Please find the minutes for our last meeting here:

LP School Council Meeting Minutes 2022 11 07

We look forward to holding the next Parent Council meeting in person in the LPCI Library. Zoom option will be available for those who cannot attend.

LPCI School Council Meeting

Monday, September 19, 2022

MEETING MINUTES

Next Meeting:  Monday, October 24^th, 2022 @ 7pm in the library and on Zoom

Attendees:

Chair Liz Hanson (outgoing), Principal Michael Griesz, VP Emily Saylor, VP Gillian Moore, Teacher Rep Suzanne Sparrow (online), Suzanne Duras, Jennifer Dobson (incoming Co-Chair), John Hiddema, David Calloway, Philip Roberts, Patricia Kay, Elena Solokhina, Steph Rickard Chadda, Lori Rosenberg (online), Robin Conliffe, Andrea Fry, Jennifer Tse (37 attendees on Zoom, 30 in person)

Absent: Pamela Wilansky (incoming Co-Chair), Leigh Felesky (Marketing/Communications Rep)

Key Dates:

• This Wednesday, September 21^st – PICTURE DAY
• This Thursday, September 22^nd 6 – 6:30pm – Welcome Event for new families
• This Thursday, September 22^nd @ 6:30pm – CURRICULUM NIGHT for GRADE 9 parents
• This Thursday, September 22^nd – Info Night re: track / field proposal from Toronto Scottish Rugby Club @ The Duke of Kent Pub
• Friday, September 30^th – Truth & Reconciliation (Orange Shirt) Day
• Weekend of October 1^st – 2^nd – Ontario University Fair at @ Metro Toronto Convention Centre 9:30am – 5pm, daily (visit www.oufpass.ca to register for your student’s free pass)
• Monday, October 3^rd – Terry Fox Run
• Tuesday, October 4^th – LP Grade 9 Semi-Formal

Intro – Principal Michael Griesz

Gillian Evans – VP (surnames A to K)

Emily Saylor – VP (surnames L to Z)

Welcome, Emily, to her first year at the school! It is Gillian’s second year – welcome back to LPCI!

First time doing a hybrid meeting – in person and on Zoom. It was great to see everyone in person after 2 long years!

1. Student Council Update – Chloe Oborne, Student Council President & Emma Watts, Student Liaison Rep, (Anna Lingard (absent), Student Liaison Rep)

1. • This week is LP Spirit Week – spirit assembly took place today with high spirits! Assembly was run by the students – all clubs and councils represented
   • Buddies Council – bake sale this Thursday, along with Activity Day for Grade 9s for games and stations during 2^nd period class
   • Friday – Student Council (SC) giving out free freezies if students wear school colours blue & gold
   • Monday – jersey day
   • Tues – PJ day
   • Wed – Picture Day (crazy sock day)
   • Thurs – flannel day
   • Friday – blue & gold day
   • Club Fair – Tuesday and caf at lunch – clubs will set up stations and students can sign up for clubs
   • Student Price Cards (SPC) being handed out tomorrow (if purchased on School Cash Online), and can be purchased in person on Tuesday, Sept. 20^th – they offer 30% discounts at select retailers
   • Buddies Council – sessions started already
   • Lawrence Park Athletic Council (LPAC) – Running the Activity Day this Thursday – for Grade 9 and Buddies
   • Gr. 9 Curriculum Night Thurs 6:30pm
   • Selling old stock of LP wear, Polling student body for new LP wear designs, Trying to push up timeline for LP wear (before winter break)
   • Home Form Rep program – starting up again – reps can run or be elected, helping with Charity Week (Nov); must be a home form rep to run for SC
   • Students can run for council heads at the end of the school year
   • Intramurals – how to join? Anyone can join, sign up through club fair at LPAC station
   • Check LP Instagram accounts (LPAC, etc.) and Google classroom (students can check there)
   • TDSB Connects App for students
   • For parents to receive Google Classroom notifications – up to the individual teacher to invite the parents, teachers use either Google Classroom or Brightspace
   • Spirit Cards – new form of payment at LP – for use all year long at school events to pay for food, activities, etc. – available on School Cash Online (will be available to purchase all school year long)
   • Upcoming Events – Halloween costume parade around the track with music
   • Truth & Reconciliation Day event Sept 30, Orange shirt day (LP will be selling orange shirts)
   • For any students transferring into the TDSB from another school board and having difficulty with the process, please contact your Guidance counsellor
   • Terry Fox Run – managed by the Wellness Council (October 3)
   • Grade 9 LP semi-formal on Oct. 4
   • There will NOT be any school semi-formals for this school year (other than the one mentioned above for Grade 9s)
   • The upcoming semi-formal for Grade 10s and 11s is NOT a school sanctioned event – LP is not encouraging students to attend that event (no adult supervision, no liability insurance)

PARENT QUESTION: Is the first period of the day “Home Form”?
Answer – Yes, correct.

PARENT QUESTION: Are lockers assigned by the Home Form teachers?
Answer – Yes, correct.

PARENT QUESTION: Does the Home Form teacher / room change next semester?
Answer – Yes, correct.

1. Chair & Executive Reports

• Approval of June 2022 minutes:  motioned to approve John Hiddema, seconded by Jen Dobson, all in favour – approved

Outgoing Chair, Liz Hanson – introduction of Parent Council Executive Team:

• • Parent Council Executive Team – Chair, Vice Chairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Co-Treasurer
  • Executive Team voted in by Council
  • Charitable receipts available for donations received via School Cash Online

Roles	2022-2023
Chair	Pamela Wilansky
Vice Chair	Jen Dobson
Secretary	Jen Tse
Co-Treasurers Special Treasury Subcommittee Chair Special Treasury Subcommittee Vice-Chair	John Hiddema, Patricia Kay John Hiddema Patricia Kay

• Marketing & Communications – Lori Rosenberg, Leigh Felesky
  • Announcements via various communication vehicles, posting minutes on website, featuring teacher/staff in The Eye
    
• Treasurer’s Report – John Hiddema, Patricia Kay

• Fundraising Committee – Steph Rickard Chadda – will Co-Chair end of year auction with Marni
  
• Wellness Committee – *POSITION AVAILABLE – portfolio includes Pink Shirt Day event, wellness events, working with teacher responsible for student wellness portfolio, Wellness Week events

• Welcome Committee – Suzanne Duras, Elena Solokhina – Thursday event 6-630 Welcome Event for new families (prior to Curriculum Night)
  
• Equity Committee – David Calloway – working with Equity Student Council (David will also help with The Eye) – Indigenous, black history events, speakers etc.

• Ward 8 Rep – Lucy McSweeny – Ward 8 Trustee Shelley Laskin  – interface with Trustee Laskin and Superintendent Andrew Howard – new parent would like to share the role with Lucy (Rachel Henderson)
  
• Community Reps – Robin Conliffe & Lana Sheinbaum – communicating with the community inside and outside of LP and supporting needs of the school, working on supporting the high school experience for students
  
• Safe & Caring School Committee Rep – Andrea Fry – one parent, one student, one non-teaching staff member, and the Principal sit on the committee with the Safe & Caring School Rep; some issues being addressed: cell-phone use, vaping in washrooms
  
• Facility Improvements Subcommittee – Phillip Roberts – reviews building condition report, tracking improvement / proposal with Toronto Scottish Rugby Football Club – Info Night this Thursday at Duke of Kent for presentation (open to all parents), proposed use time limited to Tues night/Thurs night/Sat morning, new turf, track and lighting, renting the space to external organizations which would finance the replacement which would be required after 10 years of use; amazing opportunity to improve the outdoor sports space with external funds from the Rugby club; 6-month to completion for entire project that would be commenced during Summer 2025

• Environmental Protection & Action on Climate Change (NEW position) – Elena Solokhina
  
• Parent Engagement Subcommittee – Suzanne Duras – there is usually a grant to apply early in the fall – to secure funds for a speaker
  
• French as a Second Language (FSLAC) – Robin Conliffe – working with Mme Benet to enrich the French Language program at LP, attending TDSB FSLAC meetings
  

PARENT QUESTION: Are we looking for more volunteers for the Facilities Improvement Committee?
Answer – Yes, Co-Chair or Subcommittee member positions open. Speak with Rep Phillip Roberts for more info.

PARENT QUESTION: Parent possibly interested in Wellness Committee role.
Answer – Speak with past Wellness Chair for more info.

Motion to approve team – John Hiddema

Seconded by Patricia Kay

Approved by all Council members

1. Treasurer’s Report

• Signing Officers – 2 have graduated out
• Motion to allow Liz and previous Co-Treasurer, Ian Aukema, to stay on as signing officers on behalf of School Council until we have new signing officers in place at the bank
• Approved: John H., Seconded: Patricia K.

1. School’s Report – Principal Michael Griesz

• School council provided coffee and food for first staff meeting Sept. 6 – thank you!
• Grade 9 Curriculum Night this Thursday – parents are encouraged to attend and meet staff and get a sense of the school facilities
• Remarkable start to the school year, amazing energy in the building!!
• Twitter account now active – (account
• Math Dept. – instruction has been revolutionized via group work, more reflective of the workplace, backed by data
• Morning assembly today, positive tempo to the school year already
• IEPs being drawn up and parents will be consulted where necessary, provide accommodations, etc.
• Online student forms, excursion permission, etc. being completed online by parents
• TDSB-issued devices available through one-to-one program – devices will be distributed Sept. 20^th in the school
• Covid-19 – we follow Ministry mandate – self-screening, TPH and Ministry recommendations
• Student Activity Fees – $60 per student can be paid via School Cash Online
• Non-TDSB website in the works to communicate broadly to parents – should be unveiled by end of this school year – part of the student fees will go towards supporting this website
• Parking policy – student / staff parking – trying to manage the north and south lots so that it’s only used by the LP community, for safety
• Students in north lot only, teachers can park in either lot – passes are required to be dash displayed
• Oct 1^st – 2^nd Ontario University Fair – Grade 11 & 12 parents and students encouraged to attend
• Moving back into exams this year – department to department led (teachers are not required to run exams)
• Indigenous Education Committee – about ¼ of LP staff are members of this committee, interested in conveying a strong Indigenous narrative in the LP community, Orange Shirt Day Sept 30, Friday extended announcement around Indigenous education, TRC, Orange Shirt Day, bring attention to the parent body via School Council – 15-20 minutes at following council meetings to share with parents; annual event in the Spring to bring students, staff and parents together
• Climate Change – congrats to school council to form new representative role re: environment
• façade of the school being cleaned, landscaping, working with a parent from Leaside and Project Swallowtail to renew garden/green space with native species of plants/trees, wrought iron fencing to protect planting, Principal Griesz lobbying with the Board for funds
• Hope to partner with the Urban Indigenous Education Centre re: medicine garden
• Exciting plans for the Hospitality Program – vision for it to take over and run the cafeteria, being sustained by the garden space

PARENT QUESTION: Is LP support for student adjustment to the semestered system from terms in middle school available?
Answer – We have many layers of support and more that can be done. Staff are changing their instruction format due to the longer class duration. Student activity day, spirit week, etc. to get students comfortable with being back in the school. Late start coming up – last 2 Wednesdays of each month.

PARENT QUESTION:  Is there a curriculum night for older students, or only Grade 9s?
Answer – It was traditionally for all grades, however, only Grade 9 teachers will be present for this week’s event.

PARENT QUESTION: How many students are at LP? French vs. Eng? How many teachers?
Answer – 1,349 students, 74 staff (over 80 staff with caretaking and office staff)

PARENT QUESTION: Have you had good response re: peer tutoring? (students signing up to tutor)

Answer – Yes, we do get a good response.

PARENT QUESTION: Is the math tutoring at lunch by teachers or student peers?

Answer – Teachers

PARENT QUESTION: Will LP remain semestered?

Answer – The plan is to remain semestered this year. Some schools appealed to the Board and did have it changed, but LP was not one of them. There are advantage and disadvantages to both systems. This is the safest option for students and staff right now. There was never an option to appeal to the Board. 99% of TDSB schools are semestered.

Please Note: Students are encouraged to self-advocate when faced with issues or questions relating to their school experience. The following lists the line of inquiry, starting with their relevant teacher:

Student Self-Advocacy Process Hierarchy:

1. Teacher
2. Guidance Counsellor
3. VP
4. Principal

Motion to adjourn: Patricia Kay

Seconded: Steph Rickard Chadda

MEETING ADJOURNED 9:13pm

Thank you to Parent Council members who brought snacks for tonight’s meeting!

LPCI School Council Meeting

Monday, April 4, 2022 7pm on Zoom

MEETING MINUTES

Next Meeting:  Monday, May 30th @ 7pm on Zoom

Council Attendees: Chair Liz Hanson, Co-Chair Pamela Wilansky, Principal Michael Griesz, VP Victoria Johnson-Lee, VP Gillian Moore, Teacher Rep Suzanne Sparrow, Teacher Derryl Fain, John Hiddema, Ian Aukema, Suzanne Duras, Philip Roberts, Karen Barasch, David Calloway, Lori Rosenberg, Elena Solokhina, Lucy McSweeny, Robin Conliffe, Jennifer Tse

Agenda:

• Welcome to our new Principal Michael Griesz
• Approve February 7th School Council Meeting Minutes 
• Student Liaison Reps Update
• School Council Executive Reports
• Principal Report
• New Business

 

Dates:

• • Parent/Teacher Interviews (online) – Thursday, April 7th 
  • Monday, April 11th – last day to purchase Prom tickets (Grade 12s)
  • Huddle Up – assembly scheduled for April 14 – Int’l day of Pink, Course Selection Info Session for parents next Monday, February 14 – link in The Eye
  • April 15th – Yearbook – Grade 12 baby photos last day to submit

 

• Mid-semester Grade 12 marks will be released the week of April 25 (universities waiting for them)

 

• LPRO – annual outdoor clean-up in Chatsworth Ravine – students can get volunteer hours – April 27th 
• Prom date is Friday, May 13 at the Liberty Grand (no longer in Vaughan)
• Commencement – proceeding with in-person plans, Wednesday, June 20 at 1pm @ Parkview Manor

 

[John Hiddema approved/Philip Roberts seconded February 7th Meeting Minutes]

 

 

Welcome Principal Griesz

 

 

• Most recently Principal at Leaside for nearly 2 years, prior at an Indigenous school, Earl Haig for several years

• Thankful for outstanding students at LP, has been meeting students in the halls

• Remarkable staff – please take a moment to reach out to your child’s teacher to thank them for all that they’re doing during the pandemic, they are doing an outstanding job

• Main office & Guidance office – seamless transition thanks to support from our VPs and Guidance admin staff

• Looking forward to working with parents to make LP even better!

 

 

Student Council Liaison Reps Update – Adam Barbour, Simian Xiao

 

• Grad hoodies – orders going out this week; designs will be voted on via online survey; 4 weeks after ordering they will arrive
• Charity Week – following Easter weekend – (week of April 25th) – School Council have selected 3 charities 1) Eva’s (helps homeless teens), 2) Stella’s Place (youth mental health), and 3) Pathways to Education (focus on helping low income teens with educational supplies); Buddies and Green Council will help 
• Student Council will do a raffle for Charity Week – signed Leaf’s Jersey, Jays tickets
• Chemistry Contests, Math Contests
• BSA hosting 90s day tomorrow (April 4)
• PJ day Thursday (April 6) – free waffle
• Boys’ hockey, badminton, volleyball, track & field events ongoing
• LP Wear will be distributed over the next 2 weeks
• Starting up LP elections for next year, next Monday; alumni association members also placed orders for LP Wear – council to advise how these items can be collected and distributed (advise Liz Hansen)
• SC planning Spring Fling fun fair in early to mid-May

 

School Council Executive Updates

Treasurer Report (John Hiddema) – no further revenue since last meeting; $795.00 expenses since Aug. 1

• $4,651 bank balance, TDSB holding $118 for school cash online, $1,000 balance for unrestricted online banking services
• John and Ian chairing committee with TDSB officials on parent involvement/engagement re: fundraising – moving $ from school cash online, we have obligation as fundraisers to report on this – discussions are pending with Board officials, no later than next year, get back to fundraising events as we have done in the past

 

Steph Rickard Chadda – Fundraising

• Nothing executed yet 
• Looking for items to spend on 
• Opportunity via Woodward Meats (frozen packaged meat products) – 6% back to school for online purchases, plus bonuses when levels are achieved – will circulate via The Eye
• Social event – need to gauge how people are feeling about gathering considering latest Covid wave – may need to be outdoors

 

• Karen Barasch – Update on Wellness Committee
  • Huddle Up – assembly scheduled for April 14 – Int’l day of Pink, Wellness will work with Equity Group for assembly geared to end bullying, end homophobia in the school environment
  • Mindful Moment is back on Google Classroom – colouring, mindful meditations, other self-guided activities
  • Wellness Week is still in the planning stages – no update
  • Grant being shared with Equity Group – open to ideas on what we would like to see involving the whole school community – total of $500 for both groups ($250 each to Wellness and Equity Committees) – do these fees have to be used in a specific way? – Liz to advise
• Equity Council – David absent during this segment – no update
• Phillip Roberts – Facilities Improvement – Google Form shared with Council prior to this meeting to explain last provincial ministry facilities carried out in 2019, may have been delayed; report details aspects of the LP building that are in need of urgent attention; 6 most urgent according to the report – should have been dealt with by now – purpose of form is to collect opinions of the school council; additional items that may not be on the list can be added – ie. field, washrooms, role Council can play in supporting movement forward on these items (Rugby team wanted to pay for access to the field – update / approval from TDSB?) See: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/Schools/School-FCI/schno/5525
• Lori Rosenberg – Website clean-up, minutes being properly categorized, looking to be able to send emails via portal – access required, Liz to look into what has been done/fixed
• Lucy McSweeny – No updates from FSLAC (French As a Second Language Committee)
• Elena S. – parent engagement information night via Zoom? If parents are interested? – Topic: climate change? – find a speaker on this topic
• Andrea Fry – Safe & Caring Schools – nothing to report
• Liz Hanson – Chair updates:
  • LPRO – annual clean-up in Chatsworth Ravine – students can get volunteer hours – April 27th 
  • Grad events on preparing for university – speaking with recent alumni – if your university student would like to participate, let Liz know – watch The Eye for updates
  • Grad lawn signs – going to proceed – parents can order signs online 

 

Special Presentation: SHSM – Specialist High School Major for Fall 2023 (Teacher Derryl Fain)

 

• Allows students to focus on a particular area of study, in this case, Business
• University-recognized courses
• First Aid, CPR, WHIMS training, 2 other types of certifications – Networking Workshop, Business Etiquette workshop, all provided at no charge
• Student in a SHSM program have an average 1% higher than other students
• Junior Achievement – “The Company Program” – students come up with a business plan, present their product
• Grade 11 – Accounting, Marketing
• Grade 12 – Business Leadership, Grade 12 Accounting, Sports & Entertainment Marketing (university level), plus 2 co-op credits
• Science students can do co-op in a hospital/vet clinic (ie. this program is not only for students interested in pursuing Business in university)
• Does not preclude FI students – Grade 10 Business in French being offered next year for the first time
• 2 math credits in grade 12

• Grade 10 Business – 6 sections this year
• Grade 11 Marketing – 3 sections
• Industry people come in to speak with students
• Opt in in Grade 11 or Grade 12 (keep in mind that with a lot of certifications and co-op, this would be a lot during the graduating year)
• Application process rather than an interview process for program registration
• Derryl.fain@tdsb.on.ca – if you have questions, feel free to email Derryl 
• Any student who has successfully earned four credits in the listed Business Studies related courses is eligible for a Business Specialist Certificate or Business Specialist Certificate with Honours (an average of 85% or above).  Courses taken with TDSB eLearning will also be considered for the Business Specialist Certificate and does not need to be one of the courses listed below but must be within the Business Studies curriculum.

 

LPCI Courses that qualify are:

 

• BBI2O Introduction to Business
• BMI3C Marketing: Goods, Services, Events
• BAF3M Financial Accounting Fundamentals
• BAT4M Financial Accounting Principles
• BBB4M International Business Fundamentals
• BOH4M Business Leadership
• CIA4U Analyzing Current Economic Issues

 

Principal Report – Michael Griesz

 

 

• Thursday is P/T Interviews online; alternate times can be arranged if needed

• Staff have provided updates on student grades

• Washroom issue – male washrooms vandalized, some being closed for repairs

• Litter in halls during lunch hour 

• Covid protocol – we are a mask-friendly environment; each student and staff member are making their own decisions on masking

• Vaping in washrooms – work with LP Safe & Caring Committee to develop an educational program for students, or work with Phys. Ed. Department; otherwise, vigilance around vaping

• Covid Self-screening from Ministry of Education – perhaps send out again to remind parents/students about self-screening

• Mid-semester Grade 12 marks will be released the week of April 25 (universities waiting for them)

 

 

Victoria Johnson-Lee VP

 

• Grad Update – we can post in-person events, planning has started for Prom
• Prom date is Friday, May 13 at the Liberty Grand (no longer in Vaughan)
• Tickets opened on Monday – direct email to Gr. 12 students, prom IG account
• 122 tickets have sold so far; expect ticket sales to pick up; sales will close next Monday
• Commencement – proceeding with in-person plans, Wednesday, June 20 at 1pm @ Parkview Manor – planning with School Council helping
• Yearbook representation – Grad Quotes due today (via Google form – check the latest Eye for the link), baby photos due April 15
• Meeting soon with Commencement Committee re: Grad Hoodies

 

School Council

• Currently 17 parents on council
• We are open to new members to join for next school year

 

 

 

Motion to Adjourn: Steph Rickard-Chadda

Seconded: Ian Aukema

MEETING ADJOURNED (8:11 pm)

LPCI School Council Meeting

Monday, February 7, 2022 7pm on Zoom

MEETING MINUTES

Next Meeting:  Monday, April 4 @ 7pm on Zoom

Council Attendees: Chair Liz Hanson, Interim Principal Bernadette Shaw, VP Victoria Johnson-Lee, VP Gillian Moore, Suzanne Sparrow, Jennifer Dobson, John Hiddema, Ian Aukema, Suzanne Duras, Philip Roberts, Karen Barasch, David Calloway, Lori Rosenberg, Elena Solokhina, Lucy McSweeny, Jennifer Tse, Robin Conliffe

Thanks to the almost 60 people who joined the meeting!

Agenda:

• Welcome and Introductions
• Approve Minutes for December Meeting
• Student Council Liaison reps – to share update on student activities
• Chair/School Council Executive Report
• Principal / VP Reports
• Parent Q&A

Key Dates:

• In Pursuit of Educational Freedom webinar on Feb. 17 630pm-8pm Friday, December 17
• Course Selection Info Session for parents next Monday, February 14 – link in The Eye
• February 28 is hard deadline for final course selections via My Blueprint
• Tentative Grad Venue – Parkview Manor June 29 3pm
• Prom – Hazelton Manor (in Vaughan) tentatively booked for Friday, May 6

 

 

 

1. Student Council Liaison Reps Update – Adam Barbour, Simian Xiao

 

• LP Wear – finishing up manual input to spreadsheet with other SC members’ help; more orders than in the past, especially from Grade 12s, alumni also placing orders via the Alum Assoc
• One month until items arrive
• Grad hoodies – speaking with the designer and will take polls from Grade 12s for input
• Charity Week – run by Adam and Simian – planning, meetings based on current Covid restrictions, looking for a speaker from a local charity; April tentative date
• Spring Flight Afternoon – Friday Night Lights Rugby Event – food trucks, bouncy castles scheduled for May
• A lot of money left over in the budget from previous years saved due to Covid – no financial support required
• Clubs & Councils Update:
  • Clubs and Councils website for updates: https://sites.google.com/student.tdsb.on.ca/lpclubscouncils/home
  • Sports Intramurals – badminton, volleyball practices starting this week; badminton likely to able to begin competitively shortly
  • To register: drop-in after school to see Ms. Ladak in her office in the South Gym or sign up via LPCI Instagram
  • Fitness Centre – open as of this week
  • 22 sports permits opening for TDSB schools (as per Shelly Laskin’s email); no dates available yet, as being directed by TPH

 

2. School Council Executive Updates

• Approval of minutes from Dec. 4 meeting
  • Motion to approve: David Calloway, Second: Phillip Roberts

 

• Karen Barasch – Update on Wellness Committee
  • Upcoming Events:
    • Bell Let’s Talk Day was in January – huge success with events on IG using #bellletstalk for donations
    • Upcoming: Pink Shirt Day in February – many activities being organized; prizes being accepted (i.e. $5 gift cards, LP wear, etc.); please donate ASAP, see School Council email notification this week for more info
    • Huddle-Up: Anti-bullying initiative working to put together training for those interested, freebies for the school (ie. masks, positive messaging on anti-bullying)
    • Future: Wellness Week at end of April – hopeful for events in-school, in-person (not just online)
    • International Day of Pink – larger international event supporting other events specific to anti-bullying, anti-harassment – coming up in April
    • Mindful Moment is still being done over Google Classroom (used to happen daily in classes pre-pandemic), spearheaded by the Wellness Committee but has continued online, looking to increase engagement throughout the spring; idea moving forward – once a week, Wellness Team would travel to various classrooms for a more engaging event for more mindfulness in person
    • School was supportive of Relay for Life last May, Wellness Committee collecting items for silent auction, prizes, etc. – more info will be included in The Eye coming up
  • John Hiddema – Treasurer – not much going on, no revenue to report, parent welcome night that took place at Safari cost $309.98, money very well spent for social time with new parents, some bank charges, website fees, email software (at least a year paid) $727.83 expenses so far this year (from August 1), $1549.00 balance; process underway with TDSB senior officials for parent engagement process re: fundraising mechanism (i.e. School Cash Online) for tax receipts – no further progress but Treasurers will reach out to Board staff soon for updates/direction on this topic
  • Equity Council – events planned for Black History and African Heritage Month – see The Eye for details; planning for Voices of Change Conference in May and Pride Day in June
  • Phillip Roberts – Facilities Improvement – end of November Principal Park shared detailed facilities update which was shared with Council; priorities discussed at the Council level – a lot of items require attention which were anticipated to have been resolved by now; how can Council get involved re: fundraising?; put out requests for parents to get involved. More to come!
  • No updates from FSLAC (French As a Second Language Committee)
  • Jennifer Dobson – In Pursuit of Educational Freedom webinar on Feb. 17 630pm-8pm – link will be in The Eye this week (from Shelley Laskin’s report)
  • Elena S. – parent engagement information night via Zoom? If parents are interested?
  • Scholarship Online event was recorded in case you missed it: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/rec/play/15ZS66Gpfg_Xu5n02gFrDny21FI6vIGArvABFbuqPUci6hSo1qE-iE88_Q-z47Ko1o02mkfXwV4Enjw.XU6aOqFtoMsHhIt4?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=MGuMcrkoS922zE_1tgJ5Jg.1644277613694.340dcdf05603e386293c1bed7e343ba8&_x_zm_rhtaid=797
  • How to Prep for University – possible future event
  • Steph Rickard Chadda – Fundraising – we need direction on what we’re fundraising for; meeting with staff, key Council members needed in order to clarify goals

 

Principal Report – Bernadette Shaw

 

• Semester 2 has started smoothly, prepping for course selection Feb. 28; sessions have been going on through Guidance
• New teachers have been brought on: 5 new teachers and 2 for long-term occasional (7 total)
• Rapid Antigen Kits – 5 per box, 2 issued per students (boxes had to be disassembled, time-consuming, students volunteered to help)
• Clubs, Teams & Councils – VP Gillian – facilities/swimming pool – in 2 weeks the pool will be ready; next hurdle is getting a lifeguard, working with employee services who is an employee of the TDSB to start with Chris Reid and Phys. Ed. Dept. – Currently, we don’t have a lifeguard and many other schools are looking for a lifeguard, as welM
• Scottish Rugby – Bernadette managed to find the Board person responsible – Richard Christie – manager of Sustainability – tasked with presenting this option to Assoc. Director Craig Snyder who has asked for full report to be completed soon and presented to Craig for green light to discuss the Scottish Rugby League which is looking for turf facility to rent – goal is to fund a replacement track and field – potential opportunity is moving forward

 

Gillian Evans VP

 

• Music – singing and instruments can now begin again, brass, woodwinds – wonderful news!
• Extracurriciulars – clubs and councils will continue to meet virtually in Feb, in-person beginning in March – restricted to 2 extracurriculars per student in March
• Entering a critical time in scheduling and staffing calendar – Thurs/Fri/Monday presentations from Guidance re: course selection; highlight videos from elective departments; parent info evening next Monday – link and info in The Eye, will run again in this Friday’s Eye; FI info as well – recorded, assemblies, highlight videos, paper copies of course selection forms, LPCI Guidance arm of website under Course Selection
• Smith updated course selection process with info for families
• Grade 12 course don’t have a specific evening – click ‘not returning’ in My Blueprint – if returning for an additional year, they will be invited back for course selection
• My Blueprint is open to look around, but course selections not yet officially available – will open next Monday for Grades 11 and 12, Guidance counsellors always available if students have questions
• Best website for Ontario University course requirements – https://www.ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca/; outside of Ontario, it is school-by-school specific
• Deadlines for course selections are very important! – LPCI Course Selection closed Feb. 28th

 

 

Victoria Johnson-Lee VP

 

• Window for paying school activity fees is now closed after being extended
• We can now go ahead and start on yearbook publishing – cover going into production with yearbook team for professional yearbook with as many photos as possible
• Grad/Commencement – TDSB says hold off on any concrete planning, get refundable deposits if booking a venue – we have a venue with no deposit req’d.; more info will be available in March – hoping for more than a virtual commencement this year
• Tentative Grad Venue – Parkview Manor June 29 3pm
• Prom – Hazelton Manor (in Vaughan) booked for Friday, May 6 – fingers crossed!
• Liz/SC – bathrooms? Kids aren’t feeling safe, holding on till they get home, what are other schools doing? Updates? – Fewer kids are hanging out in the bathrooms due to no breaktime built into the current schedule / modified semester – mask breaks and outdoor breaks last semester with 1/3 of kids out of class at any given time which caused problems – VPs patrolling girls washrooms and safety monitor keeping an eye on boys washrooms
• Hockey not planned yet – pending
• Drainage project – any contact beyond TDSB Services with city planning? i.e. is that project going to start when the kids can get outdoors again? Are we looking at a closure again? No further updates about the work order which is on their planning cycle and will be done provided there are contractors and staff available to do it.
• FI/I Grade 10 courses being offered for 2022-23 school year- business, art, drama, French, math, geography

 

 

 

 

Motion to Adjourn: John Hiddema

Seconded: Ian Aukema

MEETING ADJOURNED (8:30 pm)