Council Minutes - 17/01/08

Present:
Mary Whittaker – Principal
Sue Hill
Trina Byrne
Paul Dover - Treasurer
Karen Yellan – Chair
Carol Lunansky
Julie McFayden - Secretary
Bernadette Ryan-Phillips
Kuwassi Hutchinson

1. Welcome

2. Minutes of the previous meeting – The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

3. Treasurer’s Report – Paul reported that the new balance in the account is $7,039.54. Net profit from the entertainment book fundraiser was $847.50 and pizza lunch was $123.42.

4. Principal’s Report:
• Gym Ceiling – The repairs have not been done yet. The ceiling was looked at over the holidays and the job was re-costed. The materials are being ordered. Mary reported that work would start before March break to be completed by the time students returned.
• Parking Problem – meeting with Howard Moscoe – Mary received an email from his office advising of his availability to meet on January 22nd at 10 a.m re the parking issue. Mary plans to discuss the possibility of a layby. She invited parents to attend to lend a voice to the discussion however the time of day made it inconvenient for most. It was also uncertain as to whether Howard planned to attend the meeting or if he was planning on sending a representative. Mary would be calling to clarify.
• Principal’s Profile – Mary is required to provide a Principal’s Profile to Jeff Heinbach’s office. She is asking parents at the meeting to identify the qualities they want to see in their principal. Mary provided a copy of the profile questions which they agreed to review and complete for discussion at the next meeting. The profile must be completed by the end of March.
• Falconer Report/Safety Procedures in place at Briar Hill – Mary felt it was important to mention that Jeff Heinbach and many other superintendents were never asked to speak to the panel as reported in the media. She highlighted the legal responsibilities of teachers and advised that Briar Hill has a code of behaviour in place. Julie will be posting this on the blog.
• Me to We (Building a school in a Third World Country) – Mary highlighted this character building initiative which would engage students in fundraising toward this worthy cause. Its purpose is to help teach students empathy. This is slated to start after March Break.

5. Chair’s Report:
• Reading Recovery – One more student has left the program successfully. Two other students came close however they did not meet the level 16 requirements. Trina is recommending another support system be put in place for those students (Early reading intervention program). Her goal is for all students to achieve level 16 by the end of Grade 1. She will be interviewing 2 more students to join the program.
• Let’s Dance Workshop – Grade 4 and 5 students will be participating in this program next Friday. Students will be introduced to hip hop and jazz in a 2 hour long session. The first hour will be dance instruction and the second hour will have kids perform their own dance routines.
• TSM (Toronto Schools on the Move) – Trina has not received any more info on this program however she is attending a workshop on January 24th.
• Health Matters Fair – The fair was cancelled due to the inability of organizers to confirm a pharmacist. They would not stage the fair without one.

6. Fun Fair – Sue has started calling her list of suppliers. Julie also has a list which she will start working on soon. This year we will be trying to get as much stuff as possible for free.

7. Bake Sale – March 28th

8. Dance-a-thon – February 14th (this is tentative as Mary is still waiting to hear from the DJ)

9. Date for next meeting – February 21, 2007.