DPCDSB
Father Michael Goetz Catholic Secondary School
School Council Meeting
Tuesday March 31st, 2009
Resource Center
Start Time: 7:00
(Click here for a printed copy.)
Present: Raman Ragavan; Dina Madeira-Silva; Maha Broum; Norrine Burns; Rosemarie Schoutsen; Wendy Goberdhan; Dotun Akinola; Lillian Tomassetti; Cathy Cosgrove (Teacher Rep); Nancy Begin (non-teaching rep) and Samuel Macaluso (Principal).
Guests: DECA student group
Regrets: Diana Harripersaud; Ashley Khan.
Welcome: (Raman Ragavan)
The Council Co Chair welcomed everyone. By now everyone present knows the others on the council.
Opening Prayer: (Rosemarie Shoutsen)
Rosemarie prayed for 3 things: To see the Lord more clearly, love him more dearly and follow him more nearly (Day by day).
Approval of January minutes: Dotun approved, Norrine seconded, then the other members who were present at January meeting approved.
Guest Group (DECA):
The group consisted of 6 students who introduced themselves as a business club at Goetz that competes with students from other schools at 3 levels: regional, provincial and national. The regional competition is a one-day contest while the provincial is an overnight trip over 2 days and one night; the nationals take place in a big city in North America for a few days and this year it will be in Anaheim, California. The competition includes a number of activities mainly role-playing and problem solving in a business-like environment. There are judges that take into consideration the students’ leadership skills as well as their social and interpersonal skills. It is a great opportunity for students to network with students from other schools and an excellent experience that looks good on resumes and on university applications. A number of students found it also helped when they applied for scholarships in business majors.
The guests presented a video from last year’s competition which showed some of the activities they did, the things they learned, and much fun they got.
This year’s DECA went to the regional competition with 86 members of whom 90% qualified for provincials. One of Goetz students is now qualified for the nationals at Anaheim, CA. Goetz got first place in Regionals and 2nd in Provincials. The group asked for the council’s financial support in the amount of $1000 to cover next year’s membership, registration, and transportation. DECA raises funds through a number of sales such as DECA Freeze (selling freezies), bake sale, DECA Swirl (selling slushies), etc… The aim of the club is to include new members to make it bigger and better and by that be able to reach the top.
Dina asked whether DECA is open to all students and if they knew about it. The group answered positively that Grade 9s were trained hardest to qualify in the different categories.
Treasurer’s Report: (Dina Madeira-Silva)
The council now has $4500 deposited in the account from next year registration. We have $1180.59 expense paid for the teacher appreciation luncheon.
Mr. Macaluso explained that so far the school has received 1500 registrations. Half of the money collected for school council was deposited in the council’s account; the other half will be given to the council when all cheques are cleared. That is in addition to more registrations still to come in.
The night of the meeting coincided with another meeting at school and that is the information night for Grade 8 parents from Peel Board. The number of parents present was overwhelming and it seems the school will reach its capacity, still not being able to serve all students interested in joining the community. The Board now has a new law to set a deadline for student registration from Peel schools and that is June 30th.
As for DECA’s request for support, Mr. Macaluso stressed that this group is very aggressive at fundraising and uses all opportunities to raise money. An example was that at the Grades 7 and 8 dance at school they were selling snacks.
Norrine: would like to see helping needy families in the community in the forefront of our expenses.
Mr. Macaluso: There is a need to plan next year’s budget, so members of the council need to be prepared to decide on money allocations next meeting.
Cathy Cosgrove: The White Pine Club (the reading club at the library) will be going to the Author’s Conference and will have expenses (registration, transportation, and prizes for members). The club would appreciate parent’s support through a nominal donation.
Dotun: It is an excellent idea for the council to support student groups as it reminds parents of our presence and our goals. We can advertise our activities on parent teacher interview night (that usually comes after midterm reports).
Mr. Macaluso: Since the council has money to spend next year, written proposals and requests can be an efficient process for budgeting.
Dina: Because we have money in the council’s account, we start to hear more about clubs and activities in school.
Parish Report: (Rosemarie Schoutsen)
Rosemarie brought Easter schedules of the 2 parishes in our community: Christ the King Church and Sts. Peter and Paul.
Christ the King Parish Christ the King Parish has Sunday Easter Mass half an hour later than usual because of parking issues. (11 am Sunday morning) Stations of the Cross are Friday at 5:45 in Portugese and at 7:45 in English. Confessions are half an hour before each daily mass- during Lent. Good Friday Schedule is 12:30 service and 7pm Stations of the Cross.
Sts. Peter and Paul Parish schedule: Easter masses are the same times as the Sunday mass schedule- Easter Vigil is Saturday night -
Teaching Staff Rep: (Cathy Cosgrove)
Cathy told the council she would appreciate financial support for the White Pine reading club on their trip to the Author’s Festival.
Non- teaching Staff Report (Nancy Begin, Child Youth Worker):
Nancy delivered thank-you cards to stores and establishments that donated money for the Christmas basket.
With the Chaplin, Nancy has started a bereavement group with about 30 students of whom 15 have shown commitment to the group. This group was created because death of a relative or friend has an impact on learning. Students who have lost a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or a friend need support to cope with death. The group meets once a week for 8 weeks and it is scheduled in a way so that a student does not always miss the same course every time.
The other 15 students are getting one-on-one counseling.
All are taught about grieve and dealing with it.
Nancy asked the council for $100 for the group as a few things are needed like journals, candles, refreshments, materials for activities, etc… Dina (The treasurer) approved, all members of the council seconded.
Chair’s Report: (Raman Ragavan)
At the Board office, Raman and the Principal have had a chance to watch the movie “The Mouse” about drugs and gangs. It is a 20-minute movie recommended to be seen by parents and so will be scheduled into our next meeting.
Raman recommended that members be ready to discuss budget items next meeting.
Principal’s Report: (Mr. Sam Macaluso)
The Director of the Board Mr. John Kostoff has sent surveys to schools to find out the state of Catholic Education within the Board. Findings were:
- Catholicity is strong and clearly demonstrated in schools.
- School communities are highly satisfied with the quality of Catholic education in Dufferin-Peel.
- There is a need for increased funding for programs such as special education and ESL (Goetz has a big population of ESL and ARD kids).
- The community is highly satisfied with school safety and cleanliness.
- The community is satisfied with the level of extracurricular activities and program variety.
Important Dates to remember:
March 24: “Expressions”, a drama and musical theatre from DPCDSB schools/ at LAC
March 26: “Skills Canada” competition, won medals
March 26 Gators won the “Robotics” contest.
March Break Trip to Italy and France.
ROPSSA Basketball team won championships
April 17 Report cards go home (not the 16th as was decided before)
April 23 Teacher-parent interview day. As a council we need to set an information table to let parents know about us and how they can get involved.
Dina asked the principal if students can get a speaker on how to manage personal finances.
The principal responded that they learn on the topic in a number of courses mostly in the business department.
8:55: Adjournment.
Our next meeting will be on April 28th.