École John English SAC

Respect yourself. Respect others. Respect the community.

John English SAC – Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 10, 2019, 7 – 8:30 pm

Welcome & Introductions                                                                                  7:02 – 7:04

  • Welcome and introductions.
  • Attendance sheet completed.
  • No additional agenda items.

Ward 3 Trustee Update                                                                                                   7:04 – 7:13

  • Meet & Greet with our newly elected Ward 3 School Board Trustee Patrick Nunziata.

o   He is on three TDSB committees:  Programs and School Services Committee, Toronto Lands Corporation Committee and Education Development Committee.

o   Mental health for teachers/students is a focus of his.

o   He is trying to get more funding for new school buildings.

o   If people have concerns and questions please contact him.  He is our representative at the school board.

o   Questions were posed by SAC members around access to School Board and City of Toronto facilities i.e. swimming pool access for students.

 

Principal Report                                                                                                     7:13 – 8:05

Mr. Howe

  • We are on the list for field refurbishment for 2019. These refurbishments are scheduled to take place between May and December.
  • Could approach Mark Grimes for Section 37 money for school repairs etc.
  • Kindergarten bunker has arrived. It will be in use within the next few days.
  • Playground Design Team meeting occurred on December 7, to discuss new play structure. We are on the list for a new structure.  When the time comes, a committee of students, parents and other stakeholders will be formed for consultation.
  • On February 12 Term 1 Report Cards go home. PA Day for day time parent teacher interviews is February 15.  Evening Parent teachers will be held on February 14.  Online scheduling system will be used by families to book interviews.
  • There will be a PA Day on January 18 for Report Card writing.
  • TDSB Mental Health has a phone number that students can access: 1 866 585 MHTO (6486).
  • School photography – we are considering which company to go with for 2019 – 2020.
  • Dress Code – to be discussed in Other Business.
  • The possibility of adding more extra-curricular activities for younger grades was discussed. Some of the challenges in doing so were explained.
  • The holiday concert went well. A parent suggested the possibility of having a professional video tape the concert to avoid parents all taking video and photographs at the same time.

Ms. Jenkins

  • Eco Schools – There will be two audits this school year to maintain the school’s Platinum Status. The first audit will take place on January 31.  The second audit will occur in the Spring 2019.  February 6 will be Winter Walk Day to promote walking instead of driving and walking during all four seasons.  Other ways to support charity fundraising, like the red-nose campaign for example, were discussed.  In keeping with the Eco Schools theme some parents suggested that perhaps there could be a way to contribute financially without receiving the plastic item.
  • Forest of Reading – Blue Spruce, Silver Birch, Red Maple. Grades 3-8 is independent reading and Grades K-2 is read aloud picture books.  There are currently 74 students involved in the program.  Red Maple students (Grades 7-8) write online reviews of books they’ve read.  This year the Silver Birch non-fiction group has become popular and has 12 participants.  Voting day for the most popular books will be in April.

Mme. Smith

  • Ski Day is February 7 for Grades 6-8 students. There is a $60 fee which includes transportation, lesson, lift ticket and equipment rental.
  • Talent show is coming up and auditions will take place next week for Grades 1-8. Talent show will be on March 8.
  • Mme. Trudeau will be running Jump Rope for Heart. The kick off will be February 8.  The fundraising goal is $6300.  The event date will either be February 28 or March 1.
  • 9-2 win for the hockey team versus Humber Valley Village Middle School today.
  • Student council did a great job before Christmas getting students excited about the school and the holidays via spirit events.
  • January 25 tentative school wide PJ Day.
  • Valentines Day Dance on February 14.
  • Drop in Volleyball for Grades 6-8 is ongoing.
  • Dungeons & Dragons Club is going strong.
  • Drop in Badminton for Grades 6-8 is ongoing.

Other Business                                                                                                            8:05 – 8:30

  • Public Consultation: Draft Student Dress Code (P042)

o   The new draft guidelines are very ‘loose’ and basically suggest that students can wear whatever they want as long as ‘buttocks, chests, and crotches are covered’.  Hoodies with hoods up, hats, strapless tops, low rise jeans (with underwear showing), crop tops will all be permitted in TDSB classrooms under these new guidelines.  Link to draft dress code policy is available here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Policies-Procedures-Forms/Policy-Consultations

o   A fulsome discussion was had to look at the pros and cons of the new draft policy.  Feedback was encouraged via the online survey.

SAC Board Business                                                                                             8:30 – 8:45

Fundraising

 

Open Positions / Nominations (all with support provided)

  • Fundraising chair
  • Toronto Marlies Game coordinator

Meeting Ends                                                                                                               8:45

Next Meetings:  February 7, April 4, May 9