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2025-2026 School Council

June 26, 2026

Hello Holbrook Families,

Please see the Holbrook School Council Annual Report for the 2025-2026 School Year. 

 

 

 

 

Holbrook School Council Annual Report for the 2025/2026 School Year

 

Dear Parents and School Community:

The Holbrook School Council had a very rewarding 2025/2026. Included below is a summary of the activities undertaken and achievements over the past school year, in fulfilling the council’s purpose to help improve student achievement and enhance the accountability of the education system to parents. 

The school council held seven meetings on:

  • September 17, 2025
  • October 21, 2025
  • November 18, 2025
  • January 20, 2026
  • February 17, 2026
  • April 21, 2026
  • May 25, 2026

These meetings were open to the public to encourage input from parents and other members of the school community.

A school council’s primary means of achieving its purpose (student achievement and accountability to parents) is by making recommendations to the principal of the school and the school board. Boards and principals are responsible for considering the recommendations made by each school council and for advising the council(s) of the actions taken in response to the recommendations. 

The School Council worked on various issues during the year including, seeking clarification and raising concerns to:

  • the school board on delays addressing HVAC issues related to renovations, and 
  • the City of Hamilton (Ward 14) on snow clearing issues at the catwalk off West 33rd street.

Additional achievements of the school council in 2025/2026 included the following: 

  • Unplugged Family Games/Literacy Night
  • Breakfast of Joy (for the students)
  • Support for the Open House
  • $50 to each class for items for the classroom
  • Various fundraising activities including:
    • Krispy Kreme Donut sales
    • Factory Shoe Warehouse
    • FlipGive
    • Mabel’s Labels

Proceeds from fundraising activities were used to fund projects in accordance with school board policies. These fundraising activities and funds from grants are identified in the below financial summary.

Table: Summary of fundraising activities and spending

Event

Amount Raised ($)

Amount Spent ($)

How funds were spent
Carry Forward from 24/26 $366 $366 Year end trips
Carry Forward from 24/26 $306 Spent $327.42 - $21.42 used from SC School council

• Pylons

• Cakes for graduation ceremonies

• New drink dispensers for events
Krispy Kreme Donut Sales $959 $959 Year end trips
Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant $800 $732.36 Unplugged Family Games/Literacy Night
Mabel’s Labels Partnership $107.50 $107.50 Year end trips
FlipGive Partnership - - -

Factory Shoe Warehouse

(If it makes more sense, we could combine all 3: Mabel’s labels, FlipGive, Factory Shoe)

 $200 - Carry forward to next year
Donations from individuals and Grants to Breakfast of Joy? $350 $281.22

• Food for Breakfast of Joy

• $68.78 remaining funds to carry over to next year’s event
Parent Engagement Fund $500 $413.51 • $50 for each class
SC School Council $70.45 $49.03 Carry forward to next year
SC Special Events $107.27 - Carry forward to next year

Minutes of meetings held, and financial records are available for public inspection at the school office.

We wish to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the many individuals who volunteered their time to contribute to the success of the school council last year. Special thanks are due to the following members of the 2025/2026 school council: 

  • Monica Almas
  • Mike Palma
  • Katie Almas
  • Melissa Phachanhla
  • Melissa Legault
  • Kelly Howe
  • Jennifer Meir
  • Gordon Carey
  • Katherine Burch

Finally, we would like to wish the best of luck to candidates in the September 2026/2027 school council elections. Issues that we foresee as being important matters for the consideration of the new school council following the September 2026/2027 elections include:

  • The new Ontario Education Act and impacts to the Holbrook staff and students

Sincerely yours,

Melissa Legault & Melissa Phachanhla
Acting Secretary & Treasurer


June 24, 2026