School Council Meeting Minutes

SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING 

Attendance: Lyndall Musselman, Sarah Pauhl, Robyn Currie, Meagan Shanahan, Jason Hoult, Val Croft, Bruce Cabot, Trish Hlohinec, Mark Brill, Vanja Krajina, Emily Lucks-Kelly, Liz Enriquez, Kylie Kozolanka, Philipp Schöfer

Ms. Jaime Jack (Vice Principal), Ms. Wendy Tyrrell (Principal), Ms. Sue Dumitru (Teacher Rep)

Land acknowledgement - Ms. Tyrrell explains that this is a part of her practice and this is what happens daily at the school. Not just a simple reading of the standard HWDSB land acknowledgement, but talking about why we reflect on indigenous histories and the land. A wampum belt is shown and explained in relation to the Dish with One Spoon Wampum and taking only what you need. 

1. 2025-26 School Council Election 

The nomination forms are collected and tallied according to who is nominated for what position. Here is a list of who was elected for the following positions:

Members at Large: Bruce Cabot, Trish Hlohinec, Kylie Kozolanka, Va Croft, Robyn Currie, Jason Hoult, Vanya Krajina, Emily Lucks-Kelly, Liz Enriquez, Willow McKenzie (not present)

Secretary: Lyndall Musselman and Adriana Baker (not present)

Co-Chair: Meagan Shanahan

Chair: Sarah Pauhl

Treasurer: Philipp Schöfer

2. Principal's Report 

An equity focus is coming down from the Board - using resources to build classroom communities. Class contracts being made - students can sign with finger print, older kids can sign. This is a practice that ensures that all students belong. The re-organization of classes - there is a decrease in numbers, had to cut 2.4 teachers. 

Question about numbers - over the summer Memorial lost about 25 students who moved out of the area. Oct 3rd the move will be in place, a fresh start for classes. 

Up to grade 3 - on average the cap is 20 students in the class. In kindergarten it can be higher. 7 and 8 classes are higher. The re-organization has reduced the amount of split classes. About 350 is the total of students at Memorial.

Literacy and math - focus on small groups all the way up to grade 8. Do assessments and review data to look for strengths. Math up program - it’s a strong math program that is new, costs $800 for licence. 

Next meetings - have planned to have 4 this year. Could meet again if there is a specific need. Discussion about how other schools have 8 meetings per year, it would be nice to have 6 meetings if possible. If an issue arises there can be discussion to set up an additional date or two.

 

3. Teacher's Report 

Ms Dumitru shares a short report.

Kat is the math facilitator who coordinates Math Up. The program uses simple language and makes it accessible. Kat is helping everyone throughout the school. Three part system for learning - students, parents, and teachers. Liz Skinner runs the Acadience early reading program, it helps to know where students are in learning how to read. Multiple modes of assessment are offered through this program.                                  

4. Treasurer’s Report - None at this time.

5. Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) Updates 

• Meagan gives a summary of Upcoming Events - the School Council Start-Up event on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Pro-grant deadline is Nov. 21st, this is to receive funding from the Board to support event funding. School Council Exec will be invited to a meeting in January, similar to PIC. 
                                                                                                  
• Bylaw Reviews & Update - should review our bylaws because there are requirements that should be in our Charter. PIC will be sending out general feedback to help School Councils with this updating. We should strike a sub-committee to focus on revising our Charter/bylaws.
  
   

6. New Items                                                                          

• Who is the contact person for the Student Council - not determined yet.
                                                                                                              
  o Are funds needed for graduation? Unknown at this point, but would be good to plan to assist graduation just in case.
                                                                                                              
  o Would like to connect to support, find out if they need financial support.
                                                                                                  

  • Staff List Added to The School Website - in progress, Principals waiting on access to the website.
                                                                                                    
  • Is Lindsay Snell (Acting Superintendent of Equity and Student Achievement, K-12) invited to Council Meetings - she could be.        
  • Ward 3 Resiliency Grant - Meagan summarizes, mentions the timeline would be for an event in December. This funding is offered twice a year. First time applicants are prioritized. Funding up to $5,000. 
                                                                                        
    o End of the Year Fun Day - idea for the Resiliency Grant application.                                                                    
  • Sarah asks for the Coordination of Events (communication within school)
                                                                                                                
    o Eg.) Grade 3⁄4 field trip same day as Paul Davis last year. Let’s avoid this scheduling conflict this year.
                                                                                                    
  • Fundraising Plan – What to fundraise for?
                                                                                                                
    o Library Needs (Books, Furniture), Wendy suggests outdoor play features - this was a suggestion from the recent staff meeting. Could add a play feature for the kinder play area. More paintings that are interactive for play - 100 chart, four squares, hopscotch. A new sound system is also needed.

  Discussion about fundraising rules, how donations could work through the school board processes.
                                                                                                              
  o Other Ideas? Fundraising Initiatives:
  
   o Fortino’s Charity BBQ - all the money goes to the school

  o Movie Nights? However a working sound system is needed.

  Domino’s - hope to have a November day set up                              

  o Kernel’s - a teacher is planning to run popcorn days, they have a vendor lined up.

  o Vendor Market                                             

7. Round Table - ran out of time

8. Adjournment at 6:23 pm

SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING 

Attendance: Lyndall Musselman, Adriana Harris, Sarah Pauhl, Trish Hlohinec, Bruce Cabot, Ms. Wendy Tyrrell, Ms. Jaime Jack, Meagan Shanahan, Hasan Arif, Erica Bitenznik, Robyn Currie, Val Croft, Meghan Scott, Jason Hoult, Vanja Krajina, Emily Lucks-Kelly, Karin Negrea, Kerry Le Clair, Liz Enriquez, Nrinder Nann, Kylie Kozolanka

Meeting called to order at 5:14 pm

Land acknowledgement  - Ms Tyrrell shares a land acknowledgement and reflects on the leaves art pieces students worked on with commitments to learn more about indigenous culture and history. The first of the month is when there is a review of this learning, all welcome to support this initiative.

1.1. Welcome and Introduction - Sarah (Co-Chair)

Review of minutes from last meeting, Sept. 25th, 2025. 

2.1. Principal's Report - Mrs. Tyrrell

• Literacy focus - working in small groups, collecting data and then recollecting data. Using code 77 (professional development) - have staff relieved to consult with the Principal and VP. Grades 6-8 students struggling with reading and writing skills, working on improving their skills before they move on to Secondary. The LRT/ESL teacher will support this group to help with reading. This is a program that has been piloted and run at other schools. Wilson Just Words is the new program. 
• Anti-bullying focus - use the “stop” method - intervene on the playground or in school. Poster/visual campaign as well. Will use “positive clothes pins” - see if kids take to that activity.

• Budget - expenses have increased due to inflation. Basket ball backboard removed and cost $1700 to replace. Purchased some new projectors, some new carpets as well. In the process of getting a new sound system, which will cost $2000. 

  Some questions - where does data that is collected go? Can demonstrate to the board that more support is needed, or more “code 77 days” to support staff. Acadience data goes home to parents (kindergarten to grade 2). There are two empowerment reading programs - grades 2-5 and 6-8

2.2. Teacher's Report 

Ms Dumitru is not here today.       

3.1. Treasurer’s Report - Trish

$173.00 in account, mostly from the Mabel’s Label funds. Almost saved enough for a movie licence. 

Ms. Jack clarifies that if money is sitting there from the previous year, it can be carried over.

4.1. Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) Updates 

Meagan shares that there was a meeting this week. There will be a meeting on School Councils, all invited. 

Pro Grant is due on the 21st of November. The plan is to do a family math night. Tool kit - get a swag bag for visiting every station.

March Math Madness - an idea. Week before March break, week of the 9th. 

5.1. Update on 43, 45, 47 Ottawa Street - Councillor Nann

Moved to after fundraising (see below for notes)

6.1. Fundraising - Trish

Ms. Tyrrell submitted the funding proposal and hasn’t heard back, so that’s a good sign that it’s accepted.

Nov. 26th - Dominos fundraiser. Anyone with the code can use it to order pizza and a portion will go to the school. 

Should we distribute paper flyers or do an email blast?

Ms. Tyrell suggests paper flyers would be best. There is a request for email promo as well. 

Need to sell at least 100 pizzas or else we won’t be eligible for another fundraiser. 

Krispy Creme fundraiser - end of February. Hoping to raise $1800 from this. 

Mabel’s Labels - select Memorial when doing purchases to raise some funds for the school.

Ottawa Street Colouring book - looking to raise $3,000 that will go towards kindergarten play area. 

Question - where was the Mabel’s Labels advertised? Mostly just through the facebook groups. Mrs. Tyrrell suggests she can add it into the next email update. 

5.1. Update on 43, 45, 47 Ottawa Street - Councillor Nann

Councillor Nann will unveil some ideas based on some projects from Prince of Wales School. Did some research on some challenges - drainage, stormwater maintenance focus. Will be partnering with the city's plans - tree canopy. Big investment (amount?) they have a design and will have a new outdoor space for kids in September. This could be possible here too. 

The houses on Ottawa Street. BIA has reported concerns as well. Fire was the most responsive to monitor the location. MLE was lagging in enforcement. Councillor Nann and other councillors have been on this issue. There should not be so many extensions for property owners. It takes leadership for this change to happen. 19 day order to take down the buildings. Insurance companies were also delayed. It took 2 years to find the name of the owners. 

The owner of the house immediately beside the lane way beside the school has offered to put up the black tarp. 

Questions for Councillor Nann - what is the threshold for the complaints to MLE? What will the property look like after the demolition? Will the school be notified about when the demolition will happen? Yes, the school will be notified.

6.2. Grant Updates - Liz

16 grants on the go. 

$5000 secured for outdoor blackboards. 

Home Depot grant to paint the asphalt or build items - about $5,000.

Logs to be donated for playgrounds.

Indigenous consult - to help with a new garden in the front of the school. This is a spring project.

1. Shared use agreement - playground use

   Discussion about the city property vs school property. Councillor Nann says that the ground under the play structure is the city’s but the structure itself is not. Unclear who built the play structure, who owns it. The city has been maintaining it but there is no proof that it was built by the city. 

   For School Council It’s necessary to determine which property is who’s before we move on to other projects. 

   City staff referred to 2017 for records related to this play structure or park area. It would be good to connect these city staff with the principal. There have been too many emails and confusion about this, it would be good to make the communication more direct. Apologies from the City representatives on this.

   The City and the School Board need to be at the table to address this issue. Underfunding of our school boards has impacted this problem.

2. Greening projects

   Hoping to plant more trees, but waiting on the shared use resolution.

3. Ward 3 Resilience Grant

   Meagan says that we have applied for this grant. Liz adds that we are going to focus on community engagement, it was an idea to gather info, have a hot chocolate gathering and distribute poinsettias/plants as well.

4. Pro Grant

   Covered above by Meagan.

7.1. Roundtable                    Ran out of time.                                          

8. Adjournment at 6:32 pm

SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING 

Attendance: Liz Enriquez, Trish Hlohinec, Sarah Pauhl, Ms. Wendy Tyrrell (Principal), Ms. L. Southon (Vice Principal), Kylie Kozolanka, Philipp Schöfer, Jason Hoult, Meghan Scott, Stephanie Sears, Susan Dumitru (Teacher Rep), Emily Lucks-Kelly, Erika Biteznik, Adriana Harris, Lyndall Musselman

Land acknowledgement  - Ms Tyrrell shares an abbreviated land acknowledgement and explains how the kids are thinking about the First Nation folks who live close to us.

1. Welcome - Sarah welcomes new people joining us, including new VP, Ms. Southon.
2. Principal’s Report 

Ms. Tyrrell shares a slide about “our mission” - the board’s mission.

• EQAO results from grades 3 and 9, highlighted in the email she sent out. A chart is shared to compare the results over the past couple years. It’s a different mix of students.
• Teachers are using “math up” to continue skill development.
• Grade 3s were engaged and interested in math.
• In reading there were students “on the cusp.” 
• Grade 6 results, math is a struggle for the whole board. In reading and writing they have a decent score. 

• As students get older they get more self conscious and feel less confident.

  Questions:

• How is the EQAO test taken?
  • Ipad - not great for grade 3s, they don’t understand the test aspect and fly though the pages just to get through it.
  • Have they changed the test?
  • Yes, they revised it. It used to be on paper and had many more questions.
• Is the question about confidence in reading for older students about interest in reading or knowledge of reading?
  • A bit of both, students tend to not be that interested in books.

Upcoming literacy events - today had “snuggle up and read.” K-2 students are having a literacy BINGO to do at home for Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27th. Whole school rock/paper/scissors book reading and full school competition.

Professional development - sharing of indigenous books to support classroom indigenous education goals. Staff in K2 participating in PD around Acadience progress monitoring for students who are struggling with early literary skills.

Staff in grade 4-8 are being released to learn how to better support small group literacy instruction using code 77 (professional development) days.

Additional questions:

Sarah - wondering what the update is on the website.

Ms. Tyrrell - March is when training for updating the new website will happen.

Sarah - Are there any updates on the sound system?

Ms. Tyrrell - going with $1500 one, should be able to proceed with movie nights again. We would like to have grade 8 graduation here and would need to use it for that.

[1] 

3. Teacher’s Report - Ms. Dumitru

• Literary support specialist, Liz Skinner, is fabulous, helping grades 1 and 2. Helping with progress monitoring.
• Lately the auditorium is the place to be - fundraiser selling popcorn, grade 8s have been using space for science experiments as well.
• Math Up is really good, it’s a program by Marian Small to help with teaching math. There is an example of a book by the same author (Marian Small).

4. Treasurer’s report - Phillipp

• We received the funds from the Dominos fundraiser. A Mabel’s Label’s cheque came in too. 
• 2500 not accessible because not in an account. They need to be processed through the Board first. 
• Wendy says the Board will hold “School generated funds” - this happened with the event in December. The Board usually takes a month to process the funds. We will find out what remains after expenses, we will see the result. 
• Phil - will you be able to track this for us?
• Wendy says, yes, I will be able to see and track. In February I should see more information. $5000 for outdoor education.[3] 

Question about year over year fundraising:

Philipp - I don’t have access to that information. Would I have to ask previous Treasurers?

Kylie - last year our total was just from the Krispy Kreme fundraiser, we made $1800.

Philipp - the blackboards, who is doing that?

Liz and Wendy - not clear yet.

5. Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) Update 

• The Pro Grant for $900 is funded for a Math Night event. Meagan Shanahan had applied for the funding. School Council is planning the event for March 10th,  3 - 6. It will be a fun community math night - activities will be set up. 
• Meagan has a folder of math activities.

• Will there be refreshments? Juice and healthy snacks will be available.

  Updates and reminders will be sent out leading up to the big day. All are welcome. 

6. Fundraising update

Trish - doubled expectation for the first Dominos fundraiser. Wednesday, March 28th[4]  - need flyers to promote. Mabels Labels - $____ money tied to movie license for movie nights.

Krispy Kreme fundraiser - use school cash online. This year money goes to "school improvements.” Pricing at $12 per box.

Orders start Feb 2 - close on Feb 11

Feb 26 pick up date

7. Grants Update

Liz - December event went well but there were things to learn for next time.

Rotary grant - for STEM kits. 29th picking up 

$10,000 earned in grants so far. Still waiting to hear back on some

Ms. Tyrrell - we are hoping to do line painting. 

Liz - maybe you and Emily can consult. They would like to do a site visit

Ms. Tyrrell - we would like to have a sensory wall/installation in the sensory room.

8. Additional items

What is the status of the land designation? Update to playground

Ms. Tyrrell called the point person at the city and did not get clear information. 

The board will not invest in purchasing trees.

There is an idea for a Valentines craft event - we could create a giant paper chain. It would be a drop in event. Wendy suggests offering an event during the school day. 

Next meeting March 26th, 5:15 pm

SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

Attendees: Liz Enriquez, Sarah Pauhl, Ms. Wendy Tyrrell (Principal), Kylie Kozolanka, Philipp Schöfer, Erika Biteznik, Emily Lucks-Kelly, Robin Currie, Willow McKenzie, Sue Dumitru (Teacher Rep)

Regrets: Lyndall Musselman, Trish Hlohinec, Meagan Shanahan