TFPS School Council - Monday, November 3, 2025

Agenda 

• Introductions
• Land Acknowledgement
• Agenda
• Administrators' Reports
• School Council Forum Follow Up
• Treasurer's Report
• Fundraising
• Meeting Dates

Introductions

School Council attendees introduced themselves. 

Land Acknowledgement

We affirm that we are all treaty people and acknowledge that the York Region District School Board is located on the lands of two treaties. These treaties are signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the First Nations of the Williams Treaties who are: the Mississaugas of Alderville, Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Scugog Island; and the Chippewas of Beausoleil, Rama, and Georgina Island our closest neighbour and partner in education.

To honour this agreement we will take up our responsibility to be respectful of their traditions, knowledges and inherent rights as sovereign nations. We will respect their relationship with these lands and recognize that our connection to this land is through the continued relationship with these First Nations, and we acknowledge our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.

TFPS School Council Norms

• The meeting will begin and end on time (6:30pm-8:00pm)
• All members/guests will:
  • Be open-minded and objective
  • Recognize and respect the personal integrity of each member of the council
  • Allow for diverse opinions to be shared without interruption
  • Limit discussions to matters of school-wide concern
  • No discussion of personal matters or matters concerning specific teachers, students, or staff
  • Not participate in “side discussions” during the meeting
  • Acknowledge and accept the consensus of the council
• Items not on the Agenda:
  • Will be scheduled and discussed at the next meeting; or if time permits, and a consensus is reached, can be discussed at the conclusion of Agenda Items

Authentic Family Engagement

• Inform
  • School shares information about the school and system
    • School informs parents, caregivers, and families through newsletters
• Consult
  • School asks for feedback to support school decisions and actions
    • School asks for parent, caregiver, and family feedback on lunch options for student orders, Grade 8 graduation trips and date preferences for School Council meetings
• Involve
  • School asks for involvement and engagement in activities, events, and planning.
    • School involves parents through participation:
      • Pizza lunch distribution
      • Support for supervision on an excursion
      • Participating in a class lesson to do an activity (i.e. share a story with students and educators)
• Collaborate
  • School partners with families to co-plan and co-create plans, processes and initiatives.
    • School works together with parents, caregivers, and families to co-develop a series of family nights, co-plan a process for educators and students to discuss achievement and co-construct classroom practices. 

School Improvement Plan - Goals - 2025-2026

• Student Achievement: We promote and support high expectations for all
  • If we provide high quality instruction, with foundational skills in math and literacy where we center students as co-leaders, then we will see improved student achievement.
• Health and Well-Being: We build healthy environments and positive relationships
  • If we enhance student engagement and learning outcomes through environments that reflect students' interests and needs, then we will create a safe and healthy environment for all of the TFPS community.
• Human Rights and Inclusivity: We learn and grow together, and affirm our diverse identities
  • If we build partnerships that serve students and families while creating opportunities for community engagement then we will affirm our diverse identities so that staff, students and our community feel valued and respected.

Human Rights and Inclusivity: We learn and grow together, and affirm our diverse identities

If we build partnerships that serve students and families while creating opportunities for community engagement then we will affirm our diverse identities so that staff, students and our community feel valued and respected.

• Public Health - Lead On program
• Public Health - Mental Health and Wellness
• Newmarket Food Pantry
• Goblets and Goblins - D & D team
• Student Nutrition Ontario
• Active School Travel

Administrator's Report

• PA Day Learning - AI Learning and PowerTeacher Pro
• Staff Meeting Learning - Erin’s Law
• Grade 2 and 4 to Vivian Outdoor Centre
• Intermediate Volleyball (Areas: Girls Nov 12th; Boys Nov 18th)
• Intermediate Soccer - Girls 4th place finish
• Cross Country Area and Regionals
• Diwali
• No Carve Pumpkin Contest
• Student Leadership Team - lots of Ideas
• GSA and BSA
• Lebanese Heritage Month
• Hindu Heritage Month
• Albanian Heritage Month
• Treaties Recognition Week
• Holocaust Education Week

Upcoming

• Huron Heights Musical Performance Grades 5-8 (Nov 4)
• Grade 8’s visit to SWMSS (Nov 5th)
• Photo Day (Nov 5th)
• International Inuit Day (Nov 7)
• Indigenous Veterans Day (Nov 8th)
• Remembrance Day Assembly
• Learning Together Equity Symposium (Nov 19)
• Parent - Educator Interviews - Nov 20,21
• Youth S.P.A.C.E. Symposium - mental health awareness and stigma reduction (Nov 17)
• Transgender Awareness Week (Nov 13-19)
• Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov 20th)
• Gifted Screening; Week of Nov 24
• Grade 7’s to Scanlon Creek on Nov 25th

Fundraising

What to consider when creating your fundraising plan:

When should funds be spent?

School Generated Funds should be spent in the year that they are raised/collected according to your fundraising plan/purpose unless the school has a long-term project (i.e. new playground equipment), in which case funds may be carried over to the following school year

Funds may be raised or collected for:

• assistance funds, such as, but not limited to, providing payment for the cost of a field trip for students who require financial assistance;
• supplies, equipment or services which complement items funded by provincial grants, such as, but not limited to, extracurricular band equipment and audio-visual equipment;
• field trips or other excursions;
• guest speakers, presentations or to cover the cost of occasional staff to assist with events and activities for students;
• ceremonies, awards, plaques, trophies or prizes for students (i.e. graduation);
• scholarships or bursaries;
• extra-curricular activities and events; and/or
• school yard improvement projects, such as, but not limited to, playground equipment, shade structures and gardens, with prior approval from Plant Services

Funds may not be raised or collected for:

• items funded through provincial grants such as, but not limited to, core learning materials, supplies, furniture, technology, workbooks, etc.
• facility renewal, maintenance, or upgrades funded through the provincial grants, such as, but not limited to, structural repairs, sanitation, emergency repairs, or replacing flooring due to wear and tear;
• infrastructure improvements which increase the student capacity of a school or are funded by provincial grants;
• goods or services for employees (i.e. gifts or lunches for staff appreciation), where such purchases would contravene the Education Act or school council by-laws regarding conflict of interest;
• professional development or occasional teacher coverage for staff attendance at professional development activities;
• administrative expenses not associated with the fundraising activity; or
• support for religious or partisan political activities, groups or candidates.

School Council Fall Forum 2025-2026

Follow-Up

Who: Kathryn, Ellie, Meagan, and Lianne

• AI uses at School and at Home
• Mental Health - Social Media, and Vaping

Future Fundraising

• Mabel's Labels
• Lunches
  • Pizza
  • Zuccas
  • Subway Sub (visiting council)

Discussion

• Fun Fair?
• Garage Sale?
• Costume or Skate Swap or Sale

2025-2026 Council Meeting Dates:

• October 6 (Complete)
• November 3 (Complete)
• January 12
• February 2
• March 2
• May 4