School Council Meeting

Glen Park PS School Council Meeting Wednesday October 19, 2016 6-8pm

Present: Jeanette Lang (principal), Adam Thompson (VP), Aadila Valiallah (chair), Karin Vistoli (co-chair), Jenny Luk, Tuan Tran, Christina Shehata, Roxana Nagra, Allison Weaver, Kristina Rudyk (treasurer), Laura Stevens, Rohanna Dodla, Julian Paul, Shoshana Goldberg, Zesta Kim (secretary), Marianne Boccongelle, Alex Comsa

Meeting began at 6:15 pm

Agenda Item Discussion Action/Decision Introductions Aadila welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that today’s meeting will focus on budget primarily. She then welcomed everyone to introduce themselves Principal’s Wish List Jeanette presented the wish list which was projected:  If parents are not interested in  Ukelele $2000 – ordered 41 ukeleles for grades 4, 5, 6; recorders were mindfulness class for their child, getting tiring; they need to inform their  Bus for School Trip $7000 – one for each class and to help alleviate teacher so their child’s name will cost to parents not be recommended for special  Scientist in the School $6200 – give option to teachers to bring in a mindfulness classes scientist or go out to explore science topic (one per class)  Jeanette to send Zesta link for  Mindfulness Chimes $500 – Ms. Minten purchased these bamboo eco-school grant opportunities chimes and it’s a very relaxing way to get the students’ attention; the and any other grant chimes only cost approximately $200 for all grades 1-6; but a large opportunities for amount of calls from parents requesting for more mindfulness in playground/outdoor learning classrooms ($600/class so it cannot go to every class so the priority is space going to go to KG and developing a unique class with kids with higher needs). School will continue to look into wellbeing and positive space for learning such as developing a “calming space room” in the office but this will come from the school budget.  Graduation $1200 – reception after grade 6 graduation for food and lunch for the kids, flowers, and decorations; this amount may be too high but will double-check  Spelling Bee $400 – for prizes and rewards party (may join with John Ross Robertson PS)  School Play $1500 – for filming the dvd; improved sound equipment; possibly consider charging parents? Consider baffles to reduce gym acoustic sound? Consider bleachers that fold in and out?  Technology $7500 – there was list shared from the teachers from their wish list containing a variety of different tech needs; purchases must be made through the pre-approved vendor list; there was a theft 5 years ago and some macbooks that were broken but the equipment was insured and covered. Parents shared concern about the amount of technology; Jeanette responded that the learning coach came into the school and was surprised that the younger grades were not plugged into google-learn and using ipads for 6 out of 8 classes. There is an ipad cart and a system in place for security.  Sports Equipment $500 – each classrooms get a bag of equipment (e.g. hoops, skipping ropes, balls, etc) for students to use during the recess; no money has gone to hockey equipment – it’s all be donated; request to have some of these funds to be used for basketball nets  Discussion about a new water fountain that can fill water bottles was also raised; Jeanette said that she has put in requests through facilities and through eco schools but this was not approved last year (1 in 5 schools requesting get one a year)  Discussion about new playground for jks was approximately $30,000 for a natural classroom – some rocks and a chainlink fence; but the daycare also has an issue of needing to have ‘green space’ in their play area; possibly having school council look into grants instead of fundraising or coming from school budget or consider approaching local city councillor to look into development supports for local schools Survey Responses Aadila shared the responses from the parent surveys highlighting the values that parents identified. 60 paper responses and 38 online responses came in. So the response rate was approximately 20-25%. Aadila presented a pie chart based on parent priorities. Parents responded in the following way:  School buses (14%) and scientists (12%) were consistently high and important  Mindfulness (12%) was also high  Building improvements (15%)  Etc Certain items that were identified by the school (such as graduation/spelling bee) were not included in the survey because they are items that school council are committed to. A parent asked about the grade 6 graduation and it was explained that the idea behind it is that all students will one day ‘graduate’ from Glen Park (not counting those who move, etc)

Based on the responses that came in from last Wednesday, parents who came out looked at percentages and developed a corresponding budget that was presented. Proposed Budget – Voting Proposed Budget Marianne made the motion to Ukeleles $2000 approve the proposed budget; Busses $7000 Allison seconded it. 2 opposed. Scientist in the school $6200 Motion carried. Graduation $1200 Spelling Bee $400 Jeanette approved storing BBQs in School Play $1500 the school – possibly with Sound Equipment for School Play $400 maintenance. Parents agree to store Technology $5000 propane. Sports Equipment & Ribbons $500 Sub-Total: $24, 200 Roxana made the motion to approve $4500 of the remaining balance Remaining Balance: (carried over from last year) to be Water fountain (x2) $3000 used for water fountain, Mindfulness program $500 mindfulness workshops, and BBQs BBQ ($300 x 2) $1000 immediately; Christina seconded it. Sub-Total: $4500 Motion passed.

Contingency Budget? Possibly JK Play Area – seed funds? Improved sound/space system for play

Target Income Pizza $15000 Subway $1500 Hot Dog $800 Movies $1000 Dance-a-thon $3000 Fun Fair $4000 Art Cards $300 Bake Sales (besides movie nights) $400 Total: $26,000

Opposition concerns were raised around the lack of healthy choices for the fundraising efforts – e.g. junk food and movie nights; and around putting more funds toward the school play

The idea of requesting a universal $100 request from each family for fundraising was raised. Unique opportunity Lego Program reimbursed the school $2.50 for each student. Because of Rebate to be discussed at next the success of this program, the school has a rebate of approximately meeting. Karin will share this $500. Glen Park can have programs brought into the school opportunity with Jeanette by email (approximately $300/class or $10/student if classes can be brought to identify interest from teachers together) Report Backs: Parent Priorities identified included: Nov 3 – Dr. Jill will be coming to the Engagement Survey Results Current approaches to education – math renewal and STEM school to discuss children’s anxiety Children’s mental health Internet safety for parents Treasurer Request for financial balances to be shared after each event Fundraising: a. Lunches Online lunch orders go off-line for one week following the monthly Special requests to add to orders can deadline. be made to: each week to close weekly orders [email protected] With subject line: lunches Next Meeting Council only needs to meet 4 times per year. Organising meetings are held February 1st, 2017 in between. They are led by volunteers and are task-based. Meeting adjorned at 8:20pm