The fifth Donagh Regional Home and School meeting of the 2008/2009 school year was held on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 7:00pm with good attendance.

Patti Shea welcomed all present and called the meeting to order.

The agenda was submitted by Patti Shea. Ann removed two items.

A motion to approve the amended agenda was submitted by Rachel Power and seconded by Andrea Murnaghan.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read by Laura Downey. Two corrections were made.

A motion to approve the minutes with corrections was submitted by Donna Lee Shoemaker and seconded by Andrea Murnaghan.

Eddie Baird reported that our current balance is $2489.02 and that we pay a $3 service charge out of our account each month.

Lockdown Procedures: Students will be participating in their first Lockdown drill later this month. Ann made a presentation to the parents present explaining exactly what is involved in our Lockdown Procedures. The highlights are:

*Our Lockdown Procedures were created in conjuction with the RCMP and they have all of our plans and can pull them up on the computer screens in their cars.

*Every door has a color coded school map and students have been trained as to what the different colors mean.

*There are clipboards by the classroom doors for all emergencies that contain all necessary documents for safety procedures.

*A Lockdown will be done when someone is in the building that puts others at risk and may be called by anyone who notes the danger. This includes visiting parents. There are "how to use" instructions by each PA.

*The students have been trained to look for ID tags so they know if someone is a safe person in the school and will report anyone without one.

*A Lockdown is initialized by announcing "Lockdown" three times over the PA system. If it is a drill it will be made clear during this announcement.

*Students will then go to the safe zone in their classroom and will stay there until otherwise notified. All classroom doors are in lock mode at all times so they lock when they are shut and window blinds are kept in position to be quickly closed.

*If children are outside they know to go to Debbie Keoughan’s house, if possible, or to run wherever they can.

*When RCMP arrive at the school they will enter immediately to put an end to the threat as quickly as possible.

*Only the RCMP can give an "all clear" during a real Lockdown.

*The Off Site Command Centre during a Lockdown would be the Eastern School District and parents would be advised to go there for information.

*There are also plans in place for after such an incident (ie. debriefing, counseling, etc.)

 

Grade 9 Trip: (Kelly Minnas) The after-school activities held in March were a great success with close to 80 students in attendance and $350.00 raised. Another such event is being planned. A pancake breakfast was held with a $500.00 profit. Twenty six recipe books have been sold so far and will be on sale for the next 3-4 weeks. The grade 9 students have shown to be very responsible during their fundraising and have impressed staff.

School Logo Update: The drawing has to be cleaned up to prepare it for screen printing.

Rezoning/School Closures: A discussion took place regarding what rezoning will mean for our school and the pros and cons regarding the possibility of losing our junior high classes.

Old Business:

Home and School Parent Engagement Fund Update: Patti has a meeting set up with a rep to fill out the application. We need to decide what we want to do with the money. Patti will bring back more information.

Annual H&S Meeting: It is being held on April 18, 2009 from 8:30-2:30 and any parent can attend.

Class Winners: Last month’s winners for the H&S meeting attendance were Grade 3 and they have chosen ice cream for their treat.

New Business:

Treats: Andrea Murnaghan put forth a motion to provide treats for the students after the Lockdown drill later in April. The motion was seconded by Lisa Murnaghan and passed.

Opposition Office Email: Patti received an email from Olive Crane’s assistant looking for concerns from parents regarding our school. Patti will draft a notice to send out to parents.

Babysitting Course for Gr. 6 Students: There has been no word of this course being offered yet. Ann will look into it.

Helmets: There are concerns regarding the safety of the students playing ball hockey outside at recess with no helmets. Ann will put out a notice to parents looking for donations of helmets. One helmet would be assigned to one student for the year for hygiene reasons.

The next meeting will be held on May 6th, 2009 at 7pm.

Paulette Duffy made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Donna Lee Shoemaker.

Submitted by Laura Downey, Secretary

Donagh Regional Home and School