School Council - 2025 / 2026

Council MINUTES
Tommy Douglas Secondary School 
Monday October 27, 2025| 6:30 – 8:00 pm

In Attendance

Lisa Parkyn, Keli Patel, Wioletta Rehman, Jasdeep Khaira, Erica Lien, Sonali Vijay, Kristy Sood, Mansi Sanghui, Ankur Sanghui, Sonali Joshi, Kanan Vora, Diane Luu, Marco Chiriboga, Beverly Chiriboga, Rinzing Dorji, Monica Vora, Adrienne Crookshank, Samira Ahmed, M. Sohel Amin, Kiran Qureshi, 
Gurjeet Minhas, Carbon Leung, Winnie Wong, Shahid Kham, Heena Kshatri, Dharmesh Ksharti, Lakmal Ranasinghe.

Approval of Minutes (from September 15, 2025)

1. Land acknowledgement creed - completed 6.35pm by Meshell Lynch James
2. Review of minutes – approved by Lisa Parkyn and Monica Vora

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 

• Elections Results:
• Chair – Lisa Parkyn
• Co-Chairs: Monica Vora and Mansi Sanghvi
• Secretary: Wioletta Rehman
• Treasurer: Diane Luu
• Fundraising: Trisha Sankarasingh, Terrena Larid-Gouldbourne and Heena Kshatri
• Voting Members: All who filled out the form
• Parents Questions:
• Students Co-op (Grade 11&12)
• Red seal certification on the diplomas for completing the SHSM program including co-op.
• Student can do co-op during the summer however this will count as 1 credit only
• Students expressing the interest in co-op in grade 10
• Program is well known to students and school provides information
• Meeting with Teachers – options via Teams and Google meets for virtual meetings available 

Student Report (2 TDSS Student representatives)

• Student events update:
  • Halloween activities on October 31^st
    • Semi Formal on November 20th
• Tommy Day Recap
  • TDSS Club Fair

Principal’s Report (Meshell)

• Parking lot safety blitz - coming this week
• West School Council Form – Wednesday November 12, 5- 8:30 pm
• OSSLT- Nov 18-19 – for all grade 10 students and the ones who were unsuccessful last year.
• Parking lot safety blitz - coming this week
• Award Assembly – November 6^th this year. This time will not include the honour roll students, but school will honour students who received subject awards - marks are the first criteria’s and in addition the   combination of contribution to the school. Students will be recognized individually, and light refreshments will be served. It’s for students grade 9/10/11 last year
• TDSS student support – for student who are struggling help is available and strongly recommended to connect with the guidance and access the support before it gets too late. Students who excel in these subjects   can support others and receive volunteer hours for it.
• Peer Tutoring
• Math Support
• Multi Language Learners
• Special Education
• Science
• Parents night - if parents were unable to attend, they are encouraged to contact the teacher directly and arrange the meeting.
• Book Club - The anxious generation by Jonathan Haidt - to start a book club to help us as parents with today’s generation.

Teacher Report (Ms. Gatti, Ms. Yasmin Kassam & Mr. Amir Al Hassani)

• Take your Kids to School Day- Nov.5^th the Grade 9 Students will have the opportunity to observe a work environment for a day. This is a mandatory requirement for all students.
• Timetable Changes for Second Semester – all changes must be completed prior to the Windter Break.
• From the Music Department: Save the Date – December 10^th for the music concert.
• From the Guidance Department – Ms. Yasmin Kassam and Mr. Amir Al Hassani – SHSM Presentation
• SHSM = Specialist High Skill Major
• Sectors at TDSS: Arts & Culture, Business, Construction, Health & Wellness, Transportation
• Grade 11-12 Program
• Designed by Red Seal Diploma:
• May help students receive: $2000 one-time award at Western University/$1000 SHSM Entrance Award at University of Guelph-Humber/ $500 Lakehead University/$2000 St. Mary’s University in Nova Scotia/$500 at Brock University to students with an average of 80%
• SHSM The Five Components:
• A bundle of eight to ten Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits
• Mandatory and Elective sector recognized Certifications and training courses.
• Experimental Learning activities within the sector
• Reach- Ahead experiences in the student’s post-secondary pathway of choice.
• Sector Partnered Experience (SPE) to develop Essential Skill of problem solving (ICE, Math or Coding Focus).

Coming Up!

• West School Council Form – Wednesday November 12, 5- 8:30 pm (Lisa Parkyn, attending)
• OSSLT- November 18-19
• Semi Formal - November 20th 

Next Meeting

•          November 17^th 

Motion to adjourn this meeting was made at 7:54 p.m. 

Council Minutes
Tommy Douglas Secondary School 
Monday November 17, 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.

Council MINUTES
Tommy Douglas Secondary School 
Monday February 23, 2026| 6:30 – 8:00 pm

In Attendance

Lisa Parkyn, Keli Patel, Wioletta Rehman, Erica Lien, Mansi Sanghvi, Gisela Primerano, Jasdeep Khaira, Gurjeet Minhas, Trisha Sankarsingh, Monica Vora, Carbon Leung, Heena Kshatri, Arun Kachroo

Approval of Minutes (from November 17, 2025)

1. Land acknowledgement creed - completed 6.37pm  by Leonie Patrick
2. Review of minutes – approved by Monica and Kelli

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:
• Do the  Student Council helps with prom ? There is no help required from the Student Council.
• Prom date  this year is  June 4th
• Tommy’s  Awards- what are the  criteria to get nominated? The nominations are based on various criteria and lots of opportunities for the students to be nominated.
• Graduation – The  honor roll students will be  mentioned on the 3rd day. Caroline who sang the national anthem last year was amazing
• Students Attendance- to be monitored - this is for all students, no specific grade. It is across the board and based on number of classes. The period 1 seems to be the worst. Students with low attendance may have difficulties with succeeding in the future.
• What means being “ late” for class? -after parents drop off kids can sometimes takes longer to get too class. There are  5 minutes of a grace time given  by the teacher at the beginning of the semester
• Parking lot is an issue -  it takes a very long time especially during the drop off times for the kids to get in to school.  
• Kids parking passes are available and there is high number of parking spots available.
• Strange Car  sometimes overnights in the parking- as long car leaves before 7 am  there should be no issue.
• What are the School needs ? The  board games are always welcome. 

Student Report ( Elisabeth and Elena)

• Student events update:
  • Students were making pancakes in the kitchen.
    • February was a busy month  - there was a  friendship quiz at cafeteria and  lots of kids were participating.
      • Roses and chocolate were sold day before Valentine’s Day
        • Photo Booth was set up
        • March madness -  students are working on basket ball games for everyone to participate. 

Principal’s Report (Meshell)

• Great beginning of the 2nd semester. It worked well  with students on their time table
• Project on Student Attendance. Ms. Patrick  discussed the importance of the attendance and punctuality. The 80 % to 90 % of students are doing very well  and would  like to move them higher and to attend all classes.
• The universal tier approach .
• Tier 1 - to feel save , have a caring environment and making feel welcomed. All students matter.  Classes are interesting  and  students feel comfortable.
• Tier 2 – in the situation where English is as second language the social worker will be attending the meetings .
• Tier 3 -  this is where students need more intensive support and will need assistance from outside. The challenge this week is to go to every class with a small  prizes as a reward from Principal for the great attendance.  This is  to motivate the students . Teachers are working on incentives to come to school. Parents  are encouraged to reach out if kids are in tier 2 or 3.
• Course selection 90% completed Feb 20th ( the remaining 10% to be completed shortly)
• Students success - peer tutoring recommended where needed.
• Tommy Times newsletter-  suggested to  add the link and details how to access it.
• Fundraising Activities .
• Krispy Kreme Fundraiser this year – purchase available through School Cash Online. Pick up in the school lobby during the Parents Night. The goal is to get another two benches outside or work on the area outside the school to make it an “outdoor classroom” or additional sitting area to relax.

Teacher Report (Ms. Gatti 

• Year book – the sales finished last Friday, no extension.
• Music department  - The TDSS Concert Band recently competed at the Ontario Band Association Festival on February 11^th, 2026. The students successfully competed and were awarded the brone plus certificate of achievement .
• The Tommy Arts Night – Kids are nominated for  Tommy’s awards that are  like Oscars Ceremony at the school . It will take place on Wednesday, May 20th at 6 pm.
• Graduation will be this year on June 24^th  at 7 pm. It takes  about 2 hrs.
• Important information – tickets  will not be printed.  There will be a virtual check in -  family will receive wristbands. Four family members will need to enter at the same time. There will be about 400 attendees. The digital program will be available day before . The principal and teachers will come up with list of top five items for fundraising and kids can help with it.

Coming Up!

• Parents Night  - March 26th
• The Tommy Arts Night – May 20^th

Next Meeting

•          March 23

Motion to adjourn this meeting was made at 8:00 p.m.