CASC Meeting Minutes, Tuesday Feb 16th, 2010 7pm

 Attendance

Co-chair: Pam Dilworth-Christie and Dave Fortier

Secretary: Connie Downes

Treasurer: Donna Weldon

Connie Daymond, Sandra Burton, Dan MacKinnon, Anders Nordstrom, Petra Bokowski, Wendy Boland

Approval of minutes

• Approval of minutes: moved by Donna, seconded by Pam

Treasurer’s Report (Donna Weldon)

• Generally staying with budget
• Thank you note rec’d from sister school Connaught for $700 donated (used to purchase library books)
• Suggestion that Churchill do book drive for sister schools next year
• Suggestion to use portion of Scholastic funds for sister school; 
• Lice cost $690, collected to date $490 ($197 loss); however, noted possible mix-ups with the Toonies for Haiti collection which was on the same day (children may have given money to a different pot)

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• ACTION: Sandra agreed to ask teachers if they would be interested in donating Scholastic points (e.g. 1-2 months worth)
• ACTION: Donna to get update from Russell on making up the money stolen from Terry Fox drive
• Otherwise staying within budget

Teacher’s Report (Sandra Burton)

• Thanks to CASC for presentation on Clean Air ( well rec’d by kids); and for help with canal skate
• thanks for schlokey boards; suggestion to get them in earlier to avoid problems with daycare etc.; Doug can assist anyone who comes in early to take them in if needed.
• Sharon booked “RagBones” (puppets) and Hannah Beach (dance); classes will attend one or the other depending on teacher’s choice
• Both JK and SK have co-op students helping
• Next Thursday will be school sharing 
• “Blues in Schools” ($5/student) booked for week of  March; as usual 2 classes will have more intensive contact with artists (chosen by draw)
• Lynn requested $450 for Eric Wilson (author) visit; approved by Arts Committee; for  Gr 3-6,  250 students; will discuss how author’s  preparation to write; 
• discussion on which pocket of money it should come from; better as Education Committee item?
• discussion on need to have equitable activities for all grades - what can we do for Gr ½?;  suggestion to ask each child for $1 donation for Eric Wilson and give this to Gr 1-2?
  • Motion: Provide $450 for grade 3 through 6 to attend Eric Wilson presentation.  Equivalent funds to be given to grade 1 and 2, on per child basis. Motioned by Wendy Boland.  Seconded by Dan Mackinnon. 

Principal’s Report (Connie Daymond)

• 347 projected enrollment for 2010/2011
• Shifts in where numbers are concentrated; greatest number in Gr. 3; over 80 in Kindergarten.  Possible 5^th KG class required.
• Now in midst of cross-boundary transfers; system has changed probably because of full-day kindergarten.  Parents need to specify compelling reasons for transferring to school (childcare still appropriate reason).  Connie D. makes decision and negotiates with other school.

• Toonies for Haiti – Approximately $2,000 raised!  Agreed that it was nice to have the kids donate their allowances, do chores etc. for this rather than getting something in return.

• Suggestion for No Homework!  
  • however kids might bring work home if they didn’t finish during class; might be occasional projects especially if subject chosen by child (encourage intrinsic interest in subject rather than an obligation)
  • also asking that parent and/or siblings read with the child ; instill the love of reading
  • MOTION: CASC supports a No Homework policy with the understanding that unfinished work, child-directed projects are not under the definition of homework and reading.  Motioned by Petra Bokowski. Seconded by Connie Downes.

• Suggestion that all grades be allotted time for free, creative writing
  • ACTION: Tenets of alternative school need to be re-visited.  Churchill Alternative Parent Handbook needs to be revised and revitalized.  One outcome of the Alternative Program Review is that we are not always acting on the alternative tenets.  All schools must follow curriculum, but it’s how we deliver the curriculum that is different.  Need parent driven team to look at this in co-operation with teachers and students.  Perhaps through Education Committee? We need to be accountable to Alternative tenets.

• Lots of discussion on whether we are legally required to have grades go on report cards.
  • ACTION: Pam to clarify with Superintendent on whether grades are required on report cards before next meeting.

• PD money: Connie Daymond asked if $1,000 would be available for PD this year (although it was not allocated).  
  • ACTION: Donna to determine amount provided in past years for PD.  Deferred to next meeting.

Discussion items

Lice Squad report (Pam for Maureen Clarke)

• 322 children checked.  7 cases identified.  All families called. 22 absentees checked following week.  7 cases will have follow up checks.
• Suggestion from Maureen to consider doing this 3 times per year. 
• Having positive children required to wear hat for the day was not a good idea.  Suggestion: lice squad day should also be funky hat day.
• Health nurse or Lice Squad could train volunteers who can help checking in between.
• Recommendation: lice checking to be done twice a year/entire school. 
  • ACTION: Need for further discussion on cost implications, efficiency of using Lice Squad vs. volunteers.

Alphie Kohn update (Petra Bokowski)

• Very successful!  People were very enthusiastic and motivated to incorporate ideas into Churchill.
• As a bonus $1,200 profits! Most tickets sold through Dovercourt, 50 tickets at the door, and other school.
• Some teachers attended Thursday night and all attended the Friday morning session provided by the board.  
• Petra and Anna were thanked for all their work in organizing a great event!  
• Suggestion of making this an annual event/fundraiser with lectures centered around progressive/alternative education. 

School Travel Planning (Dave Fortier for Wallace Beaton)

• New provincial program-  continuation of Active and Safe Routes to School

• School is required to perform a traffic survey (cars, pedestrians, bicycles, etc).
• Outcome could result in city amendments to the traffic around the school (parking, crosswalks, signage, etc.) and recommended safe routes to school will be established.  
• Our traffic survey and goal setting will help dictate our of needs and actions 
• $2,000 honorarium will be provided in two stages to participating schools that successfully complete the requirements over the year. (survey from last year can be used); money can be used for bike racks, promotion, teacher assistance
• Written agreement required to be signed by Principal or teacher representative (Lynn Koch)

Program Review (Pam Dilworth Christe)

• review decision deferred to Feb 23
• concern over statement that there was evidence that Alternative schools did badly on EQAO; misleading evidence referred to at Council meeting

New/other business

• date of CASC meeting often conflicts with school board and other meetings
• staff meeting are on Tuesday; should be no problem to have CASC meetings on Wed 
• MOTION: CASC meeting to be held on second Wednesday of the month for remainder of the year. Motioned by Petra. Seconded by Donna.

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, March 10, 2010

MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:35 p.m.