Salem Public School

School Council Minutes-September 19, 2023

Posted September 21, 2023

School Council Minutes

Salem Public School Council

Date: September 19th, 2023 

Start Time: 6:30pm

Location – Salem Public School, Learning Commons

Welcome

Attendees: Kyla Lightfoot, Amanda Marson, Adam Lyle, Kourtney Derikx, Suzy Gray, Thomas Samson, Dhrumin Patel, Jessie Price, Katie Giddy, Lauren Harris Selby, Andrea Catteau, Johanna Hilditch, Courtney Ecclestone and Vanessa Cordes.

Introduction to what the school council is and why it’s important for a thriving school year, as well as the proposed events and fundraising for 2023/2024 (schedule will be provided soon for families).

Council Elections(approved)

Secretary: Vanessa Cordes

Treasurer: Courtney Ecclestone

Chair/Co Chair: Thomas Samson and Lauren Harris Selby

Voting Members:

• Approval of Minutes for June: LINK to Minutes Johanna Hilditch approves, Andrrea Catteau seconds
• Teachers Report (Amanda Marson)
• The staff engaged in a successful day of training on the September 18th PD day
• Discussions took place among the staff of how to better support students throughout the grades at Salem Public.
• 2023/2024 Reorganization has been successful and students are settling nicely into their new classes. 
• Staff is excited for the wonderful year ahead.

• Principals Report (Kyla Lightfoot)

• These are the school goals for this year. 
•  We will continue to focus on literacy, the science of reading and the new language curriculum.
• We will continue to focus on math, developing core number sense.  Grade 3s will also be receiving math intervention based on assessments that they are completing now

4. Treasurer Report (Courtney Ecclestone)

• Charitable lunches: $0
• Fundraising: $8562.17
• General Fund: $312.37
• Milk: $0
• Nutrition Program: $5582.86
• Parent Engagement: $44.69
• Playground: $4364.12
• Playground maintenance: $668.77
• Student Activities & Teacher Allocations: $0
• Ending Balance: $19534.38

5. New Business:

• 283 Students attending Salem Public this year.
• Discussions took place on having a School Council table at the Salem Open House night (September 28th 6:00pm-7:00pm). This would be beneficial for families to be able to speak with current Council members on the different ways to get involved. This is also a great opportunity to see what events and fundraising are being proposed, and to sign up as support. Lauren Harris Selby and Vanessa Cordes will be available at this table from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.  Please see proposed events list and sign up spots below.

• Planning of staff appreciation breakfast  is underway, date to be determined at the next council meeting.
• The beginning organizations of the first event of the year were underway, the Halloween Dance! In past years this was a fun time for all the students. This year the proposed date is Tuesday October 31st. This event will be during 
• school hours. The grade six students were very helpful in providing some great ideas on how to make this event successful. More information to come.
• Gaga Pit will be starting shortly (mid October).
• It was brought to the attention of the council that in the future a more detailed description of how to use School Cash Online would be helpful, especially with new families coming into JK. Additionally a hyperlink would also be helpful..
• Discussions on how best to reach families would include the Facebook page, 5 Things, emails, newsletters as well as information being posted on the school council bulletin board (to the left hand side of the office).
• An “Fundraising Thermometer” is being made to give families a visual reading of the fundraising efforts the school makes. This will allow everyone to see how much money is being raised throughout the year for our fantastic school! This will be posted in the main foyer.
• Options of providing families with a link to attend council meetings virtually if that better suits their schedule.

6. Tech Grant-Lauren Selby:

It was shared with the council that other schools have had great success with receiving funding from corporate donors. Lauren will be looking into these possibilities, one of which is a Best Buy Tech Grant (see below).

Since 2008, Best Buy Canada’s School Tech Grant program has supported Canadian public schools looking to upgrade their       classroom technology. We believe that having access to the latest computers and digital devices is essential to keeping students motivated and inspired.

This year to celebrate the 15th anniversary of our program, we’ve increased our grants to $15,000! These funds are available for elementary and secondary schools to help introduce or improve the technology available to students from kindergarten to Grade 12.

Deadline to apply is October 9.

For more information and how to apply, click here to learn more.

Important Upcoming September/October Dates:

September 22nd Terry Fox Run

September 28th Salem Public Open House 6:00pm-7:00pm

September 29/30th Orange Shirt Day 

October 9th Thanksgiving NO SCHOOL

October Staff Appreciation Breakfast TBD

October 27th PD Day

October 30th Picture Day

October 31st Halloween Dance

Next Council meeting: October 10th @ 6:30pm

EndTime: 8:06 pm

School Council 2023-24 Sign up Sheet

Categories: School Council News