Dear Tiger Families,
It is hard to believe that we are thinking about end of year trips but preparation begins early. The Grade 5, 5/6 and 6 classes are going to go to a Blue Jays game in Toronto. They are going to be doing a variety of fundraising activities for a school community as a way to reduce the overall cost of the trip. The School Council has also generously contributed to this trip (as they do for each classroom in the school once per year).
I wanted to share with you the good news that Lisa Monteith is returning from her leave for Term 2 and has been placed as the Principal at Elginburg Public School. We wish her all the best at her new school- she will be missed at Odessa!
As always, please reach out to us if you have questions or need support.
Take care,
K. Esford, Principal
2025-26 Parent Council Meeting #5: Minutes
Meeting Date: Jan 20, 2026
Time: 6:30- 7:30
Location: Odessa Public School Library
1. Welcome and Introductions
Chairperson’s welcome
Attendance:
- Parents Present: Stacey Waldram, Katie Ramoutar, Rachel Moser, Courtney Sauve; Hailey DaCosta, Lindsay Kerr, Kim Keith, Erin Truesdell, Emily Wilkinson
- Staff Present: Courtney Bush, Krista Esford
- Guests: No Guests
2. Principal’s Report
- Primary (learning from grade 1, 2 and 3) EQAO results are in- Significant growth this year in kids reaching level 3 in math, reading and writing assessments, which is at or above board in the province. Real effort to align staff on the importance of the EQAO assessment from last year has helped and more dedication.
-Junior (grade 6) EQAO results showed a similar improvement, 42% met the required math benchmark for grade 6, but this is up from 10% in the previous year meeting the requirement. Similar trends in other schools across the board in math- hoping to see growth with the math fluency work we are doing. Also, helping students get more comfortable with multiple choice style assessments. Growth was also seen in reading and writing.
-We’ve also introduced test taking and stress concepts around EQAO using a performance curve model- which helps to frame a little stress as optimal for test taking. Providing the right language to describe how you are feeling about the test.
-Next week on Thursday Jan 29 is Curl up with a Good Book Day, kids will have 4 x 15min sessions, where they can choose a different story to listen to in different places throughout the school.
-Construction + Plowing- concerns have been shared with Loyalist. They are aware of how important it is to plow the sidewalks near the parking lot. Barriers were also added to address the safety issues at the front of the school, but we don’t have the instructions or signage to direct drivers properly. We have gone back to Loyalist with a request for a support person to direct traffic, or signage. Erin and Stacey to address it as well with the Township. When updates are received, we will go out for a few days and direct the traffic and communicate to parents through the newsletter.
-Games/Bingo- they’ve been very popular and well attended. Students are making good peer connections.
-Basketball will be starting next week for Juniors. Track and Field is expected to start in May with Regionals expected the first week of June. Soccer is still in the works with dates to be announced.
Teacher’s Report
- Support teacher (Caroline Walkins)- reported on a few programs they support, like the Empower Reading program. The movement in kids’ reading has been monumental- accuracy of their reading has improved!
3. Treasurer’s Report (FROM NOVEMBER MEETING)
Current balance: [$13, 483.15]
Spirit Wear Total- $537.07
Reimbursement for Pancakes is back in our account.
Pro Grant $500 is actually our grant money from submitting our financial report last year [action- needs to be re-labeled]
We did send in a PRO grant application this month to cover upcoming activity night with Gould Lake Conservation and a paint night. The money will go towards supplies for both activities. Awaiting the funding approval.
Merry Market made – $1,141!!
Allen/Legge/Brooks classes have submitted their $400 classroom fund event requests. Awaiting board approval for these class trips.
4. Committee Reports
Pro Grant Application- application for $1000 grant is in. Awaiting approval. To be used for the Family activities (Paint night and visit from Gould Lake Conservation Authority)
Holiday/Merry Market Shop
- Lots of feedback from the kids and parents, emails saying how thoughtful the market was and the gifts selected by students.
- Kids seemed to love the opportunity to shop on their own. Positive experience overall.
- There might have been some mix up in the items when they got back to the classroom, and mis labeled.
- Next year we could do the wrapping immediately after purchase. We could do the shopping in the gym and the wrapping in the library. Blank labels could help and then the cashier could add the label and wrap right at the check out.
- We need the two days, on the second day there were enough kids still shopping. We should start with kindergarten first and consider doing the wrapping right away.
- Request more “take home” bags as we ran out quickly this year.
Spirit Wear
- We made $537 profit!
- The sizing did feel a bit smaller this year, than previous years. Next year we should just use the measurements and not the age sizing.
- The number of options we offered was too many, but we learned what were peoples favourites.
Fun Fair
- School rental needs to be confirmed for May 27 with June 1 as rain date [Stacey with Susan]
- We need a smaller grant this year as a lot of the purchases last year, are reusable (i.e., bbq) and were investments for future fairs. We will need to obtain 3 quotes for all vendors for the grant. [Erin to create google doc]
- We need to submit grant by Mid Feb.
- We need better festival games and not have them jam packed, so that people are left with too many tickets. Games that have a win and are harder.
-Include big yard games, and bucket water drop- could ernestown shop class make one?
-We need a lot of volunteers to run this. So tell your friends now so we can recruit lots of help.
-Food trucks, Soup Chef continually sells out, so have more food truck options. And maybe we could have different ones this year?
-Do the pre-sale again this year. That made it a lot smoother. Different colour bracelets for games and activities.
- Vendor sale section- that went well last year.
-Photobooth was well loved! But we could set up outside this year [Approved].
-Sell our own ice cream?
Durham Street Road Closure
- The township is going to change the direction of durham and north street to one way, going North. They will give the school 7 extra parking spots on the road.
- They are reviewing whether to make parking illegal on the south side of North street.
-The township does have the durham street closure proposal on their website and encourage people to leave feedback on their plans.
-Remember that the kiss and ride, is not for parking. More reinforcement communication will be coming out from the school. And new signage is being requested from the Township.
5. Adjournment
Time adjourned: [7:55]
Odessa Lost and Found
Important Links for Families
Odessa Public School Spirit Wear eStore
School Day
Loyalist Township Online Registration Guide
How to Order Hot Lunch through LunchBox
How to Order Guide (2)Lunchbox Parent Guardian FAQs Aug 2023
Events for the Calendar
Friday, February 6th- Success Assembly at 10:30 am
Monday, February 16th- Family Day
Tuesday, February 17th- Metis Story Teller (Mackenize Nimise) to visit Grade 1 classes, School Council Meeting at 6:30 pm
Friday, March 6th- Success Assembly at 1:00 pm
Monday, March 16th- March Break Begins
Friday, March 20th- March Break Ends
Friday, April 3rd- No School Today
Monday, April 6th- No School Today
Friday, April 10th- Success Assembly at 8:30 am
Friday, April 17th- PA Day
Tuesday, April 21st- Staff Meeting at 2:30 pm, School Council at 6:30 pm
Contact Us
10 North St.
Odessa, Ontario, K0H2H0
613-386-3022
odesa@limestone.on.ca
Visit us on the web at odessa.limestone.on.ca