Parent Involvement Committee Tuesday, October 20, 2015 Catholic Education Centre – Room #3 (regular room) Minutes Committee Members Present : Sean Jackson (Chairperson), Laura Cater (Parent), Helene Lapointe-Jerome (Community), Joanne MacEwan (Trustee), Cathy Philpott (CSPA Chairperson), Mark Savenkoff (Parent), Susan Elsdon (Parent) Staff: Denise Andre (Director of Education), Sandra Falcomer (Administrative Assistant), Margarita Ziroldo (Vice-Principal) Absent : Kathy Hodgins (Executive Officer)

1. Approval of Agenda Motion : Moved by Laura Cater, seconded by Susan Elsdon Carried 2. Confirmation of Minutes – May 27, 2015 Motion : Moved by Cathy Philpott, seconded by Helen Lapointe-Jerome THAT the Minutes of the May 27, 2015 meeting be approved as presented. Carried 3. Actions resulting from May 27, 2015 meeting Redistribution of PIC funds from one school to another - further details are required regarding the type of sign they are requesting and whether it is considered “infrastructure” (Sean) It was confirmed by Fred Chrystal, Planning & Facilities that a sign is not infrastructure 4. New Business a) Committee membership (Sean) At the October CSPA meeting, the PIC committee executive is elected. Sean will report at the November PIC meeting who is on committee. Discussion took place on how to advertise that we are looking for committee members: could send a tweet to principals; would be good to get ESL, IL program parent’s involved, aboriginal group. If any ideas send email to Sean.

b) PIC Report back from schools (Sean/Sandra) Sandra reported that one elementary school has not yet reported back on their PIC ($500) grant and PRO grant ($1000) for the 2014-2015 year. The superintendent will be asked to follow up with the principal. We can expect $1500 back from this school. All other schools have reported back on their PIC and/or PRO. The amount of funds returned from schools who did not spend all or some of their PRO Grant was $6539. This has been deposited into the budget with the Regional PRO Grant which was $15,000 for a total of $21,539. It was suggested that a reminder be sent to principals in January informing schools/councils that they can report back earlier than June if PIC and PRO funds are spent. Sandra will make a note to do this. c) PIC funds distribution (Sean/Sandra) The PIC cheques, along with a letter explaining the process for 2015-2016 were sent to the schools on October 8, 2015. The letter along with an updated report back form is up on the CSPA website for schools who would like to be proactive in completing the process earlier than June. d) PRO funds distribution (Sean/Sandra) The cheques for schools that were successful in receiving a PRO Grant have been requested and will be sent to schools the week of October 26th. The letter accompanying the cheque will be approved by Denise, Cathy and Sean. e) PRO Regional Grant Update (Cathy/Sean) The PRO Regional Grant is intended for initiatives reaching out to communities who don’t engage within schools or large events CSPA undertakes. e.g. international languages community, FWC newcomers, parents home with their child (how can we support parents who never come to meetings/events), videos during Catholic Education week, translations, and interpreters. It was proposed that we can redirect some of unspent PRO to bring the regional grant to $18,000. Sean will contact Ministry to find out which budget deferred funds from last year have to go – PIC or PRO Regional Grant. Action: Sean to report at next PIC meeting. Motion : Moved by Laura Cater, seconded by Mark Savenkoff Carried f)

Events Update (Cathy) The list of events is on the CSPA website, using PRO Regional Grant and PIC funds to put on events in the region. Events were touched upon, live streaming for parents who can’t get out, anyone can come (other boards, no kids)

g) PIC Budget Update (Sean) The PIC budget receives support funds on a per pupil basis. This year we received $13,419; plus unspent PIC $2219 from last year we have $15,638; unspent PRO will be brought up for allocation with CSPA, will monitor. $22,177 to spend this year. Budget line items were reviewed not running Directoires forum this year, focusing on

events in individual schools/region, ‘Good School, Effective School Councils, ‘People for Education’ in Toronto, one confirmed person attending. Booth at Parent Expo, trying to get staff to man booth, have a parent there, take surplus to Exec team for ideas. Speakers who are brought in for staff, could also speak to parents. We only meet 4 times, send ideas in email prior to next PIC Commitee meeting. h) Request to help fund printing of concussion postcard (Cathy) There is a requirement by MOE regarding informing parents and students about concussions. A committee has been struck and a postcard has been created. We have been approached regarding covering some of the costs of printing 40800 postcards (1 for each student) = approx $3420 or printing for oldest and only approx $2730. A discussion took place regarding the best way to get this information to parents. It is up to the Concussion committee, our job is to support. What would be a reasonable amount for PIC to commit? We are not expected to fund the whole cost; See value at postcard being sent home with elementary student, not secondary, perhaps instead distribute with high school sports team application/waiver. $500 was agreed on. Motion : Moved by Mark Savenkoff, seconded by Laura Cater Carried i)

People for Education Conference (Sean/Cathy)

j)

PIC Parent Survey update and next steps (Sean) Over summer results received, next step need to take research officer, what can we disseminate out, make use with our plans. Can board allocate research officer to go over data and decide on next steps? We can hire them as they are half time to make use of funds. Denise will take to Steve McCabe and get back to Sean.

5. Other business arising: Newcomer initiatives – Nicki Dunlop, FWC had a meeting with Catholic Immigration Centre, 4 concerns/topics were listed as the top ongoing barriers for newcomers with children in our schools:  access to homework help  access to service clubs in schools  access to computers  access to free extra curricular programs. Cathy brought forward an idea about creating a cheat sheet for newcomers of the top 5 things they should know about school. They suggested it be picture based with very little script. Cathy thinks this kind of resource would be great on our website too.

6. Next Meeting: Nov 17, 2015, noon in Room 3