Meeting Minutes 
Davidson Creek Elementary School Council
June 8, 2021 6:30pm
   Included: Annual General Meeting (AGM)  . - Zoom Video Conference Meeting
Board Members 
Melissa Presse, Chair | Sarah Anderson, Vice Chair | Karli Butler, Secretary 
|Vacant - Communications

DCE School Council Meeting MINUTES 

The Chair welcomed attendees and guests and gave a Treaty 6 Acknowledgment  
Attendance:
Exec Committee: Melissa Presse, Chair, Sarah Anderson, Vice Chair, Karli Butler, Secretary, 
Absent: Vacant - Communications

DCE Staff:  Kaye Schindeler, Principal, Murray Howell, Assistant Principal, 
Marlis Marler, Assistant Principal, Amy Oslanski, Teacher, Becky Mitchell, School Registrar

Parent Representatives:  13 parents/caregivers attended the Zoom meeting.

Approval of Agenda:  
The Chair asked for changes in the agenda - no changes were made/requested.
•	Motion carried by: 	Chloe F.
•	Seconded by: 		Sara G.

Approval of DCE SC Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2021
May 11, 2021 Minutes - Approved
•	Motion carried by:   	Courtney M.
•	Seconded by: 		Keri H.

Kaye Schindeler, Principal Report

Next year (fall 2021) we will be keeping recess groups divided like we have this year. We found it worked well for children using the playground equipment since we are a large school. 
As we look towards the beginning of the school year in 2021, we do not yet know which teachers will be teaching which students.  Some teachers are leaving or on mat leave. We will know more about our staff compliment closer to the start of school and will be sure to communicate any changes.

Trustee Report
Annette, our School Trustee, gave a brief summary of EIPS’s COVID response as the school year is ending. An audit of EIPS’s response was completed, which generated a lessons-learned document for future challenges of this nature.
On May 26, 2021 EIPS School Trustees had a board meeting, where we approved 2021-2022 budget. Details can be found online at EIPS Board of Trustee website.
Additionally, the Board approved education 2021-2022 plan – this is also available on EIPS Board of Trustee website.
Annette encouraged parents to read the third-party report, independently commissioned by EIPS Board or Trustees, of the K-6 curriculum being proposed by the Alberta government. The report was emailed to all parents on May 20, 2021, but can also be found on the Board of Trustee’s website.
Karen G. a school council member, remarked there is a Facebook group called “Albertans reject Alberta Curriculum” that offers additional information and comments about the suggested k-6 curriculum. This is open to all Alberta parents who are interested in finding out more.
Annette spoke to the report provided below:
Report for Davidson Creek School Council
Annette Hubick – EIPS Trustee
June 8, 2021
DECISIONS AT MAY 26, 2021, BOARD MEETING
2021-2022 Budget
The Board approved the 2021-2022 budget. You can access it in the Board meeting package (budget starts on page 15) https://www.eips.ca/download/347285
Highlights: 
The 2021-22 Budget has been developed with a conservative approach due to the continued uncertainty of the external environment.
•	Total budget is $197.18 million 
•	Planned operating deficit of $6.85 million, which is offset by operating reserves (see my report from your last school council meeting for a breakdown of the Division reserve plan).
•	Staff decreased to 1,319.57 FTE (Certificated 851.96 FTE, Classified 467.61 FTE) 
o	A decrease of 2.73 FTE (0.2%) from the 2020-21 Fall Budget.

Transportation Fee Rebate
The Board approved EIPS Student Transportation’s recommendation that students who have accessed busing for the entire 2020-21 school year receive a transportation fee credit. This recommendation is in recognition that due the pandemic, students have not had access to busing service as determined in a “regular year” because of school closures and quarantine procedures for close contacts. Although service levels and did not change, savings on fuel has afforded this one-time credit offer.
•	Fee credit is 5% for K-6 and 10% of 7-12. 
•	The breakdown of the fee credits is an estimated total of $76,453 and will be absorbed within the 2020-21 Student Transportation budget. 
•	Credit percentages were calculated based on the average number of days the grade configurations below did not access busing due to school closures because of the pandemic. 
•	Fee credits will be applied through the EIPS payment portal which is accessed via the parent portal accounts. 

EIPS Education Plan
For the first time, school boards are required to submit their annual Education Plans in the spring (previously was in the fall). The plan outlines EIPS’s goals and priorities, key strategies, the performance measures that will be used to assess progress and the Assurance Engagement Cycle—this is a new section that outlines how the Division will engage stakeholders in the Plan, whether that’s gathering input or reporting results.
EIPS PARENT SURVEY
This year, participation rates were up from 2,967 respondents in 2019-20 to 3,198 for the 2020-21 school year.
Positive Highlights:
•	Continued high ratings for growth in literacy and numeracy, quality of teaching and leadership, and “staff care about my child.”
•	89.24% Agree or Strongly Agree: “My child is safe at school.”
Things to work on:
•	77.52% Agree or Strongly Agree: “Opportunity to be involved in decisions at your child’s school.”
•	Creating more awareness of First Nations, Metis & Inuit education, board advocacy, and engagement in matters of public education. These had high “I don’t know” responses.

CHILD YOUTH & WELL BEING SURVEY
Today, Alberta’s government announced the Child and Youth Well-being review. An expert panel will work to understand the psychological, social, educational and physical impacts of the pandemic on children and youth under the age of 19.
Albertans are invited to share their thoughts and ideas with the panel through a survey at alberta.ca/child-and-youth-well-being-review.aspx until July 31.

ASBA SPRING GENERAL MEETING
•	Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange presentation.
o	Announced offer of a $75,000 grant to ASBA to assist boards with engagement on the curriculum. No other details offered in terms of purpose, transparency, etc.
•	Members voted for a resolution that ASBA advocate for a delay and review of the draft K-6 curriculum.
•	Professional development sessions I attended:
o	System Alignment for Deep Learning…Even in These Times
o	Supporting the Mental Health of Students and School Staff
o	Best Practices for Trustees (to bolster support for locally elected school boards)
o	Leading into the Rebound
o	Student engagement

ELECTION 2021
If you value independent, non-partisan, locally and democratically elected school boards, demonstrate it by voting for trustees in election on October 18, 2021, and encouraging your friends and family to vote, too.
Stay in Touch
Until we next meet again in September, please stay reach out if you have any questions or concerns (Annette.Hubick@eips.ca) and follow me on Facebook to stay informed.

Melissa Presse, Chair Report	

As everyone realizes this was a year of uncertainty and due to COVID restrictions little in the way of extra circular events, sponsored or promoted by our School Council, were held. 
 Additionally, we did not move forward with any large-scale fundraising programs like hot lunches, or the milk program, traditional fundraising events were also cancelled, as well, as the Christmas concert (in person).
However, on the flip side the School Council did not spend a lot of money either, so funds raised in previous years remain in reserve. DCE fundraising committee will be providing a expenses vs revenue report that will also detail the current savings for the 2020/2021 school year.
Over the course of the year DCE School Council worked, as best as we could, to have some school engagement. We supported the teachers with additional classroom funds and other resources when/where possible.

Committee Reports

Sara G. - Wellness Committee 
May 18, 2021 was garbage clean-up day. There was good participation, but the rainy weather kept some families away. Next year (2022) we plan to do a couple of more community/neighbourhood clean-up events.
June 14- June 19 we will be holding another scavenger hunt. The last one of the year. This one is a bit bigger than last time with a few more challenges. This event will be after school or on the weekend and will be outdoors to comply with any COVID restrictions. A map will be provided with clues and information to complete the event. Prizes will also be awarded.
The Wellness committee will be supporting a request from Mr. Murray Howell for more recess kits to be ordered next year.
Miss Kihn has asked for some volunteer support to keep up her grade two’s gardening initiative with care throughout the summer. We are working to confirm volunteers now
We did not have many events this year, but look forward to planning more things next year
AST
•	Wheel week last week (May 31 – June 3) – really good participation with Gr. 3-6

New Business, Melissa Presse

At the request of DCE school leadership, as part of the DCE School Council budget considerations for 2021/2022, DCE would like help with purchasing new Chrome books.
The School Council was also asked to consider a suggested budget of $250 per teacher/classroom. DCE will have 23 teachers actively teaching in 2021-2022. These funds help support each teacher’s individual classroom needs. 
School Council will also consider a budget for a fine arts option in the school, as well as, funds for community engagement initiatives like, a pancake breakfast, Summer Sizzler, family movie night, etc. – COVID restrictions permitting.
Other initiatives to bring forward to School Council for next year was tabled until next fall as we wait to understand how the pandemic situation will affect school event planning.
Meeting participants and School Council executives briefly reviewed the School Council’s Standard Operating Procedures. Comments from the review suggested DCE SC might look at how their planning and objectives could better align with DCE School goals.

  Annual General Meeting

Out going chair confirmed quorum was present.

Dissolution of Current School Council Executive – approved/completed
•	Motion carried by: 	Chloe F.  	
•	Seconded by: 		Courtney M.

Election of New Executive Members

Chair:  Vacant – Remained vacant at close of AGM 
•	Motion carried by:   	
•	Seconded by: 	

Vice Chair Person:  – Remained vacant at close of AGM
•	Motion carried by:   	
•	Seconded by: 	

Secretary: – Remained vacant at close of AGM
•	Motion carried by:   	
•	Seconded by: 	

Communications Officer: Sarah G. – Nominated and unanimously approved by participants
•	Motion carried by:   	Melissa P.
•	Seconded by: 		Karli B.

DCE SC Executive, unanimously approved, the request that Karen Green could serve as a community member, on the parent council, as she was not, by definition, a parent or legal guardian.

ACTION: DCE School Leadership Team, DCE School (past) School Council Executive, and school parent council members are to actively consider and or encourage people to step forward and be nominated for School Council Executive positions for the 2021-2023 term.

Meeting Close

•	Meeting Adjourned 7:16pm
•	School Council meetings adjourned for summer break (next meeting scheduled for            Sept 14, 2021).