School Council

School Council Agenda

   Springbank Middle School (SMS)

November School Council Meeting

7:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 6^th, 2024

Zoom link:

Available on SMS Website

 

A G E N D A

1. Welcome
2. Call Meeting to Order
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes      
5. Trustee’s Report - Judi Hunter
6. Administration Report - Glen Brooker & Diana Stapor
7. Co-chair’s Report – Sandra Kachuik & Caley Remington

      -Discuss School Funds

 

5. Reports from Representative Positions
6. 1. Athletics Report
   2. Band
   3. Canadian Parents for French
   4. Fundraising
   5. Fun Lunches
   6. Spirit Day
   7. Volunteer Coordinator
   8. Grants
   9. Learning Commons
   10. Open Floor
   11. Next Meetings
   12. Adjournment

School Council Meeting Minutes

Minutes

Attendees:

Chelsea, Jill, Tammy, Jean, Jean, Glen, Caley, Sandra,

Meeting to Order at 7:05

Approval of Agenda – Motion: Jean; Second: Caley

Approval of Meeting Minutes – Motion: Caley; Second: Sandra            

Trustee’s Report - Judi Hunter

 

October 2024 Newsletter      Ward 5 Trustee Hunter

School has been in session for over a month now and students are busy with their studies, and extra-curricular activities.  School calendars are posted on the school’s website for family planning.

The Board is scheduling student accommodation community engagements for the City of Cochrane and the Town of Chestermere.

A few community updates

• Rocky View County held its meeting on the proposed Petro Canada station at RR33 and highway 1. A decision to follow.
• Calaway Park will be expanded TWP Road 45 to the West.This will impact access to  Springbank Middle School – more to come on that.
• Please be aware that many RVS buses are equipped with cameras to register the license plates of cars who do not stop and pass the bus while the stop arm is out
• Schools report satisfaction with the new cellphone use policy. Link to parent awareness of social media.https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/digital-danger-parents-key-to-keeping-kids-safe-on-social-media
• The City of Airdrie held a successful back-to-school clothing drive and swap in September.
• https://www.discoverairdrie.com/articles/over-150-families-helped-at-back-to-school-clothing-drive-and-swap

Alberta opens its first Autism school. https://globalnews.ca/news/10753356/jim-jiwani-autism-academy-edmonton/

Link to children’s autism organization:  www.childrensautism.ca

Alberta Beef Producers has initiated a new program for elementary students called “Running with Ranchers”.  It is sponsored by the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation (GRPF).

Link to initiative

https://www.stalbertgazette.com/beyond-local/new-curriculum-at-some-alberta-schools-has-students-learning-from-ranchers-9505693

Alberta government in a joint initiative with CASA Mental Health is supporting  9 new  5 -month student mental health programs for across the province. This a link to the story.

https://globalnews.ca/news/10750131/alberta-mental-health-classrooms-fall-2024/

Link to CASA website https://casamentalhealth.org/getting-help-2/casa-classrooms/

Across the country

In Manitoba, Bill 35, the Education Administration Amendment Act, was passed unanimously last spring.  It is like bills in Alberta and other provinces that offer public information regarding teacher misconduct

Manitoba implement school nutrition program https://www.kenoraminerandnews.com/news/local-news/manitoba-launches-universal-school-nutrition-program-for-all-students

Recommended Reading

For those of you who would like educational related reading the following recommendations are worth a look:

Supercommunicators

Charles Duhigg

https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/supercommunicators-how-to-unlock-the-secret-language-of-connection/9780385697743.html

Can American Capitalism Survive?

Steven Pearlstein

https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/can-american-capitalism-survive-why-greed-is-not-good-opportunity-is-not-equal-and-fairness-wont-make-us-poor/9781250185983.html

Eco Anxiety

Harriet Dyer

digo.ca/en-ca/eco-anxiety-and-what-to-do-about-it-practical-tips-to-allay-your-fears-and-live-a-more-environmentally-friendly-life/9781632280848.html?searchType=products&searchTerm=eco%20anxiety

Links are provided so you can see the cover and read the synopsis

 Administration Report - Glen Brooker & Diana Stapor

Quarterly meeting with OT’s and psychologists. Miss Bersado (“MB” she’s the CDA) helps comms with families. She is the gateway to bring in services and support. Child psychologist background. Knows who needs to be involved to work with families as needed.

“FSL” liaison – support school & family. “Soft-landings” for kids to arrive at school.

GB meets once a week with MB and they talk about kids/process etc.

Math pre-assessments have been completed to see where students at, but results not back yet (targeting all FI Grades 5&6).

What’s guiding our year – categorizing students, what types of learners they are, how do they read?

Added EFT time for all students…not just FI.

7&8’s literacy support, and each teacher has to submit the subject based learning plan, starting next Friday – dedicated time to read is needed. What groups of kids need what. Not speaking, reading or writing enough French.

Co-chair’s Report – Sandra Kachuik & Caley Remington

Cheese fundraiser for the FI – who will be the fundraiser? Need a volunteer!

“Fit Set Ninja” – obstacle course in the gym in winter discussed – 300 kids a day….$1,750 per day (Caley said elementary didn’t like them.  Sandra asked Caley to double check if ok?  

FOSMASS – fundraising through the Casino (March 18^th and 19^th Pure Casino (can Caley take it over?) – Secretary leaving, so we need a secretary too. “Jill” has been doing it.

Reports from Representative Positions

1. Athletics Report – read by DK
2. Band – rep needed
3. Canadian Parents for French – rep needed
4. Fundraising – everything filled
5. Fun Lunches – great! Lots of volunteers
6. Spirit Day – Halloween – we’re having the care awards during the mornings, then maybe a dance afterwards. time, last 2 periods.
7. Volunteer Coordinator – Nick?
8. Grants – No update but some “in the works”
9. Learning Commons - teachers can have a wish list for books further direction needed though. Book Fair volunteers required.
10. Open Floor – N/A
11. Next Meetings

Nov 6^th 7pm

8. Adjournment

8:02pm.