Percy Centennial Public School
Council Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2014
Members Present:
John Goheen, Jennifer Meades, Jenny Madden, Susan Abraham, Diana Thomas, Allison Young.
Regrets: Sheila Wright and Michelle Jamieson
Meeting called to order at 6:30pm by Jennifer Meades in Percy library
Approval of Minutes from January 8, 2014
Motion to accept with revisions discussed during the meeting: Susan Abraham; Second; Diana
Thomas
Treasurer’s Report
The General Account balance is $1978.95 (minus money to buy pizzas for hot lunch in March)
Lottery account has been closed, balance transferred to general account. Board office will open a lottery account in the future when required.
Discussion Topics
Student Reading Group Update: Six volunteers and 5 students will start the week after
March break, Tuesday and Wednesday after school from 3:15pm to 4:15pm in the library on a month long trail basis. They will need to bring their own reading material.
Elective Program: Council has decided to postpone this program until next year to focus on other activities. We will revisit at a later date.
Communication Initiative Update: Bulletin board in the school kept up to date, Facebook and website up to date. End of year newsletter will be created and distributed and kindergarten communications for next year.
School sign over the summer holidays : Fire department requested free use of the sign to display a fire safety message. Possibility of renting the use of the sign to service groups as well.
Council discussed the process for this. Groups interested in renting the sign should contact the school.
Fundraising
 Natural playground discussion: Council discussed the viability of a long term initiative to create a natural playground as the eventual replacement for the current play structures erected in 1999 at a cost of $25,000 (plus cost of pea gravel, digging, welding and removal of existing structures). Present replacement value would be between $19000-34000.
Ganaraska School in Port Hope has developed their own natural playground that is CSA and board approved. The TVO program “The Giver” was involved in most of the fundraising and implication of the project. A natural playground for Percy will be a long term planning project that can be designed and implemented in a phased approach.

Percy Centennial Public School
Council Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2014
 The eco garden has two more phases to be completed. The eco club will be consulted as to the next steps so that Council can provide financial support for phase 2 as one of our initiatives this spring.
 Teachers will be asked to make up a list for class outdoor equipment needs consisting of balls, chalk, Frisbees, etc. as another initiative where council will provide financial support
 The final initiative will be to enhance the Kindergarten outdoor area which will include; painting the concrete entry wall, possible natural seating and outdoor class use.
 Fun fair planning for May will start in early April.
 Bake sale will be held at the Town Hall March 9, 2014 during the Maple Syrup festival with a donated table from the Blue Banner group.
Principal’s Report
 Security system is on.
 Kindergarten renovations set to begin in May.
 May 13-16 - Grade 7/8 trip to Olympia camp (near Algonquin), four days/three nights at a cost of $290.
New Business
Parents reaching out (PRO) – annual grants are available to engage parents – applications from school councils are being accepted.
A motion to adjourn was made by Susan Abraham, seconded by Diana Thomas.
Meeting adjourned at 8pm.
Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 6:30pm, Percy School library.