School Council Minutes
Regency Acres Public School
May 20, 2008
Attendance
John Lester, Mike Adams, CelineTremblay-Steffensen, Maggie Thompson, Shelley Rose, Sue Roy, Laura Parkin, Kim Hosmer, Lori Jennings, Amanda Claveau, Vicki Dietz
Regrets: Lisa Neiles, Heather Sulkers, Lora Georgiou, Larry Green, Terry Hampson
Welcome
Mike began the meeting at 7:11 p.m.
Approval of the Agenda
The agenda was approved with the addition of a discussion of Regency’s 50th Anniversary. The motion was made by Celine, seconded by Sue and carried unanimously.
Approval of the School Council Minutes for April 16th, 2008
The Minutes were approved as circulated. The motion was made by Kim, seconded by Shelley and approved unanimously.
Old Business
Gardens: John thanked Shelley for weeding the front garden (she is also working on the back garden). Shelley met with Andrea Sargeant and Kim Carretta to discuss the gardens. The budget for the Environmental Committee is $500.00 and this money has not been spent yet. Next year the committee will buy tools and mulch will be going in soon. Shelley will be heading the committee next year and Kim will attach a note to the newsletter regarding the need for volunteers.**
Financial Report (Report given to Council)
Celine reported that we have $5330.69 in uncommitted funds. Direct Donation and cupcake money has not been deposited and is therefore not reflected in these numbers. With the exception of one item (for $2465.00), all items from the list approved by Council in October have been purchased. Information regarding purchases with money raised from fundraising can be found on the school website (as stated in the Direct Donation letter to parents). John told Council that the teachers appreciate the laptops that were purchased for them for classroom use. The Financial Report was approved as circulated. The motion was made by Vicki, seconded by Shelley and approved unanimously.
Principal’s Report
New V.P.: Regency’s V.P. for the remainder of the school year is Mrs. Ramma Chabra. The V.P. for the 2008-09 school year will be announced soon.
Volunteers: There will be a barbeque for student volunteers at lunch on Friday.
Staffing: There have been no changes to staffing since the last meeting. All teaching positions at the school for next year have been filled with the exception of the LTO for Ann Thomas. The final organization will be completed over the next couple of weeks.
EQAO Testing: This starts on Monday for Grade 3 and Grade 6.
Gr. 8 Montreal Trip: The students were well behaved and the trip went well.
Regency’s 50th Anniversary
Council discussed the upcoming 50th anniversary of Regency in 2009 and discussed possible ways to celebrate this important event. A committee with representatives from School Council, teachers and parents will have to be formed. Vicki, Shelley, Sue and Maggie agreed to join the committee. Kim will speak to the Volunteer Committee regarding recruiting volunteers and John will talk to teachers about this.** This event will take place sometime between late April and early May, 2009.
Committee Reports
Communications
The school website is going well and if anyone has anything to add, please speak to Laura. Next year, school newsletters will be sent out electronically.
Fundraising
The Direct Donation campaign has raised over $4000.00 so far. There will be a raffle for a games table (donated at the Dance-a-thon) in June and tickets will be sold for $1.00 each. There will be a fruit option included in the hot lunch program next year. Gayle will run the cupcake days again next year and Kim will talk to her about training a successor.** Meetings are underway for the fall magazine drive fundraiser. As of now we do not have anyone to run the spring fundraiser.
Hospitality
The Teacher Appreciation Lunch will be held on June 19th and John has invited Cathy (on maternity leave) to join the staff for lunch.
Volunteer
Kim reported that two meetings will be held next year and the committee is looking at adding to the Welcome Packages.
Enrichment
The programs this year went well. There will be a Math Club next year for Grades 1 and 3 and an Art Club. The Grade 5 and 6 math tests went well and the children enjoyed them.
Holiday Heritage
This event will continue next year.
Regency Kids Care
There will be a freezie sale at the school track and field meet to raise money for Ryan’s Well and posters will be displayed in the school. Initiatives such as Valentines for Seniors and Hallowe’en loot bags will continue next year.
Other
Staples Recycling Offer: Kim will look into the possibility of our school recycling laser-jet printer cartridges at Staples (the school would receive $1.00 for every cartridge). She will report back at our next meeting.**
Gr. 4 Finale: The students will have the option of working on and presenting one of the following: dance routine, diorama, science experiment or improvisation.
Mailbag
The pamphlet, “More Ways to Succeed in High School” is available from Mike.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Our next meeting will take place off site on June 10, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.