DOVERCOURT SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
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What's new at SAC


How to support Dovercourt's Terry Fox Run

9/27/2024

 
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Dovercourt's Terry Fox Run is taking place at and around the school on Thursday October 3rd. This will mark 20+ years of the school supporting the Terry Fox Foundation in hopes of curing all cancers.

Terry persevered because he felt the need to help others. Because of his determination and courage, Terry Fox will always be remembered as a Canadian Hero. Let’s keep his dream alive and continue his Marathon of Hope.

Learning about Terry:
The Terry Fox Foundation has many age-appropriate resources available to help kids understand Terry's story and the impact of the Terry Fox Run. You can check it out here.

Watching the run: 
The school's assembly and run will take place in the morning. Intermediate students will run at Dovercourt Park. Juniors, Primary and JK/SK will run in the field in the school's west yard. 
The students will start running around 10:00am. Parents and guardians are welcome to watch, but please stay along the perimeter of the yard, not in it.

Donating to the Terry Fox Foundation:
The school has created a custom donation link. If you're able, please contribute to this worthy cause using this link. You can also share the link with grandparents, neighbours, friends, and others who might be willing and able to support the school's campaign. Together, we can make a difference.
Support Dovercourt's Terry Fox Run

Coming this Curriculum Night: Dovercourt Super Swap!

9/26/2024

 
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Dovercourt SAC is excited to be holding a gear and book swap during Curriculum Night on October 7th. This is a great opportunity to clear out stuff your kids have outgrown, and/or pick up some gear that fits them now--all at no cost.

This year’s swap will include the following clean and gently used donated items:

  • Kids' winter outdoor gear (coats, snow pants, boots, mittens, gloves, scarves)
  • Kids' Hallowe'en costumes
  • Kids' books

(No indoor clothing, please.)

To donate items:
Please look through your closets and shelves and drop your gear and books off before noon on October 7th. You can donate your items in the boxes located at the main school entrance, off Bartlett Ave. Please ensure all items are clean and in good used condition.

To take items:
Simply come to the main gym at the school during Curriculum Night and, browse what’s available, and take what you like. You do not have to donate items to take items. All Dovercourt families are welcome.
​

Volunteers needed:
Can you help us sort gear during the day on October 4th or 7th? Or can you help set up or clean up during the evening of October 7th? Please sign up for a volunteer shift using this form, or email us at and we'll put you to work! We're at [email protected].

Spirit Wear:
We will also be selling a selection of new Dovercourt Spirit Wear t-shirts for $20 each at the event, as a fundraiser for SAC initiatives.
Volunteer sign-up

A welcome note from this year's SAC Co-Chairs

9/25/2024

 
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Hello, Dovercourt community!

On behalf of everyone at the Dovercourt School Advisory Council (SAC), we hope you all have had a terrific start to the school year. As we all settle into the fall routine, we'd like to introduce ourselves (or re-introduce ourselves) to you all.

Peggy is returning as SAC Co-Chair. She's been involved with SAC for many years, three of which as co-chair. Her son, Charlie, is in Grade 6 at Dovercourt.

This is Deborah's first year as Co-Chair, but she's been involved with SAC as communications lead for the past few school years. Her son, Jude, is in Grade 8 at Dovercourt, and her daughter, Hazel, is in Grade 5. 

We both love Dovercourt, and care deeply about making it as good as it can be for everyone in our school community. (We suspect we're not the only ones.)

As we look to the year ahead, we have three main goals: 
  1. To raise money for the school. We're planning several fundraising initiatives for the year ahead. Every dollar we raise goes towards enrichment activities, field trips, events, and other measures that improve day-to-day life at the school. (If you have ideas for fundraisers, please bring them to us!)
  2. To host awesome events. We're already starting to organize Spring Fling, our marquee fundraising and community-building event. We're also planning the school's annual Dance-a-thon fundraiser, a winter family movie night, and our Super Swap event.
  3. To build a strong SAC community. We want as many Dovercourt parents, grandparents, guardians, and caregivers to get involved with SAC as possible. Have you ever wondered what goes on in the school all day? Want to join a fun and big-hearted group of volunteers in making the school better? Do you simply have a terrific idea for Spring Fling? Reach out, or join us at a meeting. 

This past school year was a great one for SAC. We rebuilt our volunteer ranks and event strategy after COVID, strengthened our balance book, and laid the foundation for a great year ahead. With your help, together, we can make it happen.

Yours in education,
Peggy Gibbons and Deborah Aarts
2024/2025 Co-Chairs, Dovercourt SAC


Meet your 2024/2025 SAC!

9/18/2024

 
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Our first Dovercourt SAC meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 17th included our SAC elections. You can see the results below! 

We filled most of the critical roles for the year, but we're in need of help in a few key places.

We need a Treasurer:
Do you have a mind for money? Do you swoon for spreadsheets? Do you want to help us manage the funds we raise in the best possible way? Please consider volunteering as SAC Treasurer. It's an important (and much appreciated) role, and we'd love your help. You can read a full description of the role here. Please email us if you can step in!

And we need more Events help:
Are you a party person? Do you live for As most of you know, our Dovercourt Events team does mighty things—including our annual Spring Fling celebration/talent show/fundraiser/community-building extravaganza. We need a few more event-lovers to help us plan and execute this year's core events. Email us to get involved!

Now that we've stopped asking for things...

Meet your 2024/2025 SAC leadership:
  • Co-chairs: Deborah Aarts and Peggy Gibbons
  • Treasurer: Open: 1 person needed! Is it you?
  • Secretary/Recorder: Hilary Hall (Alternate: Deborah Walsh)
  • Communications: Paul Tichonczuk (Alternate: Deborah Aarts)
  • Events Team: Lisa Kotsopoulos and Sarah Weaver (1-2 more people needed! Can you help?)
  • Enrichment: Katie Quach 
  • Eco Team: Deborah Walsh and Paul Tichonczuk
  • Community Outreach and Ward Rep: Chris Antonik
  • Community Representatives: TBD
  • Pride subcommittee: Open
  • Stop School Cuts subcommittee: Open

Psst: You don't need to hold a formal position to come to SAC meetings, or to vote at them, or to help out. Our next SAC meeting is Thursday, October 3, at 6:00pm at the school. You can add it to your calendar here.

First SAC meeting of 2024/2025: September 17th (featuring elections)

9/6/2024

 
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Our next SAC meeting — and the first of the 2024/2025 school year — will take place on Tuesday, September 17th, at 6:00pm at the school.

All parents and caregivers are welcome to attend; child care will be available. 

Why come? At this meeting, as with all meetings, we'll get a Principal's Report from Caitland Ellis. We will discuss plans and goals for the year ahead. We will also be holding elections for the following leadership positions, which will help steer and manage various initiatives. (Note: You do not need any previous SAC experience to volunteer for a leadership role — just a willingness to get involved.)

Here are the open roles for 2024/2025 (you can read descriptions of each role here):
  • Chair (or Co-Chairs): 1-2 positions
  • Secretary: 1 position, 1 alternate
  • Treasurer: 1 position, 1 alternate
  • Communications: 1-2 positions
  • Events Team: 2-4 positions
  • Community Outreach and Ward Rep: 1 position
  • Community Rep: TBD positions
  • Enrichment: 1 position
  • Greening / Eco Team: 1-2 positions
  • Pride Subcommittee: 1-2 positions
  • Stop School Cuts Subcommittee: 1-2 positions

You can be as active and involved as you want at a SAC meeting. If you simply want to hear about what's going on at the school, you are welcome and encouraged to show up. And if you want to help organize events and initiatives, or if you want to volunteer, you are also welcome and encouraged to pursue that, too. The more parents and guardians get involved, the more we'll be able to do for our school.

Join us if you’re curious about SAC, or if you have ideas for fundraising. And if you simply have a question about SAC, please email us at [email protected]!
ADD THIS MEETING TO YOUR CALENDAR

SAC elections: Open leadership roles for 2024/2025

9/4/2024

 
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SAC will be holding elections for leadership roles at the September SAC meeting, taking place on September 17th, 2024, at 6:00pm, at Dovercourt PS.

The open positions are listed below, along with descriptions. Please join us and get involved; you do not need any previous SAC experience to do so.

You can self-nominate for roles, or nominate other caregivers who may be interested in playing a more active role on the School Advisory Council.

And please come out and vote to help shape the future of SAC and of Dovercourt Public School.

Open roles for 2023/2024:
​

Chair or co-chairs (Executive)
Available positions: 1-2
Held last year by: Peggy Gibbons and Ben Peto (alternate: Lisa Clapperton)
Responsibilities:
  • Arrange for School Council meetings.
  • Prepare agendas for School Council meetings.
  • Chair School Council meetings.
  • Ensure that minutes of School Council meetings are recorded and maintained.
  • Ensure that the Annual Report is completed.
  • Facilitate conflict resolution.
  • Communicate with the Principal on behalf of the School Council.
  • Consult with senior board Staff and Trustees as required on behalf of the School Council.
  • Act as Joint Signing Officer.
  • Act as ex officio member(s) of School Council (sub)committees and any school committees, including but not limited to School Budget Committee, school Improvement Plan Committee, School Staffing Committee and Caring and Safe Schools' Committee.
  • Ensure completion of the School Statements of Needs (SSON) in collaboration with parents/caregivers.
  • Observe the School Council’s and/or the Board's Code of Conduct and these By-Laws.

Treasurer (Executive)
Available positions: 1 (+ 1 Alternate)
Held last year by: Sarah Weaver (alternate: Ben Peto)
Responsibilities:
  • Act as custodian of the funds of the School Council.
  • Handle receipts and disbursement of School Council monies.
  • Keep proper records of all financial transactions.
  • Arrange for verification of the School Council’s financial records in June of each year.
  • Act as a Joint Signing Officer.
  • Adhere to the financial protocol instructions outlined in the School Council Financial Guide.
  • Prepare the annual Public-Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) report.
  • Observe the School Council’s and/or the Board's Code of Conduct and these By-Laws.
 
Secretary/Recorder (Executive)
Available positions: 1 (+ 1 Alternate)
Held last year by: Nuno Silva (Alternate: Melanie Kramer)
Responsibilities:
  • Complete records of all meetings in a timely manner
  • Assist the Chair/Co-Chair(s) in the distribution of minutes to all School Council members, ensure minutes, once approved, are available to the parent/caregiver body.  
  • Responsible for the upkeep of all School Council social media and communications to the parent/caregiver body (e.g. blog, social media, email, newsletters, etc.).
  • May act as a Joint Signing Officer.
  • Observe the School Council’s and/or the Board's Code of Conduct and these By-Laws.
 
Communications
Available positions: 1-2
Held last year by: Deborah Aarts
Responsibilities:
  • Manages SAC’s website, making sure that it is updated with current information on activities and events and our membership.
  • Draft SAC content for SAC News and for Dovercourt’s Friday File.
  • Website updates.
  • Create a form or process to collect a base level of info to support drafting content for website and SAC news.
  • Track community engagement with site (website traffic stats) and via volunteer signup form.
  • Responsible for [email protected] account (i.e., ensuring any requests, questions sent to this address are answered in a timely manner).
 
Community Outreach & Ward Rep

Available positions: 1
Held last year by: Vacant
Responsibilities:
  • The Community Outreach Representative will be responsible for representing the school community’s perspective in the wider community generally, and more specifically at the Ward Council and with the local Trustee.
  • Attend Ward Council meetings to represent the school and communicate information back to the SAC.
  • Establish contact with trustee and with parent organizations (e.g. PIAC, People for Education).
  • Help build partnerships and links between the school and organizations in the community to enhance educational opportunities for students (for example, the Boys and Girls Club, the SACs of other local schools).
  • Bring in topical speakers.
 
Events Team
Available positions: 2-4
Held last year by: Lisa Clapperton and Hilary Hall
Responsibilities:
  • Helps lead on SAC-led activities (e.g. dance-a-thon, movie nights, Spring Fling, etc.).
  • Organize in-class school spirit activities as well as remote/virtual events to engage the school community and achieve fundraising goals.
  • General responsibilities: a) Review regulations re: fundraising and TDSB policies and advise council of any conflict in proposed spending and b) Develop a fundraising plan for the year, based on goals and priorities set by the SAC at its first meeting.
    
Enrichment
Available positions: 1
Held last year by: Melanie Kramer
Responsibilities:
  • Work with teachers, principal, and SAC to develop ideas for fieldtrips, extra-curricular activities and educational programs.
 
Greening/Eco Team
Available positions: 1-2
Held last year by: Vivian Fleet and Deborah Walsh
Responsibilities:
  • Responsible for enhancing environmental awareness of the school community and supervising school’s outdoor green initiatives.
  • Key task: maintaining the school’s official ECO status.
  • Greening Representative will be responsible for enhancing the environmental awareness of the school community and supervising the school’s outdoor green initiatives.
  • General responsibilities:
  • a) Assemble a group of volunteers to assist with maintenance of the school gardens, with a priority given to student involvement
  •  b) Attend Eco-Team meetings and assist with Eco Day events
  • c) Participate in the annual Eco Schools Status Review process
  • d)Maintain contact with the TDSB Eco Schools Department regarding new Board-wide environmental initiatives
  • e) Keep abreast of advances in ecological/outdoor education
  • f) Work with teachers to take advantage of opportunities to use the school’s gardens as a teaching tool and as an outdoor classroom
 
Student Rep
Available positions: 1-2
Held last year by: Vacant

Community Representative
Available positions: 1-2
Past representatives: Dovercourt Boys & Girls Club, Oasis Dufferin Community Centre
Responsibilities:
  • This position is appointed. 
  • contribute to the discussions of the School Council.
  • Represent the community's perspective.
  • May participate on any School Council committee.
  • Help to build partnerships and links between the school and the community.
  • Observe the School Council's and/or the Board's Code of Conduct and these By-Laws.
 
Pride Subcommittee
Available positions: 1
Held last year by: Karine Silverwoman (support: Chris Antonik)
Responsibilities:
  • Advocate for Dovercourt 2SLGBTQ+ community.
  • Organize Pride activities to continue raising awareness and inclusion within the school community.
 
Stop School Cuts Subcommittee:
Available positions: 1
Held last year by: Alejandra González Jiménez
Responsibilities:
  • Advocate for Dovercourt students’ needs, educational and well-being priorities at the TDSB and at the provincial level.
 
Role of all council members:
  • Solicit the views of other parents/caregivers to share with the School Council
  • Represent the views and the opinions of the parent/caregiver community.
  • Attend and participate in all meetings.
  • Participate on School Council committees.
  • Help participate in and to facilitate any events that the School Council holds during the school year.
  • Observe the School Council’s and/or the Board's Code of Conduct and these By-Laws.

Welcome back! Let's have coffee!

9/3/2024

 
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Welcome back, returning Dovercourt families!

Welcome, new Dovercourt families!

On behalf of Dovercourt School Advisory Council (SAC), we hope you all had terrific summers and are excited for a great school year ahead.

We're kicking off the start of the year (and celebrating the end of the first week, which we know can be a bit... rocky) with a First Friday social in the schoolyard on Friday, September 6th. 

Come enjoy some coffee and light snacks! Meet some other Dovercourt parents and caregivers! Learn a bit about SAC!

Key details:
  • What: First Friday coffee and treats
  • Date: ​Friday, September 6th, 2024
  • Time: 8:20 - 9:00am
  • Location: Dovercourt Public School, in the west yard​
    ​
Hope to see you there!
Add to your calendar
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