Bill 177 – Student Achievement and School Board Governance Act, 2009 – Passes first reading May 07, 2009.  and second reading on Oct 7 2009). The Bill is now before the Standing Committee on Social Policy.
The purpose of this Bill is to address various matters relating to the governance of school boards, including establishing the responsibilities of boards for student achievement and stewardship of resources. The Bill would set out duties of the chair and other members of a board. The Bill also includes a new purpose statement that sets out the purposes of education and a public school system. The Bill would also delete a number of “obsolete and inapplicable” provisions of the Education Act.   It is asserted that the bill makes boards more responsible and less relevant. You are encouraged to become better informed on this Bill and contact your MPP to express your opinion on it. The house will reconvenes on 14Sep09 when second reading will be scheduled. You can find the bill at
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2187&BillStagePrintId=4310&btnSubmit=go

6Oct09: Voices of Clay Prsentation at St. Henry. This Presentation was codeveloped to assist the school address PRO commitments in the Most effective Way. The first Module voice-of-clay addresses the molding aspect ofthe exercse. The addition sessions will deal with Glazing will offer an opportunity to reinforce lessons learnedand build on engagement techniques that can be used at home. 

end Aug09 Go Active Fitness Challenge opens for Registration.
The Go active Fitness cahllenge by McDonald ’s is an incentive program for schools get students involved in activities that promote physical activity and self esteme. The program provides participating schools up to $500 of Gym equipement.  Register now so that your school can be included in the 200 schools selected to be included in the program. http://www.fitnesschallenge.ca/ShowPage.jsp?ids=0653064406410718072107360620

3June09 Parent Engagement/Resources/Block budget/TCDSB Orientation. This presentation was tailored for Our Lady of Grace to satisfy its PRO grant provisions. The presentation includes a reference to the Provincial Parenting Board which was subsequently disbanded. Board Pics are anticipated to replace the role of this body through an annual conference/meeting or Parent Involvement Committee Chairs… our-lady-of-grace

May09 Parent Literacy Presentations Many parents  look for resources to help them once there is already a problem. Parent literacy can act as an ounce of prevention. The following report is provided for your consideration, courtesy of St. Henry CSAC . parent-literacy-presentation-report   In addition the following resources are offered for your consideration, care of St. Henry School Council, TCDSB Early Years Lead and CBC Parent Columnest Karen Horsman. parent-litteracy-handouts     

6Apr09 Feedback to Ministry on the French Second Language Curriculum Review  Included link fsl_parent_focus_group_feedback  provides the report sent to the ministry from former OAPCE Director D. Barrett. The Ministry will analyse the input with that of other stake holders and generate its proposed changes to the curriculum. Input on draft changes is anticipated to be requested in May-Jun09

21Mar09 World Down Syndrome Day Dr. Ash celebrating World Down Syndrome Day, with Frank Proctor 4.75 Meg MP3 file available upon request.

18Feb09 Response to Toronto Sun On why EQAO Scores in Catholic Schools may be higher in GTA included Link eqao-findings-in-favour-of-catholic-boards-in-gta1  posted per Motion of record in TAPCE’s March Meeting9Feb09 Response to Catholic Register on Equitable Education - A questions on The Cost of Extracurriculars in Ontario’s Schools was responded to by TAPCE. As the cited report primarily related to highschool D. Canton responded on behalf of the Communications Committee. catholic-register-statement

PRO Grant Presenters and Presentation Ideas : The following list is compiled from CSACs in Toronto that have found the presenters highly effective. -Ugo Rossi -Stand up to bullying TCDSB Vice-principal of Msgr Percy Johnson, Mr Rossi, gives workshops across Ontario, and in the U.S., on how to recognize and overcome bullying , and empower students… -Ron Moorish-Discipline Presentation addresses some of the current myths around punishment and reward systems of behaviour modification.   -Paul Gillespie Net Smarts Former Toronto Police Officer speaks on Cyber Safety. Presentation can be tailored for a parents only audience. Addresses some of the risks and benefits inherent on the internet with helpfull suggestions on approached - Rory Sheehan “How Our Children Learn”. His presentation deals with research on brain motor relationships. In addition he speak to anti labelling strategiesy and busting some of the myth around disorders like dyslexia. www.positivestrategies.com   

Presentations:
TAPCE Workshop: By-Law Presentation CSAC Bulletin Board Presentation TCDSB Internet Website Presentation
TAPCE Finance Presentation
CSAC Constitution and Bylaws Presentation
School Bylaw Template
TAPCE Orientation  Presentation  
CSAC  Info Sheet      

Tailored Parent Focused Presentations under development :
-Emotional Intelligence,
Based on Daniel Goleman research on the subject… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_intelligence
-Family Coping Tools and Stress Reducers (How faith and meditation can help),
Based on  research of endocrinologist Hans Selye 1930… current research into the positive Eustress…The teachings in the catholic and other religions that deal directly with the role that choice plays in space between stimulus and response and the needs hierarchy
-Helping that doesn’t Hinder: Strategies that help children to become more successful)
Based on the Strength philosophy advocated by Marcus Buckingham and the Power of Voice advocated by Steven Covey
-TCDSB Orientation For CSACs
Based on the experience of TAPCE, best practices of successful CSACs and input from TCDSB and the Ministry. As to how a CSAC can best fulfill its mandate

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