June 2008 - Thornlea

THORNLEA SECONDARY SCHOOLMinutes of School Council MeetingJune 10, 2008In Attendance: David Selby (Principal), Sheila Hetherington (Vice-Principal),Debra Hanff(Staff/Librarian)Parents: Randi Ber, (Co-Chair), Darryl Press, Laurie Koch, Mara Dobre1. Randi opened meeting at 7:20.p.m. Review of May meeting Minutes.2. Staff Report - Debra HanffDebra reported that during the week of June 2 nd , music, drama and visual artsdepartment displayed student works throughout the school. Grade 12 Drama play,“Departures and Arrivals” being performed this week. White Pine Club had a year end party– 30 students and teachers.Prom was very successful – venue was Crystal Fountain on 14 th Ave. David Selby was veryimpressed with the location and the owners were very helpful. Suggests TSS consider thisvenue for future events, including Graduation.TSS Athletic Banquet took place at the Shangri La. All Thornlea sports teams and coaches.Thornstock went ahead, despite once cancelled due to poor weather.3. Bullying Prevention – Debra Hanff and David SelbyThis topic is a high profile concern everywhere – our Board and provincially. Debradistributed a handout, “About Safe@School”, which lists a variety of websites, books andprint materials on this topic. Debra to order “Letters to a Bullied Girl”, about an epilepticstudent who was bullied. After she withdrew from school, girls in her school and in thestate of California started a letter writing campaign – girl got over 4,000 letters of support.4. Revised School Day Update – Sheila HetheringtonAs a follow up to bullying prevention, TSS is having a staggered entry day for grade 9students in September in an attempt to acclimatize new students without upper classmates.The day will concentrate on team building, building sense of loyalty to class, competitivegames and a scavenger hunt to learn layout of the school. Workshops will be available forparents of grade 9 students along with community liaisons (Korean, Chinese, Persian)5. School Data Plan Report – Sheila Hetherington/David SelbyHandouts “SCPI Data Collection by Strands” and TSS “School Plan for ContinuousImprovement “ distributed. The model for d elivery of senior (grade 12) courses atThornlea will be changing. Most grade 12 students take 3 courses. Starting in Sept. 08,the core courses (English and Math) will also be offered every 10 weeks. The classes will be2 periods long for 10 weeks. This will ensure that students who need core courses forcollege/university can retake English or Math to ensure their grades are acceptable. Physicsand Chemistry will be offered on this basis during 2 nd semester for grade 11 students.June 10, 2008 School Council Minutes, Page 1 of 2

6. Parenting Skills WorkshopHead of Music, David Chan, is arranging for a Parenting Skills Workshop. TheNovember School Council meeting may be expanded to promote this workshop forparents in the cafeteria or gym. More details to follow in September.7. Other BusinessTony Lewis is the new principal of Thornlea. Mr. Lewis was VP at Thornlea in 1989. As ofSeptember, 2008, Sheldon Zalsman will be a Bayview Secondary. Thornlea will have 2VP’s. TSS student population is decreasing – grade 9 class to have 250 students. Overallschool population estimated to be 1300 to 1500 in the next 5 years.Well wishes and farewell to David Selby as he relocates with his family to Newfoundland.Next meeting : September 11, 2008 - 7:15 LibraryMeeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.Recorded by: Laurie KochJune 10, 2008 School Council Minutes - Page 2 of 2