Cardinal Leger Catholic School Community Council

Meeting Minutes for Thursday, February 11, 2010

Present: Sherri Dennis, Liza Kook, Karen Boire, Brenda Ackerman, Geri Meyer, Bob Brisebois, Janice Serafini-Dillon, Lorelie Barsi, Trish Harper-Altman, Sara Horseman, Nellie Desilets, Guy Werbicki, Bonnie Lloyd-Gitzel, Trish Cheveldayoff

1: Call to Order-7:05p.m.

2: Opening Prayer

3: Minutes of January 14, 2010-Geri motioned to adopt the minutes. Trish Harper-Altman seconded the motion. Motion carried.

4: Agenda: Add to new business teacher appreciation week. Geri motioned to adopt the agenda. Trish Harper-Altman seconded the motion. Motion carried.

5: Principal's Report:

1. Nutrition Policy: The School Division has adopted a nutrition policy. Vending machines will no longer contain carbonated or diet pop, juices with sweetener, energy drinks, athletic drinks etc. The vending machine in the staff lounge will be removed. The morning announcements will include nutrition information. As well, a nutrition board will be erected in the hallway. From here on, hot lunches will be nutrition positive and students will be limited as to how many items they can purchase at any future bake sale. The nutrition policy will extend to school community council events. Guy says it will take time to change the current culture of "treats." The school newsletter will also include information for parents regarding nutrition and healthy snacks.

2. CLCSCC support for LIP: Guy reported there are a variety of ways we can support the learning improvement plan. A daily book exchange is planned for Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at 2:15 and parents can assist in the library. A noon hour reading club is starting up...parents can help supervise/facilitate Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Bonnie Lloyd-Gitzel is co-coordinating story sacks. She has purchased bags and books. And a note will be coming home regarding classroom guest readers. Ten teachers have submitted a schedule. Sara Horseman is scheduling.

3. CSCC support for Foundation Grants: Guy reported rosaries were recently distributed at a cost of $67.00 and will be used during lent. As well, Melanie Prins has all the materials needed for the mural project. $150.00 was contributed by the school community council. The mural should be completed sometime in early March.

4. Staff PD: Guy reported the common dismissal day in January focused on the four components of balanced literacy; read-a-loud, shared reading, guided reading and independent reading.

5. Haiti: Fundraising for the earthquake victims in Haiti came in the form of a variety of events; gum, hats, "So You Think You Can Dance Cardinal Leger, Buy a Grade 7 student, candy grams. Students raised just under $3,000. The money was donated to Peter Eyvindson of Broken Wings Mission.

6. SRC Events: Sport Day-February 12^th-will focus on the Olympics.

7. Classroom Disbursements: Guy reported all teachers have submitted forms. Money will need to be transferred out of School Wins Twice account to school based account.

8. Partnership with Sherbrooke: Guy reported the partnership has gotten off to a good start. At the beginning of each month, a different set of students will visit the residents. Guy says so far, it's been a really good experience. The finalists in the "So You Think You Can Dance Cardinal Leger" performed for residents February 5^th. Mme Gunther's Kindergarten class did a concert...in return they were given a tour of the facility. Guy hopes the partnership will continue for years to come

9. Kindergarten Information Night: 35 parents attended. Currently have 28 students enrolled in French Kindergarten and 4 enrolled in the English stream. It's still early but Guy says the numbers are very strong. He thanked Liza Kook and Stephanie Tynan for speaking at the event and said parents hearing from other parents is reassuring.

10. Yoga: Ryan Leir came in to the school to lend support to students in Grades 1-8. A grant proposal is in the works to get Ryan to come in for a couple of weeks next year. Ryan wants to be able to make it work.

11. French Immersion Week: Guy reported a successful "Le Carnival." Students had fun and at the same time had the opportunity to experience French culture.

12. Mural: As mentioned previous, Melanie Prins has organized students/materials for the project...to be completed in early March.

13. Extracurricular: Basketball and track and field are underway. Floor hockey tournament just wrapped up.

14. Technology Grant: 8 data projectors and 7 smart boards have been installed. Professional development will be offered during common dismissal day February 19^th and again in March.

15. Lent Schedule: Guy reported the schedule will be a little different this year. Every week of Lent will have a theme....Feb 22-26 Repentance, March 1-5 Reconciliation, March 8-12 Prayer, March 15-19 Fasting, March 22-26 Almsgiving. Passion Play is scheduled for April 1^st.

16. Math Makes Sense Parent Night: Guy reported a good turnout...38 parents attended the session presented by Claire McTavish and Ron Sirois.

17. First Student Bus: Guy received 14 phone calls from parents about delays at pick-up times and drop-off times. Aaron from First Student Bus will address the school community council at its March 4^th meeting. Everyone is encouraged to attend the meeting and to spread the word to other parents who may have concerns about the service. Guy doesn't want the evening to be an ambush. He says if Cardinal Leger families loose trust in the company...he takes that very seriously. If the parent council isn't happy/satisfied following the meeting with Aaron, Gay Hoffman has agreed to meet with the school community council at a future meeting.

6: Treasurer's Report: Brenda Ackerman reported we have $7,237.23 in our chequing account. We are still waiting for the invoice on the tables outside. The SWT account has $3,253.58. The School Council Funds now sit at $2,776.15. The profit from the Family Dance this year was about the same as last year; $1,854.92. Brenda motioned to accept her report. Sara Horseman seconded the motion. Motion carried.

7: Priority Areas:

1. Participation in LIP: The volunteer scheduling is coming together

2. Communications: Melissa Esford is taking care of the United in Faith Campaign....in support of the new Cathedral. It has been decided World Catholic Education Day might be a better time of year to promote the cause. World Catholic Education Day is May 13^th.

3. Community Development and Partnerships: The goal for next year is to have six to eight students visiting the Sherbrooke Community Centre each month. Over ten months...that's 60 to 80 students a year.

4. Council Development: Stephanie Tynan will coordinate a survey of school community council members to gauge our effectiveness. It will not be time consuming. Sherri Denis and Sara Horseman attended Board/School Community Council liaison meeting. They networked, talked and brainstormed and discussed the differences between the previous home and school and the current school community councils. They discussed the $1,000 a year operating grant...how is the money being spent. Some school community councils have served coffee at registration. Some of the money has gone toward providing babysitting at meetings. It was suggested a website be set up for all community councils as well as a contact list.

8: Old Business:

1. Gifts for speakers: The gifts (art work on paper cubes) have been ordered and should arrive shortly. 100 paper cubes have been ordered at a cost of $770.00.

9: New Business:

1. CSCC website link: We need to provide information about our council, our constitution, meeting info. As well, a calendar of events so parents can see everything coming up...our fundraising efforts. We should provide information on how to get involved. It was suggested perhaps we could use some of our operating grant to pay for web design. We would need approval from the division office as to what we could include on the website. Guy will follow-up with Geri.

2. Campbell's labels: The bin is getting full. Bob reported the Grade 7 students have started sorting and bundling.

3. Apparel: School apparel in youth and adult sizes will be made available to staff, students and their families. Sheri is working with Bob, Diane Carey and Liza Kook. Midwest Sports Wear can provide t-shirts, bunny hugs, sweatpants and golf shirts with a three colour logo. Sheri is hoping to have them available at the 3-way conferences March 18^th and 19^th. The cost is reasonable. For example youth t-shirts are $11.50 plus tax. Adult t-shirts are $12.50.

4. Teacher appreciation: Liza presented the staff with muffins and an "EXCUSES" poem. She has assured the staff lunch will be provided sometime in March.

10: Committee Reports:

1. Fundraising: Sheri thanked everyone for their assistance with the Spirit Dance/Family Dance. The face painting was a nice addition this year. The silent auction saw 83 donations....21 items came from parent call-out. 54 percent of items came from personal council donations. Vesey's Bulbs and Seeds will be our next fundraiser. Shellee Plysiuk-Neufeld will take that on. The orders will be going out in late March.

2. Social: Family spring barbecue. Tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 28^th. Trish Cheveldayoff will attempt to secure SaskEnergy barbecue. As well, the school community council will once again supply hot dogs on swim day at the end of the school year. It was well received last year.

11: Nellie Desilets: Nellie came to ask about the school's support for the earthquake victims in Haiti. She suggested something as simple as a banner be sent to Haiti....to say we are here. The fabric could be obtained/donated by Fabricland. It was also suggested French students write personal letters of hope. Guy responded by saying a lot has been done at Cardinal Leger for the Haiti earthquake victims. Students have raised almost $3,000. As well, almsgiving for Lent will be going to Haiti. He suggested/asked Nellie to give him some suggestions. Nellie also suggested Cardinal Leger consider the "Kiss and Ride" bus program...where parents pull up to the school with their kids and a staff member or a parent volunteer then escorts the child into the school. At pick-up time, kids are all gathered outside by a staff member or parent volunteer and the students wait as parents pull up in their vehicles. Guy says he would need to get further information/details to see if such a program could work at Cardinal Leger.

12: Meeting adjourned 8:47 p.m.

13: Next Meeting: 7p.m.-Thursday, March 4^th - School Library. Remember to invite anyone with concerns about bussing as Aaron from First Student Bus will be in attendance.

Thursday, May 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m. - regular CSCC meeting

Thursday, June 3, 7:00-9:00 p.m. - regular CSCC meeting

Friday, May 28 - Annual General Meeting & Elections of 2010/2011 CSCC board

CARDINAL LEGER

CATHOLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

CONSTITUTION

MISSION

The mission of Cardinal Leger Catholic School Community Council is to share responsibility for the learning success and well-being of all children and youth through ongoing engagement in school planning and improvement.

Guiding Principles/Code of Conduct

The Cardinal Leger Catholic School Community Council adheres to the following guiding principles in its conduct:

1.                  The role of the CSCC shall be as follows:

·         To share responsibility for student learning;

·         To encourage and facilitate parent and community involvement in school planning and improvement processes;

·         To provide guidance and direction from a lay perspective to the school, the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division and community agencies and organizations.

2.                  The responsibilities of the CSCC address key matters that make a difference in student learning and well-being.  The CSCC shall:

·         Focus its attention on areas of the Learning Improvement Plan where parent/community perspective and efforts are most appropriate and needed;

·         Monitor its activities to support continuous improvement of student learning and well-being.

3.                  The Cardinal Leger CSCC aligns its work with goals and initiatives of the province and Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division.  The CSCC shall:

·         Align its work with the Department of Learning's overarching accountability framework and focuses on related school division goals and initiatives;

·         Align its work with provincial and division learning and well-being outcomes for students.

4.                  The Cardinal Leger CSCC is accountable, transparent and responsive in its relationships with parents and the school community and, in doing so, shall:

·         Actively engage parents and community members in matters of public education;

·         Reflect the nature of the community by collecting and sharing appropriate information with others.

Membership and Officers

1.       Elected Members

• The Cardinal Leger CSCC will have a minimum of four (4) parent and community members elected at the Annual General Meeting.  Parent representatives must be in the majority.

2.       Appointed Members

• The Cardinal Leger CSCC may have the following appointed members:
• The school principal
• A teacher
• A parish representative

3.       Officers

• The following Cardinal Leger CSCC officers will be elected from among the elected members and will serve in these positions for a minimum of two (2) years:
• Chairperson
• Vice-Chairperson
• Secretary
• Treasurer

Other CSCC committee chairs may be elected and may include:

o       Student Wellness Committee Chair

o       Communications Committee Chair

o       Fundraising Committee Chair

o       Social Committee Chair

Cardinal Leger CSCC Meetings

1.       Annual General Meeting

• The Annual General Meeting will be held in May of each year.  During this time, council members will be selected.  Other orders of business will include:
• The delivery of the Annual Report;
• An evaluation framework of Council activities and outcomes;
• Other business as established by the CSCC;
• Open discussion.

2.       Regular Meetings

• The Cardinal Leger CSCC will meet a minimum of eight (8) times per year.

3.       Model of Governance

• The Cardinal Leger CSCC will utilize the Representative Governance Model whereby the CSCC represents the wider school community.  Meetings are open to the public but only elected and/or appointed members of the CSCC may decide upon matters brought before the CSCC.  The CSCC reports to the school community using a communication strategy, an annual report and the annual general meeting.

4.       Decision-making Process

• The Cardinal Leger CSCC will utilize the Majority Rules process whereby an issue is discussed and a vote is taken.  The majority vote decides on the issue.  On matters requiring a formal vote (motion on the floor), only elected and/or appointed members of the CSCC may vote.

5.       Voting

• On matters requiring a formal vote, only elected members of the Cardinal Leger CSCC may vote.  A formal vote is required if action is put forward to the council by way of a formal motion.

NOTE: The principal and teacher(s) vote only in clearly defined circumstances.  They will however, be expected to participate fully in the discussions and provide their advice.

6.       Quorum

• A quorum of the CSCC shall be a majority of the elected and/or appointed members.

7.       Special Meeting

• A special meeting of the Cardinal Leger CSCC shall be called by the chair of the CSCC if required to do so by the board of education or a request in writing signed by no fewer than 25 persons who have a child attending Cardinal Leger School.  Only business pertaining to the roles and responsibilities of the CSCC can be considered at a special meeting.

Public Consultation and Communication

The Cardinal Leger CSCC will communicate with the school community through the following strategies:

• Cardinal Leger CSCC newsletter
• Cardinal Leger School newsletter
• Parish bulletin
• Community association newsletter
• Posters, flyers

The Cardinal Leger CSCC will communicate with the broader community and the board of education through the following strategies:

• Its principal, who will communicate with the senior administrative representative (unit superintendent)
• Its respective trustee liaison board member; and
• Regional meetings of the CSCCs sponsored by the board

Notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Cardinal Leger CSCC must be publicly given four (4) weeks prior to the meeting date.

Cardinal Leger Catholic School

Community Council Members

Liza Kook                              Chair

Sherri Denis                          Vice-Chair

Trish Cheveldayoff               Secretary

Brenda Ackerman                Treasurer

Bonnie Lloyd-Gitzel             Past Chair

Sara Horseman                    Member at Large

Trish Harper-Altman            Member at Large

Sheila Legault                      Member at Large

Geri Meyer                             Member at Large

Lorelie Barsi                          Member at Large

Stephanie Tynan                  Member at Large

Shellee Plysiuk-Neufeld     Member at Large

Michelle Wildeman              Member at Large

Cathy Bouvier                       Member at Large

Kim Gerwing                         Member at Large

Melissa Esford                      Member at Large

Guy Werbicki                                    Appointed Member

Robert Brisebois                  Appointed Member

Karen Boire                           Appointed Member

Janice Serafini-Dillon          Appointed Member

CONTACT INFORMATION:

To contact a member of your Cardinal Leger Catholic School Community Council please leave a message at the front office or email the chair at lizakook@shaw.ca