February 2, 2026

Bayview Hill Elementary

MEETING MINUTES

In attendance

Staff: Heather (Principal), Georgia (Vice Principal)

Council: Pegita(Co-Chair), Devika (Co-Chair), Daphne(Secretary); Karen Li, Parisa Bahrampour, Rick Lew, Zehra Haider,

Guest: Tasneem Kanchwala, Maggie Le, Sherri

Regrets: Anabela Costa, Mona Moineddin, Shelley Bhinder, Scarlett Choi, Raymond Chong, Anita Li, Atty Mashatan

ADMIN REPORT

• Georgia spoke about PRO grant. The school board offers 800$ that can be spent on parent engagement programs. It depends on the youth at school.
• Habitually it is something where families are engaging with their kids – has moved from bringing in a speaker, to more engaging activities.
• She had a meeting with Devika and Pegita and they filled out the application.
• This year they have decided to look at building healthy schools – mental health. We are going to go ahead with bringing in an art therapist.
• Out of Newmarket and she offers a variety of services. She will work with a larger group, more guided where art is used for mental improvements. We are looking around March 26.
• She is also looking at bringing in public health nurses; we also have staff who are yoga teachers that we can use.
• She will see if some teachers will do mini sessions in class to encourage mindfulness. She met with the art therapist, and she feels it will be a very successful event.
• Georgia spoke about Youth Space run by several parents and students. She is mindful of spreading things out.

School Council UPDATES

• There was an incident where a kid was crossing the street and a carb umped into the child. The other parent did not wait or check to make sure the child was ok. Devika  clarified that they parked on the street, and a street parker reversed and bumped into the child.
• Admin was unaware but working with kids to make sure they know it's ok to speak up. They always try to take the next step for each situation.
  • Rick asked if there is a way to submit a request or info anonymously. It is on the YRDSB website.
  • Heather will put a reminder on our weekly newsletter.
  • Pegita spoke about Movie Nights and that it was a huge success. We had approx. 200 kids and parents. Kids were well behaved; shoes were taken off to minimize slush and mess; parents helped to clean up.
  • Heather showed where to find the "Report It” button on the website. Email sent within 24 hours; its address and a follow-up response must be submitted.
  • She would rather parents come to them to speak about issues. She said they can phone, email to the main address, and it will get forwarded, followed up with a phone call. When they receive it, it is taken very seriously.
• Heather spoke about our playground. They purposefully visited schools that had playgrounds.
• Depending on the school they approach it differently – some no replacement, some replace it in pieces, etc.
• This is a year's long project, and we will have to start by putting money away from our fundraising and asking for donations.
• Our playground still works but eventually it will no longer be good. Her recommendation is that we reach out to our community, let them know what is involved and ask if they are in or out. From colleagues, they've all said forget to go to the town because they will not help.
• Pegita asked if we have the option to replace in pieces
• Heather said Drew visited it last year when the slide was no longer good. In the end, we can replace a slide this year that will cost $10,000 vs. A whole replacement at $165K.
• Georgia said they did not speak with the vendor about parts replacement. The safety inspectors are the people who assess what needs to be replaced.
• Accessibility is a big piece for play structures. It's not the actual structure but a path that makes the structure accessible.
• We cannot proceed until the accessibility piece is completed, and we cannot have the conversation until we have 80% of the required funds.
• The vendors that were brought in said the school board would install the path, but the school board isn't sure of the actual logistics.
• Rick asked if someone on the playground committee could work closely with the admin to get more information.
• Devika said she feels that soliciting feedback from the community to see if there is interest.
• Heather said we have next steps: they will speak with inspection people regarding parts replaced vs. Whole playscape. And communication will be sent out to the community.
• Devika said we never really asked the community if the playground is something that they would want for their children.
• Rick suggested we send a direct communication to our families – cost of replacement,
• Karen said she feels like the admin and council needs to decide because we are going back and forth, emails, communication, etc. and only one parent came out to our meeting tonight.
• We need to see if fundraising is something that our parents are willing to help out.
• Heather said they will go back to Drew one last time and speak to him about the questions the council and parents have.
• Georgia suggested a QR code. One attempt to ask, do you or do you not want a new playground??? In stand-alone, separate communication.
• Karen said we should ask the kids.
• Heather said the kids definitely want the playground. We do a financial report; this is what a new playground looks like, and this is the impact it would have on other programs.
• Maggie asked if we could contribute to another culture. Definitely can do this. We sent communication a year ago asking for parents who would like to contribute or help with traditional displays.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Chinese New Year: Soaring Eagles Lion Dance – Feb 26 or 27 - $788 singular pole, $1800 multiple lions –Rick will confirm date
• Nowruz and Hafseen table downstairs, dancers - unfortunately this year they don't feel that the atmosphere is conducive, and the dancers may not want to come out. The table will still be set up.

• Carnival Week: Feb 17-20
• The Roc: Various Dates
• Tour of Humanity Bus
• March 2-6: Holi Board
• March 9-13: Eid Board
• March 23-27: Nowruz Haftseen Table
• March 26: Mental Health Workshop
• March 30: Skate Night
• Multicultural Night ~ April 15
• Carnival ~ June 9