St. Gertrude Catholic School Council (CSC) Meeting
Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2015
Attendance
Name
School Administration
Mrs. Tina De Vellis-Carino, (Principal)
(D-C)
Ms. Karen Yates (Vice-Principal)
Mrs. Gentilli (Teacher Rep.)
Ms. Benevides (Teacher Rep.)
Mrs. Subic (Non-Teacher Rep.)
Mrs. Dri (Non-Teacher Rep.)
Parents
Sandy Dutra
Tony Camara
Tanya Wah Kan
Shelley Bonello
Tracy DaPonte
Shamika Joseph
Victoria Alavez
Sharon Borges
Alina Danglay
Susan Chin-See
Keith Allis
Sonia Marie Gascoyne
Present
X
Absent
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
6:05 Meeting called to order
 Welcome and introductions
Prayer:
 Led by Ms. Yates
Approval of Agenda Previous Meeting Minutes:
 Today’s meeting discussion items were reviewed and approved.
 Previous meeting minutes (October 6, 2015) were reviewed and approved with minor edits.
Current Treasurer’s Reports:
 Correction to our September reports; last year’s balance was incorrect. We have a $6,200 balance
from last year after the agendas were paid for the 2015-2016 school year.
 This year’s commitments include:
o $3,000 for payment of transportation for each student for one trip this year
o $460 for Grade 7/8
o $2,000 for grad gifts
o $8,000 outstanding to spend
 The Spook-a-thon raise approximately $7,000 after expenditures
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Principal’s Report:
PrincipalT.DeVellisCarinothankedtheorganizingcommitteeandallthevolunteerswhohelped
tomakethe“spook‐a‐thonagreatsuccess”!
PrincipalT.DeVellisCarinosharedthefollowgoodnews&Informationitems:
“The Dufferin‐Peel Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Marianne Mazzorato as director designate of education and secretary to the board. Ms. Mazzorato will serve as director designate effective November 16, 2015 until January 15, 2016 when she succeeds John B. Kostoff, who will retire after eight years as director.” 
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IntervieweveningiscominguponNov.192015
ChristmasCollections:
 ToyDrive&Hat&MittenDrivewillcontinue‐detailscomingsoon.
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InlieuofsendingChristmasgiftstostaff,Staffhasrequestedthatfamiliesdonatetothe
charities
St.VincentdePaul ‐signedcopyofourletterthatfurtherexplainsourProgram
detailsfromMsgrEdgardoPanandourSSVPPresident,RyanFernandes.Theyare
lookingforwardtoourtoour supportagainthisyear,Mary Varcoe & Mary Wanca
 YouthFaithAmbassadors‐MmeAbdouandMrs.Curranareintheprocessoforganizing.
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 RosaryApostolates, continuesatSt.Gertrude‐thevolunteers fromSt.FX were
verypleasedwithhowwellthestudents&staffrespondedandwerefamiliarwith
theRosaryprayersandstories.Wearepleasedtohavethemreturnmonthly.Their
involvementwillculminatewithaMaryCelebration,scheduledforMay3rdduring
CatholicEd.Week.
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Jr.BoysVolleyballteamcamein 2ndplaceintheFamilyFinals‐ThankyoutoMme
McIntosh,MmeBenevides&MmeSilvaforcoaching
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Dance Team‐firsttimeatst.Gertrude‐ThankyoutoMsKapov&MmeAbdou
 NewParentGuidesforUnderstandingHealth&PhysicalEducation
Curriculum:See samples provided to Council  DivisionspecificpamphletsbrokendownintoFullyAliveProgram,Ontario
H&PECurriculum,Exampleofhowmatched,andResources
 ParentGuideBooklethasmessagefromBishopsofOntario,RoleofICE,
connectiontoOCGE,andscopeandsequenceoftheFullyAliveProgramK‐
12,andResources
 Aprogramisbeingdevelopedtoin‐serviceappropriatestaffonthenew
HealthEducationCurriculumdevelopedbyICE(InstituteofCatholic
Education).
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Theonlymaterialwearetouseinourschoolsrelatedtothenewcurriculum
materialarethoseprogramsandcurriculumsdevelopedbyICE,whichhas
theapproval of the Ontario Bishops. TheBoardhasbeenclearthatonlyICE‐approvedmaterialwillbeused,not
anyotherpreparedresources.We,andparents,areexpectingresources
approvedbytheBishopsthatwilldissuadeanyonefrombeingconcerned
overtheCatholiccontentoftheseresources.TheBishops’approvalwill
achievethis.
Pamphletsandinformationwillbeinclude withthe ProgressReports
comingnextweek
Takealook&discussattable.Questions?
 ParentReachingOut(PRO)&ParentEngagementGrant:
TheGrantsDepartmenthasnotyetsentoutthefundsorinstructionsforthe2015–
2016ParentReachingOutGrant. Thisisnormallydoneinthelaterpartof
November,afterthefundshavebeenreceivedbytheBoard. Thefundsarenormally
depositeddirectlyintotheSchoolGeneratedFundsbankaccountvia EFT(electronic
FundsTransfer) andaninstructionmemoissentoutatthesametime.
TheGrantsClerkwillcontactuswhenthefundswillbetransmitted.
 CatholicSchoolLearningGoals:CSLP(WillbepostedonwebsitelaterthisAligned
withBoardsharedbelieves,prioritiesandcollaborativeinquiries
 OurschoolwideTheoryofActionwillhaveafocusonInquiryLearninginthe
classroom.
 GoalSettingContinuestopromote on‐goinglearning,professionalgrowth and
developmenttoimproveteachingpracticeandstudentachievement
o ProfessionalLearningCycles
o TeacherInquiries
o PD‐staffmeetings
o Literacy/NumeracySecretariatrep. supports‐directlyatstaffmtgsorvia
Board/S.Omtg&vialiterature
o SpecialAssignmentTeacher‐SAT
 EQAOresultswillbe postedonourschoolwebsite–laterintheyear
 PastoralPlan‐tobepostedlaterthisyear‐thankyouto CouncilChairsfortheirinput

WalkingSquad‐continuestoencouragehealthyhabitstowalktoschool
 Kiss&Ride‐thankyoutoourMPUofficerswhohaveassisteddriversastheydropoff
students–Remindertodropoffatpassengersideonlyandtowatchforpedestrians.
 BullyingAwarenessandPreventionWeek: awiderangeofboard‐levelinitiatives
andschooleventsandactivitiesaretakingplace.Theseinclude:
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Poster Campaign: AseriesofposterscreatedbyDufferin‐Peelstudentsisbeing
distributedtoallschools.Eachposterincorporatestheheader,“StandUp!Against
Bullying”,aswellas,“LetusallowGodtofillourheartswithhisgoodnessand
mercy.”(PopeFrancis).Theposterscanbeviewedontheboardwebsite.
Online Reporting Tool: Theboardbeganapilotprojectwithsecondaryandselect
elementaryschoolslastyearwhichallowedfortheanonymousreportingby
studentsandothersofbullyingincidentsandnegativebehavioursimpactingthe
schoolcommunity.Theonlinereportingtoolisnowavailableboard‐wide.
Bullying Prevention and Awareness Faith Resource Package: Aresourcepackagecontaining
prayers,reflectionsandaliturgyhasbeendistributedtoallDufferin‐Peelschools.
ThiswillaidinincreasingbullyingawarenesswithafocusoncreatingaCatholic
communityofcultureandcaring.
“Werecognizetheimpactthatbullyinghasonindividuals,familiesandcommunities,”said
JohnKostoff,directorofeducation.“Dufferin‐Peelschoolsworkhardtonurtureand
maintainacultureofcare,respectandinclusionforall.BullyingAwarenessandPrevention
Weekgivesusanotherplatforminwhichtopromotepositivemessages,notonlytoour
students,butbeyondthewallsofourschoolsaswell.”
Inadditiontotheaboveboardinitiatives,anti‐bullyingfocussedevents,activitiesand
actionsaretakingplaceatallDufferin‐Peelschools.Theseeventsarepostedonthe board website.  OttawaTrip‐thankyoutoparentsofgrade8studentswhoattendedtheinformation
sessionledbyKeatingExplorica‐Thecostofthetripwilldependonthenumberof
studentsattending–basedonourprojectednumbers,weexpectthecosttobe$
482.00/student. Possiblefundraisingeffortsmayreducecostforstudents.
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ConfirmationRetreat‐Nov.30@QueenofApostles‐Councilpreviouslyapproved$900for
bussing‐Thankstostaffwhohaveagreedtostaylate,thecostofthebussingisreducedto$427.00
Theschoolwillcovertheadditionalrentalfeesof$100(additionalroomsareneededto
accommodatebothgrade7&8students.
Councilwasaskedtocover$500tocovercostsforthefacilitator.Studentswillpay$25
fortheretreat–includeslunchandfacilitiesrental
PrincipalT.DeVellisCarinosharedthefollowingDatestoRemember:
Nov. 16 St. Gertrude Feast Mass, 1 pm‐ all welcome Nov. 16 Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week begins‐ Moment of Silence 10:00am (in recognition of victims of bullying) Nov. 17 Progress Reports go home Nov. 17 Swim to Survive, gr. 3’s Mrs. Sanderson, Mrs. Amendola & Ms Petraseck Nov. 18 Steelheads Game Gr. 4‐8, Thank you to Council for paying for Transportation 4
Nov. 19 Parent/Teacher interviews Nov. 25 Santa Night 4pm‐8pm Nov. 30 Confirmation Retreat, Gr. 7 & 8 Students Dec 1 Boys Int. Volleyball Tournament, Our Lady of Peace Dec. 2 Advent Mass, 9am, all welcome Dec 3 Girls, Int. Volleyball Tournament, Pauline Vanier Dec. 7 Rosary Apostolates Dec. 10 Immunization Clinic Dec 14 Life Skills, Gr. 7 Dec 17 Advent Retreat‐ whole school Dec 18 Sing‐a‐long‐ whole school, 9:00 am Parents welcome Dec. 19 ‐Jan. 4 Christmas Break Jan. 7 Hep B & HPV vaccines Jan 11 Rosary Apostolates Jan. 11‐ Feb. 14 On‐Line applications for FI open Jan. 12 7 pm, San Lorenzo, Extended French Information mtg, parents of grade 4 students, applications to Ext. Fr. Accepted until Feb 16, 2016 3 pm Jan 14 Council mtg, 6pm Jan 20 First Reconciliation, Gr. 2 @ St. FX Parish Jan. 24 First Communion Prep Mass Jan 25 FDK Registration Feb. 15 Electronic Lottery for FI held, Offers to admission are sent via email to parents Feb. 16 Ext. French applications due ( Gr. 4 students) San Lorenzo, 3pm deadline March 4 deadline to register at FI school Vice PrincipalK.YateswillpresentourWishListforCouncilitems:
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ChristmasBaskets OurschoolSocialWorkerhasaskedourhelpforneedyfamilies‐Small
Basketwith“goodies”,Toiletries,giftcertificates(eg.Walmart,SwissChalet,TimHortons,
MoviePasses)Staff will also be asked to donate items for the baskets. Social Worker will put the
baskets together & deliver to the families by mid December.
Parent Council:
I am the school social worker at St Gertrude and therefore come into contact with
those families who are most vulnerable in our community. In discussions with the
principal, Tina De Vellis-Carino, we have come up with a plan to help support three
families who are most needy with Christmas baskets on behalf of the St. Gertrude
community. In my experience, giving generous Walmart or other gift cards helps
families in a manner that preserves their dignity and allows them to buy their own gifts
for their children as well as food and clothing. In the past, many well-meaning people
would buy gifts they thought were appropriate, and clothes they thought would be
suitable. However, this was not always the case and parents were left to feel distant
from the process of giving. Therefore this year I am requesting donations of gift cards.
In addition, we will be asking staff to contribute toiletries, cosmetics, Christmas sweets,
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and other everyday items that are costly and all families need, to fill the baskets. I am
hoping to deliver the baskets by mid December.
Thank you for supporting this initiative,
Shelley Cobrin
School Social Worker
ExperientialLearning(Wishlist)‐MsYates
ArtistsintheSchool:
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1.
Scientists In the School
Individual Class Workshops for FDK-5
½ day hands on workshops
$194.00/class session
Approximate cost
$3,880.00
2. Little Red Theatre
Ivy Green Guardian of the Forest
Presentation for JK – 3 about being eco-stewards of the earth
English and French Immersion students combined, for a bilingual presentation
Total cost
$575.00
3. McMaster University, Faculty of Engineering
Venture Engineering and Science, Computers and Technology
Workshops for 6-8
Interactive science and engineering presentations
Free of Charge
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BallroomDancingProposal‐Gr.4‐8,341students@$20/pp/8lessons=$6820.00
StainGlassProject(gr.7&8)lastyearfortheproject
$2825.00
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RAZ Kids
IXL
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IPAD Cart with a set of 30 IPADS
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Air conditioning for classrooms/offices within the original school building
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funds to renew 10 classroom subscriptions
funds to renew 2 classroom subscriptions
$849.50
$498.00
$5,000.00
Confirmation Retreat:
 Initially Council voted on spending $900 towards the busing of the Confirmation retreat however
the actual cost is $427. This year, St. Francis Xavier Youth Faith Ambassador David Patterson is
facilitating the retreat. The cost is $500 for the facilitator as this year there is a larger group with
the Gr. 7 & 8 confirmation.
 Council voted to pay for the bus and facilitator for this year’s Confirmation retreat.
Commitments:
 Council approved this year’s fee for the Stain Glass Commitment which is $2,825.
 Council approved $850 for RAZ kids and $498 for IXL.
 Council approved $500 for Christmas Gift Baskets for families in need within the school
community.
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Council approved $500 for David Patterson as the Youth Faith Ambassador facilitating the
Confirmation retreat.
Council approved $575 towards the Little Red Theatre production.
Balance remaining is approximately $2,350.
OAPCE Rep Report:
 Catholic Education Centre meeting was successful with 27 attendees.
 Elections are coming up for DRAPCE at St. Valentine and the meetings are every last Wednesday
of the month.
 The speaker for the January meeting has been booked. Ron Morris will be speaking on January 27th
at St. Valentine.
 OAPCE Conference will be held in Toronto this year.
Lego Club:
 The school has been approached by a company to run a Lego workshop that runs for 5 weeks; each
workshop is $10 and would run over lunch hour. The discussion confirmed that this is an expensive
session to run.
 It was suggested about the possibility of sending out a notice to parents donate Lego and teachers
may be willing to organize the club.
Fundraising:
 Tanya Wah Kan indicated at the Treasurer’s training session that it was announced in the spring
of 2016 all schools will be going online for accepting payments.
 Spook-a-thon was successful and made approximately $7,000 in profit.
 Email has gone out to parents regarding Term 1 pizza and sub sandwiches; the profit for sub is
$1.25.
 Lunch Pails will be starting on Tuesdays. The profit is approximately 10-15%. A cheque is mailed
by Lunch Pails to Council approximately every 3 weeks. We will run the program on a trial basis.
It will start December 1st.
 It is suggested that the tablet prize to be drawn at future Council fundraisers be drawn amongst all
students who raise money/bring in pledges instead of the highest amount. Council approved this
suggestion.
 Shelley Bonello will speak to Mr. Sub about fundraising prizes.
 Shamika Joseph suggested that the one extra pizza that is given by Gino’s pizza each week be left
in the staff lunchroom.
Sacramental Gifts:
 Tanya Wah Kan received a new price list and there is a huge price increase this year. While
Council tries to source another approved vendor to compare pricing, the sacramental cards can be
ordered. Tanya Wah Kan and Alina Danglay will hand out the First Communion cards.
 It was suggested that one gift be given instead of three.
 For the January meeting Tanya will review and be prepared to discuss costs.
 Mrs. Subic indicated the cheapest vendor for sacramental gifts is in Burlington and she will
provide a name.
 Tanya Wah Kan asked that teachers be notified that Council would be organizing the Rosary kits.
New Business:
 Aspire Safe City is a free tutoring service with one-on-one locations all across Mississauga.
 Vision of Science is offered on Saturdays from 11-1 pm for ages 7-8+.
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Future Meeting Dates: 6:00 pm
 January 14, 2016, February 9, 2016 (Note: there may be further sub-committee meetings in
February to organize the Mardi Gras dance), April 7, 2016, May 5, 2016
Meeting Adjourned: 8:05 pm
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