Thursday, January 19th, 2006
7:00-8:30 PM
(Babysitting Service Provided)
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.
Shereen D., PAC Vice-Chair., called the meeting to order at approximately 7:05pm
The agenda was distributed at the meeting. A copy of the agenda is attached to these Minutes in Appendix 1.
Motion: To adopt minutes of Sept 28th PAC Meeting minutes
Motion moved, seconded and carried
Motion: To adopt Minutes of Nov 03rd PAC Meeting minutes
Motion moved, seconded and carried
Shereen, the Vice Chair extended a warm welcome to our new Principal, Madame Marie-Helene Humphries. Mme. Humphries will be replacing Val Coopersmith.
Mme. Humphries thanked the staff, students and parents for their warm welcome since arriving at Quilchena School. The transition of Principals has been very smooth, thanks to the help of Mrs. Coopersmith. She stated that this is her first Principal ship position but that she has had 20 years of experience teaching. She was Vice-Principal at Douglas Park Annex prior to this position. Her philosophy for teaching is to make school and learning pleasurable for children and they will then make the most of their experiences.
Since arriving at Quilchena, she has seen many wonderful programs in place and wants to make sure they continue. One example is the Leadership Program for Grade 7 students which she commented teaches the importance of setting good examples for others.
She is very supportive of French students and the dual track school environment.
She reported on the Ministry of Education monies allocated from the period during the teacher’s strike. PAC, teachers and Mme. Humphries have identified what resources are required in the school. $13,754.45 will be spent on the following items:
Quilchena School has received funding for .5 FTE of a teaching position. Mme. Mylett will work an additional ½ day per week in Resources. Postings have been placed to fill the extra 2 day/week position. This extra staffing grant was based on Sept 30th, 2005, student counts.
Grade 3 had fire safety training this week where the City Fire Department fire trailer came to school — This is a Province wide program run for all grade 3 students.
Mme. Humphries closed by thanking Valerie Coopersmith for her help in the transition period. Quilchena was very lucky to have had her as our Principal these past two years. She also mentioned that the parents are a huge benefit to have in the school.
Ms. Claudia Thomas was ill and unable to attend so Mme. Humphries mentioned the following:
Q has obtained an “Artist in Residence” grant to work with Quilchena Grade 6&7 students. Artist Marta Robinson Smith will come to the school to work with the children in creating a wall mural in the girl’s lower basement hallway. The theme will be BC nature and wildlife. The grant was for $450 which will cover 7 hours of the artist’s time, she expects the project to take an additional 7-10 hours. The project is expected to cost approximately $800 to $1,000 more.
Jean A. mentioned that Marta came in earlier this year and worked with the primary grades on Christmas themed projects which was a huge success. With $16-20K of unallocated funds available she supported the idea for PAC to fund this project.
Motion: PAC asked to cover additional cost for supplies ($300) and wages ($500) totaling approximately $800, up to $1,000.
Motion moved, seconded and carried.
“5 Ways to Create More Caring and Responsible Children” — Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl has been conducting research in the area of child and adolescent development over the past 20 years. Her projects include the “Roots of Empathy”, a current project underway in Quilchena School in Mrs. Bailey's class. This project aims to increase social/emotional competence and increase empathy while reducing aggression and violence among school children.
Kim will discuss her exciting research and provide us with tools on how to promote positive development in our children, especially in relation to school settings.
Kim is a parent with children in the Vancouver Public School System and a UBC Professor in the Department of Psychology.
These funds came directly from Ministry savings on wages during the October teacher’s strike. Notice came out on Dec 9th that funds had to be allocated by Jan. 9th. Regulations required that teachers, school administration and parents all contribute input as to how the funds would be distributed. Because of the very tight timelines PAC executive did their best to act on the parents behalf with the teachers and Mme. Humphries. Teachers were exceptional in focusing on the individual class requirements. Supplies have to be received by March 24th or funds will not be dispersed. See report above on how funds were allocated.
Final totals show $24,706 was raised, (actual $23,806 — 2 nsf cheque which will be follow up by Jane). A survey was sent to all teachers for their ideas on what they would like to see in a Library Renovation Project. Heather said that they had great input. Completed surveys are available from Heather. Next steps will be to form a Library Renovation Project Committee. The committee will include — Mme. Humphries, Mme. Urstad, a technology advisor, a space designer, parents, students, and teachers.
Discussions came up on Library uses including the teachers’ requirement for Prep time. Each teacher is allocated 80min/wk/teacher of prep time so that children go to library during this time or the librarian covers the classroom for the teachers. This causes a conflict with librarians. Possible solutions include parent volunteers, additional teaching resources, and principal coverage. There is a need to understand impact on union regulations before any solution can be implemented.
Recommended Report by Ken Haycock on “Importance of Elementary Libraries” be reviewed by Library Renovation Committee to understand important issues.
Motion; Chinese New Year Committee requires $500 to run the festival program.
Motion moved, seconded and carried.
Recommended that the Media needs to be notified by PAC that we are presenting the Festival again this year and they may want to cover it — Sing Tao, Channel M, Fairchild
Report from Jan 11 and 16th VSB meeting by Lisa N./John B.
Please see attached report 2006 VSB Task Force on French Language Instruction Review.
Committee 3 — VSB Board members met and were looking to approve task Force recommendations. Due to meeting discussion on most of the prime issues, the Task Force recommendation were NOT adopted by board
Motion: That Quilchena PAC write to the VSB Trustees and Administration prior to the next Board meeting Feb 6th (when the catchment’s waitlist inequity issue is on the agenda) to reiterate their support for providing EFI to meet demand, parent representation on the proposed long range planning committee and to recommend that the terms of reference include a consideration of the recommendation made in the Dec 13th QPAC letter.
Motion moved, seconded and carried.
Motion: to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm.
Motion moved, seconded and carried.