Did You Know?

Below is a fascinating video called Did You Know, circulated by Steve Cole of school council. This piece was produced earlier this year by SonyBMG as part of a worldwide strategic planning exercise, i.e. what are game-changing megatrends for the next 10-20 years. While some of the statistics are eye-opening by themselves, think of these in the context of our children's world - the world in which they learn today and will work tomorrow. These are changing and exciting times to say the least. Are they prepared for it?

2009 Treasures Coupon Book

A quick reminder to return all orders, payments & any unsold Treasures Coupon Books to the school ASAP. To those who have purchased this year’s book, thank you and enjoy the savings!

Special thanks to Steve Cole and his son Scott who spent a lot of their personal time managing this important program.

A Challenging Year Ahead

There is little doubt that 2008-2009 will be, financially, a challenging year for all. Council fundraising programs (CCRP™ Magazine and 2009 Treasures® Book) are tracking -30% versus year ago, which is substantial in terms of dollars to the school and significant in that we have not experienced this before at Clemens Mill. High fuel prices and economic concerns have taken their toll on our parents and our families.

Nevertheless, prudent financial management by Council in 2007-2008 has allowed us to carry over funding into 2008-2009, and helped offset some of the year-to-date fundraising shortfall. Though less than originally planned, Council will still be able to support a number of value-added programs and purchases, benefiting both students and parents. These include:
• Five (5) Alpha Smart Neo™ computers
• New school teams uniforms
• Literacy picture books kits
• Two (2) conference/reading tables
• Speed stacking cups for intramurals and QDPA
• Two (2) alphabet sounds teaching tubs
• Climate committee guests and speakers
• Turn off TV week materials and prizes
• Gymnasium projector screen
• Wireless microphone for presentations/speakers
• Two (2) music stands, metronome and stereo for music class
• Lights for Front & Centre concert
• Twenty (20) dictionaries (20)
• Grade 8 yearbook subsidy
• Hush-Up chair/floor protectors
• “Splash” mascot costume
• Parent seminar
• Family BBQ
• Main office wireless headset
• Batteries for staff/security walkie talkies

Thanks again for your consideration and your continued support of Clemens Mill fundraising programs.

Keep Sending in Your Zehrs Tapes!

Thanks to all the parents who've sent in Zehrs tapes and receipts. We've already raised $229 year to date, and could double this amount by year end. This is an all the more important endeavor in a year when fundraising efforts fall short due to tough economic conditions. Special thanks to Nadine Domingos who assembled and tallied a very large number of receipts, and to Zehrs for their continued community support.

Minutes from October 15th Meeting

Meeting Start: 7:00 PM
Meeting Close: 8:45 PM
Attendees: Richard Marcil, Ozzie Ahmed, Kimberly Namespetra-Sullivan, Roger Boettcher, Alison Wardrop, Barb MacLeod, Lisa McDonald, Steve Cole, Tabatha Dominguez, Donna White, Janet Clemens-Hiltz, Elizabeth Ney, Lisa Hooper
Next Meeting: November 12, 2008 at 7:00 PM

2008-2009 Budget Review
The 2008-2009 School Council budget opens with more than 2007-2008 at $38 684.16. After inserting all the projected income items and all the items from the school wish list, the numbers balance. A decision was reached to publish this budget November 1, 2008, but to have a mid-year review of this budget at the March 2009 meeting to allow for more flexibility as the school population has declined this year. It was also commented that it may be useful to add pictures to our website as there may be parent questions about what we are funding.

• There was some concern about the use of School Council funds being used to purchase books. Roger agreed but added that School Councils sometimes add to what the school board purchases; in this case the request is for literacy picture books for Intermediate classes. Barb explained that this request stems from an interest for teaching literacy reading strategies and having sets for small groups as a complementary aid to facilitate learning.
• Questions about the purchase of school uniforms were discussed. Information on the quality included that they will be reversible with a lifespan of two plus years.
• With the purchase of neo computers it was decided to revisit the possibility of buying more at mid-year should there be sufficient funds.
• Alison spoke on behalf of the Climate Committee funding for posters that promote the character development traits that are focused on each month. Alison and the Council agreed that this minimal cost continues to pay off all year as the messages can be referred to throughout the year. They have also started a bead program for student and ultimately Colour House success.
• The idea of having parent seminars with undecided content at present was approved by the Council at the cost of $1000.00 twice throughout the school year.
• The final cost for a School Mascot is undecided as there is a large range of prices and quality. Richard suggested that Roger and Alison look into this further for exactly what they want.
• The cost of a headset and batteries for the Main Office was approved.
• The final cost of projector for presentations in the gymnasium is still undecided as the spectrum of expense is large. We will continue to look at all solutions for something most cost effective. Roger will speak with other schools who have recently made a similar purchase.
• The costs for requests for the Music classroom, Grade 8 yearbook, concert lights rental, an additional microphone, hush-ups for more classrooms, playground maintenance, and the family BBQ were approved as seen on the draft budget.
• Final budget numbers will be finalized for the November 12, 2008 meeting although it will be released over the next couple of weeks. Richard added that there was no point in waiting for the budget to be released – staff can go ahead and start making the purchases for which they made requests.

Program Update

• Richard let the Council know that the Magazine Campaign seems to be relatively on track toward similar numbers as last year before final numbers have come in.
• The Lunch Lady Program seems to be going well, as per Richard. Feedback from the students and parents is positive, although allergies need to be addressed in terms of logistics. The School Council will be earning approximately 10% of the profits on this program.
• Steve spoke about the Treasures Book campaign. Wednesday, October 29, 2008 will be the launch date with a closing date of November 21, 2008. A more efficient tracking system has been developed this year. 700 books will be dropped off at the school so that each student will have one to take home.

CMAC Review
Roger and Alison both took turns speaking about CMAC, what it is and how it functions. Roger described the program as Clemens Mill version of a leadership opportunity provided for Grade 7 and Grade 8 students. CMAC is an amalgamation of what student council and athletic council was previously with 4 teacher volunteers who subdivide the students involved into committees.
Approximately 150 students apply for CMAC with 30 chosen. The students then work with the teachers to plan and run school events, intramurals, community programs, and assist with school programs. Roger felt that it was important to note that CMAC is not designed to be a leadership training place, but a program for leaders. There was a lot of parent discussion about concerns that students who are not chosen feel discouraged that they haven’t made it onto CMAC and that there aren’t a lot other opportunities for them to develop leadership skills. Alison and Roger both commented on the many other opportunities for students to be involved at Clemens Mill. Roger also mentioned that the disbanding of CMAC has been considered. The objective of CMAC as Roger put it is for student opportunity. Roger wants to assure everyone that they are trying to balance and give each group a sense of identity. There was a comment made that there should be visibility for all student groups with a suggestion that all groups to have the same T-shirt but with different colours/crests in order to create more equality across the student groups rather than CMAC being considered at the top of the hierarchy.

Graduation Location/Facilities Discussion
The question of a Grade 8 graduation location will be discussed at the next Intermediate Division meeting, and the results will be brought up at the November Council meeting.

Portable Update
Roger mentioned that the Environmental Officer from the school board came out and checked 2 portables and orally reported that both had no problems; a written report will be forthcoming and the Environmental Officer will check again once the winter weather arrives. A parent mentioned that Saginaw Public School has been in touch with Cindy Watson at the school board regarding air conditioning/tree coverage for portables, and asked if Clemens Mill is on this priority list. Roger will look into whether we are on this further.

Gate Update
The request was forwarded on to Rob Seeley at the school board; no information has come back to date.

EQAO Results
The results of the EQAO testing for Grade 3 and Grade 6 will be on the November 2008 agenda.

November Council Meeting Agenda

When: November 12th, 2008
Where: Art Room
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM


Agenda:
1. Budget review – Ozzie/Richard (15 minutes)
2. EQAO results review – Roger/Alison/all (45 minutes)
3. Program update (20 minutes)
4. Other – all (10 minutes)

All parents are welcomed to attend!

2009 Treasures Coupon Book

Today, your child brought home the 2009 Treasures® Coupon Book. This is the second year that Clemens Mills Public School is offering the Treasures® Coupon Book. Our goal is to give our hard-working families a break – a break in terms of their expenses. Whether its day-to-day spending, weekend treats or family activities, it adds up and fast. To help with this, the 2009 Treasures® Coupon Book is filled with high-value discounts; hundreds of 2-for-1 coupons and 50% off discounts at area fine dining, casual dining and fast food restaurants. There is also a great selection of discount admissions for local attractions, activities and golf courses.

What Parents Need to Know …

1. Each child was sent home with one (1) Treasures® Coupon Book as a sample. Please do not tear out coupons unless you intend to purchase this coupon book. Also, use this book to show others.
2. Each book sells for $32. As a bonus, Clemens Mill Public School will also benefit from the sale of the 2009 Treasures® Coupon Book. But that’s not the goal of the program. It’s to help you save your money!
3. Savings can really add up and the book quickly pays for itself with as little as 1 or 2 coupons. Tell neighbours, family and friends!
4. Everyone who purchases a Treasures® Coupon Book can also sign up for additional online offers at www.TreasuresBook.ca. More savings!
5. The Treasures® Books are valid immediately and expire December 1, 2009.

The campaign ends on November 10th. Please return all orders, payments & any unsold coupon books to the school on that date.