- CALL TO ORDER
Becky Belcher called the meeting to order at 6:30pm and the following were recorded as being
present.
Parents: Becky Belcher, Krista Finch-Shelly, Kathy West, Kim Peterson, Samantha Welch, Emily Carty,
Sarah Maki & Jasmin
Teacher Representative: Jerri Knight
Principal: Tania Steele
Regrets: David Hallet, Avery Pawelek & Shannon Collis
Student Council Co-Chairs: Bryer & Trey - WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Becky welcomed the group to the final meeting of the 2024/2025 school year
No introductions - REVIEW & APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved - REVIEW & APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
Previous minutes sent and posted - STUDENT UPDATE
-Grade 8’s had a very successful fundraising campaign for their Graduation & Dinner; the entire
dinner is paid for through their fundraising efforts!
-Trey purposed all left-over freezes be donated towards the pizza & ice cream party for the winning
storm team. There are 2 ½ boxes being donated
-the student chairs thanked council for all their support throughout the school year - PRINCIPAL UPDATE
-there are 13 remaining classrooms, no change from this year
-Staffing: we are saying goodbye to Laura Slemin, Rachel Greer, Caelan Flemming, Abbey Brown,
Christine Fishman, Garrett Burke and Tania Steele
-2.5 LTO position to fill for September, interviews starting next week
-Class building: work has started and students and parents will find out about classes August 29/25
-EQAO officially ended Monday June 9 th . A BIG thank you to all the volunteers that helped during
this time
-We are currently finishing up our data collection: Acadience/Maze and ORF (Oral Reading Fluency)
-We also used TLDSB’s math fundamentals assessment this year to help guide teacher strategic
moves
-Our track and field went really well (we couldn’t have done it without the help of our volunteers)
-Grade 7 & 8’s will be walking to BMLSS tomorrow to have a walk-through of Graduation
-Volunteer Breakfast is Thursday morning
-Grade 1 & 2’s did their biking for extended phys. ed. this past week along with their final bike hike
-Welcome to Kindergarten was well attended (we have 27 new registrations)
-Grade 8’s got their schedule
-Construction is supposed to be happening at school over the summer. We are getting an elevator
lift put in. This is also causing a “bunker” out on the tarmac which will delay the tarmac painting
Paul Davis link:
https://beacons.ai/paul.davis
including: parental control app/screentime video/discord video/sextortion:a parent
interview/first social network video/seniors and passwords/links to social media/newsletter
Social Media Contract: https://Ink.bio/smcontract
- TEACHER UPDATE
Concert Band at the Festival of Music:
We had 22 students attend the Festival of Music. The Concert Band performed two pieces (Echo
Lake and Do Re Mi) for the adjudicator and they really enjoyed both pieces. They mentioned
the kids played really well as a group and emphasized how well they did with the dynamics in
the music. The kids all had a wonderful time!
Bike Week:
Bike week was a huge success! This year, Meg connected with an instructor from North Bay to
run the program. The kids learned hand signals, learned how to bike in the “lanes” on the
ground, learned how to check their bike, etc. The community Bike Hike was also a success!
In Kindergarten world, they are wrapping up narrative’s stories. A student had worked
extremely hard this year during literacy block. A piece of writing was shared from the beginning
of the year as well as what their - DISTRICT MEETING UPDATE: HELD MAY 15 TH (PROVIDED BY KRISTA)
-Wes Hahn Report: panning without a budget from the Provincial Government, will update once
budget is given to TLDSB. Feed All Four Golf Tournament happening June 7 th – fundraiser
-Jennifer Johnston provided Budget Overview for 2025/2026 (money comes from property taxes
& province). The money is used for classroom staffing, learning resources, board administrates,
transportation and facilities. The board spends 80% of its budget on wages and benefits.
Transportation ~$18 million
Utilities ~$5.5 million
Snow Removal ~$2.5 million
Software/Hardware Refresh/Update ~$5.5 million
Last year there (2024/2025) the budget was $270 million
-Parent engagement grants were not fully used in 2023/2024, a total of about $16 000 was not
used. There is no going back in time, the money is gone.
-Impactful School Councils: school councils are mandated through legislation and serve as an
advisory role to the school’s principal. Councils primary job is to focus on engaging parents.
There are constitutions or bylaws available if anyone would like copies of them. There was a
review that elections must be held within 30 days of the school year starting, 14 days’ notice
must be given to the school community. The first school council meeting must be held within
the first 35 days of the school year and it also must be communicated to the school community.
The principal must attend all the meetings, work with the chairs, provide financial updates on
activities and build relationships within the building. The principal must set the stage.
-Councils cannot be a registered charity. The board is a registered charity and can accept
donations through the TLDSB website. Canada Helps is where people can go to donate – there
is a fee to donate this way, just like school online cash.
- YEAR END REVIEW: PARENT ENGAGEMENTS & FUNDRAISING
Review of all the items School Council was able to assist and purchase throughout the school
year: white boards & marks for each classroom, re-stock of outdoor equipment for each
classroom, Paul Davis, $100 per classroom for end of year trip busing, purchase of replacement
slide for yard, gym storage, re-stock books for library, maple syrup boiler, new sound system for
gym
Fundraisers: Krispy Kreme Donuts (October), Halloween Howler (October), Poinsettias
(November), Family Holiday Skate (December), Little Caesar’s (January), Northern Escapes Mini
Putt (June)
On going – Mabels Labels
PEG Grant: $500 used towards Paul Davis on April 8 th (both speaking to our students & an
evening parent engagement session)
PRO Grant: $583 used towards Tim Jeffries and National Touring Museum & Dinner (provided
by Main Street Deli) on May 22 nd . This was a free event for our school community.
We raised $6062.42 this school year
Motion passed to move all remaining funds from the General Account into Legacy Fund
Account, leaving ~$2000 in the general account for the beginning of the school year. Final
number not known yet as Mini Putt money has not been deposited into account.
Motioned by Sarah, Second by Kim - REQUEST OF FUNDS & TIME LINE
A group decision regarding request of funds and the time line in which the money must be
spent and receipts submitted to Miss Jenny for re-imbursement.
Motion Passed: All requested for funds must be used within the present school year and
receipts submitted before the last day of school in June for re-imbursement. There will be no
carry over. A new request maybe submitted the following year; with no guarantee it will be
approved again.
Motioned by Sam, Second by Sarah
- TARMAC PAINTING
Tarmac painting is being put on hold since the elevator lift that was supposed to be installed
over the summer of 2024 was not completed and a new bunker will be built to replace current
gym storage area. This will take up a portion of the tarmac and council did not want to waste
funds when we do not know what the tarmac will look like after construction is completed.
Tarmac funds still in our legacy fund and will be re-visited next fall. - LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT SCHOOL YEAR
-We are sad to say goodbye to Tania Steele (Thank You for a wonderful 2 years) and welcome
back Jennifer Clark to our Macaulay Family
-Welcome back BBQ will be in September, unsure of the date. Jenn starts work in August and
council will confirm with her regarding a date for the Welcome Back BBQ and piggy-back our
elections meeting that night. We must give parents and guardians 14 days’ notice of this
election.
-We are looking at our first “official” meeting in October, date to be determined
-We are set to run the Krispy Kreme fundraiser in October! Sarah is the lead on this fundraiser.
-Northern Escapes Mini Putt booked for June 4/26
-August we will send a shout out to the school community to “sponsor” a spot on our monthly
calendar. This will be an ongoing monthly fundraiser each month spot lighting community
businesses. There will be 6 spots available per month. The goal is to have all the important
dates on this calendar: council meetings, storm days, other important dates within the school
and board. It will be free to the school community and sent out in a digital form.
-Teachers will review at their first staff meeting the 3 large “asks” they would like as a team for
2025/2026. Jenn will review at this meeting our policy for requests for funds and if not used
within the school year they will not carry over to the next. - ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:08pm
Next School Council meeting/elections will be held in September to align with the Welcome
Back BBQ
THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR AND HAVE A WONDERUL SUMMER!!!
