VISCOUNT ALEXANDER PUBLIC SCHOOL - ucdsb.on.ca

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VISCOUNT ALEXANDER PUBLIC SCHOOL

PARENT COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday 3rd May 2011 – 6:00 p.m.

School Library

Present; Darryl Beck Martha Woods Smeevan
Tara MacRae Miller
Janice Cameron Mel Hunter Khawat
Mandy Miller
Ashak Barnik Jill Wilson Nicola

Safora Ikram Mian Y.Pathmini

Muhammad Imran Mian

Regrets; Sarita Anderson, Kathryn Essex-McIntyre, Mari McDonell, Tracey Lalonde

1.0 Welcome
Martha welcomed everyone to the meeting that was very well attended.

2.0 Acceptance of agenda
Agenda accepted.

3.0 Acceptance of minutes
The minutes from the last meeting on Tuesday 1st March 2011 accepted.

4.0 Business arising from the minutes
4.a Avon Spring Fundraiser

Tara liaised with Diane, the Avon Representative, and to offer us 45% sale profit she
would not be able to cover the cost of the photocopying for 400 copies of the order form
package. Also to not conflict with the School chocolate bar fundraiser council agreed to
defer until Christmas. The order form will be condensed to one sheet so lowering the
photocopying cost which Darryl and Martha will share.

4.b VAPS Tattoos
Tara showed council the new Viscount Cougar tattoos that is the next long term Parent
Council fundraiser. Council agreed to sell the tattoos for $1 each and suggested they be
available in each homeroom for the students to purchase from their teacher. Darryl will
distribute the tattoos and the monies will be collected at school. This fundraiser will be
dedicated to technology acquisition for the remainder of this school year.

4.c VAPS school clothing
Madame Aikman has been working with Sew’n’Sew to finalize the order for the new

school clothing range. It will be a non-profit project to promote school spirit and keep

costs down. Look out for your order form coming soon. Go Cougars Go !

5. New Business
5.a Parking lot

The drop-off and pick-up times at the school front entrance are very busy with vehicles
some of which do not follow safe parking lot etiquette. There have been some fender
benders but we are all responsible for the safety of the students when we are in the
vicinity of the school. Some vehicles enter from Pescod Street and exit onto Dover Street.

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Also there are now parking pilons by the front door to allow Special Transportation
vehicles to drop-off our students, with special needs, close to school. This area is not for
other vehicles to park or drop-off. The flow of traffic in the parking lot is in via Dover
and out onto Pescod only. Martha suggested some signage, or volunteers who could
monitor these times. Tara noted that St. Anne’s have a no-reverse policy at their school
entrance. Martha decided to create a reminder to be distributed so that we are all aware of
the rules to keep our students safe at school. Darryl will mention this at the Staff Meeting
as there are assigned teachers who meet their students at the front entrance. Please could
everybody co-operate with this matter.

5.b Year end BBQ
Council discussed the event and wanted to keep it on the last day of school so for a BBQ
there is no option to have a rain date if it is wet weather. A pizza lunch with donations of
carrot sticks, cheese, juice boxes, freezies and chips will be provided by Parent Council.
Tara will contact The Yum Yum salesman to ask for donations. Volunteers will have the
food outside and the students, primary first, will all eat together. The students will eat in
the gym if it rains. Parents are invited.

5.c Flower garden at entrance of school
Martha had been contacted by Aimee Hunter who would like to weed and tidy up the
flower bed by the school front door. Darryl was very appreciative of this kind gesture and
will contact Aimee to thank her personally. Maybe this could be a supervised project for
the students. The flower bed was originally created by a teacher and the students in the
Environmental Club.

5.d PRO Grant Funding
Martha suggested we apply for the funding again this year and that the EOTB(Eastern
Ontario Training Board) will match the amount we receive if successful. Last year the
money was used to fund the visit by author David Bouchard who inspired students and
parents alike. Martha is asking for suggestions to apply for the funding that can be to
support a fun event in school to benefit the students and their families. Council discussed
an educational event that was health related with nutritional and physical elements
provided by a local company. This could involve the EOHU, fitness trainers, sport
instructors. The application has to be submitted by May 13th.

5.e The library
Martha asked if the library will be re-instated next year. Darryl could not give a definite
answer as it will depend on the registration numbers and the demand for class room
space. Also through planning and research the projected trends have implications for
staffing next year. So far the indication is that there will be a class in the library space for
½ a day so it could be available for the remainder of the day. Martha suggested that we
keep this room as a class room and not pursue the option of portable. This was well
researched by Anne-Marie and not an acceptable option for the school community.

6.0 Principal’s Report
Darryl welcomed Mandy Miller who is the new Staff Representative along with Tracey
Lalonde. Jana Kilger accepted a staff contract at Central Public School and started there
at the end of February. Also welcome to Kim Tessier from Central Public who is now
one of our Learning Resource Coaches.

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The staffing process for 2011-2012 will be finalized by mid-June.
Welcome to our 4 Mexican Exchange students who are here until May 9th. There are 12
students sponsored by the Upper Canada Leger Center who have organized excursions
for them during their visit.
The School Chocolate Bar Fundraiser was very successful with some great prizes for the
students. The final tally will be available soon and the funds will be allocated to
technology acquisition and focus on the kindergarten rooms. Thank you for your
participation.
The Twitter page has been developed with the help of Allison Moorhouse the UCDSB
contact. It is progress in the social media area and helping us to keep in touch. There are
30+ followers so please feel free to sign up. It can be viewed as an electronic agenda
strip. Any questions to Darryl.
101 Dalmations school production was a huge success with over 65 students participating
from KG to Gr.6. The staff involved were Rochelle Yves, Susan Rennie, Pam Lalonde,
Connie Aikman and Kelly Leclerc. They all put in lots of time and effort Darryl wanted
to recognize this and is very proud of them all.
Froglogic is now on the school website and is part of the schoolwide PT on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday for 3-5 minutes. The students are encouraged to take a leadership
role during this activity at school and have been promoting it at home which is very
encouraging.
The Grade 6 Graduation/Farewell photos will be taken by Carpe Diem on the 11th- 12th
May.
Champions For Kids Foundation has a charitable event coming soon that the UCDSB
will be promoting as the organization helps many underprivileged students with sports,
music, glasses etc There will be a sponsor form with the School newsletter so please
participate for this good cause.
EQAO Testing for the Grade 3 and Grade 6 students will run from May 30th –June 10th.
The Full Day Kindergarten have a Welcome Day on 26th May in the gym. There are
plans to give the rooms a facelift and also to install a smartboard if funds allow. The All
Day Program will be available Province wide by 2015. The Early Years Center is a
Community Partner that participates with the transition of the students into the
Kindergarten Program through planned visits to the school. The positive feedback and the
readiness of the students shows that it is a valuable program. Martha also praised the
Ready To Learn Program as it too prepares the students for the Kindergarten Program.
Darryl is excited that Viscount is a site for these programs and the benefits they offer to
our students.
The Reel To Reel Film Festival was held on 4th May at Brockville. The theme this year
was “Character Always” promoting the school message. Mrs.St.Pierre and her students
Isha, Ragavie, Maaryah, Nora, Thurrika and Ayeesha entered the short film they created.
Council watched the film and were very impressed with the production. Well Done girls !

7 Teacher’s Report
No reports.

8.Support Staff Report

9. Committee Reports

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10. Treasurers’s Report

Janice reported the bank balance is $2,541 after the Christmas Fair and showed us a

breakdown of the money raised that night. There were also 2 deposits made that could not

be accounted for but as the school and Parent Council share the account it is difficult to

keep track of all the transactions. The invoice for the Tattoos, $282.45, has to be paid.

Council discussed the Year End BBQ and any donations you acquire please let us know

by e-mail as we will need adjust the shopping list accordingly. Janice has the school letter

head if needed to request donations from companies.

11.General Information, Updates, Inquiries

12.Next Meeting
The next Parent Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 14th June 2011 6pm in the

library.

Meeting adjourned at 7.50pm.

Martha Woods-Chairperson Melanie Hunter-Secretary