Quilchena PAC

Present: This list will be attached to the original Minutes, as kept in the Secretary’s binder, and available to Quilchena parents on request.

October 2004 Quilchena PAC Meeting

1. Opening Remarks

John M., PAC Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.

2. Adoption of Agenda

The Agenda was distributed at the meeting. A copy of the agenda is attached to these Minutes in Appendix A.

3. Principal’s Report

Mrs. Coopersmith reported that cross country ended last week. She thanked Mrs. Bushell for coaching. She indicated that junior and senior volleyball players are now starting their season.

Mrs. Coopersmith highlighted the upcoming events:

1. Halloween Parade in the gym this coming Friday, October 29, 2004, with paired French and English students to judge the costumes in several categories.
2. Remembrance Day ceremonies to be held on November 11, 2004.

Mrs. Coopersmith confirmed that the Code of Behaviour pamphlets have been sent out with students for review with their parents. She asked that parents hold on to these and review them from time to time with their children.

Mrs. Coopersmith reported that Quilchena Elementary scored in the top six public schools in the province-wide Foundation Skills Assessment, which tests comprehension, writing and numeracy skills.

She thanked Cathy W. for her work on the lunch hour programs, which have had incredible participation rates.

4. Teacher’s Report

Mrs. Bushell thanked all who participated in the Terry Fox campaign this year. She said Mrs. McNicoll put together a great power point presentation. She also thanked the PAC for the funds given to the staff to purchase books.

5. Treasurer’s Report

Jean A., PAC Treasurer, reported that approximately $10,000 is currently set aside in allocated funds, most of which is set aside for in the Basic Budget, as outlined at the last PAC meeting.

John M. commented that the year end financials from the 2003/2004 year and the budget for 2004/05 will be reviewed at the November 2004 PAC meeting.

6. Fundraising

Heather K., PAC Fundraising Chair, explained the approach to this year’s Annual Quilchena Appeal (“AQA”). The campaign will begin on November 5 and finish on November 30. The goal is to raise approximately $31,000, with rewards for the student population for participation, and at every $11,000 threshold met. As in the past, contributions to specified resources will be honoured.

John M., PAC Chair, thanked the fundraising committee for all their hard work in putting this campaign together.

7. Priorities for School Year

Barbara G., PAC Vice -Chair, recapped the results of teacher and parents surveys as to their priorities for the use of PAC’s discretionary funds. The PAC’s discretionary funds are those monies remaining after the Basic Budget needs have been met.

The surveys asked the teachers and parents for their priorities in respect to funding at three different levels: the classroom, school-wide, and legacy or capital projects. Summaries of the survey results are attached to these Minutes.

The PAC Executive proposed that the funds raised in the AQA be allocated according to the priorities shown in the surveys. John M. demonstrated the allocation of funds as follows:

The survey results, found in the Appendices attached to these Minutes, identify more specifically what the items are in each category. The PAC Executive proposed that monies for many of the items be provided directly to the Principal and teaching staff with directions as to the amounts to be spent in the various categories.

Motion: That the percentages identified by the PAC Executive for the allocation of discretionary PAC funds form the basis of, and guide planning for, the 2004/05 budget.

Moved, seconded, carried.

Discussion ensued with respect to the earlier proposed library project. The PAC Executive suggested that alternatives to the annual appeal by PAC be explored. These include a dedicated fund drive and advocacy with the VSB and Provincial Government for additional resources.

The PAC Executive announced that it planned to consult with the Provincial Government, preferably with other PAC’s in the Quilchena provincial riding, to lobby for further funding of the identified priorities and for education in general.

ACTION ITEM: To contact our local MLA, Colin Hansen, to meet with Quilchena and other Vancouver–Quilchena Riding PACs to discuss questions of additional funding and other support for education.

RESPONSIBILITY: PAC Executive.

8. Volunteers

Barbara G. announced that PAC still requires volunteers, and in particular: a Division 15F (Grade Five, French) class parent, and a Rainy Day Lunch Coordinator.

ACTION ITEM: Communicate with parents to fill needed volunteer positions.

RESPONSIBILITY: PAC Executive.

9. Other

Heather K., announced that she and Marisa T. were organizing a meeting of ESL parents to ensure that communications are made with them about PAC and school activities. That meeting was to be November 2, 2004, but as of the time of writing, the meeting has been deferred to November 12, 2004 at 2 pm in the Library.

John M. stated that the PAC Executive is interested in reviewing the Mission Statement of the PAC to ensure that it is consistent with the current philosophy of the parents group. Also, volunteer positions would benefit from a description of the associated duties. He proposed that a committee be struck to deal with each of these items.

Also, John M. reiterated that there is a need to use the website further to reduce photocopying and make the access to PAC information easier. He proposed that a committee be struck to deal with Internet Policy and Content.

ACTION ITEM: To put together committees to deal with the following issues: Review of PAC Mission Statement, Description of Volunteer Duties, and Internet Policy and Content.

RESPONSIBILITY: PAC Executive.

The School Planning Council (“SPC”) is composed of the principal, a teacher and three parents, of whom at least one must be a PAC Executive member. The SPC examines the educational goals of the school curriculum and meets four times a year. Parent appointees must be approved by the PAC.

Motion: That Michelle R., Zane K. and Barbara G. (PAC Executive Member) be nominated to the SPC.

Moved, seconded, carried.

Farrell S. asked that the matter of compensation for services rendered to parents be put on the next meeting’s agenda for discussion

Barbara G. announced that the Quilchena Book Fair will be held next week from November 2 to 4, at 11:30am to 1:30pm, and 2:30pm to 3:30pm. On Wednesday, November 3, the fair will be open from 6:30pm to 9:00pm, at which time there will be a special presentation and book reading by the authors.

10. Next meeting

To be announced. (At the time of writing, the meeting has been set for November 25, 2004 at 7 pm in the Library. Babysitting will be provided.)

11. Adjournment

There being no other business, there was a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Motion: That the meeting be adjourned.

Moved, seconded, carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:29pm.

ACTION ITEMS

1. To contact our local MLA, Colin Hansen, to meet with Quilchena and our family of schools PACs to discuss questions of additional funding.
2. Communicate with parents to fill needed volunteer positions.
3. To put together committees to deal with the following issues: Review of PAC Mission Statement; Volunteer List and Description of Duties, and Internet Policy and Content.

Attachments

Appendix 1 — October 2004 PAC Agenda.

Appendix 2 — Table of Teacher Survey Results

Appendix 3 — Table of Parent Survey Results

Number returned: 18

Number in brackets () indicates multiple responses

*“It is important to be aware that the number of SN students has increased greatly in the last few years at the same time that the support of them has been reduced. This has an impact on the students and the teachers.”

No opinion: 4

Number returned: 12

Numbers in brackets () indicate multiple responses