The mission of H.B. Beal Secondary School Council is to be a strong voice for our parent community, facilitating as a liaison between parents and the school, encouraging parent input and active participation.

Each meeting, updates from the principal and teacher representative will be provided. A topic of interest will also be advertised in advance of each meeting to encourage parent engagement.

December 15, 2025

H.B.Beal School Council Meeting

December 15, 2025, 6:30pm

Attendance: In person: Ian Charlton, Blythe Allman, Dawn Davis, Deidre Di Nino, Jo-Anna Murphy, Tina Painter, Denise Raymond-Pringle, Carrie Wakem

Online: Tammy Logtenberg,

Welcome: All were welcomed, including those attending virtually.

Agenda: Adopted as presented.

Minutes: Approved as written for October 20, 2025

Staff Update: Dawn shared that one of the most meaningful measures of a school’s success is it’s level of teacher retention and at Beal, it’s really, really good. Not only do the teachers stay; they care deeply about the students, each other and the community and it shows in all they do.

Principal Update: Staffing is in place, though with 7 staff on medical leave, this can change without much notice and hiring is an ongoing process. There are currently 95 teaching staff, 13 EAs, 13 Custodial staff and 8 office staff members. More hiring is planned to take place for Semester 2.

A lot is happening now - Grade 8 Open House November 17, BealArt Open House December 9, Festival of Student Choreography December 10 & 11, Winter Formal December 18, Holiday assembly December 19 afternoon (after modified day plan), Grade 8 Open House January 13. BealArt has been visiting elementary schools to showcase their program. Registration for 2026 has begun: messaging from the Board is that “all doors are open in TVDSB” so anyone can attend the school of their choice, encourage all to attend Beal!

Beal Gives Back campaign has exceeded their goal of raising $5000, and has cllected more than 2600 items to donate to ArkAid to help those in need this winter. The Grade 9 class raised the most and will earn a movie in the auditorium or games in the library as a reward.

Currently, 6 SHSM (specialist Hign Skills Major) programs are offered. The Business program has not been well attended and will be offered as a Non-Profit specialty next year.

Budget: An audit last week concentrated on Student Generated Funds. Changes will be put in place moving forward to ensure transparency.

Press: An article published last month in the London Free Press was not favourable though Ian was able to rebut all of the writer’s questions knowledgeably. The writer often disparrages TVDSB. The student population of Beal is currently 1520, the school can comfortably hold 2000.

Facility: Some new furniture already in place in library, more is coming and changes are taking place to make the library a more welcoming, comfortable space.

The front entrance can easily become a skaing rink in this colder weather; the custodians are doing their best to stay on top of any water that is tracked in, and more floor mats are being looked into.

A toilet vent on the second floor was improperly installed and when blocked, causes unpleasant odours in the office - this will be fixed as soon as possible.

New gym floor is fantastic, the partition to divide the large gym space into two smaller spaces no longer works (not as a result of the floor, just aging and damage). A curtain is being priced to replace this.

Auditorium is receiving some upgrades: the stairs near the stage are being fixed and four new LED lights for stage lighting will be installed.

Ministry Updates: Beal has no control over what gets sent out by email when the Province takes over.

OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test) is written by all grade 10 students at the same time and they must pass to graduate, multiple attempts can be made to achieve this. This test went really well, results will be released in January.

EQAO is scheduled for the 14th. The test is written at the end of each sememster for every grade 9 math class. The test is worth 15% of a student’s mark and is AI administered and done online. The first 12 questions are multiple choice, then test chooses the next questions. Teachers are preparing students for this by using practice tests, and assistive devices can be used if needed - earbuds have been provided for every student.

Evaluation week for Semester 1 begins January 23. There will only be 14 instructional days upon returning from the Christmas break before final evaluations. No field trips or extracurricular sports will be held after January 10 and no new material is to be taught after January 19. The evaluation for Period 1 will be held Jan. 23, Period 2 on Jan.26, Period on Jan.27, Period 4 on Jan.28. Jan.29 is an extra day in case of inclement weather or other emergency. All students are expected to attend school promptly at 8:30am each day and must stay for at least one hour.

Chair Update: Tina shared that the Nov.17 Open House was well attended and those visiting seemed to be enjoying themselves. The school was well represented with so many activities in the Library. More signage is needed to direct visitors around the school to see all attractions. Perhaps renaming the evening “Experience Beal” night will better represent the agenda of the welcome in the auditorium, then explore the school.

The Awards Ceremony in the library this year was praised for its efficiency, but there is room for improvement next year - calling out the names of those receiving awards would be appreciated, as well as the possibility of a space for parents to wait if they have multiple children in different grades receiving awards.

Overall feeling of positivity, compassion, kindness and empathy as a result of attending Beal and experiencing all the highs and lows this area offers.

Next Proposed Meeting: Monday, January 19, 6:30pm.

Meeting Adjourned 7:45 pm.

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October 20, 2025

H.B.Beal School Council Meeting
October 20, 2025, 6:30pm

Attendance: In person: Ian Charlton, Blythe Allman, Dawn Davis, Deidre Di Nino, Denise Lackan, Tammy
Logtenberg, Denise Raymond-Pringle
Online: Nicky Hayne, Tina Painter
Guest: Melanie Lytle
Welcome: All were welcomed, including those attending virtually.
Agenda: Adopted as presented.
Minutes: Approved as written for September 22, 2025
Student Update: No Student Council representation this year, though Student Voice has been active.

Staff Update: Dawn shared these updates from Staff:

1. From Andrew Holmes
The cross country season is wrapping up this week! However, it has been a busy season as we attended 5 races
in total! We travelled to Strathroy, Springbank park, Springwater conservation area, Boler Mountain, and
Gibbon's Park for all the races of our season. Our team did well at the TVRA Central championships, with many
of our runners earning personal bests. We have one runner who has qualified for WOSSAA which takes place
this Thursday. This season also saw our first use of our new tent! Emblazoned proudly with the Raiders logo,
this 10'x15' pop-up tent was purchased with money from Bingos, and cost $1400.

2. Tracey Iddison
The unofficial Beal Sewing Guild is doing their part to help make the dance show for the Grade 8 Expo a
success. Teachers and students who like to sew are hemming and altering the dancers’ costumes to be ready for
Wednesday! Many hands definitely make light work.

3. Mr Liston and the Rainbow Raiders are putting on this year’s Hallowe’en dance and costume contest. Tickets
are $10 and includes pizza.

4. The Beal Band did a fantastic job at the 2025 Commencement. Their practices in the morning are packed and
they’re sounding great.

5. Mike Mazurek and Molly Spratt will be heading up the Sr Boys Basketball and kudos to Mike for taking the
lead so that there could be a team this year and for Molly who offered to assist.

6. Susan Yiao is creating a slideshow that teachers can project to their students while morning announcements
are playing. They can add slides about upcoming events or clubs. The hope is that it will be shown on the school
TVs in the future.

7. Debate team: The debate team will be participating in their first debate on November 8, at King's University
College. The dozen or so students from grades 9-12 have been practising their skills and are excited to apply
them against other students from TVDSB

Guest Speaker: Melanie Lytle joined us to share how well used the library is becoming. She has worked to make
the space more welcoming and engaging for everyone, and it shows. Some new supplies will help with this
initiative:

Fellowes 12.5" Laminator Value Bundle with 200 Pouches (Staples, $219.99)
Canon Selphy Photo Printer (Staples, $179) and Paper with Ink (Staples, $62)
Cricut Explore 4 & Related Cricut Materials (Staples, $319)
Vevor 3-in-1 Button Maker, 300 Pieces (Amazon, $119)
Essential Mobile Waterfall Bookcase in Blue (Opening the Book North America, $1250)
Monetary donations to upkeep supplies for the listed items and enhance furniture
Fundraising ideas to support this wishlist are invited for our next meeting.

Principal Update: Funds are still being sought to update interior of school.
High cleaning was begun in atrium on last PD Day, more detailed work needs to be done to complete the job.
The bike rack is being relocated to a spot under a high definition camera outside Principal’s office. This work will
be complete once the locates are in place to facilitate digging for the base.
There is no active Student Council this year - the Leadership program was unable to run this year and that may
be impacting this.
Quote has been sought to repaint the Stairway to Heaven as it is dirty and unable to be properly cleaned.
Inappropriate words and gestures are hidden among the hand prints. New paint will be brighter and cleaner.

Mr. Liston has agreed to preserve the memory of the hand prints before they are covered. Mr. Liston has also
agreed to prepare the yearbook.

Pool - negotiations are ongoing about rental rates and requirements for the use of the pool.

PD Day - Robin Giles led an Indigenous Information session and the staff of YOU (Youth Opportunities
Unlimited) attended to share information about the resources they offer. Planning is underway for the next PD
Day in November.

A Grade 8 student Expo is planned to showcase the various specialty programs offered at Beal. This is in
addition to the Grade 8 Open House.

Emergency Vehicles - there have been multiple emergency vehicles called to the school this year in response to
medically fragile students who are attending Beal. The requirement for emergency services to be called is part
of their IPOC (Individual Plan of Care) and is a measure put in place to ensure their safety.

Chair Update: Tina (Chair), Blythe (Co-Chair), Deidre (Secretary) elected by acclamation.
There is a $500.00 grant available for School Council to use each year to engage more parents. Non-traditional
ways to interest parents must be considered. A survey will be developed and included in the next weekly email
update to receive feedback about what parents/guardians want out of School Council. Providing food has
always been tried and true; snacks will be ordered - preferably from local vendors - for our next meeting.

Next Proposed Meeting: Monday, November 17, 6:30pm, prior to Grade 8 Open House.

Meeting Adjourned 7:35 pm.

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H.B.Beal School Council Meeting

September 22, 2025, 6:30pm

Attendance: Ian Charlton, Blythe Allman, Carrie, Dawn Davis, Deidre Di Nino, Leonora, Nicki Hayne, Tammy, Tina Painter

Welcome: All were welcomed and introduced themselves. School Council is mandated to meet at least 4 times per year - usually 6 meetings are scheduled so if one or two must be canceled we still meet the minimum requirements. An option to attend virtually will be in place for all meetings going forward.

Student Report: No Student Council representation; one Grade 9 student present indicated that it has been a great start to the year.

Staff Report: Dawn shared that a Clubs day has been held to showcase all the different clubs students can participate in and that Athletics have begun.

Principal Report: There have been a few last minute staffing changes and hiring is ongoing. The Head Librarian and Head of the Music department both retired in August and those positions have been filled internally.

An investment in upgrading the Library to a Library Learning Commons is underway. Funds are earmarked for new furniture and equipment to support this.

The budget is challenging, Beal has considerations that other schools do not: a Commissionaire and a pool.

The shrubbery around the school has been removed for student and staff safety (bushes can shelter or hide individuals and their trash). Indigenous ground cover is being looked into to replace this.

Pool - there are many regulations around the use of this resource which contribute to the lack of its use internally. The rental rate for outside groups to use this has been reduced to make it competitive with other facilities and can be reserved on the TVDSB website.

The facility will be getting a face lift in some of the less well maintained areas to help improve school pride - if the school looks good everywhere, students will be more likely to keep it that way.

Students congregating in washrooms is an ongoing issue, though vandalism of these spaces in on the decline. Cameras are being considered outside the exterior door and smoke/vape sensors installed in the washrooms to discourage hanging out there. If students are caught spending too much time there, the first incidence will be a warning, the second a call home, the third, they will be sent home.

In June, the predicted number of students attending Beal was 1295, in September, the actual number is 1585. This has caused some classes to be overly full and difficult decisions to be made about which classes to offer.

SISP: Safe and Inclusive School Plan - to ensure every voice is heard and all are safe

SIEP: School Improvement and Equity Plan - Goals based on improving EQAO scores

SAP: School Achievement Plan

Direction for this Year: Topics for future meetings could be: Homelessness awareness, with a focus on the causes, supports and help available, perhaps a showing of the movie “Atrocity” with discussion.

A focus on less visible programs offered - BMT (Beal Musical Theater), Tech, SHSM (Specialist High Skills Major)

Develop a Newcomer’s Guide with planned distribution at Grade 9 night to explain all the new acronyms.

To encourage more members at School Council, minutes will be posted online. Testimonials from existing members could be published in weekly newsletter.

Chair Report: The current Chair (Tina), Co-Chair (Blythe), and Secretary (Deidre) are willing to extend their terms but also willing to step aside if anyone else feels drawn to one of these positions. Please express your interest and the positions will be formally elected at the next meeting.

Fundraising goals could be posted on School Cash Online to make contributions quick and easy.

Meeting Adjourned 7:45 pm.

Our next scheduled meeting is October 20th in the Library at 6:30 pm. If you would like to join any of our meetings virtually, please email the Principal for the meeting link.

 Ian Charlton