SAC Meeting - April 27, 2017 - 6:00pm

Attendees:
School Officials: Beverly O'Brien (Principal), Carl Gambacort (VP), Kelli Helpert (VP), Frank Caruso (Teacher), Janice Dobie (Teacher)

SAC Executive: Shawn Pinto, Sophie Lafaille, Laurie Barnett, Sarah Jarrett, Colin Foster

Jill Hollingsworth, Marie Snyder, Siobhan McMenemy, Sue Edwards, Duncan Salisbury,  Lisa Lebeer, Bev Grondin, Sara Tropea


Welcome (Shawn Pinto)

Approval of Minutes (Colin Foster)
  • Motion to approve the posted minutes from the previous meeting. Approved.

Treasurer's Report (Teresita Link in absentia, via Shawn Pinto)
  • The final numbers from the Duke Musical (Nowhere... Together!!) are still coming in.
  • The last movie night made around $1000.

Principals' Reports

​Beverly O'Brien, Principal

  • Duke is participating in a "Principal Exchange Program". Principal O'Brien spent a week in Italy, living with and working with a Principal there.
    • The Italian principal was in charge of 14 schools in a number of regions.
    • Their system is strongly textbook-based. Not like our system at all. No reflection on the learning, and its meaning. There are no extracurriculars in school.
      • She’s is now visiting here and was repeatedly blown away by our system.
      • She and Principal O'Brien visited several schools in the area (model schools, etc.)
      • She was extremely impressed with the depth of knowledge of the kids, the involvement of the teachers, and the general organization.
      • She participated with the Math PLC (Professional Learning Community).
      • The visiting principal was surprised to see the volunteerism of teachers parents with running extracurriculars, etc. It is worth reflecting on how special and great that is for the kids.
 
  • Facilities:
    • During the summer break there will be a lot of work underway at Duke:
      • Roof on Duke will updated along with the duct system. There’s been leakage that will be repaired.
      • Electrical panel (extremely large) is being replaced with a brand new one.
      • Pool railing will be replaced with the “Cadillac” of railings.
      • Water issues around the lower portion of the front of the school will be taken care of.
    • Basement bathrooms will be finished “shortly”. Notice will go out.
    • The school participated in a Viability Report to see if we qualify for money to get the playground updated.
      • Based on that, we were moved into a “Design Consultation” phase to see what more can be done. Part of the reason for being allowed to move into the Design Consultation phase was SAC's "Duke Plays" fundraising initiative that shows community interest in getting it updated and could assist financially with the work.
      • The idea of putting in a door from cafeteria to provide an outdoor eating space in "The Pit" was raised but facilities has said since a (not very helpful or accessible) door exists elsewhere, no second door from the cafeteria can be provided.
      • Whatever plans are made, they should be done in 2018.
      • Q. Sarah Jarett: Does our eco-schools status help our playground initiative?
        A. Platinum School status is not a factor.
 
  • Staffing
    • Hiring has started.
    • The English stream is surplus 4.5 teachers.
    • The French stream is short 1 teacher.
    • In the last year the school's LOI has gone from 167-260. (LOI is the "Learning Opportunities Index" and is used to determine which schools have kids who live in neighbourhoods with more or less support. Factors that go into the LOI include the financial wellbeing and education level of residents. The higher LOI scores result in larger student-to-teacher-ratios/class-sizes.)
      • We lose staff to schools that have students that need more support.
      • There was also a large "bubble" of Grade 3 students that transitioned to Grade 4 (which doesn't have class-size caps).
    • The teacher transfer process is happening now. There are 3 rounds of hiring. 3 Long-Term-Occasional teachers will be needed and that won’t be done until the summer. Hiring is likely to continue right up to September.
    • The May Newsletter will have classroom breakdowns.
    • Lucine (who took over for Lorraine) is a temp and a permanent hire must be found.
    • It’s very fluid and changing quickly at this point. Staffing decisions that are shared in June can still change.

Kelli Helpert, Vice-Principal
  • April is Census month. These are being collected now. 
    • Results will be available in the fall / January.
  • We are hosting a special-ed information night on May 4th. This is for parents of kids who are in a mainstream program who have an IEP or learning disability. The evening would not be particularly useful for families who are already in a special-ed program.
    • This is a general information sessions, not about discussing a particular child's needs. This is not about the needs for your particular child, but just an overview of the programs available through the TDSB.

Carl Gambacort, Vice-Principal
  • EQAO will happen at the end of May.
  • Our Eco-Schools application is being finalized.
  • Open-houses are being planned for various programs in May. More information will be published as details are finalized.


Other Business

Frank Caruso, Teacher
  • Thanks to SAC for all the support for the musical. It was a spectacular success.
  • There is a desire to have another major arts event to showcase more of the kids' creativity. Therefore an event in conjunction with "Nuit Blanche" is being planned: 
    • Performance spaces will be throughout the school. Music, visual arts, dance, drama. Using the large main spaces like the foyer, and 2nd floor of duke building.
      • Dukes choirs and bands will perform.
      • Integrated computer-arts presentation in the lab.
      • Open to the whole school to participate.
      • May 25: 5:30-7:30pm
      • Q. Because of the time of day, does SAC want to provide food at the event?
        A. Sounds like a good idea. We'll look into it.