Parent Council Meeting Minutes - June 24, 2015

Parent Council Meeting - June 24, 2015

Agenda and previous minutes approved

Principal’s Report

·      Graduation day ceremony June 19, 2015 for Grade 5 & 6 students.  Students given yearbooks.  Ceremony included student memories and was a great success with reception afterward.

·      Graduation trip to Legoland.  Initial plan was to go to overnight camp.  4 teachers were to attend with the students.  Lack of parent support for the trip due to start of Ramadan.  Alternative plan to go to Legoland.  Kids had a great time.  Will pursue camp trip for next year.

·      New teacher coming in to teach Special Education students through administrative transfer.

·      Very positive experiences for students driven by Parent Council for 2014/2015 school year.

·      Play day - June 23, 2015 - very successful.  Loved the fresh fruit and loot bags.

·      Character education program was well received each month.  Names went into draw and prizes were provided for each student.  Program encouraged students to exhibit external character traits.

·      Track & Field - students did very well.  Will have an assembly on Thursday morning (June 25) to give certificates to the kids.

·      Students have been using the Richview Library for different workshops.  Students walked to Richview for workshops.  Big success.  Trying to promote students using the library for the summer.  Trying to emphasize for children to continue to read over the summer.

·      Lost and found materials are on display.  Still have quite a lot of stuff to be picked up by the students before the end of the month.

·      School purchased winter wardrobes to store winter coats and pants.

·      Kindergarten playground is now open.  Allows for more students to use the playgrounds at the same time.

·      Parents to check student backpacks for epi-pens and medications that are being sent home for the summer.

·      Up-to-date medical information will be requested at curriculum night in September.

·      Report Cards to be sent out for grades 1-8 with summary of marks (week of July 13).  Kindergartens will get promotion letter.

·      New pole to be installed for tri-hoop over summer.  New sod to be installed, as well as tether ball pole.

·      Council to consider purchasing smaller soccer standards for the younger kids to play with.

·      4 additional basketball nets and backboards were installed in gym.

Treasurer’s Budget Report

·      Bank account opened with $450 at beginning of school year.

·      Pizza lunches/dance-a-thon, etc.  $3800 from dance-a-thon - expenses, $2500 on computers, pinneys and gym equipment.  School gym/outdoor bins were refreshed.

·      Current balance $6,911.29.  Expected deductions for the remainder of the year will be approx. $1,100.00.

·      Budget funds still allocated to pay for school banner, kindergarten equipment and tri-hoop which has been purchased but not paid for to date.

·      Should have approximately $3,000 - $3,500 for the beginning of the year.

·      Possibility of using Parent Council funds for busing for Parent Council meetings.  $250 for busing per occurrence.  Council to solicit feedback from parents for transportation prior to meeting, then decide whether to use bus/taxi.  Can also consider busing for curriculum night, skate night, etc.

Open Discussion for Parents

·      Reminder to parents throughout the year about volunteer opportunities for families who may not come to curriculum night or join the school later in the year.

·      Consider sending out weekly updates to parents via email. Sign up parents at the beginning of the year.

·      Council to prepare an information pamphlet about the council for parents to be used at the beginning of the school year.  Include information about criminal background checks and volunteer opportunities in pamphlet.

·      Sign-up parents at Curriculum Night for volunteer positions.

·      Consider ordering non-halal for pizza lunches.

·      Consider allocating some funds to teacher appreciation day - perhaps lunch.

Have a great summer