School Council November 2025 Minutes

Sir Wilfred Laurier Public School (SWLPS)

Date: Wednesday November 12^th, 2025

Time: 17:30 – 18:45

Location: SWLPS Library

Executive Council Attendance (executive members in attendance) (additional guests attended, on sign-in sheet)

• Cynthia
• Winter
• Samson
• Julia

Minutes:

• Welcome - Meeting Start
• 17:34 - Land Acknowledgement
• 17:35 - Overview of Agenda
  • Motion to approve (Winter)
  • 2nd of motion (Cynthia)
• 17:38 – Reading of the Meeting Etiquette
• 17:39 – Admin Update
  • Tour for Humanity (Grades 6-8)
    • Big Blue Bus, travels across Canada to teach students about the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights
    • School had company gear conversation towards residential school / racism
  • Community family idea on cultural celebration
    • Newsletter to communicate to ask for ideas and volunteers
    • Computer member asking if the school can have an event to raise awareness for causes (i.e. Crohn's)
  • Safety Blitz
    • Two (2) new signs posted on Stoney Hill, no parking on the street during school drop off and pick up times.
    • Request for admin to draw up a topographical map of SWL’s where to park or not park, as well as traffic flow
  • PRO-Grant
    • Has just been approved
    • Administration was unable to find someone on the YRDSB list last year to do a presentation that would align with the school’s needs
    • This year, we do not need to go with a list and that we can identify a presenter ourselves
    • Need to identify one that is in line with school’s thoughts and themes (i.e. mindfulness; protecting against cyber bullying; mental health)
  • Youth Space
    • Two (2) teachers have volunteered for Youth Space and engaged with students
    • The students and the teachers will attend mental health education workshops with the YRDSB mental health team and York Region
    • Their gained knowledge will be shared back with the SWL students
    • They will also plan activities for SWL pertaining to mental health
• 17:56 – Comms Update
  • Monthly Newsletters to be sent out
  • Volunteer recruitment drive, we need more
  • If there are concerns surrounding school policies, parents are to contact the school administrative team (i.e. Principal / Vice-Principal)
• 17:57 – Treasure Report
  • Healthy balance carried over from last year
  • There are marked funds for maintenance that covers for over half of the carried over balance
  • This year we will focus on fundraising
  • $500/classroom allotment for teachers to purchase classroom items
  • $200/classroom allotment for field trip expenses (i.e. buses)
    • Typically will only offset the amount and parents will need to cover the rest for their child
  • Question for admin from member: there are contests/events (i.e. Waterloo math contest) that would cost a small fee per child to attend, would the school participate?
    • For all contests/events, the administration reviews to see if the usage of funds is aligned with the school.  If there is misalignment, the school will choose not to participate.
  • Forest of Reading
    • A reading program that is inclusive of all
    • This initiative offers reading programs to encourage a love of reading in people of all ages. The Forest helps celebrate Canadian books, publishers, authors and illustrators.
    • Teachers will be championing the program and using recess time to run the program
    • May look for parents to volunteer
    • The books have not been purchased as of yet
  • Library Volunteers: TBD
• 18:15 – Events and Initiatives
  • Amazing Race – December 8^th, 2025 17:30 – 19:00
    • Need volunteers
    • 12 games/stations
    • Grade 7&8 to assist with running the games
      • They need to be trained on how to run the games
    • Subcommittee meeting in a week’s time
    • Suggestion: One of the games may be a craft station and the end craft will be donated to senior residents
• 18:25 – Other Business
  • Lunch Suggestions
    • Need input from parents on what choices they want
  • Early Entry
    • Parents should contact the admins to talk individually
    • A detailed explanation was provided for the morning entry time of 8:30 and that it adheres to school safety protocol
• 18:45 – Meeting adjourned