Blue Willow School Council Meeting Minutes - February 20, 2025

Location: Blue Willow Public School  

Library

Start Time: 6:10 p.m

End Time: 7:30

Parent / Guardian / Family Members:

(Voting Members) 

Parent / Guardian / Family Members: 

(Non Voting Members) 

Student Member(s)

Administration/Staff Members

Regrets

Other Attendees

1. Jag Nebula (Co-Chair)
2. Andrea Trifunovic (Co-Chair)
3. Elisha Bessette (Pisano) (Secretary)
4. Lisa Lai (Online)
5. Amanda Galati Hunte
6. Tammesha Cox
7. Weronika Drab
8. Elif Topyurek (Online)
9. Essi Strazimiri (Online)
10. Tavia Allen (Online)
11. Tiziana Guido (Online) 

12.  Bianca Tjroze (Online) 

     

• Mr. Corey Birnbaum (Principal)
• Ms. Deborah Abel (Vice Principal)
• Ms Setton 

Name (if applicable)

Agenda Items

Discussion and Action Items

The meeting was called to order at 6:04 pm by Jag

Jag went over the norms, and welcomed everyone.  

Mrs. Abel shared a teachers’ efforts in education from the staff meeting regarding connecting to identities & importance of our names to our heritage.

Mrs. Abel delivered the Land Acknowledgement.

Power BI:

Last year 5 students self-identified as FNMI; this year 8 students self-identified as per school data 

The agenda was approved as written and would be placed on the school website.

Andrea and Weronika motioned – all approved

Library: 

• Focus on stem/ coding/makerspace - library space is in transformation to turn to Learning commons.
• 3 year fundraising plan for Learning commons: First phase – new tables and chairs including writable surfaces/varied seating
• School has ordered new coding/robotics materials including: Microbits and B Bots 

School Happenings: 

• Grade 3 gifted screening process stage
• Lego Robotics tournament: JR rep BW 5^th and 8^th place. Want to continue coding and practicing. Grade 4-6. Grade 6 rep in team. Next year is JR and Grade 8. Primary- ordered introductory to coding material, maker space in library + brick builder. Brick Builder is Thursday Day 2 and 3. Chess is Friday. Kindness club is open to primary.
• Games club starting Jr robotics, chess club: Chess only G4-8, Math is only 7-8 for Gouse Competition.
• Mental Health: staff nominate students to work with York Region Public Health on becoming leaders
• Mid-Year Caring and Safe School Assembly
• Scientist in the School
• Class Trips
• Grade 8 Transition: Course selection due Feb 21.
• Continuing to support students engaged in online social interactions occurring in the evenings/ weekends and impacting relationships

School Happenings: 

• Frosty Fest Movie Night
• Earth Rangers Assembly
• Black History Month: want to capture BHM and beyond
• Term 1 Report Cards
• Term 2 IEPs
• Jan Staff Meeting- Focus on STEAM
• Front Foyer Display
• Grade 3 Gifted Screening- finding out students waiting for results. CCAT screener, kids above threshold go to second stage of assessment.  

School funds to support School experiences: Each homeroom can access either $250 for an in school experience or $300 for an offsite field trip. Some experiences that have taken place or are planned include: 

• Community class- harbour front skating.
• Grade 3 this spring- CN Tower
• Grade 2- McMichael Gallery – have grant to offset for cost
• Grade 7- sent to CN tower already
• G 6- have scientist come in
• Dance In school program for 7-8
• School is working through creating a payment plan for families of grade 8 students to share upcoming costs related to Graduation reception and Grade 8 grad trip (Blue Mountain). This will be shared with families shortly 

Upcoming Events: 

• Planning for 2025- 26 already underway. (following YRDSB timelines- this includes tentative planning/ organization of classes and tentative staffing)
• Elections at BW
• Ramadan
• Goodnews Assembly
• Grade 8 Career Fair
• Mid Winter Break (M 10-14)
• Discover Kindergarten
• Walking Wednesday (once per month)
• Wellness Day
• Book Fair
• Fun Fair
• Steam Night- April 24 – Art Gallery/ Science Fair. Hoping to make it available for K- G8
• Talent Showcase- no date yet. March 3-7 audition, 2-4 minutes criteria. Try to connect to parents via category so parents can prep props / costumes. 

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Treasurer Report: Amanda

$5,726.33 

• Fresh from the Farm - $521.30
• Kernels - $471.72
• Big Box of Cards : $688.62
• Frosty Fest: $2,450.72
• Movie Night: $356.59
• Krispy Kreme: $624
• Hot Lunch: $1800 Est $1500 last 17 weeks. $3000 for hot lunch. 

Vacant Treasurer Position available due to a move: 

• Mr. Birnbaum addressed voting members regarding options for filling the vacant role: role acclaimed by Amanda Galati-Hunte
• Voting Members passed motion to maintain their current membership and not fill the general voting member space created by the previous voting member’s departure

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Fun Fair May 29- 5pm to 8pm – Weronika

• 2 ice cream trucks booked
• Popcorn and cotton candy book from current vendor
• Fire Truck is secure. Waiting contact for police car
• Kinark- resource 333 for mental health, ADHD, ADD, booth for families and children
• Question: Cash and Preorder. Pre-orders will be available on Cash Online
• Inflatable sports activity – basketball/soccer (not climbable)
• Activity Tables: TBD, Give Prizes
• Silent Auction:  Local Small Business willing to give donations.
• Need Volunteers, Staff required, High School Students can sign for volunteer hours.
• Looking into University Robotics to present something 

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Community Engagement

• Talent Show – preparations underway
• Frosty Fest- parents are expecting it to be an annual event
• ISP: Roma Arts and Craft: spots are still available.
• June 17^th - Teacher Pot Luck
• May 22- Last Council Meeting 

Priorities: 

• Library  fundraising
• Grade 8 Grad – supporting decorations  
• Vetting a motivational speaker for PRO Grant 

Next Year

• Will need to pass Motion for Krispy Kreme for 2025-26
• Prioritize how funds to be distributed to support school needs 

Motion to close- Amanda 

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Fundraising 

Nothing to report

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Hot Lunch Committee

 Nothing to report