Castlemore PS School Council - December 3, 2025

Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Time: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: Castlemore Public School Library

Attendees

Emphasis on transparency in financial spending and reporting.
- Consider surveying educators and clubs regarding needs.
Use of approved vendors, aligned with board policy:
- Quality assurance
- Safety requirements
- Social responsibility
- List of approved vendors available online
Guest speakers:
- New vetting process and checklist for selecting speakers.

Focus on supporting underserved and marginalized learners, including:
- Multilingual students
- Newcomers
- Students experiencing difficult family situations
Emphasis on a culture of care.
Learning in Math
- CPS has 10 staff members implementing “Thinking Classrooms,” focusing on:
  - Vertical math
  - Problem solving
Mattering and Belonging
Student Changemaker Group (Grades 4–8) leading initiatives.
- Collaboration with Harmony Movement:
  - Workshops for students and staff
  - Joint action planning
- Words Matter Campaign
  - Encouraging students to share compliments and positive affirmations.
  - Addressing harmful language (discriminatory, judgmental, or racialized).
  - Elevating underrepresented identities by purchasing supportive resources:
    - Sankofa series (highlighting Black identities
    - Indigenous materials and classroom kits
    - Cultural celebrations and assemblies
Ongoing connection to mental health, inclusivity, and equity:
- School’s Inclusivity & Equity teacher attends workshops and shares resources.
STEM / STEAM Programming
- Continued focus and growth in STEM and STEAM learning opportunities.

Aim to make the school a community meeting place and involve extended families.
Grandparent Gathering:
- Bringing grandparents together in the school community
- Exploring possibilities for an inclusive Grandparents’ Day
- Considering how grandparents’ knowledge and teachings can be shared

Use of board-approved AI platforms (e.g., Gemini):
- Supports instructional planning
- Encourages critical thinking over memorization of facts
- Reinforces need to cross-reference output with credible sources
Acknowledgement that AI is unavoidable and must be used responsibly.
Parent Guide currently in development for release in the spring:
- Exploring potential topics for a parent engagement night/day focused on AI.

Presented by: Elizabeth Colley

Music program is high-value but costly; instruments heavily shared (3 students per instrument).
Funding needs:
- New instruments: $5,000
- Instrument cases: approx. $2,000 (≈$150 each; needed to prevent damage)
- Xylophone: to support concerts and classroom instruction
- Trombones: high student interest
- Music stand cart: $660
- School musical: costs TBD (art, backdrops, costumes; rights already purchased)
- Wireless speaker, 8–12 channel mixer, and cables

Presented by: Alex

Math Carts – $1,000

Items requested:
- Scientific calculators (intermediate grades)
- Rulers
- Multi-sided dice
- Decks of cards

Chromebook Replacement

Current tech loss concerns:
- 20 Chromebooks e-wasted last June (outdated, damaged, no replacements provided)
- ~50 more expected to be removed soon; warranty issues may prevent replacements
Proposed cost-sharing with the board: $8,850 total
- School Council would fund half
- Would result in 40 new Chromebooks (~$400 each)
- Goal: one per classroom, with capacity to expand next year

**** Decision must be made to qualify for matching by February 26^th 2026.

Presented by: Smitha Sukumaren

Current robotics theme: Ocean Floor
Last year: purchased new mat and LEGO registration
Two teams (Junior & Intermediate) participating in area competitions.
Funding needs:
- New device (laptop/Chromebook – Dell recommended due to storage; Chromebooks can’t save work)
- Expansion kit
- New mats: ~$200