Present:

See list attached (“Attendance”). This list will be attached to the original Minutes, as kept in the Secretary’s binder, and available to Quilchena parents on request.

 

November 2004 Quilchena PAC Meeting

 

 

1.               Opening Remarks

John M., PAC Chair, called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 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.

 

Motion: To approve the Minutes from the September and October 2004 PAC meetings.

Moved, seconded, carried.

 

3.               Chair’s Report

John M. lauded the role of the volunteers and the class parents in the fundraising campaign, saying that they demonstrated high levels of commitment to the cause.

 

John M. reported that the Book Fair raised $3000 for books in the library, in addition to the actual books directly donated by Quilchena families to the classrooms and library.

 

John M. reported that representatives from the schools in Quilchena-Vancouver riding met informally with the MP for the riding, Colin Hansen, with respect to common issues, such as the need for resources, respect for teachers, and the staffing and resources for the library.

 

John M. reminded the PAC of an opportunity to make your voice heard by completing and sending in a survey to the Provincial government with respect to people’s priorities for the use of surplus funds.   The deadline for these survey results is December 8, 2004.

 

4.               Principal’s Report

Mrs. Coopersmith reported that 20 computers were donated to the school from local businesses.  She thanked Mrs. McNicoll for her huge effort in making this happen.

 

Due to a recent theft of a teacher’s purse from the school and the theft of the custodian’s keys, all locks in the school were rekeyed.  Mrs. Coopersmith emphasized the need for people to be vigilant in watching for people at the school who have no business there.

 

Several classes had the opportunity for a great educational experience at the Vancouver outdoor school in Brackendale this month.  The kids enjoyed the program.

 

The staff is developing a leadership program, which began last April.  Among the current achievements of this program are a code of behaviour, dress code, themed monthly programs, Rainy Day programs supervised and led by seniour students.  The staff are now working on a no bullying program and take care cards to reward students for responsible behaviour.  Receiving a take care card will entitle the student to be drawn for a Pizza party with Paul. 

 

The second phase of the program will involve other initiatives, such as developing a student council.  The staff is looking for volunteers to be on the organizing committee, which should be lots of fun.

 

Other dates:

-Report cards are due out November 29th.

-Division 2 will be holding race car drag races in the gym November 29th.

-A school skating trip is planned December 9th.

-The winter concert will be held December 15th in the gym.

-The School Planning Council (SPC) is scheduled to meet tomorrow morning.

 

5.               Teacher’s Report

Chantal Urstad, the school librarian, has an 8-10 minute video from the VESTA Vancouver Assocation regarding school programs and cutbacks.  Please let her know if you are interested in viewing the video at any time, or at a PAC meeting.

 

6.               Treasurer’s Report

Jean A., PAC Treasurer, reminded that there are programs established by certain businesses that reward customers with a certain percentage of sales being donated to schools of their choice, if they indicate the desired donation.  For example, the IGA and organics@home provide approximately 10% of the sale amount to a chosen school.  This information is posted on the Quilchena School website.

 

Jean A. explained that the PAC Executive has adopted a method to allocate funds by using percentages that enables an equitable and easily adjustable distribution of the funds raised.  For example, funds for information technology is to be divided evenly between the classroom and the computer lab.  The choir risers are an exception because they are seen as a safety issue and hence their purchase is more urgent.  The PAC Executive has recommended that a modular component system be purchased so that the initial purchase can be expanded as necessary.

 

Motion: To permit PAC Executive to advance $19, 000 from the funds raised in the AQA (“Annual Quilchena Appeal”) and otherwise held by PAC for the priorities listed in the agenda according to the percentages indicated.  These funds will only be advanced after a review and acceptance of the priorities put together by the teachers, and subject to a review of the expenditures afterward.

Moved, seconded, carried.

 

ACTION ITEM: as per Motion.

RESPONSIBILTIY: PAC Executive.

 

Jean A. circulated several balance sheets and statements of budgets and expenditures, which are attached as Appendix 2 to 5 of these Minutes.

 

The PAC accounts require 2 signing authorities.

 

Motion: To add Barbara G. and delete Mariza T. as a signing authority on the PAC accounts.  

Moved, seconded, carried.

 

7.               Fundraising

Heather K., PAC Fundraising Chair, announced the results of the AQA: $14,000 was raised, with 40% of the Quilchena families participating. 

 

John M., PAC Chair, and Barbara G., PAC Co-Chair, thanked the fundraising committee for all their hard work in putting this campaign together, with special congratulations to Heather K. for a successful campaign.

 

8.               Canadian Parents for French (“CPF”) Issues

 

Lesley W., a CPF representative, advised the PAC that she heard the Vancouver School Board was considering a change from the first come, first serve registration method to a lottery system.  Concern was expressed that this is a band-aid solution, and does not address the need for more spaces in the French Immersion program, particularly at the outset.

 

ACTION ITEM:  To write to the Vancouver School Board about the issue of resources for French Immersion, and to clarify what rulings, if any, are made with respect to a lottery system enrolment.  

RESPONSIBILITY: PAC Executive.

 

Lesley W. is looking for a CPF assistant representative.

 

9.               Volunteers

Mrs. Coopersmith, Principal, advises that the teaching staff has found volunteers for the rainy day programs.  There is a need for board games.  Jean A. advised that the PAC Executive can approve up to $250 for the discretionary use of PAC funds, which she recommends should be used for lunchtime board games and cards.

 

ACTION ITEM: To purchase board games and cards for rainy day lunchtime diversion.

RESPONSIBILITY: PAC Executive.

 

10.            Other

Heather K., informed the meeting that the meeting with ESL parents went well.  She had hoped that one of the parents would attend this meeting. 

 

The issue of remuneration for parents providing services to the school was revisited.

 

Motion: That no remuneration be paid to parents or caregivers of Quilchena students who provide services to the school.  

Moved, seconded, carried.

 

11.            Next meeting

To be announced.  (At the time of writing, the meeting has been set for January 26, 2005 at 7pm in the Library. Babysitting will be provided.)

 

12.            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 9:00pm.

 

ACTION ITEMS

ACTION ITEM:  PAC Executive to advance $19, 000 from the funds raised in the AQA (“Annual Quilchena Appeal”) and otherwise held by PAC for the priorities listed in the agenda according to the percentages indicated.  These funds will only be advanced after a review and acceptance of the priorities put together by the teachers, and subject to a review of the expenditures afterward.

RESPONSIBILITY: PAC Executive.

 

ACTION ITEM:  To write to the Vancouver School Board about the issue of resources for French Immersion, and to clarify what rulings, if any, are made with respect to a lottery system enrolment.  

RESPONSIBILITY: PAC Executive.

 

ACTION ITEM: To purchase board games and cards for rainy day lunchtime diversion.

RESPONSIBILITY: PAC Executive.

 

 

Attachments

Appendix 1 – November 2004 PAC Agenda.

Appendix 2  PAC Financial Statements for year, ending August 31, 2004 (4 pages):

·            Balance Sheet

·            Statement of Revenue and Expenditures

·            Schedule A – Fundraising/School Events as at August 31, 2004

Appendix 3- PAC Expenditures, on percentage basis, for years 2001 to 2005 (as projected) (1 page)

Appendix 4 – PAC Statement of Revenue and Expenditures for years 2002 to 2005 (as projected) (1 page)

Appendix 5 – PAC Budget (Anticipated Basic Annual Expenses for school year 2004-2005) and Summary of Available Funds, as of November 24, 200

4 (2 pages)


                                                                                                         ESTIMATED TIME (Min.)

 

1.               Introduction

Approval of Agenda and Minutes of September and
October PAC meetings                                                                      5

 

2.               Chair’s Report (John McLean)                                                            5

 

3.               Principal’s Report (Val Coopersmith)                                                 5

 

4.               Teacher’s Report (Chantal Urstad)                                                     5

 

5.               Treasurer’s Report (Jean Allan)                                                         30

a.   Review of 2003/04 Financial Statements                                       

Proposed Motion: That the financial statements for August 31, 2004 be accepted.

 

b.   Review of 2004/05 Budget                                                               

Proposed Motion: That the 2004/05 budget be approved.

Proposed Motion: That the PAC Executive have authority to advance funds up to a maximum of $19,000 for the following priorities once it has received a plan from the teachers for the use of the funds: Classroom resources $8,000; Info. Tech/Computer resources $8,000 (1/2 to computer lab and ½ to specific classrooms); Library Resources $3,000

 

c.     Approval of Signing authorities

Proposed Motion: That Barbara Grantham be added and that Marisa Tuzi be deleted as a signing authority for the PAC accounts.

 

6.               Fundraising (Heather Krahn)                                                               5

                       Direct Appeal – details of program and progress report

 

7.               Other Business                                                                                        

a.     Recruitment (Barbara Grantham/Gillian Kelly)                         10

b.     Approval of Policy with respect to parents providing services (John McLean)

c.     Report re: ESL Parents Meeting (Heather Krahn)

d.     Calendar of Events – Tentative schedule for January to June 2005

 

8.               Adjournment – 8:15 p.m.

 

 

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