Welcome to the official page of EYCI (Parent) School Council. Please click here to go to the (Parent) School Council's download section.
Who We Are
Positions
2009-10 EYCI School Council
Position Name
Chair/s: 1. Susan Gucci
2. Helene Vassos
Chair Elect: Kim Pavlovich
Treasurer: Anna Roussakis
Secretaries: Elizabeth Rodrigues-Stubbs
Communications Coordinator: 1. Niina Gates-Kass
2. Caroyln Parker
Social Rep/s: Athanasia Petselis
Volunteer Services Coordinator: OPEN
Ward 16 Rep: OPEN
Members At Large: Kim Wilson
Patricia Hung
Jim Bintas
Karen Wood
Rachelle Mogavero
Glenda Nelson
Community Rep: OPEN
Non Voting Positions:
Principal: Karen Hume
Teacher’s Rep: Chris Perivolaris
Student Government Rep: Jeremy Wood-Ross
Miri Hysi
IT'S THE LAW
Since 2000 every public school in Ontario is required by law to have a school council. Formal regulations were developed to ensure that parents have great influence in their children's education.
Councils were designed to have an advisory role. Council regulations clearly state that our purpose as council is to 'improve student achievement and enhance the accountability of the education system to parents'.
EYCI School Council is fully committed to their role.
The effectiveness of our role as EYCI Council can only materialize with help and support from EYCI Staff and Parents. We need your involvement, as well as your input and suggestions for improvements and growth.
OUR ROLE
As School Council, our role is to make recommendations to our principal and school boards on any matter affecting our school. Principals and school boards must consult with school councils on a variety of matters that affect student learning.
EYCI has an active School Council made up of parents, student government, Principal, Vice-Principals, and a teacher representative.
Council minutes and meeting dates are posted on the EYCI website. Feel free to contact our Co-Chairs or Secretary anytime if you have questions. Please consider joining us as an observer during one of our upcoming Council meetings, we welcome the opportunity to get to know you better. Your voice matters.
By-Law
EYCI School Council By-Laws and Operating Procedures
The purpose of the East York Collegiate Institute School Council is to provide close and effective collaboration among the school, parents/guardians and the community to enhance the education of the students at EYCI. The Council shall serve as an advisory body to the Principal respecting the roles and responsibilities of staff and administrators, thereby encouraging grassroots involvement, promoting the school and education, working collaboratively, and developing a sense of community.
1.0 Governance
The organization and proceedings of the EYCI Council shall be in accordance with parameters as set out in the Board of Education Policy E.6 (February 1996) and the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training Policy/Program Memorandum No. 122 re; School Councils.
2.0 Name
The official name of the EYCI Council shall be EYCI Parent School Council.
3.0 Membership
The maximum size of the Council shall be 15 consisting of the following:
- 9 Parents/Guardians of students enrolled in the school
(Chair/s, Secretary, Treasurer, Chair Elect, and members at large)
- The Principal
- A teacher rep
- A student rep
- 2 Community reps
The school principal shall be a non-voting member.
The Chair/s shall serve as the main contact/spokesperson for the Council.
4.0 Elections/Appointment Procedures
Principal: A designated member
Teacher Rep: Elected by members of the teaching staff, each year
Support Staff: Elected by members of the non-teaching staff
Student Rep: Elected by Student Government
Community Reps: Appointed by the School Council each year
Parent Members At Large: Nominations for parent members for the ‘following’ school year, may be made any time during May/June of the ‘previous’ school year. Official nominations will take place at the first Council meeting of the year. Notice of nominations and election shall be posted on the EYCI Bulletin Board.
Officers or Executive Committee: The elected officers (or executive) of the EYCI Parent Council, shall be the chair/s (who shall serve as chair elect for at least one year prior to the chairmanship appointment), the secretary, the chair elect (who must serve on the Council for at least one year prior to the chair elect appointment), and the treasurer.
At the first meeting of the Council, the Chair/s may continue to serve as Chair/s until the election process is complete (it is recommended that the proposed slate be generated at the September meeting, and that an official election/vote take place by email communication prior to the October meeting). A simple majority of votes shall be enough to elect the above positions.
5.0 Criteria for Sub-committees
Sub-Committees shall be formed as the need arises (e.g., when a task requires research or long deliberations so as not to tie up the whole Council).
The Council may appoint a Chair of the sub-committee responsible for reporting to the Council.
6.0 Conditions and Procedures for the Termination of Membership
- Should a member fail to attend three consecutive meetings, or
- Should a member of Council fail to demonstrate:
-honesty/integrity
-respect difference in people, their ideas and opinions
-treat one another with respect and dignity
-respect the rights of others
-respect and treat others fairly, regardless of their race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, religion, gender, age, disability
His/her membership may be terminated by the executive members of the Council.
Should there be a need to terminate a member, an official announcement and notice will be sent to all Council members.
Council members who have been removed may only attend council meetings as observers, or remain connected via the publicly available meeting minutes.
7.0 Terms of Office
The executive positions - Chair/s, Secretary and Treasurer, shall be elected for a minimum of a two year term in June of each school year. The Chair Elect position may be a one year term.
8.0 Communications
The Council shall establish and maintain communication strategies with parents/guardians and community at large to seek their ideas and views.
9.0 Regular and Special Meetings
The Council shall have monthly meetings (last Monday of each month). The meetings shall commence at 7:00 p.m. in the school library.
The Executive may meet periodically as well as over the summer, in order to address issues requiring immediate attention.
Special meetings may be held at the call of the Chair/s. The Chair/s shall use the Roberts Rules of Order while maintaining an informal atmosphere.
All nominations, or adoptions of major decisions shall require a motion, a mover and a seconder. All meetings shall be open to the public.
A council member shall declare any conflict of interest at the beginning of each meeting if a conflict exists.
10.0 Attendance
All members must be in attendance. Failure to attend 3 consecutive meetings will result in the removal of the member from Council.
All minutes shall include the names of members in attendance.
Where a member is unable to attend a meeting, he/she must advise the Chair/s or secretary prior to the meeting.
11.0 Quorum
50% +1 shall constitute a quorum (please note that the Principal is not a voting member)
12.0 Decision Making Process
Decisions by Council shall be based where possible on consensus. Consensus does not mean a unanimous vote or that everyone agrees. It means that everyone must have an opportunity to express their opinion about an issue and that all share in the final decision. Majority vote shall apply.
13.0 By-Laws Amendment Procedures
By-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the entire council.
* Morning Snack Program (MSP)
The (parent) School Council ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. Started a morning snack program at EYCI so that all students start their day healthy. Secured the support of local businesses and successfully completed a fundraising campaign for support from parents and staff.
2. Significantly increased parent communication
a. Grew parent email distribution list over 300% via various initiatives
b. Completed parent reaching out grant to enhance communication with parents
c. Developed new website to enhance parent communication
d. Created a parent newsletter to enhance communications
3. Advocated for SRO (School Resource Officer) position at school
4. Met with school principal to provide input on school profile – ensuring we are positioned well for future funding : Better Schools, Brighter Futures
5. Presented at Grade 8 orientation
6. Successfully recruited new members to our team to strengthen our ability to make an impact
7. Developed successful public awareness/ media campaigns to assist in gaining community volunteers for student support.
8. Held a staff appreciation event feeding over 130 people
9. Promoted and coordinated teacher nominations for the Premiers Award for Teaching Excellence resulting in a record number of nominations: 4 teachers, 2 support staff and one team.
10. Supported EYCI Robotics team in their NASA sponsored competition via team sweaters
11. Contributed to annual scholarship award for EYCI graduation student
12. Spearheaded parent letter writing campaigns for a Community Liaison Officer
13. Assisted in helping EYCI’s Friends of Athletics in running a successful golf tournament that has raised a significant amount of money for the athletics department over the last few years.
14. Supported a morning snack student poster contest. Provided a complimentary breakfast for the winning class.
15. Participated in the Grad breakfast and Grad ceremony. Volunteered at refreshment table and donated food to assist in the success of the program.
16. Created a number of press releases that were utilized by local papers
The East York CI parent council has been a positive force at our school in recent years. The commitment and energy of its members and leadership has been visible and noteworthy. The breakfast program, launched in 2008-09, has been among its greatest achievements. I look forward to their continued involvement in the life of our school in 2009-10.
- Michael Atzemis
Guidance Counsellor, East York CI
Phone: 416-396-2355
Morning Snack Club — one of the most positive examples of school/community involvement at our school — a team of student volunteers arrives early every Wednesday and Thursday morning to meet teacher volunteers and display a variety of donated food items. All students are welcome to help themselves. One student commented, "It's really helpful — just a little bit of food in the morning makes a really big difference to my classes."
None of this could have happened without the ongoing efforts of the Parent Council. It was Parent Council members who approached community businesses — Loblaws, Wal-Mart and others — for donations. Parent Council members regularly visit these locations to pick up food which is delivered to the school. They work with the school to manage the Morning Snack Program's budget and record-keeping. Parent Council and community volunteers also assist with the distribution of food to students in the morning.
Once students have picked up their choice of nutritious snacks (fruit, cheese, granola bars, juice) they have a good start to their day and have a more focused, energetic approach to school. Many teachers show how they value student nutrition by allowing students to enjoy this snack in their classroom. Most students have been very responsible about neatly disposing of packaging. As donated food does not require cooking or preparation, the Morning Snack Program takes up little space, outside of a small amount of storage, and can be easily managed by a few volunteers.
As one teacher volunteer commented, "This a great way to have a positive connection with our students." The Morning Snack Program is plainly a positive change for all concerned.
- Janet Maxwell
Teacher, EAST YORK C. I.
In my 5 years at EYCI, I have had the opportunity to work with many different types of students. The school's population is truly diverse and it has been a wonderful experience for me to get to know many of our kids on a personal and educational level.
One thing which struck me a few years ago, was that we had a small, but significant percentage of students who were unable to properly nourish themselves due to the fact that they came from low-income households, or perhaps that they simply did not have the proper knowledge or time to do so. This impacted me in a profound way and I soon realized that we needed to implement a breakfast program at EYCI. After all, nutrition and academic success do go hand-in-hand.
The breakfast program is now in it's second year. The results are impressive. The students I have spoken to appreciate and respect the program and I am a firm believer that their academic performance and overall well-being have improved. I'd like to think that our motto is healthy food = healthy bodies = healthy minds !
Let's keep up the great work well into the future.
-R. Hepperle
Teacher, EAST YORK C. I.
Parents and Gaurdians are welcome to join us the last Monday of most month. Come out to a meeting and find out what's going on in your child's school.
The Principal gives a report on various events at the school. Guest speakers are invited to provide additional information.
We look forward to meeting you.
To download or view the meeting minutes, please click here. Thank You.
Appreciation Event
February 2010 (Parent) School Council hosts an appreciation luncheon for staff and volunteers. A full lunch is served compliments of parents and local businesses. If you would like to help out at this event, contact us.
Please use the form below to join the EYCI Parent Email Distribution List.