Essex Parent Council April 25, 2017 – Meeting Minutes

 Essex Parent Council April 25 2017 Principal’s Report (find full document in Word format)

Treasurer’s Report

• Budgets are in line with expectations. We will close the year with approx. $5,000.00 in our budget which is similar to previous years.
• Important to note that Essex will no longer receive additional Model School Funding from the TDSB which represents a significant amount of the school’s current operating budget. Fundraising will be more important than ever next year.
• Spring Fling will raise money – 50% chrome books, 50% books for library

 Fundraising Committee Work and Update

• Bingo night was a solid fundraiser bringing in $1801; there were not enough volunteers and lower attendance than last year; discussion about how Parent Council decides on the fundraisers it holds and the possibility at looking at different ones for next year
• Council will look at ways to recruit volunteers and consider a role of parent engagement on the board
• Consider volunteer table at Spring Fling to engage parents to sign up for volunteer roles next year. This could include a whiteboard for people to make suggestions for Council/Fundraising, or Ideas being considered for next year with dot voting to see what most parents would support financially and as volunteers.
• It was suggested that a letter is sent home in the September admin. Package stating that it is expected that all parents will donate time. Include a blurb about what we raise funds for (eg. Lice Check, Scientists in the Classroom, Skates, Library Books, Gym Equipment, Technology, etc.). Use stronger language than “please help”.
• It was suggested that we research what other schools do to raise funds.
• Dance-a-thon was canceled this year due to similarity and tight timing with Jump Rope for Heart (charity fundraiser with students getting sponsored); money raised was earmarked to support Syrian Family Fund to sponsor new refugee applications (see attached).
• Motion (David): to provide $750 from Parent Council funds in support of Syrian Family Fund to support a new family sponsorship; Seconded (Jessica). The vote will be at next meeting.

 Equity Committee

• Funds raised at Christmas in the Indigo Flip Give were used by Parent Council to purchase books for the library with an equity focus.
• Two speakers/artists came and gave presentations to some classes for Black History Month – Parent Council funded a stipend for one artist.
• Natasha in process of arranging an elder visit for primary grades in June for National Aboriginal Day in June
• Ward Equity Forum to take place May 1. Members of this committee to attend and report back to Parent Council. Leslie is also planning to attend.

Garden Committee

• Evergreen approached Jessica about the possibility of working with Essex families on a grant they are applying for that supports families in spending more time outdoors; Jessica will update if the grant is approved

Parent Council Planning

• There are many vacancies on Parent Council next year and parents will need to be recruited for executive positions as well as volunteer positions if the existing level of fundraising, support and events are to continue. See attached document for an outline of Parent Council Roles.
• A note from Nicole Belcourt, Co-Chair, was read aloud explaining her decision to step down from Parent Council at the end of the school year. Nicole has served 4 years on council as Co-Treasurer, Overseen Pizza Lunch and been a key planner/co-ordinator of Spring Fling, Bingo Night, Fresh From the Farm and many other fundraisers and Parent Council Events. We thank Nicole for her dedication and many hours of hard work over the past 4 years.
• Lynette Bacon (secretary/Communications Chair) has also stepped down from Council, effective immediately. Lynette took minutes at Council meetings, Oversaw the Parent Link Communications, kept the bulletin Board up to date. She also co-ordinated Lice Checks, re-vamped the guided reading resources for staff and has helped to co-ordinate book purchases for the library and classrooms. Lynette has been a relied-up volunteer at every event/fundraiser and we thank her for her dedication to the Parent Council over the past 4 years.

Deborah Attack has agreed to take on the role of Treasurer next year (Nicole to train).

Sarah Faulkner has offered to take on a role (TBD) in the Parent Council Executive.

Jessica Haber has offered to take on the Role of Communications/Parent Link next year.

Key Positions that require filling are: Chair (or Co-Chairs), Secretary, Fundraising Committee (or Chairs for individual fundraisers), Pizza Lunch coordinator’s Parent Engagement/Volunteer coordinator (TBC), Caring & Safe Schools Committee, Ward Representative

Upcoming Parent Council Meeting has been switched to June 8 at 6:30 pm in the library.

 Upcoming Events:

• Spring Fling Friday, June 2 3:30 – 6:30 pm
• Screenagers Movie and Discussion Tuesday, May 23