Date: October 01, 2024
Location: School library
Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm
In attendance:
School Staff: Nadia Russiello, Voula Divetta, Melissa Doucas, Sonia Khera, Shauna Rezka
Parents: Deepshika Swaroop, Ashley Bebbington, Sushma Kavikondola, Mounika Sourial, Carmen Lam, Tharshini Tharmalingam
Regrets: n/a
Welcome/Introductions:
Welcome statement by Mme. Russiello, who is the new Principal at BAPS, followed by the reading of YRDSB land acknowledgement. Attendees introduced themselves,
- Nadia Russiello is the new Principal at Beverley Acres. Previously served as Principal at Adrienne Clarkson and Michaelle Jean Public School (MJPS)
- Deepshikha Swaroop - ex Council Chair. Is also on council at Bayview SS. Has connected us with FSYR
- Melissa Doucas - SERT, Library, Drama/Dance teacher at BAPS
- Sonia Khera - Grade 7 teacher - Language, Math and Health teacher at BAPS
- Shauna Rezka – Grade 5 teacher – English and Math teacher at BAPS
- Ashley Bebbington - Parent of Grade 5 and 7 students here at BAPS. One child still at Michaelle Jean. Was on Council at MJPS before. Teaches in TDSB.
- Sushma Kavikondola - Has a child in Grade 6 here at BAPS. Has a child at MJPS as well
- Mounika Sourial - Has a child in Grade 6 at BAPS and one in Grade 9 at OLQW
- Carmen Lam - Has a child in Grade 5 and one in Grade 6 at BAPS
- Tharshini Tharmalingam - Has a child in Grade 4 at BAPS
Principal’s Report:
Mme. Russiello provided an update on the various activities at school as below
- Month at a glance:
- Start Up – went smoothly – grade 4s have transitioned well!
- Welcome assembly was held during the first week for the whole school
- Safe and Caring School Presentations were held during the 2nd week - 2 presentations – one for Junior and one for Intermediate
- First Fire Drill, Bomb Threat, Hold and Secure and Lockdown drills of the year took place last week
- Orange Shirt Day/ Day for Truth and Reconciliation held at school
- Enrolment for school – 400
- New staff update
- Shauna Rezka (Grade 5)
- Chiara Fernando (Music & Prep)
- Afshid Aminzadeh (Grade 4)
- Irisa Wong (returning) (Grade 8)
- Heather MacDonald (Lead caretaker) - return from H&S Committee
- School Council Forum will be held on November 6th 2024 at Richmond Hill High School. Invitation extended to 2 members (for Elementary) School Council to attend School Council Forum.
Treasurer’s Report:
Mme. Russiello will touch base with council executives in the coming month on 2024-25 council budget and 2023-24 excess unspent council funds
Teacher’s Representative Update:
Mme. Rezka, Mme. Doucas and Mme. Khera provided updates on school activities as below
- Different clubs have started and ongoing: Cross-country, Eco-club, Junior Choir, Student leadership committees for Grades 7 & 8 (School and community spirit, Equity and inclusivity, Fundraising, Healthy body – Healthy minds, Yearbook committee), intermediate volleyball, flag football.
- Terry Fox Assembly and Walk/Run
- Fund raising for Grade 8 graduation with weekly popcorn sales will start soon
- Purple day signifying anti-bullying will be held on Oct 17th 2024
- Grade 7 immunizations went smoothly
- The next PA day will be on October 21st 2024
School Council Elections:
Voting members who are not elected are as below
- Teacher’s Rep (1) - Melissa Doucas, Shauna Rezka & Sonia Khera will be acting as teacher liaisons this year
- Community member (1)
Mme. Russiello will check/invite Kids Kitchen administrator to join as community member. There can be up to 10 elected executive voting council members as below
- Co-chairs (2)
- Treasurer (1 or 2)
- Secretary (1 or 2)
- Parent engagement / Fundraising (1 or 2)
- Parent engagement / Fundraising (1 or 2)
Following parents were elected to the executive positions
- Chair(s): Deepshikha Swaroop
- Treasurer: Tharshini Tharmalingam
- Secretary(s): Sushma Kavikondala & Mounika Sourial
- Parent engagement & Fundraising: Eilda Pour Kian & Ashley Bebbington
- Parent engagement & Fundraising: Carmen Lam
Other Business:
- School Council Meeting Dates
- Tuesday, October 1st 2024
- Monday, November 4th 2024
- Tuesday, January 21st 2025
- Monday, March 3rd 2025
- Tuesday, April 8th 2025
- Monday, June 2nd 2025
Fundraising and Lunch program updates:
- Pizza on Wednesdays – starting Oct 2nd 2024
- Sushma will reach out to Subway by end of this week (for Tuesdays)
- Swiss Chalet will be starting on Fridays
- The office staff will organize another 1-2 days per week of lunches. The current option is Kome (Japanese and Chinese)
Parent Engagement Activities:
- STEM Night to be tentatively held on Feb 12th 2025 from 5:30-8:30pm
- Mental Health and Well-being Night to be held tentatively on Dec 5th 2024 from 5.30pm – 8pm. Council chair to follow-up on securing funding for this via Pro-grant. Rough speaker information and content needs to be shared with the school by the next council meeting to be held on November 4th 2024
- Movie Night options were discussed. Consensus is that if only G-rated movies can be shown then there is not a lot of attendaence and interest. So we maybe don’t want to get the same license as last year. Are movie nights something we still want to have this year?
- BBQ/Fun Fair to be tentatively held on May 27th 2025
- Nadia will look into getting the permits for some Wednesdays instead of Thursday nights
- Question on funding a tent for the school for various outdoor activities was raised. This will need to be agreed by voting by the newly elected council
Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned at 8.30pm