earlhaigschoolcouncil Earl Haig Information

It’s not just Federal Election Time!

This fall is full of election excitement. It’s not everyday you can vote in both a School Council election and a Federal election in the same season.  And so, as promised, this post is all about our School Council Elections for the 2015 – 2016 school year.  All School Council executive positions are being voted upon at the first council meeting.  In order to be considered, please fill out the attached forms to nominate yourself or someone else (with their permission) and return to the school office by September 18th.  You may also send an electronic copy to earlhaigschoolcouncil@gmail.com

Nomination Form
Self-Nomination Form

This first meeting is well worth the time.  You can meet the new principal, Andy McLachlan, hear about some improvements to our school, find out exactly how the school council works and become either a member of the executive or a member-at-large.
Click here to check out the agenda:  September 22, 2015 Agenda

And finally, the following is a message from our exiting Co-Chair, Hilary Gray.  It’s a long read, but it’s worth it.  This is your opportunity to support your child and their education.

Why not become a member of the Earl Haig School Council? We’d love to have you!
Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 7:00 pm in the Earl Haig Music Room (childcare will be available). We are looking forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming all newcomers! At that time, we will be holding our elections for the 2015-2016 School Council. If you are at all interested in any of the following positions or would like more information, please feel free to touch base with any members of the current executive: Hilary Gray, Cheryl Biswas, Karen Finley-Kelly, Stephanie Little, Samantha Robinson, Kathleen Peak, Robin Forbes, Susanne Chung-Yee

Key positions for September elections:
Chair or Co-Chairs – Provide leadership and guidance to the Executive Committee and liaise with the Principal and Vice Principal on School Council related school matters. Responsibilities also include overseeing School Council initiatives and providing guidance and support to sub-committees, chairing School Council meetings (minimum of four per year) including leading the development of meeting agendas, and representing School Council at various external TDSB

Past-Chair: Is the position held by the previous chair in order to facilitate a smooth transition and continuity within the Council.

Treasurer – The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the School Council financial records including issuing cheques, making bank deposits, preparing financial statements (including annual statement to TDSB) and bank account reconciliation. The Treasurer is a signatory on the bank account. The Treasurer also provides administrative support to School Council fundraising endeavours. Key candidate requirements include comfort with and basic understanding of bookkeeping and accounting principles.

Secretary – The Secretary attends and takes minutes at each School Council meeting. The Secretary prepares these minutes for draft review before each subsequent meeting, and works with the Communications Coordinator to ensure their publication in approved form on the School Council Blog/Facebook/website.

Communications Coordinator(s) – Manages Blog, e-blasts, social media and School Council email address.

Members-at-Large – Participates in Council work as needed, occasionally spearheading specific projects as determined by Council. The voice and vote of the parent community on motions presented at council.

Ward 16 Council Representative – Attends Ward 16 Trustee meetings and reports on learningsat School Council meetings.

Other roles may be developed depending on school needs and members interests and skills. Examples of such roles implemented to date include: Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) Representative, Pumpkin patch, Bake Sales, Community Potuck, Mind/Body Tune-up, Spring Festival & other events TBD (bring us your ideas!!)

Don’t have time for an Executive role, but want to volunteer? In addition to these Executive Council roles, we are always in need of dedicated parent volunteers who can provide support in a variety of ways, including Snack/lunch program volunteers, bake sale volunteers, and much more! As well, we are planning on having smaller committees/groups looking at grant proposals, bylaws and positions, communications, & fundraising. If you are interested in those we will be collecting names that day. Some of these committees started last year and we encourage those who helped to stick around!

Please think about your interests and time availability, and contact us at earlhaigschoolcouncil@gmail.com if you would like to discuss ways you can help. We have lots of ideas for ways parents can be involved at Earl Haig! If you wish to nominate someone you know for a position or put yourself forward for a position, please fill out one of the attached forms and send it into the school by Friday, September 18 or send it electronically to the above.

Looking forward to a great year at Earl Haig Public School!
Co-Chair, Earl Haig School Council
Hilary Gray

 

 

earlhaigschoolcouncil Earl Haig Information, General Information, Parent Council Meeting

Back To School

Welcome back everyone.  The School Council hopes that you have all had a wonderful summer and a fantastic first week back.

Remember to stay up to date with all school events by subscribing to our Earl Haig School Council Calendar – https://earlhaigschoolcouncil.com/calendar/

The first School Council meeting will be on September 22, 2015 at 7:00 pm.  The meeting goes until 8:30 pm and childcare is provided.  This meeting is especially important as School Council nominations and elections will occur.
More information will be following shortly, but we are looking for people to fill the roles of: Chair/Co-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, e-Communications Coordinator, Ward Council Rep and Members-at-Large.
A nomination form will be available in the school office next week and we will also send one out electronically. Feel free to nominate yourself or others (with consultation with that individual first) for any of the above positions and place it in the Council mailbox in the school office.

Please click here to get more information about your School Council  https://earlhaigschoolcouncil.com/school-council/

Important School Times:

8:40 – Yard Supervision Begins
8:55 – Entry to School
10:10 – 10:25 – Recess
11:45 – 12:40 – Lunch
2:05 – 2:15 – Recess
3:25 – Dismissal
3:40 – Yard Supervision Concludes

You can get all sorts of updates on our Blog and via our Twitter and Facebook pages.

 

earlhaigschoolcouncil Earl Haig Information, General Information

Leaving Ladies and Final News

Leaving Ladies

Hilary Gray
(She’s the one on the left)
hilaryAt our last Council meeting, Hilary Gray, our beloved Council President, announced that she would be stepping aside as President. While we are excited for Hilary’s new teaching capacity in the TDSB, we are sad that she will no longer be able to sit as president.  Hilary has promised to mentor the council and will continue to play an active role in school events. Hilary, we thank you for all you’ve done and all you continue to do.

This means the School Council will be looking for new leadership at the September 2015 meeting.  If you are interested in learning more about the role, or have a great idea about being a co-president with a pal, feel free to reach out to the School Council (earlhaigschoolcouncil@gmail.com). The first School Council meeting of the new academic year will be September 15.

Ms. Ellis
ellisAs most of you will already know, Ms. Ellis has left Earl Haig.  We want to thank Ms. Ellis for being a dynamic, caring partner to the School Council. We wish her well in her sabbatical to devote more time to her family, and at her next school. We welcome Mr. McLachlan as the school’s new principal and look forward to continuing the work of the school council with him. 

There are quite a few other teachers leaving Earl Haig this year and we want to thank them for their contributions to student life at Earl Haig and their kindness in interactions with our children.

Eco Schools
Congratulations to Earl Haig for maintaining its Platinum Eco School designation!

Fundraising Survey
Thank you to everyone who has completed the fundraising survey. Your thoughts and comments are invaluable in assisting with the direction of fundraising at the school – what kind of campaigns to undertake, and where the monies should be directed. If you haven’t completed the survey yet, there is still time. Click here – the survey should not take more than 5 minutes to complete. 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9PJW6CT