James Potter P S – Council Meeting minutes
September 26, 2012
Welcome
-from Mrs. Aglio, principal (from school opening, 6 years ago)
-proud of the school, its students and staff; community is very dynamic and positive
-she makes classroom visits to 1/3 of the school, daily and is outside every day during recess times
-visitors are impressed with the building, students and staff
-staff are highly committed, professional individuals; dedicated to our students and their success
-Terry Fox fundraising walk/run is tomorrow; staff have committed to some challenges with differing money amounts that are raised, to help motivate and excite the students
-parents who wish to volunteer in the school or on trips; need a criminal record check completed by Peel Police; please ask for the forms at the office
-principal and vice principal have an “open door’ policy – we like to hear from our parents/community
Introductions
-parents introduced themselves to the group
Statistics and Re-organization
-began with 250 students; now at 884
-we remain a community with the same, happy, family feeling
-with re-organization and balancing of classes – we have lost a morning kindergarten class and gained a 2/3 split; Mr. Griffith has taken the 2/3 class and we have a new staff member teaching an afternoon kindergarten class; please welcome Ms Santangelo-Williams
-our thanks to everyone – the re-organization changes were well-handled and as minimally disruptive to the whole school, as was possible; and now we are ready to get on with our teaching and learning for the rest of the year
Peel District School Board – Mission, Vision, Values (poster in front hall)
-newly revamped and updated; the board’s character traits and our values are a good fit
-at James Potter: dream, believe, achieve; monthly DREAM certificates to recognize student achievement
-our students can speak the language of DREAM
-Potter’s Pride certificates, given on the spot for good behaviour/kindness to others; 4 names drawn every Friday and winners receive a small prize
Role of Council
-see handout entitled, “Everything you need to know about school councils”
-to work on behalf of all students; to receive information on school goals, School Success plans, professional development plans for teachers; assessment results, etc.
-to advise the principal about issues in the community
-looking for volunteers to come forward to act as chairperson and council secretary
-required to have a minimum of 4 meetings, throughout the year; at James Potter, we meet monthly except for December and June
-our next meeting will be Oct. 24 at 6:30 p. m.; we hope to name the chairperson and secretary
October calendar review
-special events upcoming: Parent Tea, Oct. 10; Book Fair, Oct. 1-12, during school hours; Thanksgiving, Oct. 8, no school; Photo Days, Oct. 11 & 12; Grade 5 classes go to Queen’s Park; Grade 3 classes go to Jack Smythe outdoor centre; School Council, next meeting on Oct. 24 – with election of chairperson and secretary; celebration assemblies on Oct. 26; and our indoor Hallowe’en parade (students who need an alternate activity will be supervised in the library)
School website
-please regularly view our website; and locate James Potter P S within this web page
Synrevoice
-we have signed up for this automated call out system to increase our parent/school communication and decrease paper use for flyers
-information calls (not for child attendance)
-in future, can consider collecting parent emails as part of the communication between home and school
Parent Tea
-the first Wednesday of each month, beginning in October; at 8:45 a.m., in the library
-parents are welcome to enjoy learning from a guest speaker while having tea and cookies
-October 3rd; our guest is Mr. Ryan Tackaberry, our early literacy teacher, who will be speaking about Literacy in the home