1) Welcome and introductions
Attendees: Nick Varricchio, Stephanie Clapham, Melissa Jamieson, Mia (Michelle) Tsanis, Sarah Pate, Roisin Pozzobon, Rachel Dam, Jackie Stone, Angela VonDerMerue
2) Approval of Minutes from last meeting
(see website for all of last year's minutes)
Approval of Agenda for this meeting
*very standard template
3) National Service Dog (NSD) Rep - Danielle Forbes
-speak to the role of the service dog
-not the same as therapy dogs that come in around exam time
-specifically tasked for those with disability (PTST, blind, autism, deaf and hard of hearing, diabetes alert) -deep body pressure, light touch for focus
-behaviours are mitigated or realigned
-sleep hygiene support
-road safety,elopement
-support the team (dog and kid) ... don't distract the dog or engage with him.
... autism supports can be the team of kid, dog, parent / EA(s)
... depends how capable an individual is to handle the dog / communicate commands
-kids understand the concept of support dogs, better than adults
-allergies issue... dog is well groomed, wears a jacket, no contact, dander study showed same air quality as outside air
-fear... can use Beaumont (MMR dog) as a training tool to mitigate concerns
-keep an open mind - you can't know the value to the relationship between the dog and kid
4) Student Voice - None this time. Student Rep to be arranged for the next meeting.
(often a student from United Student Body)
5) Review of Committee:
Chair Rachel Dam/Michelle Jamieson
-
has to be a parent; name listed on report card; bring up concerns, if other parents have them; review minutes;
Secretary - Stephanie Clapham (teacher rep)
PIC - conference, proposals can be done for ProGrant - Jackie Stone
Parent Rep on Well Being Committee - Roisin Pozzobon
5) Teacher Report
Start up:
*positive school vibe
*Welcome back assembly - focus on service side supports in the school
-semester two welcome assembly will be Spencer Miller sport announcer/MMR graduate
*USB / Student Council
-Terry Fox breakfast buy out and walk (moved to Friday due to rain)
* Link Crew Leaders
-Grade 9s should have mentors to help them feel welcome and comfortable in our school community.
*Athletics:
*football (junior), senior folded
Jr football is selling candles on School Cash to raise money for new practice jerseys.
*4 Burlington Central students on junior team
The candle company is run by two MMR students. They have already raised over $2500 for other community organizations. The candle costs $20 and $5 of every purchase goes to Rams football.
Rams football is always planning ahead. We are still looking for coaches, part-time or full-time. First step is to email Marco Ferrone at ferronem@hdsb.ca.
*5 senior football students are joining Hayden football team
*cross country - meet Thurs. Sept. 25
*golf team - tournament at Turtle Creek and Tyendaga this week
*girls basketball (2 teams - Jr and Sr)
*boys volleyball (2 teams - Jr and Sr)
*hockey interest meeting this week - girls and boys
*field hockey for girls has started
Athletic Council meets on Tuesdays at the start of lunch in the Health Room. We always welcome new members and have a Google Classroom they can join to receive updates and info. Some of the tasks of Athletic Council include scorekeeping our athletics events, helping with major athletic events (buyouts, pink games, etc), planning Athletic Banquet and other things we need for both Phys Ed and Athletics. A great way to get volunteer hours and refine leadership skills!
**Also, our Spirit Wear Online Store is open now until Sept. 25th as the deadline.
Arts:
Tuesday, September 23rd and Wednesday September 24th: NTS Auditions
Tuesday, Sept. 30th: Junior One-Act Festival Director Pitches
Wednesday, October 1st: NTS Techie Meeting
Thursday, October 2nd: Junior One-Act Festival Festival Auditions
For those grade 9 and 10 students interested in performing in a play, come to auditions. No preparation required.
Thurs. Oct. 9th: Junior One-Act Festival Techie Meeting
Continuing: Eco Club, Math Club, Reach, Cosmo Club, Auto Club, Yearbook, Muslim Student Association, Christian team, Model UN team
*Best Buddies
-intro joining meeting at lunch tomorrow
-support on various lunch hours in CPP classes
-fun activity once a month in library
*Equity
The Equity team at MMR is a student-led initiative to promote the values of inclusion, diversity and social justice within the school community. Any student interested in learning about diverse perspectives and broadening their worldview is welcome to come to Room 323 every Friday at lunch. Importantly, the team is also behind one of the largest events at MMR, the Multicultural Week event typically held in springtime. Over the course of five days, the whole student body is invited to sample cultural foods, watch a fashion show of traditional clothes, listen to educational presentations and more.
Guidance:
MMR BSA and Infinity Space is open
MMR Wellness - yoga (Thursday's 3-4 pm) and meditation/mindfulness (Wednesday's 11:30 am) MMR Peer Tutoring - starting up the last week of September
HDSB Open House this weekend and getting the word out to families and to students who would like to volunteer for community involvement hours. Hosted at CKSS this Saturday, Sept. 27. Focused for students in grades 6-10. Sign up here HDSB Open House Sign UP. Any questions - See Ms. Hagley or Mr. Clark
6) Principal Report
*Grad Coach for Black Students
- Joseph, started in March 2025 returns
-assembly on Monday September 25 for all kids to explain his role
-he will talk through Have Your Say
-currently our Grad Coach is at MMR Mondays - shared with Hayden and another school
-wants students to feel a sense of belonging
*Closing 6 classrooms - not needed for current enrollment - cost efficiencies
-could accommodate more kids in the school
-we are considered an open school
-we have more kids come in, than move out
*MMR - has variety of programs and pathways -approximately 1150 students
-school's enrollment is stable
*budget
-determined by enrollment (decentralized budget)
-required to spend all but 10% of money given to us in the school year it was allocated
-decentralized budget is for instructional needs (books, computer, paper etc.)
-a portion of money given to schools as preliminary in June, and then another chunk in December
-large capital money/projects is covered by the Board (theatre stage, roof, paving etc)
-school generated money (ie. yearbook money, graduation) ... money in and out.
-money raised for charity (ie. Terry Fox, Earthquake, Cancer society) all feed into school generated account
*Attendance Reporting
-mechanism to call in is working
-student messenger has to be done before school starts
-phone call/email to get absent or late reported
*parent volunteer process posted on school website
-parents can get involved to coach; must be screened - -vulnerable sector check / declaration meeting -AODA video training required
-student teachers are set up and most coming from Queen's
*homework
-amount will differ from grade and subject
-doesn't get graded directly, but the practise should be done
-every teacher has BrightSpace
*video surveillance exists in building; checked for safe school incidents when required
-police can request footage by going through the board
-getting a new unit to be more compatible with admin computers we use
*code of conduct / dress code exists on school website and shared with all staff, parents, families -cell phone protocol posted on school website
-hate protocol is in development
*OSSLT/EQAO
-literacy test is no longer a one day event
-test is online, and it is completed over a stretch of days
-test will be in Nov for first time writers and those that want to try again; those in grade 10 with English second semester will write then
-there is a course that can be taken instead for unsuccessful test writers.
-EQAO math assessment is NOT a diploma requirement but it makes up 10% of final grade for grade 9 math.
*school improvement plan continues focused on multi-year plan.
*parents/students are encouraged to read the Friday communication each week- a key way to stay informed -information posted on website, if you don't get regular emails
7) Other Business / Questions:
*SHSM - how many years? What is the value? -focused courses for students in senior grades
-prescribed list of focus courses that should be taken
*length of time for principals staying in a school
-principals average 4-5 years
-VP average 2-3 years
-no fixed time
-composite schools = multiple pathways
-75% of administrators across the province are eligible to retire in next 5 years
*PIC (Parent Involvement Conference)
-so many resources in one place
-phenomenal event
-Saturday, free
*money available in our Parent Council account
-don't need to apply for more grants because we have money left over
*Student Volunteer Hours
-drop off sheets in bin in front of Ms. Child's office in guidance
-upload signed form from the school website
*University / College
-fairs in different locations (ie. Toronto this weekend)
*Online courses
-counts as one of the 30 credit requirements
*Locked doors
-4 are open throughout the day at high schools -front, phys ed, art, tech
8) Next Meetings
*meeting 4 times - Wednesdays
Nov. 18 in person
Feb. 17, 2026 - virtual
May 19, 2026 - in person