Minutes
Nellie McClung Public School
School Council Minutes
Nellie McClung Public School Library
September 21, 2016
6:30 PM
Attendees
Council Voting Members / Present(Y/N)? / Council Voting Members / Present
(Y/N)?
Melanie Saltzman (Chair) / Y / Katerina M. (Member) / Y
Keith Isaac (Treasurer) / Y / Lynne A.(Member) / Y
Avery Zeidman (Co-Secretary) / Y / Maria B. (Member) / Y
Stacey Reznick-Schipper
(Co-Secretary) / Y / Maria S. (Member) / Y
Gianoula K. (Member) / Y / Rebecca D. (Member) / Y
Hilda B. (Member) / Y / Shelley V. (Member) / Y
Jody B. (Member) / Y / Silvia S. (Member) / Y
Julia S. (Member) / Y / Zvi V. (Member) / Y
Council Non-Voting Members:
Pamela McInnis (NMPS Principal) / Y / Julia Waiser (NMPS Vice Principal) / Y
Traci Shatz (NMPS) / Y / Brian Gerson (NMPS – Teacher Rep)
Lourdes Haist (NMPS – Teacher) / Y
Y
Non-Voting Attendees:
Adam L. / Kateryna H.
Arthur V. / Margaret B.
Claudi F. / Olessia S.
David R. / Tanya Z.
Easa T. / Tara L.
Esti R.
Approximately 28 people were in attendance. A sign-in sheet was circulated and retained by the principal. An email distribution list for new Council members will be circulated for communication purposes.
Call to Order
The principal called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. The principal and vice principal each introduced themselves.
Agenda
A draft agenda was distributed and approved by all present.
Election of New School Council
There was a discussion regarding the role of the Council. Reference was made to the Council’s Constitution, and copies were distributed. The document is available on the school website. The principal reviewed key areas of the Constitution as it relates to the Council and the responsibilities or expectations of each voting member.
Although the Constitution calls for a maximum of 15 members, the principal was happy if there were more than 15. The need for a quorum in meetings was discussed as was the code of ethics, need for attendance, and need for participation by each member.
The principal went through applications received by the school for those wanting to be on the new Council and confirmed with each person present that they still wished to be a voting member on Council. A total of 16 people present wanted to be voting members of the Council, and a motion passed unopposed approving all 16 people as Council members.
Appointment/elections of executive members then occurred. Two people wanted to be the Council’s treasurer. A vote was held by private ballot, and the new Council voted Keith Isaac to be the treasurer. Two people wanted to be the Council’s Secretary, and a motion passed unopposed approving Stacey Reznick-Schipper and Avery Zeidman as co-Secretaries of the Council. Melanie Saltzman wanted to be Chairperson of the Council and a motion passed unopposed approving her as such.
Meeting Dates
There was discussion about scheduling meetings for the new Council recognizing that a minimum of six meetings would be necessary. It was agreed meetings should be held approximately once per month and on Wednesdays commencing at 6:30 PM unless otherwise agreed by the Council. The following meeting dates were agreed upon:
October 19, 2016
November 16, 2016
December 14, 2016
January 18, 2017
February 15, 2017
April 5, 2017
May 3, 2017
May 31, 2017
June 21, 2017
Principal School Report
The principal stated there was a very positive start to the school year.
The Terry Fox Run is scheduled for Friday, September 30, 2016 in the afternoon. An email from the school will be sent out. Online donations will be encouraged. A suggestion was made for students to wear the school colours for the event.
The principal reviewed some EQAO results that had just been released to the public. The principal advised that NMPS just joined a math network of four neighbouring schools to improve math, and a math consultant will be involved. Math carts approved by Council last year are now in classrooms. More will be spent on resources and there will be mandatory 60 minutes of math every day.
The principal encouraged the Council to remind parents that EQAO results are also available on the Internet and that their child’s results will be sent home with their child in approximately one week or so. It was agreed that the topic of assisting students with math and further opportunities in that regard would be discussed at a future meeting.
The principal advised there was a fire drill two days ago and there will be a lockdown drill some time in approximately one week. Safety week starts on Friday, September 23, 2016. Kindergarten classes have attended and will be attending the safety village.
There will be a grade 7 and grade 8 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) presentation tomorrow. The cross-country team and a games club have begun for the year.
September 15, 2016 was International Dot Day stemming from Peter Reynold’s book. Art and projects have centred around dots, and parents were encouraged to discuss this with their children.
There will be a curriculum night this year on Thursday, September 29, 2016 between 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM. This is not an interview night. It is an open house/meet and greet where children can show parents their classrooms. No appointments are made or necessary.
There was discussion about setting up a table for school Council to obtain volunteer emails and/or establish a mailing list for interested parents. The chairperson asked members and parents to email her about their availability to attend at that table or assist with signage.
The Council was encouraged to inform parents of the school calendar available on its website with a link to incorporate the calendar to your smart phone calendar. Parents were encouraged to provide any suggestions.
Treasurer/Budget Report
The principal advised that the Lice Squad was at the school yesterday and earlier today. They will return in January 2017 and March 2017 after the breaks. The cost of each visit this year is approximately $760 because of an increase in student population.
The principal advised that the total amount of cash colleced from pizza sales was $13,585 less the amount spent on funscript of $7500, for a net inflow of $6085. The beginning balance of funds was $8293, and thus the total sum of funds amounted to $14,379.
The principal provided the budget report to the treasurer.
Other Business
The chairperson suggested cases of plates, gloves, and/or napkins should be purchased from a third-party supplier because the pizza supplier did not always provide enough nor would they agreed to provide cases of the supplies to have on hand. A motion was passed unopposed approving same, and there will be discussion among Council members about sourcing.
A member suggested meeting agendas should be distributed in advance of meetings. Anyone who wants to submit possible topics for discussion would be encouraged to do so at least 10 days before scheduled meetings.
A member suggested that last name should not be used in the minutes for safety reasons. The principal advised first and last names of the executive members only were necessary. A motion was passed unopposed approving the member’s suggestion. A further motion was passed unopposed whereby members’ names need not be recorded for motions.
A member suggested that draft minutes of meetings should be circulated within one to two weeks of the meeting. The principal advised guidelines existed for this.
7:55 p.m. Adjourned
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