School Council Minutes

Regency Acres Public School

September 23, 2008

 

 

Attendance

John Lester, Maria Maiato, Maggie Thompson, Heather Sulkers, Sheila Johnson, Ilse Dunlop, Kim Hosmer, Terry Hampson, Laura Parkin, Alan Steed, Vicki Dietz, Shelley Rose, Susan Roy, Mike Adams, Gayle Palmer

Regrets:  Larry Green, Amanda Claveau

Guests:  Shelley Young

 

Welcome

Mike began the meeting at 7:13 p.m. 

 

Approval of the Agenda

The agenda was approved as circulated.  The motion was made by Heather, seconded by Kim and carried unanimously.

 

Approval of the School Council Minutes for June 10, 2008

The Minutes were approved as circulated.  The motion was made by Kim, seconded by Shelley and approved unanimously.

 

New Business

Election of Council for the 2008-09 School Year:  Shelley made a motion that the following individuals be named as School Council Officers for the 2008-2009 school year:

 

Co-Chairs:  Heather Sulkers and Shelley Rose

Secretary:  Maggie Thompson

Co-Treasurers:  Isle Dunlop and Sheila Johnson

 

In addition, the motion states that the following individuals be named as members of Council:

 

Communications Committee Chair:  Laura Parkin

Hospitality Committee Chair:  Shelley Rose

Fundraising Committee Chair:  Vicki Dietz

SCEC Committee Chair:  Kim Hosmer

Community Rep:  Larry Green

Teacher Reps:  Alan Steed and Lori Jennings

Parent Reps:  Sue Roy, Gayle Palmer, Terry Hampson, Mike Adams

Principal:  John Lester

Vice-Principal:  Maria Maiato

 

The motion was seconded by Laura and carried unanimously.

Heather chaired the meeting from this point forward.

 

Setting of Meeting Dates:  Kim made a motion to accept the following Tuesday meeting dates:   

October 21/08, November 18/08, December 16/08 (optional—to be confirmed), January 20/09, February 17/09, April 7/09, May 5/09, June 9/09 (off-site).

 

Terry seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.

 

 

Financial Report

Sheila reported that the School Council account balance as of August 29, 2008 is $21,174.03.

 

Principal’s Report

Recommendation to School Council for the Expenditure of School Council funds (September 23, 2008). John circulated the report and discussed the requests for funds for various school items with Council.  Vicki made a motion to approve spending $15,500.00 for the items outlined in the report.  The motion was seconded by Sue and carried unanimously.

Other Funding:  Vicki made a motion to reaffirm Council’s commitment to allocate $5000.00 from the 2007/08 School Council funds for the primary play structure.  Terry seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.  Vicki made a motion for Council to intend to commit $5000.00 from the 2008/09 School Council funds for the primary play structure.  The motion was seconded by Kim and carried unanimously.

School Field:  A water system, drainage system and top soil have been added to the field to improve its condition.  It has also been fenced and gated.

Roof:  The roof was repaired this summer by the Board.  The asphalt was damaged further and this will be repaired.  The playground may be resurfaced next year outside cameras may be installed for security.

EQAO Results:  The Grade 3’s and 6’s participated in testing in Mathematics, Reading and Writing in the spring.  John distributed and discussed the report with Council.  The results were as follows: 

Grade 3:  76% of students were at or above the provincial standard in Reading; 82% were at or above the provincial standard in Writing; 84% were at or above the provincial standard in Mathematics.

Grade 6:  71% of students were at or above the provincial standard in Reading; 69% were at or above the provincial standard in Writing; 67% were at or above the provincial standard in Mathematics.  Please see the report for additional information.

Elementary Parent Survey 2008:  The results of the survey given to parents of Grade 2 and Grade 7 students were discussed.  The survey asked parents and students their opinions on various issues including the school environment, home-school communication, volunteering at school and community engagement.  The survey results were very positive.  Council discussed the importance of addressing issues that came up related to the survey and linking parents to resources.   John will encourage parents to attend Council meetings in the newsletter. 

Meet the Teacher Barbeque:  The format will be the same as in previous years.  Parents will have the opportunity to meet the teachers at the barbeque and afterwards in their classrooms.

Electives:  The dates for Snow Valley electives are as follows:  Feb. 6, Feb. 20, Feb. 27.

 

Committee Reports

 

Fundraising

The magazine fundraiser is set to begin with an assembly on September 30th.  A notice has been sent home and parents can order on line.  The company offers incentives to students for sales and there are school incentives as well.  Gayle set the cupcake/bake sale dates as follows:  October 17, November 21, December 12, January 23, February 13, April 17, May 22, June 19.

 

Volunteer

The forms are being returned and 85-90% of families are included in the School Directory.

 

 

 

Kids Care

The initiatives for this year include Hallowe’en loot bags, valentines for seniors and freezie sales for Ryan’s Well.

 

Enrichment

There will be an Arts Program for grades 2-5 and a Math/Science Program for grades 1, 3, 7-8 and possibly grades 5-6.  A Grade 3 Book Club will also take place.  Kim will talk to Norma about including this information in the newsletter. 

 

Environmental

Shelley is the Chair of this committee, and it will be advertised at the school barbeque.  Gayle mentioned that the back garden needs to be fixed up and possibly students from the school (by grade) could help.

 

Sunshine

John will co-ordinate the Family Ski Night (to be booked for January and March) and Shelley will call new members of this committee.

 

Holiday Heritage

This event will take place again this year in December along with the Holiday Concert.

 

Other

Grade 7 Fundraising:  Sheila explained that the Gr. 7 parents are going to be selling “FundScrip” gift cards (cards used as cash for local businesses and the school would get a percentage of the sales) in order to raise money for the trip to Muskoka Woods.  This would be a fundraiser among the Grade 7 students and families only. 

Grade 8 Fundraising:  The Grade 8 parents have not had a meeting to discuss fundraising yet.  John will talk to the Grade 8 teachers.

Lice:  Council will discuss proactive lice control at our next meeting.**

 

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m.

 

Our next meeting will take place on October 21st, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the library.