John Black Public School - Parent Council Minutes
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: John Black Public School Library - Fergus, Ontario
Chair: Richard Pinder
Treasurer: Andrea Brown
Secretary: Catherine Shelton-Galdes
Principal: Scott Preston
___________________________________________________________________________________
School Members Present: Scott Preston
Council Members Present: Barb Ash, Andrea Brown, Steve Leet, Carrie-Ann Nind, Richard Pinder,
Catherine Shelton-Galdes, Michelle Youngblood.
Regrets: Angela Barrow, Beth Cruikshank, Kelli Muir, Jane Shaw, Abi Tarry.
Minutes
1. Welcome, Introductions and Regrets
Agenda amended: Add Mabel's Labels and Sidewalk Update.
Agenda approved by Andrea and seconded by Barb.
2. March minutes reviewed and approved by Andrea and seconded by
Rich.
3. Principal's Report
We are off to a good start this year. We have 360 students, 19 teachers
and 8 support staff. The transition to the new year has been busy, but has
gone very well.
School Organization and Staffing for 2015/16
Tammy Nollert ………………..Kindergarten A
Kim Byan ………………………… Kindergart A ECE
Jason Swan ……………………...Kindergarten B
Sandra Richards ………………. Kindergarten B ECE
Stephanie Klaver-Croezen...Grade 1/2
Sarrah Fulcher ………………….Grade 1/2
Brent Graham ..………..….…. Grade 3
Melissa Weaver …………….... Grade 4
Tracey Mooney ………………… Grade 4/5
Terra Matheson-Peck………..Grade 5
Sarah-Jane Olszewski ……….. Grade 6
Luke Kordupel ……………………Grade 8
Laura Alessio ……………..…….. Grade 7
Stewart Hirst ……..…………….. Grade7/8
Shari Roberts ……………………. Grade 8
Alan Gouk ………………………... Int. Science & Tech, Spec. Ed.
Nia Pommier ………………..…… Core French, Grade 6/7
Aleisha Korga ..……….…………. Core French
David Olgilvie …………………….. Core French
Marlene Mahoney………..…… Library and Planning
Action Items
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John Black Public School - Parent Council Minutes
Irene Gibson ……………………. Planning Time
Eva Kehrer ………………………... Special Ed.
Tracey Haley ……………………… Educational Assistant
Tanya Mikel ………………………...Educational Assistant
Tamara Zappia ………………….. Child and Youth Councilor
Belinda Norris ……………………. Office Coordinator
Lisa Ecclestone ………………….. Recess Supervisor P.M.
Paz Martinez ………………………Recess Supervisor A.M. & P.M
Labour Update: Contract negotiations between ETFO and the Ministry of
Education are continuing. At this point ETFO members are in Phase 2 of
Work to Rule. The activities teachers will not participate in includes: any
Ministry related initiatives, meetings or workshops; field trips; collecting
monies for school related activities or participating in fundraising
activities; attending open houses or ‘meet the teacher’ nights outside of
the instructional day.
4. Nominations for Parent Council
Nomination forms were completed by all members present and handed in
to Richard. There were no objections to Richard continuing in the role of
Chair, Andrea as Treasurer and Catherine as Secretary. Richard had
already inquired with those who sent regrets, if they would like to remain
voting members. Angela, Beth and Jane would like to remain voting
members. Kelli and Abi will be missed as they are not available to be on
parent council this year.
5. Financial Report
Bank Balance as of September 1st is $7,185.64 **
Monthly Activity
Beginning Balance May 31st
Income
Lunchbox Orders
Expenses
$6,905.07
Bank Charges
Snack Program
June Fete
$984.90
$4.95
$39.02
($4.95)
($39.02)
$675.21
$309.69
$89.75
$89.75
Balance as of June 30, 2015
Bank Charges
June Fete
$7,260.54
$4.95
$65.00
Balance as of July 30, 2015
Bank Charges
Balance as of Aug. 31, 2015
Andrea to get HST forms to
Scott for signing.
($4.95)
($65.00)
$7,190.59
$4.95
($4.95)
$7,185.64
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John Black Public School - Parent Council Minutes
Outstanding Cheques to be
Cashed
Big Box of Cards
June Fete
Expected Balance
Income
Expenses
$40.00
($40.00)
$250.91
($250.91)
$6,894.73
**Although it has yet to be decided where funds will be allocated this year,
here is a partial list of what parent council typically supports: Fun night
BBQ, the birthday book program, sports equipment, Scientists in School,
guest speakers, playground repairs, family dance, June Fete, Arts Day, the
snack program, grade 8 graduation party, community fund, anti-bullying
programs, etc.
6. Funding Request Discussion
In previous years teachers were asked to complete a survey about what
they would like to see parent council raise money for and what they liked
or disliked about what parent council has done in the past.
Scott to distribute survey
to teachers on parent
council's behalf.
In light of the Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario (ETFO) work-torule action, Scott will be handling the QSP (magazine) fundraiser this year.
The Fresh from the Farm fundraiser that parent council had hoped to run,
will not likely be possible as teacher's are unable to collect money during
the work-to-rule action. Scott commented that under the circumstances,
an attempt to run another fundraiser during work-to-rule might detract
the focus from the classroom.
Scott to advise of any
positive changes in job
action that would allow
handouts to go home by
Oct. 2nd.
Barb queried whether a letter could go home to parents letting them
know about the option to donate to the school through the Upper Grand
Learning Foundation. We usually use the money donated to the UGLF for
Scientists in School.
7. Parent Council Plan for the Year
a. Fund-raising
Had some difficulty with Elora Labels. School profit from label sales was
approximately $15. Mabel's Labels will be used instead this year.
Barb to amend the letter
and send to Scott for
distribution to the
students.
Scott is unsure how or if Thursday pizza days are possible at this time due
to the work-to-rule action. A discussion was had about offering cheese as
well as pepperoni pizza.
Scott to confirm if cheese
only pizza is or can be
offered.
b. Social
Fun Night Barbeque/Open House
The Fun Night Barbeque which was scheduled for Sept. 24th will be
cancelled as the teachers will not be holding the open house or book fair.
It was suggested that perhaps we could do something around Christmas
instead.
Richard to cancel Lion's
Club. Andrea to cancel
Zehrs, Barb to cancel
Jester's, Fire Dept truck,
nature interactive display,
St. John's Ambulance and
the OPP.
Barb to provide a Mabel's
Labels handout for Scott to
distribute.
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John Black Public School - Parent Council Minutes
PRO Grant 2015/2016
A grant application was completed on the topic of Healthy Food/Lifestyle.
We are awaiting the outcome.
Centre Wellington Community Foundation Grant 2015/2016
We have been awarded a $500 grant to have Paul Davis, a social media
expert come speak at John Black on Nov. 12th. Students will hear his
presentation during the day and there will be a presentation for parents in
the evening. Scott has booked the gym and library for this event.
Halloween Dance
Carrie-Ann will be the lead on the Halloween dance again this year. It is
scheduled for Oct. 29th. Scott has booked the gym for this event.
Insurance for after school activities will not have come due by Oct. 29th.
c. Student / School Day Enrichment
Student Meal Days
Funds raised for the 2014/2015 school year through Lunchbox Orders
totalled $1,032.50. An updated sample menu and price list was
distributed, it was felt that Swiss Chalet was cost prohibitive, but we will
continue with Pita Pit, Subway, Frabert's and add Boston Pizza. Scott
requested the mini-pizza option be removed from Boston Pizza's choices
as it may interfere with the school's pizza day on Thursday. We'll maintain
the $.75 fundraising amount on all meals except Frabert's at $.50 per meal
(Boston Pizza will have some juices, salad etc. with a nominal amount
added, $.10-$.35 per item). Cost from Lunchbox Orders remained the
same with the exception of 6" subs that went up by $.25
Andrea to renew insurance
for after school activities
when it becomes due.
Catherine to arrange new
school year schedule with
Lunchbox orders.
8. New Business (Round Table Input)
a. Information to Parents - Newsletters/Emails Discussion
In an effort to ensure we do not violate Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation
(CASL), Richard continues to email and work with the school board to
clarify what can and cannot be sent electronically from parent council.
b. Remaining Parent Council Meetings for the School Year
Meetings to be held every 5-6 weeks, skipping the month of December.
c. Sidewalk Issue
Line painting and signage have been put in place as promised by the
Township. It is felt that the white lines painted on St. Andrews St. to
delineate a pedestrian crossing are not prominent enough. Would like to
see thicker yellow lines running between the existing lines as well.
9. Next Meeting - Tuesday, October 20th at 6:30pm
10. Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm
Richard to provide a
suggested schedule for
future meetings.
Scott to contact Colin
Baker to see what more
can be done.
Please note date change.
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