April 21st Meeting Minutes - Grosvenor Wentworth Park School

TRANSITION MEETING
Grosvenor Wentworth Elementary to Bedford South School
Tuesday, April 21, 2015 6:00-7:00 pm
Bedford South Elementary
Transition Team:
School Admin Supervisor
Parent GWPES
Teacher GWPES
Vice Principal GWPES
Parents Bedford South
Teacher Bedford South
Principal and VP
Bedford South
Frank Hayden
Laureen Farnam
Heather Day
Tim McClare
Suzanne Kassouf (Regrets)
Beth Pyesmany-Arsenault
Jane Everitt
Helen Healy
Dan Gilfoy
1. Welcome / Attendance:
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Mr. Hayden welcomed everyone. Suzanne Kassouf sent her regrets.
The meeting opened with a sneak peek of a very nice ‘Welcome to Bedford South School’
video produced by Bedford South students and staff - narrated by Bedford South students.
The official unveiling of the video will be saved for Grosvenor Wentworth Park (GWPES)
students when they arrive for their orientation on May 8th.
Mr. Hayden welcomed Joanne Williams from the HRSB Excel program and
acknowledged that she was double-booked as she was going straight to the other transition
committee meeting at GWPES immediately after she presented.
2. Special Guest – Joanne Williams HRSB Excel Program:
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Joanne introduced herself and explained the process of enrollment in Excel for next year.
User names and passwords have been given to GWPES families who are in Excel so they
can apply for Bedford South Excel Program.
Online registration opens Monday, April 27th.
Priority is given to full-time enrollment.
Currently there are no part time positions available for any students at Bedford South.
Parents raved about the wonderful Excel staff at both GWPES and at Bedford South –
Joanne was very happy to hear this.
Joanne passed out an information sheet to address any further questions. Further
information regarding Excel can be found at http://www.hrsb.ca/about-ourschools/parents/excel-child-care
Joanne left at 6:15 to go to GWPES to attend the other transition meeting.
3. Transition Activities and Events:
Principal Healy presented a list of activities to the committee:
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Tuesday, May 5th Primary Orientation - New GWPES Primary students and parents attend
along with other enrollees.
Friday, May 8th GWPES Orientation - All students from GWPES involved in transitioning
will spend morning at the school.
Wednesday, May 13th Art Expo School art exhibit- gallery style for BSS. 6:30-7:30pm
Parents and students of those transitioning to BSS are invited to attend.
April 14th, May 12th & June 9th HSA meetings - Parents of GWPES students coming to
Bedford South will be invited to attend.
Friday May 22nd. International Day of Peace and Culture at Bedford South. If we can
arrange bussing we would like to have the students who are transitioning from GWPES
attend our school in the morning. GWPES parents would be welcome as well. The visit
would include visiting virtual countries in the classroom pods (Each pod of classes has a
display from their research of an assigned country). There will also be a variety cultural
show and fashion show.
Friday, May 29th - Families of GWPES students attend Bedford South Fun Fair. Families
will receive a special invitation.
4. Communication:
- In addition to the ‘Welcome to Bedford South School’ video which will be shown to our
new Bedford South students when they visit us on May 8th, another letter will be sent
home to transitioning GWPES families highlighting the list of transition activities that will
take place at Bedford South School and at Rockingham Elementary School.
5. Other items:
- Laureen expressed concern from some parents that there isn’t a ‘strings’ program at
Bedford South School. Mr. Hayden acknowledged the school board is aware of this.
- Mrs. Healy reinforced the great band program at Bedford South School.
6. Possible agenda items for May 26 / AOB :
- There will be other items that will need to be discussed among administrators regarding
technical issues (transitioning books, desks, chairs, resources, etc.).
- Mr. Hayden encouraged members to email him any possible agenda items for the next
meeting.
- Meeting adjourned at 6:55pm.