PORTER CREEK SECONDARY SCHOOL COUNCIL
Minutes of Annual General Meeting
September 9, 2020
School Cafeteria

“School Council would like to acknowledge that we are on the lands of the Kwanlin Dun and Ta’an Kwach’an First Nation people and thank them for allowing us to live and work on their traditional land.”

Present:	Council Members:					Administration:
		Dale Cheeseman:  Chair				Peter Giangrande:  Principal
		Misty Ticiniski						Nicole Cross:  Vice Principal
		Jennifer Kozmen					Candice Deo: Vice Principal
		Deanna McLeod
		Andrew Robulack
		Don Fitzsimmons
		Amanda Leas
		Jerry Zahora:  Secretary Treasurer

Regrets:	Sean Smith:  Council Member

Guests:	Chris Stacey:  Superintendent of Schools
		Geraldine VanBibber:  MLA Porter Creek North
		Donna Shopland:  Returning Officer, Elections Yukon
		Sheri Graham:  Parent

1.	Call to Order:  Meeting was called to order at 6:36PM

2.	Adoption of Agenda:  Moved by Misty, second by Andrew, THAT the agenda be
	adopted. 									CARRIED

3.	Adoption of Minutes:  Moved by Andrew, second by Jennifer, THAT the Minutes of
	Annual General Meeting, September 11, 2019 be adopted.			CARRIED

4.	Report from Superintendent:
	 Chris provided a report:
	-	There are four key priorities of the Dept.
	
	-	Fiscal Responsibility:  Support schools to efficiently utilize funding and 
		appropriate provision and distribution of sub budgets
	-	Teacher Evaluation:  A new teacher evaluation process was adopted.
		It is based on modern research and designed to enhance teacher growth 
		with a more descriptive and detailed description of teacher practice that
		influences student success.
	-	School Growth Plans:  Schools continue using the Spiral of Inquiry approach
		to frame their School Growth Plans (SGP).  This focuses attention around 
		several key questions that staff move through to support growth.
		This inquiry approach is designed to enable educators to plan effectively
		using measurable data and an inquiry process to support student and school
		growth.  It aligns with curriculum design and focuses on improving student
		learning.
	-	Learning Support:  working collaboratively with all partners in Yukon Education
		to help implement the revised curriculum

	-	As COVID 19 pandemic happened, the Minister of Education, Tracy-Anne McPhee
		suspended in school classroom instruction in all Yukon Schools for the Spring
		term in 2019-20.  Distance education for all students was instituted.  
		Many lessons were learned during this period in terms of ways and means to 
		reach and support students studying away from schools.  

	-	Staff at the Dept. of Education:
		-	Minister of Education:  Tracy-Anne McPhee
		-	Deputy Minister:  Nicole Morgan
		-	ADM of Schools and Student Services:  David Wipf
		-	ADM of Policy and Partnership:  Kelli Taylor
		-	ADM of First Nations Initiatives:  Lori Duncan
		-	Superintendents of Schools:  Paul McFadyen, Chris Stacey and
			Marilyn Marquis-Forster

	-	Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) provided recommendations
		to the Minister of Education, who agrees with returning students to schools
		for the 2020-21 school year.  The central administration staff continues to work
		closely with Yukon First Nations, the Commission Scolaire Francophone du Yukon			School Councils and Associations and the Yukon Teachers’ Association to
		support the return to schools.

	-	All schools provided a detailed school health and safety operational plan
		on August 12th for approval by the Dept. of Education, the COVID 19 response 
		unit of the Dept. of Health and Social Services.  These plans are to ensure the
		health and well-being of all students, staff and visitors.
		Each school’s plan has been shared with the school community and is available
		on school websites.

	-	Yukon Education has produced a guide to inform Yukoners of the 
		Learning Continuity Requirements for 2020-21.  This document details the
		key principles of focussing on the foundational standards and elements of
		the new curriculum, particularly literacy, numeracy and the core competencies.
		It addressed the need for use of blended learning approaches where
		applicable.  Place based learning, Yukon First Nation cultural and language 
		learning activities,  trauma-informed learning and supports for students
		with special educational needs and for maintaining regular communication with
		parents and caregivers.

	-	Goals for 2020-21 of the Superintendent:
		-	Support principals in smooth operation of their schools, ensure
			there is transparency of expectation and access to resources and
			submission of key documents
		-	Foster relationships within the family of schools and familiarize 
			with the community by being present and embedded in schools,
			administration teams, school councils
		-	Provide up to date accurate information outlining areas of concerns
			and solution based approaches with timelines.
		-	Work with Education support to create a clear process around finance 
			that promotes fiscal accountability and sustainable services for students
		-	Focus on evidence based decision making, working closely with
			Data Analytics unit, principals and all key stakeholders
		-	Promote instructional leadership within departments, schools,
			programs and classrooms

	Don inquired into the cost of extra internet minutes due to on line learning.
		This is being address by the finance department. Some suggestions, 
		perhaps use some of the funding that the Federal Government provided.
		Is being discussed at this time.

5.	Report from School Council:
	Dale provided a report:
	Some highlights from 2019-20 school year:
	-	Candice Deo comes in as A/VP to cover a maternity leave
	-	AYSCBC provides $2000 funding for the school.  School council to look
		at what this money can be used for
	-	Southern Tutchone is offered in the afternoons at PC, sharing teacher with
		Elijah Smith School
	-	Flag raising ceremony on Sept. 25th
	-	New PA and phone system installed
	-	Deanna McLeod is the school council rep on the Transportation Committee
	-	WILD is presented and approved as an outdoor experiential program for
		Senior students
	-	SASE is a program for Jr. students
	-	Bison Hunt work:  in collaboration with Elijah Smith School. 
	-	School provides feminine hygiene products in the school
	-	Work continues to have gym wall divider replaced.  Final approval comes 
		for the wall to be replaced next year
	-	Terry Fox run raises $1000
	-	School Council Scholarships (2 @ $500 each) presented to :
		Hunter Fitzsimmons
		Piper Allen
	-	Concerns from the PC Community Association over speed bumps at the school
		Feel they are not very visible.  Suggest they are painted to make them more
		visible . Speed signs (15km/hr) will be moved closer to Mountain View so when
		coming into school sign can be visible
	-	PCSS – GSA do presentation to school council
		Discuss Rainbow Room – safe space for ALL students
		Write letter to Min. of Education re:  SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender
		Identity), which came into effect 09/05/12 and is now outdated
		GSA receive $10,000. From Victoria Gold Attendance Initiative to help run
		LGB retreats and Rainbow Room
	-	Water testing shows lead in water.  All fixtures are remediated
	-	Hydroponic farming at the school is going well.  Growing herbs, lettuce
	-	Fire smarting:  12 hectares are identified to be cleared over 5 years
	-	AYSCBC $2,000. Funding received:  $1,000. Provided to WILD program
	-	Lori Duncan:  ADM, FN Initiatives, Dept. of Ed. attends council meeting and 
		speaks about her role with the dept.
	-	Staffing allocation provided:  there are 36 FTE’s, with a loss of 1. FTE for
		next year (2020-21)
	-	Capital Funding:  more cameras to be put in parking lot
	-	COVID 19 hits.
	-	Trip to Japan cancelled due to COVID 19
	-	Europe trip postponed, to be notified
	-	Souhail Soujah, Principal gives resignation for end of June
	-	Arctic Winter Games cancelled due to COVID 19
	-	Students not returning to classes, will be on line learning and some in 
		person meetings.  Protocols being discussed with the Health Emergency 
		Operations Centre.  
	-	Mtg. in April, May, June and August held via ZOOM
	-	School Council Spring Conference cancelled due to COVID 19
	-	School Council Elections postponed due to COVID 19
	-	Discussions held over health concerns, operation of school, sanitizing,
	-	handouts of materials to students is on a rotation every 2 weeks
		Is set up outside of the school.  Teachers also contact students via email
	-	Food For Learning $’s have been used to provide food hampers to families
		in need
	-	Discussions on the opening of school and impact on health and safety are 
		discussed in June
	-	All 3 high school principals are working together to come up with plans to be
		consistent and to make sure it works for all
	-	Grad Date:  June 11, from 9 AM to 11Pm held outside to celebrate the Grads
		A parade was held, social distancing was practiced
	-	New band teacher is hired
		Ms. Thurmer returns for 1 year
		2 teachers hired:  Chemistry/Science and French
		2 EA’s to be hired
	-	Peter Giangrande becomes the new principal replacing Souhail Soujah
	-	Candice Deo is successful in becoming the permanent VP at the school
	-	School Council Elections postponed until Oct. 5
	-	School opens August 20 with measures in place such as:  physical distancing,
		Hand washing, sanitizing, staggered lunches and breaks
		Gr. 8 students to be dismissed a few minutes earlier 
		Gr. 10 – 12 attend ½ day classes.  
		Masks and face shields to be used in Metal Shop
		Masks in Esthetics classes.  Cloth masks to be used
		No couches, chairs or tables in foyer
		Foot operated sanitizing stations around the school, approx. 600 – 98ml 
		sanitizers to be given to students to use,
		Sanitizing stations in each classroom.  
	-	Discipline to be dealt with on a case by case basis
	-	Wood Street Centre:  enclaved to the rear of the school (Westside)
		Room 134 and 136 provided to them and are the closest to the band and 
		drama room.  Portables are to be used by the Wood Street Centre as well
	-	Challenging year since March 2020 due to COVID 19 pandemic.  
	-	The New Normal:  has come into effect as Yukon moved into phase 3 of lifting
		COVID 19 restrictions on August 1, 2020.  
		The Safe 6 are to be practiced and followed by all.  

6.	Report from Administration:
	Peter provided a report:
	-	PCSS is a comprehensive school with a variety of curricular, co-curricular and
		extra-curricular offerings 
	-	The Grad rates for PC based on data, is that PCSS has had a graduation rate of 
		11% better than the Yukon average overall;
		45% better for Yukon First Nations students, (25% better for Other Aboriginal
		Students) and 13% better for Non First Nations students.  This pattern has been
		in place for at least the past 3 school years.  As well, 98% of PC`s grads 
		achieve a dogwood diploma – a full 80 credit graduation (not a school leaving
		certificate – “evergreen” or the reduced credit adult grad program).  
	-	2019-20 was the 3rd year of the new curriculum, with most aspects fully 
		implemented.  The Gr. 12 Literacy Assessment implementation has been 
		delayed to 2021-22 school year, however, the Gr. 10 Numeracy and Literacy 
		assessments are implemented.  The pandemic has delayed writings for 
		Gr. 10 and 11 students (they will have multiple opportunities in their
		Gr. 11 and 12 years).  A special pandemic assessment was done in June 2020
		for graduating students to complete this grad requirement. 
	-	Face to Face classes were suspended due to COVID 19 in April, 2020. After 
		Spring break and a two week school closure.  Staff used the two week school
		closure to pivot to online platforms.  Focus was on supporting students and
		families in learning these new platforms and engaging the essential learning
		outcomes in the classes curricula.
	-	Class of 2020 graduates were celebrated with a full day of physically-distances
		ConGRADuations in June.  Day was well received by students, parents/relatives
		and staff.  There was also a physically distanced, online simulcast cap and gown
		ceremony on August 26, 2020. Was viewed by 300 plus on Facebook
	-	Awards to students such as Student and Athlete of the Year and subject area
		were done.  However, Colours Day assembly was not held
	-	Field trips that were planned for the Spring to Eastern Europe and Japan were
		cancelled due to COVID 19
	-	Paul MacDonald, Coach for the Sr. Boys Basketball, was awarded the Ben
		Sheardown Award for Coaching Excellence by the Yukon Schools Athletic
		Association.  
		Several PC students qualified for the Arctic Winter Games that were to be
		held in Whitehorse, but were cancelled due to COVID 19.
	-	The flags of Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Ta’an Kwach’an Council in Sept.
		2019, during Open House
	-	Unveiling of a Southern Tutchone language translation project which was 
		partnered with elders on translating signage within the school, and laser
		printed those Southern Tutchone words and expressions  were done in
		the Wood shop
	-	Presentation to two First Nation elders wall panels of significant elders –
		Nominated by their respective First Nations on that date, and are now
		permanently displayed in the hallway
	-	First Nations ways of knowing, doing and being is the focus of the school and
		are part of course planning in each subject, across the curriculum
	-	Focus of SGP is to continue in developing a sense of self and place through
		embedding First Nations ways of knowing and doing and enhance further
		students’ sense of Pride.
	-	There were a variety of elders and knowledge keepers in the school to teach
		hands-on workshop.  Strides were made in creating a dedicated cultural space
		for CELC/ESW’s to host cultural programming, elders and lunch time activities
	-	PD Day saw Randall Tetlichi, and elder from the Vuntut Gwichin First Nation
		He made many connections for and with PC between traditional knowledge
		and ways of being and the new curriculum
	-	New PA/phone systems installed
	-	Camera upgrade project in the Spring of 2020
	-	Over summer, gym floor was refinished, new basketball lines and a new logo
		was painted
	-	Gym divider wall to be done in 2020-21

7.	Adjournment:  Meeting adjourned at 7:07:  Moved by Andrew, second by Don,
										CARRIED

_______________________________				______________________
Dale Cheeseman:							Jerry Zahora:
Chair									Secretary Treasurer