AGENDA

THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES, PROGRAM AND RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Thursday, March 3, 2005
7:00 p.m.

1. Memorials and Prayers.

2. Roll Call and Apologies.

3. Approval of the Agenda.

N.B. Staff would be pleased to walk the Trustees through any report on this agenda at the direction of the Chair.

4. Declarations of Interest.

5. Approval and Signing of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held February 3, 2005 for PUBLIC SESSION. p.1-p.14

6. Presentations:

7. Delegations:

a) Joan Marshall, parent, to publicly thank the Superintendent of Special Services.

b) Andria Spindel, representing the Ontario March of Dimes, regarding “Kids Can Make a Difference”.

c) Sheree Watkins, parent of Blessed Margharita Catholic School, regarding healthy food lunches.

d) Ruthy Bird, representing Lunch Lady regarding healthy nutritious lunches.

8. Trustee Matters:

a) From Trustee Rizzo, regarding e-class homework. p.15-p.16

WHEREAS a large number of families today have at least one computer in the home and some households may even have separate computers for the children; and

WHEREAS students and parents who do not have computers have access to the Internet through school computers and public libraries; and

WHEREAS studies show that parental involvement greatly improves a student's educational performance and to ensure educational success, parents need to stay connected with the school outside of the parent-teacher interviews and empty responses from their children when they ask, “Do you have any homework?” or “How was school today?” ; and

WHEREAS some parents have some difficulty monitoring their child’s homework, including not knowing what and when assignments are due; and

WHEREAS many parents would agree that the most useful thing that can be provided to parents is an up to date listing of homework assignments; and

WHEREAS computer technology is the wave of the future and an e-class homework site can be used by teachers to reach students and parents with important educational and school information; and

WHEREAS homework, projects, classroom activities, announcements, notes, references, important dates, and much more can be posted on e-class that gives students and parents easy 24 access through a home, library or office computer; and

WHEREAS an e-class homework site can act as a backup for students who may have forgotten their assignments or who were home sick; and

WHEREAS it may be possible to exhibit students’ artwork, essays and other accomplishments on e-class; and

WHEREAS an e-class homework site is simple enough for teachers, students and parents to use; and

WHEREAS e-class homework sites have been piloted in some TCDSB schools and have been accepted and welcomed by teachers, students and parents; and

WHEREAS the TCDSB has the technology available to develop e-class homework sites to all elementary and secondary schools.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Toronto Catholic District School Board endorse e-class homework sites for use in elementary and secondary schools; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff report on the feasibility of implementing e-class homework sites for all elementary and secondary schools in September 2005; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff report on costs, resources, professional development and any outside computer consultation that may be needed in order to deliver e-class homework sites to all elementary and secondary schools.

b) From Trustee Del Grande regarding voice mail and email.

Receive.

9. Unfinished Business:

10. Matters referred to this Committee by the Board and other Committees:

11. Reports of Officials and Special Committees Requiring ACTION by the Board.

a) Report regarding Commencement Exercises. p.17-p.18

That the decision regarding not permitting students who have not successfully completed four Religious Education credits, to participate in the school’s Commencement Exercises be a local school decision.

b)Report regarding Ontario March of Dimes, Fall 2004 for the “Kids Can Make A Difference”. p.19-p.29

That the Special Education Advisory Committee and the Board consider partnering with the Ontario March of Dimes on this initiative “Kids Can Make A Difference”.

12. Reports of Officials and Special Committees for INFORMATION of the Board.

a) Report regarding Proposed Congregated Gifted – 4^th Site. p.30-p.31

Receive.

b) Monthly Staffing Report as of February 24, 2005. p.32-p.35

Receive.

c) Report regarding Executive Search Firm to Assist the Board in Selecting Our Next Catholic Director of Education. p.36-p.47

Receive.

13. Approval of Matters for which no trustee has requested debate.

14. Communications:

15. Inquiries and Miscellaneous:

N.B. Private Inquiries must only be related to matters as outlined in the reference to legislation on the inside cover of the Private Agenda.

16. Update of Pending List:

ANNUAL REPORTS

17. RESOLVE INTO PRIVATE SESSION.