Quality parent and guardian engagement helps improve the relationship between families and schools, which supports students' education and well-being.
School Council Committee (SCC)
Our Parent Council meets monthly during the school year to review topics and issues, such as school activities, playgrounds, sponsorships and fundraising opportunities, transportation, professional development and educational excellence, student safety, bookkeeping and more.
Council members
- Josh Raycroft - Principal
- Michelle Landry - Teacher
- Chairperson - Helena Mackenzie
- Chairperson - Sarah Turner
- Secretary - Melanie Wydrzynski
SCC Meeting Minutes
October 3rd, 2023 at 4:15pm
| In Attendance |
| Josh Raycroft, Lindsay Skene, Melanie Wydrzynski, Helena MacKenzie, Michelle Landry, Jen, Sarah Turner |
| Introductions |
|
Information was presented to all members regarding the purpose of the School Community Council (SCC) and the election process. |
| Elections |
|
Voted co-chairs by unanimous vote - Sarah Turner and Helena Mackenzie Voted to secretary by all - Melanie Wydrzynski The position of treasurer was left vacant. The members will collectively review all financial documents moving forward. |
| Future Business |
| Review a request put forward by Ms. Landry for funds to help purchase a new view board. Council agreed to assist with this purchase. The amount of funds will be determined at the next meeting. Brainstorm and research ideas for the next SCC fundraiser, to be presented at the next meeting. |
November 7th, 2023 at 4:15pm
| Attendance |
| Josh Raycroft, Lindsay Skene, Melanie Wydrzynski, Helena MacKenzie, Michelle Landry, Keith Williamson, Sarah Turner |
| School Updates |
|
Remembrance Day - Friday there will be 20-25 minute reflective assembly taking place in the gym. Treaty recognition week - starts November 5th. Volleyball is taking place for both girls and boys. Band - only grades 7 & 8. West Gate tech crew recently received new t-shirts. Wolf Den is happening in both the morning and afternoon with great success. Activity Day took place - there were both games and music for students to enjoy. Holiday concert - more information TBA. |
| Fundraising |
|
10 different companies were presented to the group by Jen after she did some extensive research and narrowed it down. Examples being pizza, greeting cards, popcorn, chocolate bars, etc. It was agreed upon by the council that a short survey would be sent out to the school to decide which one of the many options would be chosen. The purpose of the fundraiser this year will be to contribute towards the purchase of the new projector for the gymnasium. |
| Funding Request |
| The SCC agreed to contribute $2000 towards the purchase of a view board for Ms. Landry's classroom. |
| Pro Grant |
|
Due November 15th. Mr. Raycroft will send the chairs a copy of last year's application to be reviewed and revised. Helena requested money for face painting. Mr. Raycroft was unsure if the grant would cover this and would get back to her with more information. |
| Health Fair |
|
November 29th All day event for grades 4-6. Nursing staff / WECHC will be participating. Different stations regarding several health topics, such as screen time and healthy eating habits. |
SCC Meetings
Our next SCC (School Council Committee) meeting occurs on December 12th at 4:15pm.
Get Involved
If you are interested in joining the SCC please contact the school office.
Past Year's Meetings
December 8th, 2022 at 4:30pm
| In Attendance |
| Lindsay Skene, Josh Raycroft, Jen Murphy, Todd Murphy, Mark Paterson, Melanie Wydrzynski, Helena MacKenzie |
| School Updates |
|
Volleyball team performance, basketball starts soon, youth diversion program for 7’s and 8’s, Lexia
Lindsay to look into an equipment grant/partnership for snack program |
| Grade 8 Graduation |
| Trip to Toronto |
| PRO Grant |
| Due January 18 Workshops, guest speakers (Edsby, math, wellness, community legal education) Silent auction? |
| Proposal to Prolong Life of iPads |
| Parent Council to give $1000 for iPad cases/chargers Proposed by Melanie Seconded by Helena |
| Parent Council to give $50 per teacher |
| Homeroom teachers, LST, music, gym, French Proposed by Jen Seconded by Mark |
| Budget Approved |
| Proposed by Jen Seconded by Melanie |
| Fundraising (cookie dough sale) |
| Choose prizes before sending forms (will send home order forms on March Break) Communicate due date and pickup date through edsby and announcements Need half the gym on a particular date for parents to pick up orders |
| Questions |
|
From Jen re childcare at SCC events - waiting for an update from Beth Silverio
|
February 9th, 2023 at 4:00pm
| In Attendance |
| Lindsay Skene, Josh Raycroft, Michelle Landry, Jenn Murphy, Melanie Wydrzynski, Helena MacKenzie, Sarah Turner, Hailee Berthiaume, Devon Nathan-Turner, Mohammed Mirzahie |
| School Updates |
| Kindergarten registration and open house (February 23rd from 5-7), basketball, floor hockey, chess club, GSA, Wolf Den, Student of the Month, Express Basketball game, Science of Reading, Math Mini-lessons, JIED training, Black History Month, Acts of Kindness Week, Character Education, Lexia, Symphony Math |
| Family Engagement Night (May 2nd at 4:00pm) |
|
Helena will get outline of LAW legal education presentation and provide it to Josh, will contact Miss Danielle from Bridgeview library. Can also paint faces at the SCC table On track for Edsby seminar, literacy room, math games, WECHU nurse station Josh to look into feasibility of holding a vendor’s market on that night (in the gym? Outside?) |
| Childcare Update |
| Can provide care with a 5:1 ratio, no child under 16 months. Need to have RSVPs from parents who want to bring kids. Carers to be paid in pizza/school coupons. Must be under principal’s supervision for liability insurance. |
| Cookie Dough Fundraiser |
|
Jenn will call to confirm selection of items, will receive order forms soon. Hoping to hand out forms on March 9, have them handed in on April 6, hard deadline April 11. Will count money in a room in the office on April 6, numbers due to MacMillan on April 12. Delivery day is May 3 (will distribute in gym). Discussion about letting Grade 8’s allocate their fundraising profits towards Grade 8 trip.
Motion to give $500 cookie dough credit to Grade 8 trip Proposed by Jenn Seconded by Melanie |
| Cooking Class |
|
Motion to give $100 to Mrs. Wakeman's cooking class Proposed by Michelle Seconded by Melanie |
| Questions |
| Discussion of possibility of receiving presentations from a West Gate student council, SCC members volunteering at bingos (Lindsay to email re-certification link), educators very happy with their $50. |
April 13th, 2023 at 4:00pm
| In Attendance |
| Lindsay Skene, Josh Raycroft, Jenn Murphy, Melanie Wydrzynski, Helena MacKenzie, Sarah Turner |
| School Updates |
|
Equity walk, science of reading, wolf den. The field has been opened and students can use equipment. St. Dennis Track and Field Day - May 23rd Grade 8 Graduation - June 25th |
| Family Engagement Night |
|
Passports so parents can collect stickers. $5 discount at Book Fair. Book fair, WECHU, Public Library, Newcomer Welcome Centre, math games, volcano experiment, SCC booth (with face painting). |
| Cookie Dough Fundraiser |
|
Sold 957 items for a total profit of $7,760. Delivery date is May 3rd at 11am. Pickup will be from 1:30pm to 4:30pm at the back door of the gym. Melanie, Jenn, Sarah and Helena to help distribute orders. Josh and Lindsay will encourage teachers to clear out one staff room fridge for leftover orders. Prize budget of $1,000. $150 Devonshire gift card to top seller ($125 to second and $100 to third). Pizza party for top class. Each child gets an envelope with their tickets. Teachers get a big envelope with all their class tickets. Have to pick a day for distribution of prizes. |
GEC Parent Involvement Committee
The Greater Essex County District School Board's Greater Essex County Parent Involvement Committee (GECPIC) seeks opportunities to improve communication between the school board and parents and guardians. The committee helps break down barriers to parent/guardian engagement and aims to improve the relationship between families and schools to support students' education and well-being.