MINUTES BLACK WALNUT PUBLIC SCHOOL – School Council Minutes
October 5, 2026
Meeting Format: In-Person
Attendees
In Attendance:
Parents: Stephanie W., Jennifer R., Shelby C., Christine M., Harmandeep B., Tiffany G., Jennifer W., Mithula V., Chandni M., Lyli V., Kathryn R.
Administration: Vivienne Baines (Principal), Meaghan Harley (Vice Principal)
Regrets: Parents: Amy C., Nasia I.
Agenda
Welcome new attendees, brief overview of role of School Council provided by Stephanie.
Land Acknowledgment:
• Stephanie Whittamore read the YRDSB Land Acknowledgement
Approval of agenda:
• Moved by Jenn W. and seconded by Shelby C.
Approval of minutes of May 4, 2026 meeting:
• Moved by Jennifer R. and seconded by Jenn W.
School Report – Vivienne Baines & Meaghan Harley
• Terry Fox Run
• Cross County
• Flag football
• Chess Team
• SPACE team – Good Vibes week ongoing this week (themed days)
• Walking Wednesdays have started – hoping to encourage walking or biking to school. So far there seem to be a lot fewer people driving this year compared to last year.
• Next School Council meeting (Nov 2) will have a presentation from Active School Team to share results and feedback of our School Streets pilot project from last year
• Caring and Safe Schools assemblies have taken place
• Class reorganization:
o Another classroom was opened for a Grade 4/5 (Ms. Catalano returned to the school)
o As a result some students had to shuffle classrooms, including in the primary grades in order to meet Board-required numbers. Staff put a great deal of effort and thought into these decisions, keeping in mind the needs of the students.
• School lunches start tomorrow
• School clothing store has opened online
• Curriculum Night will occur on Thursday
• Picture Day will be on October 22
• Our school has been approved for the Healthy Snack program again this year (sponsored by PC)
Council Chair and Treasurer’s Report – Stephanie W.
• School Council had our Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children in a Digital World event by The Empower Project after our last meeting of the year in May. We had 70 people register and about 35 people actually attended; it was well received.
• PRO Grant – grant in the amount of $800 which can be used for parent engagement events. Can consider new speaker for this year or combining grant with another school to hold joint event.
• Had a few responses to the Volunteer Request survey that went out in early September. A few new volunteers helping with hot lunches which is great because we added Thursday BarBurrito option this year (thank you Tiffany!)
• Discussion occurred around considering offering hybrid meeting options again to encourage more parents to participate in School Council. Child care barriers did not appear to be a factor in the Volunteer Survey results (from those who did reply).
• We have 100 subs, 170 burritos, and 300 pizza lunch orders for the fall term. Subs and pizza are consistent with last year, and do not appear to have been affected by burritos.
• Some feedback that the cost for the lunches was expensive, especially since cost of full term up front. Doing more than one ordering period per term is too administratively burdensome under the current format, but Stephanie will look into Lunchbox by SCO rates to see if using their service would be worthwhile and still earn sufficient fundraising dollars. We currently mark up the lunch cost as it is a fundraiser, but this is usually around $1 per lunch. When researching new lunch options Tiffany found that BarBurrito was on par with all other options, and that Boston Pizza and Subway are giving us great deals.
• Discussion occurred around equity and whether the lunch program makes some students feel left out if their families cannot afford them, and can we instead look to fundraisers that do not exclude some students in such a visible way. It was mentioned that many working parents greatly appreciate lunch options, and some would look to Uber Eats or other apps for delivery if we did not offer lunches, meaning students would still see lunch deliveries anyway. Bubble tea is less essential; that is why the decision was made in past to only offer monthly.
• The School Council Forum for our area is scheduled for December 2, 2026 – two parents welcome to attend. Let Stephanie know if interested.
• $5,810 carried forward from the last school year. We typically earmark this for the cost sharing (Board matching program) for tech expenses, but that can be discussed at next meeting once matching amount is known.
Appointment of Executive for 2026-2027
• Chair – Stephanie Whittamore is nominated o Moved by Jennifer R., seconded by Jenn W.
• Secretary – Jennifer Reitsma is nominated
o Moved by Christine M., seconded by Stephanie W.
• Treasurer – Mithula Venugopan is nominated
o Moved by Stephanie W., seconded by Jennifer R.
Appointment of Voting Members for 2026-2027
• Constitution/bylaw currently allows maximum 17 voting members; however, this has not been adjusted recently. Stephanie to bring review of Constitution to next meeting agenda.
• Volunteers for voting members: Stephanie W., Jennifer R., Shelby C., Christine M., Harmandeep B., Jennifer W., Mithula V., Chandni M., Lyli V., Amy C., Kathryn R. (11 in total)
• All votes require 50% + 1 to pass (no proxies)
Engagement & Fundraising Committee
• Please consider leading or lending your voice to this committee
Next Meeting – November 2, 2026