St. Brigid CSPC

Catholic School Parents Council

DRAFT Meeting Minutes St. Brigid Catholic School Parent Council

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Meeting Date: September 24, 2026
Location: St. Brigid Catholic School
Principal: Kevin Kerr
Chair: David Forsayeth
Secretary: Jason Chapman

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order following the CSPC Annual General Meeting and election of the 2026-27 council.

Council positions for the 2026-27 school year are:

  • Chair: David Forsayeth
  • Vice Chair: Stephanie Pennington
  • Co-Treasurers: Catherine Maier and Aoife
  • Secretary: Jason Chapman
  • Communications: Alejandra Espinosa
  • Church Representative: Teresa Superville
  • Special Education Representative: Theresa Callus
  • Pizza Representative: Cheryl Devine
  • Members at Large: Neil Rosario and Bellamy Lacay

It was noted that additional council positions may be filled at a future meeting.

2. Principal’s Report

Principal Kevin Kerr provided an update on the start of the 2026-27 school year.

Enrolment and staffing

  • Current enrollment is approximately 611 students, above the school’s projected enrollment of approximately 601-602 students.
  • The school is fully staffed with the exception of a 0.1 French specialty position. Temporary arrangements are in place to ensure students continue to receive French instruction.
  • Several new and returning staff members have joined the school for the year.
  • The school continues to await the appointment of a permanent vice-principal.

School reorganization

  • The school is awaiting final approval of its September reorganization plan.
  • A new Grade 3 French Immersion class is expected to be created to address class-size pressures.
  • The proposed reorganization may also result in some changes on the English side of the school, although the school has submitted a model intended to minimize disruption.
  • Any required classroom changes cannot take effect before October 13.
  • Families affected by the reorganization will be notified directly by the school.

Literacy screening

  • Literacy screening is underway for students in Senior Kindergarten through Grade 2 as part of the provincial literacy screening program.
  • The school is also undertaking literacy screening in Grades 4-6 to help teachers identify student needs and appropriate supports.

Spirit wear

  • The school has selected Pegasus as its new spirit wear supplier.
  • The new online store is expected to launch shortly.
  • Athletic shirts will include the option to add numbers, and St. Brigid Pride shirts will also be available.

Individual Education Plans

  • IEP notification letters have been distributed to applicable families.
  • IEPs are scheduled to be issued October 19.
  • The school and Board are placing additional emphasis this year on the quality and consistency of IEPs.

Upcoming activities

  • Curriculum Night is tentatively scheduled for October 14.
  • The Grade 8 overnight trip has been booked at Brock University’s outdoor education/camp facility. Fundraising is expected to help offset costs and support families requiring assistance.
  • EQAO results have not yet been released.
  • Junior soccer tournaments will be hosted by St. Brigid on September 29 and October 1.
  • The cross-country divisional meet is scheduled for October 6.

Facilities

  • Preparatory work is underway for the installation of new CCTV cameras.
  • The school is expected to receive lighting upgrades during the year.
  • The school will follow up with the Board regarding opportunities to add additional water-bottle filling stations and improve drinking fountains.
  • The school continues to explore options for additional washroom capacity.
  • Facilities staff are examining a permanent solution to prevent wood chips from the new yard from spilling onto the sidewalk. A curb is currently being considered.

3. Treasurer’s Update and Available Funds

Council was advised that approximately $23,000 remains available in CSPC funds after accounting for outstanding cheques.

The incoming co-treasurers will work with outgoing council representatives to complete the financial handover.

Council also noted two additional sources of funding available for future initiatives:

  • Approximately $18,000 in playground-related funds is being held by the Board on behalf of the school. These funds are generally restricted to permanent capital improvements or installations attached to the school grounds, such as play structures, permanent storage, garden structures or shade structures. Council discussed identifying potential projects that could make effective use of these funds and invited ideas for consideration.
  • Approximately $1,000 is available to support parent engagement and education programming, including potential parent presentations or workshops. Council members were invited to suggest possible speakers, topics or initiatives.

No expenditures from either fund were approved at this meeting.

4. Pizza Lunch Program

Council discussed continuation of the school’s pizza lunch program.

Decision: Council approved continuing pizza lunches on Tuesdays, with proceeds directed to the CSPC general fund.

The first session will run until January, at which point council can review the program and authorize the next session.

Pizza Nova will continue as the supplier. Cheese pizza will remain the standard offering, with gluten-free and dairy-free options available.

5. Fall Activities and Fundraising

Council discussed potential fall fundraising and community activities. Members agreed there was no immediate need to undertake a major fundraiser without an identified funding priority.

Halloween Dance

Council discussed holding the school’s annual Halloween dance on Friday, October 30, subject to confirmation with school staff.

Council discussed using the school’s sound system and a volunteer/staff playlist in place of a DJ, if appropriate.

Motion: Approve up to $1,000 for the Halloween dance, including a potential DJ, decorations and/or other event supplies.

Seconded: Jason Chapman
Carried.

Subject to the event proceeding, set-up is planned for the evening of Thursday, October 29. Volunteers will be needed to assist with decorating and other preparations.

The school will confirm staff support and the necessary arrangements for the event and set-up.

6. Cross-Country Transportation

Council discussed providing transportation for students participating in the cross-country divisional meet.

Motion: Approve up to $1,050 for three buses for the cross-country team.

Seconded: Jason Chapman
Carried.

Council also discussed whether a modest athletic participation fee could help offset transportation and equipment costs for school teams in the future. David Forsayeth and Kevin Kerr will discuss the idea further.

Council will also explore whether a small amount can be added to the price of athletic spirit wear to support replacement jerseys and other athletic equipment.

7. Nutrition Program

Council received an update on the school nutrition program.

New program requirements include additional washable storage containers, tongs and other supplies.

Motion: Approve up to $500 for nutrition program supplies.

Seconded: Stephanie Pennington
Carried.

The Angel Foundation is also providing the school with a new industrial refrigerator for the nutrition program.

8. Student Art Cards

Council discussed offering the student art card program again ahead of the holiday season.

Feedback from the previous year was positive, although the program generated limited fundraising revenue and required a relatively quick turnaround.

Council expressed interest in starting the program earlier this year and investigating alternative vendors.

Action: Interested council volunteers will investigate options and timelines for the 2026 program.

9. Sacramental Registration

Council discussed upcoming parish registration for First Communion/Reconciliation and Confirmation.

Action: Kevin Kerr will contact the parish to obtain finalized information and arrange for registration details to be communicated to school families.

10. Fun Fair

Council discussed the possibility of holding a Fun Fair later in the school year.

No decision was made on whether to proceed.

Members agreed that, if a Fun Fair is held, a planning committee should be established early to allow sufficient time to secure vendors and activities.

Action: Council will revisit formation of a Fun Fair committee at an upcoming meeting.

11. 2026-27 CSPC Meeting Schedule

Council agreed to the following tentative meeting dates:

  • October 22, 2026
  • November 19, 2026
  • January 21, 2027
  • February 18, 2027
  • April 15, 2027
  • June 10, 2027

No meetings are currently planned for December, March or May.

Dates may be adjusted if required based on school activities and scheduling conflicts.

12. Summary of Approved Expenditures

ItemMaximum Approved
Halloween Dance$1,000
Cross-Country Transportation$1,050
Nutrition Program Supplies$500
Total Approved$2,550

Pizza lunch proceeds were also approved to flow to the CSPC general fund.

For clarity, the approximately $18,000 in Board-held playground funds and approximately $1,000 in parent engagement/education funding discussed during the meeting remain available for future consideration and are not included in the approved expenditure total above.

13. Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made and seconded.

Carried.

The meeting was adjourned.