2016-17 Runnymede Public School (PS) Council

Annual General Meeting (AGM) Thursday, September 28, 2017

Runnymede PS Library 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

FINAL MINUTES Attended: Rob Hochberg, Susan Wawrow, Dale Cadeau, Greg Kerr, Sarah Frame, Erin Meana, Allison Madigan, Kathleen Hyatt, Shirley Suurdt, Ivana Barbieri, Tasha Balla-Boudreau, Marissa Hollis, Helen Williams, Anita Jim, Danielle Kaftarian, David Begleiter, Miriam Riches, Mona Minhas, Pamela McGrath, J’bai Deschamps, Emily Osborne, Erica Meagher, Laura Edwards, Susie Hardy, Kelila Fazio, Tesfay Testamariam, Amy Hamilton, Kevin Curtin, Alyssa Cartlidge, Shannon Pritchard, Alpana Piderit, Patrick Bourk, Richard Kearns, Renee Gouveia, Danielle Delaurier, Meaghan Granville, Jennie Steen, Sabrina Musa, Sarah Amis, Rick Reed, Yordest Young, Garry Chan, Anh Truong, Susan Elliott, Tara Hannon, Kate Lupini, Archana Mathew, Lori Cant, Ruth Adair, Anne Markee, Alana Rusnov, Rob Rusnov, Rosemary Bonnell, Roseanne Bonanno, Alice Kung, Lisa Mccarney, Mark Derry, Joanne STankiewicz, Martin Imrisek, Kimberly Walker, Andrew Cagney, Lisa Iafolla, Colette Harper, Emily Larose, Lesley Srivastava, Krista Pawley, Susan Stayna, Angela Xenos, George Xenos A.1 Call to order (Greg) The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. A.2 Attendance (Marissa) A.3 Adoption of agenda and review of previous minutes (All)

• Agenda adopted as proposed • The minutes of the June 5, 2017 meeting were approved June 2017.

A.4 Administration Welcome (Rob)

• Introduced Susan W. who is the VP for K-5 • Intarakosit was promoted so Amelia Dennis was brought back as she was familiar with the

school. The Superintendent is working on a permanent replacement. Timing is a bit off so there’s a little bit of a delay.

• Good start to the new school year. It’s been a smooth transition with students in the classroom – especially moving the grade 6s to the senior division. They are on rotary now

• Students in grades 4-8 will be learning an instrument and learning drama. Teachers say that it’s been going well.

• The only glitch was that it was a little bumpy on the first day of school out on the field • In terms of hiring, Regulation 274 says Admin has to interview teachers based on seniority.

There will be some staffing changes coming up and they have to follow the regulation. • EQAO

o Runnymede has done well with Grade 3 scoring 90s across the board (reading/writing/math in the 90s).

o For the grade 6s, math dropped to 76 (reading and writing remained in the 90s). However it’s an increase from last year and 20% increase from the board average. Rpb said there always room for improvement. They will work with students and teachers to drill down and seek out how we can move to the next level. Next PA day they will work with teachers. Overall, admin is very proud of students.

o Rob also mentioned that at Runnymede we don’t base everything on EQAO. We equally value learning skills, socialization and how kids get along with their fellow students. EQAO is just a snapshot for that week.

• Playground – admin is getting a lot of positive feedback. So many students are playing on the structure as well as hopscotch and basketball. Rob gave a big thanks and appreciation to Erin for her amazing dedication and efforts.

• Rob also publicly thanked Dale who is stepping down as Co-chair. Dale has done an outstanding job over the past 3 years. She really stepped it up and went above and beyond what was required. Rob gave his thanks and appreciation.

• Susan reminded everyone that Runnymede is a busy place. In order to be up to date with events, students need to listen to the announcements. There’s also a board outside the gym with listings along with the Council website and Friday reminders. Student agendas are also a good spot to find out what’s going on.

• There’s several clubs/teams that students can get involved in including cross country, choir, the musical, peaceakers etc…

• Runnymede had 2 teachers trained for the Empower program (literacy intervention program). The teachers are very enthusiastic about the program. They’ve gone through the screening process and are working with the selected students. Susan thanked the Council for their support to get this program off the ground.

A.5 Committee Introductions- Plans for the year

A.5.1 Arts (Ivana) • Mandate is to enrich the student experience through the arts: dance, photography,

dance etc.. • Primary arts enrichment (JK-Grade 3) focuses on drawing, painting, photography.

Culminated in Spring gallery showing. • Arts also supports BDM • Spring Gallery Walk (expand program to junior as well) • runnymedearts@gmail.com

A.5.2 STEM (Tasha and Tracy)

• Angry Birds for kindergarten in the Spring • Amazing math race for grades 1-4 • Committee provides access to pool of money where teachers can introduce STEM

enrichment into their classes ex. Engineering in the Schools (U of T) • Supports the school in joint purchases (i.e. STEM kits) • Requires a lot of volunteer hours, please contact Tasha if interested • First meeting is Oct 5th @ 7pm • runnymedestemcommittee@gmail.com

A.5.3 Yard (Helen) • The back of the school is now the hillside garden thanks to volunteers that come out

twice a year (weeding, spot gardening etc..) • Hillside is great learning experience for kids • Green teacher program • Yard also enriches recess- they support teachers and admin to use the yard as best as

possible (balls, skipping ropes, hula hoops) • First meeting is Oct 17 @ 7pm • runnymedeyard@gmail.com

A.5.4 Spirit (Erin) • Co-chair this year is Allison • Spirit runs the fundraisers and raises money to support the council • Sprit also organizes community events • Most important fundraiser of the year is the Direct Donation (ends tomorrow) • DD started 6 years ago as parents were tired of selling chocolate, magazines etc… and

time is precious. DD allows parents to donate money once a year. • First meeting is Oct 10th • runnymedespiritcommittee@gmail.com

• Where does the money go? o Raised: $69,195 o School initiatives: $43,862 o Council Committees: $25,333

• Goal this year is to give $35,000 to Tech

A.5.5 Communications (Ingrid)

• Ingrid joined the committee because as a parent she felt it was hard to know what was going on. She has a passion for getting that info out to everyone.

• Communications maintains the parent council website, they send out emails, run school calendar etc..

• Who communications is: they love to collaborate and organize. People come to them with problems that need solving.

• First meeting already happened as work starts in August • runnymedeps@gmail.com

A.6 Update from Co-Chairs (Annual Report + 2017/18 Focus) (Greg and Dale) A.7 Teacher Report – Nuit Orange (Mr. Medley)

o Nuit Orange will happen on January 31st o Goal is to open the Senior Wing to showcase a rotating selection of activities including:

dance club, arts performance, musical, glee club etc… o The goal is to make this an exciting community event. o Please note that the grade 5/6s will not be performing the traditional concert in Decemeber

(they will perform in the spring) o If you’re interested, contact Ingrid or Mr. Medley.

ian.medley@tdsb.on.ca runnymedeps@gmail.com

A.8 Year-end Treasurer Report (2016-17) (S. Stuurdt)

o Shirley reiterated that over the past year, from a financial perspective, Council did what they set out to do

o As a reminder, excess funds went to Mr. Latter for the Periaktoi, Technology and the Empower reading program

o Shirley asked for a member to put forward a motion to pass last year’s budget o Tasha puts forward the motion, J’bai seconded. All in favour. No one opposed. Motion

passes.

o Anh– Lost and Found • They don’t have a committee but they are looking for volunteers to help. Every Friday

they collect items and at the end of each month they donate what remains. • If anyone is interested, please reach out to Anh.

A.9 Dissolution of 2016-17 Council Motion: To dissolve the 2016-17 Council.

o Tracy puts forth the motion, Helen seconded. All in favour. No one opposed. Motion passes.

A.10 Adjourn

2017-18 Runnymede Public School (PS) Council Meeting #1

Thursday, September 28, 2017 Runnymede PS Library

7:30 pm to 8:15 pm A.1 Election of new Council members 2017-18 Motion: To approve all nominations. A.2 Election of 2017-18 Officers of Council (Co-Chair, Secretary, Committee representatives) The following individuals were nominated. Additional nominations are welcome in advance of or at the meeting. Nominated individuals will be approved at the meeting. Chair – Greg Kerr Co-Chair – Secretary – Treasurer – Shirley Suurdt Arts Committee – Ivana Barbieri STEM Committee – Tasha Balla-Boudreau, Tracy MacIntyre Yard Committee – Sarah Frame, Helen Williams Spirit Committee – Allison Madigan, Erin Meana Communications Committee – Ingrid Larsen, Danielle DeLaurier

o Archana Mathew stepped forward as Secretary o Anh Truong stepped forward as Co-Chair o Tasha put forward the motion to approve nominated Officers of Council, J’bai

seconded. All in favour. No one opposed.

o J’bai voiced concern that cars are stopping and blocking bus and school zones at drop off and pick up.

o Suggestion that Communications committee send out a reminder or include in Friday

reminders. A.3 Striking of 2017-18 Committees

• Arts • STEM • Yard • Spirit • Communications

Motion: To strike the committees listed above for the 2017-18 school year. A.4 Other business

• Yard Motion (Sarah and Helen) • Motion: To approve $1,000 from the 2017/18 Council budget to fund the fall Green

Teacher Program • Grades 2, 4 and 6 participate twice a year. The program takes students on an

excursion in the Nature Garden. • J’bai put forward the motion. Tasha seconds. All in favour. No one opposed.

• SSON volunteer needed (due mid October back to Parent Council for review) • The School Statement of Needs is a wish list of what we’d like to see in a Principal. • If anyone is interested, please let Dale know.

A.5 Ward 7 update (Kathleen)

• No updates however Kathleen is looking for help. Meetings are once a month. Please reach out to her if you’re interested.

• Also looking for a JK parent to help with Pizza Day.

A.6 Next meeting The next meeting will be held on Wed Oct 25th, 2017 (room 122 babysitting) 7pm Subsequent meetings will be held on: Wed Nov 22nd, 2017 (room 123 babysitting) 7pm Wed Jan 24th, 2018 (room 122 babysitting) 7pm Wed March 28th, 2018 (room 123 babysitting) 7pm Wed May 23th, 2018 (room 123 babysitting) 7pm A.7 Adjourn 7:32pm