Student and Family Resources

H.B.Beal School Council Meeting

September 29, 2026, 6:30 PM

Attendance: In person: Ian Charlton, Blythe Allman, Dawn Davis, Deidre Di Nino, Jessica Hannon, Denise Lackan, Jo-Anna Murphy, Tina Painter, Rachel Peaker, Denise Raymond-Pringle, Dave Schultz, Carrie Wakem

Online:

Regrets:

Welcome: All were welcomed and quick introductions made.

Agenda: Adopted as presented.

Principal Update: Staffing: Always hiring! New staff members are needed to cover medical leaves for existing personnel and for new classes. Enrollment is a bit lower than last year (2025 was 1510, 2026 is 1471).

Budget: Almost the same as last year. The cost for the pool maintenance and Commissionaire use $60 000.00 of this. Many room upgrades planned this year. The student parking lot was resurfaced and relined over the summer. A roof repair was also done. Some interior painting has occurred. The ceramics room has received a new stainless steel counter. A Breakfast program will begin next week in the renovated Raider Zone.

Ongoing: the retractable divider wall in the gym is still not usable.

Community Activity: the transient neighbours in the area were very active over the summer and are still around. Security arrives at 4:00 am weekdays to clear the area. Students are warned to check the ground before sitting in the grass around the school.

Recruitment & Retention: as numbers go down, the programs we can offer are also reduced. There is still a good variety for students, but this may be limiting choices.

Important Dates: November 12 - Grade 8 night

November 19 - Parent Information Night

October 1 - Grade 9 night

Guidance: are planning to reach out to grade 8 students during first semester, and target grade 6 & 7 students during second semester. Many students make their choice for a secondary school early!

Catchment: Beal has 5 feeder schools whose students make up 20% of the grade 9 class. Majority come from outside the closest areas.

SIEP: School Improvement and Equity Planning - a framework to support student achievement, mental well-being, and inclusive education. Beal is a math priority school, 60% of our students go on to University after graduation. A financial literacy test is now given to grade 10 students in careers courses. Our SIEP scores are steadily increasing.

SISP: the Safe and Inclusive Schools Plan directs school culture. We have a diverse population that is represented in materials and leadership. 16 students are in the leadership class.

Activities: Beal gives Back campaign was a huge success last year and a phenomenal support for ArkAid. Being a larger part of our community is something to strive for.

$20.00 Student Activity Fee supports student leadership and awards. ALL funds benefit students directly. Only 30% received last year. Re-opening the request and adding an option to pay extra for someone who cannot will be explored.

Prom is NOT a school sanctioned activity. No fundraising for this can be done on school property.

YOU (Youth Opportunities Unlimited) visits 5 times each semester to assist 18 year old students with life skills.

Bike storage is not allowed in the building and we are still waiting on a cement pad to be poured outside the office where the bike racks can be properly mounted and be closely monitored.

Student Council vs. Student Leadership? Beal used to have a vibrant Student Council; COVID and other challenges shut it down. Beal United (a group of student representatives from each program) may take its place. The student leadership class (IDC4U) is a class that strengthens leadership skills with a peer support program, running physical activity events and leading whole school events. Last year, the class included an Audio-Visual component.

Staff Update: Dawn shared that lots of new staff are welcome and fitting in quickly. The class sizes are generally large and full.

Many teachers have signed up to help with breakfast program and Beal gives Back volunteers are already being sought.

Football has begun! There will be a buy out Thursday to support the Untied Way campaign and a chili cook-off between some teachers is planned to support this campaign also.

University presentations (representatives from different universities visit the school) have begun. All grade 12 students are welcome to attend.

Attendance and Participation is now worth 10% of a student’s mark for grade 9 and 10 students, 15% for grade 11 & 12 students. There is no set formula for calculating this mark, it is subjective.

Parents and Guardians can check attendance on the student portal and engage with the teacher, then admin if the record is not accurate.

Chair Update: Senior Sunrise (a gathering of the graduating class to watch the sunrise together) was an awesome event.

November 19 is the Beal Information night and all are encouraged to come out to help other parents decide to choose Beal for their children. Meet in the Library whenever you can come that evening to greet potential new students and share your experiences with them.

ELECTIONS: Chair - Tina Painter, Co-Chair - Rachel Peaker, Secretary - Deidre Di Nino.

No other nominations, those whose names are standing were declared elected.

Next Meeting: Monday, October 19, 6:30 PM.

Meeting Adjourned 7:55 PM.