St. Teresa of Avila
School Advisory Council
October 1, 2015
In Attendance: M. Sturge, A. Patterson, T. Patterson, C. Carty, C. O’Leary, J. Tabares, S. Marzal, A.
Sanchez, M. Thompson, P. Basran
Absent: None
Approval of Agenda: N/A
Approval of Minutes: N/A
Prayer lead by: The meeting opened with the Lords Prayer
Elections: Chairperson-T. Patterson, Alternate chairperson- C. O’Leary, Secretary – C. Carty, TreasurerM. Thompson, Liason - J. Tabares, Parish Representative/Community Representative- A. Patterson
Principal’s Report:
 Student Enrolment Impact- We presently have an enrolment of 388 students. Our
school did not have to go through the reorganization process. Presently we have the
following classes: FDK A,B,C Gr. 1, ½,2, 2/3, 3, 4,4/5,5/6,6,6/7, 7/8, grade 8 and SERC.
 Anaphylaxis – all staff have received training as part of their annual procedure
review. Parent community has been asked not to send food items in for special
occasions to further ensure the safety of our students with life threatening allergies. A
game, book, stickers or pencils are ideas for suitable gifts. Sharing of food is also not
permitted and has been addressed in the newsletter.
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY, CULTURE AND CARING
 Mrs. Sturge and Mr. Basran met with the parish team earlier in September to review
masses and sacramental preparations.
 School Masses: Thursday Oct. 8/15, Dec 10 at 7:00 pm at the church (Advent mass) Feb.
25, 2016, June 10 at 10:00 am at the church- students will be bussed.
 Open House was a great success and well attended
 Essential Food Drive- is being organized by Mrs. Ako-Adjei and Mrs. Farrell in
conjunction with the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
 Virtue assemblies- Our first one Friday Oct. 2 at 1:00 pm.
 PALS- Playground Activity Leaders is being planned by the Child and Youth Worker in
conjunction with our Peel Public Health nurse
 Terry Fox Walk was done today and was organized by Mr. Abraham. Monies are still
being collected and Mrs. Sturge will report the totals at the next meeting as well as the
November newsletter.
LITERACY/ NUMERACY & Excellence in Student Achievement
 A continued focus on Literacy and Numeracy but will be focusing specifically the UMCL
model, math processes, 3-part math lesson and the use of manipulatives. All teachers
just took part in a math curriculum mapping activity supported by our Student
Achievement Officer and our Special Assignment Teacher.
 PED activation- Oct. 22nd Personal Electronic Devices will be rolled out over the next few
weeks. A parent letter as well as a Personal Electronic Device Use letter with Wi-FI
Student Agreement will be sent out. Students will receive a presentation outlining the
expectations with regards to PED at school for educational activities. A technology
committee has been set up to develop school norms so we are consistent school-wide in
our uses and expectations.
Student activities:
 Cross Country is underway with Mrs. Lillicrop, Mrs. Lotesto and Mrs. Leroux coaching
 Junior Volleyball- underway and coached by Mr. Clarizia with Mr. Rodrigues for
support.
School activities:
 Michael Eisen- In partnership with the Youth Wellness Network and St. Elizabeth
Seton, St Teresa of Avila is offering a FREE 2-part workshop series designed to
inform and assist parents as they learn ways to enhance their own self-esteem and
well-being in order to more effectively support their children with the many
challenges they face at school. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education Parent
Reaching Out Grant- Oct. 8: 6:30-8 and Nov. 3 6:30-8:00 p.m.
 Breakfast Program- Breakfast Club will begin on Monday Oct. 5th and the Breakfast
Coordinator is Mr. Abraham with the support from Mrs. Ventura-Roma. Students will
be let in from 8:00-8:15 a.m to make sure they have time to eat as they can’t bring
food to class due to Sabrina’s law.
 Junior Volleyball- underway and coached by Mr. Clarizia with Mr. Rodrigues for
support.
 Pizza Days – Mrs. Thompson will start on Oct. 14, 2015.
 Hallowe’en Dance- Friday, Oct. 30th and a letter will go home
 Movie Night to support the Grade 8 graduation possibly in November
 Health and Safety
1. Fire Drills- One fire drill to date. We are mandated to have three in the fall and
three in the spring as well as one lock down in the fall and one in the spring
and one Shelter in Place drill.
2. Back pavement- A letter was sent out to all parents to ask their support in
staying on the perimeter of the back pavement. It has been extremely difficult
for staff to supervise children with the increasing adult presence among the
students from 8:00 8:15 a.m. especially.
A Mr. Sub day is going to be held. Cost is $5.00 . Approximately $1.75 of this will go to the school.
The 2015/2016 school year council meeting dates were set as follows:
November 5, 2015
February 18, 2015
May 12, 2015
Meeting Adjourned: T. Patterson
Next Council Meeting: Nov 5, 2015 @ 6:30PM