John English SAC – Meeting Minutes

Thursday, February 9, 2017, 7 – 8:30 pm

Welcome 7:05 – 7:30

• Introduced Edge Imaging – School Photographers Presentation

• a pamphlet was distributed; highlights: based in Burlington, keeps all photos, traditional backgrounds for fall, prices competitive and slightly lower; will offer different poses if asked for; finished package comes in portrait book; online ordering available; digital available (CD or download)

Mr. Howe presented with cake to congratulate him on his award as “Outstanding Principal” – one of 40 in Canada! No additional agenda items Attendance sheet completed Principal Report7:30 – 8:00

Mr. Howe

• Welcome to new parents and thank you for cake!
• Photographers – have used BrightPics for many years, they will be asked to attend next meeting before a decision is made regarding Edge Imaging
• New outdoor classroom – New estimate has been returned (things missed) and cost is now $78000; we have acquired the necessary funds through school board, school council donation etc…; still planning to start in Spring 2017
• Steel beams in some places need to be repaired; plan to start in summer but might go into October; this is preventative maintenance
• Request in for John English to be open for summer school; looking to get French and English; need 120 students for program to run
• Report cards to go home on Tuesday Feb 14; interviews Thursday night and Friday
• Grade 3 Ukelele – Melanie Doane from USchool presented to Grade 2, 3 and 5’s this week
• Parents as Partners – Saturday April 1; mandate is to get parents involved and informed
• Teachers from Saudi Arabia visited today to “take notes” to try and improve schooling system in their country; visit organized through OISE
• Online Math Programs – Reflex Math has been chosen as the platform; classes should be sending info home; available to work at home; cost was $2000 for entire school
• The band “See Spot Run” will perform on May 4 for Grade 1 – 8 classes
• Merit and Honours Assembly will not happen at this time of year; rather certificates will be sent home with report card; it will be celebrated at the end of year assemblies
• Morning Nutrition Program – program halted; at present there is no need seen; there is a staff member available; still under review
• Family Day Feb 20 – no school
• March 10 – last day before March Break

Teacher’s Report8:00 – 8:05

Mme Smith

• Skating starts Monday Feb 13 for Grades 1-5
• Dance for Grades 6-8 is Friday Feb 10
• Ski trip and Jump for Heart on Feb 23
• March 10 – Talent Show; parents of kids in show can attend
• Concours Oratoire on Feb 28
• Sports currently on going are basketball, badminton, volleyball
• Mr. Chan looking to start a chess team; 2 teams possible depending on interest

Vice-Principal Report 8:05-8:10

Ms. Jenkins

• EcoSchools: trying to achieve Platinum level again; still at Gold, initiatives below:

• participated in Winter Walk Day last week
• Rolling out Green Bin programs in classrooms next week; has been in Healthy Bites and Kinder classes since last year
• March 22 is World Water Day; John English will be promoting (Mme Way’s class); John English water bottles will be on sale for $10 ($2 goes to WWF)
• Interim Audit is Feb 22

SAC Board Business 8:10 – 8:25

• SAC Survey – will be discussed at next meeting to decide on questions to ask

• Enrichment

• staff will be attending a talk on mental health and well-being; presenter is being arranged
• Other programs already in place: Scientists in School; skating program
• Outdoor classroom will need some support

Fundraising

• Movie night/basket raffle – April 28; movie still to be decided
• Band ‘See Spot Run” to be booked for Fall 2017; Thursday night would work best; dates to be picked at next meeting
• Toronto Marlies Game – booked for Sunday, March 26 @ 5:30; monies to be in by Feb 22; secured with $300; tickets will be $20 each
• Dance-a-thon date for late spring will be finalized at the next meeting
• Popcorn machine cost is $355 for a 12 oz kettle; no decision made

• Treasurer’s Report – Bank account healthy; numbers meeting budget

• Open Positions

• SAC Treasurer
• Co chair for book fair
• Co chair for Staff appreciation breakfast
• Anyone who is interested in any of these positions please contact SAC sacinfo

Other Business8:25 – 8:30

• PIAC (Parent Involvement Advisory Committee) is hosting School Council Appreciation and Information evening on Thursday, February 23, 2017
• Trustee Pamela Gough’s Ward 3 meeting on Budget and Long term Planning on Thursday, March 2, 2017
• Stress and Anxiety Talk – At Alderwood Library on Monday Feb 13

Meeting Ends 8:30

Next Meetings – April 6, May 11