Summary
Thank you to all the parents who joined our first School Advisory Council meeting of the year on September 30th, both in person and online! We welcomed Principal Richard Ng and Vice-Principal Melissa Hunter and discussed plans and priorities for the 2026/27 school year.
Parent Council Executive: Mark S (Chair), Jonathan P (Treasurer) and Julie A (Secretary) were acclaimed to their positions. Lian N and Suzanne C will lead Communications, Maili S and Dorothy will lead Eco Club, Amy L will chair the Social Committee, Suzanne C will coordinate volunteers, and Megan M will lead Grants.
Council approved funding for Drama with Jeff ($4,050) and Eco Club ($300), and discussed Chess & Math, Pizza Lunches, Movie Nights, the yearbook, Family Fest, Grade 5 graduation and the hot lunch program. We’re also looking for parents interested in helping with Family Fest, volunteering, and other school events throughout the year.
A big thank you to all of our parent volunteers and everyone who continues to support Gledhill!
Minutes
Gledhill Public School
2026/2027 School Year
School Advisory Council Meeting 1 – September 30, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Attendance
Administration and Faculty: Richard Ng (Principal), Melissa Hunter (Vice-Principal), Mr. Fowler (Teacher Rep)
Executive: Mark S- Chair, Jonathan P– Treasurer, Julie A – Secretary
General: Claire Z, Karolina K, Linda H, Olivia O, Maili S, Neil M, Fanny M, Dave M, Ryan J, Megan T, Jen O, Jess B, Kristen G, Rosemary F, Devon A, Leanna P, Megan M, Suzanne C, Erin K, Lian N, Ashleigh B. In addition, 16 parents participated virtually but were not recorded.
Welcome/review of minutes/review of year ahead (Mark S)
Mark thanked parents for attending – it was the largest turnout in recent years including over 16 participants online.
Thank you to Josh and Xander from Danforth Technical School for providing childcare!
Introduction of new administrators (Mark S)
Principal’s message (Melissa Hunter and Richard Ng)
- Principal Ng and Vice Principal Hunter introduced themselves and their educational experience.
- Principal Ng noted that he sends a weekly newsletter on Fridays (Thursdays when there is a PA day).
Treasurer’s report (Jonathan P)
- Gledhill Parent Council has two bank accounts – CIBC account – Parent Council Account – Principal a signatory on account. BMO account – to allow for e-transfer.
- Currently, $29,000 in both accounts. Will be adjusted slightly for outdoor movie night expenses and revenues.
- $57,000 in revenues during 25/26 school year.
- Main revenue generating activities – family fest, silent auction, pizza days.
- Other activities in 2025/26 included a parent social, a smaller silent auction.
- Main spending in 2025/26 – Drama with Jeff and Chess and Math – around $14,000.
- Jonathan has full record of transactions available to parents and teachers on request.
Elections to Parent Council (Mark S)
- Mark S, Jonathan P, and Julie A were acclaimed as President, Treasurer and Secretary
- Communications Leads – Lian N and Suzanne C
- Eco Club- Maili S and Dorothy
- Social Committee Chair – Amy L
- Volunteer Coordinator – Suzanne C (looking for another lead)
- Grants – Megan M
Note – all parents who attend Parent Council get a vote on motions! All Gledhill parents are welcome.
Funding items for coming year (discussion)
- At the last Parent Council meeting of 25/26 (June 15), Parent Council – approved $250 for classrooms.
- Discussion about Drama with Jeff, which has already started for this year.
- Discussion about Chess and Math Program – teacher feedback that grade 1s may benefit from a different structure and more simplified instruction, and that the school could explore different options for the tournament at the end of the program. Prent Council will vote on Chess funding at the next meeting.
- Motion: Fund Drama with Jeff for the 2026/2027 school year (~$4,050)
- Moved by Mark S, seconded by Linda H. Approved unanimously
- Action: Mr. Fowler will ask teachers about funding needs.
- Action: Parent Council to discuss skate day funding at a future meeting.
- Action: Parents and teachers to let Megan M know if there is a pressing need for a grant (sports, eco, arts are common funding areas) so she can research options.
- Action: Julie A. will work with Vice Principal, Ms. Meecham and the Chess and Math vendor to discuss the contract and if options for grade 1.
Pizza lunch update (Linda H)
- Linda and Sydney will coordinate pizza lunch ordering and volunteers for the 26/27 year.
- 30 return volunteers.
- Ordering for the first four lunches is available on School Cash Online.
- Action: Linda and Sydney will consider increasing pizza days to twice a month in the new year.
- Action: Dave M, Devon A and Ashley volunteered to be ‘anchor people’ who will commit to volunteering at each pizza day if the number of days is increased.
Movie nights (Mark for Claire and Maria)
- Thank you to David Markle (DavidMarkle.ca) for sponsoring Movie Night.
- Thank you to volunteers.
- 400 people attended.
- $1100 raised.
- Proposed dates for movie nights – Friday December 4th (won’t work because of Hannukah) and February 19th. Consider a Thursday for one of the dates.
- Action: Claire and Maria to propose an alternate date in December for movie night (possibly a Thursday) and plan for February 19, 2027.
Student yearbook update (Suzanne C)
- Suzanne C will work with the administration to know if students have a media consent form. Parents taking pictures for yearbook need to be mindful of consent.
- Shared drive will be used for yearbook photos.
- Will start process earlier, so that pictures aren’t taken of kids who haven’t signed media consents.
- Action: Parents to let Suzanne know if you have events throughout the year that can be included in the yearbook.
- Action: Principal Ng to add a message to a future email to let parents that did not sign a media release form that they can opt-in to pictures being included in the yearbook.
Eco Club (Erin S)
- Erin thanked the parent community for support with eco club, including watering plants over the summer.
- Maili and Dorothy will take over this function.
- New holiday décor for school will be needed in December.
- Motion: Approve eco-club funds for the 2026/27 year ($300).
- Moved by Mark S, seconded by Neil M. Approved unanimously.
Family Fest 2027 (Jess B)
- Action: Let Jess know if you are interested in leading Family Fest organization for the 26/27 school year.
Class of 2027 sweaters (Jen O)
- Jen and Lindsay will coordinate sweater organizing for grade 5 students.
- Jen and Lindsay will also organize the grade 5 graduation celebration.
- Action: Jen and Lindsay will present to a future meeting with the budget for the graduation celebration.
Other business
- Hot lunch – Principal and Vice Principal were concerned that under the previous model, that student runners would pick up and deliver lunch on instructional time.
- Action: Vice Principal Hunter and Principal Ng will ask Balmy Beach administration who they use for hot lunch and what the process is.
- Action: Vice Principal Hunter and Principal Ng will call the vendor to find out options for hot lunch distribution, as well as consider other vendors such as Lunch Lady.
