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THORNLEA SECONDARY SCHOOL<br />
Minutes of School Council Meeting<br />
<strong>November</strong> 15, <strong>2007</strong><br />
In Attendance: David Selby (Principal), Sheila Hetherington (Vice-Principal),Debra Hanff<br />
(Staff/Librarian), Shawn Robertson (Head of Alternative Education), Hannah Zhang (Student<br />
Council)<br />
Parents: Laurie Koch, Willard Allen, Andrea Channer Allen, Sharon Eidelman, Evelin Ellison,<br />
Annemarie Leepel, Lucilla Cheng, Jeanette Bermudez<br />
1. Christina opened meeting at 7:20. Annotated minutes of Sept meeting read and<br />
then October minutes were reviewed and accepted.<br />
2. Student Report - Hannah Zhang<br />
$150.00 raised on Breast Cancer Awareness Day. “Houses” dance had more than<br />
170 in attendance, admission was $1.00. “SWE”, Some Wonderful Entertainment, talent<br />
show planned for Wed., Nov. 28, <strong>2007</strong>, 7- 10 p.m. Tickets went on sale Nov. 21 st -<br />
Semi -Formal (1 st time in 4 years) planned for February,2008 (tentative date Feb. 21,<br />
2008) - venue is the Meron Banquet Hall. Price will be $35.00 per student - $32.00 will go<br />
to the Banquet Hall ($25.00 p.p. meal) - $3.00 to fundraising . Fun Fridays continue and<br />
“spirit week” to be planned for one of the weeks in December.<br />
3. Staff Report - Debra Hanff<br />
Debra reported that David Chan, Head of Music, announced a musical concert<br />
planned for December 6 th at 7:00 p.m. at <strong>Thornlea</strong>. Price will be approx. $5. Perhaps to be<br />
opened to community - suggestion that maybe school could advertise in the “Liberal”.. Nov<br />
13 -16, <strong>2007</strong>, Theatre for Young People, 7pm. Anti-racism, bullying themes.<br />
Research Success manuals recently distributed to grade 9's.<br />
Two Book Clubs to be started up soon: A Novel Idea and White Pine 2008. Posters will be<br />
going up and Debra is asking grade 9/10 English teachers to help spread the word. White<br />
Pine club to meet twice monthly, A Novel Idea to meet 2 to 3 times second semester.<br />
4. David Selby brought up need to change School council meetings: Thursday, January<br />
17, 2008 will be next meeting, no meeting will be held in February - following with a<br />
meeting on March 4, 2008. Course selection was a suggested topic to be on the January<br />
17, 2008 agenda. David Selby introduced special guest, Shawn Robertson, Head of<br />
Alternative Education who talked about Anti-Bullying:<br />
5. Shawn Robertson -<br />
Shawn provided handouts: Bullying Prevention Revisited in which the Ministry of<br />
Education defines bullying as “a dynamic of unhealthy interaction. It is a form of repeated<br />
aggression used from a position of power. It can be physical, verbal or social.” “Bullying<br />
includes four essential elements: An imbalance of power, intent to harm, the threat of<br />
further aggression, and terror.” The document provides further description of types and<br />
examples of bullying.. The second handout summarizes goals of <strong>Thornlea</strong>: Anti-bullying<br />
initiative is Ministry led - Boards are participating. Priorities are training staff, expand to<br />
students and have 10 students and 2 staff trained by the Red Cross. Also planning to pilot<br />
a grade 9 coed gym classes and unite 2 committees - ESP and Anti Bullying.
<strong>November</strong> 15, <strong>2007</strong> School Council Minutes, Page 1 of 2<br />
The ultimate goals are to create workshops and go into feeder schools targeting grade 6's.<br />
Three surveys are planned for the Bullying Initiative: student, faculty and parents. 1,200<br />
<strong>Thornlea</strong> students participated in a bullying survey one week ago. Faculty survey had 70<br />
questions. Considerable talk over proposed parent survey: David Selby proposed 15<br />
questions - 70 way too much. Also concern about language barriers. Shawn stated there is<br />
a need for at least 200 parents to participate in the survey to have valid statistics.<br />
Suggestions were made as to how to contact parents - bulletins, podcasts, on website, etc.<br />
Shawn to report back in January.<br />
Thornhill Secondary School School Council meeting on <strong>November</strong> 29, <strong>2007</strong> is having a<br />
support group for parents of “acting out kids”. <strong>Thornlea</strong> is invited to attend this group<br />
presentation.<br />
5. Other Business<br />
Evelin raised issue of proposed Bayview widening - let Town of Markham know of the<br />
community’s objections.<br />
Discussion on inviting school council chairs at feeder schools to attend future <strong>Thornlea</strong><br />
school council meeting (perhaps April/08). Meeting for grade 8 parents is in January/08<br />
Next meeting : Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 7:15 Library<br />
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.<br />
Recorded by: Laurie Koch<br />
<strong>November</strong> 15, <strong>2007</strong> School Council Minutes - Page 2 of 2
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