2010/10/12
Attendance:
Paul Warner, Chris Mollison, Andrea Hoyt, Jocelyn MacKenzie, Pat Furlong, Amy DiRienzo, Brian
Herron, Deb Hickey, Fariha Irshad , Scott Blythe
Regrets:
Gwen Allingham, Julie Drapeau, Mike Hickey
Agenda:
Handed out as well with Profit and Loss by Class August 1st – October 12, 2010
Change to minutes from last meeting:
- we will be hosting 10 international students
Reports
Treasurer: (Deb)
- profit and loss report;
- we are making more money on the pizza;
- more pizza orders this year – typically more in the fall than in the winter any way;
- the school is providing pizza for the international students;
- breakdown of the Open Purchase Orders – Pat has purchased some additional items but will accrue receipts;
- Pizza money amount is included in this report.
- A couple of questions:
- How many international students and how long?
- Students are here for 4 weeks at 2 slices for 10 exchange students;
- There were 2 cheques unsigned from people. Pat will follow up on that.
- There was a question regarding the $250 amount for the accounting software and whether or not it comes out of the Parental amount. There as some discussion on how we should spend money out of that fund. There was some additional discussion about whether or not we should use open source software or even the commercial solutions. But again it is important that we figure out whether the money can be used. Brian will investigate.
- The system is looking into grade 3 students being introduced to swimming skills and extending “Swim to Survive”. It is not done through the board. It is done through a different organization. It is all free.
- A student's survey to provide assistance when necessary. K-6 for adults to fill out, 7-12 the children can fill out. Apparently the teachers filled it out last year and had a great response so the granularity will be lowered to bring in the parent’s and children’s input. Essentially looking into bullying, country of origin, languages at home, and comfort with English. Essentially it takes less than 30 minutes to perform. It is anonymous in that your comments will never be shared but the board will know that you've responded. “Confidential but not anonymous.”
- The Ottawa Police Services will be trying to set up an autism registry. This is just in case there is an incident in the schoolyard, or out in public, the police will know how to approach the child as opposed to how they used to deal with them. Options to include a face only picture similar to a passport photo and confirmation record and flag. Homes marked appropriately will allow the Police to identify whether or not someone in the home may not respond to verbal clues in the same manner as most people.
- Progress reports on November 4th – out to the family. This is different than a report card as it's marking progress and holistic approach to how the student is performing. Progressing well, progressing very well, and progressing with difficulty. They are all mandated by the Ministry Education.
- In the process of the school improvement plan:
- Phase 1 here now – literacy and numeracy goal. The Math scores reflected a need to communicate and not cognate;
- Kanata Accommodation Review. It's to look at all schools and distribution of students. There is a possibility that this could impact to the Parents and Children at Glen Cairn Public School. A Parent representative should attend the meetings. There is no timeline as of yet but as soon as Pat's aware of the timeline, she'll pass on the information;
- $900 raised at the Terry Fox Drive;
- Health and Safety inspections are proceeding well;
- Student Council has been elected;
- November 11th assembly coming up – that evening will be for the Parent's interview – overflowing to November 12th.
- McDonald's fundraiser night planned for Oct 27th – confirmed. A percentage of the GCPS sales from that night return to the school
- Air conditioners:
- none in stock at Home Depot.
- According to Pat – the window air conditioning units are frowned upon by the School Board but not
- completely ruled out – other solutions might be examined.
- Council Blog:
- Brian to forward the credentials for the gc.parents@yahoo.ca account so Paul can set up Blogspot.
- Sporty Kids:
- Teacher is currently looking into running with it – Pat will keep us informed as to when we'll be set.
- Wish List:
- continuing to evaluate
Fundraising:
- October 29th to November 22nd for Hawberry Farms orders in for November 26th – one of our top money makers – Gwen should go ahead with this;
- Julie received the McMillan's cookie dough information – possibly shift it to February which gives us a bigger cut – agreed selling the items for February;
- Fariha brought up online information should be more available as well as the paper forms. Fariha brought up the issue that not all of the stationary requirements are listed prior to the beginning of classes. Pat will make a note to remind teachers and parents about this issue at Report Card time in the Summer. It was suggested that an additional update be made to the web page with any possible stationary needs in August during the back to school sales.
- Homework club is starting up soon – need 10 students who want to be there to learn.
- Silent Auction:
- there are items left over from last year;
- we should advertise the items as soon as possible and display them whenever possible;
- have them available on the Parent Interview Night;
- move the pictures online;
- Chris brought up the idea for a chess club – once or twice for someone from Chess Masters to volunteer and teach how to play chess. The volunteers are over 18 and Pat will look into seeing how many people might be interested. Chris will investigate.
