School Council

Date: 6:30 pm January 23, 2023

Attendees: Simon Sutherland, Kim Wiles, Erin Hills, Kim Newberry (SMDHU Guest Presenter- virtual), Shannon Adams, Alyson Copeland, Shiloh Lee (virtual), Tammy Selkirk, Colleen Ormsby (virtual)

Land Acknowledgement– offered by Simon Sutherland

Minutes: No changes were made to the draft minutes of the meeting from November 21, 2022. Motion by Simon to accept the minutes as distributed. Seconded by Shiloh, Motion carried.

Fundraising Committee update: (Alyson and Tammy) –

The Fundraising goals for this year:

Fundraising plan for this year:

• Online account with True Earth – online consumer direct (all year) – $2500 – playground
• Don’s bakery – Nov / Dec – $2000 – Battle of the books, graduation, classroomscompleted
• Poinsettia drive – End November Christmas – $2000 – classrooms, music programmedecided that Season’s in the Country would be offered 2023-34 sale
• Cookie Dough fundraiser (Macmillians) – online consumer direct; October – $1000 – music instruments, playground- this is event has been canceled
• Family Skate day – Feb – no cost – donations only (possible silent auction) – $1000 – playground- see notes below
• Plantables – January – April – online consumer direct – $500 – playground- discussion around service provider for this event- in the end, Plantables was chosen for size of selection over Season’s in the Country.
• Don’s bakery – Apr Easter – Don’s bakery – $2000 Scientist in the classroom
• Parents engagement night – May – outdoor movie – donations – $500 – playground

Principal’s Update

• Update on pizza slices- 255 students fed in November
• School is raising $260/week that is being used to purchase computers
• 20-30 students received donated slices weekly
• The Holiday Concert bake sale raised $760-$800 for the intermediate school trip
• Update on the success of the grade ⅔ skating party
• Grade 8 course selection for Grade 9 underway – Guidance Counsellor from BMLSS came to speak with Grade 8
• Update provided on the # of volunteers working in the school (3) and the # of students they are working with weekly (50)
• 2 tutors are working in the school supporting 5 students with one on one supports
• Organizing for Battle of the Books underway
• EQAO results for BPS are in- (see attached)- generally speaking BPS students are doing well in literacy- there is work to do in Math- speculated that this is a result of the pandemic and the learning loss that occurred with at home home learning

Simcoe Muskoka District HEalth Unit Presentation (Kim Newberry- virtual)

• Kim Newberry explained her role and that she had been serving the BPS community since 2010
• Offered a presentation on “Healthy Schools” and commended BPS for engaging in many of the suggested types of activities even if we were not actively looking to incorporate direct strategies- we are on the right track- outline healthy school approach
• Kim suggested that she will be working with Administration on BPS Chill Fair
• Simon asked after the previously recommended templates that Kim had offered to share when we first made contact- these are not yet ready

Family Day Skate

• due to difficulties in securing ice time (hockey pressures) this event has been postponed with a targeted rescheduled date in late March; Melissa is following up with Town for dates
• Flyer went out today (council)
• Silent Auction donations will be accepted until March 6, 2023
  – Businesses/Individuals can complete the silent auction donation form (QR code on the flyer). If parent council members can kindly email Tammy ([email protected]) and let her know which businesses are being solicited for donations. As to avoid duplicate asks of businesses.
• Shiloh asked if there were more details available on the desired playground (plans, mock ups, pricing) to share with potential donors- there is no plan yet – target price is likely around $250K
• An identified service provider has been contacted about performing a site visit in advance of preparing a quote and mock up for review- Melissa is connecting with Erin to arrange suitable time.

Winter Chill Festival

• Organized event for all school community hosted by intermediate students- February 9th 5:30-7 (weather date Feb 16)- to address identified needs- wellness and mental health skills
  – Will feature stations presented by Intermediate students
  – Presentations from OPP; SMDHU; Allison Jones (Mental Health Practitioner); CAMH; and First Nation representation (Chris Stock?) offering a smudge ceremony
  – Seeking some donations for prizes
  – Erin asked, since Paul Davis was not going to be available as originally planned, if the $500 grant could be used for this event- motion offered, seconded and carried
• Next steps:

– Shannon agreed to staff the Parents Council Info Booth from 5:30 (with shifts from other parents (Simon, Alyson, Tammy) covering the remaining shifts
– Alyson agreed to make the poster (still need final information from Erin And Kim)
– Alyson, Shannon, Tammy, Simon agreed to do the grocery shopping for the “Make ‘n Take a Lunch Station” items when provided a list from Kim

Council Governance

• Simon shared that Jason, Erin and Simon have been reviewing the policy documents regarding parent councils and that amendments will be needed- specifically with updating bylaws and election of council members provisions for 2023-24.
• Required to announce intention to amend the by–laws at this meeting if we would like present changes for review and discussion at next meeting
• Motion to bring proposed amendments to next meeting, Shannon Adams seconded, motion carried

Other Business

• Simon shared that he provided MNO (Metis Nation of Ontario) Early Learning and Child Care kit to Mrs. Racki’s JK/SK class and an Education Kit to the Cultural Room
• Simon also thanked Alyson Copeland, BPS admin (Nicole specifically) for their efforts in building the Parent’s Council web page and Facebook page

Next meeting will be March 6, 2023 6:30pm at BPS

Motion to adjourn, Shannon Adams seconded, motion carried

Date: 6:30 pm March 6, 2023

Attendees: Simon Sutherland, Kim Wiles, Allison Mason, Ashley Donaldson, Melissa Middlebrook, Shannon Adams, Shiloh Lee, Tammy Selkirk, Colleen Ormsby, Jason von Kruse

Land Acknowledgement – offered by Simon Sutherland

Minutes: The minutes as distributed were adopted

Fundraising Committee update:

The Fundraising goals for this year:

Fundraising plan for this year:

• Online account with True Earth – online consumer direct (all year) – $2500 – playground
• Don’s bakery – Nov / Dec – $2000 – Battle of the books, graduation, classroomscompleted
• Poinsettia drive – End November Christmas – $2000 – classrooms, music programmedecided that Season’s in the Country would be offered 2023-34 sale
• Cookie Dough fundraiser (Macmillians) – online consumer direct; October – $1000 – music instruments, playground- this is event has been canceled
• Family Skate day – Feb – no cost – donations only (possible silent auction) – $1000 – playground- see notes below
• Plantables – January – April – online consumer direct – $500 – playground- discussion around service provider for this event- in the end, Plantables was chosen for size of selection over Season’s in the Country.
• Don’s bakery – Apr Easter – Don’s bakery – $2000 Scientist in the classroom
• Parents engagement night – May – outdoor movie – donations – $500 – playground

Update

• Family Skate day – 15:00-16:00 hrs – Parent Mar 26, 2023 council table, face painting, – will offer some space to intermediates who would like to do their Chill Fest presentation again.
• Plantables – Order by April 24th – Pick up on May 12th (15:00 – 17:00 hrs)
• Don’s bakery – unable to make contact with this company so this is now in limbo
• Silent Auction – Items are coming in. Some will be on display at the Family Skate, some will be on display at business(s) in town. Auction will be run online.
• Playground – March 28 – Two playground companies are coming to give a quote

Principal’s Update

• Grade 6 trip to Camp Muskoka
• Volleyball tournaments have been ongoing
• Milk sales are popular
• Pita sales start this week
• Report cards went home
• Battle of the Books has started. Battles will happen in May
• Black History month – Identity, perspectives, historical figures were all shared
• Bullying prevention document
• Parent engagement was done – thank you for the support

Winter Chill Festival

• Inaugural event was a success for the students and many parents were impressed.
• Mental Health continues to be a real struggle for many kids in the building
• Many visiting adults signed up for Parent Council emails (though not necessarily interested in being on the council)

Council Governance

• Subsequent to motion to create by-laws for the BPS Parent Council, a draft was distributed prior to the meeting. Simon asked that everyone read through the documents and hyperlinks and be ready to comment / make decisions at the next meeting.

Bullying Prevention

• Moved to next meeting

District Minutes Update

• Board policy does not require all teachers to be standard First Aid Trained

PC Children’s Charity

• No school in Bracebridge is taking advantage of the PC Children’s Charity. If that continues, then that money is given to other areas. Kim Wiles will investigate policy issues that might prevent us from applying as a school.

Bussing Limitations

• The board policy is available online and is a final stop. There is no appeal process

Council Governance

• A draft will be distributed for consideration and discussion at the next meeting

Other Business

• None

Next meeting will be May 23, 2023 6:30pm at BPS

Motion to adjourn, Tammy Selkirk, seconded Shilo Lee, motion carried

Date: 6:30 pm May 23, 2023

Attendees: Simon Sutherland Erin Hills, Kim Wiles, Shannon Adams, Tammy Selkirk, Colleen Ormsby,
Lynn Beaton, Jason von Kruse

Land Acknowledgement – offered by Simon Sutherland

Minutes: A minor typo was corrected and then the minutes were adopted as corrected.

Principal’s Update
– Intermediate dance for the community area schools grades 6 – 8 and raised approx $600
towards the grade 7 / 8 trip.
– Lots of parent volunteers made it successful
– Next Intermediate trip is in the 2024-25 school year.
– 60 students went on the trip. Financial considerations were not an issue for those who didn’t go.
– Badminton tournament
– Jump Rope for heart
– Battle of the books wrapped up – LOTS of Junior Battle Teams
– New BPS website – See the Parent section and look for Parent Council information there.
– Bullying prevention document will be a priority at the beginning of the year
– School Climate survey (grade 4-8) was completed
– Building classes now for next year
– Aubrey Noronha came to talk to the Junior and intermediate students and staff of BPS andMonck (different presentation) about inclusion and Racism
– $10,650 is available through Independent Grocer for food in the school. There are some stipulations that come with the money, but we can work with them.
– Reviewed painting images on the tarmac in August/September. Stencils are available through the School Board.
– Lynn, Kim, and Erin will meet to review stencils and locations. Painting in the fall
– Outdoor classroom is still in development Bullying Prevention
– Review of this document will be postponed until the start of next year and be a focus for the Council.

Fundraising Committee update:

The Fundraising goals for this year:

Fundraising plan for this year:
Online account with True Earth – online consumer direct (all year) – $2500 – playground

Don’s bakery – Nov / Dec – $2000 – Battle of the books, graduation, classrooms- completed

Poinsettia drive – End November Christmas – $2000 – classrooms, music programme- decided that Season’s in the Country would be offered 2023-24 sale

Cookie Dough fundraiser (Macmillians) – online consumer direct; October – $1000 – music instruments, playground- this is event has been canceled

Family Skate day – Feb – no cost – donations only (possible silent auction) – $1000 – playground- see notes below

Plantables – January – April – online consumer direct – $500 – playground- discussion around service provider for this event- in the end, Plantables was chosen for size of selection over Season’s in the Country.

Don’s bakery – Apr Easter – Don’s bakery – $2000 Scientist in the classroom

Parents engagement night – May – outdoor movie – donations – $500 – playground

Update

Family Skate day – Mar 26, 2023 15:00-16:00 hrs – Parent council table, face painting, – will offer some space to intermediates who would like to do their Chill Fest presentation again.

Plantables – Order by April 24th – Pick up on May 12th (15:00 – 17:00 hrs)

Don’s bakery – unable to make contact with this company so this is now in limbo

Silent Auction – Items are coming in. Some will be on display at the Family Skate, some will be on display at business(s) in town. Auction will be run online.

Playground – March 28 – Two playground companies are coming to give a quote

– Shilo sent out initial rendering and appreciated comments for the playground
– Erin reported that no decisions need to be made prior to tendering,
– There was no specific report available on the results of the latest fundraising as the Fundraising committee members were not present, however, the results were definitely less than planned.
– Some discussion around why they weren’t successful, but we don’t have the data to come to any concrete conclusions.
– The Plan for next year could split internal fund raising (school based) vs external funding (money from community partners). Could also be 1st semester / 2nd semester
– Draft Fundraising Plan was reviewed: comments should be forwarded to Simon.
– Discussed Getting Paul Davis as a speaker in the November or February time frames

Council Governance

– By-Laws – a working draft is included and will be the guiding document to review and use as the council develops throughout the year. Please review these DRAFT By-Laws with specific attention to sections 5 and 9.
– Annual Report – Handed in
– Election Protocols – We will use the website and Google Forms as ways to disseminate information and run the election in September – Please see section 5 of the By-Laws
– Kim thanked each person here for their commitment to the council this year. She suggested that the council needs to try to engage parents from the Primary, Junior, and Intermediate divisions to help advise and lead in the other areas of the school that affect our students.
– A general discussion about the current focus of the council being fundraising, which is important, but there are other things the council can work on as well.

Health and Safety concerns

– Simon has advanced his opinion on the number of First Aid persons in buildings
– Buzzer system for the daycare door (Kindergarten) is coming soon which will enable that door to be locked.
– Bussing safety – Clearbrook trail is a dangerous area and complaints have resulted in discussions at the town and School Board levels.

District (Parent Councils) Update

– District meetings are set and questions are taken in advance. The Parent Council should consider questions for the District level at the meeting before the District meeting.
– The School Board is focusing on getting schools full.
– The School Board wants balanced budgets and small surpluses – there isn’t new money

Other Business

– Nil

Next meeting will be Sep, 2023 6:30pm at BPS

Motion to adjourn at 8:00pm by Tammy Selkirk, seconded Shannon, motion carried

Attachments:

23-24 DRAFT By-Laws BPS Parent Council (May)

Note – if you require the above document in an accessible format, contact Communications Services at [email protected].