Get Involved/School Council

Parent Council Meeting Minutes for #2 for 2024-2025 School Year

Tuesday October 22nd, 2024 @ 6:00pm

1. Welcome – Attendance & Regrets

a. All remote: Shannon Koetstra, Steph Leith Smith, Jenn Curtis, Sabrina Pattinson, Allyssa Handley, Leslie Mclaughlin, Shukri Middleton

b. Sarah Dales, Teacher, Charlene Chapman, Principal

c. Regrets – Danielle Taylor, Jamie Mackay, Brianne Watson

2. Approval of Agenda – Stephanie, Jenn C

3. Approval of Minutes – Jenn C, Allyssa H

4. Treasurers Report – Shannon Koetstra

a. $849.01 in account.
ACTION: Charlene will ask this to be checked because it seems like too much based on what Council had as of April 2024 ($3,098) and what was earmarked to be spent in May/June ($2,900).

5. Student Report – (Student Council)

a. Shukri on behalf of students: D&D Club switched from Freedom Friday? Charlene
will look into this.

b. ACTION: Charlene will get a student to come to next meeting

6. Teacher Report – Sarah Dales – deferred

7. Principal Report – Charlene Chapman

a. Cross country done, soccer still on-going

b. Music Café in Mr. Thomas’ classroom – very successful

i. Thinking of taking it on the road – Christmas host café @ seniors’ home

c. CSS Program Review Meeting – going to be approved at board meeting tonight.
Grades 4 to 6 FI will be at CSS in Sept 2025.

i. Monday Board reps came for a tour of the school to plan something for
the outdoors

1. Fencing off the entire yard to be a contained space

2. Climber/playscape discussed (size and location to be determined)
– at this point this would be Board funded

3. Gravel parking lot is owned by TLDSB so could be utilized

ii. CC Asked for hooks to be installed in all the old coat rooms, because not everyone will have lockers (younger kids).

d. Halloween Oct 31st –activities were discussed instead of a dance (movie, jam session, from 12:30 on)

e. Remembrance Day Assembly, will have music

f. Classroom reorganization – starts October 22nd

i. Gr 8 at 22-23 students each

g. Grad Trip – teachers put forward and it is with the Board to approve

8. Follow Up from Last meeting:

a. House Colours: Has someone taken this on? No takers yet but it will be part of Student Council discussion per Charlene

b. Hot Lunches – Charlene

i. BarBurrito already set-up, no volunteers required (got 67 orders)

1. Thinking every other week for this if we repeat

ii. Lunch Volunteers were shared with PC via email

1. JC: at school on Wednesdays at lunch to volunteer

2. Shukri also available

iii. Admin is In process of looking at: Kawartha Dairy chocolate milk for $2 can also be done by Wendy if they will do it. Also Pizza (cost/waste).

iv. SK: Suggests Mary Brown’s chicken tenders and wedges

v. LM: healthier options? Discussion of Fresh Fuell which was more difficult to organize/distribute

vi. ACTION: JC to follow-up with hot lunch volunteers

c. School Code of Conduct “Equity/Accountability/ Kindness” – Charlene Chapman to look at how this will be shared this year. There is a slide in the daily announcements for teachers to use and discuss with students.

9. Fundraising ideas and feedback: Allyssa Handley

a. Chart was shared and meeting took place for best options of the SC.

i. Professor Jams dance DJ fundraiser(dance-a-thon) – each child gets funds raised and they can make song requests and purchase fun light-up stuff. Cost is 20% of the profit. Minimum of $1,000, max of $2,200. No work done by PC. Done through website or school cash online.

ii. Kona Shaved Ice/Slushy truck – we get a % of the profits

iii. Vandermeer nurseries – poinsettias at Christmas or Ferns in spring (daffodils around Easter) – can buy gift cards too. E.g $25/@5.

iv. Basket Raffle – Holly Smith did this for music program last year, so can’t do this one.

v. Booster Juice opening in town – order a bunch of smoothies and sell at school with mark-up.

vi. Spirit wear –

1. is the school name changing? No one has asked for this, so it will stay the same, this would be a trustee decision if requested.

vii. Personalized water bottles

viii. Candy grams at valentines

ix. Twoonie pj days.

x. Hosting a spelling B, sell tickets

xi. Wondering about private sponsorships for the school, is that acceptable? ACTION: CC to ask Mr. Lowell if we found out the answer to this last year from the Board/Admin.

xii. JC – Macmillan’s – 30-40% kick back

xiii. What about Combining the music café with selling snacks? Or charging entry fee? CC: Would have to move to gym, but acoustics are bad.

xiv. Discussed pros and cons of the dance-a-thon. Possibly doing our own to
save $.

b. Decision: Vandermeer nurseries for Christmas and Spring. MacMillans for November will be confirmed.

10. Student Educational Presentations – Charlene Chapman

a. Health unit liaison has touched base and there will be a presentation splitting
school in half, plus health presentations done in small groups. C. Walden will also
do sessions.

b. Elisa Mulcaster booking – “Get Real” LQGTQ presentation for both schools to do
together

c. JC: anti-bullying presentation (with Michelle Spry) should be done with the Grade 7s’ (gr 8 had it last year). BGC/JH/Chimo and C. Walden would all be part of an interactive workshop (probably 1⁄2 day).

d. Youth Engagement Committee – Central invited, with community partners (CHIMO, Health Unit) and discuss the community needs, youth’s need for services, hosted at Central. Need 2-3 students from student council to attend and communicate need for services (May 29th 2025)

11. Parent Engagement School Grant 500.00 for the year – Jennifer Curtis

a. ACTION ALL: Please think about how we can use these funds and bring ideas to
next meeting.

Next CSS Meeting: November 19, 6pm

District Council Meeting: November 7th 2024 (JC will attend), February 6th 2025, March 27th 2025, May 15th 2025

Parent Council Meeting Minutes #3 for 2024-2025 School Year

1. Welcome – Attendance & Regrets

a. Remote: Steph Leith Smith, Leslie Mclaughlin, Shukri Middleton
b. Allyssa Handley, Shannon Koetstra, Sarah Dales, Teacher, Charlene Chapman, Principal, Lexi Westerby (student)
c. Regrets – Jenn Curtis, Sabrina Pattinson, Danielle Taylor, Jamie Mackay, Brianne Watson

2. Approval of Agenda – Leslie and Shannon

3. Approval of Minutes – Shukri and Allyssa

4. Treasurers Report – Shannon Koetstra – $849.01 in account ($700 additional because no need to support students Gr. 8 grad trip for last year)

5. Student Report – (Student Council) – Lexi Westerby

a. Spirit week – 5 themes for last 5 days of school b/f Xmas
b. Intramurals
c. Basketball hoops
d. Spring Fling (spring festival like PY)
i. Had raised funds that wanted to use funds up on those children

6. Teacher Report – Sarah Dales

a. Montreal Grad trip – same price as last year, trying to make affordable to all, will do a slide show and have parents involved in google meet. Trip includes:
i. Park omega
ii. Cirque Du Soleil

b. Gr. 8 students to fill out expression of interest form to check numbers (like TLAC)

c. If more than 100 can consider second bus but will be that much more difficult, if more than 100 will be a lottery system so it is fair and equitable (there are 182 this year and only 42 next year)

i. There was 110 that wanted to go last year

d. Will have a Toronto day trip for those who are not up for an overnight trip.

e. December 5th Xmas concert more like the music café, with the basket
raffle

7. Principal Report – Charlene Chapman

Past events & activities:

a. Soccer – placed very well (Mme Milne and Ms. Rainey)
b. Halloween was successful without a dance – most were happy
c. Remembrance Day was beautiful, French and English
d. Christmas Parade Float – wonderful float with 23 participants
e. Monday 2SLGBTQ+ presentation was 1 hr and was great to start many good conversations about inclusivity
f. Next one on anti-black racism is December 9th
g. Milk sales are awesome! At $2/carton, helps raise funds for trips
h. New classroom (shuffle) – this went great considering, all is settled
i. TLAC lottery went out today
j. Hot lunches going ok (241 pizza and burritos)
k. School Code of Conduct: it is on banners, announcements and TV screen and Charlene tries to demonstrate it, more than talking about
it (Equity/Accountability/Kindness)
i. Kindness tokens – didn’t sell as well as hoped
1. Adding candy is difficult because of allergies
l. Mr. Thomas hosted a lunch time event of shoot the puck and raised
food donations and winner got a lunch
i. Charlene will do the next round (not pucks and net) but water
ballons instead. The funds will be used to buy items for
children’s toy drive.

Upcoming:

m. Gr. 8 Grad Trip: Expression of interest form will go out and there will be 6 days to fill out (December 6th will know numbers and will do lottery that day)
n. Dance will happen for Christmas (1hr long with activities after)
o. Staff meeting – December plans
i. 5th is the Café Mental, raffle
ii. Mr. Lowell and Ms. Smith talent show TBD
iii. Carolling in the gym
iv. LCVI/Weldon Hockey Game – may send students to watch
v. Weldon & LCVI will do a discover your pathway 1hr for each class with stations for the kids to visit (Grade 8s)
p. Gr. 8 student is going to do hot chocolate and rice Krispies fundraiser
q. Popcorn – can use the machine that the school owns, have lots of popcorn, but kids want butter
r. School name – there may be some merit to ask trustees to look at the school name and mascot when we are a 4-8 school next year, and are called the centurions because they support the Spartans next door, but not one student will go to LCVI anymore. Heather Bradley – to be contacted by letter by any parent who wants to take this on.
s. Student (Lexi) question about accessibility – admin says there is not a plan presently to add an elevator, as the building is historical now
t. Charlene is looking for presenter for anti-racism, but someone in person would be a good supplement to the virtual presentation on the 9th. That is related for kids with specific examples they can understand. Want to double-down on the education around this.
i. Lexi – said what about students doing presentations? Racism, LGBTQ, Indigenous, Anti-Bullying by kids who are willing to put presentations together?
ii. Shukri – this age is a difficult one and the kids may be developing bad habits now that they can’t take with them when they are older.
iii. Charlene – there are consequences if anyone is using inappropriate language at school

8. Follow Up from Last meeting:

a. Charlene was looking into CSS Bank amount in account was needing verification (updated in treasurers report above)

b. Hot Lunches (Volunteers, feedback in principals report above)

c. “School Code of Conduct “Quality/Accountability/ Kindness: Charlene Chapman to look at how this will be shared this year- (update shared in principal report)

d. Ideas for a speaker or use of the 500.00 parent engagement fund? Jenn C sends in – “We are talking in district council about how to share the funds to have a big event and bring someone in that may cost more then each school can support on their own.” We have the whole year to spend it, with paperwork due in June on how it was spent. Action: Review at next meeting.

9. Fundraising ideas and feedback: Allyssa Handley

a. Vandermeer’s due tomorrow December 3rd is pick-up day, need volunteers to sort and parent pick up at 3pm.

b. MacMillan’s – need to decide when to do this in the new year

c. In-school Activities – candygrams in February

d. Boston Pizza Celebrity server – only 6 kids can do this and it didn’t raise much – no

e. Domino’s pizza night fundraiser – an option, but overused.

f. Mardi Gras necklaces?

g. Action: Allyssa to send out more info via email

10. District Council minutes please see email sent out– Jennifer Curtis

11. New items:

a. Any concern for drug-use happening in the school? Not that admin is aware of, but will stay vigilant now that aware there are rumors around.

b. Freedom Friday issues? Yes last week a lot of kids were acting out of line in the afternoon – there may be some messaging that comes home on this.

c. Grad awards/rewards were discussed with kids today, what it means to graduate by showing up and doing the work. Graduation appropriate attire was also discussed.

Next CSS Meeting: To be set January 2025 28th 6pm.

District Council Meeting: February 6th 2025, March 27th 2025, May 15th 2025

Parent Council Meeting Minutes #4 for 2024-2025 School Year

1. Welcome – Attendance & Regrets

a. Remote: Shukri Middleton, Hiba, Shannon Koetstra, Danielle Taylor
b. Allyssa Handley, Sarah Dales-Teacher, Charlene Chapman-Principal, Jenn
Curtis, Sabrina Pattinson
c. Regrets –

2. Approval of Agenda – Jenn and Sarah

3. Approval of Minutes – Jenn and Sarah

4. Principal Report: – Charlene Chapman

a. Christmas Concert
b. Spirit Days in December
c. Elf on the shelf
d. Snow Days
e. Course Selections
f. Volleyball, boys placed 2nd, girls placed 1st
g. FLO Franco – funded with grant
h. CPF – starting up again in the Lindsay
i. Aubrey Noronha
j. Health Unit – vaping sessions next week

5. Chair Report: -Jenn Curtis

a. PC will be hosting a pancake day for the CSS students on March 3rd.
Pancake batter was donated by LFPS PC (Quaker). PC will purchase
syrup/pans/plates/forks
b. PRO Grant – funds being distributed to schools for parent
engagement – apply by March 21st
c. PC is looking for ideas for an event to host at the school in the spring
for CSS students and families
d. Grade 8 grad trip – what help is needed? Standing by for directions

6. Fundraising: -Allyssa Handley

a. Vandermeer’s: $6130.75 raised with $1398.01 staying with the
students who participated – a few students raised close to/over the
$100 mark
b. MacMillan’s: forms due March 19th, pick up orders April 2nd
c. Vandermeer’s spring flower fundraiser to come
d. Reach out and set a date with Kona Ice – June 4th confirmed

7. Treasurer’s Report – Shannon Koetstra –

$1066.34 in account

8. Teacher Report – Sarah Dales

a. Montreal Grad trip – 115 students registered
b. Starting to consider an alternate trip for gr. 8 students who are not
registered for the Montreal Trip

Next CSS Meeting: March 18th, 2025 at 6pm.

District Council Meeting: March 27th 2025, May 15th 2025

Parent Council Meeting Minutes #5 for 2024-2025 School Year

1. Welcome – Attendance & Regrets

a. Remote: Steph Leith Smith, Shukri Middleton, Hiba, Danielle Taylor,
Sabrina Pattinson
b. Charlene Chapman-Principal, Jenn Curtis, Allyssa Handley
c. Regrets – Shannon Koetstra, Sarah Dales-Teacher

2. Approval of Agenda – Jenn and Shukri

3. Approval of Minutes – Jenn and Shukri

4. Treasurer’s Report

a. Attached from email from Shannon K 3/18/2025 $1,066.34
i. $80 for pancake day expenditures from March 3rd yet to be deducted

5. Student Report – none

6. Teacher’s Report – deferred

7. Principal Report: – Charlene Chapman

a. Elective day was a success, just a couple of hiccups/refunds – will do this again, just not this year
b. Grad trip up and running – 121 registered, 3 buses. This may be a cost increase the school will absorb.
c. Local trip TBD for kids not travelling on grad trip (jays game, wonderland)
d. Upcoming events:
i. Kristen Beer – Auschwitz presentation at ROM, cost of buses only
ii. Mme Steffler – Vent Du Nord – folkgroup concert in Toronto.
iii. Harmony Movement from funding from safe schools – trains
Principal then 10-15 staff. Focuses on language used that is hurtful.
iv. Day of Pink coming April 3rd for presentation on LGBTQ+ organization with indigenous presentation – no T-Shirts this time. Funding from Safe Schools grant too.
v. Aubrey Noronha virtual presentation for parents next week – Hello Canada, spoke with students, staff and now parents
1. Inclusion, language
vi. Vaping/Cell Phone presentation by Pine River parenting Health Unit for Grade 7s (Grade 8s had same one last year)
vii. School avoidance

8. Follow Up from Last meeting:

a. Hot Lunches (How are they doing, keep the same or change)
i. No volunteers today for Pizza day but Wendy managed with student help! No other things to note.
ii. They currently offer chocolate milk, can they also sell juice boxes? Sure.
b. “School Code of Conduct “Equity/Accountability/Kindness: (Charlene)
i. It strings on the morning announcements, at teacher discretion for discussion. Lots of presentations supporting these
behaviors have taken place.
ii. CC talks a lot about accountability, owning actions, equity. They are living it at CSS.
iii. Idea from Sabrina: include a blurb on the school motto in the newsletter? To spark conversations at home too.
c. JC: graduation – promoted vs. graduating
i. Motto this year is if you are not putting the work in, you will be promoted, not graduate from Central Senior.
ii. Will include in the April newsletter again
iii. CC: she can only help them be the best students/learners they can be until June. Then it is up to them. They won’t get as much attention when they get to High School.
iv. Difference – a student who doesn’t come to school or doesn’t come to class, or do the assignments. Will get an R on report card.
1. So be a kid who shows up and tries. Build the life skills now….Without holding any personal struggles against them
of course
v. There will be time between the last report card going out, communication of R’s to parents and the end of the year to be able to remedy a promotion to a graduation.
d. Ideas for a speaker or use of the 500.00 parent engagement fund? We are taking in district council about how to share the funds to have a big event and bring someone in that may cost more then each school can support on their own.
i. Extra $500+ parent engagement event hosted, can combine, or can do two events
1. LF math night
2. Jack Callaghan: Outside agencies being brought in – 4 different parent workships from agencies within the community and rotate every 15 minutes
a. Mental Health
b. Parks & Rec
3. BBQ/Games night @ school
4. Prior year – speaker for Sex trafficking. Poor attendance.
ii. Must submit plan by March 21st.
iii. Suggestion is for virtual option for parents so they can relax, versus in-person. Or for parent-child combo.
iv. CC: offer electives night in the building – “Family Elective Night”
1. Pottery, baking, kickboxing, music, Jimmy Chapman?
2. Offer purchased dinner 5-6, then activities 6-7 / 7-8
3. $1,100 budget
4. Date: May 15th – Central Senior Art Gala & Make-up date for Silent Auction
5. Confirmed Elective Night as : Wednesday May 28th
6. Need 10-15 parent volunteers total – 1 parent volunteer per activity needed, plus floaters.
7. Sub-committee of organizers – Shukri, Jenn C. Email to go out by CC.
a. Half-baked – Jessie – from elective day
b. Pottery – from elective day
c. Yoga
d. Kickboxing

9. Fundraising – Allyssa Handley

a. MacMillan’s due tomorrow – ONLINE: 103 items $2,023 – 20% kickback, plus large $ brought in. This should be very successful.
b. Vandermeers for Spring flowers
c. Kona Ice – June 4th – Slushy truck coming parked between LC and Central. Stop at LF after for Spring Fling!
d. Great Canadian Food Truck/Ice Cream Co will bring truck to school. 10% back from food, 15% from ice cream would do both schools as well. Waiting to determine menu and prices.
Note: All fundraisers are for the Grade 8s trip, or next year’s Grade 8s. There will be 4 opportunities for fundraising before the trip.

10. NEW BUSINESS

a. CC: Holding an event for parents of grade 3 to 6 Leslie Frost students to attend a welcome night. Will be in June, but CC wants to have staffing confirmed prior to this. NOTE: PC should have a booth to recruit new parents at this event.
b. JC: do we need to book a day for the inflatables day? June 4th with Slushy truck. Will be quoted by LF parent supplier.
11.District Council meeting (No update since last meeting)
a. JC: Board used $20,000 for Harmony speaker for all parents, only 1 or 2 parents from Central attended. Maybe 20 parents attended total. A parent advocated to split the money up to each school instead and this was confirmed.

Next CSS Meeting: April 22, 2025 at 6pm.

District Council Meeting: February 6th 2025, March 27th 2025, May 15th 202

Next CSS Meeting: March 18th, 2025 at 6pm.

District Council Meeting: March 27th 2025, May 15th 2025