Wilkinson School Community Council
Meeting Minutes
Monday April 12, 2010
Present: Leasa Adams (VP), Rachel Ault (Staff Rep.), Carol Bennett, Paul Dobson, Sarah-Jane Gillespie, Susan Haney, John Hykel, Kris Kearns, Ruby Lederman, Kirsten McGoey, April Moon, Alison Motluk, George Rowell (Acting Principal), Jill Spellman, Erin Vaillancourt, Sam Vrakking, Paula Weekes Kahn.
Regrets: Varathan Aiyadurai, Laura Bullard, Jay Friedman, Saeka Shaikh, Karen Wiseman
Guests: Karen Anthony (Dandylion Daycare), Raihana Ingar, Daphne McCormack.
Recorder: Carol Bennett
Meeting called to order at 7:05 pm
1. Welcome and Introductions
Paula welcomed everyone. Introductions made around the table.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Agenda was approved.
3. Approval of March 8th meeting minutes
Minutes were approved with no changes. Motion: Jill Spellman. Seconded: Ruby Lederman.
4. Principal’s Update - Leasa
• The TDSB Parent survey will only be available online. Mini-newsletter will be going home to parents to explain. Paula has already sent the link to the council members.
• A lot of activity/repairs going on or coming up around the school: patching up the asphalt in the schoolyard, getting all new windows this summer, floors being re-waxed.
• Health and Safety inspection was done, the school has followed through on recommendations
• Flying Canoe came in last week; Room 20 did reviews using template developed by Leasa
• Bread Box Theatre coming in next week
• Next week Officer Tierney coming in. He will cover different areas/subjects with the different grades.
• Spring concert now Thursday April 22nd
• For Earth Day: organizing community collection of dead batteries and used eyeglasses for Cambodia
• On Friday April 23rd, school & community clean up. Primary classes doing school yard, junior classes doing surrounding streets. Parents can join in.
• April 22nd & 23rd, Art Show set up
• April 1st: Badminton tournament was held at Wilkinson
• Try outs for ultimate Frisbee (gr. 5 & 6) coming up.
• Try outs for girls and boys soccer teams starting.
• Presentation from Island School last week. Concern raised by some parents that not enough notice given for cost and timing. School will try to provide more notice.
Principal’s Update - George
• Acting Principal for 3 months – started this week
• Principal of Cosburn middle school for past 11 years
• Has visited all the classrooms at Wilkinson this week
• Complimented the school and music programs
• His door is always open
• Advised that staff for next year have not been approved yet
5. Remarks from the Chair re: Council Communications
Paula confirmed that all communications sent on behalf of the Council should be reviewed and approved by the Council Chair and the Principal. The approval process in place for Wilkinson Parent Council communications is the following;
(a) Obtain approval from the Committee Chair and/or Committee
(b) Obtain approval from Council Chair
(c) Council Chair obtains approval from the Principal
This is intended to ensure consistency of information, reduce conflicts related to dates and interest and to ensure that the Chair and Principal are aware of all information that is disseminated to the Wilkinson community on behalf of the Council.
6. Treasurer’s Report.
• John gave overview of the Financial Statement. Pizza lunch sales have done really well this year – kudos to Laarni and her volunteers. Not a lot of room for new funding initiatives at this point.
• Succession planning: We need someone to shadow/take over from John as this is his last year at Wilkinson
• Motion: Add Leasa Adams as signing authority on the council’s account and remove Lisa Watt. All in favour – passed.
7. Funding Requests.
• Daphne requested $80 for puppeteer to come in and work with grades 1 to 3. Motion to approve up to $100 for supplies for the puppeteer. All in favour – passed.
8. Dandylion Daycare Update.
Karen advised that there is nothing much to report – “Everything’s great!”. All pre-school spots are full and confirmed for September.
9. Staffing Model
Leasa presented the proposed staffing model for 2010-2011 but advised that it has not yet approved:
Kindergarten x 3.5 classes
Grade 1 x 2 classes
Grade 1/2
Grade 2 x 2 classes
Grade 3 x 3 classes
Grade 4
Grade 4/5
Grade 5
Grade 5/6
Grade 6
Extended French Gr. 4
Extended French Gr. 5
French Immersion Gr. 6
Special Ed. x 2 classes
Behaviour – 1 teacher
Gym – 1 teacher
Music – 1 teacher
Library/Prep – 0.7/0.3
Core French/Prep – 0.75/0.25
No dedicated art teacher next year; teachers will incorporate art into their lesson planning
Many factors considered when preparing the model including things like:
• Staff preferences as to how they spend prep time
• Need two more classrooms next year
Future full day Kindergarten learning not considered at this time as part of this planning.
10. Playground Proposal
Kirsten reviewed the proposal with the council. Target budget for the enhancements is $20-40K. Unfortunately Kindergarten teachers did not provide any input as to their needs. Dandylion receptive to partnering on this initiative provided all structures meet City of Toronto standards. Dedicated fundraising for this will start in September. Kirsten will investigate maple leaf fundraiser with several artists. Some parents were uncomfortable with Wilkinson taking on a bottle drive. Some receptivity for “mom to mom” sale.
The committee will try to prepare an information board for Fun Fair to provide exposure to the plan.
11. Committee Updates
a.) Arts
Daphne needs to contact grade 1 – 3 teachers soon. Leasa will connect her.
b.) Communications
Jill requested newsletter items be submitted as soon as possible. Jill will look again at setting up Facebook page.
c.) Fundraising
Fun Fair: Next meeting will be at 6:00pm prior to May council meeting.
Movie Nights: First Friday in May and the feature will be Ponyo. We’re starting it at 7:00pm
Chocolate Sales – Carol presented the Final Report for this year’s campaign:
• Total cases approved and ordered = 150
• 129 cases signed out; 7 returned unsold; Revenue = 122 x $50 = $6,100
• Less cost of $4,152.75 = $1,947.25 profit
• However, $149.65 not received – parents said it was returned or parents didn’t return it despite follow up requests in writing and via telephone. Therefore profit from classroom campaign was $1,797.60.
• Add revenue from single sales from October to February of $198 and the total profit was $1,995.60.
• Leftover pieces are now being sold for $1/bar.
• Recommendation: Council decide next month whether they will do chocolate fundraiser next year as order will need to be submitted by end of school year.
d.) Greening
1) April 24th Learning Garden clean up party
2) May Garden Party – Date still TBD
Talking about putting more boards up on the fence of the Learning Garden
e) Health and Safety
No report from Sarah.
12. Report Back/Follow Up Items
Carry forward Angel Hair fundraiser
13. New Business/Other Items for future meeting
Decision on whether to conduct chocolate fundraiser next year.
14. Thank you and Adjournment at 8:55 pm
Meeting was adjourned. Motion: Alison. Seconded: Carol.