Meeting in Minutes: Sept. 19.19

Sept 19.19 Parent Council Meeting in Minutes

Start 7:10

Election of 2019-2020 

• Executive - Laura Strachan
• Vice Chair - Lisa Curran-Lehman
• Secretary – acclaimed in absentia - Hanan Haddid
• Treasurer – Erin Peacock

Admin report

• Introduction – Todd MacGillvary, Principal and Gayle David, Vice Principal
• Staffing updates
• New staff
• Reorganization – allotted 1.0 French Immersion Teacher; .5 English teacher
• Curriculum Night moved to be after classes reorganized to ensure parents meeting with new teacher if applicable (FI only, no movement in English classes)

Facilities update

• Bathrooms are currently being renovated to increase privacy and make accessible
• AC unit to transform gym into cooling centre has arrived, been installed, will be hooked up soon
• Pennants relocated for student mural
• Bussing issues addressed

• Spirit Wear will soon be available for purchase through CashOnline; samples will be available for sizing

Kindergarten

• New entry/dismissal system
• Working well
• More inclusive
• Assists with multiple child pickup
• Will revisit by Thanksgiving by committee; if not working will change
• Acknowledged concerns about weather
• Past issues with parents in kindergarten pen, parents in halls, children arriving too early and sitting in hall
• Parent Concern – parents parking near doors
• Pylons being used
• Would like parking lane on Edge Park where Blvd is

Other Happenings:

• Curriculum Night w/BBQ Thursday, September 26 starting at 5pm
• Picture Day October 2
• Note PA Day/Thanksgiving correction on calendar
• New music room

Parent Inquiry about “1 grade up/1 grade down” play rule:

• For safety purposes
• Able to play with siblings in other grades

Budget Report

• Funfair raised money for fans; Todd to look into pricing of Board approved fans, must be safe for fingers
• Parent Inquiry about Kindergarten SmartBoard
• Money set aside last year; was on back order then company out of business; will be ordered
• Parent concern about snow removal
• Admin request for field trip monies – to be revisited next meeting
• Parent Request - Running total to be kept of money donated by Parent Council during 2019-2020 year

Chair Introduction

Halloween Howl

• Volunteers needed
• Subcommittee to be struck
• Oct 25 as potential date (confirmed)

Nov 6 Family Picture Night

• $25 sitting fee entirely to school
• Includes one picture and opportunity to order additional
• Todd will secure permit
• Approx 20 families
• Possible set up in library
• Parent Inquiry – prints available before Christmas?

Parent Safety Concern
Request for stop sign at bus loop driveway and white line

Parent Concerns – First day procedures

• Difficult to see information
• Disorganized
• Concerns about personal information posted and parents taking pictures
• Difficulty with Trillium Friday before School started

Suggestions:

• Information on report cards in June
• Information posted in August – without personal information
• Map of where classrooms line up
• Teachers with Bristol Board signs showing room numbers
• Staggered Start
• Todd to investigate how other schools accomplish this

Parent Inquiry – possibility of crossing guard at Edge park

• Parents encouraged to contact city to request

Parent suggestion – Parent Council page for Facebook

Adjournment 8:25 pm

CLAIRLEA PARENT COUNCIL

has a 

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

clairleaparentcouncil@gmail.com

Global Climate Strike

GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE - TORONTO

27 Sep 2019 @ 11:00am

Queen's Park. 111 Wellesley St 

Friday, September 27 is the Toronto Global Climate Strike

In over 150 countries, people are stepping up to support young climate strikers. Student voice and action is important for our students and parent/guardian involvement in this process is key. Please see the message below from the TDSB regarding the Climate Strike and student participation.

 Possible Student Participation in Climate Change Rally: Information for Parents & Students:

Inspired by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, young people from around the world have joined the Fridays for Future movement and are showing their support by participating in climate change rallies. Currently, there is a student climate change rally planned for Friday, September 27 at Queen’s Park. To be clear, this is not a TDSB-sanctioned event, however we understand that students at a number of our schools may take part. At the TDSB, we honour student voice and are committed to ensuring students can express themselves individually and collectively in ways that are constructive, respectful and responsible.

As a Board, we know that climate change is an important issue that needs to be addressed and that students play an important role in building an environmentally sustainable future. The TDSB EcoSchools Program provides opportunities within the classroom, the school, and the community for students to engage in education actions that prepare them with the knowledge, skills, perspectives, and practices they need to be environmentally responsible citizens. This approach is guided by the TDSB’s Global Competencies, which encourage students to engage in local and global concepts and initiatives while demonstrating responsibility and ethical citizenship.

With regards to the September 27 rally, safety is our top priority for students who may be planning to participate. We’ve asked our schools to work closely with student organizers so that their plans include consideration of student safety and logistical issues.

As always, students under the age of 18 require parental permission to leave class. Any students who are not in attendance at school will be marked absent. As is the case with all absences where parental permission has been granted, the absence will be deemed “explained.”

To ensure students receive no academic penalty for taking part in the rally, we have also asked our schools to avoid scheduling tests and other assessments on that day.

In the days ahead, we will be providing additional curriculum resources to support our teachers as they provide learning opportunities for students on climate change.

We encourage parents/guardians to discuss this climate change rally with their child(ren). Student voice and action is important for our students and parent/guardian involvement in this process is key.

Clairlea Council 2019/2020

Clairlea's first Parent Council meeting had a fantastic turnout last night with over 30 parents joining the discussion and welcoming in the new school year!

As mentioned, new council executive has been elected for this school year. We encourage all parents and caregivers to attend the monthly meetings to hear what council is doing for our school and how you can get involved with fundraising events, health and safety and general happenings at Clairlea. Along with the Clairlea Council blog we hope to have a Council Facebook page up and running to keep families in touch. 

This year's council is as follows:

Secretary: Hanan Hadad
Treasurer: Erin Peacock
Vice-Chair: Lisa Curran-Lehman
Chair: Laura Strachan

If you would like to be added to the Clairlea Council email list please send your your email to clairleacouncil@gmail.com.  We would like to hear your feedback and suggestions. 


We would like to thank Irit Hartman for all her years of service, organization and hard work to the council. Happy retirement Irit!

Let's make this a great year!

Regards,
Laura Strachan

2019/2020 School Council: A message from the Chair

Dear Clairlea Families....

I hope everyone had a relaxing summer and you are looking forward to a great school year ahead.  I would like to congratulate all the wonderful parent and student volunteers, staff of Clairlea and Community vendors that made this past June's Funfair a resounding success.  We raised $4000 dollars towards the cool the school program and this newly elected School Council will have the opportunity to implement those funds.
I have had a tremendous opportunity to be the School Council Chair for the last eight years which enabled me to work closely with many Clairlea families, Clairlea staff and the Clairlea community.  As my babies are in high school and nearing high school I have chosen to retire from Clairlea School Council and cheer on all the wonderful parents that are more than capable to step into the role.  Thank you to all for the years of support and kind emails. 
The first school council meeting will take place this Wednesday September 18th.  As it is the first meeting of the year it will be run by the School administration until the election takes place.  The meeting details are as follows:

Wednesday Sept 18th
7:00pm-8:30pm
School Staff Room
Child minding is provided

The main focus of this meeting will be to elect the new school council executive which consists of the following roles....(I promise these roles are not as intimidating as they seem.  Come out to a meeting and carve your own way of helping out in a way that works for you!)

School Council Chair
Treasurer
Fundraising Chair
Secretary

I have attached a nomination form below to be completed by anyone that wants to be involved in the Clairlea School Council in any capacity.  Even if you just want to be included in the email distribution list.  Also if you want to run for a position please complete the attached form and bring it to the meeting this Wednesday or drop it off to the office in advance.

I wish everyone the best in the upcoming year and I hope that you will continue to be involved in your child's education as much as you are able.

Kind regards,
Irit
School Council Chair 2018/2019

First School Council Meeting! Wed. Sept 18

School Council meets on the third Wednesday of every month, at the school, 7:00pm-8:30pm. 

Anyone with a child at Clairlea can attend - you do not need to be an official voting member of council to attend the meetings. 

Childcare is provided.

Welcome Back!