School Council Meeting Minutes - April 2025

Stonehaven Elementary School Council Meeting Minutes 

Character Matters in our School and Community 

April 2, 2025 from 6:30 to 8:00pm
 

The School Council was held in person and electronically at 6:30 p.m. on April 2, 2024 with the following members present:
 

Attendance:

Staff Members: G. Vellathottam (Principal); M. Boulet (Staff representative)

Voting Members (2024/2025): Jennifer Strong (Co-Chair), Shiromy Persaud (Co-Chair), Rameza Hirsimaki (Treasurer), Jennifer Ley (Secretary), Deborah Amigo, Laura James, Lyndsay Mokund, Inna Rapoport, Julie King, Lindsay McLeod, Jenn Steinman

Members At Large (in attendance): : Katherine Bourgeois, Nisa Chaudhry

Absent: Diane Manning, Daniela Pereira (regrets sent), Jeaninne Cairns, Erin Gooderham

Agenda Items and Notes

Welcome - Jen and George

• Land Acknowledgement (Jen S) and George shared treaty agreement history
• Sharing a description and the intents of the Parent Council (Jen S)
• Meeting Norms (Jen S)
  • Start each meeting at 6:30pm and end no later than 8:00pm
  • Do not name individual staff, parents or students
  • Encourage positive conversations
  • Create an informal atmosphere
• Sharing of the Agenda (Shiromy)

Minutes and Financial Report- Shiromy & Rameza

January Meeting Minutes (Jen S) 

Meeting minutes were circulated at the meeting for review 

Motion to approve Minutes to be made by Laura and seconded by Rameza

Financial Report (Rameza)

• Balance in January was $4801.93, current balance $7940.52, raised this period $3139, expenses $96.54
• looking into money from Terracotta cookie dough fundraiser ($788)

Motion to approve November Financial Report made by Lindsay and seconded by Laura
 

Staff Report: Melissa and George

January

• junior boys volleyball tournament
• badminton drop-in
• intermediate girls and boys basketball
• hearts for heroes
• spirit wear order 

February 

• celebration game (boys vs girls volleyball)
• Lunar New Year celebration
• report cards home
• library open 2days/week at recess
• intermediate boys area tournament
• pink shirt day -popcorn sales 

March 

• Sibbald point for grades 2&4
• grade 8’s snow tubing at The ROC
• junior girls and boys basketball
• march break
• grad pictures
• Spring holiday celebration
• intermediate girls badminton
• Scientists in the school (gr. 2/4 classes)
• active safe school campaign
• grad cookies
• book swap 

April (looking forward) 

• neurodiversity acceptance month
• Mr. Carlin (retired principal) with us until the end of May
• final Bollywood dance workshop
• jump rope for heart
• kindergarten concert

2024/2025 School Council Report Back to Community 

• what to highlight back to the community and how to spend the funds generated
• different and more Healthy Hunger venders, cookie dough fundraiser
• snack bins in classroom (pilot in 4-5 classes)
• division funds
• new school logo
• yearbook
• meet the staff BBQ
• brainstormed ideas for how to spend the funds generated throughout the year (technology, sports uniforms, grade 8 grad, yearbook subsidy, dance/movie night costs)

Council Updates

 Inclusivity/Engagement 

• yearbook in full swimming, few missing pieces
• movie nights April 23rd and 30th
• dance Friday May 9th, dance team and intermediate students interested in being involved/volunteer, alternate activities (mini olympics) for those students not interested participating in the dance, snacks packs and glow sticks for sale as pre-purchase, school to provide the additional options for those not interested in the dance 

Fundraising 

• spirit wear (waiting for delivery of orders)
• awesome grant for school uniforms (Jenn L to look into applying for this for new uniforms for athletics)
• big box cards -start Friday April 11, 2025 (run for 3 weeks, delivery 1-2 weeks later, done through school cash online) 

Volunteer 

• if volunteers are needed let Dani or Katherine know 

Food 

• survey towards end of the year and student leadership team for Healthy Hunger to start in September

Grade 8 Graduation Update (Julie, Nisa) 

• video of grads asking for money to support grad
• fundraising as happened -$1000 requested for decorations and food 

Motion put forward by Jen S to provide $1000 of school council fund to graduation and seconded by Lindsay, approved by council 

Student Leadership Update 

• Neurodiversity acceptance month promote understanding and acceptance with a different spirit day each week (memo was sent to families) 

Staff/Volunteer Appreciation 

• Lyndsay and Nisa to take the lead on this 

Meet the Staff BBQ September/October 2025

• Two dates secured for end of September and early October
• working to secure pricing and how to potentially offset costs to families
• consider running ‘Mum flower’ fundraiser and ‘spirit wear’ sale during this event 

Meeting Adjourned