Dixie Public School Council Meeting
Thursday, November 20, 2014, MINUTES
PRESENT:
Parent Members: Mashkoor Sherwani (Chair), Shivir Jain (Vice-Chair), Elizabeth Bidinoff
(Fundraising Chair), Goody Bhagwager (Council), Nazneen Khan
Staff Members: Meghan Echlin (Principal), Suzanne Liou-Robinson (Teacher), Annette
Mautner (Teacher)
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: Mr. Sherwani welcomed all present and Introduced a
new member, Nazneen Khan.
REVIEW of MINUTES: Minutes from October 16, 2014. Motion to accept by Mrs.
Bhagwager. Seconded by Mrs. Khan. Minutes approved as written.
Principal’s Update:
School Website
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has been set up
agendas and minutes have been posted
OFIP Tutoring
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will start January, 2015
Ministry is funding our school based on a submitted proposal for funding
math assessment in December for grades 2 and 3 to see who is suitable
two 45 minute sessions for 10 weeks
Chocolate Fundraiser
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we raised $6,140 in profits
money will be used for technology and presentations in the school
Primary Trip to Liberty Grand
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grades 1,2, and 3 going to Liberty Grand on November, 25, 2014.
theme is ‘caring and sharing’
children choose a gift for themselves and another for a child in the school (usually in
kindergarten)
sponsored by Children’s Breakfast Club
Primary Concert
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will be held on December 16th
theme is ‘Shine Brightly’
Choir Trip to Meadowcroft
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choir will be singing at Meadowcroft Seniors Home
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December 2, 2014
Pizza Day
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will be on December 27th
Chair’s Update:
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gave information about position on the board’s parent involvement committee. Last date
to apply is December 12, 2014. The successful candidate will serve on the committee
from January 2015-Summer 2016
3 people attended (Mr. Sherwani, Mr. Jain, and Mrs. Bidinoff). All 3 shared their
experience with the school council
Movie Night
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January 23, 2015.
Mrs Bidinoff sent letter to Valu-Mart (about prices for snack items and donations); still
waiting for response
Kindergarten Interviews
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Mr. Sherwani suggested Kindergarten teachers have interviews on the same night as the
rest of the school (in November)
council voted (3 to 1) in favour of keeping kindergarten interviews in January
kindergarten report cards go home January 29, 2015.
Other Business
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Mrs. Echlin to approach Wal-Mart about matching money raised from chocolate
fundraising
Kindergarten going to Applewood Heights Secondary School for a play (The Sky Gods)
on December 2, 2014 at 9am. Volunteers needed
Mr. Sherwani suggested a digital board outside the school
Mrs. Echlin asked if council would be interested in purchasing Synervoice a phone
message service to send out messages to parents about important events happening in the
school (e.g., snow days). Mrs. Bidinoff and Mr. Jain suggested starting with emails first.
Mrs. Khan offered to help Mrs. Bidinoff with fundraising
suggested kids announce celebrations over PA and explain how they celebrate
Orientation of Council (fundraising needs to have a purpose)
only thing mandatory is Chair and Principal
most important need is volunteers (i.e., parents for day trips and breakfast club, etc.)
suggested an orientation meeting for people in the neighbourhood to volunteer
Mrs. Khan offered to volunteer and suggested high school volunteers
Meeting adjorned at 7:15 pm.
Next Parent Council Meeting: Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 6pm.