Minutes from the Donagh Regional Home and School Meeting Sept 21, 2011

The first meeting of the Donagh Regional Home and School was held on Wednesday Sept 21, 2011 .  President Amanda Pineau called the meeting to order and was pleased to see so many new and old faces.

The agenda was read, amended and approved by Patti, seconded by Greg.

The minutes of the June 2011 meeting were read by Laura, approved by Melanie and seconded by Shanda

Rachel reported that we have an operational balance of $365.10 after writing cheques to Melanie and Amanda and $ 10301.94 in our playground fund.

Jason delivered the principal’s report:

 -Staff changes include:  Ms Moore, the new vice principal and grade two teacher, Melanie as a full time EA, and Mr Reid as the phys.ed. teacher.

- He thanked H&S for another successful potluck for meet the teacher and is thankful for the support the community has for the school.

-Fire drills have taken place and lock down drills will take place over the next couple weeks.

-There was an assembly for Brady Good who is a medal barer in the 25^th anniversary of the Man in Motion tour with Rick Hanson.

-Grades 4-6 will be attending the sports fair again this year at the end of October

-Grades 4-6 will be travelling to record for the Children’s Wish CD again this year.

-The focus will be on writing for the upcoming professional development days.  Writing assessments were done last June and teachers have been trained how to mark them and now results are back to they can see how things are progressing.  One PD to be held Nov 25^th and the other April 27^th.  There is a province wide PD on Nov 10^th.

-Handbooks are available on line and hard copies will be give out on request

-Thanksgiving assembly to be held Oct 7^th at 2 pm

-School pics and parent teacher interview info to go home soon.

-Calendar and handbook to be updated on- line soon.

Old Business

-Calendar drive-Patti Shea- a meeting will be held soon with canvassers will be meeting soon to get packages.  Money and orders will have to be back soon in order to get the info off to Linmark and get calendars back for the new year.  People can renew for two years if they want.

-Dinner basket fundraiser moved until spring

-fall bulbs- Amanda has fundraiser info for fall bulb sales for Vessey’s.  We would get half of what ever we sold.  Bobbi put forth the motion that we try this fundraiser and Heather seconded it, motion passed and one order form will go home per child.

-sockhop- Bobbi made a motion and Patti seconded the motion to hold a sockhop for grades k-6 on Oct 19^th from 6-8 pm .  Cost will be $2 per child and parents will be asked to bring snacks and H&S will serve juice and possibly ask businesses to donate treats.  Motion passed.

Lunch Program-  Rachel is currently looking after this

-Borrowed kitchen is not working out

-PEI H&S federation is looking at developing a way to order food on- line after being requested by Sherwood Elem.

-we had a huge discussion about healthy eating and what we are serving our kids:  hot dogs every week vs. every other week.  Most would like to keep subway every other week.  Possibilities of baked potatoes or wraps.  There have been complaints about Greco pizza  and we will look into other possible places to order pizza.

-A survey is to go out to parents and kids to see what lunch items they would like to see and ask for volunteers

- A committee meeting to be held soon to go over surveys and set up lunch schedules

Rachel made a motion that H&S purchase a $25 book for Danny in recognition of his contribution over the past years, Laura seconded the motion.  Andrea voiced concern the H&S has to be careful about purchases like this and that it was agreed upon last spring to write a code of conduct or guidelines for gifts and donations

It was indicated that we should include bus drivers on meet the teacher night

School grounds clean up- Oct 22

Will ask for 4-H volunteers

Need to check with Danny on how much mulch was left over from last year and what needs to be bought

Rachel inquired about where things are with the mural/ gym equipment purchases

New Business

Junior high-  H&S is concerned with the current status of our junior high.  Laura and Andrea gave an update on the meeting that took place last June with the ESD reps

It was agreed that a committee needs to set up and Laura offered to chair this.  An open meeting will be held in the near future to discuss the future of the junior high and the direction that parents want it to go.

Any proposals must be submitted to the ESD by October 15 in order for it to go forward for the next calendar year, keeping in mind that any proposal for change has to go through public consultation.

Parent participation-  It was agreed to be kept with a few changes.  Melanie put forth the motion and Laura seconded it that the parent participation be changed to peanut free cookies for the winning class and a $10 gift card for the winning parent.  Motion passed.

This month’s winner:  Tara Walsh and Abby’s kindergarten class

Playground-  committee meeting to be held soon

Amanda had donations of $300 from summer boot camp classes and $ 189 from a Pampered Chef party

Next meeting- Wednesday Oct 19^th

Laura moved the meeting be adjourned and Melanie seconded.