Parent Council Meeting

Parent Council Meeting

Minutes from January 5th, 2016 - 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Members in attendance:

Staff:

(A) Principal – Pam Lone

(B) Vice Principal – Cheryl Dell

Council Members:

(A) Co-Chair – Rajeev Kumar

(B) Co-Chair – Sandy Dhillon

Parents:

(A) Preetkamal Shahi

(B) Alison Gaymes-San Vicente

(D) Harjinder Gill – new attendee

Regrets:

(A) Vice Principal – Sabrina Bineesari

Meeting Proceeds:

1. Meeting was presided by the Co-chair, Sandy Dhillon.

2. Minutes from Dec 7th, 2015 reviewed and revised with minor amendments.

3. Welcomed all new members to the meeting.

4. Pam:

a. Beyond the Hurt program – about bullying; runs for about an hour or less. Proposed dates of March 7, 9 or 10. Flyers will be sent out to parents regarding the event. A survey will be sent out to determine the possible number of participants. There is no limit to the number of participants for the event. Syner voice will be sent out and it will be posted on the website as well.

b. Brampton Beast game was a huge success and the kids really enjoyed it.

c. Raj: asked about the raffle application?

i. It is a long tedious process and the Board itself does not encourage for the raffles. Moreover, no other schools have them so it might be difficult to obtain.

d. Electronic sign – has to be 35 feet from the roadway and as it stands we are too close to the roadway. A request has been submitted for approval by the Project Manager.

e. Family movie night (Feb 11/16) – the student government can come up with a list of movies to decide. They have to be an approved movie as per the Board.

i. Bob suggested the movie “Home”.

ii. Popcorn/water/cookies will be ordered.

iii. Council members should have name tags to be visible to the parents/kids.

5. Sandy:

a. Question raised about the music event on January 21st.

b. Raz kids:

i. Shirley advised the Grade 2’s are already on that system.

c. Lunch box program:

i. Pam said the milk has been delayed as the school doesn’t have a fridge yet from the company; will be delayed to the week of the 25th.

6. Raj:

a. Parents have been talking about the ESL designation and concerns raised by them:

i. Pam advised that it is an automatic designation by the Province when the parents fill out the form checking off that they speak a second language at home. It is a support system for kids until they have mastered the step program and a path of independence. It is not a negative connotation and has been positive. Parents have come in and asked it be removed on their child’s card but it is not recommended. It is a support mechanism for them and will benefit them; it is no way a negative mark on the child.

1. March 7th will be set for the ESL meeting.

2. Suggestion brought forward to invite grandparents to this meeting too.

3. Please think about ways on how we can bring family members to the school and see what and how the learning is conducted. Will talk to the staff for their input as well.

ii. Principal profiles deferred to February meeting.

iii. Raj: recommended that a letter be sent home to the parents advising them of why this takes place to alleviate any confusion. A meeting be set for parents to be educated on a specific day for this.

iv. Bob: growing up we had ESL classes that were segregated from the rest and that is the mindset might be prevalent for the parents growing up in this area.

v. Claudette: invite them into the classroom and let them see what is going on in the classroom.

vi. Sandy: possibly to have parents reach out via email to the council prior to the meeting and see what concerns they have. Some parents might have reservations about speaking out in front of a crowd.

Questions/Concerns:

Next Meeting Date: February 2nd 2016 at 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

Other Meeting Date: March 7th 2016 at 6:30pm to 7:30pm regarding ESL concerns with parents.

End of meeting and thanks to all that attended.