Cliffwood School Council

Meeting Minutes April 18, 2017

6:49 to 8:18 p.m.

Sarah Frost (Principal), Allyson Watts (Vice-Principal), Eric Fung, Colin Ryckman, Shawna Soever,
Attendees:
Ting-Ya Lo, Che-Wei Hsu, Julie Kwok, Esther Chung, Dave Kroetsch, Tirso Beltran
Regrets:
Chairperson: Eric Fung Location: Cliffwood Public School
1. Welcome

2. Adoption of minutes from March 23, 2017

3. School Report
3.1. Staffing Model for 2017/2018

4. Treasurer's Report
4.1. Silent Auction Update
4.1.1. Discussion about bidding by School Council
4.1.2. Motion for allocation for costs to run Silent Auction

5. Other business
5.1. TDSB proposed cap on School Council fundraising

6. Adjournment
1. Welcome

2. Adoption of Minutes of March 23, 2017

2.1. DECISION: Julie Kwok moves to accept minutes of March 23. Esther Chung seconds. Motion is carried

3. School Report
3.1. Staffing Model for 2017/2018 Estimated enrollment of 355 students
3.1.1. Staffing received from TDSB. Potential models developed by teachers, with parent consultation
3.1.2. There is a cap of 20 students per class for G1-3, and 23 students per class for G4-5

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 3.1.3. French Immersion

Grade # of students
SK 24
SK 25
Grade 1 20
Grade 1 20
Grade 1/2 6 / 14 (20 total)
Grade 2/3 12 / 8 (20 total)
Grade 2/3 10 / 10 (20 total)
Grade 3/4 7 / 16 (23 total)
Grade 4/5 13 / 13 (26 total)

3.1.4. English

Grade # of students
JK/SK 22
JK/SK 23
Grade 1/2 14 / 6 (20 total)
Grade 2/3 14 / 6 (20 total)
Grade 3/4 18 / 5 (23 total)
Grade 4/5* 17 / 4 (21 total)
Grade 5 22

3.1.4.1. Will have different morning/afternoon teachers due to allocations

3.1.5. Additional staff:
3.1.5.1. Music-Eng
3.1.5.2. Music-French
3.1.5.3. Eng Prep
3.1.5.4. French core + prep
3.1.5.5. ESL
3.1.5.6. Home School Program
3.1.5.7. Resource
3.1.5.8. Library
3.1.5.9. 1 Gym
3.1.6. Support staff:
3.1.6.1. Retained 1.5 staff in the office
3.1.6.2. Retained 8 lunch room supervisors
3.1.6.3. Retained 0.5 special education
3.1.7. Changes from last year:
3.1.7.1. Loss 2 French teachers
3.1.7.2. Loss English teacher
3.1.7.3. Loss of resource
3.1.7.4. Loss of VP allocation
3.1.8. QUESTION: How do you determine who goes into a split class?

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 3.1.8.1. Multiple factors, including academic ability, personal dynamics etc. are discussed to
determine who goes into which class
3.1.9. QUESTION: When do you get actual numbers to finalize the model?
3.1.9.1. Projections are usually pretty close, but adjustments may be required after the second
week of school. Let's say we get an additional 6 G1s, they would all have to go into an
additional class because we can't exceed cap of 20. The Ministry requires 90% compliance
from TDSB with the cap
3.1.10. QUESTION: In a split class, how do they teach across splits? Do they blend the curriculum?
3.1.10.1. Teachers still teach to the curriculum for each grade. They may do blended activities where
there is overlap and supplement for the higher grade (e.g. math). For other subjects, like
social studies, teachers will have to teach them separately, as curriculum is very different
across grades.
3.1.11. QUESTION: Will you look at partnering with a full Grade 1, to give those in a split class more
opportunity to interact with the rest of their grade?
3.1.11.1. Discussed on a case by case basis, depending on staff interest.
3.2. iPads minis are now in the classrooms, so they should be more accessible
3.3. Bike rack selected and should be ordered shortly
3.4. Staff meeting on Thursday to discuss planters and outdoor classroom ideas
3.5. Mr. Batkay will take G5/6 on outdoor field trip
3.5.1. Mr. Alexopolous will go on the other trip
3.6. School will be receiving solar panels. School-top Solar Limited Partnership will be coming to evaluate
location and equipment compatibility
3.7. Concerts coming up in May, schedule will be confirmed this week.
3.7.1. Wed. May 3rd French, SKs starting at 5:30, other grades starting at 6:15
3.7.2. Thurs. May 4th English with the exception of Mme. Crawford, JK/SK to start early, starting at
6:15
3.8. Open-concept walls TDSB is looking at a system-wide solution because there are multiple schools
requesting to close off open-concept schools. Proposed layout has gone to architectural services to
review. TDSB will send a package to be shared with parents.
3.9. Request for assistance from Grade 5 and 5/6 French Immersion classes parents, as they don't have any
party planned on Tuesday June 27th. Sarah to tentatively book a room at Frankie Tomato's, but need
parent participation to make it work.

4. Treasurer's Report
4.1. $760 from popcorn sales, $500 net
4.2. Silent Auction update
4.2.1. Collecting auction items promised from other vendors
4.2.2. Will be loading up to the website
4.3. Motion for allocation for costs to run Silent Auction
4.3.1. DECISION: Eric Fung moves to allocate up to $50 for costs related to running Silent Auction.
Colin Ryckman seconds. Motion is passed.
4.4. Discussion on school council right to bid on items
4.4.1. Concern about optics from sponsors
4.4.2. No parent concerns with school council members/organizers from participating in auctions.
Same practice allowed at other schools.

5. Other Business

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 5.1. Proposal for School Council fundraising cap
5.1.1. Came from the parent committee
5.1.2. Concern originated from equity concerns, but creates other inequities for schools that don't
receive extra funding from the ministry
5.1.3. ACTION: Eric Fung to follow-up with Parent Committee members to get clarity on next steps (if
any)
5.2. PRO Grant proposal for 2017/2018:
5.2.1. We do a program with JK-G1 book bag program to encourage reading with parents, but would
like to expand for a Home School Literacy program
5.2.2. DECISION: Colin Ryckman moves to apply PRO grant to enrich a Home School Literacy Program.
Shawna Soever seconds. Motion is carried.
5.3. Atleast 1 portable will be removed next year
5.4. QUESTION: Why don't we offer anything after-school?
5.4.1. Permit costs are typically higher after-school, as there is no staff supervision of children.
5.4.2. TAC Sports runs after-school programs (e.g. soccer) and would be interested in offering a soccer
program in the spring

6. Meeting Adjourned at 8:18 pm

Actions
Action ID Description Date Raised Assigned to Status Action Taken:
66. Solicit teacher input into Jun 17, 2015 Sarah Frost Open
preferred configuration for
partition pilot once job
action resolved
84. Draft a role description for Dec 2, 2015 Paul Kang Open Deferred to 2016-2017
classroom parent
representatives
88. Investigate implementation Jan 20, 2016 Eric Fung Open Deferred to 2016-2017
of a formal School Council
Constitution
113. Provide further information Sept 28, 2016 Sarah Frost Closed See 3.8
on next steps to submit
partition proposal to TDSB
128. Research outdoor Mar 23, 2017 Melanie / Open
classroom Colin Ryckman
configurations/costs at
neighbouring schools.
129. Investigate any issues with Mar 23, 2017 Sarah Frost Open
locating planters in interior
courtyard
130. Assess lunch program date Mar 23, 2017 Melanie / Closed Pizza lunch will be all-or-nothing
patterns and provide Colin Ryckman to reduce administration for
recommendation to reduce volunteers
complexity of managing
date selections
131. Discuss interest in using Mar 23, 2017 Sarah Frost Open
Cliffwood apparel for
fieldtrips with staff

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 Actions
Action ID Description Date Raised Assigned to Status Action Taken:
132. Follow-up with PIAC Apr 18, 2017 Eric Fung Open
committee members on
fundraising proposal

Decisions
Decision ID Description Date
95. Julie Kwok moves to accept minutes of January 12. Esther Chung seconds. Motion is Apr 18
carried.
96. Eric Fung moves to allocate up to $50 for costs related to running the Silent Auction. Apr 18
Colin Ryckman seconds. Motion is carried
97. Colin Ryckman moves to apply for PRO grant to enrich a Home School Literacy Program. Apr 18
Shawna Soever seconds. Motion is carried.

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