James Robinson School Council Meeting

Tuesday February 2nd, 2016

6:30 pm

Minutes

In Attendance:

Lara Chebaro- PrincipalJen Tupper–Vice-ChairDeb Taylor – Treasurer

Michelle Main – Event Coord.Mary Lioulias – SecretaryDanielle Cassalha

Heather Haynes ThistlePetra SimmonChristine Heu

Jeanette MclennanBecky Banting

Mary Lue Coote

Call to order

  • The meeting started at 6:36pm.

Approval of Last Meeting’s Minutes

  • The January minutes approved by Jen Tupper, 2ndJen Millard

Treasurer’s Report

  • Treasurer’s report was provided by Deb Taylor
  • Outgoing funds $35 for Sympathy Gestures
  • Monster Jam/Marlies funds to be posted to account to cover ticket purchases
  • Email vote approved for $6500 - leaving $3300 for balance of term to March Break

Treasurer’s report approved by Jen Millard, 2nd Jen Tupper

Green Committee

  • Green Committee update from Jeanette Mclennan
  • Green team wrote a grant proposal – ‘Superpower your School’ whose purpose is to link Green initiatives towards Technology. $25000 Grant proposal – good activity for the group to participate in.
  • Earth Day plans are being made for a Schoolwide event and each class will have a block of participation time. Flexible planning to ensure that students get to go outside.
  • Committee met to get a TD FEF grant off the ground due week of Feb 8th 3 part grant including 5 trees, professional arborist services, $1200 for natural loose parts play – bamboo poles, tiles, cedar rails etc. and an Ipad. The group wants to move towards self guided tours using an ipad and a wifi connection to take people through the playyard.
  • The ipad would serve as an archive of the activity/effort to make the universally accessible playyard. The ipad would also serve to document teacher testimonials. Having an ipad devoted to this would ensure all the history doesn’t get wiped at the end of the school year.
  • February 22, next meeting with dinner included for those who want to participate
  • List of approved playground suppliers received from the board. There is a contact at the board that will assist in getting the playground rfp completed and tendered
  • The seed money for the playground was $11,000 and is now valued at $45,000. The value of the loose parts play and pathway is valued at $110,000. This is a unique resource within the region and can be used by the entire community

Principal’s Report

  • Pancake Tuesday was this morning - good turnout including parents and children. The kids loved the event - all the food items were donated for this event so at no cost to school or council.

Lunar New Year Celebrations to take place on February 11th 6:30 to 8:30

  • Celebrations will include visits from our Trustee Alan Tam and Billy Pang the neighbouring trustee. Mayor Frank Scarpitti will also attend. These visitors will be wearing ID, please take an opportunity to introduce yourselves. The Trustees and the Mayor attend these events and look forward to speaking with and engaging with parents in the school community.

Updates include:

  • Food sales set up total cost is $700. 00 – all food coming at 6:15
  • Parent volunteers for all food and drink stations – schedule to go around to fill in
  • Discussion on pricing for food is to ensure that the food sales cover the expenditures for catering and supplies like small plates, cups and cutlery
  • Bubble tea – mango, strawberry, pineapple, milk tea, peach, guava, lychee $3.00
  • Food Show – demo how to make food items with professionals coming to assist
  • Call to all volunteers to arrive at 6:00 pm, Staff is also assisting. Schedule will be sent around to fill in the openings. Please reply all.
  • For performances – informal, standing room only. Performances will happen in first half hour, and then parents can take the children to tour the displays and foods.
  • Grade 8 teachers and students organizing coat check-donations for the Grade 8 trip or Graduation festivities
  • Book fair in the library
  • Stickers for the prize card needed

Regional Parent Symposium

  • Parenting Outreach conference March 30th, at the Sheridan Hotel. Event includes dinner and a choice of 2 workshops in the evening. Math, Modern Learning and Mental Health are the workshop topics

Crossing Guard Inquiry from parent

  • There was an inquiry for a cross walk and crossing guard to cross Robinson by the Kindergarten rooms. A calming zone is needed for safety especially with the growing population of the school. Robinson St has become a thoroughfare for the community from eastern parts of the town to access McCowan and Hwy #7. Cross walks and crossing guards are the purview of City of Markham planning. Support needs to be voiced by the community to bring forward this initiative.

Hold and Secure and Lockdowns

  • Review of hold and secure procedure in light of precautionary hold and secure at school last week - all teachers are advised hold and secure all students and teachers come in, and all students come in from portables. Students have all been trained on touch points and where to go in the school. Hold and secure is an issue in the community at large
  • Lockdown is an event within the building. Kids are trained to protect themselves and to hide and be safe. Students/teachers stay where they are in the building. Drills are done to reinforce with students, teachers and support staff on correct procedures and codes for communication of issues

Bring forward items for next meeting:

  • Request to go out to Grade 7 parents to volunteer for the Grad 8 graduation. Graduation to take place on Monday June 27th at Markville Secondary School and Frankie Tomatoes
  • Fun Fair - May 26th planning is upcoming – what are the opportunities to have vendors come in and do the food sales. This may be an opportunity to be community outreach rather than a fundraiser. The labour/manpower is extensive. The bulk of the work is in the organizing the vendors rather than the week and day of the event. Jen Millard volunteers for food truck research

Next Council Meeting: Monday March 7th @ 6:30pm

  • Reminder: Child care is available for all meetings

Adjourn the Meeting

Januarymeeting ended at 7:49pm.