Catholic School Council

CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL

St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School Council serves students, parents, staff and the greater community.  Meetings are held once each month at the school and are open to everyone.

It is the goal of the School Council to make the school a better place for learning, to provide a link between the school and the community through good communication and to encourage parents and community members to participate in education.  New members and their ideas are welcomed.

We are fortunate to be able to pray and celebrate together daily as a Catholic community.      

Who forms the Catholic School Council (CSC)?

CSCs are composed of:

• • Parents, who are elected by other parents of students enrolled at the school

  • A teacher, who is elected by other teachers

  • A support staff member, who is elected by other support staff

  • The school Principal, who is not entitled to vote

Catholic School Councils cannot include:

• • Parents employed by the school or at the Catholic Education Centre

  • Board Trustees

  • Supervisory Officers from the Board

What are the elected positions?

Elected positions on Catholic School Council and their responsibilities include:

• • Chair/Co-Chair - Promote and advocate for Catholic Education; call Council meetings in co-operation with the Principal; prepare the agenda for meetings in co-operation with the Principal; chair Council meetings

  • Vice Chair - Promote and advocate for Catholic Education; fulfil the role of the Chair when he/she is absent

  • Recording Secretary - Promote and advocate for Catholic Education; take Council meeting minutes and distribute to Council members; assist the Chair

  • Treasurer - Promote and advocate for Catholic Education; oversee the finances of the Council and produce financial statements for meetings as required; comply with the Guidelines for School Generated Funds as approved by the Board; authorize all withdrawals/disbursements from the account as approved by Council motions

  • Parent Representative - Promote and advocate for Catholic Education; participate in meetings; act as a link between the Council and the school community

When do nominations occur?

The election is held within the first 30 days of the school year. Interested parents should complete the nomination form provided by the school and return it to the school by the end of September.

How does the election work?

An election committee, formed by the Principal, a staff member, and a parent, oversees the election process. The staff member and the parent from the election committee cannot be running for election.

The committee receives nominations for the parent seats, and nomination forms must have two other parent signatures. A list of candidates and their biographies are made available to the community. Voting is conducted by secret ballot.

No individual campaign material may be distributed in the school, and no school resources can be used to support individual candidates.

How many parent seats are available?

The number of parent seats depends on the number of community and school members. The number of available parent seats on the council must be a majority. The election committee estimates the number of community-held seats to determine a majority number of parent seats available.

What is the term of office?

Elected or appointed members of the Catholic School Council hold office from the date elected or appointed to the date of the first meeting after the next year's election.

How often does the Catholic School Council meet?

The first meeting of the Catholic School Council must be held within the first 35 days of the school year after the election. The date is set by the school Principal. A Catholic School Council meets at least four times during the school year.

To hold a meeting, a majority of the current members and the Principal or designate must be present. A majority of the Catholic School Council members present must be parent members.

What is the Code of Ethics for a Catholic School Council member?

A member of the Catholic School Council will:

• • Consider the best interests of all students

  • Be guided by the school and Board mission statements

  • Act within the limits of the roles and responsibilities of a school council, as identified by the school operating guidelines, the Board, and the Ontario Ministry of Education

  • Become familiar with school policies and operating practices and act in accordance

  • Maintain the highest standards of integrity

  • Recognize and respect the personal integrity of each member of the school community

  • Treat all other members with respect and allow for diverse opinions to be shared without interruption

  • Encourage a positive environment in which individual contributions are encouraged and valued

  • Acknowledge democratic principles and accept the consensus of the council

  • Respect the confidential nature of some school business and respect limitations on the operation of the school council

  • Not disclose confidential information

  • Limit discussions at school council meetings to matters of concern to the school community as a whole

  • Use established communication channels when questions or concerns arise

  • Promote high standards of ethical practice within the school community

  • Declare any conflict of interest

  • Not accept any payment or benefit financially through school council involvement

Where can I find additional resources?

If you have any questions regarding our Catholic School Council, you can contact the Principal at 905-372-6879. You also visit the Catholic School Councils page on the https://www.pvnccdsb.on.ca/our-schools/catholic-school-councils/

Minutes 

Meeting of Monday, September 23, 2024

3:15 called to order

Introductions and In Attendance:

Kim Fletcher (Principal)

Amanda (Chair)

Christina Foy (Member)

Brittany McBride (Member)

Jennifer (New Member - welcome!)

Nicole (Not present)

Henry Hawkes(Secretary/Kindergarten Teacher)

TBA  (Student representative)

1. Welcome/Introductions

2. Prayer (Mrs. Fletcher)

3. Approval of Agenda/Minutes

Approval of Agenda Motion: 1st Brittany 2nd Christina PASSED

4. Elections

Nominations

Chair - Amanda (Declared)

Co-chair - Brittany (Declared) 

Recorder - Henry (Declared)

Treasurer - Christina Foy (Declared)

Teacher Representative - Henry (Declared)

Student Representative TBA

5. Principal’s Report

• Great start to year

• Staffing change Shannon Shillinglaw has moved to Board Office position (math), but to still support school in consultant capacity, new teacher to be appointed.

• Krystine Windolf to return in October as grade 7 teacher

• Fire & Lockdown drills have happened successfully, no fire and police presence but will be invited to future drills.

• Fr. Emmanuel has visited regarding sacrament of confirmation

• Cross country has 30 students attending 

• Bus evacuation practice upcoming

• Terry Fox speaker on Thursday Sept 26th

• Truth and Reconciliation activities 

• BBQ on Sept 26th 

• Agenda for PA Day to be shared with CSC Chair 14 days prior to the meeting. Link to be sent and also available on board website

6. Student’s Report

N/A 

7. Treasurer’s Report

• $2,147.35 opening balance

• Plus Pro Grant of $474.65 

• Need for basketballs and soccer balls, and Ottawa Trip and possibly for Parent/Teacher conference software discussed

• Motion to use Pro Grant Funds for back to School BBQ - 1st Christina 2nd Jennifer PASSED 

• 198 students enrolled

8. Back-to-School BBQ (September 26th, 2024: 5:00pm - 6:00pm)

• Details of BBQ condiments, drinks discussed - this to be added to the minutes for next year.

• Pre-event BBQ test discussed, and back-up plan to boil wieners, lighters required

• Check for RAIN DATE use of gym?

9. Allocation of Fundraising Proceeds

• Student Needs Motion 1st Brittany 2nd Christina PASSED

• Ideas included outside equipment, soccer and basketball, junior basketball tri-post, kindergarten equipment e.g. bikes.

10. Hot Lunches

• Hot lunches to start in October: Pizza and Hot Dogs - Papa Johns to return call

• Alternative hot lunch for Gluten Free student discussed

• Little Caesars offers Hawaiian, and mushroom and green pepper pizza, Student Rep to canvas student body. Currently, cheese and pepperoni to be offered. Price at $2.50 per slice. 24 hours notice.

• Subway - veggie, turkey, ham and cold cut to be offered. - offered for $5.50. 5 days notice. 

• No more relish for Hot Dog Days - offered @ $1.50 

• 2 Pizza Day per month, 1 Sub Day & 1 Hot Dog Day.

• Juice boxes from NoFrills pricing to increase to $1 for healthier juice

• Link to Safe Food Handling to be provided by Amanda.

• Staff to be included in Hot Lunches

• Poinsettias - suggested mark up 40% again and round up of $1.

• Dance-A-Thon

• Halloween Spirit Week

Nicole to come up with list of fundraising ideas to go to Wanita, ahead of time - 3 Spirit Weeks per year

Grade 7&8 have separate fundraising during Halloween Dance but mechanics need discussion

• Spring bulbs 

• Bake sale at Christmas, needs planning closer to event

• Santa Claus Parade? 

9. Next Meeting: 

• Monday Nov 18th, 2024 3:15pm (proposed & accepted)

• Monday January 20th, 2025 3:15pm (proposed & accepted) 

• Monday April 28th, 2025 3:15pm (proposed & accepted)

11. Meeting adjourned: 

• at 4:33pm