IRC FAMILY COUNCIL MINUTES

Hello IRC families

To view the IRC Family Council Minutes from our last virtual meeting via Google Meet please click here.

Have a safe and happy summer!

IRC Family Council

CANCELLATION: IRC MOVIE NIGHT

Good evening, IRC families.

As per the direction of TDSB, we will not be able to host Family Council events at school for the duration of the labour disruption.  This means that our next Movie Night, scheduled for February 20th, must be cancelled.

  

We will keep you posted on any opportunity to reschedule this event for the future.

Thank you,

-IRC Family Council

FLIPGIVE - AN IRC FAMILY COUNCIL FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE

Hello IRC families!

We are excited to share a new fundraising initiative from IRC Family Council - FlipGive! Through this program, you can contribute by simply doing the things you are already doing. Buying coffee? Booking a hotel? Getting sports gear or buying books? All of those purchases help IRC Family Council!

How does it work?  

Anytime you buy a gift card or make a purchase online, your purchases will give Indian Road Crescent P.S. Family Council a kickback to support our many initiatives that enhance your child's experience at IRC.

When I can I start?

Simply download FlipGive through the App Store or get it in Google Play! Then, use our unique code: QQLMHR to join our team, and every time you shop online a percentage comes back to us! You can even share this code with family and friends.

Is there a catch?

It's completely FREE! FlipGive earns money through their retail partners and doesn't take a cent from us.

Can I make a donation instead?

Absolutely! We welcome all donations that can be made either directly to Family Council or through the FlipGive app.  Email amandawhite30@hotmail.com for cash donation information.

Is there a deadline?

Yes. We will end the fundraiser at the end of the school year in June, and provide reminders in advance of closing.

*Some Exclusions Apply*

Please read the Exclusions for each site you purchase from. Some do not allow you to use other codes, reward cash or points when making a purchase. For example, Amazon states:  Please ensure that there are NO ITEMS in your cart before you start shopping with FlipGive. You will not earn credit for items placed in your cart before you start. This includes Save for Later items.

We will provide monthly updates at IRC Family Council meetings of our FlipGive fundraising progress.  If you have any questions about FlipGive please email Fundraising Chairperson Katie at kat.rybnikar@gmail.com.

Thank you for your continued support. Happy shopping!

-IRC Family Council 

SUB-COMMITTEES AT IRC

Family Council has many sub-committees doing important work at IRC.  They need volunteers to help make their initiatives a reality! Want to learn more? Wondering how you could help? Read on (or click here to download). If you're interested in joining or supporting any of our committees, please email IRC Family Council Secretary Amanda amandawhite30@hotmail.com.

Fundraising Committee.  Chairperson: Katie Rybnikar.

This committee is responsible for all fundraising events and initiatives at our school.  Together we will set fundraising targets and work together to plan initiatives that meet those goals.  We are interested in all of your new, fresh ideas!   

Equity Committee.  Co-Chairpersons: Kara Stewart-Agostino & Kris Britton.

The Equity Committee is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion within our school community. The Equity Committee will work alongside school staff and administration to develop and support IRC's commitment to social justice and celebrate diversity.

Greening Committee.  Chairperson: Tiffany Wyse.

The Greening Committee's mandate is to improve the grounds at Indian Road Crescent Junior Public School in order to:
a. Restore and rehabilitate the natural features of the grounds;
b. Introduce alternative surfaces for play and recreation so that the grounds
support multiple uses by students and community members;
c. Improve the area aesthetically in an ecologically sensitive way; and
d. Provide educational opportunities for those using the grounds.

Arts Committee.  Co-Chairpersons: Maite Feeney & Jen Hastings.

Music. Drama.  Visual Arts.  The aim of this committee is to liaise with IRC teachers and community about what programs and initiatives we want to secure, to enhance our children’s love of the arts.

By-Laws Committee.  Chairperson: Chris Chrighton.

Last year, the By-Laws Committee drafted Council’s first set of by-laws. This year’s task is to ensure that the by-laws actually work in practice. I propose a mid-year meeting to review and discuss. Additionally, now that we have the basics we can look at codifying other aspects of Council’s mandate, like sub-committees and an election process.  Buckle up, folks - we’re in for a wild ride here on the by-law highway!

Fun Fair Committee.  Chairperson: TBD

The Fun Fair is an important fundraising event that brings the entire IRC community together for an afternoon of fun, games, rides, music, food and more!  There are a variety of ways to get involved from the planning stages to volunteering on the day of the event.  Help us make Fun Fair 2020 the best yet!

OCTOBER MINUTES + BUDGET

The Minutes from the October Family Council meeting and the approved 2019/2020 school year budget are now available to download here and here. 

IRC FC ELECTION - SEPTEMBER 24, 2019

Notice of Upcoming Election of Parent/Guardian Representatives for the

Indian Road Crescent Junior Public School Family Council

●      The IRC Family Council election runs in accordance with the Family Council By-Laws.

●      There are fifteen (15) vacant positions for Parent/Guardian Members on Family Council that sits for a term of one year – September 30, 2019 to September 30, 2020.

●      Among those 15, there are three (3) Officer positions that may be filled by 3 to 6 Parent/Guardian Members: Chairperson/Co-Chairpersons, Treasurer/Co-Treasurers, Secretary/Co-Secretaries. A general description of these positions can be found here.

●      While volunteering to chair a committee (Fundraising, Equity, Education Advocacy etc.) does not require being a voting member, we encourage those who would like to chair a committee to nominate themselves as a Parent/Guardian Member.

●      All parents/guardians with children registered at IRC for the 2019-2020 school year are eligible to be elected for the Family Council.

●      A person is not qualified to be a Parent/Guardian Member of Family Council if they are 1) a member of the TDSB Board of Trustees; or 2) employed at IRC; or 3) employed elsewhere by the TDSB, unless they take reasonable steps to inform voters that they are employed by the TDSB. The Nomination Form provides such an opportunity. THE NOMINATION FORM CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE.

●      Nomination forms are due in the Main Office no later than Friday, September 20, 2019 at 3:00pm.

●      The list of candidates and brief biography (if provided) will be posted to the IRC Family Council Blog by Monday, September 23, 2019. 

On Election Day

●      Only parents/guardians of children registered to attend IRC for the 2019-2020 school year may vote in the family council election.

●      The vote will occur by secret ballot at from 7:00-7:15pm, Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at IRC.

●      The results of the vote will be announced as soon as practicable after voting concludes, at which time the September Meeting of the Family Council will begin.

●      If 15 or fewer valid nominations for Parent/Guardian Member are received, those nominees will be acclaimed.

●      Similarly, if fewer than 2 nominations for Chairperson/Co-Chairperson, Treasurer/Co-Treasurer, and Secretary/Co-Secretary are received, those nominees will be acclaimed.

Welcome to 2019/2020 School Year!

Hello, IRC Families!

Family Council would like to welcome you to the 2019/2020 school year. 

First order of business: Family Council Emails.  This master email list will be destroyed on September 30, 2019.  Email is the primary form of communication from IRC Family Council, as well as the IRC Blog.  To continue receiving emails from IRC Family Council until September 30, 2020, please complete ONE of the following steps:

1. Complete the attached form and scan back to this email address OR
2. Complete the attached form and return to your child's teacher OR 
3. Send an email to amandawhite30@hotmail.com that you would like to be included in the 2019/2020 email list.  Please include your child(ren)'s classroom number(s) and which Family Council committees you would like to be included in (if any).  A list of committees is on the attached form.

An (IRC) election is coming!  Consider running to be a voting member of IRC's Family Council. Officers include the Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary and each can be shared between two elected members. Non-officer Parent Members provide a vital voice in Council discussions, and take the lead or lend a hand on our various sub-committees: Equity, Education Advocacy, Arts, Greening, Fundraising.  Click here to see what is required for the various roles!Nomination forms will be made available starting September 10 and voting will take place at our first Family Council meeting September 24th. More details to follow.

"Sounds great, but what does Family Council actually do...?" The attached letter outlines what we do and how you can get involved!  Additionally, members of the current IRC Family Council will be available at Curriculum Night, Thursday September 19th, to introduce ourselves and answer any questions you may have.  More details on Curriculum Night are forthcoming! 

Thanks,

-IRC Family Council 

IRC CARES FOR ITS LAND DAY - JUNE 21st

Hello all,

Please find attached a flyer for IRC Cares for Its Land Day, our first annual grounds keeping event, presented by the IRC Family Council Greening Committee.

Join us on Friday, June 21 from 3:30 - 5:00 in the main school yard across from the spinners.

If you can volunteer for this event please email Maite at maite.feeney@gmail.com.  There will be refreshments and snacks for sale.  

Thank you,

-IRC Family Council  

IRC FAMILY COUNCIL BY-LAWS

We are re-branding Parent Council to Family Council, as per the model of other schools. Please also see below for a link to our official IRC FAMILY COUNCIL BY-LAWs