The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
FLIN FLON SCHOOL DIVISION Condensed Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees held October 14, 2003 in the Board Room of the Division Office, 9 Terrace Avenue, Flin Flon, Manitoba. Leave Request - As per Article 4:04 of the MTS Collective Bargaining Agreement, Employee No. 1189 was granted maternity leave effective December 1st, 2003 until the first day of the 2004/2005 school year. Audit Tender - The tender submitted by Kendall, Wall and Pandya to provide audit services for the five year period commencing July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2008 was accepted. PRESENTATIONS Manitoba Student Leadership Conference Highlights - September 12th & 13th, 2003 - Neepawa, Manitoba - Trent Tuttosi - Over 325 Senior 1-4 students and Student Activity Advisors were in attendance. Hapnot Student Council delegates included: Rachele Leifso and Matthew Ryan, Co-Presidents; Julian Kolt, Vice-President; Nicole Leifso, Secretary-Treasurer; Megan St. Hilaire, Public Relations Director; Brittany Brown, Social Director; Heather Pauley, City Council Rep; Courtney Kendall, Grade 10 Rep; Nicole Stenerson, Grad Committee Rep; and Trent Tuttosi, Student Council Advisor. The theme of the conference was "Outlearn, Outlead, Outlast". The purpose of the conference was to share ideas about school improvement, learn about one's own leadership abilities, make personal connections, and alleviate feelings of isolation from other high schools. Conference activities included: ice breakers/energizers; scavenger hunt; motivational speakers - Phil Doucette and Kim Lyall; gym riot; luau; motivational media; entertainment; banquet; and dance. Local students who attended all agreed it was a fantastic experience with conference organizers successfully bringing out "school spirit" in everyone who attended - 100% participation. The five major goals for the 2003/2004 school year are: 1. Increase school spirit and sense of belonging; 2. Connect students and staff with each other; 3. Revive the "House League" system; 4. Increase interaction with community groups; 5. Earn "Community Service Credit" (SIP). Mr. Tuttosi reported that on Monday, October 20th during TA, the Student Council will host two "Pump It Up" assemblies. The morning assembly will be for the Grade 11 and 12 students; and the afternoon assembly will be for the Grade 9 and 10 students. At this time the Student Council will introduce the "House League" concept, share pictures from past yearbooks and distribute buffs, as they begin the "spirit" building process. Discussions are underway re: Flin Flon hosting the 2005 Manitoba Student Leadership Conference. The group realizes this is a huge commitment and is willing to accept the challenge. Mr. Tuttosi asked if the Council would have the support of the Board of Trustees to proceed with these plans. As per policy, the Board of Trustees will respond to this request at their next regular Board meeting. Chair Wilson thanked the presenters for taking the time to share with the Board and asked the group if they would consider returning in May to update the Board on how the House League revitalization has gone. Mr. Tuttosi responded that the group would be more than happy to make another presentation in the spring and thanked the Board for allowing them the opportunity to attend; and Cynthia Minter, Vice-Principal and John Clark, Principal for granting him the time required to provide the required leadership to the Student Council. BUSINESS ARISING Board Committees - The Board of Trustees agreed to leave the current committees in place until the August meeting of 2004. ACTION CORRESPONDENCE The following correspondence was received as information: MAST - September 15, 2003 - Re: Results of the 2003 Physical Education Survey. Manitoba Education and Youth - Education Administration Services - September 26, 2003 - Re: Policy Review On Student Safety In-service - November 4 & 5, 2003. MAST - October 8, 2003 - Re: Policy Review On Student Safety In-Service. Flin Flon Community Choir - September 26, 2003 - Requesting use of the McIsaac gym on October 4th & 18th, November 1st & 15th, from 9-10:30 a.m. - Approved as per policy. Royal Canadian Legion - Flin Flon Branch No. 73 - October 1, 2003 - Re: Annual Remembrance Day Service on November 11th. Flin Flon School Division will purchase a large wreath in the amount of $50 and participate in the Remembrance Day service. Facilities & Grounds Committee Tour - Annual tour dates confirmed for the following: Hapnot/Many Faces/Parkdale - Tuesday, November 4, 2003, 4:00 p.m. & Ruth Betts/McIsaac - Wednesday, November 5, 2003 - 4:00 p.m. - Trustees Mitchell/Davis/Ferguson. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORTS The Superintendent and Secretary-Treasurer reported to the Board on the following divisional matters: School Enrollment 200120022003Difference McIsaac 455 445 416 -29 Ruth Betts 227 237 226 -11 Parkdale 168 168 191 +23 Hapnot 493 462 437 -25 Many Faces 158 152 167 +15 Division Totals 150114641437 -27 Addictions Counselling - Counsellors for CADAC are working in both Many Faces and Hapnot Collegiate one day each week. CADAC has been providing this free service for the last four years. They also provide the alcohol portion of the PARTY Program that is offered to all Grade 9 students each year. Superintendent Veitch apologized for the previous oversight when acknowledging AFM and thanked CADAC for the beneficial services they provide. Professional Development - A number of staff members attended training sessions on Grade 3 Reading Assessment, Individual Education Plans, Career Education, Math and French, over the past month. The first professional dialogue evening was held on October 6th. These sessions, held at the end of the school day, allow staff to exchange ideas and experiences on a variety of topics. October 24th is the provincial Special Area Group (SAG) Conference. Some staff members will be travelling to Winnipeg for the provincial conference. Staff that remain in Flin Flon will be taking part in the sessions organized by the local Professional Development Committee. The Educational Assistants will also be attending local training sessions at the same time. Thank you to Shari Anderson and the PD Committee for all their hard work! McIsaac Parking Area - Mr. Doverspike and Superintendent Veitch attended the McIsaac Parent Advisory Council meeting on October 8th. Parents have expressed concern with student safety around the parent drop off area. The Division has agreed to try to safely direct traffic with the use of barriers. Mr. Doverspike met with City employees and they have agreed to temporarily proceed in this direction. The situation will be monitored to see what feedback is received from staff and parents. Safety Programs - The week of October 6th was Fire Prevention Week. School activities included a number of fire drills (some with blocked entrance/missing student or staff), safety presentations and a poster contest. The week of October 20th is School Bus Safety Week. Students will be trained on safe bussing practices. School Mentor Report - The School Mentor Report for August/September was circulated for information. Staff News - Chris Gamble, Grade 7 teacher at Ruth Betts School, has been selected as a member of the Department's Strategic Technology Assisted Professional Learning Environment (STAPLE). The STAPLE pilot is specifically for Grades 5 & 7 teachers as it involves the two IMYM units, Prairie Tour and Balance & Harmony. During the course, pilot teachers will learn about an interdisciplinary model of teaching called IMYM while they are testing the professional learning model that we are developing. Hapnot Collegiate English teacher, Heather Lytwyn, is a member of the Manitoba Teachers of English Provincial Executive. Heather also wrote an article, published this fall in MATE, on the Hapnot Collegiate Book Club. The article was circulated for information. Heather was congratulated on reaching one of her professional growth goals! School News - The Elementary teaching staff have been busy with speech consultations for students working with Ms. Clark Watt. The Resource Teachers are completing vision and hearing screening. Thank you to the staff and parent volunteers! Many Faces Education Centre is hosting an Open House on Tuesday, October 21st from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Parents will have the opportunity to meet the staff and review their child's progress. A chili and bun supper will be served! Parkdale School Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held on Thursday, October 16th. A group of Junior High students are busy taking pictures as part of the school leadership initiative for the school yearbook. Ruth Betts progress reports will be handed out on Wednesday, October 22nd. The school Breakfast Program began on Oct 6th. Thank you to all the staff volunteers that make this program possible! Students also raised over $725 through a variety of Terry Fox events. Thank you to Lois Fisher, Rob Abbott and Dixie Meikle for their help on that program. The Junior High volleyball league begins the week of October 14th. Students from Creighton, Cranberry Portage and local schools will be playing on Wednesday (girls) and Thursday (boys) in the local gyms. The public is welcome to come out and enjoy the energy! Hapnot Under Graduate Awards were held on October 8th. This was an excellent evening that showcased a large number of students that have achieved in the areas of leadership, ambassadorship and academic studies. Congratulations to the winners and to the Hapnot staff and parent volunteers for organizing this great event. Hapnot report cards were handed out on October 9th. Parent/Teacher interviews are on October 16th. Parents are reminded to contact the office to make appointments. Superintendent Veitch stated, "The school has been dealing with the loss of two students in a tragic accident earlier this Fall. I would like to recognize the efforts of staff, students, parents and community support personnel that helped during our time of need. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and friends of Danielle and Alex." "Our thoughts and prayers are also with the Gourlay family. We wish Kristen a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming her back at school." Board Learning Centre CD - MAST has forwarded a CD containing the contents of the Board Learning Centre for use within the Division. It contains 13 learning modules on various aspects of the school board operations. MAST has also linked their website to this site. Both the CD and the MAST website link user name and password are available through the office of the Secretary-Treasurer. Pay Accounts - The Division accounts as at October 8, 2003 in the amount of $300,352.92, cheque numbers 90289 through 90506, net of cancelled cheque number 82578 valued at $100, will be paid. REPORTS Clerical Professional Development Meeting - September 23, 2003 - Trustee McKee. Finance Committee - September 23, 2003 - Trustee Simpson. Financial Statements - The Board of Trustees approved the audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2003 and will forward statements to the Public Schools Finance Board prior to the October 31st, 2003 deadline. Copies of the Financial Statements are available from the office of the Secretary-Treasurer. Hapnot Theatre Agreement - The Division entered into a contract with the Big Island Drive-In Theatre for the operation of the Hapnot Theatre for the 2003/2004 school year. KCC Agreement - The Division signed an agreement with Keewatin Community College for the joint presentation of a dual credit program for the 2003/2004 school year. Finance Committee - September 30, 2003 - Trustee Simpson. NorMan RHA Agreement - The Division entered into a contract with the NorMan Regional Health Authority to sponsor Mentors in the NorMan region to provide health promotion activities in the participating schools. Division Technology Committee - September 26, 2003 - Trustee Skeavington. McIsaac Parent Advisory Council - October 8, 2003 - Verbal Report - Trustee Simpson. Parking - Safety barricades have been put in place at the parent pick-up / drop off zone to ensure student safety. Thank you to the City of Flin Flon for their quick response. Discussions were held regarding inappropriate dress by some staff members and correspondence from Superintendent Veitch was reviewed. This issue will be handled by the administration at the school. Pumpkins were donated to all classes by a lady from Cranberry Portage. Ongoing problems with vandalism was discussed. The Parent Advisory Council is willing to lobby for increased protective services if required. CHAIR'S REPORT Student Teacher - Many Faces Education Centre will be welcoming a student teacher during their second quarter which begins on November 12th; Connie Atkinson of the BUNTEP Program. Hapnot Theatre - Hapnot Theatre will open for the 2003/2004 season on Saturday, October 18th. Fundraiser - The French students at Hapnot Collegiate raised $3,000 from their recent magazine fundraiser. The money will be used for their upcoming exchange with Quebec. School Bus Safety Week - October 19th - 25th - The theme for this years campaign is, "Stay Back From The Yellow & Black". NEW BUSINESS Trustee Requests -Trustees Davis and Skeavington - Flin Flon Teachers Association Negotiations - October 29, 2003 - Flin Flon, as per Policy 2:6. Trustee Simpson - Michelle Borba Seminar - November 6th and Policy Review On Student Safety In-Service - November 4th or 5th, 2003. Information correspondence was made available for review. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m. School Board meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. The Inaugural/Regular Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the Division Office Board Room located at 9 Terrace Avenue. Board of Trustees: Jim Wilson-Chair; Colleen McKee-Vice-Chair; Trustees: Tim Davis, Donna Ferguson, Gordon Mitchell, Angela Simpson, Murray Skeavington 12/11/03
