Simon Fraser Elementary PAC Meeting 2010-09-29
Our first PAC meeting of the school year followed a pizza dinner – many families gathered for pizza dinner and afterwards, while the kids enjoyed supervised play, the adults gathered in the library for a meeting
6.30 – 7.30 pm
Agenda
- Call to order
- Introduce PAC executive, briefly explain election process and responsibilities
- SoFun Committee report (Karen) Projects planned so far include family dinner evenings, (dates to be announced) and a gift card fundraiser, whereby people purchase gift cards and the retailer contributes a percentage of the value of the gift cards to the school. Karen also stressed that, while volunteers are in place for some events, other initiatives are very welcome.
- Treasurer’s report (Nathan for Chris)
a) outline of budget: We are starting the school year with approximately $6900 in the bank, expecting a further $2000 from the gaming fund.
b) process of allocating funds
c) invite those with ideas on how to spend the money to contribute/present ideas at the next PAC meeting where they will be voted on (5 mins)
- Presentation on changes to Library (Pam) Pam would like to move the computers away from the windows, to another part of the library and create a reading area near the windows, where the light is good. The process of moving the computer will cost $1500, half of which she would like PAC to contribute.
Pam is also planning a book fair on October 8th
- Milana (15 mins) Milana told us that enrolment is strong this year, and as the school is partnering with the new daycare, she is hopeful that enrolment will continue to be strong. It is hoped that the school will receive the recognition it should and will not be adversely affected in the upcoming budget.
Sports and intramurals are off to a strong start thanks to Tony and kids are now eating lunch in their classrooms because of the intramural games.
The Walk-a- thon is planned for October 14th. Proceeds help to fund field trips.
Ms Christie and the staff hope to create a “bank” of parents expert in certain fields to share their knowledge as the school works on preparing for 21st century learning and making kids active participants in learning. Concern was voiced that perhaps more traditional skills were now being neglected (eg cursive handwriting).
Ms Christie was asked whether the school could sustain the increase in enrolment that two full time Kindergarten classes would present as they, and successive years moved up through the school. She replied that there has been a suggestion by the schoolboard to “cap” enrolment and introduce a lottery system for the school, even for children living in the catchment area.
Asked when the permanent grade5/6 teacher would start, Ms. Christie said the teacher was already appointed but was unable to start at Fraser until January.
- Peter Kent: Film Project. Mr Kent proposed a project where he would come into the school as an artist in residence and run a film project, probably with grades 6 and 7, where kids would write and shoot their own movie. This is an example of hands-on learning. The school already has an I-Mac on loan for the project.
The project would cost approx $1800
- Any other business
Leslie Wilkes explained that the popular hot lunches need volunteers and suggested parents consider volunteering to organize one lunch a year to spread the work between more people.