Milliken Mills H.S.

(905) 477-0072 milliken.mills.hs@yrdsb.ca
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School Council Minutes - October 21, 2025

Minutes

Milliken Mills HS School Council
Date: October 21, 2025
Location: Library 7:00 p.m. (In Person)
Recorded by: Jeet Panchal

Attendees

School Council Executive:

  • Chair: Anuraag Sharma, Vice Chair: Rupal Panchal, Secretary: Jeet Panchal, Treasurer: Chris Lee

Others:

  • Principal: Mark Melnyk
  • Student Activity Council (SAC): Steven (President) and Tristin (Vice President)
  • Student Representatives: Shandy, Ida, Eleni
  • Parents: Nada Kesavan, Joseph Ren, Charles Chen, Kevin Hu, Vitha Sivatharman, Eswaravadivu Balaji, Angela Lu, Dharmine Sinnathamby, Cana Zheng

Agenda Highlights

  • Norms
  • Welcome
  • Inclusion Activity
  • Student Council Updates
  • Teacher Representative
  • Admin Updates
  • PRO Grant
  • Future Meetings

Inclusion Activity

Members engaged in a thoughtful discussion on the theme:

“If money was no object and you could only live in one country for the rest of your life, which country would it be? The catch is that you could never leave that country.”

This light exercise encouraged reflection and community building among members.

Student Council Updates (SAC)

Presented by: Steven (President) and Tristin (Vice President)

  • SAC leadership team also includes Ida, Shandy, and Eleni.
  • Current SAC initiatives include Spirit Week (Oct 27–31), ongoing elections, and leadership transitions.
  • Elections began October 26; announcement of new positions is expected next week. This year’s vacancies include the Secretary and select other roles.
  • SAC will host the Annual Carnival on June 5, featuring cartoons, games, food stalls, prizes, bracelet-making, watermelon contests, and other fun activities (2–5 PM). The event will also serve to introduce the new SAC team.
  • SAC Lion Dance and Pep Rally performances were highlighted for their success in promoting school spirit.

Discussion:
 Anuraag inquired about the SAC online voting process, including the role of the election committee, the use of Google Forms, and transparency measures.

Guidance and Departmental Updates

Guidance Department:

  • Take Our Kids to Work Day: November 5 – No Grade 9 classes that day; students are encouraged to participate in workplace learning or virtual seminars.
  • Post-Secondary Fair: October 23 (6–8 PM) at MMHS.
  • SHSM Recruitment: Deadline to enroll – October 31.
  • Upcoming resources include a seminar on applying to U.S. universities and MLL orientation visits (Oct 21–23).

Science Department:

  • Launching Young Scientists Society (YSS) in collaboration with Geography to promote cross-curricular learning.
  • Homework-help and study skills sessions have started.
  • Students leading a DNA extraction activity from harvest produce.
  • HOSA MMHS Chapter: Fall Leadership Conference (Nov 2025) and Spring Leadership Conference (Mar 2026).
  • MMHS donated 19 boxes of food to Markham Food Bank this Thanksgiving.

Drama Department:

  • AI by Don Zolidis – Fall show on Oct 28 at 6 PM.
  • Guest speaker Marvin Karon, professional actor/director/educator, presenting to Grade 10 students on Nov 11.
  • Starfest Regional Entry: Dec 8 @ York University.
  • Drama Showcase: Jan 13, 2026.
  • Updates and media posted on school website and @mmhsdrama (Instagram/X).

Physical Education Department:

  • Active teams: Jr. & Sr. Boys Volleyball, Jr. & Sr. Boys Soccer, Cross Country, Boys Flag Football, and Girls Ultimate Frisbee.
  • Hosted elementary school cross-country event with MMHS student volunteers.
  • Terry Fox Run saw strong participation and success.

Geography Department:

  • Geography Awareness Week: Nov 17–21.
  • Canadian Geographic Trivia Challenge: Dec 18 (Grade 9; open to Grade 10 by nomination).
  • Urban Solutions Design Thinking Challenge: Feb–May 2026, presentation at York University (May 20).
  • Clubs and competitions include Geography Club, Landscape Design, and SHSM Challenges.

Computer Science Department:

  • Computer Studies Club teaching website design, programming, and graphics.
  • Junior CCC: Intro to computing and presentation skills.
  • Senior CCC: Advanced ICT and problem-solving projects.

Alternative Education Department:

  • Students engage in outdoor learning to build environmental literacy and address climate change.

Family Studies Department:

  • Grade 9s learning crochet as part of mindfulness and mental wellness programming.

Technology Department:

  • Running two robotics teams: FRC and VEX Robotics (Teams 9569 “Silver Knights” and 11702).
  • Courses include Communication Tech, Technical Design, and Electronics.

Student Services:

  • Successful start-up with IEPs distributed to families.
  • Grade 9 Learning Strategies: learning profiles, SEA devices, and involvement in school clubs.
  • Grade 12 Learning Strategies: focused on post-secondary planning.
  • Community classes organized a Thanksgiving Lunch and launched Work Experience & Transit Training programs.

  • Resource Room (Room 234B) open all day for student support.

Vice Principals’ Updates

Presented by Principal Mark

Karen Schuur:

  • Running After-School Literacy Course (teacher recruitment in progress).
  • OSSLT Dates: Nov 17–27.
  • Upcoming Events:
    • Oct 24 – PA Day
    • Oct 27–31 – Spirit Week
    • Oct 27 – Drama Fall Show
    • Oct 30 – Canadian Open Math Contest and Music Event
    • Nov 5 – Grade 9 TOKW
    • Nov 6 – Semi-Formal
    • Nov 19–21 – Midterm Mark e-Distribution

Vanessa Wonnacott:

  • Parent-Teacher Interviews: Oct 22 (6–8 PM).
  • Interim Reports: Released Oct 16–17.
  • After-School Numeracy and Credit Recovery Programs to begin this month; teachers to contact eligible students.

Note: Some parents noted challenges booking interview slots.

Principal’s Update

Principal Mark Melnyk emphasized:

  • Continued emphasis on Respect – for self, others, families, school, and community.
  • Focus areas for 2025: Mental Health & Well-being, Human Rights & Inclusive Education, and Student Achievement.
  • Ongoing commitment to communication and relationship-building.
  • HUBs & Professional Learning Communities (Fall 2025): Supporting a culture of care and collaboration.
  • PALM Program: Welcoming ESL/ELD students, with class caps of 16 and new staff hired to support integration.
  • Facilities Update: Atrium and roof maintenance, including glass replacements, completed.
  • Upcoming Key Dates:
    • Oct 16 – IB Info Night
    • Oct 24 – PA Day
    • Nov 17 – School Council Forum (5–8:30 PM at Middlefield CI)
    • Nov 20 & 22 – IB Intake

Staff and Student Survey Updates

  • Mental Health & Well-Being: Focus on homework balance, burnout prevention, managing stress and workload, building resilience, and creating identity-affirming spaces.
  • Human Rights & Inclusive Education: Emphasis on equitable pathways and post-secondary access, DABRs, technology use, experiential learning opportunities, safe environments, and Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy (CRRP).
  • Student Achievement: Addressing academic gaps, enhancing skill development, leveraging AI tools, supporting Multilingual Language Learners, and encouraging regular language practice.

Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant Discussion

  • 2025–2026 projects to align with Board Priorities: Student Achievement, Health & Well-being, Human Rights, and Inclusive Education.
  • Board Strategies: Dismantling Anti-Black Racism, Indigenous Education & Equity, Mathematics, Mental Health & Addictions, Modern Learning.
  • Funding may not cover pre-year activities, staff payments, or excessive refreshments.

Brainstorming for Guest Speaker Topics:
Principal Mark facilitated two breakout groups to generate ideas for this year’s parent-focused PRO Grant event. The Council agreed that the session should provide parents with practical strategies to support student focus, mental wellness, and digital balance.

  • Group 1: Addressing cellphone distractions, student burnout, competitiveness, and empathy. Suggested speaker: Angela, a psychology-based educator.
     
  • Group 2: Managing screen time and focus; importance of parent modelling. Emphasized that distractions and multitasking impact student mental health.

Anuraag shared that last year’s guest speaker from Markham District delivered an engaging session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), including an interactive quiz distinguishing AI-generated vs. human-created content, highlighting how AI can empower learning.

The Council proposed pooling funds with neighbouring schools to secure a high-impact speaker for this year’s event.

Council Engagement

Discussion on improving parent participation included ideas such as:

  • Introducing a QR code sign-up for new families during orientation.
  • Creating a school community Facebook page to share updates and strengthen connections.

Future Meetings

  • School Council Forum (Chairs): Monday, November 17, 2025
  • Next Meetings:
    • Monday, January 19, 2026 (may move online)
    • Monday, March 23, 2026
    • Tuesday, May 18, 2026

Meeting Adjourned

  • Meeting adjourned by Chair Anuraag Sharma.