Elora Public School

School Council Minutes – November 2023

Posted November 21, 2023

MINUTES

Elora Public School Council

Date – Nov 14, 2023

Virtual Attendees:

In-Person Attendees: Natasha Skerritt, Emma Reay, Kim Blair, Rachel Albano, Shannan Noorlander, Colette Bayani, Emily Drinkwater, Sheila Bauman & Franki Duke

1. Welcome and Introductions (Colette/Rachael)
2. Attendance
3. Approval of Minutes from Sept 2023
4. P/VP Report (Natasha / Emma)
   • Lots of activities going on at the school with every recess packed with sports and different groups for the kids to be involved in (especially for juniors and intermediates)
   • The Remembrance Day assembly was excellent with lots of kids involved
   • The Dance-a-thon raised $5177.45 which is enough for another gaga ball pit. The glow-in-the-dark bracelets and glasses were a huge hit. Unfortunately, the gaga ball pit will likely not be installed until next spring due to improvements taking place at the school next year.
   • Natasha called the town and spoke to the Manager of Public Works regarding a sidewalk needed on Irvine St. (North of Church St.). He said it was not currently on the books but made a note of it. He said it may be possible in 2026 when water main construction is slated to take place. Town construction plans are reviewed annually so this timeline may change.
   • Natasha checked into a high interest bank account for parent council funds. The funds already have a good interest and bank fees are not charged.
   • Retake photos will be the morning of Thurs. Nov 23rd. Original photos have arrived at the school and were going home to all kids.
   • The Festive Holiday Show will take place the Wednesday before the holidays.
   • The Friday before the holidays (Dec 22^nd) will be “Comfy Cozy Day” and Students Create Change are possibly making pancakes for the school this day.
   • The choir will be at the Storms game on Nov 24^th.
   • This Thursday (Nov 16) progress reports will be available on-line, as well as booking for parent/teacher interviews. 

5. Treasurer Report (Shannan)
   • The current budget is outlined below…

• Voted to move gaga ball funds into playground account so only $675 left in fundraising account for “pinnies” to be spent soon.

6. Teacher Presentation (Emily Drinkwater)
   • Teachers are asking for funds to improve technology & make this more than a one-off request
   • Emily presented why technology is important at the school
   • Different tools available for learning (i.e. speech to text, text to voice)
   • Equips students with important tech skills for learning
   • Access to greater variety of resources (especially ones provided/licensed by board)
   • “Teaching Through Technology” is for grades 3 / 4 to grade 8 and can be used for
     •  Communicating ideas
     • Engagement
     • Equal opportunities (different ways of learning
     • Set-up for success

• • Only 15 chrome books assigned to entire primary grades (5 per class) so they are used in small groups and it is challenging to teach the whole class tech skills
  • 10/11 chrome books assigned to juniors in total (not including what is broken, etc.)
  • New curriculum includes
    • Developing ideas & organizing content
    • Creating texts
    • Publishing, presenting & reflecting
  • Board provides the school 15-20 chrome books per year
  • Pizza sales funded TVs for most classrooms & hoping to purchase remaining TV’s soon with pizza funds.
  • TVs are approx. $2500.00 each w/install (8 are still needed)
  • Chromebooks for teachers & students are approx. $300 each
  • iPads are also required for younger students
  • More students with chrome books also help kids with SEA not “stand out”
  • Natasha will work on a financial target for parent council funding

7. Educator Presentation (Sheila Bauman)
   • The “Buddy Bench” was started in 2015 as a mental health initiative. There are 50 benches installed in the area.
   • Some of the key benefits of a “Buddy Bench” are…
     • Fostering friendship
     • Initiating a school environment that supports kindness and inclusion
     • Providing awareness on our Mental Health message of #NeverAlone
     • Promoting an opportunity for conversations to begin on the playground
     • Costs are a 50/50 split between school and the “Get in Touch with Hutch” organization.
     • Each bench is $1700 total so school’s portion would be $850 per bench.
     • The bench is guaranteed for 25 years and can be inside or outside.

8. Playground (Colette/Rachel/Natasha/Emma)

• • Presented rendering of proposed Alma Public School’s playground.
  • Playground pricing starts at $137,000 and can easily increase to $300,000
  • Alternative ideas to a playground were presented
    • Outdoor chalkboard approx. $1500
    • Bridge to East playground
    • Outdoor gather area (using large rocks) $5800
    • Sport Equipment (i.e. balls, fixing basketball net) $500
    • Repaint pavement games – 12 games are $1400
      • $15,800 to do all of this

*Need to remember that a playground will only be open for a few months in the spring & fall (closed during winter months), will have limited capacity and is geared to younger kids

A survey will be sent to parents asking their opinion of how these “playground” funds should be spent

9. Fundraising
   • The remaining 2023/2024 fundraising schedule is…
   • January: Sled-a-thon (weather permitting)
   • April: Krispy Kreme donut sales
   • May: Pansy Fundraiser (tbc)
   • June: Basket Raffle (at end of year event)

It was decided that the funds raised from the Sled-a-thon will be used for a buddy bench, pinnies & student activities/resources.

For the sled-a-thon, Natasha mentioned that parents will be required to assist this year by staying at the hill with sleds, music, hot chocolate & snacks (& possibly an art activity for those kids that do not want to toboggan).

It was decided that the funds from the Krispy Kreme donut sales will be used for technology.

10. Other Business

-A few “Pinnie” styles were presented by Natasha & Rachel. The decision was made to purchase 40 “pinnies” with logos & numbers @ $30 each- plus 50 “pinnies” with no numbers. The cost approved for 90 pinnies is $2767 total.

-There are some EPS hats still available to purchase (mostly ball caps left). It was discussed that they could be sold at parent/teacher interviews, the Festive Holiday Show & June BBQ.

-Natasha requested a statement be added to the EPS Parents Facebook page stating the purpose and rules/regulations of the page. It was also discussed that the EPS Parents Facebook page membership be reviewed so people that are no longer EPS parents are removed from accessing this page.

-Sheila suggested a TV be installed in the junior area so they can be aware of the day’s events.

-It was discussed that parent council needs to look at ways to increase meeting attendance and volunteers. Someone suggested the idea of offering babysitting during the meeting, but it was also mentioned that the meeting may be too late in the day for little ones to attend.

Next Meeting Dates

-Feb 13, 2024

-April 9, 2024

-May 14, 2024

*all School Council meetings will take place between 6:30pm-7:30pm in the Learning Commons

Categories: School Council Minutes