Student Trustee Senate Retreat Education Centre, St. Catharines Room Wednesday, September 24, 2014 Members Present: *School Representatives: Yuchen Xu Lauren George Joanna King Quinn Martin Lianne Bankert Justin Dube Amelia Coull Chelsea Roberts Krystal Penner Vritti Patel Brad Rung Melinda Mitterhauser Yuvan Khandelwal Sophia Samson Shanna Ingram Sarah Ward Victor Papaiz Morgan Jenckes Maggie Culp Alyssa Weber Student Trustees: Vinay Sharma, Centennial Secondary School Nick Molkoski, E.L. Crossley Secondary School Trustees: Dale Robinson, Board Trustee A. N. Myer A. N. Myer Beamsville Beamsville Centennial Centennial DSBN Academy DSBN Academy Eastdale Eastdale Eden Eden E. L. Crossley E.L. Crossley Fort Erie Fort Erie Governor Simcoe Governor Simcoe Grimsby Grimsby Delaney Spencer Tommy Labonte Austin Stastny Jack Feagan Jordan Lukacs Teigan Lashford Zya Aspden Kennedy Thomson Niharika Verma Allyya Shahid Rachel Dickinson Katelynn Hilborn Chrissa Sinnett Mzin Idris Justin Broderick Shaunan May Duan Parchment Heather Qureshi Laura Secord Laura Secord Port Colborne Port Colborne Ridgeway Crystal Beach Ridgeway Crystal Beach Sir Winston Churchill Sir Winston Churchill South Lincoln South Lincoln Stamford Stamford St. Catharines Collegiate St. Catharines Collegiate Thorold Thorold Westlane Westlane *Based on students who “signed-in” Administrative Advisors: Ms. Harrison, Student Achievement Leader, Student Success Mrs. Oliverio, Consultant for Student Success and Guidance Support Mrs. Riegle, Vice Principal, Ridgeway Crystal Beach High School Ms. MacKinnon, Superintendent of Secondary Schools MINUTES OF MEETING Welcome and Introductions: Role of Student Trustees & Senate Vinay and Nick welcomed the group and explained the role of the Student Trustees as well as the purpose of the Student Trustee Senate. Vinay and Nick led an ice breaker activity to help get the group acquainted with one another. Welcome from the Director: Warren Hoshizaki Warren Hoshizaki, Director of Education for the DSBN, greeted the Student Senate and welcomed them to their roles as Student Senate members for the 2014-15 school year. Page 2 of 2 Thoughts on Leadership and Balance: Ms. Harrison and Mrs. Oliverio Ms. Harrison and Mrs. Oliverio led an activity that had students identify important Canadian and world figures, where students were to list the qualities that make these figures great leaders. Students were then led into a discussion on the leadership qualities required to work effectively on a team, and healthy ways to maintain life balance. Students were then asked to reflect and journal on their own leadership qualities, personal goals for this year, and how they intend to maintain a healthy balance while juggling school, family life, extracurricular activities, jobs, Student Senate responsibilities, etc.. KEY NOTE SPEAKER: Dr. Lisa Linders, DSBN Chief Psychologist Dr. Linders presented information to the Student Senate on “Mental Health and Well-Being at the DSBN”. She led the students through a discussion about the Mental Health Continuum, some of the major mental health issues seen in schools, and the various student supports available at the school and board levels. Dr. Linders also shared the DSBN Mental Health Strategy Priorities for this year, and shared about numerous Ministry of Education and community resources available. Lunch Break: 11:45-12:15 p.m. Outdoor Team Activities: Vinay and Nick led the Student Senate members through various simple team-building activities outside that further helped the group to get acquainted with one another and make decisions as a team. Senate Discussion: Mental Health Initiative Vinay and Nick had the Student Senate members list all of the initiatives that currently exist at their schools that support mental health. Through discussion, the student group decided on their goal for the year - to support the board Mental Health plan from a student perspective. Goal Setting: Ms. Harrison and Mrs. Oliverio Student Senate members were provided with a goal-setting template, where they were to record their action plan for this year, including their Senate and school goals. At the school level, Senate members will be looking for ways to raise awareness of mental health issues and to provide peer supports for students (through existing clubs or groups or through the creation of new clubs or groups, etc.). Goal-setting templates will be revisited again in February and in May so that students can record and reflect on the progress of their initiatives throughout the school year. “Speak Up” Grants: – Ms. Harrison Ms. Harrison explained “Speak Up” Grants, how the proposal process works, and how students could use this type of grant for some of the initiatives that they are thinking of carrying out this year in terms of their Senate and school goals around mental health awareness and support. Closing remarks and thanks to all from Vinay, Nick, Ms. Harrison, and Mrs. Oliverio. Retreat adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 21, 2014 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Education Centre – Board Room