Karen Kain School of the Arts Parent/Guardian Handbook

Karen Kain School of the Arts 2 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Table of Contents

!

Welcome to Karen Kain School of the Arts ....................................................................................4!

Principal's Message.............................................................................................................5!

KKSA Council Message .........................................................................................................5!

Location & Contact Information.................................................................................................6!

Our Curriculum ....................................................................................................................7!

2009/2010 Academic Year .......................................................................................................7!

Staff ..............................................................................................................................7!

Key Dates........................................................................................................................8!

School Hours ....................................................................................................................8!

Reporting an Absence .........................................................................................................8!

Student Drop-off & Pick-up ...................................................................................................8!

Timetable & Rotation..........................................................................................................9!

Lockers...........................................................................................................................9!

School Floor Plan............................................................................................................. 10!

Extra Curricular and Leadership Program ................................................................................... 11!

Awards and Criteria ............................................................................................................. 12!

Grade 8 Awards............................................................................................................... 12!

Arts Awards ................................................................................................................... 12!

Grade 6,7,8 Term Awards................................................................................................... 13!

Communication .................................................................................................................. 14!

Monthly Newsletter .......................................................................................................... 14!

Council Web Site ............................................................................................................. 14!

ListServ ........................................................................................................................ 15!

Parent Directory.............................................................................................................. 15!

Resources ......................................................................................................................... 15!

School Policies ................................................................................................................... 16!

Code of Conduct.............................................................................................................. 16!

Student Responsibilities..................................................................................................... 16!

Homework ..................................................................................................................... 16!

Use of Personal Communication Devices ................................................................................. 17!

Dress Code .................................................................................................................... 17!

Consequences................................................................................................................. 17!

Karen Kain School of the Arts 3 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

FAQs ............................................................................................................................... 18!

Parent Involvement ............................................................................................................. 19!

Volunteering .................................................................................................................. 19!

About TDSB School Councils ................................................................................................ 19!

KKSA Council .................................................................................................................. 19!

KKSA School Council Meetings .......................................................................................... 19!

Council Succession Plan.................................................................................................. 19!

Council Term & Elections ................................................................................................ 20!

Council Membership ...................................................................................................... 20!

Voting Rights............................................................................................................... 20!

Quorum ..................................................................................................................... 20!

Conflict of Interest ....................................................................................................... 20!

School Council Elected Positions ....................................................................................... 21!

2008/2009 Council Leads ................................................................................................... 22!

Class Representatives .................................................................................................... 22!

Council Roles .............................................................................................................. 22!

Karen Kain School of the Arts 4 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Welcome to Karen Kain School of the Arts

At Karen Kain School of the Arts (KKSA) our curriculum is delivered within an Arts Focused Approach, in a safe and caring atmosphere. This will enable our community of students to adapt to a changing world, become champions of the environment and responsive to global and social issues. We will do this by emphasizing thinking, communication and problem-solving skills while developing an appreciation and love of the Arts.

Karen Kain School of the Arts (KKSA) opened its doors as a TDSB school on September 2, 2008. A middle school, Karen Kain School of the Arts is a unique Arts Focused school, named after the distinguished Canadian dancer, Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada and leader in the arts community.

Our school provides a rich and relevant integrated educational experience while focusing on Drama/Dance, Visual Arts and Vocal Music. Located in a quiet, ravine setting in SW TDSB, KKSA is a very innovative and distinct educational experience. Wherever possible and practical, Drama/Dance, Visual Arts and Vocal Music are integrated and used to teach and reinforce the skills, knowledge and content within Ontario Curriculum expectations. We believe that this type of arts integration allows for a more student centered approach where teaching, learning and assessment can be aligned to accommodate the strengths, preferences and learning styles of the individual student. All students participate in all the Arts as curriculum subjects. Arts integration and a generalist approach to the Arts is what differentiates the curriculum and teaching strategies at Karen Kain School of the Arts

The goal at KKSA is to provide each student with an experience which allows them to achieve while tapping into their knowledge and talent in the Arts. It is our expectation that our students at Karen Kain School of the Arts will continue to gain expertise in Drama/Dance, Visual Arts and Vocal Music, and that they will also become life long supporters and enthusiasts of the Arts. The Karen Kain School of the Arts student population is made up of those Metropolitan Toronto students who went through the application process and were successful in gaining acceptance.

The admission process is open only to those students who are currently in grade 5 and looking for acceptance into grade 6 at Karen Kain School of the Arts.

Karen Kain School of the Arts 5 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Principal's Message

Welcome to Karen Kain School of the Arts!

If you are holding this Parent Handbook, this most likely means that your child has been accepted to the Karen Kain School of the Arts starting at the grade 6 level. Congratulations to your child on being accepted to our program. I look forward to establishing a meaningful relationship with you, the parent/guardian as we work towards ensuring the best possible experience for your child at KKSA!

Karen Kain School of the Arts is a unique middle level Arts Focused school, named after the distinguished Canadian dancer, Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada and leader in the arts community. Within the setting of KKSA, it is our goal to deliver the Ontario curriculum through a differentiated program which is Arts Focused. We offer Drama/Dance, Visual Arts and Vocal Music. A focus on the Arts has been developed to allow students to achieve personal success in a variety of ways while drawing upon their strengths in the Arts.

At Karen Kain School of the Arts it is our belief that we have the right to learn as best we can and the responsibility to do our best. We respect ourselves, others and the environment, and we are a community which supports each other. Students, staff and parents/guardians will have many opportunities to contribute their talents to KKSA, especially within the first years as we go forward to define and establish ourselves as an Arts Focused school in the South West.

I welcome you and your child to our KKSA family! Please consult this Parent Handbook so that you may familiarize yourself with the routines and regulations of our school. You will also find ways in this Handbook to become involved as a parent/guardian in the life of KKSA.

I look forward to being involved with you and your child as we go through the years working as a community and ensuring a rich educational experience for all students at KKSA!

H. Pfeiffer

Principal

KKSA Council Message

What a difference a year makes! This time last year, KKSA didn’t exist. Our children had been accepted to a new school, Crestwood that offered the promise of an arts-focused curriculum – whatever that meant! KKSA is a very special school that celebrates academic achievement with an artistic flair. What does that mean? It means our children are challenged academically and artistically. They have achieved extraordinary results from any measure – be it rigour, discipline or excellence.

Thank you for supporting your child in this journey. We welcome you to this community and look forward to working with you on new adventures.

Susan Cohen & Jan Lavelle KKSA Co-Chairs

Karen Kain School of the Arts 6 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Location & Contact Information

A: 60 Berl Avenue, Toronto, ON M8Y 3C7

T: (416) 394-7979

F: (416) 394-7986

E: charlene.erley@tdsb.on.ca

W: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/SchoolWeb/_site/ViewItem.asp?siteid=10224&menuid=14257&pageid=12618

Principal: Helene Pfeiffer

Administrative Office Staff: Charlene Erley

Trustee: Bruce Davis

Superintendent: Jim Spyropoulos

Parent Council: Susan Cohen & Jan Lavelle (Co-Chairs)

Karen Kain School of the Arts 7 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Our Curriculum

We are an Arts focused school. What we are attempting to do infuse the arts into the regular curriculum when possible in order to best showcase the individual learning styles of our students a process that has become known as differentiated instruction. We enhance the curriculum through an arts focused approach.

Opportunities for arts-focused studies are not only possible throughout the curriculum, they are the hallmark of our school. At the grade 6 level, a specific example would include the Canoe Project. Part of the Aboriginal Arts-Based project, it integrates Oral Communication, Social Studies, reading and research skills, procedural writing and Visual Arts. Student tasks include the construction of their own scale-model canoes. In addition to this, the students also visit the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, where their canoes are showcased. They also fashion their own small paddle while at the museum. The paddle is later was painted with the supervision of a visiting First-Nations Woodland artist.

In grade 7, students continue to build on the skills they acquired in the previous year, as well as build new ones. For example, the Science unit on Ecosystems also includes integration of Media Literacy, Math, Visual Arts and Drama. Students create two-sided sculptured drawings incorporating the Fibonacci Sequence in Math. They would look for and sketch patterns they find in nature while on a field trip to the High Park Nature Centre. Their work also includes production of a visual media product illustrating human interaction within a specific ecosystem. They will also be introduced through drama, to social activism and the need for conservation as it relates directly to our specific impacts on the environment.

2009/2010 Academic Year

Staff

Grade/Subject/Position

Grade 6A Ms. Noble

Grade 6B Ms. Cohen

Grade 7A Mr. Gambacort

Grade 7B Ms. Bonk

Grade 8A & Physical Education Mrs. Ocampo

Grade 8B Mr. Sanyal

French Ms. Panzera

Grade 6 & 7 Physical Education Mr. Bates (PM)

Teacher/Librarian Ms. Paterson

Caretaker TBA

Office Administrator Mrs. Erley

School Principal Mrs. Pfeiffer

Lunchroom Attendant Ms. Brown

Lunchroom Attendant Ms. Sharma

We will also be assigned a part-time Guidance Counsellor in the fall.

Karen Kain School of the Arts 8 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Key Dates

First Day of Classes September 8th

Thanksgiving Day October 12th

PA Day November 13th

PD Day December 4th

Christmas break (inclusive) December 21st – January 1

st

Family Day February 15th

PA Day March 5th

Mid-Winter break (inclusive) March 15th - 19

th

Good Friday April 2nd

Easter Monday April 5th

Victoria Day May 24th

Last Day of Classes June 29th

School Hours

School hours will be 8:35 am to 2:53 pm to enable the students time to get on the Royal York bus before the local high schools are dismissed.

Reporting an Absence

To ensure the safe arrival of each student, parents are asked to use the before absence reporting system to inform the school if their child is going to be absent or likely to arrive late. The number to call is 394-7979 (press 1).

The school MUST know each day before 8:30 a.m. that a child will be late or absent. All parents are requested to follow this reporting system in order to save the office staff time, and to prevent needless concern about a student’s safety.

Student Drop-off & Pick-up

These regulations have been developed in co-ordination with KKSA parents to ensure maximum safety for our students. Two staff members supervise the dismissal of students at 2:53 pm: one at the front of the school, one at the back of the school.

If you are arriving early, please park in the lot, not in the loop. A caution – the City of Toronto can, and will, fine you $250.00 for parking in the designated fire route. Sitting in your car and/or having it running does not guarantee that you won’t receive a ticket.

The absolute cardinal parking rules at KKSA are:

• Use the loop at the front of the school for a kiss ‘n’ ride

• Never turn around directly in front of the school

• Never double park

• Do not block driveways on Berl as you approach the loop

Karen Kain School of the Arts 9 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Timetable & Rotation

In addition to integration, students also get specific instruction into each of the arts, one period per 5 day cycle. In 2009/2010, we will continue with a 5-day timetable, with 6 periods of 30 and 60-minute blocks.

Special programs, clubs and team practices take place before school, at lunch and after school.

Activity/Period Time

Doors Open (First bell) 8:30 am

School Day Begins (Second bell) 8:35 am

Entry 8:35 am – 8:40 am

Period 1 8:40 am – 9:10 am

Period 2 9:12 am – 10:12 am

Period 3 10:14 am – 11:14 am

Lunch 11:14 am – 12:14 pm

Entry 12:14 pm – 12:19 pm

Period 4 12:19 pm – 1:19 pm

Period 5 1:21 pm – 2:21 pm

Period 6 2:23 pm – 2:53 pm

School Dismissed 2:53 pm

Lockers

Every student has their own locker. Students are required to provide their own Dudley lock.

Karen Kain School of the Arts 10 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

School Floor Plan

Karen Kain School of the Arts 11 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Extra Curricular and Leadership Program

Our students at KKSA are highly motivated, enthusiastic, talented and most eager to participate in activities beyond the instructional day. It is our hope that on an annual basis we can offer a variety of extra curricular and leadership programs so that our students may excel beyond the classroom in an atmosphere which is non competitive, conducive to developing self-esteem and skills, and those positive relationships between staff and students that allow our participants to thrive.

At KKSA it is our goal to offer a variety of extra curricular activities based on the following criteria:

• Student generated activities

• Teacher availability

• Parent generated activities

• Sports teams and intramurals to supplement the physical education program

• Tutoring in various subject areas

• Tuition based programs lead by external agencies

The majority of extra curricular programs operate during the lunch hour as we understand that carpooling may affect after school participation. At times, students need to make choices about their activities as we have a limited amount of time to schedule activities.

To date, our students have been involved in the following extra curricular activities:

Activity Examples

Sports Cross country running, track and field, basketball, skiing, volleyball and yoga

Clubs drama, art, eco club

Music Choir, special choir, instrumental music (Musical Mentors)

Dance U Got Dance: hip hop, street dancing, musical dancing

Leadership Announcement team, Blueberry budgie helpers, Equity conference, Library Ambassadors, Imagine student success conference, grade 5 workshop helpers

Field Trips ROM, AGO, Toronto Symphony, Harbourfront, National Ballet, National Ballet School, Music Monday, Treetop Trekking, Canoe Museum, ESA, Family of Schools Arts Festival, Metro Hall Middle School Arts Exhibit, High Park and Field Studies Centre and Albion Hills, Plays at ESA

Curriculum Forest of Reading and Math Club

Karen Kain School of the Arts 12 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Awards and Criteria

Grade 8 Awards

Karen Kain School of the Arts Award of Excellence – The recipient of this most prestigious award has met highest possible standards in all of the Arts, a solid academic standing and school life contribution (report card and activity tracking sheets) (plaque)

Principal’s Award for Student Leadership - demonstrates outstanding leadership both in the school and while representing the school on trips, events, and visitations (plaque)

Citizenship Award – consistently displays initiative and fine citizenship qualities to enhance the positive character of the school (medallion)

Greatest Effort Award – is presented to the student who consistently displays perseverance and a positive attitude in pursuit of improving his/her academic standing (medallion)

Most Improved Award – overall grade average has improved considerably (10 points +) and consistently in all three terms (medallion)

Academic Achievement Awards – these awards are presented to the student who received the highest average in each of the subject areas: Math, Science, Media, Language Arts, History, Geography, PE & Health, French, Vocal Music, Drama, Dance, Visual Arts (medallions)

Arts Awards

Emily Noble Vocal Music Award – Ms. Noble, a founding teacher of KKSA, strongly supported and developed the school music program. This award is given to the student who displays a special aptitude for Vocal Music integration in the classroom and has been a consistent contributor to the KKSA music program and choir. (medallion)

Beverly Bonk Dance Award – Ms. Bonk, a founding teacher of KKSA, strongly supported and developed the school dance program. This award is given to the student who displays a special aptitude for dance integration in the classroom and has been a consistent member of KKSA dance clubs and showcases. (medallion)

Carl Gambacort Drama Award – Mr. Gambacort, a founding teacher of KKSA, strongly supported and developed the school drama program. This award is given to the student who displays a special aptitude for drama integration in the classroom and has been a consistent member of KKSA drama club and showcases. (medallion)

Beryl Cohen Visual Arts Award – Ms. Cohen a founding teacher of KKSA, strongly supported and developed the school Visual Arts program. This award is given to the student who displays a special aptitude for Visual Arts integration in the classroom and has been a consistent member of KKSA Visual Arts club, exhibitions, and school enhancement initiatives. (medallion)

Tara Paterson Media Award – Ms. Paterson a founding teacher of KKSA, strongly supported and developed the school Media Arts program. This award is given to the student who displays a special aptitude for Media Arts integration in the classroom and has been a consistent member of KKSA Media Arts projects, exhibitions, and school enhancement initiatives. (medallion)

Karen Kain School of the Arts 13 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Valedictorian Awards – is presented to two students who are positive role models for the student body. Demonstrate good citizenship, are well rounded in extra-curricular activities, display a courteous attitude toward both teachers and peers and who strive for solid academic standing. The Valedictorians have been selected by the grade 8 students (medallion)

Karen Kain School of the Arts K- this letter is presented to five outstanding students who have supported school life through their participation in numerous and a variety of events, initiatives, activities and clubs. (determined by participation tracking sheet)

Grade 6,7,8 Term Awards

Citizenship Award – consistently displays initiative and fine citizenship qualities to enhance the positive character of the school. (One/ two per homeroom class) (certificate)

Greatest Effort Award – is presented to the student who consistently displays perseverance and a positive attitude in pursuit of improving his/her academic standing (one/ two per homeroom class) (certificate)

Most Improved Award – overall grade average has improved considerably (10 points + or a level) (one per homeroom or subject area class) (certificate)

Karen Kain School of the Arts 14 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Communication

Monthly Newsletter

Every month, Karen Kain School of the Arts publishes a newsletter. See samples at: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/SchoolWeb/_site/ViewItem.asp?siteid=10224&menuid=14265&pageid=12626

Council Web Site

http://kksac.wordpress.com

Updates to the council site can be delivered via a RSS feed (subscribe at feed://kksac.wordpress/feed/).

Karen Kain School of the Arts 15 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

ListServ

The Council offers a listserv that send timely emails with important news and events related to the Council and school. We do comply with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPP), regarding privacy and confidentiality.

Parent Directory

As families of children in a new commuter school, many of us face a particular set of new challenges. Our children travel to and from school from a broad geography. Most have limited or no previous familiarity with each other. This creates a new challenges for parents – from safe travel arrangements for our children (including that all important back up in emergencies), to arranging new sources of after school care with different dismissal times, to helping our kids to get in touch with each other after school for study or continuing to develop friendships. The Council provides a voluntary parent contact directory to enable parent to parent contact.

Resources

School Profile: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/profiles/2907.pdf

TDSB KKSA Web Page: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/scripts/schoolasp.asp?schno=2907

KKSA Web Site: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/SchoolWeb/_site/viewitem.asp?siteid=10224&pageid=12618&menuid=14257

KKSA Council Web Site: http://kksac.wordpress.com

Karen Kain School of the Arts 16 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

School Policies

Our policies support social interaction, respect and a positive learning environment. Students are expected to follow school policies. Failure to do so will result in consequences (please see below).

Code of Conduct

At KKSA, every student has a right to an education. To ensure that right and to promote a positive learning environment we follow this code of conduct.

At Karen Kain School of the Arts, we:

• have the right to learn as best we can and the responsibility to do our best;

• respect ourselves, others and the environment; and,

• are a community that supports each other.

Student Responsibilities

Each student has responsibility to:

• seek an education according to his/her particular needs, abilities and ambition

• respect other students’ right to learn

• make KKSA a positive place to learn

• recognize and respect the rights of theirs (teachers, students and members of our community) regardless of gender, religion, ethnocultural or racial background

• respect property belonging to the school, community and fellow students

• keep their hands to themselves

• be on time for start of the school day and all classes

• dress in a manner that is appropriate

• be courteous to all students teachers and adults

• use appropriate language

• understand that individuals are responsible for their actions and that consequences may result

• report any bullying or intimidating behaviour to a teacher or school administrator

Homework

The amount of time required for homework depends greatly on the student. Individual work habits, motivation, focus and organizational skills can all influence the amount of time that a student will spend on any particular task. However, it is safe to assume that the amount of homework and its complexity will increase as a student progresses to higher-grade levels. Our senior students also become more involved in extra curricular activities and this must be considered when budgeting homework time.

Extra help is available for students who may require some support with homework assignments. It is important for all students to have a homework buddy on whom they can count to pick up homework if they are going to be absent from school. It is important to note that some assignments may involve group work and special arrangements may have to be made for the completion of such activities. Students at all grade levels are encouraged to spend time at home reading on a daily basis.

Karen Kain School of the Arts 17 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Use of Personal Communication Devices

Students are advised to not bring electronic devices or other items of value to school and if they do, items such as MP3 Players, CD players, etc. are to be kept locked in lockers during class time. The school is not responsible for the loss, theft or damage of any electronic or other item of value that is brought to school. As per TDSB protocol cell phones are not permitted in classrooms and must be kept locked in lockers for use on personal time, before and after school.

Dress Code

At KKSA, we believe in the safety and well-being of all our students. Clothing which is appropriate and not offensive contributes to the positive environment we are establishing.

It is expected that students and staff dress appropriately for the school setting. ‘Appropriate’ is defined as right and correct for the school setting and functions, conducing to learning and does not distract from the learning process.

KKSA students should strive to be neat and clean in dress and appearance. It is expected that each student will maintain a proper mode of dress. If, in the judgement of supervising adults, dress is deemed to be inappropriate, students will be asked to change or cover up before returning to class.

Clothing Expectations:

• Clothing that displays profanity, violence, discriminatory messages, sexually suggestive phrases or promotes alcohol, tobacco, or drug product or represents any group, organization or philosophy that has any history of violence is not to be worn to school or school functions

• Clothing or accessories such as jewellery, with spikes, dog collars, wallet chains, chains worn as belts that may cause injury to another student may not be worn

• Hats or headbands may not be worn in the building and bandanas not at all

• Athletic headbands may be worn during gym class only

• Hooded tops may not be worn during gym class

• Head covers are to be worn for medical or religious reasons only

• The wearing of mesh shirts would be inappropriate without an appropriate shirt underneath

Consequences

Consequences for behaviour contrary to the Code of Conduct or TDSB regulations as outlined below will be at the discretion of the teacher and the administration, as applicable:

• discussion with student by teacher

• discussion with student by office administrator

• referral to homeroom teacher

• referral to the office

• extra service to the school

• temporary removal from class or school

• detentions

• contact with parents

• withdrawal of privileges

• contracts

• requirement to pay for damage or loss

• suspension (up to 20 days) or expulsion

• involvement of police and other agencies

Karen Kain School of the Arts 18 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

FAQs

These are some of the more frequently asked questions of our program. If you have other questions, we invite you to contact the school.

Q: Are you a public or private school?

A: Karen Kain School of the Arts is one of the public specialty programs within Toronto District School Board.

Q: How do students get admitted into the program?

A: Application and participation in a workshop. For more details of the process and timelines, please visit the "Admissions" section: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/SchoolWeb/_site/ViewItem.asp?siteid=10224&menuid=16804&pageid=14864

Q: Is there an instrumental program?

A: The TDSB does not offer an instrumental program at KKSA. Musical Mentors, an after school instrumental program, runs Thursday afternoons after school. Please see the KKSA website for more details.

Q: Can anyone apply to Karen Kain School of the Arts?

A: No, candidates must live in the catchment boundaries of the Toronto District School Board.

Q: Does your program provide busing?

A: No, unfortunately, there is no busing provided. Parents are responsible for getting their child to school. Both the Royal York and Queensway buses are close to the school As well, many parents arrange carpooling.

Q: How is KKSA structured?

A: The school is a capped program. In FW 2009/2010, there will be 180 students in the school, 120 students at each grade level and two classes of 30 students in each grade.

Karen Kain School of the Arts 19 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Parent Involvement

Volunteering

Your school community needs you! Many volunteers are needed to implement the programs and activities sponsored by the school council and to support the teachers in the school. Whether your skills lie in organization, communication, or inspiration, any donation of your talents is greatly appreciated. There are positions for all parents with varying amounts of time to offer. Whether you are a parent who works in or outside of the home, there is a volunteer position for you.

About TDSB School Councils

School councils are an excellent way for parents/guardians to get involved in their child’s education. Every Toronto District School Board (TDSB) school has an elected school council that follows the school council guidelines as set out by the Ministry of Education. Please see: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/council.

School Councils are an excellent way for parents/guardians to get involved in their child’s education. Our school has a school council that is an important forum for involving all members of the school community in issues that affect the education of students. The School Council is made up of a committee of parents/ guardians, staff and student representatives, appointed community members, the principal, and a general membership which includes all parents/guardians of children attending the school. The School Council advises the principal on a variety of issues and activities relating to student achievement, curriculum goals and priorities, school budget priorities, school safety, renovation plans, after school activities, and criteria for selection of new principals/vice-principals.

The council should:

• focus on student learning and the best interests of all students,

• provide a forum through which parents and other members of school communities can contribute to improving student achievement and school performance,

• make recommendations to the school principal and the Board on any matter they see impacting accountability and academic excellence and;

• serve as a communication and information channel between the school and community.

KKSA Council

KKSA School Council Meetings

Meetings take place about once a month at the school during the academic year. Meeting announcements and an agenda will be distributed prior to each meeting via email to the KKSA community and be posted on the KKSA Council Web Site.

Council Succession Plan

In April 2009, Council adopted the following plan to ensure a role for new parents of Grade 6 students and to support the transition of Council each academic year.

• Vice-Chair from Grade 6 Parents

• Chair from Grade 7 Parents

• Past-Chair from Grade 8 Parents

Karen Kain School of the Arts 20 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

Council Term & Elections

The KKSA Council term runs from October 1st of the current academic year to the first October Council meeting

of the following academic year.

At the October meeting of Council, individuals (with the exception of Vice-Chair) will indicate interest in Lead committee positions. If there is more than one individual interested in a lead position, it will go to a vote. It will be a secret ballot. Individuals will have one week to submit 50-word introduction. It will be collated and distributed to Council members. Council members will vote online. To avoid any conflict of interest, the process will be overseen by the Past-Chairs. The Vice-Chair is determined in January of the academic year. The same process will be followed.

Council Membership

All parents of students attending Karen Kain School of the Arts are Council Members. There are two categories of members:

Member-at-Large; and,

Voting Member

Voting Rights

To be a voting member of Council you must attend Council meetings; if you miss 2 consecutive meetings, you cannot vote until you attend two meetings in a row. Exceptional circumstances will be addressed through a motion of Council. or

You are an active member of at least one sub-committee or an active class representative.

Quorum

Quorum: 50% of voting Council Members plus 1 constitutes quorum for decisions of Council

Conflict of Interest

Conflict of Interest is addressed through the Council Agenda which is distributed in advance of the Council meeting and is reviewed at the Council meeting. At the meeting, when the Review of the Agenda takes place, voting members are to declare any conflict of interest. This process is supported by the Ministry Guidelines (please see: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/council/council02.pdf)

Karen Kain School of the Arts 21 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

School Council Elected Positions

The Chair, Treasurer and Secretary roles are described in the Ministry Guidelines.

Chair– the Chair’s role is to oversee the operation of the KKSA Council, to liaise with the Principal on a regular basis and to act as a starting point to parents to direct them to the correct person or support system for their particular needs. (We can also have a Co-Chair and/or a Vice-Chair.)

Treasurer– the Treasurer’s role is to work with the KKSA executive to draft an annual budget and to perform the bookkeeping required by the Crestwood, such as depositing cheques, writing cheques and keeping track of the cash balances. The Treasurer is responsible for preparing income tax receipts for all eligible donations. The Treasurer also provides a monthly financial report for presentation at the Council meetings.

Secretary – This person is responsible for taking the minutes at the monthly KKSA meeting, and finalizing these minutes for publishing through email distribution and on the web-site. Please note: the Ministry Guidelines only require an outline of the discussion, not detailed minutes.

The committee descriptions are meant to be a guideline only and will be confirmed by the committees themselves.

Communication: facilitates communication between Council and Parents, Council and the School. This facilitation comes in many forms, including management of Council's electronic communication via e-mail and the Web, and by setting up other forums for communication. Communication recommends, develops, and implements periodic surveys of Parents to provide the Council an understanding of Parents' interests and concerns. Communication is also responsible to provide guidance to Council on privacy and confidentiality issues. Projects include:

• continued use and update of e-mail (listserv) communication system

• updating and maintaining information on the Council's web pages

• reviewing, updating and advising of communication materials

Fundraising: focus on activities that are both fun and raise money to support our school programs and to provide supplementary classroom resources. The fundraising committee will also help with city/provincial grant applications.

Community Representative: focus on keeping parents aware of community developments, particularly with regard to education policy.

School Programs: Musical Mentor, speaker series, After-Four program, yearbook, sports

Health and Safety: focus on the physical and emotional well being of KKSA students. Examples might include participating with school staff to review the TDSB Safe School Policy and the KKSA Code of Conduct and implementing greening and eco initiatives.

Volunteer Coordinator: organizing a pool of volunteers to support Council activities, including ad hoc events like the Winter Concert/Naming Celebration.

Karen Kain School of the Arts 22 Draft Parent/Guardian Handbook – Final to be distributed October 2009

2008/2009 Council Leads

Class Representatives

Ms. Bonk: Jan Lavelle (jandrew@rogers.com)

Ms. Cohen: Carolyn Madonia (carolynmadonia@mac.com)

Mr. Gambacort: Judy Dierks (judy.diercks@rogers.com)

Miss Noble: Carmen Suchorab (csuchorab@sympatico.ca)

Council Roles

Co-Chairs: Jan Lavelle (jandrew@rogers.com) & Susan Cohen (scohen@digitallearning.ca)

Vice-Chairs: Eva Ballentine (bal@sympatico.ca) & Carolyn Rasiuk (carolynr@sympatico.ca)

Lead, Communications Committee: Eva Ballentine (bal@sympatico.ca)

Lead, Fundraising Committee: Kim Shaw (kimshaw2001@rogers.com)

Lead, Health & Safety Committee: Laima Cers (laima.cers@sympatico.ca)

Lead, School Programs Committee: Chris Brown (chris-co1@rogers.com)

Secretary: Adela Roki (vis@primus.ca)

Treasurer: Erin Schnepper (erin.schnepper@xerox.com)

Co-Leads Volunteer Committee: Shirley Asevicius (shirleyasev@aol.com) & Tanya Carey (brent.carey@sympatico.ca)

Community Representative: Shirley Asevicius (shirleyasev@aol.com)

Non-teaching Staff Representative: Charlene Erley (Charlene.Erley@tdsb.on.ca)