MINUTES NORTHERN SECONDARY

SCHOOL
2009 – 10 SAC Assembly – Meeting 6
01/19/10

I. Call to Order
 The SAC Assembly Meeting was called to order by the Deputy Speaker
Rebecca Alter on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 9:10am

II. Roll call

 Please see attendance sheet.

III. Approval of Minutes – December 16, 2009

 Minutes of December 16, 2009 were approved.

IV. Opening Issues

1. Freestyle Friday (Vice President Oren Lefkowitz )
 This will take place in 2 weeks on Friday. Come to the Front Hall.
 Haiti – book the Auditorium to raise money for Haiti (Cue the Elephant)
 Can we have a Haiti buyout? The SAC will look into this.
2. Constitutional Reform (Treasurer Casey Li)
 Changes are going to be made to the Budget Act so if you are interested in
working on a committee for these changes, then please email the SAC.
 We are looking for a variety of students (class reps, senators etc.)
3. Club and Association Head Meeting (Treasurer Casey Li)
 Room 103 on Tuesday after school. If Club Heads do not attend, their
funds will be taken away.

V. Statements by the Executive

1. President Raphael Elkabas-Besnard
 No statement.
2. Vice-President Oren Lefkowitz
 No statement.
3. Treasurer Casey Li
 No statement.
4. ESD Sally Rylett
 No statement.
5. ISD Shannon Hill
 No statement.
6. Secretary Sarah Feeney
 No statement.

VI. Grade Discussion

 Due to lack of time, there were no Grade discussions. If there are any
concerns or comments, please email the SAC.

VII. Statements by Senators

 Due to lack of time, there were no statements by Senators.

Designed by Sarah Feeney (2009 -10 SAC Secretary)

MINUTES NORTHERN SECONDARY
SCHOOL
2009 – 10 SAC Assembly – Meeting 6
01/19/10

VIII. New Business

1. Ms Abrams – Bill 157
 Everyone should feel safe and welcome at school.
 Last year this was under review, this year it has been passed.
 Just don’t walk on by is in legislation.
 An amendment to the Education Act starts Feb 1st
 Bullying prevention requires all board employees to play a role in
addressing issues that affect the school environment.
 Even phrases/derogatory words are bullying and harassment.
 This Bill links to TDSB equity.
 Gender identity, religion, ability level, age, race/ethnicity, sexual identity,
first language – these are our social identities that we can not harass or
bully people about.
 The issue is about respect, not about which thing is right or wrong.
 Think, pair, share – everyone should feel included, not excluded.

Q. Sometimes students aren’t actually told not to be excluded, but they feel
that way/get the impression.
A. We are trying to build student leaders, class reps should take
responsibility and encourage everyone to feel equal. Northern is already
tremendously inclusive, we all need to work together and prevent all
exclusion. Everyone should have inclusive feelings because everyone has
something unique and special about them.

Q. Why do we have to be nice to everyone?

A. Not necessarily be nice, but respectful. Safe and caring environment.
This is about having character and courage to do the right thing. Bill 157 is
not just in school, it’s in the workplace, too.

Q. What happens if it is an inside joke and a TDSB worker over hears?

A. Inside jokes can still be hurtful to individuals. This bill has already been
passed and will be in affect soon, therefore it cannot be changed.

Q. Why is there a question period about this bill if we can not change it?
A. Why would you not want to be respectful? The staff already had a
workshop on this so the info is being shared with the students. This is an
Ontario government legislature. This is not a specific Northern or student
issue.

Q. What is the punishment?

A. The punishments are already in our code of conduct. No one should think
that this behaviour is your right.

Designed by Sarah Feeney (2009 -10 SAC Secretary)

MINUTES NORTHERN SECONDARY
SCHOOL
2009 – 10 SAC Assembly – Meeting 6
01/19/10

Hateful material can be charged. Whenever a scenario is witnessed, the

bad behaviour should be reported by filling in a form. Sometimes, action
should be taken. If so, it will go on your OSR. Graffiti about race, gender,
religion, etc is included. Offensive slurs/jokes get the same suspension time
as possessing a weapon. If you are a victim or aggressor, your parents will
be notified but names will not be given out. All student leaders should
understand and communicate this information in order to make for a more
inclusive environment.

2. Mental Health Awareness Week

 Support Mental Health and Awareness Week – will take place from Jan
25-29.
 Take this information back to classes to support education.
IX. Discussion
 Due to lack of time, there was no discussion.

X. Question Period
 Due to lack of time, there were no questions. If you or your class have any
questions, please email the SAC or visit our website (the contact info is
located on the bottom of the agenda.

XI. Adjournment
 The meeting was adjourned at 10:10am.

Designed by Sarah Feeney (2009 -10 SAC Secretary)