Ventura Park School Council Minutes - December 5, 2024

Action Items and Discussions

Discussing Cultures Nights and the Importance of it for mental health and showcasing our diverse make up at Venture

Has been in touch with Forest Run P.S. that did this exact thing and it was successful. This is where the idea is from.

Marni our treasurer isn't here but she shared our monthly bank statement of what is in the school generated funds. There is around 19K in the account to be spent.

Paul Davis on March 4 (with parents)
Duane (D.O.) Gibson on February 12
Brainable in April
Sarah Westbrook on May 7
Ventura Fest is June 5
Youth Speak came in October
BORC Trip is in January - February for Grade 2, 4, and 7
Trips require links to Ontario Curriculum
Metrolinx is coming next week to speak to the school-wide audience about how to be safe on public transit and how to navigate through the city.
Idea: There is an outdoor school in Woodbridge that can bring imaginative and creative lessons to your school.

Geetha and Naomi attended the meeting.
The main takeaway is that:
- Parents are part of the solution for our children.
- Asking kids about their media life, setting family rules, engaging in meaningful conversations, supporting balance.
- So if you take away screen time, you have to supplement it with something else.
Math Literacy Night - We want our kids to say "I am a mathematician"
School Council Forum where there was a talk on mental health, screen-time, and the harmful effects of vaping.

What do your Council meetings look like?
Social evenings outside of Council meetings
Crucial to know your school community
Movie Night again
Game Night, bring your own games
Need open lines of communication between all committees
Share agenda and minutes with the community
Promote movement around Council to give others the opportunity to be involved
Overall we need to consider how we can ensure families are aware of what is happening in our school community.

By Zarina who was absent, but presented by Geetha
Update the school constitution that was not been updated in a while.
Members ensured that the by-laws are accessible and in line with the laws.
Discussion on re-establishing the way we elect Council members and voting membership.
Being accessible for more families to attend Council meetings.
Rotating the days of Council meetings so more families can attend.

Geetha presents
Parents would need to research all the necessary information for parent council to help offset the cost and ensure that it is well organized and meaningful / connected to the curriculum.
We want to have smoothly run meetings and ensure that all information is available at Council meetings rather than presenting an idea then going off to research how to move things forward.

You are part of the solution!

Set Family Rules: Create screen-free times and spaces that can be reflected at home and in the community
Engage in Their Media Life: Talk about their online activities and join in when possible.
Model Good Behaviour: Follow the same screen rules as your kids.
Support Balance: Encourage offline activities like sports, reading, and hobbies.

School Council Hub on EDSBY - I didn’t know this existed.
- How do we get added to this? Should it be all council members? Just Executive?
Crucial to know the needs and wants and demographics of the school community
- Eg some communities are very hands off - which is fine so long as you know that. They’d
  rather do a one time cash donation and not be bothered. While other school communities like
  buying “stuff” and prefer small fundraisers throughout the year
Ideas shared:
- Social evenings outside of council meetings, either before the meeting or other days
- Can be structured (movie nights, game nights etc) or unstructured (gym is open for pick up basketball, soccer, etc)
Needs open lines of communication between committees - eg grad and fundraising - so that efforts and events are not overlapping and conflicting
Agendas and minutes shared publicly in timely manner with parents having an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions
Many schools have council newsletters - found it helpful to know what’s upcoming and where the funds are being used (transparency)
Some schools mentioned term limits for executive positions - they’ve found it beneficial as a means of getting more people involved.
Minutes template from school handbook

Ensure constitution is accessible (ease of use and reference)
Ensure constitution is in alignment with by-laws
Council includes general Parent Council members that attend in September, voting members are then elected from the general Parent Council attendees in September, then they elect the Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Communications Officer, etc. from the voting members
Chair and executive committee members are elected from the voting members
There is a two year term limit for all executive committee members

Welcome Mr. D for his first meeting
Jordan: Shares a draft of our vision / touchstone (Who are we as a school?)
Mme. Tadrisi: We had a successful book far this year selling $6310 which means we can spend $2500 on refreshing our school library.
We have many clubs running right now and there is a place for everyone.
Mr. D: Our intermediate concert is coming up next week.
December 13th, Wonderland concert in May or June, Markham Winds (Used to be called Music Alive)
Classroom Tech. Asking for Parent Council to approve funds $4425 and the Board will match that so that we can purchase computers for the school.
Council approved the cost sharing for $10000 in cost sharing of technology.

A question from a parent: Signs went up that the path from the tarmac to Mulholland Drive was not maintained during the winter. 70% of it is a City issue and 30% is the school's responsibility.
Parents would like to know the winter rules.
In the blog, can we ask parents to be mindful of where to park during school drop off and pick up?