Primer

Lady Evelyn Alternative School Council

Newsletter

September 2001

First Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 19th, 2001

7:30 P.M.

The first council meeting of the year is next Wednesday evening, and it is important as it will help launch the council’s plans for the year. It may be a tired old song, but we need help in organizing and running all the extra programmes that add to the educational and social life of our kids. And besides, its fun.

Agenda

Council Executive selection. Come out and get involved.

Arts programmes. Valerie has some suggestions for arts groups that we may want to bring into the school this year.

Playground Equipment. The school could use more balls, skipping ropes, etc.

School start times. Last years survey showed considerable interest in looking further into changing the school start time to 8:30 A.M.

Advertising. Is it time to get our “Alternative” programme more widely known?

Financial Report.

Social Committee Report

Fall Swimming Update.

Parent Survey.

Principal’s Message.

Refreshments will be served!

Welcome back. Or for new families to Lady Evelyn, Welcome.

Lady Evelyn, as an Alternative School, is particularly dependent on parent volunteers to help our great teachers in the classroom as well as with extra-curricular activities, policy decisions and fundraising. We need to get the word out to more parents as to the different ways they can help and how the council's fundraising benefits the school. This should be an exciting year, with more focus on team-teaching and a re-examination of our alternativeness. I hope to see a lot of you around the halls this year.

Richard

Primer

.Richard Deadman and David Dean have worked this summer to produce a simple one-page "flyer" that introduces the school and our concept of alternative education. It is hoped that this will be accessible to parents and help clarify what "Alternative" means to new and prospective families. A copy is attached to this newsletter.

Council Meetings

Here is a list of the upcoming council meeting for the year, that will hopefully enable parents and guardians to be able to plan ahead and be able to attend council meetings:

•Wednesday Sept. 19, 2001 - 7:30 P.M.
•Thursday October 18, 2001 - 3:00 P.M.
•Tuesday November 13, 2001 - 7:30 P.M.
•Wednesday Dec. 12, 2001 - 7:30 P.M.
•Thursday January 17, 2002 - 7:30 P.M.
•Tuesday February 12, 2002 - 3:00 P.M.
•Wednesday March 20, 2002 - 7:30 P.M.
•Thursday April 18, 2002 - 7:30 P.M.
•Tuesday May 14, 2002 - 7:30 P.M.
•Wednesday June 5, 2002 - 7:30 P.M.

Web Update

The school council's web site lists council meeting minutes, information pages, old newsletters, agendas and other information that our families may find interesting over the year. Please see the top of this newsletter for the web address.

As well, there is a mailing list that allows for a discussion of ongoing council business as well as notifications of events. All families and staff are encouraged to join by sending "subscribe ladyevelyn" as the subject of an email to "majordomo@deadman.ca"

Fundraising

Last year our fundraising money was used, among other things, to:

•Bring in arts groups
•Pay for the conflict resolution programme for our students
•Support our primary and junior choirs
•Pay for Swimming lessons for the Junior Grades at Jack Purcell pool
•Replenish emergency lunch supplies
•Buy equipment (balls, ropes, etc.) For the playground
•etc.

As you can see, our funds benefit the whole school community. We need more volunteers. If you would like to help, please give Sue Hollingsworth a call at 234-2904

Committees

.The school council has several committees that report to council and run activities. They are also a way to get together with other parents and guardians and have fun. If you would like to join a committee, or help with an activity like Pizza Lunches or Choir, contact Richard Deadman at 231-2150.

Committees include:

•Social
•Fundraising
•Physical Plant (Yard)
•Health

We also need a treasurer, volunteer co-ordinator, ASAC and OCASC reps., among others.

Conferences

The Citizens for Public Education will be holding a one day symposium entitled "Really Effective Education: a Primer on Public Education in Ontario" at the University of Guelph on Saturday, October 13^th. Mitchell Beer, form the local "Our Schools, Our Communities" will be making a presentation, along with eight other speakers. The keynote will be delivered by Charles Pascal, Executive Director of the Atkinson Foundation and former Deputy Minister of Education (1993 to 1995).

Further information can be obtained by telephoning Citizens For Public Education at (519) 836-6973 or by emailing them at: c4ped@hotmail.com.