School Council Meeting Minutes – November 6th, 2025
Princess Margaret Public School
In attendance: Andrea Papavasilliou, Tracey M., Emily M., Billie Jo R., Ida C., Justine O., Tracy P., Becky L., Vienna R., Linsdey F., Tanya P., Teagan P., Sandra J., Sabrina F., Kaysie (Student Council rep)
Regrets: Brittani S., Amber J., Sarah C., Ashley H., Laya H., Felicia B. (withdrawn), Jamie E.
Land Acknowledgement & Equity Statement (Principal Andrea)
Principal’s Report (Principal Andrea)
· Positive visit from Superintendent.
· School Council reviewed UGDSB Policy on handling fundraising monies (public SGF funds).
· We will support students with attendance concerns with a blanket letter this week and another one with more specific details about absences with progress reports.
· Reminder about exterior doors – we are still working on the key FOB system for access
· Full Principal’s Report follows Minutes.
Council Business (Lead Chair Emily)
· Thank you to the school community for supporting our donut fundraiser, in partnership with Quest for Cakes Bakery. Together we raised a few hundred dollars. Donuts were enjoyed!
· Terra Cotta fundraiser logistics: Fundraiser closes on Thursday, Nov. 13th. Distribution will be on Thursday, Nov. 27th at end of school day. Cookies will arrive to school at 1pm. Hand out from 3-5pm. Volunteers: Emily M., Tracy P., Billie Jo, and Vienna will help from 1-3. Emily M., Teagan P., and Sabrina will help from 3-5pm.
· PIC annual meeting for School Councils will be held later this school year. Info to come.
· Review/confirm status of Council members’ VSC. Emily updated spreadsheet.
· Desperately need more volunteers with our School Snack Program!
· Food Bank will deliver food donation bin on Dec. 1st and pick up Dec. 8th. Share this in our social posts for Holiday Craft Fair, along with Scholastic Book Fair.
· Craft Fair signage: Pick up signs from office AND sign them out on Monday, Nov. 10th and Tuesday Nov. 11th. Post ON Wednesday, November 12th (not before) in HIGHLY visible locations around town. We have a permit, map, and sign-out sheet for signs this year.
· Emily will purchase light-up necklaces to more easily identify all Council members at the Craft Fair.
· Teagan will assist with name tags for School Council and Student Council members.
Student Council Representative (K)
· Welcome! She shared with us how she and the VP tell Student Council members their jobs for the week; excited for Holiday Craft Fair – everyone has been assigned their roles; Student Council working on Spirit Days; all classroom themes have been assigned for silent auction baskets; fundraisers include milk and popcorn sales so far.
Holiday Craft Fair (Billie Jo, Becky, Tracey M.)
· Vendor tables are sold out, some exciting new vendors this year
· Socials – keep sharing and liking to maintain algorithm! Emily has been adding all silent auction items. She will take advantage of Wightman and Rogers’ free community pages for posting our event. Billie Jo to send Amber the file of vendor photos, for sharing to socials.
· Silent auction – keep the items coming! All gift cards to Jodi in the office, baskets in the storage area. Be sure to take photos of items and send to Emily for posting.
· School Council will provide vendor map 2 days prior to Fair, so student greeters have a copy.
· Kids’ only shopping
· Café
· Bake sale
· Parking – Brittani to coordinate volunteers, spreadsheet in progress.
· Food bank – Tracey M.’s class will organize the food drive, Emily to share on socials.
· Book Fair – starts end of Nov. and finishes Dec. 10th.
· Floats – Tracey M. will arrange for floats for Kids shopping, bake sale, and silent auction.
Next meeting will be on Thursday, November 20th, at 6pm. This will be STRICTLY Craft Fair business.
Monday, December 1st and Tuesday, December 2nd at 5pm – we will be stuffing baskets for silent auction on both nights. Please help if you can, esp on the Monday! If everyone helps out, we can finish it in one night!!!
Principal’s Report – November 6th, 2025
Land Acknowledgement:
On Remembrance Day, I take time to reflect on how lucky we are to live where we live. I honour all the people who made sacrifices to protect our rights and freedoms that we have in Canada. This includes over 12,000 Indigenous soldiers who fought for Canada in its wars. 2,700 Indigenous Peoples continue to serve today. I hope you have taken some time this week to recognize the contributions of Indigenous soldiers. Princess Margaret Public School is situated on the ancestral, treaty and title lands of the
Anishinaabek Ojibwe Nation, specifically the Michi Saagig of the Credit land. This
Nation holds legal and specific rights in their respective territories. This area has been and continues to be home for Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. My commitment: Recognize and highlight the contributions of Indigenous Soldiers
A Commitment to Humans Rights In Action:
As a school community, we have a responsibility to recognize, call out, and break down racism and oppression in all forms. The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) is committed to removing systemic barriers that continue to impact students, staff, and families. This is not just a short-term project - it’s an ongoing commitment to making sure every student has a learning environment that is fair, just, and inclusive.
Reminders about school fundraisers and how to handle money:
School_Fundraising__Explained (2).mp4
Attendance Follow Up for Progress Reports:
Strategies for School Attendance
-Blanket Email and video sent to each family.
-Individual letters with attendance data goes home with students who have concerning attendance with progress reports
-Discuss attendance at Interviews please: How can we help?
Reminder about Exterior Doors: This work has now begun…
The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) is committed to providing a safe, secure learning and working environment for students, staff, and visitors. Over the next couple of years all elementary schools are upgrading their door access systems and will consistently have their exterior doors locked during the school day.
I am writing to let you know that this board-wide project of upgrading the system used to access elementary school sites across the district is coming to our school and the work began this past week. Parents, guardians, volunteers are as always welcome to attend the school as per usual, however, will need to use the intercom at the entrance to contact the office prior to having the doors opened. All visitors to schools are still required to sign in at the school’s main office and wear a badge/sticker identifying them as a visitor to the school once signed in.
If you would like additional information please see the link below which will take you to the board’s website and to Policy / Procedures 322 that outlines the management of access to schools sites across the system: https://www.ugdsb.ca/o/ugdsb/page/policy-322-safe-operation-of-schools-and-board-sites
Important Dates:
November 3rd to 13th: School Council Terra Cotta Cookie Fundraiser
November 6th: School Council 6pm in the library
November 6th: Superintendent Visit 1045am-1215pm
November 10th: Live Stream Guest Speaker, Major V. Soria (Canadian Air Force) info sent home.
November 11th: Remembrance Day Assembly
November 13th: Progress Reports go Home & Posted online
November 17th to 21st: Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week
November 18th: Public Health Grade 7 CARD presentation
November 18th: Rescheduled (x2) kindergarten Officer Amy Presentation
November 20th: Extra School Council Meeting for Craft Fair
November 25th: Fall Grade ⅞ Vaccination Clinic at PMPS
November 27th: Progress Report Interview Night 3pm-7pm
November 27th to December 10th: Book Fair at PMPS
November 28th: PD Day & Interview Day 830am to 250pm
November 28th: Classroom donations due for Class Holiday Baskets
December 2nd: Junior Division Trip to Theatre Orangeville
December 4th: Grade 8 Information Night at ODSS 630pm
December 6th: PMPS 29th Annual Christmas Craft Fair 9-3pm (Please plan to attend)
December 9th: Grade ¾ & Grade ⅘ Fire Safety Presentations
December 10th: Grade ⅚ & Grade 6/7 Fire Safety Presentations
December 16th: Holiday singing assembly
December 16th: Grade ¾ & Grade ⅘ Library Visit
December 19th: Holiday singing, performances, and award assemblies
December 22nd to January 4th: Holiday Break (No School for Students)