March 5 meeting highlights

Thank you to everyone for coming out and making your voices heard!

From the Principal:

Zahra:

• Thank you to council members for your kind and generous donations to Zahra Mohamed's family

 

Community Support Worker:

• Welcome to Abdi Mohamoud, who will be filling in at Valleyfield (all of cluster D5) for Zahra.
• Discussed CPAC (cluster parent academy) and it's workshops from which certificates are available (CPR, food handling etc)
• The more Valleyfield parents attend these meetings, the stronger the voice our community will have
  

School Bus Issues:

• Specific bus issues (for example late buses) need to be addressed directly to the transportation companies involved.  (The school is only made aware of late buses when parents call in.)
  First Student bus company: 905.629.8200
  Stock bus company: 416.244.5341
• Parents need to contact the bus company EVERY TIME there's an issue.  (Please don't take your frustrations out on Ms. Cap!)
• If you feel your concerns are not being addressed by the bus company, contact TDSB Trustee Chris Glover 

Late slips issued when a bus is late:

• When a bus arrives to the school after school has started, students are to go to the office to receive a "late slip"
• These "late slip" pieces of paper let the teacher know that the student has already checked into the office (so the teacher doesn't need to let the office know that a student has arrived to the school)
• Children who arrive to school late, because of busing issues, are not marked as "late" for report card purposes.  (The "late slip" is just a short-hand note to the teacher.)

Scouts About update:

• the progam is running and popular with the children
• a second session will be offered
• can take up to 25 kids per session, boys and girl in grades one through three, on a first come, first served basis (children who have not previously participated will have first priority for enrollment) 

December's Internet Safety workshop:

• Rescheduled to Tuesday March 26th from 7-8pm

 

Hearing clinic / eye clinic:

• hosted at the school this week, with thanks to the Model School program
• at any point in time, children who attend a Model School (like Valleyfield) are able to access hearing and eye clinic services FREE of charge (including free glasses, if required)

Grade 5 / Grade 6 FI graduation:

• will take place on June 25th or June 26th, final date TBD
• the graduating class fieldtrip will take place
  

Pizza / hot lunches and fundraising ideas:

• new volunteers always welcome
• Ms. Cap organizing the occassional hot lunches to raise money for the Snack Program (the snack program is partially subsidized by Toronto Foundation for Student Success) (She's run 2 pancake lunches so far.  Thank you Ms. Cap!)
• Parent Council will continue to do pizza lunches every second week
• Jacqueline organizing the Pizza Lunch Subcommittee (and coordinating the schedule with Ms. Cap)
  

Parent Council Facebook group update:

• Will go forward if we can find someone to commit to moderating / administrating the page in the spirit of the TDSB Online Code of Conduct

Parent Council Message in the monthly newsletter (Valleyfield Voice)

• Sarah will follow-up with Michelle to find out the status
  

Dance-A-Thon

• Scheduled for Friday April 12th
• Volunteers welcome for a) counting money and b ) chaperoning children to the water fountain and bathroom
• Kick-off assembly scheduled for Tuesday March 26th
• Minimum $2 pledge per child to participate
  

Family Skate night

• Abdi will work with Jacqueline to see if we are able to host a Family Skate night at a local indoor arena
  

Donation of Council funds:

• The motion was passed that the Parent Council will donate it's TDSB operational funds to the school, to put towards bringing in a live entertainment program at the school.  (Like a play.  Possibly representing the Native Canadian culture.)
• Ms. Lewis will be in contact with the Council to update us on dates and the final presentation
  

S'Cool Life FUNd for 2013-2014:

• The S'Cool Life FUNd is currently accepting applications for grants for the 2013-2014 school year
• Sabine will spearhead the grant application process
• parents to think of what the school could use, in line with the funding guidelines and that the school has very limited storage space  (what do you hear your children saying they wish they had at school?)
• Previous grants were awarded to Valleyfield for ice skating helmets and recess equipment (skipping ropes, balls etc)
• Application deadline: May 15
  

Q&A:

• JUMP Math: The work is not as rigorous as The Ministry of Education's math expectations.
• Afterschool Homework labs / club (at the school):
  • not necessarily run by the school or teachers
  • parents need to commit to do the work to make it happen
  • can bring in an outside organization (like the YMCA) to run the club
  • busing can make scheduling an issue sometimes
  • would require tremendous parental support
  • commitment required from the community to keep the children in the program
  • would need to arrange funding for busing (may not be able to arrange TDSB busing for this type of program)
  • consider arranging a parent car-pool as an alternative
• Slow eaters:  Parents are welcome to come in to volunteer to supervise slow eaters at lunch time.
• "I've been told my child isn't doing well in math:"
  • If you've been told that your child isn't doing well in any subject (usually happens around parent - teacher interview time) you have the right to speak with the school Principal and say "My child isn't doing well in math.  Are you aware that (s)he's struggling?  What is the school doing to help them?  What additional resources do you have access to that can help him/her?"
  • Also ask "How as a parent, can I support what the school is doing?"
    

Next meeting:

• Tuesday April 2nd.  See you there!