RAPT Meeting Minutes for January 10

Minutes
Subject to Approval at Next RAPT Meeting

January 10 2012, 6pm
Library

Council Present: Anthony Chien, Co-Chair
Lucy Nussis, Co-Chair
Kim Proud, Co-Chair
Janin Robertson, Secretary

Staff Present: Susan Adaskin, Principal
Erin Miller, Teacher
Theresa Ryckewaert, Teacher

Absent: Brenda Yabrov, Treasurer


1. RAPT Welcome Call to Order at 6:10pm
Minutes of from November 21, 2011 approved with clarification that the items listed as Grade 6 fundraising initiatives are ideas only and not all have been approved to go ahead


2. Principal Update

a) Holiday Recap
• Luncheon was very successful. Thank you to all the parents who came and contributed
• It was a fun last day of school for students with PJ Day and Santa visiting
• Mittens from the Mitten Tree went to O’Connor PS – one of the daycare parents is a teacher at this school
• Winter Concerts were a success and many positive comments from parents received
o Discussion occurred regarding parents leaving before all the children had performed and what could be done to prevent this in the future
o It is understood that restructuring of the concert may be required due to space limitations

 
b) Facilities
• Climber has been taken out of the gym and the change has vastly improved the space
• Wood bench from hallway was in need of repair. It was fixed and refinished and has returned.

c) Student Leadership
• Spirit Days are ongoing and have raised $482 so far for Grade 6 graduation.
• Last Spirit Day is Feb 3
• RAPT may consider expanding spirit days but as a school spirit initiative, not a fundraiser

d) Staffing
• Mr. Barnes, who was replacing Mme. Anna on her maternity leave, has left at Christmas. He is replaced by Renata Hornich
• Mme. Anna had a baby girl (Vaya) before Christmas and is doing well

e) Pathways
• Pathways for writing has been completed and the results have been positive
• Next educational Pathway will have a math focus

f) Other
• Dance with Judy has begun as a lunch program. 29 kids have registered
• Mrs. Ormos will be starting a games/Lego club.
o She has requested through Ms. Adaskin that a small fee be charged to replenish Lego supplies. Parents in attendance agreed this was very reasonable.
o A request will also be sent out via the newsletter for donations of gently used Lego.
• Some Gr 4/5 students are taking part in an integration project with developmentally disabled students from Park Lane PS. Our students responded well to the visit and will experience a second visit on January 23.
o Ideally Ms. Adaskin would like some of our students to visit Park Lane and will further investigate how this can occur



3. Budget / Treasurer Report

• In B Yabrov’s absence it was discussed that there has been no change to the budget since last RAPT meeting.
• L Nussis offered the suggestion of using funds to replace the couches in the library. Further investigations on the costs involved are needed and no decision was made.
• Another possible use of RAPT monies has included hiring an artist to work with students to create a mural for the library. The cost has not been fully investigated. H Kamal (parent) suggested the creation of something 3 dimensional and tactile. Should this go ahead RAPT has suggested as many students as possible involved in the project

 
4. Fundraising / Events Update

a) Grade 6 Fundraising
• Discussion occurred regarding maintaining transparency of funds raised by the Gr 6’s to avoid possible accountability issues

b) Alyson Schafer
• Alyson Schafer will be presenting on Bullying at her workshop on January 19th
• Notices will be sent out to parents on Thursday. T Lee (parent) has posters which will be forwarded to J Robertson for printing and distribution
• T Lee advised that the TDSB will further fund $3 for each parent in attendance as part of their Parent Engagement Program
• RAPT thanked T Lee for his hard work in securing this grant for us and acquiring the donation of coffee from Starbucks

c) Skating Party
• Suitable venues have not been found for the skating party, either indoor or outdoor
• Although the skating party was a social event it was hoped that some money could be raised selling hot chocolate and snacks. This is not permitted at City rinks where a canteen is on site
• Weather is also a factor this year for outdoor rinks
• Decision was made not to pursue this further this year. RAPT should look at opportunities for next year as a social event

d) Dance-a-thon
• Dance-a-thon has been listed on our fundraising calendar as a fundraising activity in February
• No work has been done to date on organizing this event
• J Robertson will discuss with the Dance-a-thon Coordinator at Owen PS to see what is involved
• Volunteers will be needed to organize if it will go ahead
• This event will be during school hours – perhaps duration of one afternoon at the end of the month



5. Afterschool / Lunch Program

• H Kamal (parent volunteer) advised she has been going through the information provided by programs. On average a program cost $100/child and runs for 8 weeks
• All info on afterschool programs should continue to be forwarded to H Kamal
• K Proud will talk with Dance with Judy to determine options for after school dance
 
6. By-law update

• J Robertson and A Chien hope to have first draft of by-law to present to parents at next RAPT meeting


7. Other

There was some discussion regarding teacher wish lists for budget consideration. S. Adaskin advised some initial suggestions have included supplemental reading materials for grades K-2 with an approximate cost of $2400 and monies for a Junior Book Club (approx. $300) Further information on ‘wish list’ is needed with actual costs associated with items.


8. Goodnight - Next RAPT Meeting: February 9, 6pm

Meeting adjourned at 7:10pm