Grand Forks Secondary School Student Advisory Council Webpage
The Student Advisory Council (SAC) is a group that meets approximately once a month to discuss student issues and concerns with administration. The SAC provides students with an opportunity to have a voice on school policy and programs. This website is designed to allow students an opportunity to see what issues are being discussed as well as contribute to discussions via the attached blog.
Below is a copy of our annual student handbook. Recently the Student Advisory Council was asked to review the "Code of Conduct" part of the handbook and give us any feedback or suggested changes they have regarding the outlined rules:
Notes from Feb 22nd 2011 meeting:
Students present (Athena Szabo Gr.12, Radhika Menon Gr.12, Shantelle Bron Gr.9, Jacob Noseworthy Gr.8, Marla Konkin Gr.12, Heather Noren-Stone (regrets))
Issues of concern:
-It was mentioned that there have been some requests for hot water in the girls changeroom as a number of girls have been choosing not to shower after fitness classes because the water is cold
- Students brought forth a complaint that there is a lot of gum under desks and requested that custodians ensure that it gets removed as a couple students ended up with it on their pants
- Upstairs fountains need to be replaced and the only fountain that has enough pressure is the one outside the auditorium. Students do not feel that it is sanitary as they have to almost put their lips on the spout to get any water
- Printing again came forth as a concern in that some students didn't seem to have enough copies to print off work and assignments and also indicated that there seemed to be a lot of useless photocopying going on in the library (waste of paper and students not knowing how to run the machine properly)
- A request was also made to look at replacing some of the science stools with high chairs with back support as many students were complaining about a lack of comfort and posture support.
- A request was made that students be allowed to do the announcements in the morning and Mr. Stewart said he would put out a request for any students that might be interested.
- It was mentioned that there were more students that wanted to participate in the Kick the Nic program but would be better able to participate if the group met after schools
Fitness facility and Library move
- Mr. Stewart updated students on the potential move of some of the library resources down to 102 (DLC) and the possible conversion of that area into a resource room for library resources, Moodle lab with teacher supervision, and student support room. Mr. Stewart outlined that the district was looking at the cost of converting the library space into an updated fitness facility which would allow students better access during spares and creat a better open air facility. The existing space in the basement would be converted into a dance/movement area better suited for fitness for life and dance classes. Mr. Stewart also indicated that the district would be reviewing the costs associated with these changes before any decisions were made as it would be dependent on this move fitting into the capital budget for next
year.
Moodle
- Students brought up some concerns about courses via Moodle and online in general as there is currently a lack of real time teacher support. Mr. Stewart indicated that next year they were hoping to have a dedicated area for students to work on Moodle courses where there was full-time teacher support. Students thought it would make a positive difference.
Notes from Nov meeting:
Dance
- Simone indicated that the Student Council had decided to postpone the Christmas dance and instead have two dances in the spring
- Mr. S. indicated that staff had some discussions regarding dances and would be making some decisions at their next staff meeting in Dec. Staff felt that there needed to be greater consequences at dances for students caught under the influence. Suspensions related to dances would include a suspension from extra-curricular events with an option to decrease the time frame with school service hours.
- It was mentioned that a coat check should be required and using the gym hallway would be a good location.
- Mr. S. will talk to the students at an assembly when a staff decision is reached regarding dance consequences and changes to suspensions.
Mr. S. then asked the group what they felt teachers did when they were learning at their best and enjoying classes. Some of the ideas that came out were:
- teachers giving us the opportunity to explore ideas and use hands on activities
- make it fun......included telling stories, using music, and giving students choice
- breaking lessons up to keep the energy up
- teachers making an extra effort to make lessons interesting
- teachers using games to review (making it fun)
- teachers try and get to know their students....they know what you need and when you are stressed
- teachers who say hi in the morning even when they no longer teach you
- teachers use technology that engages us
- school in general is easier to learn when there is more fun things happening...ie. theme days, 12 days of Christmas, music at lunch, performances at lunch
Thanks for coming out today......see you at the next meeting.
Notes from Oct 19th meeting:
Students raised the following concerns:
water fountains is still a real concern. It was reported that there is only one functioning fountain (next to auditorium) where students do not have to place their mouths almost directly on the tap. They would like these corrected as they are used a lot. (Mr. S will have maintenance llok at them)
a desk in the auditorium needs to be refinished due to graphitti (maintenance request has been put in)
There is a concern that students are not being given hearing protection in the welding/woodwork shops (Mr. S will follow up with shop teachers)
There was concern from a few students that some welding projects were going missing (Mr. S. will follow up with teacher)
A request was made to place hooks on the back of student bathroom stall as a place to hang jackets/purses, etc. so as to avoid placing on dirty floors. (Mr.S. has sent in a maintenance request)
Mr. S gave some updates on things that had occured since the last meeting
smoking prevention information is being added to the grade 8 and 9 curriculum and both a boys and girls "quit smoking" support group will be formed by Mr. Garrison and Mrs. Martin
Other issues:
students felt that alcohol use should be included with any support group that is being looked at
students felt that there were some things we could do to cut down on alcohol/drug use at dances such as giving a warning ahead of next dance (talk about at assembly), have the GFSS TV guys do a session on drinking at dances, not allow locker access during dances, have a coat check and possible pat down by students
it was also felt that the smoking pit is still an issue....students are feeling like it makes it easier to access, and there are a lot of students complaining about other students coming to class stinking of smoke
it was also brought up that there are a number of students coming to class under the influence
Yearbook
Mr. S is working on a plan to develop a yearbook using interested students as either a club or self directed group (grads are signing up for interest in a grad focused book...more discussion to come regarding how much will be taken on)
Student Advisory Website
Mr. S wants to encourage SAC members to use the website and post comments as issues come up. First Class login is what you need to add a comment to the blog page.
Next meeting is Tuesday, Nov 23rd
Notes from Sept 2010 meeting:
Events calendar....Mr. S will remind staff to record all events on the calendar outside the office, not just sports. If students have an item to write up on the calendar, please ok it with Mrs. Lacey ahead of time.
Moddle ...Mr. S will explain in more detail to students at the next assembly. The Moodle website developed by Mr. Stevenson is also now linked up on our school website.
Smoking....there was some feeling that the number of smokers was less now. Also some concern about kids coming to class smoky and others having to sit there and deal with the 2nd/3rd hand smoke. Can you talk to your friends and find out more about how students feel about this issue? Are we doing enough at school to educate students about the dangers of smoking?
School Project....Mr. S. would like to see the group look at doing a school project at some point through the year. It could be community based, charity, green initiative, etc.....please give this some thought and we'll talk about ideas at the next meeting.
Lunch time....Mr. S. indicated that parents at PAC were concerned about a lack of space for students to eat their lunch and that students were being forced to eat on the floor. It was felt by the group that this was not an issue for students and in fact, many spaces are available but students still choose to sit near their lockers or on the floor because they want to. Mr. S. will take those comments back to the parent group.
Yearbook....is there a solution? Mr. S. will hopefully have some options at the assembly next week.
Announcements....GFSS TV......the response was pretty positive. Some concern was expressed that not every class had access to a monitor/screen to watch them. Better than listening to teachers talk or Mr. S. on the PA
Youth Pac....the group needs a staff sponsor to help supervise the We Day event in Vancouver. Mr. S. will post a request to staff.
Code of Conduct....please look at the Student Code of Conduct on our website and let Mr. S. know if there any parts of it you think we should look at changing/updating. Will discuss at the next meeting.
Past Projects worked on by SAC include: Getting new water fountains in hallways, annual review of the Student Code of Conduct, planting shade trees around the school grounds, starting a "What Going On" bulletin board, getting a healthy snack machine, fixing up the cafeteria and the front entrance, and other advice to administration regarding course offerings, timetable process, and use of technology in the classroom.
Other resource items:
Video clip on the impact of technology for students today
