School Council
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Tavistock Parent Council Meeting Minutes
Tavistock Public School
School Council
2025–2026 Executive
Co-Chairs: Jessica Roes and Nathan Keller
Secretary: Sasha Kuepfer
To contact the executive, please reach out to the school office and we will ask them to connect with you.
Monday, November 10, 2025 – 6:30 PM
Tavistock School Council Minutes
Date: Monday November 10, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – In person
Attendance
Jill Shushkewich, Jessica Roes, Nate Keller, Kayla Shantz, Brittany Tiffin, Heather Murray, Angela Moss, Shona Bowman, Taunya Yantha, Ashlee Parkinson
Regrets
Jodi Zerh, Michelle Narghang
- Welcome
- Review and approval of September 2025 minutes
- Approval of September minutes: Heather Murray, Angela Moss
- Old Business
Council By-law Review
- Discussion about upcoming meeting dates to garner more interest and participation
- Council will offer a variety of meeting options including in-person and virtual attendance
- Further outreach to parents including advance notice and reminders
- Email communication through monthly newsletter and school messenger
- Ensure meeting minutes are uploaded to TPS website
- Review of updated By-Laws including Code of Ethics and communication protocol
- All members in attendance approved updated COE
- Action: Jessica to send final documents to council members
TVPIC Funds – Parent Involvement Fund
- Community success with kindergarten welcome bags
- All members approved continued use of PIF for JK welcome bags
- Discussed updating items within the bags
- Action: Ashlee to connect with teachers for updated list
- JK registration running earlier this year
- Expected class numbers early 2026
- Action: Jill to share numbers with council
TVPIC Funds – Parents Reaching Out Grant
- Discussion about potential use of PRO Grant
- Idea: educational parent night with speakers and food
- Council to gather parent input on topics
- Submit proposal once topic is selected
- Consider combining with nearby schools for larger impact
Proposed Topics
- Small Group Support for Numeracy and Literacy
Strategies to strengthen reading, writing, and math skills in small group settings. - Technology & Mental Health
Impact of screen time, social media, and digital balance. - Self-Regulation & Zones of Regulation
Tools to help students manage emotions and build resilience.
Council to draft a survey to be sent to parents (deadline first week of December)
Action: Jessica to draft survey, Jill to send
- Principal Update
Playground / School Yard Equipment
- Installation anticipated this calendar year
- Winter installation could delay inspection and use until spring
- Action: Jill working with vendor to complete installation before frost
Literacy and Numeracy Updates
- EQAO results not yet released across the province
- No individual or school data available at this time
- School moving forward with classroom-based assessment and supports
- New Business
Special Education Engagement
- Parent feedback highlighted concerns about funding and IEP follow-through
- Lack of timelines in action plans noted as an issue
Christmas Activities
- Shift in how winter events are organized due to capacity limits
- Exploring rotating performances
- Event scheduled for December 10 at 6:00 PM
- Dress rehearsal the day before
- Future ideas include winter carnival and performance changes
Restroom Safety Concerns (continued)
- Last year there were concerns raised about vaping in restrooms
- Lower floor bathrooms identified as concern areas
- Students concealing items in ceiling tiles
- Contact alarms were temporarily installed to alert staff
- This solution is no longer in use
- No current concerns reported this year
- Jill acknowledged alarms were upsetting to some students
- Camera installed at T-intersection previously
- If vaping concerns return, alternative solutions will be explored first
- If alarms are reconsidered, communication to parents/guardians will be needed
Hiring Process for Non-Teaching Staff
- Candidates apply online to postings
- Applications reviewed by Human Resources
- Shortlists provided to Principal
- Interviews conducted with standard HR questions
- Recommendations submitted back to HR
- HR makes final hiring decision
- Reference checks and vulnerable sector checks required
- Conditional offers include required training (health and safety, etc.)
- Non-staff hires must participate in training and PD days
- Part-time roles can be difficult to fill due to availability requirements
- Council inquired about de-escalation training — confirmed available
TVDSB Complaint Process
- Jill provided overview of complaint process flow
- See: TVDSB Public Concerns Page
- See: Resolving Public Concerns and Complaints Procedure
- Classroom concerns should begin with the teacher
- Superintendent: Paul Sydor
- Special Education Superintendent: Jess Bruce
- Trustee structure currently changing
- Home and School Association Update
Turkey Dinner
- Request to send reminder
- New payment platform this year
- Action: Jill to resend reminder and link
Cotton Candy Fundraiser
- Launched and communicated to families
Teacher Funding Survey
- Survey sent to teachers for funding ideas
- Positive responses received
- Suggested purchases include Lego kits and gym equipment
- Next Meeting
March 2, 2026 – 6:30 PM (Virtual and In-person)
Monday October 7, 2025 – 7:00 PM
Tavistock Parent Council Meeting Minutes
Agenda
- Welcome
- Introductions
- Nominations
- Explained roles and responsibilities
Nominees:
- Chair – Jess Roes
- Co-chair – Ashlee (seconded by Rachel)
- Secretary – Sasha (seconded by Sarah)
- Newsletter
- Well received
- Spirit days released monthly for flexibility
- Old Business
None
Principal Report
- EQAO
- Individual reports distributed
- Scores at or slightly above board average
- Board-wide results slightly decreased
- Available online via EQAO website
- Staff Updates
- Sonali Singh – Grade 2/3
- Anthony Pelle – Grade 4/5
- Crystal Isaac – ECE
- Hilda Doyle covering Mr. Whetstone
- Mrs. Howell covering Kindergarten
- Jesse Grant covering music
- Student population: 387
- Portables used by Donna Ross and Mrs. Dafoe
- Donna Ross leading student musical
New Business
- Tree trimming near primary area
- Jill investigating board vs township responsibility
- Safety Concerns
- Increase in students riding without helmets
- Yard supervision changes
- Suggestion to invite police officer for safety talk
- Concerns about crossing guard at The Maples
- Kiss-and-drop congestion issues discussed
- Consider alternate student dismissal routes
- Upcoming Events
- Harvest Feast – November 26 (pending approval)
- Holiday Extravaganza format changes discussed
- Kindergarten separate concert
- Considering shorter or multiple performances
Home and School Association
- $30,000 raised to date
- Additional $7,500 expected from sales
- Discussed missing funds from previous years
- Halloween Family Dance (October 26)
- Christmas Ladies Night (November 29)
- Delay Small Town Proud fundraiser until spring
Tavistock Optimist Truck
- Tip bucket balance: $349
- Sold 500 lbs of potatoes
- Considering additional event in May
Next Meeting
Monday, November 4 – 6:30 PM
Monday May 26, 2025 – 4:30 PM
Agenda
- Welcome
- Review March Meeting Minutes
Approved by Ashlie and Laura
- Old Business
Staffing Updates
- The 3/4 position has been filled. Sam Witzel will be teaching the 3/4 class.
- The point 4 position has been filled. Jill Martin will fill the position.
- 6/7 class moving to round 2 hiring due to low applicants.
- Carla Musser starting maternity leave June 6; Kelly Burke covering.
- Sparks expecting a baby.
- Joel’s wife Steph welcomed a baby girl, Grace.
- Custodian leave covered by her husband.
- Music teacher returning in September.
- Principal Report
- Sue Gregg filling in temporarily
- Health inspection completed with positive results
- New Business
Staffing
- Principal confirmed to remain next school year
Upcoming Events
- Bike Rodeo – June 6
- EQAO Grade 3 starting May 27
- PA Day June 30
- Tavi’s Got Talent – June 17
- Primary picnic – June 24
- Kindergarten picnic – June 20
- Home and School Association
- Playground funds approximately $128,000
- Annual General Meeting May 28
- Need additional volunteers
- Funding strategy for playground build
- $2,750 raised from fundraiser
- Awaiting Optimist Food Truck totals
- Playground removal scheduled
- Snack Program
- Requires new volunteers
- Option to use food delivery service
- Exploring simplified snack options
- Next Meeting
Monday September 29 – 6:30 PM
Monday March 31, 2025 – 6:30 PM (Virtual)
Tavistock Parent Council Meeting Minutes
Agenda
- Welcome
- Review January Meeting Minutes
Approved by Ashlee
- Old Business – None
- Principal Report
Policy Updates
- Privacy and Management of Personal Information updated
- Trustee Recognitions Procedure updated
Board Updates
- Governing Bylaws approved March 25, 2025
- View: Board bylaws information
Public Input
Input requested on multiple draft policies:
- Creating Safe and Caring Schools Policy
- Securing Schools Procedure
- Access to Schools Procedure
- Code of Conduct Procedure
- Bullying Prevention Procedure
- Progressive Discipline Procedure
EQAO Dates
- Grade 6: May 12–14
- Grade 3: May 27–29
Staffing
- Retirements announced
- Multiple parental leaves
- Hiring processes beginning
Upcoming Events
- Track and Field – May 5
- Education Week Open House
- Class Photos – May 7
- Volunteer Tea – May 8
- Jump Rope for Heart – May 16
- Regional Track Meet – May 22
- Grade 8 Recognition – June 19
- New Business
Board Budget
- $16.8 million deficit reported
- Cost-saving measures under review
Welcome Kit Bags
- $500 allocation per school
- Continue using tote bags from previous year
- Supplies include notebooks, pencils, crayons
- Home and School Association
- Playground funds approx. $85,000
- Spaghetti fundraiser upcoming
- Merchandise fundraiser active
- Basket fundraiser ongoing
- Snack Program
- $4,000 federal grant received
- Must be spent before June
- Considering bulk purchases for future use
- Next Meeting
May 26 – Time TBD
Monday January 6, 2025 – 6:30 PM (In Person)
Tavistock Parent Council Meeting Minutes
Agenda
- Welcome
- Review November Meeting Minutes
Approved by Ashlee and Rachel
- Old Business
TV during Lunch
Jill had a conversation in the staff room with the other teachers. As a whole, staff wanted Jill to reassure us that it's not an everyday thing and kids are also still allowed to mingle and chat with their friends.
Overall, they have found kids ate more while watching TV, rather than being distracted by talking with other kids. Jill requested of them to be mindful to not have videos playing during all breaks. Jill ensured she will monitor. There is a fear among teachers that if they turned off the screens completely, there will be a lot more undesirable behaviours during lunch breaks.
- Principal Report
Mabel's Labels Funds
$94.54 currently in the school account. Council agreed to move funds into the playground fund.
- Staffing Updates
- Jesse Grant has taken a teaching position in London. Tom Sproat has taken his place for the remainder of the year.
- Job posting for ECE in Kindergarten closing soon.
- Kaylee Howells returned from maternity leave.
- Isaiah Whetstone expected to return in February.
- Upcoming Events
- Dental Screening – January 9 and 10
- PA Day – January 17
Jill will be attending workshops.
- CCAT testing for Grade 3 students
- Early ID process underway
- Spirit Day: Green and Yellow
- Winter Carnival – February 7
- Skating event planned and successful
Secondary school transition visits ongoing and information being prepared for students.
- Snack Program Update
- Smile Cookie campaign raised $1,700
- Snack program restarting mid-January
- Home and School Association
- Playground fund currently at $77,000
- Jibbitz fundraiser performing well
- Discussion about selling during school day
- Newsletters
Traffic and parking will be included as a regular reminder.
- Next Meeting
March 3 – 6:30 PM