Dixie Public School Council Meeting

Thursday, November 20, 2014, MINUTES

PRESENT:

Parent Members:MashkoorSherwani (Chair), Shivir Jain (Vice-Chair), Elizabeth Bidinoff (Fundraising Chair), Goody Bhagwager (Council), Nazneen Khan

Staff Members: Meghan Echlin (Principal), Suzanne Liou-Robinson (Teacher), Annette Mautner (Teacher)

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: Mr. Sherwani welcomed all present and Introduced a new member, Nazneen Khan.

REVIEW of MINUTES: Minutes from October 16, 2014. Motion to accept by Mrs. Bhagwager. Seconded by Mrs. Khan. Minutes approved as written.

Principal’s Update:

School Website

  • has been set up
  • agendas and minutes have been posted

OFIP Tutoring

  • will start January, 2015
  • Ministry is funding our school based on a submitted proposal for funding
  • math assessment in December for grades 2 and 3 to see who is suitable
  • two 45 minute sessions for 10 weeks

Chocolate Fundraiser

  • we raised $6,140 in profits
  • money will be used for technology and presentations in the school

Primary Trip to Liberty Grand

  • grades 1,2, and 3 going to Liberty Grand on November, 25, 2014.
  • theme is ‘caring and sharing’
  • children choose a gift for themselves and another for a child in the school (usually in kindergarten)
  • sponsored by Children’s Breakfast Club

Primary Concert

  • will be held on December 16th
  • theme is ‘Shine Brightly’

Choir Trip to Meadowcroft

  • choir will be singing at Meadowcroft Seniors Home
  • December 2, 2014

Pizza Day

  • will be on December 27th

Chair’s Update:

  • gave information about position on the board’s parent involvement committee. Last date to apply is December 12, 2014. The successful candidate will serve on the committee from January 2015-Summer 2016
  • 3 people attended (Mr. Sherwani, Mr. Jain, and Mrs. Bidinoff). All 3 shared their experience with the school council

Movie Night

  • January 23, 2015.
  • MrsBidinoff sent letter to Valu-Mart (about prices for snack items and donations); still waiting for response

Kindergarten Interviews

  • Mr. Sherwani suggested Kindergarten teachers have interviews on the same night as the rest of the school (in November)
  • council voted (3 to 1) in favour of keeping kindergarten interviews in January
  • kindergarten report cards go home January 29, 2015.

Other Business

  • Mrs. Echlin to approach Wal-Mart about matching money raised from chocolate fundraising
  • Kindergarten going to Applewood Heights Secondary School for a play(The Sky Gods) on December 2, 2014 at 9am. Volunteers needed
  • Mr. Sherwani suggested a digital board outside the school
  • Mrs. Echlin asked if council would be interested in purchasing Synervoicea phone message service to send out messages to parents about important events happening in the school (e.g., snow days). Mrs. Bidinoff and Mr. Jain suggested starting with emails first.
  • Mrs. Khan offered to help Mrs. Bidinoff with fundraising
  • suggested kids announce celebrations over PA and explain how they celebrate
  • Orientation of Council (fundraising needs to have a purpose)
  • only thing mandatory is Chair and Principal
  • most important need is volunteers (i.e., parents for day trips and breakfast club, etc.)
  • suggested an orientation meeting for people in the neighbourhood to volunteer
  • Mrs. Khan offered to volunteer and suggested high school volunteers

Meeting adjorned at 7:15 pm.

Next Parent Council Meeting: Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 6pm.