Wilkinson School Community Council
Meeting Minutes
Monday May 10, 2010
Present: Leasa Adams (VP), Varathan Aiyadurai, Rachel Ault (Staff Rep.), Laura Bullard, Paul Dobson, Sarah-Jane Gillespie, Susan Haney, John Hykel, Paula Weekes Kahn, Kris Kearns, Kirsten McGoey, April Moon, Alison Motluk, George Rowell (Acting Principal), Erin Vaillancourt, Sam Vrakking, Karen Wiseman.
Regrets: Carol Bennett, Ruby Lederman, Jill Spellman.
Absent: Jay Friedman, Saeka Shaikh.
Guests: Karen Anthony (Dandylion Daycare), Raihana Ingar.
Recorder: Karen Wiseman
Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm
1. Welcome and Introductions
Paula welcomed everyone.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Agenda was approved. Motion: Sam Vrakking. Seconded: Karen Wiseman.
3. Approval of April 12, 2010 meeting minutes
Minutes were approved. Motion: Alison Motluk. Seconded: Sarah Gillespie.
4. Principal’s Update
Puppetry Workshop by Jerry Silverberg came and was very well received. There was a final culminating event in the gym.
Scientist in the Schools came and was a good experience this year.
The TDSB Student Athlete code is to be presented by teachers to their classrooms. It focuses on fair play and sportsmanship.
EQAO starts May 31 to June 11.
Staffing is in the second round of transfers, by May 21 after the final round the final staff model should be finished.
The Grade 6 students are away at the Island School from May 10 to May 12.
Leasa Adams’ VP Report:
Collection for the tree for Tanya continues. A letter went home with the students requesting donations of $1 or $2. The council and the school can donate the difference to make up enough to cover the purchase of one tree. One tree is approximately $800.
The Rock Lacrosse team presentation is on May 18 for the junior grades.
The TLC (Teaching/Learning/Critical) pathways program is being taught to the teachers. Supply teachers have been coming in. The TDSB Traits is part of TLC program. May’s focus character is Integrity. A film about integrity will be shown to the students.
June 28 is Graduation at 4:00 pm.
5. Remarks from the Chair-Next Year’s Council.
Two parents will be leaving the council next year as their children graduate, Carol Bennett and John Hykel. The positions of Treasurer, Communication chair and Fund Raiser chair will be open. Paula thanked everyone for his or her hard work.
6. Treasurer’s Report-Hand out.
John gave overview of Statement. After all the allocations there is $550.00 left in the account. There was a deposit this morning so that has changed to about $1500.00. The newsletter expenses and puppet workshop have been paid. John recommended this position to anyone who is familiar with Excel, likes to meet people involved in the school and likes working with volunteers.
7. Funding Requests.
Leasa Adams proposed two requests. The first request for was $800.00 for the Graduation trophies, refreshments and decorations. Motion: Susan Haney. Seconded: Paula Kahn.
Second request was for $485.00 for yearbook. Motion: Susan Haney. Seconded: John Hykel.
8. Dandylion Daycare.
Karen reported that workers from the daycare would be volunteering at the Fun Fair. They have requested to be in certain areas. Karen will talk to Laura Bullard, volunteer coordinator, for the Fun Fair and let her know the details.
9 PRO grant.
The PRO (Parents Reaching Out) grant deadline is June 11, 2010. Paula asked if anyone would like to put together a proposal. She read a list of the restrictions of programs that could not be funded. There was discussion about proposing an Eid Dinner on September 13, 2010. It was uncertain that this event would qualify for the PRO grant. It was proposed that this event be pursued as an event outside the Council. There was discussion about permits and insurance. George will permit the September 13 date and the details will be discussed by a group outside the Council regarding going ahead with this event or not.
10. Chocolate Sales – next year.
Last year chocolates were purchased that were the end of a line product, so unsold chocolates could not be returned. Three volunteers offered to do this fund raising proposal for next year, Sam Vrakking, Erin Vaillancourt and Paul Dobson. This group will speak to Carol about her experience this past year.
11. Playground Proposal—discussion and vote.
Kirsten gave an update on the plans. The plans have been revised and shown to Leasa and George. She is waiting to hear back from Paul Henderson. She is waiting for a quote from the TDSB that would include installations costs. So we cannot vote on the proposal tonight. The plan is to pay for the project by grants and fund raising initiatives. There was discussion regarding the lack of space and need to possibly move the triangle structure. Parents also wanted the area to be a play area for the community as well.
12. Parent Input form.
Alison discussed her disappointed in the new form used this year. This form was a change from what has happened in the past regarding the process of requesting teachers for our children for the next year. George spoke with Tanya and was told this was not “the tradition” at Wilkinson. So he went ahead and changed the form with the approval of the Super Intendent. The form reflects the need to ensure equatity amongst students and teachers. Alison would have liked that parents could have input into this process that was changed. She suggested it would be helpful for the parents to meet with the new principal to share these “tradition” that happen in our school.
13. Committee Updates
a.) Arts.
April said the last Arts event of puppetry has happened. There is an upcoming free event that parents and their children can attend, Prologue for Performing Arts. She will email the council when she has the date. April is sending out survey to teachers regarding the Arts programs that happened this year. Next year there will be $3000.00 earmarked for Arts programming. If you would like to join the Arts committee speak to April for more details.
b.) Communications.
Carol and Jill were not able to be at the meeting tonight. The final June newsletter will come out late, 2nd or 3rd week of June, so it can cover the Fun Fair and the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
c.) Fundraising.
Fun Fair. The last three Fun Fair committee meetings have been at 6:00 pm, ahead of the regular council meeting. This meeting time seems good. We need more volunteers for the Fun Fair. Ruby will be speaking to the teachers this week about volunteering.
Movie Nights. Next moving night is Friday May 14th “Ponyo”. The movie will start at 7:00 pm, the doors will open and the pizza will arrive at 6:30 pm.
d.) Greening.
Kirsten met with a cleaning group and worked on the gardens. Two trilliums were donated. The garden is coming along. East York Garden Society donates native plants. A sign was made for the Learning Garden not using nuts or bolts. A Garden Party will be on June 12th and invitations via email will go out soon.
e.) Health and Safety.
Sarah said a reminder should be sent home for parents on the policy for taking children home for lunch who normally would stay in the lunchroom. Parents need to be reminded to tell the main office. There was an adult at the Skipping Club who would not identity themselves to the children by name. Sarah would like follow-up to see who this person was.
14. Report Back/Follow Up Items
No items.
15. New Business/Other Items for future meeting
No items.
16. Thank you and Adjournment at 8:44 pm
Meeting was adjourned. Motion: April Moon. Seconded: Sarah Gillespie.