Jordan Appelberg
Welcome to everyone.
Going around the circle for all parents to introduce themselves.
Student representatives introducing themselves
Jordan introducing our chair Danielle, and looking to approve the minutes from our last meeting
Danielle Plax
Appreciates others
Thank you to everyone for coming this evening.
We will be meeting at least 4 times this year
Jordan appreciating our grade 8 student reps and others that could not make it tonight.
Our student leaders come up with great ideas and are inspiring to us all.
Laura is extending her appreciation to our teacher representatives and having their thoughts
and opinions known. We appreciate their commitment to the school.
Laura appreciates Jordan :)
Get Into Business
4 Meeting Dates already set out by admin:
Thursday September 19th, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024 at 6:30pm
Thursday February 27th, 2025 at 6:30pm
Thursday May ith, 2025 at 6:30 *(what is this date?)
- Jordan and Laura have checked through the YRDSB calendar to book these meeting dates.
- Does anyone here see anything that might conflict with these dates?
- Some parents discussed that Thursday may not work; however, we will add a virtual aspect to the meeting for parents who cannot attend or have to leave early.
Student Reps
Introducing themselves: Avni, Neyha, Daniel, Paige and Janelle.
They will bring the student perspective into Ventura.
Teacher Updates
- Mme. Tadrisi is speaking about teachers/staffing, thank you to parents for our support and
flexibility. - Safe and Caring assembly at school.
- Curriculum Night where parents are invited to meet their child’s teacher (two time slots)
- Terry Fox on Oct. 11th
- Orange Shirt Day on September 30th
- Thank you to Mme. Lofsky for pulling out books during various events or observations for both
teachers and students. - Cross Country on Oct. 15th
- Intermediate Volleyball
- Book Fair Nov. 13th to 22nd
- Sheva brought up the board outside (where we distribute pizza). We will maintain the board.
- Laura said that the blog will announce upcoming events and clubs for all grades, so look out for
those. - Tammy-brought up the lunch time sports and activities. We are not sure if they will return, Jordan mentioned that we are cognizant of asking parents for money.
Mme. Marrari
- Discusses her role at VPPS: provides students with strategies to help self regulate when
needed. - Help with conflicts
- Organizes and runs small and large groups throughout the school year with all grades based
on student needs. - Parent asks how do you pick the kids you work with? It’s based on the current or daily needs of the student. Case by case.
VPPS Website
- Laura showing us the school website that is updated by Jordan and Laura.
- Will be a refresh/look to the website
- Tour of the website, where to find staff members
- School council tab
- Danielle said that tonight’s minutes will not be on the website until they are approved at the next meeting. So May’s minutes will now be on the website since they were approved tonight.
School Council Forum - Wednesday, November 13th 2024 at Westmount C.I.
- Naomi sharing her experience from last year.
- Topics relating to council, how to build an Inclusive Parent Council.
- How to implement ideas in the school
- Network with other council members from other schools, sharing resources.
PRO Grant
- Parent Reaching Out Grant
- Terra Cotta Cookies
- Laura said we can add a Terra Cotta cookie with our school lunch program as an added fundraiser bonus.
- Will we be continuing with the pasta program? The orders have not been strong so we will switch that to Subs on Wednesdays.
- Mondays: Bar Burrito
- Tuesday: Lunch Lady
- Wednesday: Subs
- Thursday: Nothing
- Friday: Pizza
Council Updates:
- Jordan said that we have a nice array of speakers that have been recommended by council.
- October we have, You Speak booked
- Paul Davis on March 4th
- Field Trips: Sharonne and Sheva to speak about this. Holocaust Education for grades 6-8 will go to the Holocaust Museum. Half Day trip at Bathurst and Sheppard. Sheva and Sharonne are
requesting money for bussing from Council, currently the bus is $2200 for 3 days and are asking to help supplement half of the trip. The trip as of now is $11.25 per students, they will ask $15
per students to provide a donation to the Museum from VPPS.
Jordan is discussing that the Museum is funded by the Federal and Provincial government. It will curriculum based, it will supplement and enhance. - Danielle is asking if Council covers the bussing for the trip, how much would it cost per student.
Sheva is not sure yet, perhaps $5 per student for the donation. - Danielle is asking if we can set a motion?
- Jordan said that we have approximately $10,000 in our bank account.
- Motion to pay for bussing $2200. Naomi, Suma, Sherry, Danielle, Tammy approved covering the cost.
School Council Review Roles:
- Laura reviewing roles that were blogged out.
- There was a nomination for Naomi to run for an elected position, Tammy asked to continue her role. Danielle to continue her role. Sherri does not want to continue as communication role, but
now open to grade 8 parent lead. Sharonne is nominating Sheva tonight for a position. Jana would like to run for grade 8 lead. - Sheva would like to nominate herself as chair.
- Danielle would like to nominate herself as chair.
- Laura said that we will use a ballot system since there are more than two people running for the chair position.
- Can there be co-chairs? Depends if both nominees want that, it’s up to them.
- Jordan mentioned that Tammy and another set of eyes will count the ballots. We will vote and
decide after - Robert’s Rules states that if there is a tie or a consensus cannot be reached then we should
really vote again. - Danielle mentioned that she would co-chair.
- Sheva later agreed.
Congratulations to Danielle and Sheva as Co-Chairs
Communications Officer:
- Nominate Suma and Geetha to chair the position.
Treasurer
- Nominate Marni (she was not in attendance during this)
Secretary:
- Tammy
Fundraising Officer:
- Naomi accepted nomination
Grade 8 Lead:
- Jana (Sherri said Jana can do it)
What is a voting member?
- Naomi explains that the council requires 12 voting members for topics/decisions to be passed.
- Who would like to be a voting member?
Sharonne, Shari, Anjali, Zerina, Dawn, Susan, Janani, Zain. - You do not have to be a voting member to bring forth ideas to council or come to meetings.
No specific number of voting members can hold this position, therefore the 8 names we have, plus the 8 elected members will be voting members 51% of votes
- Jordan says, congrats to new members on Council.
- Jordan asks the co-chairs to share any final thoughts.
- Sheva mentioned organizing a get together with grade 1 and 2 families to get to know one another.
- Danielle will be the grade 1 contact.
- We will put forth an email in the blog regarding grade 1 or 2 get togethers.
- Jordan is asking everyone to sign up to the school blog.
- Sherri is asking about the GSA club and who will be running it this year?
- Geetha asked if cultural night still happening (Neyha’s idea from student council). Tie it into mental health week in May 2025.
Jordan brings it back to the co-chairs.
Does anyone have any questions? Danielle gives 5-10 minutes for questions.