o Food services – We are continuing to review the food being provided in the vending machines to ensure it meets nutritional guidelines. The challenge is letting the vendors know what the acceptable food items are. Usage of the cafeteria is down.
5. Follow up to Previous Action Items
• Add students to the committee on fruits and vegetables grant proposal along with Kim and Alan.
• Alan to talk to teachers about options to food rewards (i.e. in lieu of pizza parties)
• Friends of NMS to spread the word that we need coaches/more parental involvement in order to establish more school sports teams. – Friends of NMS have not met to discuss this item.
• Alan to arrange for a note on the BLOG about the DEC Parent Survey. Also a voice mail to be sent out asking parents to fill out the survey.
NEW BUSINESS:
6. Parental Involvement in NMS, in particular upcoming parent-teacher meetings
• How can we get the word out on the importance of parental involvement at the upcoming parent-teacher meetings? The concern is that the parents of the kids that need help, are not showing up at the parent-teacher interviews. We could be proactive by taking attendance at the fall meet the teacher night and then following up with the parents that were absent. Also, we could lead the parents to the classrooms after the initial meeting. An e-mail parent-family list is helpful. We could invite parents to come to some of the events (i.e. talent show, oratorical contest).
Action: The Leader in Me – Can this program be brought to NMS? Pat to provide a website address to Alan on this program.
Action: Schedule presentation on the Developmental Assets program to the PSSC.
7. Electronics Policy
• How are we doing in enforcing the cell phone policy? There are problems with students being distracted by the cell phones. There is some research from Europe there are health hazards for those under 20 using cell phones. Alan has done some research on the legal limits of administering the cell phone policy. What is being proposed is that the device be taken away from the student, put it in an envelope and then call the parent to come pick it up. We need to get the parents buy-in on this. Alan made a presentation on the approach to deal with this at the last principal’s meeting. This issue has been brought to the attention of the District and Kelly Lamrock.
Action: Alan to forward article on sexting to PSSC members and also will have it posted on the BLOG.
Action: Andrew to send note to the DEC for support and direction on the cell phone policy.
8. Talk Mail Program for NMS
Alan informed the committee that NMS will be buying the School Connects program for our Talk Mail program for the new school year.
9. District 18 new priorities
Alan informed the committee that there is a new program called Student Voice. A suggestion was brought forward that NMS participate in this. Alan advised that we will be awaiting further information on this.
Action: Bring forward this for further information/discussion at the April meeting.
10. Green Matters essay contest
There is a Green Matters essay contest as posted on the City of Fredericton website.
Action: Alan to arrange to have information on the Green Matters essay and Earth Day hour posted on the BLOG.
11. Stem Expo
An inquiry was made re NMS involvement in the Stem Expo this year. Alan informed the committee that NMS had some entries this year.
Next meeting – April 20, 2009 7pm.
NMS – PSSC Committee Meeting
March 25, 2009
Attendees:
Anne Small Pat Campbell Shauna Miller
Tracy Allen Sherry Thomson Mitch Claybourn
Andrew Rowe Alan Atkins (Staff)
Regrets: Heather Touchie Carol Coleman (DEC Rep) Tracey Grattan John MacKenzie
********************************************************************************************
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
1. Welcome and Approval of Minutes
• Minutes of the February meeting were presented and approved with one amendment – Add follow up item - Posting of the DEC parent survey – posted on the blog. Ask parents to fill out the survey. Send out talk mail.
2. Friends of NMS Update- Vicky Patterson PSSC liaison
• See attached submitted written report.
3. D.E.C Report - Carol Coleman
• None. Carol was unable to attend the meeting.
4. Principal’s Report
o There are planned changes for northside middle schools. A driver of this change was the need to offer similar programs in all middle schools. The changes mean that over the next 3 years, around Nashwaaksis, we could have a smaller school population as some of the feeder elementary schools that have been coming here, will be redirected to other northside middle schools. Current students at NMS will be grandfathered (will complete all 3 years). It is estimated that 50 kids will be going to Devon that we usually had coming to our school. Next year we will still have 30 classrooms, however over the subsequent 2 years we will reduce overall to have an estimated 6 fewer homerooms. We will lose some funding that is based on student population. There will be staff changes.
o We are preparing for the Memphis Committee meeting – Laptop Institute. Recent budget cuts will impact the laptop program. It is unknown at this time how these cuts will impact our program.
o A geography challenge was held for grade 6.
o A committee is working on the NMS Vision statement for the school. This will be presented to the PSSC.
o A talent show was held on February 20
o The Winter Carnival was held prior to the March break.
o The anti-bullying day where kids wear pink went well.
o The Crash Test Dummies drummer spoke to the kids. City Police helped to sponsor that event.
o The field house committee announced that new bleachers will be coming. Potentially the field house will be closed for the full month of August.
o On March 11th a big challenge was held where all students and those in the school at the time chomped on an apple at once.
o Cleaning staff in the building are doing a good job and are also friendly. We received favourable comments from the district and Alex Dingwall.
o Creative Clothing came in for one lunch hour. There was a small uptake on this.
o We are completing school-wide speeches. The NMS oratorical contest is to be held on March 25th.
o The under 16 wrestling tournament will be held at NMS in May.
o The Grade 8 celebration is scheduled for June 16 or June 18. This involves a full day of activities including going to the lake, a BBQ and a dance. There will be a formal dance held.
o Food services – We are continuing to review the food being provided in the vending machines to ensure it meets nutritional guidelines. The challenge is letting the vendors know what the acceptable food items are. Usage of the cafeteria is down.
5. Follow up to Previous Action Items
• Add students to the committee on fruits and vegetables grant proposal along with Kim and Alan.
• Alan to talk to teachers about options to food rewards (i.e. in lieu of pizza parties)
• Friends of NMS to spread the word that we need coaches/more parental involvement in order to establish more school sports teams. – Friends of NMS have not met to discuss this item.
• Alan to arrange for a note on the BLOG about the DEC Parent Survey. Also a voice mail to be sent out asking parents to fill out the survey.
NEW BUSINESS:
6. Parental Involvement in NMS, in particular upcoming parent-teacher meetings
• How can we get the word out on the importance of parental involvement at the upcoming parent-teacher meetings? The concern is that the parents of the kids that need help, are not showing up at the parent-teacher interviews. We could be proactive by taking attendance at the fall meet the teacher night and then following up with the parents that were absent. Also, we could lead the parents to the classrooms after the initial meeting. An e-mail parent-family list is helpful. We could invite parents to come to some of the events (i.e. talent show, oratorical contest).
Action: The Leader in Me – Can this program be brought to NMS? Pat to provide a website address to Alan on this program.
Action: Schedule presentation on the Developmental Assets program to the PSSC.
7. Electronics Policy
• How are we doing in enforcing the cell phone policy? There are problems with students being distracted by the cell phones. There is some research from Europe there are health hazards for those under 20 using cell phones. Alan has done some research on the legal limits of administering the cell phone policy. What is being proposed is that the device be taken away from the student, put it in an envelope and then call the parent to come pick it up. We need to get the parents buy-in on this. Alan made a presentation on the approach to deal with this at the last principal’s meeting. This issue has been brought to the attention of the District and Kelly Lamrock.
Action: Alan to forward article on sexting to PSSC members and also will have it posted on the BLOG.
Action: Andrew to send note to the DEC for support and direction on the cell phone policy.
8. Talk Mail Program for NMS
Alan informed the committee that NMS will be buying the School Connects program for our Talk Mail program for the new school year.
9. District 18 new priorities
Alan informed the committee that there is a new program called Student Voice. A suggestion was brought forward that NMS participate in this. Alan advised that we will be awaiting further information on this.
Action: Bring forward this for further information/discussion at the April meeting.
10. Green Matters essay contest
There is a Green Matters essay contest as posted on the City of Fredericton website.
Action: Alan to arrange to have information on the Green Matters essay and Earth Day hour posted on the BLOG.
11. Stem Expo
An inquiry was made re NMS involvement in the Stem Expo this year. Alan informed the committee that NMS had some entries this year.
Next meeting – April 20, 2009 7pm.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Agenda - April 20, 2009
Nashwaaksis Middle School
PSSC Committee Meeting
April 20 2009
Agenda
7:00 Call to order
Approval of Agenda
Approval of March 2009 Minutes
D.E.C Report- D.E.C Rep- Carol Coleman
Principal’s Report
Discussion: use of outdoor areas around the school
Action Item Follow-up:
Action: The Leader in Me – Can this program be brought to NMS? Pat to provide a website address to Alan on this program
Action: Schedule presentation on the Developmental Assets program to the PSSC.
Action: Alan to forward article on sexting to PSSC members and also will have it posted on the BLOG
Action: Andrew to send note to the DEC for support and direction on the cell phone policy.
Action: Bring forward student voice for further information/discussion at the April meeting
Action: Alan to arrange to have information on the Green Matters essay and Earth Day hour posted on the BLOG.
New Business
Next meeting date: May 11 2009
Adjournment
PSSC Committee Meeting
April 20 2009
Agenda
7:00 Call to order
Approval of Agenda
Approval of March 2009 Minutes
D.E.C Report- D.E.C Rep- Carol Coleman
Principal’s Report
Discussion: use of outdoor areas around the school
Action Item Follow-up:
Action: The Leader in Me – Can this program be brought to NMS? Pat to provide a website address to Alan on this program
Action: Schedule presentation on the Developmental Assets program to the PSSC.
Action: Alan to forward article on sexting to PSSC members and also will have it posted on the BLOG
Action: Andrew to send note to the DEC for support and direction on the cell phone policy.
Action: Bring forward student voice for further information/discussion at the April meeting
Action: Alan to arrange to have information on the Green Matters essay and Earth Day hour posted on the BLOG.
New Business
Next meeting date: May 11 2009
Adjournment
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
February Meeting Minutes
Minutes of Meeting
NMS – PSSC Committee Meeting
February 9, 2009
Attendees:
Tracy Allen Sherry Thomson Shauna Miller
John MacKenzie Alan Atkins (Staff) Mitch Claybourn
Andrew Rowe Carol Coleman (DEC Rep) Tracey Grattan
Heather Touchie-Blakely Pat Campbell
Regrets: Anne Small
Guests:
Mary Rowe (Co-Chair of Friends of NMS)
********************************************************************************************
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
1. Welcome and Approval of Minutes
• Minutes of the January meeting were presented and approved
2. Friends of NMS Update- Mary Rowe for Vicky Patterson PSSC liaison
• The Annual General Meeting was held on January 13, 2009.
• As part of the fruit and vegetable grant, a fruit trifle including mixed berries, melons, peaches was provided to the students.
• Raised $190.20 at the Bake Sale. Proceeds to go to the Anti-Bullying program.
• Teacher appreciation is this week including a luncheon on Tuesday. There are 20 volunteers involved in this.
• Meeting with Alan to discuss future activities for NMS for the remainder of the year.
• Go to http://friendsofnms.blogspot.com/ for more details on the activities of the Friends of NMS
3. D.E.C Report - Carol Coleman
• Refer to attached written update from Carol Coleman for DEC activities.
4. Principal’s Report
• Alan gave an update on the school review at Barkers Point School. He indicated it was a valuable exercise for him however it was quite time consuming
• Annual General Meeting for Friends of NMS was held on
• Developmental Assets program held.
• Peter Clark reading held with Grade 6’s .
• Press conference with Microsoft signing was held. The program being offered is phase two of a three-phase plan of providing educational software packages to schools
• There were approximately 350 kids at the school dance last week. Dance was well received.
• Alan gave an update on the survey -Tell Them from Me (TTM) which is administered three times per year. This is a national survey which gives a snap shot of the student’s perspective of the school in the areas of student engagement, student wellness, and the school climate. Last week the second round of surveys was administered involving approximately 210 – 240 students. The third time that the survey will be administered this year will be in May. One observation was that the language in the survey was too advanced for grade 6’s, which might have an impact on the results. To resolve this, grade 8’s will be sitting down with the grade 6’s to help them understand the survey. From the survey results, it was recognized that NMS needs to look at how to address the below average scores in the category of participation in sports and other clubs. Some of the information from the survey will be shared with students.
• Geography Challenge to be held this week.
• As part of School Improvement Plan, teachers will be working on a vision for the school as part of the professional development days this week.
• French Immersion meeting with Alex Dingwall to be held this week.
• Variety Show is scheduled for February 20.
• The annual Winter Carnival will be held the last week before March break. As part of the carnival, the drummer from the Crash Test Dummies will be coming in to do a motivational speech (grade 7 & 8 only)
5. Follow up to Previous Action Items
Action – Alan will talk to the secretaries and guidance councillor and determine how to get the message out to the girls about the availability of these products and how to request them. COMPLETED.
Action – Shauna to advise the parent who approached her on this issue to tell his/her child to discuss this with the guidance councillor. COMPLETED.
Action: Alan to get back to Anne about a comparison of sports fees between schools. COMPLETED.
Alan did a survey of other 3 middle schools. We charge $80/student/sport. Devon charges $40/student/sport. Albert charges $50/student/sport and for varsity/JV up to $250. George Street charges $25/ student/sport and up to $250 for varsity/JV.
Action – Friends of NMS to spread the word that we need coaches/more parental involvement in order to establish more school sports teams. – Friends of NMS have not met to discuss this item.
Action – Alan to have the meetings dates noted on the BLOG. COMPLETED.
NEW BUSINESS:
6. Nutrition
Concern was raised over how NMS is adhering to the nutrition policy. There was a grant started through the Department of Wellness, Culture & Sport. The purpose of the grant was to promote students eating more fruit and vegetables. Funding is provided as a flat amount per middle school as well as an amount per student. Schools need to request yearly for the grant and provide a report of what was done with the last year’s funding. Discussion was held around what should be provided under this program.
Concern was raised that there were non-nutritional items sold as part of a fund raising event. It was identified that many other nutritional items were provided as part of the fund raising event as well.
Request that the removal of non-nutritional items from vending machines be expedited.
Action – Add students to the committee on fruits and vegetable Grant proposal along with Kim and Alan.
Action – Alan to talk to teachers about options to food rewards (i.e. instead of pizza parties).
Next meeting – March 16, 2009 7pm.
NMS – PSSC Committee Meeting
February 9, 2009
Attendees:
Tracy Allen Sherry Thomson Shauna Miller
John MacKenzie Alan Atkins (Staff) Mitch Claybourn
Andrew Rowe Carol Coleman (DEC Rep) Tracey Grattan
Heather Touchie-Blakely Pat Campbell
Regrets: Anne Small
Guests:
Mary Rowe (Co-Chair of Friends of NMS)
********************************************************************************************
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
1. Welcome and Approval of Minutes
• Minutes of the January meeting were presented and approved
2. Friends of NMS Update- Mary Rowe for Vicky Patterson PSSC liaison
• The Annual General Meeting was held on January 13, 2009.
• As part of the fruit and vegetable grant, a fruit trifle including mixed berries, melons, peaches was provided to the students.
• Raised $190.20 at the Bake Sale. Proceeds to go to the Anti-Bullying program.
• Teacher appreciation is this week including a luncheon on Tuesday. There are 20 volunteers involved in this.
• Meeting with Alan to discuss future activities for NMS for the remainder of the year.
• Go to http://friendsofnms.blogspot.com/ for more details on the activities of the Friends of NMS
3. D.E.C Report - Carol Coleman
• Refer to attached written update from Carol Coleman for DEC activities.
4. Principal’s Report
• Alan gave an update on the school review at Barkers Point School. He indicated it was a valuable exercise for him however it was quite time consuming
• Annual General Meeting for Friends of NMS was held on
• Developmental Assets program held.
• Peter Clark reading held with Grade 6’s .
• Press conference with Microsoft signing was held. The program being offered is phase two of a three-phase plan of providing educational software packages to schools
• There were approximately 350 kids at the school dance last week. Dance was well received.
• Alan gave an update on the survey -Tell Them from Me (TTM) which is administered three times per year. This is a national survey which gives a snap shot of the student’s perspective of the school in the areas of student engagement, student wellness, and the school climate. Last week the second round of surveys was administered involving approximately 210 – 240 students. The third time that the survey will be administered this year will be in May. One observation was that the language in the survey was too advanced for grade 6’s, which might have an impact on the results. To resolve this, grade 8’s will be sitting down with the grade 6’s to help them understand the survey. From the survey results, it was recognized that NMS needs to look at how to address the below average scores in the category of participation in sports and other clubs. Some of the information from the survey will be shared with students.
• Geography Challenge to be held this week.
• As part of School Improvement Plan, teachers will be working on a vision for the school as part of the professional development days this week.
• French Immersion meeting with Alex Dingwall to be held this week.
• Variety Show is scheduled for February 20.
• The annual Winter Carnival will be held the last week before March break. As part of the carnival, the drummer from the Crash Test Dummies will be coming in to do a motivational speech (grade 7 & 8 only)
5. Follow up to Previous Action Items
Action – Alan will talk to the secretaries and guidance councillor and determine how to get the message out to the girls about the availability of these products and how to request them. COMPLETED.
Action – Shauna to advise the parent who approached her on this issue to tell his/her child to discuss this with the guidance councillor. COMPLETED.
Action: Alan to get back to Anne about a comparison of sports fees between schools. COMPLETED.
Alan did a survey of other 3 middle schools. We charge $80/student/sport. Devon charges $40/student/sport. Albert charges $50/student/sport and for varsity/JV up to $250. George Street charges $25/ student/sport and up to $250 for varsity/JV.
Action – Friends of NMS to spread the word that we need coaches/more parental involvement in order to establish more school sports teams. – Friends of NMS have not met to discuss this item.
Action – Alan to have the meetings dates noted on the BLOG. COMPLETED.
NEW BUSINESS:
6. Nutrition
Concern was raised over how NMS is adhering to the nutrition policy. There was a grant started through the Department of Wellness, Culture & Sport. The purpose of the grant was to promote students eating more fruit and vegetables. Funding is provided as a flat amount per middle school as well as an amount per student. Schools need to request yearly for the grant and provide a report of what was done with the last year’s funding. Discussion was held around what should be provided under this program.
Concern was raised that there were non-nutritional items sold as part of a fund raising event. It was identified that many other nutritional items were provided as part of the fund raising event as well.
Request that the removal of non-nutritional items from vending machines be expedited.
Action – Add students to the committee on fruits and vegetable Grant proposal along with Kim and Alan.
Action – Alan to talk to teachers about options to food rewards (i.e. instead of pizza parties).
Next meeting – March 16, 2009 7pm.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
March 16, 2009 - Agenda
Nashwaaksis Middle School
PSSC Committee Meeting
March 16 2009
Agenda
7:00 Call to order
Approval of Agenda
Approval of February’s Minutes
D.E.C Report- D.E.C Rep- Carol Coleman
Principal’s Report
Discussion on how we can get the word out of the importance of parental involvement at the upcoming parent-teachers meetings.
Action Item Follow-up:
– Add students to the committee on fruits and vegetable Grant proposal along with Kim and Alan.
– Alan to talk to teachers about options to food rewards (i.e. instead of pizza parties).
New Business
Next meeting date: April 20th 2009
Adjournment
PSSC Committee Meeting
March 16 2009
Agenda
7:00 Call to order
Approval of Agenda
Approval of February’s Minutes
D.E.C Report- D.E.C Rep- Carol Coleman
Principal’s Report
Discussion on how we can get the word out of the importance of parental involvement at the upcoming parent-teachers meetings.
Action Item Follow-up:
– Add students to the committee on fruits and vegetable Grant proposal along with Kim and Alan.
– Alan to talk to teachers about options to food rewards (i.e. instead of pizza parties).
New Business
Next meeting date: April 20th 2009
Adjournment
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
January 12, 2009 - Minutes
Minutes of Meeting
NMS – PSSC Committee Meeting
January 12th 2008
Attendees:
Tracy Allen Sherry Thomson Shauna Miller
John MacKenzie Alan Atkins (Staff) Mitch Claybourn
Andrew Rowe Carol Coleman (DEC Rep.) Tracey Grattan
Anne Small Heather Touchie-Blakely
Regrets:
Pat Campbell
Guests:
Mary Rowe (Co-Chair of Friends of NMS)
****************************************************************************************************
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
1. Welcome and Approval of Minutes
• Minutes of the December meeting were presented and approved with one change – Update attendees to include Heather Touchie who was erroneously missed from the list of attendees.
Action – Sherry to update the minutes and send them to Andrew for official posting onto the NMS website.
2. Friends of NMS Update- Mary Rowe for Vicky Patterson PSSC liaison
• Annual general meeting is scheduled for January 13th
• Nominations – Vicky Patterson, Mary Rowe , Mary Leo Dick – appointed as co-chairs of Friends of NMS for this year
• Go to http://friendsofnms.blogspot.com/ for more details on the activities of the Friends of NMS
3. Principal’s Report
• School improvement plan update
• Cross grade Math exam this week. Looking for a baseline. The same test will be administered at the end of year.
• Writing code prepared for all subjects (all grades)
• SIP goal – curriculum list for grade 7 teachers.
• Alan at school review at Barkers Point this week.
• Cafeteria usage – allowed some groups to go down early; basically rotating the grade levels to reduce congestion and increase usage of the cafeteria
• Signing by MicroSoft to be held on January 22nd at the school as NMS is the laptop school in the District. MicroSoft will want to see the laptop project. Minister will be here for the signing. No other details on this are available at this time.
• Attendance letters been distributed. NMS has between 10 – 15 students who do not attend regularly. NMS sends out monthly attendance letters and makes calls.
• Gr. 7 classes starting Legion tours which involves going through the museum and then attending a lecture. They also discuss freedoms that we enjoy due to the sacrifice of the veterans.
• Leo Hayes band was here performing before Christmas
• Two Christmas concerts were held involving NMS students
• Alan reviewed current staff changes. See main site for details.
• Cross diagnostic testing scheduled this week.
• HPV testing scheduled this week for girls
• Alan reported that he is attending a middle school developmental assets workshop on Friday.
4. D.E.C Report
• Questionnaire going on line this week
• Action – Alan and Carol to put a note on the BLOG about this. Also a voice mail to be sent out.
• PSSC chairs 2nd orientation meeting to be held on January 15th
• Reviewed operating budget. Supplementary funding approved as requested by various PSSC’s in the district.
• The Laptop Institute has announced that NMS is the 2009 school spotlight Award recipient. NMS is the first public institution to have been chosen as the Spotlight School.
• Refer to attached written update from Carol Coleman for additional DEC activities.
5. Follow up to Previous Action Items
• Glenda Saint report - Executive summary from Glenda Saint report distributed. Alan advised that PSSC members that they can get a copy of the full report from him.
• BLOG Update - BLOG – names have been corrected. Dates for the meeting need to be updated.
• Request to update October 2008 minutes – Protocols state that a change cannot be made to previous minutes that were approved. Correction to the previous minutes (re Home and School) noted in December 2008 minutes.
NEW BUSINESS:
6. Access to feminine protection products
• A parent requested that more efforts be made to provide access to feminine protection products for the girls.
• Currently the guidance councillor or secretary can provide these. As well most teachers have them available in the classroom.
• Action – Alan will talk to the secretaries and guidance councillor and determine how to get the message out to the girls about the availability of these products and how to request them.
7. Access to microwaves. – Particularly for students with health concerns.
• A parent brought up the suggestion to have access to microwaves, particularly for students with health concerns that need to bring in special food.
• It was reported that NMS had microwaves in the classrooms up to last year. However they were removed as they caused electrical overloads and congestion problems in the cafeteria. There is some availability of students to microwaves based on special circumstances but it depends on the teachers. This is done on a case by case basis.
Action – Shauna to advise the parent who approached her on this issue to tell his/her child to discuss this with the guidance councillor.
8. Parity of sports fees between NMS and other schools.
• A parent was inquiring about how schools set the fees for participation in sports activities. Alan stated that the individual school sets their own fees.
• There was a question about the don’t pay, don’t play policy. A concern was raised about how the school will support underprivileged kids under this policy. Alan said there is money that is available, however this is not advertised.
• Action: Alan to get back to Anne about a comparison of sports fees between schools.
9. Discussion held on how NMS could be more inclusive in school sports teams
• Similarly to last meetings discussion, there was a question raised about how NMS could be more inclusive and permit more students to have the opportunity to be on a school sports team. Similar to other schools, there tends to be a small group of students that play on most of the sports teams that represent the school. The question which was raised was, is there something that we can do to have more teams/give every student who wants to, an opportunity to play on a school team not just the more athletic students. There was a suggestion to have some developmental school teams. Unlike drama and band which is completely inclusive, sports teams have very limited spots.
Action – Friends of NMS to spread the word that we need coaches/more parental involvement in order to establish more school sports teams.
10. Schedule for upcoming PSSC meetings
• The PSSC meetings for the year will be held on Feb 9, March 16, April 20, May 11, June 8
Action – Alan to have the meetings dates noted on the BLOG.
Next meeting – February 9, 2009 7pm.
NMS – PSSC Committee Meeting
January 12th 2008
Attendees:
Tracy Allen Sherry Thomson Shauna Miller
John MacKenzie Alan Atkins (Staff) Mitch Claybourn
Andrew Rowe Carol Coleman (DEC Rep.) Tracey Grattan
Anne Small Heather Touchie-Blakely
Regrets:
Pat Campbell
Guests:
Mary Rowe (Co-Chair of Friends of NMS)
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Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
1. Welcome and Approval of Minutes
• Minutes of the December meeting were presented and approved with one change – Update attendees to include Heather Touchie who was erroneously missed from the list of attendees.
Action – Sherry to update the minutes and send them to Andrew for official posting onto the NMS website.
2. Friends of NMS Update- Mary Rowe for Vicky Patterson PSSC liaison
• Annual general meeting is scheduled for January 13th
• Nominations – Vicky Patterson, Mary Rowe , Mary Leo Dick – appointed as co-chairs of Friends of NMS for this year
• Go to http://friendsofnms.blogspot.com/ for more details on the activities of the Friends of NMS
3. Principal’s Report
• School improvement plan update
• Cross grade Math exam this week. Looking for a baseline. The same test will be administered at the end of year.
• Writing code prepared for all subjects (all grades)
• SIP goal – curriculum list for grade 7 teachers.
• Alan at school review at Barkers Point this week.
• Cafeteria usage – allowed some groups to go down early; basically rotating the grade levels to reduce congestion and increase usage of the cafeteria
• Signing by MicroSoft to be held on January 22nd at the school as NMS is the laptop school in the District. MicroSoft will want to see the laptop project. Minister will be here for the signing. No other details on this are available at this time.
• Attendance letters been distributed. NMS has between 10 – 15 students who do not attend regularly. NMS sends out monthly attendance letters and makes calls.
• Gr. 7 classes starting Legion tours which involves going through the museum and then attending a lecture. They also discuss freedoms that we enjoy due to the sacrifice of the veterans.
• Leo Hayes band was here performing before Christmas
• Two Christmas concerts were held involving NMS students
• Alan reviewed current staff changes. See main site for details.
• Cross diagnostic testing scheduled this week.
• HPV testing scheduled this week for girls
• Alan reported that he is attending a middle school developmental assets workshop on Friday.
4. D.E.C Report
• Questionnaire going on line this week
• Action – Alan and Carol to put a note on the BLOG about this. Also a voice mail to be sent out.
• PSSC chairs 2nd orientation meeting to be held on January 15th
• Reviewed operating budget. Supplementary funding approved as requested by various PSSC’s in the district.
• The Laptop Institute has announced that NMS is the 2009 school spotlight Award recipient. NMS is the first public institution to have been chosen as the Spotlight School.
• Refer to attached written update from Carol Coleman for additional DEC activities.
5. Follow up to Previous Action Items
• Glenda Saint report - Executive summary from Glenda Saint report distributed. Alan advised that PSSC members that they can get a copy of the full report from him.
• BLOG Update - BLOG – names have been corrected. Dates for the meeting need to be updated.
• Request to update October 2008 minutes – Protocols state that a change cannot be made to previous minutes that were approved. Correction to the previous minutes (re Home and School) noted in December 2008 minutes.
NEW BUSINESS:
6. Access to feminine protection products
• A parent requested that more efforts be made to provide access to feminine protection products for the girls.
• Currently the guidance councillor or secretary can provide these. As well most teachers have them available in the classroom.
• Action – Alan will talk to the secretaries and guidance councillor and determine how to get the message out to the girls about the availability of these products and how to request them.
7. Access to microwaves. – Particularly for students with health concerns.
• A parent brought up the suggestion to have access to microwaves, particularly for students with health concerns that need to bring in special food.
• It was reported that NMS had microwaves in the classrooms up to last year. However they were removed as they caused electrical overloads and congestion problems in the cafeteria. There is some availability of students to microwaves based on special circumstances but it depends on the teachers. This is done on a case by case basis.
Action – Shauna to advise the parent who approached her on this issue to tell his/her child to discuss this with the guidance councillor.
8. Parity of sports fees between NMS and other schools.
• A parent was inquiring about how schools set the fees for participation in sports activities. Alan stated that the individual school sets their own fees.
• There was a question about the don’t pay, don’t play policy. A concern was raised about how the school will support underprivileged kids under this policy. Alan said there is money that is available, however this is not advertised.
• Action: Alan to get back to Anne about a comparison of sports fees between schools.
9. Discussion held on how NMS could be more inclusive in school sports teams
• Similarly to last meetings discussion, there was a question raised about how NMS could be more inclusive and permit more students to have the opportunity to be on a school sports team. Similar to other schools, there tends to be a small group of students that play on most of the sports teams that represent the school. The question which was raised was, is there something that we can do to have more teams/give every student who wants to, an opportunity to play on a school team not just the more athletic students. There was a suggestion to have some developmental school teams. Unlike drama and band which is completely inclusive, sports teams have very limited spots.
Action – Friends of NMS to spread the word that we need coaches/more parental involvement in order to establish more school sports teams.
10. Schedule for upcoming PSSC meetings
• The PSSC meetings for the year will be held on Feb 9, March 16, April 20, May 11, June 8
Action – Alan to have the meetings dates noted on the BLOG.
Next meeting – February 9, 2009 7pm.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Agenda - February 9, 2009
PSSC Committee Meeting
February 9 2009
Agenda
7:00 Call to order
Approval of Agenda
Approval of December’s Minutes
Friends of NMS update- Vicky Patterson
D.E.C Report- D.E.C Rep- Carol Coleman
Principal’s Report
“ Tell Them From Me” student survey results
Action Item Follow-up:
• Sherry to update the minutes and send them to Andrew for official posting onto the NMS website.
• Alan and Carol to put a note on the BLOG about this. Also a voice mail to be sent out.
• Alan will talk to the secretaries and guidance councillor and determine how to get the message out to the girls about the availability of feminine protection products and how to request them
• Shauna to advise the parent who approached her on microwave issue to tell his/her child to discuss this with the guidance councillor.
• Alan to get back to Anne about a comparison of sports fees between schools.
• Friends of NMS to spread the word that we need coaches/more parental involvement in order to establish more school sports teams.
• Alan to have the meetings dates noted on the BLOG
New Business
Next meeting date: March 13th 2009
Adjournment
February 9 2009
Agenda
7:00 Call to order
Approval of Agenda
Approval of December’s Minutes
Friends of NMS update- Vicky Patterson
D.E.C Report- D.E.C Rep- Carol Coleman
Principal’s Report
“ Tell Them From Me” student survey results
Action Item Follow-up:
• Sherry to update the minutes and send them to Andrew for official posting onto the NMS website.
• Alan and Carol to put a note on the BLOG about this. Also a voice mail to be sent out.
• Alan will talk to the secretaries and guidance councillor and determine how to get the message out to the girls about the availability of feminine protection products and how to request them
• Shauna to advise the parent who approached her on microwave issue to tell his/her child to discuss this with the guidance councillor.
• Alan to get back to Anne about a comparison of sports fees between schools.
• Friends of NMS to spread the word that we need coaches/more parental involvement in order to establish more school sports teams.
• Alan to have the meetings dates noted on the BLOG
New Business
Next meeting date: March 13th 2009
Adjournment
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