Chair: Ms. Beattie

Present : Wayne Allison, Isabella Beattie, Lisa Buesnel, Lee Ann Fraser, Candace Hyatt, John B. Kyle, Doug Marlatt, Deb Plunkett, Dee Thompson, Tammy Trozzi and Bill Vermeersch.

Regrets: Rosemary Clarke, Beth Hall, Lynn Anne McEwen and Kathy Evans.

1. Ms Beattie Hall chaired the meeting.  She welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending.

2. Agenda Review and Additions: None were offered.

3. Principal’s Report:

a) Tattoos - Ms. Beattie asked about the concerns addressed at the last meeting regarding the tattoos that were being given to the children as rewards.  She explained that the school receives a bag of treasure chest items and has no control over what’s in the bag.  Ms. Smith has already pulled out items like water pistols, army people and other inappropriate things.  She brought in the tattoos for us to look at it.  She asked if it was a general consensus that the tattoos were pulled or was it one single concern -- It was one single concern.  Ms. Beattie then asked for a general consensus as to whether she could keep the tattoos in the treasure box or not.  Everyone agreed that it was not a problem.  We hope that if a parent does not wish for their child to have a tattoo that they would instruct them not to take one.  Ms. Beattie will put the tattoos back in the box.

b) Best Start Update - All the parents received a letter from about the soil testing on Thursday. They have completed surveys and locates. She also had some plans to share with us on the proposed construction. She was not allowed to make copies so she passed around the plans for everyone to view. There will be 60 child care spaces available with the Best Start program. They will have their own outside fenced in yards. The Blenheim pilot is the largest hub that they are building. Not sure when construction will start but the staff is hoping not until the summer as the classroom they are moving to have to be retrofitted and this has not been done yet.
Some questions that were asked were:
How much play area will our kids loose? They are only taking up 2 areas that are currently not being utilized by our students. The other fenced in area will be located directly behind Ms. Kacer’s current classroom.
Is there more blacktop going to be available?
What happens when we have blacktop days? Ms. Beattie agreed that this is a concern that needs to be addressed.
Is there before and after school care? Ms. Beattie said that her and Debbie Sluys from the Growing Together daycare noticed that there was no specific room allocated for these children. That Debbie Sluys would look into that, as Ms. Beattie has no jurisdiction on this.

c) Junior and Senior Kindergarten Registration – We have 16 possibly 17 kids registered for September. These are much healthier numbers than we had last year.

d) Korean Students – They are all doing fine. No concerns to date have been brought forward. This has been a wonderful opportunity for W.J. Baird. There are a couple of the students leaving at the end of February. One will be replaced on March 1st in Grade 6. The students are adjusting well and picking up so much.

e) Dr Rees Foundation – It has been confirmed that our Grade 5 students will receive swimming lessons. Mrs. Wilde is to set up the times and dates with the Blenheim Pool. A letter will go home to the Grade 5 parents advising them of the dates. This is a wonderful opportunity for all Grade 5 students at our school.

f) Ms. Beattie presented a thank-you card to the Home School Council to thank them for the wonderful treats last week during teacher appreciation week. They were many positive comments inside the card.

g) This month’s newsletter regarding the NUT AWARE. There is a new law in Ontario called Sabrina’s law. The board now requires that each school to be risk free. Because of this law we have had to tighten things and follow the new policy closely. Some concerns of the parents: Could we possibly approach the mom of the student in our school with the allergy to find out what things her child is allowed to eat that is peanut free. This would help us determine what to pack and not pack in our kid’s lunches. Ms. Beattie will see if she can approach the mom.
A parent then asked what would happen if a student arrived at the school with a peanut butter sandwich – how would the school handle it? Ms Beattie said that the parents would be contacted immediately and advised of the new policy. Then the child would be taken to a spot where everything could be wiped down afterwards. They wouldn’t take away the sandwich but they would ask the parents to please respect and follow the new Law.

h) CUPE strike update – Affecting our school would be the janitorial and secretarial staff and Educational Assistant’s. There is a probability of a walk out. It could still happen but has been delayed for now.
Contingency Plan: Ms. Beattie and the child and youth development worker will fill in on yard duty and they would have a volunteer in the office for the day. It is important that the front office be manned. Services that are usually provided by the EA’s would cease until the strike is over. If this strike were to be prolonged it would be up to the School Board to determine if the school should be closed or remain open.

i) Contract, occasional and supply teachers strike update – Ms. Beattie got word today at 4:30 p.m. that talks have halted and there will be a strike on February 27, 2006. The classes that it will affect in our school are the Grade 1’s- Miss McFadden,Grade 2 – Miss Stewart’s and the Grade 7’s for ½ day. Ms. Beattie was directed to ask for parent volunteers in the classrooms during this strike.
This turned into a lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of having parent volunteers in the classrooms. You as a parent would open yourself to all kinds of allegations. There would be no lesson plans – you’re on your own. The criteria for parent volunteers would be to have some teaching experience and be comfortable with the kids and a police record check on file. Ultimately it will be the parents’ choice to keep their kids at home or send them to school. Not sure how long the strike will go on.
Other concerns expressed and discussed: Were the teachers going to help out? For example was if Mrs. Miller took the other Grade 2’s. But this is not an option – it’s not due to an unwillingness they just can’t. They would be subjected to blacklisting and daily fines.
Ms. Beattie will let the parents know when the strike is set and what she has been directed to do – asking for parent volunteers.
It was asked if we as a Parent council could do anything. Call the board and express your concerns. Maybe if both parties feel the heat from the parents they will go back to the table and find a solution.
Other concerns were – would there be a picket line at the school? Ms. Beattie feels it would be a more central location as most schools only have 1 or 2 teachers there.
Could we get retired teachers to fill in? – Not if they are on the supply list. If you know of anyone or any retired teachers – please submit their names to Ms. Beattie.

Could we re-route our kids to another school like Harwich Raleigh for example? This is not an an option as Principals have been directed to not accept registrations for this purpose. The teachers felt that one or two weeks would not affect the students overall academic abilities but it depends on the student.
Ms. Beattie expressed that if you have any concerns you don’t’ feel comfortable expressing them here, please phone her or see her directly.
Ms. Beattie thanked us for our input.
It was agreed that we should express our concerns to the Director.

j) Principal’s Profile – A motion was asked to put this off to next meeting’s agenda. But Ms. Beattie explained that she is getting pressure form the board to complete it and send it in. Asked if anyone had any changes. Leeann Fraser has a couple of changes. Her changes were then discussed and the following item has been added:

Team Leadership
Leads by example in appearance, attitude and professionalism, supporting and encouraging staff and students to Beth Hall has agreed to update the form with our changes and Ms. Beattie will then submit.

a) Kathy was absent. The only update was that we sent out the next fundraiser but were short order forms. We have ordered some more and will send out once they arrive.
b) We are currently working on the Track and Field Meet.

a) Pickle Sales – The sales were like wildfire in the beginning but the novelty has now worn off. We are still selling them but only one case a week.
b) It was suggested that maybe we look at offering a different monthly food treat to the students. We asked John Kyle if he was willing to run this program. He said he just might. He thinks it might be something for us to look at next year.
c) Discussion then led to the Balanced Food Day and how it was working out. Mr. Verrmeersch commented on how the quality of lunches has really improved and they are seeing more fruits and vegetables in the lunches. Ms. Beattie has had no complaints on the balanced lunch day. She feels it is less disruptive and finds the students are sharper. Ms. Beattie reminded us that it is important to continually revisit and review things.
d) Upcoming Basketball Tournament – it was suggested that it be posted in the Monthly Newsletter. So other parents and students would know when and where it is being held.

7. Next Meeting: April 19th, 2006 at 7:00