1. MINUTES OF THE
    2. DATE: September 15, 2025
    3. Location: St. Mary Catholic Elementary School Library
      1. A. ROUTINE MATTERS
      2. 1. Opening Prayer
      3. 2. Roll Call
      4. CARRIED
      5. 4. Disclosure of Interest
      6. CARRIED
      7. B. PRESENTATIONS: n/a 
      8. C. PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
      9. Fundraisers:
      10. Parent Engagement Funds – Focus for this year? – Healthy Schools
      11. E. STAFF REPORT
      12. F. AGENDA ITEMS-DISCUSSION FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
      13. G. NEXT MEETING: November 17, 2025 @ 6:00 pm
      14. H. ADJOURNMENT: 7:11 pm
      15. CARRIED: Katherine Lynette
     
     
    alt
     
     





    MINUTES OF THE
     
    St. MaryCATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING
     





    DATE: September 15, 2025





    Location: St. Mary Catholic Elementary School Library

     

    alt
    Minutes of the Meeting of the St. Mary Catholic School Council, held on September 15, 2025   at 6:00 pm.
     
    The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm   by Chair Derrick Copeland .
     





    A.  ROUTINE MATTERS
     



    1. Opening Prayer
     
    The opening prayer was led by Mrs. Solomon
     



    2. Roll Call
     
     

    CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
    Present
    Excused
    Absent
    Principal/Vice-Principal

    Secretary/Treasurer

          		Maria Solomon – maria.solomon@ncdsb.com

          		ü     
    Chair Derick Copeland - dcopeland3@cogeco.ca

          		   
    Co-Chair(s)     
    Teacher Representative Jennifer Alaimo jennifer.alaimo@ncdsb.com

     

    Erin Peskett erin.peskett@ncdsb.com

          		   
    Non-Teaching Representative n/a    
    Student Representative n/a    
    Parish Representative n/a    
    OAPCE Representative n/a    
    PARENT/GUARDIAN MEMBERS
    Katherine Lynett – katherinelynett123@gmail.com

          		   
    Meaghan Misiak-    meaghan.tudhope@gmail.com

          		   
    Yirah Corona yirah.maria.corona@gmail.com

          		   
    Stephanie Hancock - steph8han@gmail.com

          		   
        
        
        


     

    3.  Approval of the Agenda 

     

    Moved by Katherine Lynette

    THAT the St. Mary Catholic School Council approve the Agenda of the St. Mary Catholic School Council Meeting of September 15, 2025.





    CARRIED

     





    4.  Disclosure of Interest

     

    No Disclosures of Interest were declared with any items on the agenda.

    (If conflict of Interest is declared please record)

     

    5.  Approval of Minutes of St. Mary Catholic School Council Meeting of September 15, 2025

     

    Moved by ___________________________

    THAT St. Mary Catholic School Council approve the Minutes of the St. Mary   Catholic School Council Meeting.





    CARRIED

     

    Congratulations to Derick Copeland who has been acclaimed as this year’s Catholic School Council Chair

     





    B.   PRESENTATIONS: n/a  

     





    C.   PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

     

    1.  Niagara Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (NCPIC) Report – none to report

    2.  Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Report – none to report

    3.  Catholic School Council Financial Statement – nothing to report at this time.

    4.  Niagara Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (NCPIC) Report


    ·   Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE) Conference – please see link if you’re interested in attending https://oapce.org/events/


    ·   Can apply for funding for you to attend the conference

     





    Fundraisers:

    -Nutrition Program – continue with Poinsettias at Christmas and providing an option to make a school donation through school cash online for the Nutrition Program

    - Technology in Classrooms- M. Solomon shared that we will be purchasing a few more chromebooks from CSC’s fundraisings; currently have purchased 2 Smart TVs and 1 TV to replace outdated technology in the classroom along with 10 new Chromebooks

    -Delta Bingo – Thank you to Katherine Lynette for volunteering for Delta Bingo November volunteers for November 22 /25 (12:00 noon -2:00pm)

    - Gift Baskets – Spring during May (Catholic Education Week)

    -Gift Card Calendar – During Valentine’s Day – M. Solomon will contact other colleagues to find out more information

     

    Food Days and Milk – reflect Healthy Schools Initiatives

    Ø   M. Solomon to contact McNab for milk

    Ø   D. Copeland will begin on Tuesdays or Wednesdays Smoothie Days with fresh fruit.(Funds will come out of Nutrition Fund). Will begin in November. M. Solomon is to communicate with parents through School Messenger

    Ø   M. Solomon to contact Pita Pit & Subway

    Ø   D. Copeland to contact Swiss Chalet to see if they can substitute French Fries for a Healthy alternative

    Ø   Y. Corona will look into Kelly Greens Healthy Snack Ideas

    Ø   K. Lynett will look into Small Scale Farms and Odd Box

    1.  Meet & Greet – Tuesday September 23 4:30-6:00 pm – same format as last year; will be gently worn dress code items, invite of SWISS workers and Niagara Falls Library

    2.  Linda McQueen Acknowledgement of Retirement – Tuesday September 23 @ Meet & Greet

    Cake will be offered. M. Solomon sent email with the minutes of tonight’s meeting to members of CSC asking for one of the members to look into getting coffee that evening. E. Peskett purchasing cake from Cosco. D. Copeland will be looking into the cutlery, paper plates and napkins.

    -M. Solomon shared that Oct. 1/25 2-5 will be an Honorary Tea for Linda. Catholic School Council will help with the event.

     





    Parent Engagement Funds – Focus for this year? – Healthy Schools

    Ø M. Solomon to reach out to Josh Green from Go Fitness Niagara to see if he is interested in doing a parent engagement event and also working with students

    Parent Involvement Memo 082 (2025-2026) Attachment-Parent Engagement Funding Application 2025-2026-Fillable.pdf


    3.  Christmas Night – Making Gingerbread Houses - Wednesday, December 17, 2025

    Ø   Committee will advise when Cosco is selling the product and to purchase 55

    Ø   D. Copeland will pick up Gingerbread Houses

     

     


    D. POLICY REVIEW AND FEEDBACK  

    · Board By-Laws Policy (100.1) and the Trustee Electronic Meetings (Board and Committees) Policy (100.8) that are currently being vetted for your review and the NCPIC Policy Feedback

    1.  Feedback to be submitted on behalf of the NCPIC is to be sent to Yvonne Anderson at yvonne.anderson@ncdsb.com no later than 12:00p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

    2.  Feedback being submit as an individual, is to be sent directly to Anna Pisano at anna.pisano@ncdsb.com no later than 12:00p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.


     

     





    E.  STAFF REPORT

    Staff Report for Catholic School Council

    September 15, 2025 - Report Prepared by: J. Alaimo

     


    Ø Month of September we have had our first fire drill on Sept. 10 and our first of two lockdown drills will be on September 18, 2025 (approx. 4 min. in length)

    Ø Mrs. Solomon attended a St. Paul Gr. 8 Transition Mtg. with all the elementary schools in the

    Ø St. Paul Family of Schools to discuss transition activities for our Grade 8 students

    Ø Gr. 8s attended their Journeys Retreat in Stevensville today

    Ø Sept. 19 is a PA Day for students; teachers will be attending a Faith Day that will begin at St. Patrick Church for mass followed by engaging in Bishop Bergie’s address and faith activities in the afternoon

    Ø September 23 is our first school mass at 9:30ish for grade 1-8 along with our Meet the Teacher Night 4:30-6:00 pm

    Ø September 24 (Junior Girls Soccer @ Michelson)

    Ø September 25 (Junior Boys Soccer @ Michelson)

    Ø Delta Bingo volunteers for this month is Ms. Brant and myself on Thursday September 25 4-6pm

    Ø Terry Fox Walk will take place on Friday September 26. It is also an out of dress code day. Students are encouraged to wear read/white in honour of Terry’s legacy - rain date Oct.3/25

    Ø Sept. 29 is Picture Day and Tree Planting with our Indigenous partners for the Board to create an inclusive and special space for our Indigenous gatherings (on berm of hill)

    Ø Sept 30 Orange Shirt Day

    Ø Oct. 8 – Cross Country @ Queenston Heights

    Ø Oct. 17 – Holy Childhood Walk

    Ø Oct. 20 – 24 – Book Fair

    Ø Oct. 26 – Parish Commitment Ceremony for Confirmation @ 9:30 and also St. Paul’s Pilgrimage

     





    F.  AGENDA ITEMS-DISCUSSION FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

     





    G. NEXT MEETING: November 17, 2025 @ 6:00 pm

     





    H. ADJOURNMENT: 7:11 pm

     

    I. CLOSING PRAYER: Hail Mary

     

    THAT the September 15, 2025   meeting of St. Mary Catholic Elementary School Council be adjourned.





    CARRIED: Katherine Lynette

     

    This meeting was adjourned at 7:11 pm

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