School council minutes from February

This week's School Council meeting was cancelled due to weather. Here are the (as yet unapproved) minutes from the February meeting. We meet again April 20, which is the Wednesday before the long weekend. If you are a voting member and can't attend, please email Ginnie as far as possible in advance.

Clairlea School Council Meeting

February 16, 2011, 7:00 p.m.

In attendance: Ginnie Zaromitidis (chair), Hope Smith, Christina Mark, Catharine Heddle, Paul Wilson, Maria Handrinos, Chimei Chang, Irit Hartman, Hilde Johannessen, Mary Anne Kratz, Ann Silver (treasurer), Howard Laderman (principal), Freddy Frenette (vice principal), Delphine Rule (teacher representative)

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.

Chair’s Report

Ginnie reported that Ekua Esabea-Blair and Beverly Way have resigned from School Council and that Beverly has resigned from the position of Vice Chair.

The Chair invited nominations for the position of Vice Chair. Hope Smith was nominated and, with no other nominations, elected to the position of Vice Chair. Thank you, Hope!

Ginnie reported that Mr. Mitkovski and Mr. Knierim have worked to create a media workshop in their grade 6 classrooms. Earlier this year, Council approved a pilot project for a paid media workshop at the cost of $25 per student to be provided by an external supplier. Since a made-at-Clairlea alternative now exists, Council decided to reallocate the funds to a new projector to be used by grade 6, 7, 8 students who will use it to screen movies that they will make.

Principal’s Report

This was our first chance to meet our new, acting principal, Howard Laderman. Mr. Laderman is a retired principal who has worked in our family of schools in the past. He told us that he believes kids should be excited about coming to school every day, and should be excited to tell their parents about it at the end of the day. He believes in creating a sense of family at school, and in maintaining an open dialogue between teacher and parent. He believes kids always come first.

Mr. Laderman complimented Mr. Frenette and the staff on their professionalism and hard work through this transition. In answer to a question as to how long he will stay at Clairlea, he indicated that he is able to stay until the end of June if the Superintendent and Board wish it.

Vice Principal’s Report

Mr. Frenette reported on the new format of report cards, which focus on learning skills. He discussed parent-teacher interviews, and informed us that the 2011-12 school year calendar would be approved in March. Because of the way the December holidays fall this year, school can either re-start on Jan 2 or Jan 9. We will be informed of the final decision after March Break. (Update: as of March 21, 2011 the tentative schedule is posted here: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/_site/ViewItem.asp?siteid=10190&menuid=34153&pageid=29050)

EQAO – An EQAO information night for parents of students in grades 3 and 6 will be held on April 14. The test will be administered to all grade 3 and 6 students between May 30 and June 3. Grade 3 French Immersion students only write the math section, and they write it in French. Both French and English grade 6 students write all three sections (math, reading, writing) and they take the test in English.

Mr. Frenette reported that the school has purchased four new lunch tables for use in the gym, at a cost of $1,000 per table. He indicated that an additional four tables are on their last legs, and that there are no funds available to replace them should they break.

This led to an extensive discussion about whether this is something the School Council should fund, and about the alternatives (cheaper tables; eating in classrooms; eating in hallways), none of which was deemed feasible. Council members felt that this is something the school board should fund, and that our fundraising efforts should be focused on creating a positive environment for learning in ways that go above and beyond the basics that the board supplies.

  

Finally, Mr. Frenette informed us that Clairlea is hosting many student teachers this year, from York University, Glendon College and the University of Ottawa. We also have three student Child Youth Workers from George Brown, and co-op students from SATEC. The school benefits from and appreciates these additional resources.

Clairlea is also planning a tutoring program in which grade 11/12 students from SATEC will come to Clairlea to tutor grade 4-8 students.

Teacher’s Report

Ms. Delphine Rule reported on the results of some of the programs funded by School Council this year. Members of the senior guitar club, led by Mr. Steers, are now able to bring their guitars home to practice, thanks to the cases we bought. The guitar club will be performing at the Fenêtre Ouverte.

The Mystic Drumz performance was a huge hit. Mme Park extends her thanks. The children got a lot out of the program, especially those in grades K-4. She hopes to bring the performance back again in a couple of years.

Everyone is working hard on Fenêtre Ouverte and the open house. Certain classrooms will be open that evening so that parents can experience some of the students’ activities. An outside speaker is coming to provide information about supporting French students with their homework.

A few other updates from around the school:

• The Girls Volleyball team went to the finals, where they lost by just one point. Thanks to Ms. Lowen for coaching them.
• The Elmo projector is in near-constant use and is much appreciated.
• There is a bulletin board on student health in the hallway, created by the nursing student.
• The small lunch room has been converted to a music room – it is worth visiting.
• M. Landry raised $250 selling candy-grams at Valentine’s Day, at his own expense, and asked Council to match that amount to buy French-English dictionaries for the French Immersion students. This was approved.

Treasurer’s Report

Ann Silver presented her treasurer’s report, which included the following highlights:

-         Balance as at 31 Jan 2011: $10,525

-         Committed funds: $7,925

-         Undesignated funds available: $2,598

Fundraising Report

January and February pizza lunch proceeds are expected to be approximately $500 each.

A movie night is scheduled for Friday.

Led by Hope Smith, Fenêtre Ouverte parent volunteers will make and serve 1200 pancakes before 10am. Griffiths Labs have donated 50kgs of pancake mix for the third year in a row. Dickie’s No Frills has donated a $25 gift card and Food Basics allowed us to buy enough Kool-Aid Jammers for the entire school at the sale price.

Other Business

A Staff Appreciation Lunch will be held on March 10, and parents are asked to email Ginnie if they can contribute a dish.

There was a question about the PALS program, in which grade 5 and 6 students help the younger children learn positive, collaborative play at recess. Several teachers support the program on a revolving schedule on their break time. (Thank you!) Unfortunately this program cannot be extended to the lunch recess, and concern was expressed about how to stop fighting during lunch recess.

Mr. Laderman reported that the school has a no-touch policy, which means that all students must keep their hands and feet to themselves – regardless of whether they believe that contact is welcome or unwelcome.

Both the principal and vice-principal spend time supervising the schoolyard in an effort to eliminate fighting and negative play. The guideline is 90 children per lunchtime supervisor, and it is hard to watch everyone. If parents observe unacceptable behaviour, they are asked to contact Mr. Laderman at howard.laderman@tdsb.on.ca.

The meeting concluded before 8:30 p.m.