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Manotick Public School Advisory Council

Minutes May 28, 2014 7:00 pm

Present: Andrew Nordman (Principal) Steve Montero Rob Maxwell Kim Cable Valerie Hodge

Cara Fauser Jen Sabourin Alyson Fair

Melanie Vangalis (Teacher Representative) Lianna Titcombe Sheri Edwards Emma Kinnaird

Marlene Elliott

Topic Speaker

Approval of Minutes

April meeting minutes were reviewed and approved. Andrew looked into placement of a crossing guard at intersections approaching the school and it was determined that foot traffic did not warrant a placement at this time. When the new bussing zones come into effect, the school will need to request re-assessment. Many kids will be walking from the south island and across Bridge St. at that time.

Rob

1.0 Current Business

1.1 Treasurer's Report - No formal report to present. Sean still under the weather but sent along our current balance after the initial Fair deposit: $11,231.26. Initial Fair deposit was over $5500 and more is coming in from Silent Auction items. The last report projection for the end of year was likely a little optimistic, should finish only with $4-5K by the time the June bills are paid. This is where we want to be to start in Sept.

1.2 September Start-Up Decisions:

• Student Levy: it was decided to keep the levy amount as is for September as contribution has been good and it pays for agendas/totes leaving us some cash for the school left over.

• Milk Program: It was decided that the Milk Program should remain with the school and no longer be run under Council control. This gives the staff a little more discretionary spending, without coming to Council to request funds. Andrew has been open and transparent about what the funds are being spent on.

• By-Law/Start-Up Form Changes: the roles of Newsletter and Website Coordinators have combined into a "Communications Coordinator" who will primarily update the Council website and then send updates to Andrew to include in school newsletter. Milk coordinator and Sprit Day coordinator were also removed. Emma's Fundraising position needs to be added to the by-laws. Most of the other parent positions were kept on the start-up form, even if the program wasn't run this year.

Ü Rob to update by-laws for review at the June Meeting. They can be re-visited by Council at the normal time next year if they need to be tweaked again.

Ü Kim to update and submit Council Start-Up forms to Mary Jane

Kim

Kim

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Topic Speaker 1.3 June Meeting: we chose June 19th as a possible meeting date to go off-site for drinks/dinner. The Mill Tavern was suggested.

Ü Kim to book and confirm.

1.4 Grade 5 Leaving Ceremony: plans are underway to have a pool party at LIAC. Money will be collected from parents to attend and deposited in Council's account. Kim will need an initial down payment in the beginning of June. Most of Council's $300 allotment to the Gr. 5's will be used up to subsidize this event.

1.5 School Retirements: 3 staff members, including Mary Jane, are leaving and there was much discussion as to what Council can contribute as farewell gifts. Our by-laws provide for $50 per retiree so gift cards were chosen as the staff thought that appropriate. All retirees will be acknowledged at a school-wide assembly June 25th.

Ü Jen and Lianna to get gifts and cards to present. Council to sign cards at next meeting.

2.0 Principal’s Report

1) Welcome and Thank You a) Thank you to Karen Bowness for organizing the volunteer appreciation breakfast b) Thank you to Emma Kinnaird for all of her hours for organizing the Spring Fair c) Thank you to all the volunteers to helped out on Saturday d) Welcome to Mike Gaudreau as our new Chief Custodian (starting on June 4)

2) EQAO a) May 26 to June 5 b) Primary assessment is being written at MPS from May 26 to 29 c) Students will write Language in the first two instructional blocks of the day (8:30 to 10:00 and 11:00 to

12:30) and Math in the first block only 3) Staffing

a) MPS had three teaching vacancies during the May staffing process b) Two were results of retirements, one was a result of an increase in staffing c) Have hired the following:

i) Sarah Lucchetti – English, Grade 4/5 (1.0) ii) Krista Sheehan – French, Grade 4 (0.6) iii) Louise Hutchinson – now moves to teach only ETFI and Math

d) Vacancy for the June staffing process i) Primary French immersion (0.32)

e) Vacancy for the Office Administrator is now open as well i) Planning to interview on the 6th for this position

4) School Supplies

a) Same supply list will go home at the end of June with report cards

5) TTFM Survey a) Students have completed writing the survey b) I am waiting for results to be compiled by The Learning Bar

6) Dress Code

a) The following is the description of the MPS dress code from the student agenda: OCDSB Student Dress Code Policy is based on the expectations that schools shall be safe and respectful learning environments. Further to this expectation is our concern for each child’s safety, comfort, cleanliness, and sense of modesty. All students must dress neatly and in a style that promotes learning and concentration in class. Dressing appropriately, in a manner that reflects self-pride and respect for others, helps students to develop social values and good judgement. Students are expected to wear acceptable school attire, reflecting community standards, parental guidance and weather conditions. These principles shall govern student dress:

Andrew

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Topic Speaker • Respect for learning / Promote a positive school climate (e.g. remove hats in school) • Respect for rights and dignity of others (e.g. no coarse, racist or inappropriate language, pictures or

slogans) • Cleanliness / Decency (e.g. no bare midriffs, short shorts, halter tops, shoestring straps, underwear in

sight, mesh garments, etc.) • Safety (e.g. proper footwear at all times, no drawstrings on outer wear, appropriate dress for weather

conditions)

Should a student not adhere to the school dress code and guidelines, a verbal warning will be given and concern will be expressed to parents by the teacher or principal. Students may be asked to change clothing immediately. The school reserves the right to determine whether a student’s attire is within the limits of decency and modesty.

b) In light of recent events in the news, I thought it would be worthwhile to discuss your thoughts on this c) To put this in perspective, I have never had to talk to a student about inappropriate clothing here at

MPS d) If this dress code is appropriate as is, I will continue to have it published in the agenda

7) Agenda Cover Contest a) Choosing the top 5 b) Please have a look around at the entries and decide on the winner plus 4 runner-ups

8) Upcoming Events

a) May 30 – Spirit Day (Hat Day) and assembly (8:30) b) June 6 – PD Day c) June 9 – Track and Field; Class trips to the Medieval Festival d) June 19 – Osgoode PS trip for Cahill and Vangalis (penpals) e) June 20 – Spirit Day (Wacky/Tacky Day) and assembly (2:00) f) June 23 – Grade 5s to Parliament and the Haunted Walk g) June 24 – Grade 5 Leaving Ceremony (11:15 start) h) June 25 – report cards home i) June 27 – Last day of school (for students and staff)

3.0 Coordinator Updates and Round Table

3.1 Fundraising:

Spring Fair Update: Thank-you to the team: Jen, Car, Alyson, Valerie, Shannon & Amy, and Patrick for making the carnival games and being the ‘go to’ man on Saturday and to Scott for the Scavenger Hunt and all the advertising posters and lawn signs. And thanks to the parent and staff volunteers. Sponsors: My Contractor $700 Minto $500 Dr. Larissa Patterson $300 My Toy Shop $300 Kelly, Manthrop $150 Musical Thought Studios $50 Total $2000 Expenses for Attractions: Dr. Kaboom $962 Circus Delights $533 Junkyard Symphony $452 Total $1947 Profit on attractions: $53

Emma

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Topic Speaker Other Misc. Money coming back to the school from: Village Butcher All’Antica My Toy Shop Hot Potato Company ($80) Emma is asking for and received some amendments for stalls for next year’s fair. Going to make up sponsorship packages for next year’s fair in the hopes of getting between $3000-$5000 in donations. Next year’s Spring Fair date is Saturday May 30th.

3.2 Special Events

• Last movie night is May 30th: The Nut Job

• Going to next year hold movies in winter months only. Expect low attendance Friday.

3.3 Literacy Initiative: • Marlene will direct about $1200 of Read-a-thon profits towards the school library as has been

done in the past.

Ü Council approved $1300 in spending for the Book Club purchases from OLA in the fall.

3.4 Alternative Lunch: Nothing to report

3.5 Website: Nothing to report

3.6 Newsletter: Nothing to report

3.7 OCASC: Nothing to report

3.8 Yard Transformation:

• Val to look into the Butterfly Garden and see what plants come up again and which may need to be replaced.

• New front bed project was a success and the new beds at the front door look great! Thanks to all volunteers and Lisa Paddle for organizing.

• Council approved $550 +tax ($622) for the purchase of a new bicycle rack to install ourselves.

Ü Rob to check his welding contacts to see if the price Scott quoted can be improved.

3.9 Volunteer Planning: Nothing to report

3.10 Community Liaison:

Ü Kim to forward copy of PRO grant application to Alyson so that she may investigate speakers that can potentially attend our proposed talk on Children's Mental Health in the fall.

Jen

Marlene

Val

Cara

Alyson

Round Table: • EDP Resources: there was some concern over the staffing of the Extended Day Program and

Andrew confirmed there would be 3 new resources next year. • Drumming with Derek: an innovative and fun speaker that has had great reviews. $300 to bring into

MPS as a school-wide event. Andrew to fund for now until Council gets a new finance report with Fair money worked in.

Lianna

Val

Adjourned at 9:10 pm

Next meeting June 19, 2014. Place and time TBD.