Wilkinson School Community Council
Meeting Minutes
Monday March 8, 2010


Present: Leasa Adams (VP), Rachel Ault (Staff Rep.), Carol Bennett, Laura Bullard, Jay Friedman, Sarah-Jane Gillespie, Susan Haney, John Hykel, Paula Weekes Kahn, Kris Kearns, Ruby Lederman, Kirsten McGoey, April Moon, Jill Spellman, Tanya Sterioff (Principal), Erin Vaillancourt, Sam Vrakking, Karen Wiseman.

Regrets:

Absent: Varathan Aiyadurai, Paul Dobson, Alison Motluk, Saeka Shaikh.

Guests: Karen Anthony (Dandylion Daycare), Cathy Dandy (Trustee), Janet Haitas, Daphne McCormack.

Recorder: Karen Wiseman

Meeting called to order at 7:02 pm

1. Welcome and Introductions
Paula welcomed everyone. Introductions made around the table.

2. Approval of the Agenda
Agenda was approved. Motion: Sarah Jane Gillespie. Seconded: Sam Vrakking.

3. Approval of January 11th and February 8th meeting minutes
Minutes were approved. Motion: John Hykel. Seconded: Laura Bullard.

4. Principal’s Update
Reminder to turn your clocks ahead this Sunday night.
Next week is March Break.
Thursday March 25th we are having the “Rag and Bone Puppet Theatre” coming to perform “Flying Canoe” for grades 4-6 at 1:15 pm.
Thursday March 25th for Earth Hour, the school will turn off lights for one hour 2:00 to 3:00pm.
Friday March 26th is Movie Night.
Wednesday March 31 is our Young Authors Assembly.
Friday April 2 and Monday April 5 are holidays for Good Friday and Easter Monday.
We are getting our Security System upgraded hopefully over the summer. Memory will be put into DVR in our computer centre which will have a much larger amount of memory (should be good for a month). Two cameras –one at the front doors and a second camera beside the gym for evening permits will be hooked up to the DVR for added security.
Although it’s been a “great run”, I will be retiring as of June 30th. You should have a new principal in May.
Many parents expressed their regret that we are losing Tanya after 11 years.

5. Full Service Schools.
Cathy Dandy, a trustee for the Toronto-Danforth, gave a presentation. She will forward the “Full Service Schools” document to us. As the population is aging and there are fewer children born the school board is looking at the consolidation of schools or closing schools. This document is considering how to make schools effective “hubs in a community”. Parent input is wanted as to how to think about space and coordinating services. The idea is to “re-purpose” our schools and “re-populate” our schools, not close them. Integrated services can elevate expenses a recent example of this was the community and schools coming together to save the school’s pool. Meetings are to set up for future discussion. The Saskatchewan School Board has a good model called “School Plus”. April asked about reusing property as green space. Sarah asked about division of schools based on grade level and home address. Future plans will hopefully protect neighourhood schools as so schools will not be closed.

6. Treasurer’s Report.
John gave overview of Statement. The difference between the balance of the account and allocated expenses is quite close now $67.70. There are some deposits to be made from Movie Night and the Sweetheart Sale. This amount also included the Fun Fair up front costs. John is still waiting for the newsletter invoices. Jill will contact Erin.

7. Funding Requests.
There are no funding requests.

8. Dandylion Daycare.
Karen reported that she appreciated being included in discussion for the future plans of the schoolyard. There are different safety requirements for the playgrounds regarding daycare equipment and primary school equipment.

9 Wil-Kitchen.
Susan, Paula and Jill reported that the Wil-Kitchen Greek night was a success with a great sense of community. Good attendance with people coming in from the Badminton club as well. Friday night seems like a good night. It felt like the evening was short on time, perhaps next time it could start earlier at 5:30 pm. There was one problem with the state of the Primary lunchroom. The room was left messy and a bag of candy was missing. The bag of candy had been replaced. A reminder that at the end of the evening, we should have a person check all the areas before leaving. It was mentioned that we should review the Checklist,

10. Sweetheart Bake Sale
Susan reported that this sale was awesome. The sale made $588.00. There were a lot of cupcakes donated and a lot of volunteers to help. Thank you to the Dandylion Daycare for their generous contributions. Having the sale in the Fireside room was good as there was space and the students could exit directly into the schoolyard. Sarah spoke with the lunchroom supervisor ahead of time. Everything ran smoothly.

11. Kindergarten Registration.
Jill reported that she would like to create a more dynamic atmosphere in the Fireside room for these mornings. Some parents seemed in a rush and didn’t realize how long it would take to register. There were three mornings of registration with about 12 parents coming each morning. Jill gave out packets. Suggestions were given to hang posters if you have any other ideas let Jill know. The school is now “limited” because we have been capped by the school board. When necessary the lottery system is used for incoming students.

12. Badminton Nights
Ruby reported that the evenings are going well. Brady noticed some children have been dropped off by parents. The idea for the evening is a family night so the parents should stay with their children. If this becomes a problem, announcements will be made.

13. Committee Updates

a.) Arts.
Daphne reported about the meeting with a local artist Gerry who does puppetry. He can give three different types of workshops. Tanya will talk to teachers about their interest. Tanya suggested having this event for Primary grades 1-3 as the classes are capped. The event will happen in April due to scheduling.

b.) Communications.
Jill is now shadowing Carol on this committee. Jill reported nothing more has happened on Facebook since that last meeting. Any articles for the newsletter need to be handed in by March 12th. All the articles submitted are edited before printing. Parents liked the look of “Important Dates” at a glance, easy to read.

Kirsten spoke about having a new logo or brand contest for the school. It would be pro bono for those who submit entries and there were be a judging team. Carol suggested we wait until we have a new principal. It would have to be clarified who the logo would represent for example the “Wilkinson School Parent Council” and where it would be used for example the newsletter, website, Fun Fair, sport’s team. The Communication committee will oversee this in the fall 2010.

c.) Fundraising.
Chocolate Sales. Carol said any remaining chocolates are being sold for $1.00.
Mabel’s Labels. Kirsten reports that it is still running. The sales have been low between 7-8 orders; therefore please spread the word about the labels.
Movie Nights. Next moving night is Friday March 26th “Astor Boy” since it is a long movie we will start at the 6:30 pm time. A later start time does work well so when the length of the movie allows this the movie will start at 7:00 pm.


d.) Greening.
Kirsten is working on signage and has got another more reasonable quote. It was also discussed to get a display board/shadow box where the notices could be replaced. This idea will be looked at further. For now Kirsten would like to get something up for the Fun Fair. John mentioned another Greening Party to be arranged in early May no date set yet. The JK/SK project will move forward, there is still $500.00 for this project. The Playground committee will look at fundraising ideas in the fall. Daphne commented on the great loss and her sadness over the cutting down of the garden by persons unknown.
Action: The Playground committee to present their ideas to the council. Also there is a need for someone to investigate the funding available from the corporate and TDSB for these projects.

d.) Health and Safety.
Sarah has no report this month.

14. Report Back/Follow Up Items
No items.

15. New Business/Other Items for future meeting
Angel Hair fundraising proposal to be discussed at the next meeting.

16. Thank you and Adjournment at 8:45 pm
Meeting was adjourned. Motion: Sarah Jane Gillespie. Seconded: Jill Spellman.