Parent School Support Committee – Minutes

February 23, 2026 @ 6:30 p.m.

Attendance: Jessica Shaw, Meghan Whyte, Susan Maxwell (principal), Emma Ferguson (school rep), Madisen O’Donnell

Regrets: Valerie Carmichael, Kaylie Bulger, Brittany Holmes

Absent: Mary-Beth Watson  

Call to order by Susan Maxwell at 6:31pm

Motion to approve October Minutes: Jessica Shaw. Seconded by: Meghan Whyte.

  • Susan started with the items on the agenda, starting with A) Provincial School Lunch Program: She gave an overview of the hot lunch program proposal, what we do currently every day for lunches, overview of how a new lunch program could run, stating it would remain an online purchasing platform but could interfere with the breakfast program (possible loss of access to the kitchen) and the lunch Janice Boyd has been doing (this could be considered competition for the company who would be making the food). No fundraisers that compete with providers as well; however, movie nights, etc. would likely still be OK. Susan will update with more information as it becomes available.  Whoever the successful service provider will be decided by the Dept.  The service provider may or may not use the existing BrES kitchen.  If the kitchen is not used, BrES will have access to it.  If it is used, BrES will explore a relationship with the successful service provider to hopefully keep some of the programs that exist – ex. Breakfast program.  Susan has indicated to how important the breakfast program is.
  • B) Pilot School Calendar Update: Susan asked for feedback from the committee as to what they thought of the Pilot School Calendar days.  Jessica and Meghan both made mention that the days off are a bit tricky with kids not keen on going to daycare or babysitters. Emma and Susan made mention of the helpfulness these days to their work/life balance and the PL opportunities and chances to connect with other staff members to better our practices and be more mindful of data, etc. No decision on next year has been made yet.
  • C) Chronic Absenteeism Update: Susan spoke about the new procedures that BrES is taking to tackle the chronic absenteeism at our school. Teachers and administrators are more frequently in touch with families, offering support and guidance to help them get their children to school. This seems to have a positive response from parents. Emma spoke about the improvements from her class alone and how the new protocols are making a difference. This is a continued area of work and growth for our school and our province.
  • D) Outstanding School Fees Update: We remain at 28 outstanding school fees out of 92; typically, we see many of the same families every year unable to make this payment. PSSC wondered if paying some of those would help, or would the money be better used elsewhere.
  • E) PSSC Funds: The PSSC funds need to be spent by March 31st. No voting could occur at this meeting, as there needs to be 5 out of 8 members present (to reach a quorum). Susan asked for suggestions on where the money could be spent; it was mentioned by Jessica that perhaps funding could go to the food for our school and unpaid school fees; Susan is following up on that.
  • F) 2026-2027 Projected School Enrollment: 16 Kindergarten students are registered for the fall, 2 are likely to apply for an intradistrict transfer, leaving us with the anticipated 14 students. 1 student from Kindergarten has confirmed French Immersion for next year (Grade 1). 12 students are leaving from Grade 5. This leaves us a projected 91 students. Susan mentioned that schools with under 100 enrollment are “triggered” for closure; however, we are currently in a plan for a new school, and therefore likely to remain as is. When the Ks come for the day in May (date to be determined), the current Ks will stay home.
  • G) Provincial Assessments: April and May are the assessment months for Grades 4 and 5. Grade 4 students will write their Reading Assessment in April, and Science in May. Grade 5 will write Math Assessments in May.
  • H) New Staff Member: Erika Brake has come onboard as the new BIM (Behaviour Intervention Mentor) to replace Kelli Marcil.

Susan shared and went over the Hot Lunch Revenue.We currently have $376.00. Susan went through the donations we received this school year. See package that was sent home via your student for a detailed list of these donations.

Next meeting: April 27, 2026 at 6:30pm in person at BrES.

Adjournment by Susan Maxwell at 7:22pm. No Home and School meeting due to members absent. Any voting that needs to happen on spending funds for the PSSC will need to happen via email

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