School Council
School Council is an excellent way for parents and caregivers to get involved in your school community.
Interested in joining your School Council? Talk to an administrator at your school for more information.
School Council Mission
The mission of H.B. Beal Secondary School Council is to be a strong voice for our parent community, facilitating as a liaison between parents and the school, encouraging parent input and active participation.
Each meeting, updates from the principal and teacher representative will be provided. A topic of interest will also be advertised in advance of each meeting to encourage parent engagement.
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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.
H.B. Beal School Council Meeting
Date: March 23, 2026
Attendance
In person: Ian Charlton, Blythe Allman, Joanna Murphy, Dawn Davis, Tina Painter
Regrets: Deidre Di Nino, Giselle De Melo, Jeff De Melo, Denise Lackan, Denise Raymond‑Pringle, Tammy Logtenberg
Welcome
All were welcomed, ensured online link available.
Agenda
Staff Update
- Spring sports have started.
- Gardening club is forming ideas and looking for hardy flowers, perennials.
- Some staff medical leaves have opened up opportunities for long‑term occasional positions. Teachers who are working at Beal want to stay at Beal.
Principal’s Update
- Staff and students participated in international trips.
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- UK Art trip – Stonehenge during the Spring Solstice was a highlight
- Art and architecture were the focus of the trip
- History trip to Eastern Europe
- Robotics competed in Oshawa District competition. Competed well, even after challenging first day. Made the third round of playoffs and won the Creativity Award.
- Musical Stage for Chicago (High school version) is up and tickets are on sale this Friday through Onstage Direct.
- Couches for library have arrived. They look great.
- Fire inspector came three weeks ago. Beal was due for a Health & Safety site inspection. Dawn Davis is accompanying the inspector during the walkthrough of inspection. Two days in total.
- Enrollment is expected to be approximately 1390, up since last year. Grade 9 enrollment has gone up by 30–40 students.
- Two staff currently on medical leave.
- Indigenous grad coach quit. School is hiring a new one.
- Found the Egg Man creator. They have been told to stop.
- Beal is hosting summer school.
- EQAO: April 14–16.
- 80–90 students did not show up last semester. Ian is going to find out why.
- Need a replacement for literacy support, as former support is on leave.
Commencement
- June 15 at Centennial Hall
- Potentially 400 graduates
- $10 per student will include:
- 2 tickets
- Reception
- Gown and cap
- Additional tickets: $5 per ticket, first come, first served
Chair Update
- Magnets for Grade 9 event are close to being ready.
- Meeting dates for 2026–2027:
- September 28
- October 19
- November 23
- January 18
- February 22
- March 22
- April 19
- QR codes added to magnets to list “Did you know…” information about Beal.
Next meeting: April 20
H.B. Beal School Council Meeting
Date: February 23, 2026 — 6:30 pm
Attendance
In person: Ian Charlton, Blythe Allman, Deidre Di Nino, Giselle De Melo, Jeff De Melo, Denise Lackan, Denise Raymond‑Pringle
Online: Tammy Logtenberg
Regrets: Dawn Davis, Tina Painter
Welcome
All were welcomed, including those attending virtually.
Agenda
Adopted as presented.
Minutes
Approved as written for January 19, 2026.
Principal Update
DECA: An international organization that runs business courses. The Beal team won Provincials and is moving on to International competition in Atlanta, GA.
Reach for the Top: Beal has a Junior and Senior team. Junior team placed 3rd in the City. The Senior team has qualified for Provincials.
Robotics: The robot is built, programming is ongoing. First competition is March 14–15 in Durham.
OFSSAA: One swimmer, one wrestler and two Nordic skiers are competing.
OSSLT: Written in Fall. 50% were successful; 59% excluding non‑attendees; 74% Grade 10 students only. Follow‑up supports available, Spring rewrite option, OLC course available.
Course Selection: My Blueprint closes February 27. Registrations accepted until March Break.
Enrollment: Grade 9 – 240, Grade 10 – 260, Grade 11 – 300, Grade 12 – 500
Staffing: Still hiring for Semester 2. Guidance office transition completed with new hire.
SISP: Under the Safe and Inclusive Schools Plan, a new Grad Coach has been hired to support BIPOC students.
Library improvements (new couches, Indigenous rug) are being noticed and appreciated.
Activities: Spring sports starting now; school show Chicago at the end of May.
Chair Update: $500 Parent Engagement Fund will be used for magnets for the May Transition event.
Next proposed meeting: March 23, 6:30 pm
Meeting adjourned: 7:48 pm
H.B. Beal School Council Meeting
Date: December 15, 2025 — 6:30 pm
Attendance
In person: Ian Charlton, Blythe Allman, Dawn Davis, Deidre Di Nino, Jo‑Anna Murphy, Tina Painter, Denise Raymond‑Pringle, Carrie Wakem
Online: Tammy Logtenberg
Welcome
All were welcomed, including those attending virtually.
Agenda
Adopted as presented.
Minutes
Approved as written for October 20, 2025.
Staff Update
Dawn shared that teacher retention at Beal is very strong. Teachers care deeply about students, colleagues, and community.
Principal Update
Staffing remains in place despite seven medical leaves. Current staff: 95 teachers, 13 EAs, 13 custodians, 8 office staff.
Numerous events underway including Open Houses, BealArt showcases, Winter Formal, Holiday assembly, and Grade 8 outreach.
Beal Gives Back campaign exceeded $5000 goal and collected over 2600 items for ArkAid.
Six SHSM programs offered; Business SHSM transitioning to Non‑Profit specialty.
Budget audit focused on Student Generated Funds; transparency measures being implemented.
Facilities updates include library improvements, gym floor replacement, auditorium upgrades, safety fixes, and maintenance repairs.
EQAO and OSSLT updates shared; assistive devices permitted.
Evaluation week details for Semester 1 outlined.
Chair Update: Open House success noted; suggestion to rename event to “Experience Beal.”
Next meeting: January 19, 6:30 pm
Meeting adjourned: 7:45 pm
H.B. Beal School Council Meeting
Date: October 20, 2025 — 6:30 pm
Attendance, staff updates, guest speaker library improvements, facilities planning, PD Day updates, emergency planning, chair elections, and parent engagement funding were discussed in detail.
Meeting adjourned: 7:35 pm
H.B. Beal School Council Meeting
Date: September 22, 2025 — 6:30 pm
Welcome, staffing updates, library investment, budget considerations, student safety, enrollment increases, school improvement plans, future meeting topics, and fundraising strategies were discussed.
Meeting adjourned: 7:45 pm
Next meeting scheduled for October 20, 6:30 pm. Virtual attendance available upon request.
Contact Information
Ian Charlton
Principal
H. B. Beal Secondary School
525 Dundas Street
London, ON N6B 1W5
519‑452‑2700, Ext. 61025
i.charlton@tvdsb.ca