Minutes of School Council MeetingThursday, February 4, 2016

Present: Ms. Jean Conway, Teacher Representative

Ms. Nancy Elkins, Principal

Ms. Jennifer Grandy, Teacher Representative

Ms. Lynette Ivany, Assistant Principal and Recording Secretary

Mr. Bill Lee, Community Representative

Ms. Tara Lynch, Co-Chairperson/Parent Representative

Ms. Beth Nightingale, Parent Representative

Regrets: Mr. Vince Burton, Community Representative

Mr. Terry Moores, Co-Chairperson/Parent Representative

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Lynch called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. and welcomed all members to our meeting.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Meeting minutes from our December 17, 2015 meeting (last meeting) were approved as written (moved by Ms. Conway/seconded by Ms. Nightingale).

CONTINUING BUSINESS:

School Development Ms. Elkins provided an update on the progress of objectives outlined in our annual school development plan.

Literacy:-A school-wide Literacy Week occurred in January 2016. Some of the events included a Reading Relay, visual literacy activity, literacy trivia, Flashlight Friday and guest readers. In connection to Literacy Week, the Royal Bank (Paradise Branch) made an unsolicited donation of several new books for our library. We’d certainly like to express our thanks for this.

-A system for organization and storage of individual student literacy portfolios has been created by the committee and presented to teachers.

-Grade one and four teachers have received 1.5 days of inservice on the BAS reading assessment kit and a review of conducting a reading record. These teachers will work with the remainder of our staff during our March 18th professional development session.

Numeracy:-A school-wide Math Mania day occurred in December which involved a wide array of mathematical activities for our students, both within the classroom and school.

21 st Century Learning: -The committee has emphasized the renewal of some our online memberships/applications, as well as the research into and attainment of some new ones.

-All grade one students are registered for and using Reading Eggs, an online program, to enhance individual reading development.

-Several teachers have adopted the use of See Saw, an application which allows the user to create an

online portfolio for each student (assessment and events). Parents can be provided access to their child’s portfolio and can provide feedback on the various pieces.

Inclusionary Practices:-This committee has been emphasizing monthly focus strategies for teachers in differentiated instruction.

-Planning is underway to enhance awareness and understanding of a variety of exceptionalities. Our first focus (more information to be provided) will be Down Syndrome.

Safe and Caring School: -Planning is underway for our upcoming Education Week and PBS (Positive Behavioral Supports) week. An update will be provided at our next school council meeting.

-Since last year, we have been sponsoring two children from developing countries and the committee has decided to make this sponsorship and these children more known to our students. The first step was the creation of a bulletin board (outside of the music room) with the children’s biographies and photographs.

Communication/Collaboration:-The committee has continued with its partnerships with Clay Café and Bricks For Kids this term.

Ms. Elkins communicated that we also have several co-curricular/extra-curricular activities occurring for our students. These include intramurals, Super Solver’s Club, Drama Club, ORFF Ensemble, Chess Club, and prefects (cafeteria and classroom).

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:

Planning Within School 2016-2017

Ms. Elkins informed Council that Octagon Pond

kindergarten and grade one students will not be at our school next year. A letter was sent to their parents a short while ago. Our projected enrollment for September is 485.

NEW BUSINESS

Staff Appreciation Week 2016

A discussion ensued over Council’s involvement in this marked week. Some initiatives were planned to help acknowledge staff’s contributions to our children.

Ridgewood Drive Crosswalk

Council discussed the recent email received from the Octagon Pond School Council regarding the problem with this crosswalk and the desire to work with us to provide safe solutions.

CORRESPONDENCE: There was no correspondence received for this meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Our next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2016.