year saw the installation of new cupboards in our Breakfast Room (courtesy of AFS and ADSB), and the donation of a new stove and a commercial grade dishwasher, courtesy of AFS.

#### Forest of Reading/Festival of Trees

Our teacher representative, Mrs. Burmaster, informed the Council of this literacy-based program and its success at our school. Council voted to help fund the expense to send 15 Queen Elizabeth students and staff members to the Festival of Trees event held on May 27th to take part in reading/writing workshops and have the opportunity to meet authors of books from the program. Those who attended the Festival felt it was very worthwhile experience.

#### 3rd Annual Royal Christmas Tea and Bazaar (Nov 14, 2015)

Our Royal Tea and Bazaar provided a fun event for the school community, its guests and the community at large to come to the school to enjoy a holiday tea and craft show and serves as a school fundraiser. Attendees get a chance to do some Christmas shopping, enjoy tea service and share some holiday spirit. Funds raised through admission, vendor table rentals and corporate sponsorship were divided between the Council (to the general administration fund in the amount of $1071.00) and the Grade 8 Class for their year- end trip. This event was generously sponsored by Tim Horton's, Thyne Family Bakery, Princesses R Us and Scotiabank.

#### School Dances

School Council volunteers helped organize and run two school family dances this school year, with Halloween and Valentine's Day/Family Day themes. These events are a lot of fun, are well-attended and help with fundraising and school community spirit. Donations and food sales raised $229.31 through the efforts of School Council, and additional funds for the grade 8 class were raised through their bake sale.

#### Fundraising

Besides the specific events of the Christmas Tea and Bazaar and school dances, the Council ran several fundraising campaigns this year. These included:

- • Caesar's pizza orders (raised $1299.00) • Caesar's pizza orders (raised $1299.00)
- • Muffin and Cookie Dough (raised $552) • Muffin and Cookie Dough (raised $552)
- • Nite (fundraising for "Save our Elms" fund - raised $578.77) • Nite (fundraising for "Save our Elms" fund - raised $578.77)

#### Playground Maintenance

For many years, our School Council has taken great care to continually improve and maintain our playground for the safety and enjoyment of our children, the betterment of their environment and the encouragement of physical activity and exploration. As part of our yard is dedicated to the memory of Master Cpl Scott Vernelli, a Canadian hero, former student, and son of a former beloved staff member. We take great care to reflect pride and respect in our surrounding property and to encourage this in our children as well. This school year saw maintenance to our playground slide and plans to install new tetherball equipment in the fall of 2016. The Council continues to raise funds to cover costs ($1000) incurred in the spring of 2015 to proactively treat our several large elm trees in attempt to prevent Dutch Elm Disease which has claimed most local elms in recent years.

#### Parent Involvement Committee Workshop

Our Council Co-Chair Jennifer Kresin attended the PIC Workshop presented by Algoma Public Health in April 2016 and reported back to the Council with its messages. The topics included the changes in the provincial Health and Physical Education Curriculum as well as provincial health statistics. Areas of