MEETING / Central Public School Council
DATE / March 23rd, 2017
LOCATION / School Library
TIME / 6:30-8:00pm
PRESENT / Jessica Barrie, Catrien Bouwman, Rob Milani, Vince Allen, Jill Clancy, Mervyn Horgan, Heather Grant, Rochelle Murray-Cako, Laurie Bowers, Noelle O’Brien & Angela McHolm (Secretary)

Discussion ITEMS

Item # / Description
1 / Welcome
2 / Approval of Agenda
Added item to agenda to debrief re February’s games night. Motion made by Mervyn to approve the March 23rd, 2017agenda with this addition. Seconded by Catrien.
3 / Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes (February 2017)
  • Correction to the spelling of Rob’s last name
  • Add motion made by Merv to approve minutes at last meeting. Seconded by Catrien.

4 / Principal’s Report
  • Lock down drill in March (will review with students next week); different procedure because of new doors; used to have to lock down a pod area but now can lock down a classroom area
  • Three more fire drills, 1 tornado drill and 2 more lockdown drills required this school year
  • Classroom doors were put on during March Break; frames & doors in place
  • PIC event: Kate, Jessica, Rochelle & Karen MacNabb are registered to attend; if others have interest, Rochelle will see about further spots; Rochelle shared flyer again; send an email to Rochelle if interested
  • Scientists in School: underway; lots of fun for students; a valued program
  • April dates: 14-17 Easter Break; PA day on the 28th
  • Coming: first week of May (education week & mental health week)
  • Dairy Educator will come in (brings lots of objects, tools, choice of topics; students get involved);
  • Mental health week at the Board => Zen Tangles program will be offered at Central (funded through Board); take doodles and turn into artwork; woman reads into the meaning of doodles: “What does this mean?”; teaches kids stress relief and makes something beautiful
  • Equity of access: (cont’d): last request in December (needed more than granted); re-applied this round (asked for dedicated support for certain programs e.g., pizza/milk; eye glasses)
  • Rochelle proposed that Council consider funding/supporting equity of access
  • Merv suggested that we allocate a percentage of all fundraising to the equity account
  • Next request to Board would be May; at June meeting, could re-group re allocating funds
  • Catrien asked how families know about the equity program; not advertised; Rochelle approaches families respectfully when she becomes aware of them; dialogues with family and then puts in request to Board

5 / Treasurer's Report
  • Only has received January 1st , 2017 bank statement; no others at office
  • Bank balance remains the same (-20 from childcare from last month)
  • $2500 or so still outstanding to be cashed
  • Need $55 more for Scientists in the School program due to an increase in total costs this year; motion made by Jess to approve added cost & Angela seconded
  • $2231 float left
  • Spring inspection on playground equipment is pending; Rochelle will communicate any repair costs

6 / Games Night Debrief
  • Council was pleased with attendance rates; approximately 75 attendees (?)
  • Everyone was quite respectful in their interactions; families were engaged in games
  • Food was healthy & accessible
  • Having families on the top floor, kept everyone contained
  • Community builder; no overhead costs; not a lot of work to organize

7 / Event Planning for Second Term 2017 (Cont’d)
a)PRO Grant Evening Session: Kate Jones (March 28, 2017):
  • in library next Tuesday
  • do not need to be a Central family
  • Kate has sent a handout; Catrien will distribute to review
  • Paisley, Willow Rd., June Ave. Victory families => also invited
  • Library or maybe art room?; decision to use art room (can accommodate more); one of the primary classes
  • 100$ budget for refreshments; Jill offered to bake goodies; Noelle offered to help set up
  • Rochelle will do phone reminder out with direction; use back entrance sign
  • Sticker tomorrow
  • Signage discussion for council events; tabled for another time
b) End of school BBQ: Thursday, June 15th
  • Initial discussion re BBQ planning
  • Suggestion to review minutes from last year’s BBQ
  • Approximately $400 each year in proceeds the past two years
  • Rochelle to order tables & chairs

8 / Fundraising Initiatives for 2017
Planet Bean
●Order forms have been picked up from Planet Bean; need two weeks turnaround for
order
●April 3rd start date for fundraising campaign
●Planet Bean coffee: perhaps serve at Kate Jones event?
●Need to give fundraising form to Rochelle before event
Plant Sale
●JJ and Glynis meeting next week to begin planning
Fresh From the Farm
●Catrien and JJ will lead
●Central famliies can order fresh produce (vegetables & apples); produce is brought in bulk and we group orders
●All top notch quality produce (carrots, potatoes, onions); apples come in boxes
●Produce is available around Thanksgiving; kick off campaign in September
●Maybe consider how to place some orders for Central families in need;
(discussion tabled for another meeting)
Art Concept for 2017
  • Three pronged approach was proposed: auction/art sale/show
  • Proposed as an event for November/pre-Christmas; call for submissions in September; hand in November
  • Some council members suggested that this would perhaps function better as a social event (e.g., art gallery) rather than a fundraising event
  • Rochelle offering to go back to staff about how to organize an arts night
  • A ‘mini gallery’ at this year’s BBQ was proposed
  • Others supported the idea of an indoor, separate event
  • Rochelle proposed art gallery idea as part of education week; use as art week to showcase (May); not planned for this year, but maybe revisit for next?

9 / Classroom Funds Allocation (Cont’d)
  • re-visited last meeting’s discussion re classroom funds allocation
  • Rob is proposing allocation by number of students/class vs. number of teachers or by classroom; some Council members supported idea
  • 3 frameworks for allocation have now been proposed
  • Allocation by number of students/class does not address support staff who do not have a class (e.g., Kate Brennagh., Karen McNabb)
  • Other Council members still support per classroom amounts; teachers who share students would need to allocate funds across their classes
  • Rochelle asking how funds would be distributed in a per student scenario; total dollar amount to Rochelle? Rob not to process invoices in this new scenario
  • Action Item: Rochelle will bring allocation scenarios to next staff meeting (e.g., early April); let us know at next meeting the teachers’ thoughts on allocation

10 / Technology & School Council Re-visited
  • Weebly website discussion tabled until next meeting
  • Twitter discussed at staff meeting: staff are open to the idea; needs a staff member to work alongside Rochelle; staff would need education
  • Central School Committee to plan Canada celebrations: going to kick start the notion of Twitter by using to send shout outs re events

11 / 2017/2018 Planning – Open Discussion
  • Council member proposed that we should decide on what our fundraising needs are at the front end and then base fundraising initiatives on defined needs
  • Rochelle has had feedback from families about nice balance between social events and fundraising organized by School Council
  • Another Council member proposed an event for the open house in fall involving staff, families etc.
  • Rochelle: action item = plan date for openhouse now
  • June newsletter => include a fundraising summary (Jess &Angela action item)
  • May/June => plan for September
  • June agenda item: engagement activities for fall open house
  • PIC event from last year re body outlines; scavenger hunt
  • April meeting: discuss teacher survey; requests/needs; bring to staff meeting

10 / Meeting Adjournment
Motion made by Vince to adjourn meeting. Seconded by Rob.

ACTION ITEMS

Item # / DUE DATE / Description / Assigned to
1 / June Meeting / Re-visit School Council supporting Equity of Access program / All
2 / ASAP / Order table & chairs for end of year BBQ / Rochelle
3 / ASAP / Any members of parent council interested in attending the April PIC event should speak to Rochelle / All
4 / ASAP / Fundraising form completed & forwarded to Rochelle for Planet Bean campaign / Rob/Angela
5 / TBD / Council to re-visit Fresh From the Farm campaign for fall & the prospect of placing order(s) for families in need / All
6 / TBD / Exploration of an arts event with school staff for 2017-2018 school year / Rochelle
7 / Early April / Classroom funding scenarios shared with school staff for their input/feedback / Rochelle
8 / ASAP / Plan date for Fall 2017 Open House / Rochelle
9 / May/June / Prepare summary of fundraising for the current school year to be included in the June School Newsletter / Jess/Angela
10 / April and/or June Council Meeting / Plan social events & fundraising initiatives for fall 2017 / All
11 / April Council Meeting / Discuss teacher survey; requests/needs for the remainder of this school year / All

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