1 MINUTES Castor Valley Elementary School Council Meeting ...

Question arose about whether there is any cost to maintaining the structures themselves. There is a warranty, andmost elements of the structures should have quite a long life. The only part that may show wear over time is thenylon web, but as it is not used with sand, its life should be extended.7. Principal, Teaching and Support Staff ReportsRideauwood Programming and Funding Update:Very informative presentation given by Amanda Neilson, counselor from Rideauwood. Program supports children inthe areas of drug and alcohol support. Her goal is to start conversations with the students about drugs and alcohol;not just curricular education, but dealing with stigmas and opening discussions. Program starts in Grade 6, whereshe finds students have a lot of information, but don’t always know what to do with it. As she has a good rapport withthe students, they feel comfortable talking with her; she becomes an access point. If they speak to her about otherissues they are dealing with, she can also help redirect them to other specialists. She works in each school (CVESand Metcalfe) for an average of 2 to 3 hours a week, every other week. Ours is the only public school system thatoffers this service starting in Grace 6. Program is community maintained.Heather Wilson asked if we have enough funding in place for this school year. CVES has raised $3,000 for theprogram for this year. Cost of the program is $2,000 per school. The program does run year round (through O-YA(Osgoode Youth Association) in the summer). Amanda suggests that if we are looking at fundraising, we shouldearmark the funds for next year’s program.If anyone has any further questions, Amanda welcomes any phone calls, emails, etc. She is a resource for thestudents, the teachers, the school counsel, the parents of the community. She may be reached ataneilson@rideauwood.org.Parent comment: glad to see that CVES is taking our children’s mental health so seriously.Principal's Report:Please see attached report, submitted by Sherri BonnevilleLunch monitoring program. No one has come forward. Natasha suggested advertising the opening in the lobby, andthrough Applied Education. Posting will also be in the Nov. newsletter. We have received funding for 2 adult lunchmonitors every day for each nutrition break. If we don’t use these funds for this purpose, we won't receive themagain.Teaching Staff ReportAs reported by Mme Jeanne Lalonde-Blais:• 6 classes are willing to plant bulbs (feedback from last meeting). It is assume that the bulbs will be provided.• Recess consumables requested: Winter scoops, plastic sleds with ropes (10 or 12).• Cross country run: Approximately 100 students participated.• Mme Rolland's grade 2 class will be doing a 2k run in May (again), wearing CVES t-shirts.• Metcalfe Fair fieldtrip went very well.• Mr. Smith's grade 5 class had a guest speaker: order of Canada recipient Herb Gray.Chief Custodian ReportNo report.Office Staff ReportNo report.Library ReportPlease see attached report submitted by Coreen Atkins.8. Chair’s Report (Mike Stevenson)School Council Vision: Mike requested feedback as to what our Vision as School Council should be, and to try to findefficiencies for our meetings and all else we do. Please don't be shy, we would like to hear all ideas.Co-Chair: Mike believes he can probably stay on into the new year as chair, but would like someone to help out withprocessing, dissecting and organizing the volume of information. This person does not have to be there every singlemonth…it can be done on a rotational basis. Position also gives the opportunity to get involved, and can helpprepare for future succession, when it is time for Mike to step down.2