Our Lady Of Peace – Parent Advisory Council Meeting

our lady of peace – parent advisory council meeting minutes january 31, 2007 – 6:30 pm council member attendees: javiera vidal, da

Our Lady of Peace – Parent Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes
January 31, 2007 – 6:30 pm
Council Member Attendees:
Javiera Vidal, Danielle Meuleman, Isolina Varano, Perry Fedrigo, Anna
Viti, Vida Smailys Audrey Butrimas, Brendan Hennessy, Samira Raouda,
Franca D’Onofrio, Nickie Mendes, Matthew Perretta, George Pilla,
Herminio Pires, Catherine Lindsay, Marcia McGovern, Ann-Marie
Wellington, Corrine Harvey
Regrets:
Tina Poulo, Susan Labadia, Kimberlee Meleca, Patrick Zirnhelt, Sylvie
Talarico, Henry Andre, Elizabeth Dos Santos
Minutes
=====================================================================
1.Welcome and Opening Prayer
============================
*
Mr. Fedrigo began the meeting with our opening prayer.
2.Attendance and Approval of Agenda
===================================
*
The attendance sheet was circulated and the Agenda was approved
with the following additions:
*
Update of November Action Items
*
Discussion of charitable donations by CSAC
*
Resignation of Tina Poulo from CSAC
*
School security system at front doors
*
Water vending machine
*
Gift contributions to Communion & Confirmation students as
well as Graduation gift
3.Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
=========================================
*
November 29, 2006 Minutes were approved.
4. Sub-Committee Updates
========================
Treasurer’s Report – Ana Viti
*
Mrs. Viti distributed the financial reports (Attachment 1) and
indicated $10,921 was available for allocation.
Fundraising Committee – Corrine Harvey
*
Everything is running smoothly. Dance-a-thon scheduled for
February 15, 2007 – goal to cover our cost for the D.J ($8,00 or
20% of income generated from the Dance-a-thon)
5. Principal’s Update
=====================
Board Budget Discussions – Mr. Pires
*
Mr. Pires stated that Ann Andrachuk, has given OLP $1,500 to be
used for our music program. Mr. Pires will be looking into the
$1,800 that is on the books at the Board for Our Lady of Peace.
Art Programs
*
Mr. Pires spoke to Mrs. Culmone with reference to Art Programs in
the school and what plans are in place, she advised that she is
looking into programs for each classroom and will need
approximately $250.00 per classroom totaling $6,400. Mrs. Culmone
will come back to Council with a more exact figure at a later
date.
Security Camera’s
*
We do have 4 functioning camera’s. Computer software has been
installed on both Mr. Pires desktop and Mrs. Talarico’s desktop. A
separate monitor and over-ride button needs to be installed in the
office on the secretary’s desktop so that students covering any
support staff breaks can allow entry to any visitors without
having to access the computer system. Mr. Fedrigo is following up
with the Board as well as our School trustee to see if such a
modification is possible to the existing system.
School Size and Classroom Caps
*
Further discussions have transpired between Trustee Ann Andrachuk
and Mr. Pires, some of the items that came out of that discussion
are the following:
1.
Possibility of an off-site campus for grades 7 and 8
2.
There are City of Toronto by-law restrictions that limit the
number of portables on our property; however, this being said,
Mr. Pires believes that to accommodate the anticipated
population of students next year, a minimum of 3 portables are
required.
3.
23 is the student cap in the Primary Grades for the upcoming
year
4.
Possibility of creating classrooms in the library
5.
Possibility of re-directing English speaking students that live
north of Burnhamthorpe to other schools in the area
6.
Possibility of a new French Immersion program at another school
in central Etobicoke within the next 2-3 years
7.
Effective September 2007 JK and SK students only within the
school boundaries will be allowed admission into either the
English or Early French Immersion program.
8.
Enforcing the French Immersion rule whereby if the student
discontinues the French Immersion program, and is not within
school boundaries; then he or she will be directed to attend
their local school.
*
A community meeting will take place and all parents will be
advised of such at a later date.
Alphabet Kids – Hot Lunches
*
Update that the program will be running Monday to Friday except
for our fundraising days (i.e. Hot Dog, Swiss Chalet and Pizza
lunches). The Alphabet kids program is looking for a parent to
assist in the distribution of the lunches on a daily basis and has
offered to pay the individual $10.00 per day. Mr. Reddam and
Mrs.Raouda will be discussing if any of our Milk volunteer parents
would be interested in taking on the task.
6. Teacher Representative Update - Ms. Smailys
==============================================
*
Council was advised that, to date, a total of $2,398 of the $5,000
Goal has been raised for the Free the Children fund. From the
funds received, $900 came from the student penny drive.
*
Great response from both students and teachers with respect to the
Scientists in the School program.
*
All teachers have signed up for the anti-bullying kits
7. Other Business
=================
Donations
*
Mrs. Varano read two letters of appreciation and thanks for our
donation to both the Red Door and St. Vincent de Paul charities.
*
A point was raised that there is a Board-approved list of all
charities to which Catholic schools are allowed to donate.
*
Suggestion was raised to have more student involvement in the
selection of the charities that the school decides to donate to.
*
Concerns were raised with reference to the actual charities we
donate to, whether or not we should be donating to other charities
as opposed to giving back to our community. Further discussions
will occur next meeting and to be raised as an agenda topic.
Council Members
*
Tina Poulo has requested that she be removed from Council due to
personal reasons. Since we have maintained the majority of members
20/21, Council agreed to stay at 20 for the remaining of the
school year until re-elections occur in the new School Year.
Physical Activity in our School
*
A point was raised with reference to the lack of physical activity
within our school. As a school community we need to look into
creative ways where the students can get more physical activity.
Water Bottles
*
Mrs. D’Onofrio expressed concern with the water coming out of the
school taps and requested that we implement water vending
machines. Mr. Pires confirmed that the Board does not have a
contract with the water bottle vending machines/corporate
contract; therefore, we cannot provide the service to our
students. Mr. Pires also relayed that the custodians run the water
taps every morning for 15 minutes prior to the start of the school
day.
Additional programs suggestions for the school
*
Mrs. Vidal introduced the Interactive Opera workshops as a
possible workshop for the future. The suggestion was made to
possibly have student council voice an opinion in relation to
student interests and in what they would like to see come to the
school.
Trustee Meeting
*
Meeting will be held on February 5th at 7:00 pm, all parents are
invited; one of the items on the Agenda of interest is school
closure. Mr. Fedrigo and Mr. Hennessy will be attending.
8. Summary of Fund Allocations
==============================
Funds Available: $10,921
Allocations approved at this meeting:
*
$ 300 First Holy Communion Christian Passports for the Grade 2
classes
*
$6,400 Art Program
__________
$6,700
Balance of Funds going forward $4,221
9. Items for January’s Agenda
=============================
*
Council By-law to be re-visited with max amount of funds that can
be allocated with advising parent at large
*
Funding Charities – do we or don’t we and if we do how do we
decide which ones.
10. Action Items
================
No.
Owner
Status
Started
Due
Action Summary
1.
H. Pires
Oct. 25, 2006
Feb. 28, 2007
Gather feedback for QSP Mascot.
2.
P. Ceolin/Mr. Pires
Done
Jan. 31, 2007
Gather feedback for additional day being offered for Hot Lunches.
3.
P. Fedrigo
Done
Oct. 25, 2006
Jan. 31, 2007
Gather information on whose responsibility is it to maintain the
security cameras that have been installed, as well as signs coming
from the school board. Investigate No Trespassing signs that are to be
posted up around the school.
4.
D. Meuleman
Done
Oct. 25, 2006
Jan. 31, 2007
Letter and information about CPF to go out to parents.
5.
Mr. Pires
Done
Nov. 29, 2006
Dec. 06 /Jan. 07
Gather information with respect to contacts for parents to rally for
the classroom cap, present student body and new student enrollment
6.
Franca D’onofrio
Done
Nov. 29, 2006
Dec. 2006
Draft letter advising parents of the issues we face with increasing
enrollment
7.
Brendan Hennessey
In Process
Nov. 29, 2006
Feb. 28, 2007
Details with regards to drafting up a contract between OLP, students
and parents pertaining to instruments. Possible fee discussion for
repair and maintenance cost
8.
Patrick Zirnhelt
In process
Nov. 29, 2006
Feb. 28, 2007
Discuss Charities with respect to donating money. Concerns to the
effect that student/parent money is going out to charities not back
into the school for student benefit.
9.
Patrick Zirnhelt
In Process
Nov. 29, 2006
Feb. 28, 2007
Address Council by-laws with allocating large sums of money
10.
Mr. Pires
Done
Nov. 29, 2006
Jan. 31, 2007
Speak to Ms. Culmone about Art programs for this year.
11.
Mr. Pires
Jan. 31, 2007
Feb. 28, 207
Look into the $1,800 on the books with the board?
12.
Mr.Pires/
Catherine Lindsay
In Process
Jan. 31, 2007
Feb. 28, 2007
Investigate the option of holding split recess to avoid the
overcrowding in the play yard.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:00 pm
The preceding is considered a true and accurate report of the topics
discussed. If there are any discrepancies or omissions, kindly contact
the writer immediately. If no notification is received within 72 hours
of the date of issue, theses minutes will have been deemed to be
accurate by all.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 6:30
PM.
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Our Lady of Peace Catholic School Advisory Council