Diefenbaker School Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday October 4th, 2023, 6:30 PM
SC.DiefenbakerElementarySchool@tdsb.on.ca
1. Land Acknowledgement and Attendance
Alison Rutherford (Principal), Rebecca Lewis (teacher), David Shory (co-chair), Christine Reyes Boyer (treasurer), Rachael Worden, Chris Morihovitis, Olenka Defranco, Kathy Catsiliras, Dena Haber, Marlene Graham, Vasiliki Papadimitriou, Marci Morgans, Gurleen Chawla.
2. Introductions and Approval of School Council meeting minutes from June 8th, 2023
3. Roles and Responsibilities – Code of Conduct for SAC
· Mission statement was read and explained
4. Teachers Report from Ms. Lewis
· ITLC – Program with seniors for crafts with grade 4/5’s, no cost
· Chess and Math program to return, small cost
· Garden Grant being applied for, due end of October
· Learning for a sustainable future application, recommended we propose an action project.
· East York Garden Club could be approached – Marlene happy to reach out
5. Principal Report from Ms. Rutherford
· Smooth start up and back into routines
· X Movement were invited in to maximize fun team building and conflict resolution in peaceful ways. Allowed staff some planning time
· Staffing does not have to reorganize for the school year, we have 320 students
· Staffing cuts (previously mentioned) update. Admin staff cut down to 1 has been a big impact. May change late entry rules to allow parents to walk children to class. 1 less lunch room supervisor, ECE covers for half the lunch break.
· Facilities Update; A/C is 90% fixed. Turf was damaged outside of school hours, has been repaired. Log Seating Circle been replaced, Arborist team trimmed trees, work orders for school bells and repainting the kindergarten fence. Request to repaint the four square and hopscotch.
· Playground Update; complete revitalization project was scheduled for summer ’23, it is still tendered and planned for this school year. Will continue to escalate. David Shory to draft a letter from parents/ council about the delay as it is the second time and approved drawings are only good for 5 years.
· Pizza Lunch is organized, prices reduced but still a great fundraiser. Funds will likely be distributed to each classroom for use.
· New Vendor (fundraiser) or revisit Lunch Lady – Dena Haber to assist
· Student Council is up and running – designed spirit days on calendar of website. Revitalizing mascot ideas of dragon, dinosaur and cubs. School to organize and fundraise
· Caring and Safe Schools Committee to meet October 19th, issues to discuss our street safety, code of conduct, accepting schools (racism and hate)
· Telus to do a cyber workshop - FREE
6. Treasurers Report – Christine Reyes Boyer
Last year both council and the parent community raised a gross total of $46,977. This paid for: Science in Schools, Kindergarten performances, refreshments for both Glow night and curriculum nights, additional phys ed supplies, Grade 5 fun day activities, and 2022 & 2023 class start up costs.
Fun Fair net profits came to a total of $15,674.98, Amount Used/ spent $5,960.96. Current Balance $9,952.19 plus the $18,000 ear marked for the playground.
7. Election Results
No need for ballots. David Shory nominated as Chair, Christine Reyes Boyer nominated as Treasurer. Parents – Steve, Marci, Kathy, Melanie, Tina, Dena, Samantha, Marlene, Vicky, Bronwyn, Tessie, Felicia, Vasiliki, Rachael, Chris, Olenka.
Marlene Graham and Rachael Worden to share secretary role
8. Motion to approve Chess Club subsidy
Motioned and approved by all attendees.
9. Scheduling Council Meetings
Thursdays work well. Proposed next meeting date Thursday November 2nd @6:30
10. Adjournment 8:02pm
Diefenbaker School Council
Meeting Minutes
Diefenbaker School Council
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, November 10, 2022, 6:30 PM
sc.diefenbakerelementaryschool@tdsb.on.ca
1. Approval of School Council meeting minutes from October 13, 2022
2. Attendance/Introductions: Alison Rutherford (Principal), David Shory (Co-chair), Rachae Worden (Co-chair), Christine Reyes Boyer (Treasurer), Colleen McArton (Secretary), Maggie Kanallakis (Teacher), Bronwen De La Huerta, Vasiliki Papadimitriou, Karina de Rojas, Crystal Costanzo Kraft, Jane Chan, Allison Fung, Helen Lo, Samantha Beattie, Debbie Panajakos, Kathy Catsiliras, Marcie Morgan, Danielle Kiriakis, Nikoletopoulos, Tina Sahota-Jain, Maria Papas, Beth Adamson, Olenka DeFranco, Shelby Monaco, Erieti Tzagarelis, Isabelle Papadimitriou, Christine Walker, Brian Scholz, Kirstie Fraser, Jennifer Sissakis, Jane Chan
3. Co-Chair Report
School Council Mission Statement – Document created in 2016, questions raised about updating it – will send along with minutes to parent council members for review
Committee sign-ups: Please use this doc to sign up as a co-chair or parent volunteer https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k9dkq_pNDxYk7IhbDHETP6ZsiCeCLA00q-EDPl5_C-Q/edit?usp=sharing
Fundraising – Mabels Labels, Cookie Dough, Flip Give, Fall Festival, Movie Nights, Bake Sales, Fun Fair, Parent Social, Pizza Lunch
Volunteering – police reference checker (police checks needed for volunteering more than 3 times), co-ordinate volunteers for school and council events like reading buddies, Kiss ‘n’ Ride, etc.
Safe, Caring, and Accepting Schools (mandated by the TDSB) – comprised of Alison (principal), Christine (SAC), Maggie Kanalakis, Mary Margaritis, KatherineReibetanz (all teachers)
Communication – create SAC website, twitter account, send news to parents
Community Outreach – organize outreach events in the community for those in need (currently Maggie Kannalakis (teacher) is organizing a Community Centre 55 Toy and Food drive and needs parents to help)
Parent Engagement – How parents can support learning at home, create home and school connections, meet ‘n’ greets at pick up/drop off to meet and connect with parents
Grade 5 Grad – includes planning and fundraising (freezies/chips/pizza) for grad trips, dinner/dance, T-shirts, yearbooks,
4. Principal’s Report
School Improvement Goal
Create equitable learning environment and encourage positive identity development in all aspects of school
Data shows that students with special education feeling less included
School hopes to purchase sensory stickers and decals for hallway floors
Indigenous Education focus this year in TDSB – Diefenbaker is working towards many learning goals in this area
Academics – Biggest concern is Reading in the Primary grades – 80% of grade 1, 2, 3 students are where they should be (level 3 +) so the focus will be on the kids who are NOT in that group. There is a need for interventions and support like the after school Tutoring Program (students were hand picked for this with teacher support), Computer Reading Programs (in the works). Reading Buddies (need to get up and running)
Junior students will focus on Mathematics using Knowledge Hook (highly engaging computer program) and Jump Math (pilot project)
STEM is a focus of TDSB – staff is wishing for coding programs and applied technology activities for children
School Budget and Fundraising Needs
Create a greater sense of belonging for all students, including in learning environments and sensory walk hall decals for first floor (this is probably about $1500)
Increase all student access to STE(a)M opportunities especially in the area of applied mathematics, coding and design thinking à STEAM materials: robots (Year 1) – I can have teachers provide you with wishlists by January 2023 (not sure of prices until then)
Create a greater sense of belonging for all students à arts experiences – music teacher asking for class sets of recyclable “boomwhackers” – percussions sets (approx. $200 per set – 2 sets requested)
5. Other Business
December Evening School Wide Event being planned by staff – similar to Nuit Blanche – with Art Installation by all students. SAC is welcome to assist and fundraise as necessary.
Musical Concert planned for the Spring including class performances, a Primary Choir and Junior Ukulele playing. Melanie Doane USchool (ukuele lessons) starts in Jan/Feb for Junior students (grades 4/5)
Library reading program has started up and is going well
Playground is being revitalized by TDSB this summer and will include and new amphitheatre, creation of more flat surfaces, 3 basketball courts (to share with Cosburn), a new playstructure, more trees, more painted lines, more natural areas for creative, outdoor play. Plans to be shared with council when ready. Funded by TDSB.
Facilities: Youth Climate Action Grant – planting a perennial garden out front of school
Student Council including five staff members and Principal – Grade 5 students apply to adopt a class at Dief
6. Adjournment 8:00 pm
Diefenbaker School Council
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 13, 2022, 6:30 PM via Zoom
Email: sc.diefenbakerelementaryschool@tdsb.on.ca
1. Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are hosted on the lands of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Wendat. We also recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples on this land.
2. Approval of School Council meeting minutes from September 28, 2022
no approval needed as minutes were not taken last meeting (secretary absent)
3. Presentation of School Council Election Results
Co-Chairs: Rachel Owen Worden and David Shory
Secretary: Colleen McArton
Treasurer: Christine Reyes Boyer
Parent Reps: Nick Sissakis, Marci Morgans, Tessie Kalogeras, Crystal Kraft, Kathy Catsiliras, Samantha Beattie, Tina Zegas, Bronwen De La Huerta, Jane Chan, Viki Stefanopoulos, Jennifer Sissakis, Emily Emerson, Maria Papas, Olenka De Franco, Helen Lo, Debbie Panagakos
4. Principal’s Report
Curriculum Update
Diefenbaker teachers and students are participating in a research project with Jump Math. Teachers are receiving free PD to provide instruction in Mathematics.
CAT4 Reading and Mathematics: a diagnostic test in language and mathematics has been given to students in order to give data into programming. The results will be shared with staff and parents in January.
Field Trips
Trips have been planned to Young People’s Theatre (YPT), AGA Kahn, Tommy Thompson Park, etc.
Other plans: Scientists in the School, lunch clubs, Grade 4/5s leaders, student announcer team, etc.
Cosburn cafeteria
Diefenbaker students in Grade 5 will have access to the Cosburn Cafeteria in November on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays
Athletics (presented by Katerine Reibetanz)
Soccer nets - arrived today, to be used by P.E. classes and extra-curricular sports
Cross-Country Meet - 93 students participated from grades 1 to 5.
Terry Fox - $2800 was raised!
Soccer - Boys Friday, Girls next week
Waterfront 5k; Students raised $4500 for Holland Bloorview
Facilities Updates
Security FOBs will be installed on all outside doors so teachers can enter the school without buzzing the office
Playground Revitalization
A meeting was held last week with the planning team to fix “Lake Diefenbaker”, replace the wooden structure, increase outdoor seating areas, incorporate outdoor classroom, relocate bike rack, and remove stone structures so that we have a new revitalized shared area with Cosburn.
Requests have also been made to repaint the Four Square lines and add more basketball nets as both of these are very popular.
5. Other Business
Parent Volunteers - Police checks only required after 3rd time volunteering. Those who have volunteered in previous years and have already submitted a police check need to sign a declaration form (see Allison in the office)
Parents who want to get involved: send an email sc.diefenbakerelementaryschool@tdsb.on.ca
Co-chairs will discuss budget and sub-committees with Allison this week. Some possibilities may be: Caring, Safe, and Accepting Schools; Fundraising; Communications; Outreach; Volunteering in the schools; Eco-Schools; Grad Committee
6. Adjournment: 7:15pm
Next Three School Council Meetings
Thursday, November 10th, 6:30 pm
Thursday, January 19th, 6:30 pm
Thursday, March 2nd, 6:30 pm