Minutes September 16, 2024

1. Welcome Remarks:

• Marni Shulman welcomes group to another school year.

• Motion to approve Agenda. Approved.

• Motion to approve Minutes from June 3, 2024. Approved.

2. Student Council Report

• Abby and Liam will be leading Student Council.

• Looking forward to collaborating with Parent Council. Hannah and Camila are representing student council as Liaison Officers:

• Liaison Officers are voice of the Council and will join each meeting to advise parents/caregivers of what is happening in the student community

• Spirit week outlines clubs and councils to students

• Clubs and councils available at lunch for students to meet members

• 80+ clubs and councils – each has a website with all details. Instagram pages are also available and usually updated very quickly

• Home form (Block A Day 1) reps are responsible for communicating between liaison officers and students. They help run events. Currently home form reps are being selected for 2024/25 school year. 2 students per homeroom. If your child wants to be on school council in future, it’s necessary to be home form rep first.

3. Principal’s Report

• 2 VP’s at LPCI : Lorraine Sutherns is the contact for students with A-K surnames; Emily Saylor is the contact for students with L-Z surnames. But VP’s work together to assist all students when needed.

• Sept 18 6pm– Scottish Rugby Club visiting LPCI. This group are not-for-profit organization who have tentative agreement with TDSB to rebuild our field – this will become their turf pitch, when not used by LPCI. They will present proposal on Sept 18. If approved, shovels in the ground in September 2025. Field will be turf and the size of a rugby field. Also exploring the idea of a track (distance to be determined), a changeroom that leads to outside, new stands for west side of the field. Parents encouraged to attend meeting.

• Sept 26 – Curriculum Night. Not a meet the teacher night. Departments Heads will be presenting.

• Guidance Department in full swing over first few weeks and a huge thank you to the guidance department for the work they do at startup to assist students.

• Library Renovation – updates to be provided shortly.

• Room 113 – Computer Lab is under renovation to be multi-use.

• Still in midst of steam to water heating system changeover. Close to the end but project moving along well.

• Question: How is no-cell-phone policy being supported by teachers? Is it working?

Response: Working well so far. Students asked to put away phones at beginning of class. If students are having issues, they are reminded. Next, if problem persists – students can leave phones in a safe and common area. Admin support for extraordinary circumstances. So far, admin has had no issues. Air pods also need to be put away. Not flawless but will work on it during the year.

• Teacher Rep on Council this year will be Esther Tello.

4. Council Chair Update

• About Council – LP council to support school, students, teachers and admin. Keep families informed. Advocates for the families with the school. LP council structured with exec council and sub-committees. According to by-laws we can add/subtract sub- committees as we deem necessary. Always looking for parent/caregivers to become involved. Meetings are typically once a month. Executive council meets one to two weeks prior to the general council meetings.

• Budget & Spending – very transparent as all money comes from community fundraising. Currently we have approx. $37K in bank account. This is due to major fundraising initiative in April of 2024. Direct donation campaign is also responsible for growing this amount. The computer lab will be receiving a large donation ($22K) from this amount for 2024/25. The school administration will identify needs for next year and we work towards those goals. Last year we also started a program for student enhancement where the teachers can initiate requests for a specialized item that will assist the most students. These teacher proposals are reviewed by school administration and members of the executive council. Also manage a student success program to ensure that finances are never a barrier for participation for any of our students.

• Time Commitment – Monthly meetings. Attendance at events, when available.

• Other Ways to Get Involved – Volunteer at any/all events. We need participants and you can join the events that fit your schedule.

• Hints & Tips for New Parents – Follow school Instagram accounts and other social media for current info. A great place to find information on what is happening in the school and find out about extracurricular activities.

• Question: How do students find out about councils/committees/clubs?

Response: Some are at club fair that occurs during lunch. Student council elections take place at end of year to allow council to be in place for school year. The committees willhave executive and then members can join in current year. Clubs can happen at anytime and students can join throughout the year. Janine Sacks (Guidance) has information following all clubs/councils/committees and there is a website that gives information for each organization. There is also a link on the school website under Clubs & Councils.

Also, all information is in the Eye on LPCI – newsletter that arrives in your inbox every Friday afternoon.

• Question: Concern about teacher absence in Gr. 9 Science. Currently no full-time teacher.

Response: These transitions happen in the schoolboard as teachers have ability to move from part-time to full-time contracts. LPCI currently interviewing for that position – and hope to fill shortly. Everything stays in lockstep btwn classes in Math and Science. New teacher will be fully supported to ensure they get everything they need.

• Question: Rm 115 has bad audio, so announcements are being missed.

Response: MG will investigate it and have it repaired. All announcements are also in The Eye on LPCI and through the website. Social media (especially Instagram) is a fantastic way to keep up to date as it is current information.

• Question: Washroom update.

Response: Some are in disrepair – partly or fully. TDBS short on plumbers. All girls are accessible and avail. Boys on 2nd and 3rd floor are good. All gender washrooms are fine on first floor and 3rd State of floor one washroom needs to be confirmed.

• Question: Vaping update.

Response: Not ignorant that kids vape. Urge that parents look to the source to assist stopping the sale of vapes to kids. LPCI needs to wrestle with this problem. It is a small percentage at LPCI – but because it occurs in washrooms, it seems much worse. Also need to bring in counselling as this is an addiction and we need to address from all angles. There are consequences for vaping in or around school property. Administrators are in the hallways and around the school to connect with students.

• Question: What do Spirt Card do?

Response: There are two cards – LPCI Spirit Card for events happening at the school that can be bought at $10 increments and the 2nd Spirit Card is a SPC card to be used for local vendors where you receive 10% off purchases.

• Question: External speakers come to LPCI.

Response: Yes. We have speakers throughout the year on topics that interest the community and fit with the strategic priorities of the school.

• Question: What is school activity fee?

Response: Pays for yearbook, virtual student card and some school-wide activities. $60/year. Paid through SchoolCash online .

• Question: How do we sign up for Chromebook?

Response: Connect with Mr. Lau in the library or have your child come to the main office and we will assist. Also, students who already have them need to renew their contract.

• Question: Do all teachers use Brightspace?

Response: Some use Brightspace and some use Google Classroom. Contact the teacher and they will inform you which platform they use and ensure you are signed up for summaries.

• Question: How do we get our teachers emails?

Response: All staff emails are on LPCI website.

5. School Council Elections

• Acclamations for all names put forward. New members have joined and been approved. Full list available on LPCI website. LPCI parents/caregivers still welcome to step up to work on committees.

6. Adjourn

• Motion to adjourn. Approved.