Mutchmor School Council

Minutes

Monday, January 24, 2011, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Mutchmor School Council Meeting

Computer Lab

Present: Barb Massey, Sherri Bonneville, Cindy Kirk, Elizabeth Todd Doyle (minutes), Margo Williams, Connie Bruce, Andrée Marchessault, Margaret Beck

Regrets: Anna Curtner Hetty Mannethu, Pray Bhindi, Judith Haney, David Baar

1. Introductions & Approval of Agenda. Passed: Liz/Connie
2. Approval of Minutes & Business Arising from them. Passed: Margo/Cindy

REPORTS

3. Principal’s Report: Sherri

Staffing:

• Kindergarten Registrations – Jan 31 – Feb. 4
• Student Transfer Application – Feb.14-18 – our ability to accepts student transfers will depend on interim accommodations decision
• MFI registration – Feb 22 – 28
• Staffing will begin in early April 2011
• We have a visiting teacher from Korea in our school for this week.  She is dividing her time between Mr. Stonebridge’s class and Mrs. Birenbaum’s class.

Stuff for Kids:

• Skating at recesses is up and running.  At any given recess we average about 30 students skating.  Only a few classes are using the rink at gym times.  We alternate usage days with Corpus Christi school.
• Volleyball teams have been selected and tournament and game days have been set and will take place over the next couple of weeks.
• Girls’ basketball is ongoing.
• Drama Club continues.
• Enviro Cubs continue to meet weekly.
• New session of LTPA began this week
• Lego Robotics Tournament was held on Saturday, Jan 22nd.  It was a great success.
• Mutchmor Busta Move Dance-a-thon is set for Thursday, February 17, 2011.  Information will be going home shortly.

Operational:

• Term 1 report cards go home on Wednesday, February 2nd.  There is no scheduled interview day.  Teachers will be setting up interviews with parents of those students at risk.  Parents are also welcome to request an interview.  Details regarding this will go home with the report cards.
• Term 2 IEPs will be sent home for parental consultation/signature on Friday, Feb.11th.  Only IEPs that have changes from Term 1 IEP will be sent home again for parental signature.
• CCAT testing for recommended students will take place over the next couple of weeks.  Information and permission forms have been sent home. Does not affect all students, but we have students at each grade level participating.
• Kindergarten and Beyond Information Night – Thursday, January 27th 7 to 8 p.m.  The focus will be primarily on the Kindergarten program, but this portion will be shortened to allow for Q&A about all primary grades etc.  The tour will also include the primary classrooms.  Should the decision be made to bring the JKs from First Ave. to Mutchmor, a separate Information Night will be held for those parents.

Facilities:

• Floor refinishing in rooms 7, 23 and the staffroom is completed.  It is anticipated that gym floors will be refinished this summer.
• Work on vertical lift is ongoing.  Inspection should be done in Feb.
• No further information is available at this time regarding any further renovations.

Connie mentioned that the Silver Birch program is underway and 90 kids are participating, with older kids reading to the younger kids.

4. Treasurer’s Report: Judith to report next month on updated numbers.
5. Fundraising Report: Margo reported that coffee/cocoa fundraiser raised $1266. She will sell off the excess cocoa at other events. The Christmas Breakfast was busier and raised $706 (though Margo mentioned that number could be high); we ran out of food. One comment made was that more boxes for the food drive were needed (or needed to be saved). Next year: Barb said we should be more aware if there are families in financial need and ensure everyone who wants to can come.
6. SEAC Report: David absent; Barb reported that the SEAC meeting next Wednesday is about the Hawthorne gifted closures and general changes to policy and procedures regarding gifted programs. They are soliciting a letter of support from school council. Council decided that a letter supporting the review of all parent communication around exceptionalities be written (Barb to follow up).
7. OCASC Report: Cindy reported for Hetty about green bins; the board policy analyst at the last OCASC meeting promised to follow up with more information.
8. Environment Report: Anna absent; deferred until next meeting.
9. Accommodation Issues Report: Barb & Cindy. January 10th meeting very popular, more than 200 people. The changing JK situation resulted in the most vocal concern. Discussion at Council centred on possible strategies for supporting Mutchmor registration and programs. Board staff recommendations regarding accommodations issues come out on February 4, 2011, then go to Board Meeting on February 17.

Jennifer Astoga (Devonshire parent council) invited Barb to a meeting with Yasir Naqvi (MPP) regarding building maintenance/upkeep (Lisgar, Broadview, and other heritage schools). Barb took pictures of Mutchmor’s inadequate windows, etc. to present. The School Board is making a capital funding request to MOE, which could affect Mutchmor, including a $4 million ask. Rebuilding Elgin Street School is one suggestion on the table.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

10. Snax Week: Margo. Week of Feb 28th (2:10-2:30) Lindsey Firestone runs a healthy snack business that charges $2.50 per kid for 5 days (plus volunteers and prep space). If we charge 5.00 per student, then it covers ALL kids, perhaps with some left over for other projects. Older kids get to serve younger kids. There’s an educational component for teachers, should they wish to integrate it to curriculum. Barb: can we use extra collected monies for a have-not school? Margo will find out more.
11. Fundraising Activities for 2010/2011:

• Skate & Movie Night. This Friday. Skate at 3:45; movie at 6:30. Cindy organizing. Hot chocolate (free, but renting a $20 thermos), popcorn (free) at movie. Margo finding out about Starbucks coffee. Big gym for the movie. Mr. Gobeo will leave garbage bins & tables. Cindy’s husband will be in charge of a/v. Monsters vs. Aliens. Washrooms: basement.
• “Are You Smarter Than Your Grade Schooler?” Margo presented an idea for a community event/small fundraiser. April 28 already booked at GCC (evening). Fundraising goal is 3K. Silent auction, guessing games, food sale, bake sale. Raffle? Volunteers would be needed. We have a scoreboard flipper. Should we be fundraising for something specific? Sherri suggested an additional iRover (around $5K).
• End of Year BBQ. No date yet; a coordinator is needed and a new caterer. Cindy will go talk to The Works, who are interested in working with Mutchmor on various projects.
• Great Glebe Garage Sale. May 28th, 2011. Hetty is on board, but one additional parent is needed to help co-run. Ask around. Deferred to next meeting to solicit help.
• Hoodie Refunds, Reorders. Margo is looking to give refunds on the very small sizes and/or reselling where possible. Margo will try to do the Spiritwear order again. Margo will ask Judith to cut some cheques.
• Note Card Sales. Soo Hum has some images that we can use for note cards and sell as a fundraiser. The images of Mutchmor are particularly good. Liz mentioned making sure that Soo received appropriate photo credit. Margo will pursue.

12. Kindergarten/Grade 1 Information Night: to be held this Thursday, January 27, 2011.
13. Meeting Adjourned:  8:52. Barb/Cindy. Next Meeting February 28th, 2011. Special request to specific classes for March 28 meeting (Barb/Cindy to organize). Some discussion ensued on pizza/movie nights combined with Council Meetings.