School Council - 2025 / 2026

Council Minutes
Tommy Douglas Secondary School 
Monday November 7, 2025| 6:30 – 8:00 pm

In Attendance

Lisa Parkyn, Keli Patel, Wioletta Rehman, Jasdeep Khaira, Erica Lien, Sonali Vijay, Kristy Sood, 
Mansi Sanghui, Gisela Primerano, Sonali Joshi, Diane Luu, Rinzing Dorji, Adrienne Crookshank, Ian Gouldbourne, Terrena Laird-Gouldbourne Tharshini Sriskandarayah, Heena Kshatri

Approval of Minutes (from October 27, 2025)

1. Land acknowledgement creed - completed 6.40pm by Tim Wessan
2. Review of minutes – approved by Kristy Sood and Heena Kshatri

Meetings: 4-5 per school year – Mondays @ 6:30pm

2025: September 15, October 27, November 17
2026: February 23, March 23, April 27

School Council Update 

• Parents Questions:
• Support or English  - encouraging to speak with Teachers and try Peer Tutoring. External resources available ex: Vaughan Public Library and Khan Academy
• Invitations school  graduates to share their experiences - available during the lunch time and to be advertised by guidance.  This is opportunity for kids only.
• Mental Health - extremely important and support to be continued
• Course selection - to mention and talk about with students.
• How to know if students are ready for the post secondary education and coming  back for another semester after grade 12 ( up to 33 credits). The Summer School is available.
• Gap year -  work on a project domestically and internationally / travelling  - does it have an impact  on  the student’s future. It is good for the students.

Student Report ( Elisabeth)

• Student events update:
  • Semi Formal on November 20th
    • Holiday Assembly Audition  - deadline by Nov.28th
      • Holiday Karaoke  - Dec.13th 

Principal’s Report (Meshell)

• West School Council Meeting – Wednesday November 12, 5- 8:30 pm
  • Attended by Mansi Sanghvi and Lisa Parkyn .
  • Various workshops were available  like “ Usage of the Internet and phone”.
  • Suggested to have a meeting with other school councils to meet with their members and share the  ideas.

Teacher Report (Ms. Gatti and Mr. McLennan)

• Helping families in need
  • Holiday Heroes Campaign
  • Health Care - The grade 12 students donating blood
  • English Dept. News
• Guidance
  • Google classrooms - details and  access for parents
  • Academic Support available
  • External Support available
  • Students are encouraged to use the Peer Tutoring
• Extracurricular Activities - variety of Clubs and Activities available to get involved
• Volunteer hours - extremely important
• Grade 9 - transition to High School- TDSS Guidance Team is available to support students
• Grade 9-12 students are encouraged and getting ready for post secondary education and being independent . Very important to remember that soft skills are a key.
• Grade 10 – there are various website  available to explore and learn about different options for future planning ( www.skilledtradesontario.ca )
• Grade 11
  • Co-op
  • SHSM - Co-op is mandatory to complete it
  • Dual Credit – important  for college bound students
  • Post secondary Program Choices Organizer - suggested for students to help prepare for the application
• Grade 12
  • Lunch & Learn for the students
    • Presentations available  in September and October 

Next Meeting

•          February 23

Motion to adjourn this meeting was made at 8:06 p.m.