School Council Letter to School Community

Sir William Osler Families,

The SWO school council exists to “improve student achievement and enhance the accountability of the education system to parents.” These are noble goals but the way to pursue them and measure success are not always clear. We raise matters with the principal inside and outside formal meetings and we advocate for specific improvements to the school and the student experience. However, our contribution to the school is most noticeable through the events we organize and the monies we raise in support of material and cultural enrichments to the school. We believe such improvements aid student achievement by creating an enhanced learning environment.

This year we held a Dance-athon in February, a Family Movie Night in April and a Staff Appreciation Luncheon in May. Our fundraising from these events and the themed basket raffles amounted to over $5k.

Disbursement of funds is given lengthy consideration. The council’s approach is to favour projects that benefit as many students as possible, or to support improvements in a variety of age groups. In addition, the council is looking to establish a system of funding student-led initiatives to encourage leadership and community involvement. Along with the surplus from the previous year, the school council provided funds to the following:

Hydration station 2 $873.00
Makerspace $900.00
Robotics club $270.00
Daily Phys. Act. kits $1,311.21
Library books $250.00
Sensory Room $1,500.00
Joy Day $250.00
Cooking resources $300.00
Grade 8 Graduation $1,000.00
Alto saxophones $2, 297.41

As busy as the council has been, we could do more with your help. Please consider joining us next year and contributing to our policy discussions and activities. There are, of course, many ways parents can volunteer in support of their children’s education and the life of the school and the school council would like to heartily thank all those parents who have volunteered in classrooms, at events and on school excursions.

Our children are now one year older, smarter, wiser and stronger, and ready for a summer of fun and learning outside of the classroom. I hope the months off hold some adventures for you and that your child(ren) return ready for another year at our great school.

Regards,

Mathew Gibson
Chair, SWO School Council

The council would like to thank the many local businesses that have supported our work over the school year.

Beanermunky Chocolates
Blueberry Therapy
Collins Brewhouse
De La Sol Yoga
Deborah Lee Eldridge
Dominos Pizza
Earth Shake
Food Basics
Fortinos (West Main St.)
Holden’s Florists
Holland Park Garden Gallery
Jax Sweet Shoppe
Jodi Travers (Arbonne )
Jones Optix
M&M Meats
Metro (Governors & Main St),
Metro (University Plaza)
Mickey McGuire’s Cheese
Nails for You
Picones Fine Foods
Shawn & Ed Brewing
Starbucks
Subway Dundas
SweetLegs Dundas with Martha
Thirsty Cactus
Tim Horton’s
Turtle Pond Toys
Usborne Books (Kate Freudenreich)
Voortman Cookies
Yogurty’s Froyo