November 25th, 2015

Around the School

  • Move-a-thon – December 18 (PJ day)
  • Extra-curriculars are running now!

Pegasus – Feedback

  • Concerns around timing – some packages took a long time to arrive.
  • Servers were overloaded before the due date so some parents could not order online.
  • Preference for class photo and individual photos on the same day.  Hard on parents to get them dressed up for two days.
  • Re-take communication could have been clearer – do parents request re-takes?
  • Other very positive feedback.
  • Next year do not choose a holiday (this year was Eid).
  • Pictures got crinkled in backpack for Kindies.
  • Some parents got extra photos J
  • Overall consensus is that product is good, but process could be improved.
  • Ursula also has feedback from Trillium database.
  • They did family photos for Feb event for no charge.
  • Online options and payment were preferable.
  • Pricing – there were not a lot of options for small packages. Especially the fridge magnets.
  • Question around whether there can be group/family/sibling photo days.

Character Ed

  • Culture Club – collaborating to fine tune activities. Using a program called “WITS” (Walk away, ignore, talk it out, seek help)
  • How do we work together to improve the culture and follow the rules? How do we focus on the “respect” part of TRAIL.
  • Voluntary staff meeting next Wednesday to discuss community outreach, social committee, rules, expectations.

ESL Parent Group

  • Parents of ESL students come to the school to learn how to help kids with reading. Led by Meenu Bahkru
  • Continuing this year

Technology

  • Ordering more Ipads and Chrome Books

WRAPSC Meeting

  • Erin attended
  • Safe, caring, inclusive – concerns around bus safety – expect changes next year
  • Check our Facebook page for periodic updates.
  • January 12, 2016 is the next meeting.

BIPSA

  • Go on WRDSB.ca to see the BIPSA (goals for 2015).
  • Goal at WTT is math-centric and curriculum can be accessed through inquiry

Contract Negotiations

  • Teachers have come to a resolution
  • Support workers (e.g. secretaries) are still not settled.

Questions/Feedback

  • Sidewalk – request made to City of Kitchener and work permit was obtained but no timeline.  There is a long waitlist of fixes.
  • We got confirmation that it would be fixed in the spring.
  • Safety concern about ice in the winter
  • Request that communication via communication books for JK/SK is standardized

Parent Feedback

  • Seesaw – positive feedback from parents about this app. Please keep it going!
    • Currently only available in some JK/SK classrooms. Some parents are concerned that it has not been extended to all JK/SK classes.
  • Dreambox Math Program – lots of positive parent and kid feedback on this program.

Fundraising

  • We raised $10,000 from chocolate bars and merchandise sales.
  • We are receiving $900 for Evergreen Grant (thanks Pam Law).
  • Raised $2,200 from move-a-thon
  • We are receiving $500 grant form BlackBerry for employee volunteer hours

February Event Update

  • Name change to “Family Fun Fest” Day
  • No speakers event because it was not well attended
  • Library will have music event
  • Pods will have coat check
  • Book exchange
  • Parent Council table and sell spirit wear
  • Activity Tables will not change – – NEW – Game Asylum, police/fire trucks, Tumblebus
  • Food – hot food being considered (our own volunteers and those selling)
  • Food Trucks, pizza, cultural food
  • Ice cream, frozen yogurt?
  • Bake sale
  • Change pricing for vendor sale tables to $40/table and $50 if they need electricity
  • Silent Auction – we need prizes!!
  • We want to send home a letter to ask for donations from parents
  • Specific improvements
    • Signage
    • Music over the PA
    • Dedicated spots for prizes
    • Discussion about how to distribute the prizes
    • Some prizes did not get picked up from last year
    • School-Day blasts will be early
    • We need to advertise more with church, Westmount, Williamsburg
    • Keep money separately so that we can track how well each event does.
    • Can a police officer be present for the day

Community Brainstorm Session

  • Broke out into 5 groups to brainstorm what a connected and engaged community looks like and feels like and discussed partnership/connecting ideas and how they are mutually beneficial.

Attendance:

Robyn Gilbey

Brenda Tyler

Diane Stephens

Jen McCaig

Ali Hasan

Ellen Otterbein

Natalie Breau

Pam Law

Danielle Reynolds

Erin Labour

Erin Cleasby

Tina Landry

Robin Landry

Jennifer Sullivan

Sharon Dunlop

Meredythe Hertz

Sarah Nakamura

Paige McNaughton

Rita Givlin

Maya El-Baltagi