As we look towards the upcoming school year, planning begins for all of the fun and enriching programs that Howard School Council brings to the community. The current School Council Executive terms will come to an end in September, and a new council election will be held in October 2025.
Some of the roles that will be open for new members, include:
Council Chair/Co-Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
Parent Representative/Voting Member
Community Representative/Voting Member
More information about these roles can be found here, and the current executive is happy to speak to any interested members about the tasks and commitments. Please feel free to reach out to SC.HowardJuniorPublicSchool@tdsb.on.ca if you have any questions.
Stay tuned for more information about the election process and upcoming council meetings in the fall. Have a great summer!
What to do with our money: School Council is responsible for managing the funds collected from the community. We are lucky to be well-funded (thank you, Howard families!) and to also have many and diverse ideas for how to use the funds to benefit our kids. We plan a November to November budget cycle so this is the meeting where we give direction to our money. Your opinion matters and is welcome!
Principal’s Update: Every School Council meeting includes an update from our Principal with time for questions. It’s casual and informative and a great way — especially for new families — to understand how the school runs and how to get information and help.
Join an effort: As you hear about how money is directed, you may be inspired to join a group of parents managing a particular program that you feel passionate about: equity, tech, sports, music… there are many and we are always looking for more help, more involvement, and more ideas.
If you cannot attend or prefer to ask questions anonymously, please submit your questions here.
Agenda
Co-Chairs: Alfredo Cabeza, Midori Miyamoto
Secretary: Mallory Drysdale
Treasurer: Sarah Terpstra
Administration Rep(s): Lovenia Gorman
Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
Alfredo / Midori
6:30
Council Member Roll Call
Mallory
6:35
Principal’s Update – School budget
Lovenia
6:38
Financial Update – Fall Fête – Pizza Lunch – Other initiatives
Sarah
6:45
Update on Use of TDSB Vendors
Alfredo
6:55
Funding Requests – Equity Access – Learning Commons (Library) – The Musical – Tech – Holiday Hampers – Teacher Supplies – Family Engagement + Movie Night – Graduation – Equity – Mental Health and Wellness + Calming spaces – STEM + STEAM Night – Sports – Art – Instrumental Music – June Fun Day – Performances – Administration + Communications – Special Opportunities – Other?
Our Library is getting an upgrade: The school library will be transformed into a Library Learning Commons so that teachers and students can make better use of the space. We’ll hear about the planned changes and the related process.
Principal’s Update: Every School Council meeting includes an update from our Principal with time for questions. It’s casual and informative and a great way — especially for new families — to understand how the school runs and how to get information and help.
How to make stuff happen: If you have a idea or a passion, Council can help you find people to collaborate with and give you the financial and communication supports your project needs. We’ll review the process so ideas can be ready for funding on November.
If you cannot attend or prefer to ask questions anonymously, please submit your questions here.
Agenda
Co-Chairs: Alfredo Cabeza, Midori Miyamoto
Secretary: Mallory Drysdale
Treasurer: Sarah Terpstra
Administration Rep(s): Lovenia Gorman
Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
Alfredo / Midori
6:30
Council Member Roll Call
Mallory
6:35
2024/2025 School Council Elections Parent/Caregiver Representative election results Fill voting member vacancies Executive Officer election: • Chair / Co-Chairs • Secretary • Treasurer
Alfredo
6:40
Principal’s Update + Library Learning Commons
Lovenia / Adeline
6:55
Fall Fête
All
7:10
Committees & Clubs How to start one and how to join one Examples: Equity; STEM Budget requests are due by November 8
Alfredo
7:20
Adjournment – Next meeting is on November 20
Mallory
7:30
Other Business – If we need additional time for discussion, we can continue until 8:00
What is Council?: There are many ways to stay informed and get involved at Howard. We’ll give an overview including the role of School Council. We’ll explain how your Council can help you and how you work with Council to help the school. Have an idea? A question? Let’s hear it!
Principal’s Update: Every School Council meeting includes an update from our Principal with time for questions. It’s casual and informative and a great way — especially for new families — to understand how the school runs and how to get information and help.
The BIG Events: Fall Fête is our biggest community events of the year and it comes up quickly in October. Find out what it is and how to participate. Later this year, we will put on our famous school musical, which we do every two years. It’s not until the spring but planning begins now and also requires a lot of parent involvement.
If you cannot attend or prefer to ask questions anonymously, please submit your questions here.
Fall Planning: This will be the last meeting of the school year. We will identify anything we need to do to make September’s return to school smooth. For example: a plan to welcome new families, budgeting for and identifying initiatives that start in September before we are able to meet again, ensuring teachers have our support as soon as the new school year begins. Have an idea? Let’s hear it!
Principal’s Update: Every School Council meeting includes an update from our Principal with time for questions. It’s casual and informative and a great way — especially for new families — to understand how the school runs and how to get information and help.
If you cannot attend or prefer to ask questions anonymously, please submit your questions here.
Agenda
Co-Chairs: Alfredo Cabeza, Midori Miyamoto
Secretary: Mallory Drysdale
Treasurer: Sarah Terpstra
Administration Rep(s): Lovenia Gorman
Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
Alfredo / Midori
7:00
School Council Member Roll Call
Mallory
7:05
Acceptance of Last Meeting’s Minutes
Alfredo
7:07
Principal’s Update
Lovenia
7:10
Financial Update
Sarah
7:25
Committee Updates Instrumental Music Grade 6 Graduation Fall Fête Equity & Garden STEM
Mental Health & Well-Being Literacy Sports Musical & Mural (Alternating Years) Art Tech Equity Access
Various
7:40
Fall Planning Welcoming new families Classroom budgets Class email list (do we still need it) Fall Fête …
Howard Public School Council 