Meeting Minutes École LaVérendrye Community Council September 16, 2019 7:00 pm
Attendance Executive: Salena Buchan (chair), Allison Shevernoha, Joanne Chateau, Tanja Hutter, Denise Clarke, Michael Lea, Joelle Remillard Staff: Ruth Schappert (principal), Carly Gallant (grade 2/3), Carmen Arnold (grade 4/5) Parents: 10 additional parents
Agenda Motion:
To approve the minutes for the June 11 meeting, and to approve the agenda for tonight’s meeting. Moved by Ratna Pandey Seconded by Joelle Remillard Carried
Action Items
Track
No update on the track over the summer. Waiting to hear back from the Division’s landscape architect.
Council Vacancies
We have a few vacancies on the Council Executive that need to be filled. ● Vice-Chair - Allison Shevernoha nominated & acclaimed ● French Advisory - Marina Marchand nominated & acclaimed ● South Advisory - Matthew Cosway will carry on as incumbent ● Treasurer - Denise Clarke will carry on as caretaker until somebody new steps in ● Fundraising - still vacant ● Staff Appreciation - still vacant Talk to Salena if you are interested.
Constitution
Our current constitution is very outdated, and needs updating & rewriting. Salena is setting up a meeting with a Division representative to review templates used by other councils in the division. Joelle, Rosemarie, and Jamie will form a committee to report back to council.
Bike Rack
A work order to move the bike racks into the fenced-in courtyard has been with Division for 2 years. M Carter is a cyclist and will be spearheading some school initiatives to get more racks. Discussion about alternatives to bringing scooters, skateboards, etc into the classroom. If we can lock the gate to the courtyard, that may be a suitable space. Question if parents can help move things along at all? At this point, Ruth is still working through the process with the Division.
Teachers’ Reports
Grade 4 & 5 classes are going to MTYP for Peter Pan on October 22. Recess buddies will be starting again soon. Looking for grade 4-6 volunteers to help out. The Terry Fox Run will be on September 27 at 10:30 am.
Permission slips & fundraising forms will be coming home soon.
M Roy is planning to take the grade 5 & 6 classes to a soccer tournament in October. The tournament plans are still up-in-the-air… if they fall through, he’ll host one within the school.
Picture day will be October 11. Dress your kids up nice.
Grades 4-6 are doing a mock election in October. The unit discusses campaigns & poltical parties, and ties into the provincial & federal elections held this year. Eco Vert hosting a lunch for interested grade 4-6 kids. Continuing previous efforts, and looking at some new ones, including some division-wide options. Would like to focus on giving back to the community this year.
Orange Shirt Day assembly on October 30 at 9:00 am. Mme Bailey & Mme Zeglinski doing some planning. Discussing various clubs that will be running this year.
Maybe some shorter-duration clubs. Planning to split student council activities into smaller project-based activities to allow kids to participate without being overwhelmed.
Principal’s Report
Enrollment currently at 275 students - fluctuating with Nursery & Kindergarten moves.
Meet the staff was very well-attended. It was great to see lots of excitement in the gym. The first week of school was very calm and went well. It was good for kids to be able to see their spaces & meet people before classes started.
Today was a PD day for staff. The school has a large map of Canada showing indigenous regions in the gym for a week. Staff have been discussing how to incorporate into the map their lesson plans this week. We may have an opportunity to have the map back again later in the year.
The school is looking into using the Permission Click app to simplify parents paying for student fees, field trips, and signing permission slips. Funds raised during the annual walk-a-thon help fund field trips, and the balance of funds raised last year will be used this year. Mlle Carlynn is settling in as head clerk. A new part time clerk for office & library will be starting next week. The school is also getting some additional EA’s to help out with Nursery & Kindergarten classes.
Question about why people couldn’t find out which class they would be in until September, while in previous years, students found out in June? In recent years, many kids have moved in the summer, which required re balancing the rooms later in the summer, upsetting kids who had anticipated certain arrangements. There was an option for kids who have anxiety issues or other special considerations to see their classroom earlier. May be able to communicate that better in the future. Suggestion to have teachers contact families who aren’t able to attend meet-the-teacher night, so the first day of school isn’t so uncertain. Question about how the class lists are developed? Lots of factors come into play. Outgoing teachers make class lists up based on academics, social groups, leaders/followers, classroom needs, etc. Students also have an opportunity to request classmates, and they try hard to give everybody at least one of their choices. Question about why so many split classes? Simply based on numbers. For example, there are 29 grade 5’s, which is too large for a single class.
Liaisons’ Reports
Hot Lunch
Rosemarie has prepared a draft hot lunch schedule for the full year. A couple of changes are required due to other school activities. Motion: That council fund a free hot lunch in December before the holiday break. Moved by Denise Clarke Seconded by Ratna Pandey Carried
LaV Care
Tina sends regrets. There was a smooth start to the year. We have 157 kids in after-care. 39 of 40 kindercare spots are filled. All staff are now wearing visibility vests outside. A few staff left over the summer. Still looking for a lunch supervisor to sub occasionally. Also looking for solutions to store boots, jackets, bags, in Salle Riel.
Vive le Vert
The summer watering program went well, and the garden survived the drought! Reminder that Club Eco Vert has a snack-wrapper recycling program that accepts chip bags, granola wrappers, and similar foil materials. Bag Up Manitoba is happening again this year with Club Eco Vert collecting plastic bags up to the end of October. Question about providing milk at lunch. Is it worthwhile given the potential waste of material? Some schools have bagged milk that kids can fill their cups with. This had been discussed at LaV Care, but needs an industrial dishwasher to clean all the cups. The Glenlea plant sale was a success. Kids would like to do more like that… they felt pride in the plants they grew, and giving tours of vermicomposting. Next year’s sale will be May 26. Earmarked money for 2’ fencing around some of the gardens. Work was delayed over the summer, but should be completed by October. Fall cleanup coming around October 16. Communications coming soon. Hoping to bring in some guest speakers for Club Eco Vert. Open to arranging for specific classes or school assembly if it makes sense. May be an opportunity to plan an assembly around this theme. Looking for parent volunteers for Club Eco Vert. M. Carter & Mme LeDorze will also be helping out. Calibri fundraiser launching tomorrow, with funds going back into Eco Vert. Sandwich bags, pencil cases, wet bags… washable, reusable packaging.
Carnival
Another awesome carnival in June. The tent was well-received, especially with the rain showers. Raised $3,593.63 towards teacher’s wish list.
French Advisory
No meetings yet this year.
South District Advisory
No meetings yet this year.
Fundraising
No update.
Finance
We currently have $13,544 in the bank, and a $35,000 GIC earmarked for the track.
Staff Appreciation
No update.
New Business
Division Policy Review Winnipeg School Division is looking for parent feedback on their Search & Seizure policy, and their Student/Parent Community Involvement policy. Links to the policies will be posted on the school website. Please send any feedback to Ruth.
Signing Authority Motion: To add Ruth Schappert as a signing authority on the Council’s bank accounts. Moved by Salena Buchan Seconded by Tanja Hunter Carried
Orange Shirt Day
In recent years, we’ve noticed that kids often don’t have appropriate orange shirts to wear for Orange Shirt Day. Ruth has found a supplier who can provide orange shirts for $5 each. Motion: To provide up to $1,400 to purchase orange shirts for students to wear at Orange Shirt Day. Moved by Joelle Remillard Seconded by Ratna Pandey Carried
Spirit of Giving Bazaar The Spirit of Giving Bazaar has been an event held in December where families donate small gifts and kids have an opportunity to buy something for their immediate family. As was the case last year, the school does not have staff to contribute to running the bazaar. Rooms 7 & 8 are the only rooms available, and need to be coordinated with LaV Care. Council needs to develop a plan about how many student volunteers are needed, how much time each class needs to come through the bazaar, and other details to ensure clear communication between volunteers, students, and staff. Adjourned Next meeting October 28, 2019 at 7:00 pm. To have new business discussed at the next meeting, please email [email protected].
Attendance Executive: Salena Buchan (chair), Allison Shevernoha, Joanne Chateau, Tanja Hutter, Denise Clarke, Michael Lea, Joelle Remillard Staff: Ruth Schappert (principal), Carly Gallant (grade 2/3), Carmen Arnold (grade 4/5) Parents: 10 additional parents
Agenda Motion:
To approve the minutes for the June 11 meeting, and to approve the agenda for tonight’s meeting. Moved by Ratna Pandey Seconded by Joelle Remillard Carried
Action Items
Track
No update on the track over the summer. Waiting to hear back from the Division’s landscape architect.
Council Vacancies
We have a few vacancies on the Council Executive that need to be filled. ● Vice-Chair - Allison Shevernoha nominated & acclaimed ● French Advisory - Marina Marchand nominated & acclaimed ● South Advisory - Matthew Cosway will carry on as incumbent ● Treasurer - Denise Clarke will carry on as caretaker until somebody new steps in ● Fundraising - still vacant ● Staff Appreciation - still vacant Talk to Salena if you are interested.
Constitution
Our current constitution is very outdated, and needs updating & rewriting. Salena is setting up a meeting with a Division representative to review templates used by other councils in the division. Joelle, Rosemarie, and Jamie will form a committee to report back to council.
Bike Rack
A work order to move the bike racks into the fenced-in courtyard has been with Division for 2 years. M Carter is a cyclist and will be spearheading some school initiatives to get more racks. Discussion about alternatives to bringing scooters, skateboards, etc into the classroom. If we can lock the gate to the courtyard, that may be a suitable space. Question if parents can help move things along at all? At this point, Ruth is still working through the process with the Division.
Teachers’ Reports
Grade 4 & 5 classes are going to MTYP for Peter Pan on October 22. Recess buddies will be starting again soon. Looking for grade 4-6 volunteers to help out. The Terry Fox Run will be on September 27 at 10:30 am.
Permission slips & fundraising forms will be coming home soon.
M Roy is planning to take the grade 5 & 6 classes to a soccer tournament in October. The tournament plans are still up-in-the-air… if they fall through, he’ll host one within the school.
Picture day will be October 11. Dress your kids up nice.
Grades 4-6 are doing a mock election in October. The unit discusses campaigns & poltical parties, and ties into the provincial & federal elections held this year. Eco Vert hosting a lunch for interested grade 4-6 kids. Continuing previous efforts, and looking at some new ones, including some division-wide options. Would like to focus on giving back to the community this year.
Orange Shirt Day assembly on October 30 at 9:00 am. Mme Bailey & Mme Zeglinski doing some planning. Discussing various clubs that will be running this year.
Maybe some shorter-duration clubs. Planning to split student council activities into smaller project-based activities to allow kids to participate without being overwhelmed.
Principal’s Report
Enrollment currently at 275 students - fluctuating with Nursery & Kindergarten moves.
Meet the staff was very well-attended. It was great to see lots of excitement in the gym. The first week of school was very calm and went well. It was good for kids to be able to see their spaces & meet people before classes started.
Today was a PD day for staff. The school has a large map of Canada showing indigenous regions in the gym for a week. Staff have been discussing how to incorporate into the map their lesson plans this week. We may have an opportunity to have the map back again later in the year.
The school is looking into using the Permission Click app to simplify parents paying for student fees, field trips, and signing permission slips. Funds raised during the annual walk-a-thon help fund field trips, and the balance of funds raised last year will be used this year. Mlle Carlynn is settling in as head clerk. A new part time clerk for office & library will be starting next week. The school is also getting some additional EA’s to help out with Nursery & Kindergarten classes.
Question about why people couldn’t find out which class they would be in until September, while in previous years, students found out in June? In recent years, many kids have moved in the summer, which required re balancing the rooms later in the summer, upsetting kids who had anticipated certain arrangements. There was an option for kids who have anxiety issues or other special considerations to see their classroom earlier. May be able to communicate that better in the future. Suggestion to have teachers contact families who aren’t able to attend meet-the-teacher night, so the first day of school isn’t so uncertain. Question about how the class lists are developed? Lots of factors come into play. Outgoing teachers make class lists up based on academics, social groups, leaders/followers, classroom needs, etc. Students also have an opportunity to request classmates, and they try hard to give everybody at least one of their choices. Question about why so many split classes? Simply based on numbers. For example, there are 29 grade 5’s, which is too large for a single class.
Liaisons’ Reports
Hot Lunch
Rosemarie has prepared a draft hot lunch schedule for the full year. A couple of changes are required due to other school activities. Motion: That council fund a free hot lunch in December before the holiday break. Moved by Denise Clarke Seconded by Ratna Pandey Carried
LaV Care
Tina sends regrets. There was a smooth start to the year. We have 157 kids in after-care. 39 of 40 kindercare spots are filled. All staff are now wearing visibility vests outside. A few staff left over the summer. Still looking for a lunch supervisor to sub occasionally. Also looking for solutions to store boots, jackets, bags, in Salle Riel.
Vive le Vert
The summer watering program went well, and the garden survived the drought! Reminder that Club Eco Vert has a snack-wrapper recycling program that accepts chip bags, granola wrappers, and similar foil materials. Bag Up Manitoba is happening again this year with Club Eco Vert collecting plastic bags up to the end of October. Question about providing milk at lunch. Is it worthwhile given the potential waste of material? Some schools have bagged milk that kids can fill their cups with. This had been discussed at LaV Care, but needs an industrial dishwasher to clean all the cups. The Glenlea plant sale was a success. Kids would like to do more like that… they felt pride in the plants they grew, and giving tours of vermicomposting. Next year’s sale will be May 26. Earmarked money for 2’ fencing around some of the gardens. Work was delayed over the summer, but should be completed by October. Fall cleanup coming around October 16. Communications coming soon. Hoping to bring in some guest speakers for Club Eco Vert. Open to arranging for specific classes or school assembly if it makes sense. May be an opportunity to plan an assembly around this theme. Looking for parent volunteers for Club Eco Vert. M. Carter & Mme LeDorze will also be helping out. Calibri fundraiser launching tomorrow, with funds going back into Eco Vert. Sandwich bags, pencil cases, wet bags… washable, reusable packaging.
Carnival
Another awesome carnival in June. The tent was well-received, especially with the rain showers. Raised $3,593.63 towards teacher’s wish list.
French Advisory
No meetings yet this year.
South District Advisory
No meetings yet this year.
Fundraising
No update.
Finance
We currently have $13,544 in the bank, and a $35,000 GIC earmarked for the track.
Staff Appreciation
No update.
New Business
Division Policy Review Winnipeg School Division is looking for parent feedback on their Search & Seizure policy, and their Student/Parent Community Involvement policy. Links to the policies will be posted on the school website. Please send any feedback to Ruth.
Signing Authority Motion: To add Ruth Schappert as a signing authority on the Council’s bank accounts. Moved by Salena Buchan Seconded by Tanja Hunter Carried
Orange Shirt Day
In recent years, we’ve noticed that kids often don’t have appropriate orange shirts to wear for Orange Shirt Day. Ruth has found a supplier who can provide orange shirts for $5 each. Motion: To provide up to $1,400 to purchase orange shirts for students to wear at Orange Shirt Day. Moved by Joelle Remillard Seconded by Ratna Pandey Carried
Spirit of Giving Bazaar The Spirit of Giving Bazaar has been an event held in December where families donate small gifts and kids have an opportunity to buy something for their immediate family. As was the case last year, the school does not have staff to contribute to running the bazaar. Rooms 7 & 8 are the only rooms available, and need to be coordinated with LaV Care. Council needs to develop a plan about how many student volunteers are needed, how much time each class needs to come through the bazaar, and other details to ensure clear communication between volunteers, students, and staff. Adjourned Next meeting October 28, 2019 at 7:00 pm. To have new business discussed at the next meeting, please email [email protected].