KPS Council Minutes - Thursday, February 26, 2026

• Minutes from January 26, 2026 approved by Mallory & Helena

Tammy presented key slides from “Pro-Grant 101” to review the purpose, areas of focus, and limitations 

• Grant funded by the Ministry of Education to increase parent/family engagement & break down any barriers to involvement with student’s education Tammy & Jessica will reach out to Jump 2 Math for more information on ordering a kit
• Although Bingo night was approved 2yrs ago, it does not meet the requirements - needs to have an educational purpose
• Jump 2 Math was suggested by Tammy and Jessica as an option for this year
• Cost $500 -$700 + tax
• Digital & physical copy of math kit containing various math games that require physical movement and embrace math in a fun way
• Recommended Grades 1-6 however some older students can still benefit and/or volunteer to help run the activities.
• 4-5 weeks for it to be assembled/prepared and an additional 2 weeks for shipping
• All members in attendance unanimously voted to proceed with this option.
• Aiming to hold Pro-Grant event end of April/beginning of May

Profits from Events 

• Cookie Fundraising - $1894
• Bailey’s Homestead Lunches - $312 *Mallory to check this total with Jenn
• Hot Dog Days $444
• Meet the Staff Night - $66
• Pizza Lunches - $2369
• Zucca’s Lunches - $667

$5686 Total Profit as of January 2026 

Allocation of funds:

• $1900 field trips
• $1173 electives
• Grades 1-3: Science in the School
• Grades 4-6: Astronomy in Action (end of March)
• Grade 7: TBD ($15/student with remaining paid by families)
• Grade 8: Collingwood in May; coach bus is being paid for with supplements from grad and pizza fundraiser
• Glen Marais presentation for Grades 4-6: $450 (taken from groups/clubs)
• Outdoor/new gym equipment - $1000 (old gym equipment designated to outdoors with bins purchased for primary area)
• With Maker Cart (not ordered/purchased) total is approx $36,000 - Tammy mentioned that many of the materials included in the maker cart can be found in the library with Mme. Stapleton
• Helena followed-up with previous request to purchase jerseys - this is still an option but it has been put on hold due to the possibility of changing school logo May need to raise additional funds next year for jerseys
• Jessica agreed to provide Helena a list of approved vendors to get estimates for when we are ready to make the purchase

• Helena to connect with Marsha regarding jerseys and pricing for next year.
• Jessica to send out email to community to see if there is interest in families/parents submitting new logo ideas.

• Amanda is organizing the centennial for Belhaven next year as well and advised they are well into already planning it.
• As this event involves reaching out to our extended community and visits to places like seniors buildings, community hubs, etc. it is important we start now.
• Amanda, Mallory and Tammy will form the sub-committee with Amanda being the lead.
• This event will replace 2027 Spring Social
• The school is needing some beautification before the event - focus on the gym/music hallway as this is the main entrance for our events
• Front entrance where the couches are was suggested by Jessica as a place where art and artifacts could be displayed
• Suggestions for daytime performances by students for the community was made (i.e. each grade will perform)
• Jessica revisited Glenn Marais creating a customized song for the centennial - involves working with 2 groups of students (1 group to write the song and 1 group to perform) * this would be included in daytime performance -all members showed interest in this idea
• Revisited idea of a new logo for centennial - parents/families will be able to submit new logo designs for students to vote on prior to the end of the 2025/2026 school year
• Once new logo is selected, new spirit wear will be launched for 2026/2027 school year.
• Time capsule is buried on the school grounds; however, there are concerns with digging it up as previous schools have had safety issues. Jessica is working with caretakers to develop a safe plan.
• Metal artwork from the artist who did the ones by the nearby park at chuch/queensway suggested as a piece to mark the centennial - these are expensive and may not be financially feasible. The ones at the park were subsidized - Amanda offered to look into it more
• Jessica has been unable to find the exact date the school opened - Amanda has been going through archives with the town and will see if she is able to find it

• Jessica will send an email out to community regarding submitting new logo designs
• Jessica/Marsha to follow up with Glenn Marais for cost

Staffing 

• Mr. Braund will be returning Monday March 2nd to teach grade 7
• Mme Adams will not be returning - Mme. Richmond will be covering her class for the remainder of the year
• Mme. Swampillai accepted position for Primary Prep (English role)
• Difficult to find French teachers; Geographic location appears to be an issue contributing to the lack of response 

School Improvement Plan 

• 60 mins/week of math integration (30mins 2x a week) - developing kits for teachers who are not math teachers
• Assessments will still be based on the subject they are teaching (i.e. language), but the activity will be math based.
• Jessica is continuing co-teaching the new math curriculum with grade 4s on Mondays 

Primary Play Day 

• Students had a great time playing a variety of games including potato sack races, snow soccer, hockey, etc.
• Well organized and run by Mr. D, Mme. Ryan, and the grade 8 students
• Hot chocolate was cancelled due to allergy and safety concerns with temperature

• Grade 6 trip to Hamilton Warplane museum this week was enjoyed by the students
• Helena inquired about flexibility in graduation date as it is the same date as regionals this year. Jessica advised unfortunately the date cannot be changed as there are no other dates available.