Bridlewood Community Elementary School Council Meeting
Sept 19, 2012
Attendance – Andrea H, Julie B, Gayle M, Kathy W, Stacy K, Victoria F, Angalena T, Carmen B, Charmaine F-P,
Amanda L, Ruby S, Diana B, Stephanie W, Susan W, Suzanne B, Lenny U, Tracy C, Danielle C , Beth W, Christine R,
Lynn P, Brenda C, Jean-Ann R-F, Rhonda G, Holly G, Nora M
Welcome and Call to Order by Gayle M.
Approval of Agenda – Gayle motioned the approval of the September agenda. Seconded by Kathy. All in favour,
none opposed. Motion passed.
Approval of Minutes – Gayle motioned the approval of the June minutes. Seconded by Julie. All in favour, none
opposed. Motion passed.
Principal’s Report – Nora McEwen
1. Great start-up to the year! Team effort, as always – Ts, EAs, Office staff, Custodial staff. Many renovations
(flooring, heating and air systems, office).
2.
Opening assemblies – Primary/Junior, 7’s and 8’s .
3.
We’ve completed 2 of 3 (required) fall fire drills as well as a Lockdown Practice supervised by our SRO.
4.
Packages have gone home with all students recently (verification forms, media release, computer
agreements, etc.), and are to be returned to the school by this Friday. Important that we receive all of
these things back.
5.
Very successful Meet-the-Teacher on Thursday, September 13th. Wonderful turn-out of parents and
children! Thanks to council for organizing the pizza.
6.
Current enrolment – 368.
We received notice yesterday that we will be required to do a re-organization in our Primary Division; we
must reduce by one class. One teacher will be declared surplus to our school. We are in the process of
determining who that teacher will be as well as how to re-structure our grade 1, 2 and 3 classes to best
serve the needs of our students. Communication with parents will be forthcoming in the next few days
and class changes will take place by the end of September.
7.
EQAO results have been received. Individual results will be sent home shortly. I will present detailed
information at our October meeting.
8.
Upcoming events/activities:
Terry Fox Assembly and Walk/Run (September 21 and 27)
PD Day (Friday, October 5). Focus on SIPSA and Numeracy
9.
An Evening With Sir John Jones. Engaged Parents, Happy Students: Strategies for Weaving Student
Success and Well-Being. Wednesday, October 3rd. Longfields-Davidson Heights S.S. Register on-line on the
OCDSB website.
10. Anxiety, Depression and Suicide. Monday, October 15th. 7-9 p.m., at Sir Robert Borden H.S. CHEO in
conjunction with the OCDSB Parental Involvement Committee. For more information and to register go
to: Cheoconnects October 15
11. 25th Anniversary Celebration. Bridlewood will be celebrating this year. Anyone interested in being on the
planning committee?? Let Nora know asap, please.
Staff Report – Amanda Lemeiux, Beth Wynn
 Terry Fox run 1145 Sept 27th, Assembly on Friday - $2 for Terry, 9:20 for whole school
 OCTDF – Teacher’s Union hoping to set up website soon with information for parents
 Mrs Perry will be involved with the Butterfly project with students.
 Lynn Y class will be doing the Roots of Empathy in conjunction with the Hub
Chairperson’s Report – Gayle M
Welcome everyone, to another year at Bridlewood! This evening's meeting is important as we will be electing our
new School Council. I am looking forward to another successful year and am so pleased to see so many people
here, both returning and new parents.
The School Council will be meeting on the following dates at 7 p.m. in the library:
October 17, 2012
November 21, 2012
January 16, 2013
February 20, 2013
April 17, 2013
May 15, 2013
June 19, 2013
* Please note that there are no meetings in December or March. Childcare is available, so please contact me prior
to the meeting.
Thank you to everyone who helped out with the "Open House" pizza. We made $254.48
Both milk and pizza costs have risen this year. This has resulted in a minimal price increase for the students.
The first OCASC meeting is September 20 at Fisher Park.
A "School Council Training" workshop is being offered on Saturday, October 13 at Sir Robert Borden High School. It
will run from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. This is a great opportunity for anyone thinking of taking on a bigger role in the
near future.
For those of you interested in getting information on the current labour relations issues, log on to the board's
website at www.ocdsb.ca
Our "Parent Lending Library" will be relocating to the Library.
Our first Scholastic Book Fair is tentatively booked for November 16, to tie into the "Meet the Teacher" evening.
Financial Report – Gayle M on behalf of Kris D, see attached
Hub Report – Susan Wheat
 Parent Resource Library – where to put it (office or library but not in Portable); post list of books, etc., on
BCES website
 New partnership with the Ottawa Public Library for French story time (contes en famille); two were held
in the Portable during the summer and another one this morning (this is in addition to the weekly English
story times Melanie does on Friday mornings (9:45 – 10:15)
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Homework Club – (coordinated by Colleen Taylor, WOCRC)
o Funded by WOCRC this school year – Colleen to be in touch with Nora and South March School
principal to discuss sustainable funding
o Tutors/volunteers have been hired
o Forms available on WOCRC website wocrc.ca
o Will run from 2:30 – 4 p.m., Tues & Thurs., beginning Oct 2, if finalized with school.
o Rather than being held in the Portable, preference is for children to sit on wall in Pit for snack
and use the library and computer room for their homework. If run in the portable, access to
chairs is essential.
FRIENDS programs
o FRIENDS for Life is a program for the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression in
children (8 to 11 year) and youth (12 to 16 years).
o Fun FRIENDS teaches emotional resilience and practical strategies for coping with stress, worry,
fear and sadness (for children 4-7)
o One program to be offered this fall at Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC),
depending on how many are registered for different age groups
o Look at the website to learn more about the program http://friendsrt.com/programs.html
o call WOCRC to put your child on the list for a fall or winter program 613-591-3686 x0
WOCRC programs available to schools (i.e., healthy relationships, internet safety, bullying, etc.); Nora or
Mark to contact WOCRC if there is a need
for parents looking for individualized help…
Do you have concerns about:
• Your child’s behaviour
• Your child’s emotional state
• Your child’s mental health diagnosis (e.g. anxiety, depression, ADHD)
• School-related issues
• Your child’s struggles with peers
• A family conflict
• Other parenting issues
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Crossroads Children’s Centre Mental Health Walk-in Clinic – Thursdays noon – 8 (last appointment at
6:30) – a single counselling session for parents and children (birth – 12 years) with referral to other
community resources http://www.crossroadschildren.ca/clinic.php
Short-term Counselling (6 or fewer sessions) is also available for adults and children from the Counselling
Services Team at WOCRC http://wocrc.ca/en/programs-and-services/counselling-informationreferral.aspx
Motion to Dissolve 2011/2012 School Council – Motion by Gayle to dissolve council, seconded by Danielle C, all in
favour, motion passed.
Election of the 2012/2013 School Council Members
Chairperson – Gayle MacPherson, acclaimed
Vice Chairperson – Kathy Warnholtz, acclaimed
Treasurer – Stacy Krahn, acclaimed
Secretary – Christine Russell and Victoria Forget
Parent Representatives – Julie Bampton, Diana Brunke, Danielle Carrie, Tracy Cledgett, Brenda Cole, Charmaine
Forgie-Provan, Rhonda Gerkema, Andrea Haas, Lynn Patterson, Ruby Savaria, Lenny Unisa, Stephanie Woodward,
Holly Graven
New Business –
A. Budget Committee – Andrea H, Stacy K, Gayle M, Ruby S, Holly G, Diana B, Kathy W
B. Volunteer Update – 25 Bakers, 5 Cake Walk Organizers, 4 Fundraising Committee, 1 Garden Committee, 7
Health Committee, 5 Office Coverage, 11 Special Events, 13 Staff Luncheon, 1 Lost and Found, 4 Pizza
Workers
C. Pro Grant – we received the grant for the Math Lending Library. Math packages include manipulatives,
games, tips and instructions. Next step is to purchase materials. Have until June 2013 to complete, will
get up and running as soon as possible. Plan to have a display at the Open House. Report to be sent in for
Aug 30 2013.
D. Bridlewood Bike Chase – Sat Sept 15, 10-2pm. Bridlewood Community Association held the first bike race
and requested a station from our school council – Brenda C and Rhonda G coordinated. Great experience,
provided two high school students hours. Look forward to doing it again next year.
E. OCASC reps – Andrea H described what it was for new parents (Chalk it up, Guest speakers) Andrea
volunteered again for this year but would like to share it – Susan Bowen volunteered as alternative
Round Table – Danielle C – What is a bike race? More details given. Tracy – She would volunteer to Chair
fundraising committee and operate Facebook Page, Susanne – asked about Cake Walk and what this was –
explanation about regular cakes, peanut free donated by bakers – don’t have to be a professional baker to donate
one, children buy tickets to vote on their favorite cake and have a chance to win it, Carmen – Where is the best
place to find information about what is going on at the school? – Newsletter and school website. Victoria – Oct
13th School Council Training, Stacy – asked about emergency contacts request form sent in recently, wondered
about young families pairing up with families with older children – could this be done? Answer to let it be done
among parents themselves, not a school responsibility.
Adjourned.
Date of the next meeting is Wednesday, October 17, 2012.