SAC Meeting - January 25, 2017 - 6:30pm

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

SAC Executive: Eilleen Buccholz, Shawn Pinto, Laurie Barnet, Colin Foster, Sarah Jarrett, Nicolette Knight

Student Council: Lucy de Cartier, Olivia Condie, Melaina Gill

Angie Law, Jim Valentine, Aron McGrath, Leslie Knapp, Anette Chawla, Jill Hollingsworth, Rosalie Fine, Lynda Rybinski, Rose Cook, Erin Kitlask, Noah (Mugenyi?), Sally Bliss, Lisa Lebeer, Bev Grondin, Paula Fletcher (city councillor), Mary-Margaret McMahon (city councillor), Ellen Pisani, Stacey (Yams?), Melody Wallis


Welcome (Eilleen Buccholz)

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

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Pool Presentation (Angie Law)
  • As of July 2017 the pool at SH Armstrong will be de-funded by the city removing $143,000 in rental revenue from the school.
  • Assurances were given that the pool would not be closed for Duke even if it was closed to the community, but there is a concern that the TDSB can't afford to do this for all the pools that are scheduled to be de-funded.
  • There is some hope the decision can be overturned by the city's Executive Committee of which Councillor McMahon is a member.
  • For a more complete summary of the presentation information see our page about the pool issue.

Councillor McMahon
  • Will look at reversing the decision with Executive Committee.
  • She is talking to councillors of wards where pools were de-funded.
  • The SH/Duke community's voice is being heard loud and clear at city hall. “Everyone knows about SH Armstrong.”

Community member:
  • It’s important that the pool is maintained for the community just as much as Duke. There are many in the community who rely on the pool and do not have any easy way to commute to other pools.
  • De-funding the pool would create more barriers for disadvantaged people to use it.

General discussion:
  • Funding is available at the provincial level that could be obtained if we lobby for it. Several members plan to get together to discuss how this can be accomplished. Local schools have received millions from this funding pool.


Student Council Report (Lucy de Cartier, Olivia Condie, Melaina Gill)
  • Thanks to the SAC for funding various Student Council projects:
    • Lunchroom has been renovated. It's been leaned, chalkboard paint was added, curtains, student artwork was posted, games, added a table, but another is needed.
    • T-shirts were made to be sold for fundraising. Students submitted designs and the design that was chosen was by Noah in Ms. Astor’s class.
      • East York Alternative school helped make the shirts. Duke students learned how to Silk Screen. VP Kelli Helpert ironed a LOT of t-shirts.
      • Student Council will be selling the shirts next week for $10 each.
  • Student council previously ran a "Candygrams" campaign that raised $315 for the Red Door Family Shelter.
  • Upcoming: Door decoration contest, black history month exhibition, Movie night for 6,7,8's.


Treasurer's Report (Colin Foster via Teresita Link)
  • (Skipped due to time constraints.)


Adult Social / Mardi Gras (Jill Hollingsworth)
  • The Adult Social is coming up on Saturday, February 25th, 7pm-1am at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall on Coxwell. It's for adults only. Book the babysitter now.
  • Tickets will go on sale on February 3rd at the SAC Coffee.
  • The theme is "Mardi Gras" and will includes a live jazz band, silent auction, casino games, food & beverages. Watch the Need-to-Read for more information.
  • Volunteers are, as always, needed to make the event the huge success it was last year. If you can help out please email adultsocial@dukesac.ca.
  • If you have anything to donate for the silent auction, please email dukedonations@yahoo.com. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.


Ward Council Report (Nicolette Knight)
  • TDSB Wellbeing mental health workshop is on February 2nd at Rosedale Heights School of the arts. More information will be in this weekend's need-to-read.
  • EFAP is a new plan that aims at promoting equity and inclusion in the classroom environment. This is to take place through building these values into teacher and staff training, including special eduation.
  • This link provides info on it and a link to where anyone can provide feedback: 
    http://www.tdsb.on.ca/community/publicconsultations/equity.aspx
  • Special Education is in high demand in our ward and our Trustee recognized this so we will continue to have an open dialogue about what resources can make a difference in assessing needs and in supporting the range of needs in spec ed classrooms. It is on the agenda for future Ward meetings and the TDSB has recognized the parents outcry on this need.
  • TLC gave a presentation on Jan 24th regarding the nature of their contracts with the City of Toronto, specifically with regard to funding the maintenance of pools across the city. For the mos part the schools being selected for closure are on the chopping block because of the city's report on usage and program enrollment (potential for future revenues).
  • Duke is hosting the next ward council meeting. It will be held March 28th at 7pm in Duke's library.
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Principal's Report (Beverly O'Brien)
  • Future "Principal Reports" will involve more visits to classrooms and reviewing the school's educational approach and tools.
    • In February, we will go to "the hub" and review the school's Assistive Technology.
  • Report cards (and any IEP's that were issued) will go home on the 15th. Parent/teacher meetings are on the 16th & 17th.
  • There is a Duke family living at Dundas & Greenwood where one parent is in a wheelchair. They could use assistance with walking their child to school, just in the mornings. If you can help, please contact Principal O'Brien.
  • Kids attended an assembly this week for a riveting performance by Torq. Students and teachers raved about the event.
  • Meeting adjourned to Ms. Trentadue's class for presentation on global learning strategies.

VP Kelli Helpert
  • On Thursday, Feb 2 there will be a live webcast on Special Education with John Malloy from 7-8pm. More Info... 
  • Duke is taking part in mental health & wellness initiative along with Earl Beatty. On the March 28th, 60 kids from Gr 7,8 classes will be going to Earl Beaty to be trained by High School kids in how to cope with stress and anxiety. When they return, they will share what they learn with other students at Duke.

VP Carl Gambacort
  • Eco-Schools entry was this week and the committee was impressed with our entry.
    • ​The committee was impressed with how embedded the culture is within the school.
    • The report comes in the next week or two and we'll make decisions about our future endeavours based on that.
      ​
Grace Trentadue's presentation on Global Learning Strategies
  • Opening quote of presentation "The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see."
  • Inquiry = Curiosity + Commitment + Creation
  • "Genius Hour": Like Google’s “20% time” for kids to work on their own projects.
  • Emphasis on a Inquiry-based approach. Student driven investigations of their own questions. 
  • Investigations cross disciplines instead of doing one specific topic at a time.
  • Multiple resources are engaged to answer questions.
  • Learning how to find good questions.
  • Photos published on facebook.