SAC Meeting Feb 25th
In Attendance
Ellie Arscott,Georgia Koziol, Daniele Cammisa, John Kyriazis, Eilleen Buchholz, Susan Fletcher, Victor Giorgas, David Darling, Jennifer Moses, Tracey Arsenault, Elena Sanjuan, Nancy Wong, Nikki Rudzik, Claudia Filici McMullan, Ann McKechnie. Maureen Allen-Doorley, Uyen Vu, Laurie Barnett, Rita Camacho Lomelli
Called to order by Victor, SAC Chair
1 – Added business; Daniele added for Model Schools. Susan Fletcher for Applegrove. Nancy asked for discussion of levelled readers in classrooms.
2 – Treasurers Report; Teachers have all stated they`re going to use the $150. Kinschular and Souaid on hold until they return. $9000 available to spend $8200 in reserve for classroom enrichment, boomwhackers and listening centres. Next things coming up on budget are the potluck, playdays and athletic requests
3 – Principles Report
Georgia
Academics – PLC (professional learning community) this week for grades 1-6. Is when teachers come together to talk and plan to see if they're all on the same page. Discussion this time was on assessment practices with reports cards having gone out. What do the letter values actually look like e.g.: What constitutes an A or B in Grade 2 etc. They are trying to create an exemplar for French Emersion as there is not one available for reference. In the English stream there is.
Kindegarten and Senior (7/8) are meeting next week.
Pathway for spring will focus on enquiry questions in science, social studies and literature.
ProGrant Workshop Dates upcoming;
April 23 – How to Help Your Child in French at home Workshop SK-Gr 8 Emersion and extended French programs; 6pm-7pm.
May 1- Math Night K-Gr. 8; 6pm-7pm. EQAO Room will also be open this night if you are interested in learning more about that.
The Board has hired a math literacy coach. They were actually in attendance today in the Gr. 6 classrooms.
Staffing – staffing will start after the march break. Projected numbers have started to come in . Right now it doesn't look like any teachers will be surplus. A request to get a parent committee from the SAC to help with decisions in regards to staffing. A model will be created and then it will be presented at the next SAC meeting
John- Before he started on his portion of the principles report he wanted to talk about absent and late letters that were sent out to the parents. He wanted to reiterate that if a student is away 2 days a month it is an equivalent of 11% of the school year in learning missed. Parents were on both sides of the fence in regards to how the wording came out in the letter sent but it was concluded that if the letters didn’t go out the school wouldn’t be doing their job of doing the best for its students. Specifically the Kindi team would be stressing the importance elf attendance and being on time. It was also noted that with buses coming and leaving late that it was as disruptive to the classrooms.
Extracurricular – hockey finals on thursday 9:10 am at Ted Reeves with Ms O and Mr Aishford.
Sr Basketball Mr Shapero and Ms Gothreau on going onto city finals. Jrs made it to quarter finals.
Volleyball is going to the city finals.
Track is starting after March Break. The meet for Grade 7/8 is on May 12. Grades 2-6 on May 20. Conference finals for Grades 4-6 on May 27th.
Ellie brought up having wire installed in the main lobby to display all the winning banners. It would help create a proud and welcome environment for the entrance to the school. School pride!
Folk Dance jamboree will happen in Scarborough.
Facilities – haven't heard anything about dates concerning construction starting on Room 7 or Bathroom for lunch room.
Construction for catch basin by daycare playground is waiting for the ground to thaw.
Dumpster is gone now but will be coming back in spring and over the summer to continue to clear out the rooms.
Vandalism update – school will be following up on vandalism that occurred on the evening of the March 13th. Students used hockey sticks to damage ceiling tiles. This vandalism has affected programming for Applegrove. Their Thursday evening gym permit has been pulled by Beverly with no real date that will end the permit pull. The drop-in is still running in the lounge. This program has been running for 25 years with vandalism happening twice over the course of that time. Concern brought up about kids missing out and want to know how to remedy it and how to get the program back up. There are issues around locking doors and how staff can get in. Applegrove has a buzzer estimate that will be coming in however it doesn't resolve the issue that the building is secure. Susan has asked that buzzer quote be given for SH door with unlock access to Applegrove staff when SH staff are not available
* *Questions Applegrove has to answer before program can be reinstated: How are kids supervised, what are washroom sign outs like, how many supervisors to students etc.
Parents were overwhelming in support of the program being reinstated as soon as possible. Susan and Beverly to meet next week and there should be some type of an update in 2 weeks.
4 – Fun Fair committee - Eilleen put out call for volunteers and since then enough people have stepped forward to say they will help so the fun fair will be going forward. Talk amongst the committee of having fun fair being in september instead of May/June but there has been some conflict regarding dates so it's still being discussed. Still need more help so sign up if you can.
80s Bash - over $5000 in retail value of items – 2 tickets to We Will Rock You, Tarragon, YPT, signed ballet slippers. Money going towards ukuleles for music and soccer and bus rental for track and field. 80S inpired menu – mashed potato bar, devilled eggs, wings, shrimp. Keep song requests coming.
Equity – Maureen- Feb 10 was lion dancers for year of the horse. Feb 12th was winter carnival. Popcorn for some grades was donated by Fox Theatre. Pictures will be in next newsletter. Upcoming event is Black History assembly. Being organized by Maureen and Mr. Kirkwood based on music and history. Announcements have been happening daily. Feb 26 is pink shirt day. Not sure of next meeting. Next event is Potluck on April 10th.
Movie Night – Claudia – made over $600. Was very well organized, new volunteers came out, 12 parent volunteers, 5 student volunteers and 1 previous Duke student. Speakers were hooked up so sound was clear and there was a craft table set up for kids to go to. Beverly came & sat and watched the movie too which was noted by the kids at the event.
Uyen brought up discussion on how volunteer roster can happen. Have a survey at the beginning of the year to find out how parents want to volunteer. Laurie Barnett will put together a survey and figure out how. She will also arrange a meeting to have her ideas in this regard heard by the executive so that there can be a plan of action.
Nancy brought up concern regarding take home readers for her child’s FI classroom. Georgia responded that 70% of literacy budget was spent on French immersion and more money will be spent on it. That there is a French resource room that is up to the teacher individually to take advantage of the resources. An extra $4000 was given particularly to Gr.4&5 immersion. AN online "Reading from A-Z" has been purchased for teachers to print off and send home. Paper is not charged for the printing of these books.
The SAC responded saying that this would be a great item to propose for next years spending. It is up to the parents or teachers to get the proposals together to submit in September for the 2014/15 budget list.
Model Schools- Daniele Cammisa
There would be a Mental Health and Wellness event for the Cluster of schools hosted at Duke on March 4th in the evening that is a community event to network. All are invited to attend.
There is a Cluster B3 Parent Academy Meeting On March 25th 5:30-8pm hosted at Morrison Middle School. Call Daniele at 416-779-1143 to RSVP
April 5th there is a Plan Canada Parent Conference- Speak to Daniele if you are interested 416-779-1143
Applegrove- Susan Fletcher
Are hosting a Tax Clinic on Thursdays 12:30-5 by appt. only from February 20- April 24th. Call Applegrove at 416-461-8143 to determine your eligibility and book your appt.
Having a shout out for Volunteers. Again call the number above.
And their summer camp registration will be happening April 29th at 6pm.
In Attendance
Ellie Arscott,Georgia Koziol, Daniele Cammisa, John Kyriazis, Eilleen Buchholz, Susan Fletcher, Victor Giorgas, David Darling, Jennifer Moses, Tracey Arsenault, Elena Sanjuan, Nancy Wong, Nikki Rudzik, Claudia Filici McMullan, Ann McKechnie. Maureen Allen-Doorley, Uyen Vu, Laurie Barnett, Rita Camacho Lomelli
Called to order by Victor, SAC Chair
1 – Added business; Daniele added for Model Schools. Susan Fletcher for Applegrove. Nancy asked for discussion of levelled readers in classrooms.
2 – Treasurers Report; Teachers have all stated they`re going to use the $150. Kinschular and Souaid on hold until they return. $9000 available to spend $8200 in reserve for classroom enrichment, boomwhackers and listening centres. Next things coming up on budget are the potluck, playdays and athletic requests
3 – Principles Report
Georgia
Academics – PLC (professional learning community) this week for grades 1-6. Is when teachers come together to talk and plan to see if they're all on the same page. Discussion this time was on assessment practices with reports cards having gone out. What do the letter values actually look like e.g.: What constitutes an A or B in Grade 2 etc. They are trying to create an exemplar for French Emersion as there is not one available for reference. In the English stream there is.
Kindegarten and Senior (7/8) are meeting next week.
Pathway for spring will focus on enquiry questions in science, social studies and literature.
ProGrant Workshop Dates upcoming;
April 23 – How to Help Your Child in French at home Workshop SK-Gr 8 Emersion and extended French programs; 6pm-7pm.
May 1- Math Night K-Gr. 8; 6pm-7pm. EQAO Room will also be open this night if you are interested in learning more about that.
The Board has hired a math literacy coach. They were actually in attendance today in the Gr. 6 classrooms.
Staffing – staffing will start after the march break. Projected numbers have started to come in . Right now it doesn't look like any teachers will be surplus. A request to get a parent committee from the SAC to help with decisions in regards to staffing. A model will be created and then it will be presented at the next SAC meeting
John- Before he started on his portion of the principles report he wanted to talk about absent and late letters that were sent out to the parents. He wanted to reiterate that if a student is away 2 days a month it is an equivalent of 11% of the school year in learning missed. Parents were on both sides of the fence in regards to how the wording came out in the letter sent but it was concluded that if the letters didn’t go out the school wouldn’t be doing their job of doing the best for its students. Specifically the Kindi team would be stressing the importance elf attendance and being on time. It was also noted that with buses coming and leaving late that it was as disruptive to the classrooms.
Extracurricular – hockey finals on thursday 9:10 am at Ted Reeves with Ms O and Mr Aishford.
Sr Basketball Mr Shapero and Ms Gothreau on going onto city finals. Jrs made it to quarter finals.
Volleyball is going to the city finals.
Track is starting after March Break. The meet for Grade 7/8 is on May 12. Grades 2-6 on May 20. Conference finals for Grades 4-6 on May 27th.
Ellie brought up having wire installed in the main lobby to display all the winning banners. It would help create a proud and welcome environment for the entrance to the school. School pride!
Folk Dance jamboree will happen in Scarborough.
Facilities – haven't heard anything about dates concerning construction starting on Room 7 or Bathroom for lunch room.
Construction for catch basin by daycare playground is waiting for the ground to thaw.
Dumpster is gone now but will be coming back in spring and over the summer to continue to clear out the rooms.
Vandalism update – school will be following up on vandalism that occurred on the evening of the March 13th. Students used hockey sticks to damage ceiling tiles. This vandalism has affected programming for Applegrove. Their Thursday evening gym permit has been pulled by Beverly with no real date that will end the permit pull. The drop-in is still running in the lounge. This program has been running for 25 years with vandalism happening twice over the course of that time. Concern brought up about kids missing out and want to know how to remedy it and how to get the program back up. There are issues around locking doors and how staff can get in. Applegrove has a buzzer estimate that will be coming in however it doesn't resolve the issue that the building is secure. Susan has asked that buzzer quote be given for SH door with unlock access to Applegrove staff when SH staff are not available
* *Questions Applegrove has to answer before program can be reinstated: How are kids supervised, what are washroom sign outs like, how many supervisors to students etc.
Parents were overwhelming in support of the program being reinstated as soon as possible. Susan and Beverly to meet next week and there should be some type of an update in 2 weeks.
4 – Fun Fair committee - Eilleen put out call for volunteers and since then enough people have stepped forward to say they will help so the fun fair will be going forward. Talk amongst the committee of having fun fair being in september instead of May/June but there has been some conflict regarding dates so it's still being discussed. Still need more help so sign up if you can.
80s Bash - over $5000 in retail value of items – 2 tickets to We Will Rock You, Tarragon, YPT, signed ballet slippers. Money going towards ukuleles for music and soccer and bus rental for track and field. 80S inpired menu – mashed potato bar, devilled eggs, wings, shrimp. Keep song requests coming.
Equity – Maureen- Feb 10 was lion dancers for year of the horse. Feb 12th was winter carnival. Popcorn for some grades was donated by Fox Theatre. Pictures will be in next newsletter. Upcoming event is Black History assembly. Being organized by Maureen and Mr. Kirkwood based on music and history. Announcements have been happening daily. Feb 26 is pink shirt day. Not sure of next meeting. Next event is Potluck on April 10th.
Movie Night – Claudia – made over $600. Was very well organized, new volunteers came out, 12 parent volunteers, 5 student volunteers and 1 previous Duke student. Speakers were hooked up so sound was clear and there was a craft table set up for kids to go to. Beverly came & sat and watched the movie too which was noted by the kids at the event.
Uyen brought up discussion on how volunteer roster can happen. Have a survey at the beginning of the year to find out how parents want to volunteer. Laurie Barnett will put together a survey and figure out how. She will also arrange a meeting to have her ideas in this regard heard by the executive so that there can be a plan of action.
Nancy brought up concern regarding take home readers for her child’s FI classroom. Georgia responded that 70% of literacy budget was spent on French immersion and more money will be spent on it. That there is a French resource room that is up to the teacher individually to take advantage of the resources. An extra $4000 was given particularly to Gr.4&5 immersion. AN online "Reading from A-Z" has been purchased for teachers to print off and send home. Paper is not charged for the printing of these books.
The SAC responded saying that this would be a great item to propose for next years spending. It is up to the parents or teachers to get the proposals together to submit in September for the 2014/15 budget list.
Model Schools- Daniele Cammisa
There would be a Mental Health and Wellness event for the Cluster of schools hosted at Duke on March 4th in the evening that is a community event to network. All are invited to attend.
There is a Cluster B3 Parent Academy Meeting On March 25th 5:30-8pm hosted at Morrison Middle School. Call Daniele at 416-779-1143 to RSVP
April 5th there is a Plan Canada Parent Conference- Speak to Daniele if you are interested 416-779-1143
Applegrove- Susan Fletcher
Are hosting a Tax Clinic on Thursdays 12:30-5 by appt. only from February 20- April 24th. Call Applegrove at 416-461-8143 to determine your eligibility and book your appt.
Having a shout out for Volunteers. Again call the number above.
And their summer camp registration will be happening April 29th at 6pm.