Highlights of the October 18 CSAC Meeting

What follows are edited excerpts from the Meeting's Minutes (posted once the Minutes are approved at the next meeting). The actual Minutes are available in the school library.

The St. Agnes CSAC Financial Statements for the year ended 9/30/2011 were reviewed, showing that the CSAC General Fund account balance was $18,764 at that date. The CSAC school BBQ was another tremendous social event success.

The Principal reviewed in detail the extremely encouraging results of the school's EQAO tests performed last year. See our CSAC site's "Information Links" area for the full EQAO results for our school. He also confirmed that $1,000 was raised by our students recently for the Terry Fox Fund.

In a discussion of lessons learned from last year's concert, it was concluded that planning for future events with a large budget should include increased governance (possibly consisting of a sub-committee, including the treasurer), to address ways to oversee expenditures.

The Chair will attend the Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (CPIC) conference on Saturday, November 5th and report back to the Council. It has a number of great workshops to choose from and is open to all parents.

CSAC's 2011 school year meeting dates were determined and are as follows: Nov. 22; Jan. 18; Feb. 21, Apr. 18; May 22; June (tbd). These dates are posted within the CSAC site's online calendar.

The Communications Committee Chair reviewed the draft CSAC site. With recommendations for the protection of privacy, it was approved for promotion to the school community.

The Library Committee Chair relayed details of the upcoming Scholastic Book Fair and briefed the Council on the Acorn Cards program scheduled to be launched in time for Christmas.

The Fundraising Committee will be co-Chaired by Angie Sanchez and Maria Aprile. Tina Matins and Beverly Emer will also serve on this Committee. The Fundraising Committee will research completing the Capital Fund donation letter project this school year.

It was asked if CSAC may accept outside donations or sponsorships. The Chair offered to research this.

CSAC will organize an educational evening with a speaker on the subject of Internet Safety. Details to be confirmed ASAP.

November 22nd CSAC Meeting Reminder

Your Catholic School Advisory Council (CSAC) next meets at 7 PM, on Tuesday, November 22nd. This is an important, budget focused, CSAC meeting and your opportunity to vote on CSAC's expenditures for this school year.  The entire Agenda is posted on our site's "Key Documents" area for your review (free Google Docs account required).

The meeting starts at 7 PM, sharp, and will conclude by 9 PM. Free coffee available.

As always, we encourage all St. Agnes school parents to attend this and every meeting of your CSAC. Your CSAC's meeting schedule for the entire year was posted to our site on October 22nd. Check the site's October posting archive or live calendar for more information.

Uniform Sale (Nov. 17 & 18)

CSAC has received many donations of gently used school uniforms in the past few months and will be holding a sale of these uniforms during the parent/teacher interviews, on Thursday, November 17th (from 5:30 - 8 PM) and Friday, November 18th (from 9 - 11 AM). Thank you to all who made these generous donations.

CSAC also requests volunteers to assist with holding this sale. If you are able to assist, please contact the school ASAP. Thank you in advance to those who are able to assist.

Calendar Updates

Our online CSAC & School events calendar has been updated. Our online, live, calendar is routinely updated for you. Check-in often!

Acorn Cards

In the upcoming week our students will be bringing home an information flyer regarding Acorn Custom Cards®, as well as a completed work of art that can be reproduced as your beautiful, professionally manufactured, set of greeting cards, post cards, calendars and/or placemats.

Students will be delighted to see his/her creation reproduced into customized, professional quality items.  The original artwork will be displayed on the front of his/her item and a brief biography of your artist will be on the back of each folding card and on the front of the postcards, calendars and placemats.   These make unique gifts to family, grandparents, friends, and teachers.  Just in time for Christmas!

Choose from a set of 12 folding cards with envelopes, or a set of 24 postcards, or a calendar, or a placemat of your child’s artwork at $20.00 for the first item and $15.00 for additional items of the same artwork.  You can even mix and match the items (i.e. your first item might be a calendar @ $20 and your second item might be a placemat @ $15 (based on the same artwork). BONUS OFFER : Purchase 4 or more items and receive a free item of your choice.  Extra forms  are available at the school office if your child wishes to create more than one type of artwork or if he/she has siblings or family members at home who wish to participate. Our school receives 40% of the proceeds less shipping and taxes.  Any funds raised will come back to St. Agnes School and put towards items approved at the November 22^nd CSAC budget meeting.

Please fill out the order information requested on the back of your child’s artsheet and return to school the artsheet/order form as well as your payment by the FIRM due date of November 15th .  Our aim is to have orders back to the school the week of December 12^th.

Please make your cheque payable to: St. Agnes Catholic School. Please do not attach anything to the artwork. Thank you in advance for supporting this initiative.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Anne-Marie O’Donnell               Mr. John Shea
CSAC Secretary                                 Principal

acorncustomcards.com