School Council Meeting Minutes - October 2025

Windham Ridge School Council

Monday, October 6, 2025 - 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Welcome & Introductions ~ I. Petre, C. Lennox

• Welcome by Irene -. 6:41pm start due to technology issues
• Distributed notebooks and did a school memory exercise. Keep and use the notebook for recording personal good memories of school/ideas for consideration

Land Acknowledgment 

• Land Acknowledgement read by Justin

Approval of Agenda 

• Approval of Agenda motioned by Mel, seconded by Vonnie

Approval of Minutes 

• Approval of Minutes from June 2025 and September 2025 meetings motioned by Diana, seconded by Irene. 

Teachers’ Report – N. Saadati

• Outlined ongoing activities and programs
  • Intermediate volleyball
  • Lunch monitor program - junior students monitoring and assisting primary during lunch
  • Cross country practices. Area meet is October 15 in Newmarket
  • Prefects (grades 7 and 8) were active helping with curriculum night
  • Yearbook group has started with spiritwear design contest
  • Dance group
  • Boys basketball
  • Caring and Safe Schools presentations were conducted and worked well by grade
  • Terry Fox Run/Walk raised $1050
  • Safety Week drills happened
  • Field trips - Grade 1 went to Round the Bend Farm; Grades 2, 4, and 7 went to VORC

Administrator’s Report – S. Kofalvi

• The application for the Lego Robotics competition is due Friday. We are looking for a parent volunteer to take responsibility. Teachers have volunteered to support. The Lego kits we have are old – additional newer equipment will be required.
• The Board provides $500 for Council use. It can be spent on consumable supplies for council activities (e.g. pens, markers). If this type of supply is needed, ask to see if these funds could be used and purchase through the office.
• Great Big Crunch – This event is moving from the spring to reflect the availability of local produce. Rojeen volunteered to pick up the apples and will work with Sandy to pick a date.
• A Grade 8 survey has indicated interested in an overnight trip. Possibilities include Muskoka Woods.  Mr. McInnis will share more information with families in an evening meeting next week
• Graduation ceremony and reception options are being explored. Availability, cost, and capacity are critical factors that may affect the choice of venue

• The Friendship Dance originally scheduled for February 13 will change to a Winter Dance on Friday, January 23, 2026 because the Grade 8s will probably be away February 11-13

   

Treasurers’ Report –

• Treasurers absent. Irene and Cassandre presented
• Proposed Budget and Fundraising Plan were presented and discussed. Budget is 50% Kids Fund & Activities, 50% Equipment & School Upgrades
• BBQ costs reflect the DJ only. All other actual costs were covered by donations
• Ongoing Fundraisers
  • Hot lunches – sushi, pizza, Swiss Chalet, Bar Burrito
  • Farm to table popcorn
• One-time fundraisers planned for the year were outlined with proposed dates
  • Big box of cards/candles, Imagine cinemas, Smencils, Jakeman’s maple syrup, and TBD May fundraiser
• A “Make a Donation” button is available in School Cash Online from which families can donate money and designate their intentions for its use. Donations are eligible for tax receipts. Families should be advised of this option in case of situations in which they want to participate without purchasing offered fundraising items
• Presented fundraising projections including some actuals. The total closely matches the budget total of $33,040
• Coordination of Council fundraising with Grade 8 fundraising efforts will be possible after the family meeting
• Due to absence of quorum, the vote to approve the budget was postponed. However, when polled, no one present objected to the proposal or indicated that they would have voted against

Committee Reports - Various

• Volunteer Committee
  • The online sign-up spreadsheet is available to encourage a wider pool of volunteers to participate when they can
• Fundraising Committee
  • Fundraising activity was covered in the Treasurer’s Report
• Communications Committee
  • Working on the Fall Dance poster. The Fall Dance will include a winter clothing drive for the Newmarket Lions Club.  Sorting donations for pickup could be a student activity. The Food Drive will move to spring when there may be fewer food drives happening in the community
• Mental Health and Wellbeing & Parent Engagement
  • Discussing ideas
• Parent Engagement Committee
  • The PRO grant application requires a proposal
• Student Programs Committee
  • A school-wide hand tracing craft activity is underway – still looking for ways to pull it together
• Grants Committee
  • Outlined a list of grants that may be of interest. Raquel will forward the list to Cassandre and Irene. Grant areas include: art, French enrichment, professional learning for teachers, student needs and gardens 

New Business - C. Lennox, I. Petre

• Lego Robotics needs a volunteer to take over responsibility from Houda because the application to compete is soon  
• A pre-volunteering meeting happened last week. All Student Programs volunteers (those who run lunchtime in-classroom craft sessions) will be required to attend one of these meetings.
• The display case by the school’s front entrance is available for use. Please share any ideas or proposals for displays
• Please note School Council Meeting date changes:
  • From Tuesday, February 24, 2026 to Monday, February 10, 2026
  • From Tuesday May 12 to Monday, May 11
  • From Monday, June 1 to Tuesday, June 2

Closing - I. Petre

1. 8:27 p.m. – motion to close the meeting made by Irene – seconded by Mel
2.  
3. Next council meeting – Tuesday, November 25, 2025