School Council Meeting Tuesday, September 27, 2016 6:30 p.m.
SC Parent Members:
In Attendance: Molly Broad Shari Mokry Lenore Brooks Jen Petruniak (via phone) Lisa Butson Tracy Strain Tammy Dewhirst Amber Taylor Natasha Doufexis Cherisse Tullett Shane Forsyth Kim Tylka Seema Mitchell
Regrets: Lucia Clarke Kathryn Gresce Zhen Wong
SC Members (Non-Parent)
In Attendance: Georgia Koziol – Principal Regina Remisch – Teacher Representative Anthea Moreau – Community Representative Raine Rodriguez – Non-Teaching Representative
Regrets: TBD – Home & School Representative
Special Guests: Lucy Gianotta – School Superintendent
Parent Attendees (non-voting): Heather Marryatt Tami Ralston Cindy Snider Polly Das
*Quorum for 2016/17 year: 11 voting members, with majority present being parent-members
1. Introductions – A. Taylor All attendees were welcomed. Members of the 2016/17 School Council introduced themselves, as well as the special guest, Lucy Gianotta, School Superintendent.
2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting – A. Taylor
This item was deferred until the End of Year Report is prepared and presented with minutes.
Lucy Gianotta reviewed with families the Concerned Parent Protocol
3. Principal’s Report – G. Koziol The Board’s focus for the school year includes the three pillars of equity, well-being, and achievement, as well as focus on global citizenship. The emphasis for the October 7th professional development day will be to determine the needs for the school and fund allocations.
A Teaching Learning Coach has been assigned to the school: Denise Colby.
EQAO Results: Reading – 93; writing 89; Math – 75 There will be 2 Math leads in the school this year. CILM (collaborative Inquiry of learning in Math) All junior teachers have opted to participate in Lego League, which involves coding, computer design, pre-robotics. Funds raised through QSP will help pay for the program. The exact cost is not yet known.
The school will have an Engineer in Residence working with grades 3 / 4 and up starting on Thursday September 29.
Friday, September 30 is ‘orange shirt day’ to recognize the victims and survivors of the residential school system in Canada. An assembly will be held, and the learning material has been integrated into the curriculum.
Extra-curricular activities will include the Terry Fox Run on Thursday, September 29, cross-country on October 5, yoga at lunch, TAC programs, and chess at lunch.
A 3rd full day kindergarten has been opened. The class of approximately 15 students and one teacher (currently Ms. Cedrone), will share the school age daycare room. The school will work with the daycare to ensure daycare regulations continue to be met. The school administration recognizes the hardship this transition places upon the daycare staff.
The new screen in the gym is installed. The screen will be ready for use shortly. The SAC Fundraising Committee from last year was thanked for funding this initiative.
Parents and community members are encouraged to follow the @tdsb_selwyn on Twitter to receive updates as well as important information.
4. Nutrition Program Update – R. Rodriguez The nutrition program is now funded for, and is providing, nutritious snacks 5 days per week (up from the expected 2 days per week). Each snack must include 3 food groups. The menus are posted at the school entrance and website. Diary-free and gluten-free options are being made available.
The teachers provide valuable feedback on student preferences and appropriate quantities. Extra snacks are often distributed throughout the day. There is very little waste reported.
Snack suggestions from parents are welcome. Volunteers are welcome.
5. Teacher Report – R. Remisch A Safe and Caring Schools Committee has been established and is overseen by Ms. Mills-Fields and Ms. Remisch. The Committee currently has 2 parent, and 2 student volunteers. Mindfulness is highlighted in the daily announcements as well as through book selections in the library. The Committee is working towards hosting a Mindfulness Day, including a guest speaker.
6. SC Business
a) Update on By-Law Amendment and Explanation of Voting Processes – J. Petruniak The By-Laws v. 2.1 allowed for a maximum of 13 parent members on the council. Due to increased interest from the community, the outgoing SC members voted on September 23, 2016 in favour of amending the by-laws to allow up to 20 parent members.
As such, all 16 nominated and self-nominated parent council members are acclaimed. During this meeting the executive roles will be determined. If only one person indicates interest in a position, that person will be acclaimed. If more than one person indicate interest, the council will hold a vote.
b) Executive Member Assignment/Voting – A. Taylor The following positions were acclaimed: Co-Chairs: Seema Mitchell and Shane Firsyth Treasurer: Jen Petruniak Secretary: Amber Taylor Ward 16 Rep: Natasha Doufexis
c) Assignment of Non-Parent Members – A. Taylor The following members were confirmed: Teacher Representative: Regina Remisch Community Representative: Anthea Moreau Non-Teaching Representative: Raine Rodriguez Home & School Representative: Not Assigned
d) Formation of By-Law Committee – J. Petruniak The purpose of the By-Law Committee is to review and update the SC by-laws as required. Jen Ptruniak and Molly Broad will sit on this committee, and Spencer Mitchell (not present) may also participate.
e) Formation of Fundraising Committee – J. Petruniak The Committee will meet separately as a group, as well as with teacher and school administration to determine funding requirements for the year. All fundraising must be for a pre-assigned, dedicated purpose that is made known to the community. The following individuals volunteered to participate on this committee: Jen Petruniak, Tammy Dewhirst, Shari Mokry, Lisa Burton, Natasha Doufexis, Cherisse Tullett, Tracy Strain.
f) Parents Reaching Out Grant Execution and Application – L. Brooks This requires the formation of a committee dedicated to executing the event for which funding has been approved. The event, to take place in Novermber, will focus on well-being and include both parents and students. Next May, the committee will re-apply for this grant. The following individuals volunteered to participate on this committee: Lenore Brooks, Raine Rodriguez, Lisa Burton, Seema Mitchell.
7. New Business A discussion was held regarding the crossing guard staffing of the intersection.
8. Schedule Following Meeting Dates for 2016/17 – A. Taylor Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Tuesday, May 23, 2017 Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed.
9. Termination of Meeting Meeting terminated at 7:50 p.m.