Simon Fraser Elementary PAC meeting Thursday October 28th 2010
Minutes
- Welcome.
Approval of notes from last meeting
- A few words from Milana about Patti who recently died of cancer. She had been at school long time. Milana mentioned how fond the children were of Patti, that there has been an outpouring of love for her. She was a great story teller, and would want us to focus on celebrating her life and honouring her. The school grounds supervisor says we can plant a rare magnolia tree in her memory. On Nov 8 or 9 we will plant it as a school community, kids will read out their memories of Patti.
Leslie Wilkes shares the news that former exec at large, Kerri Abramson had a baby boy last night.
- Music at school, Julie
Question/invitation for input – there are some guitars at school, is there music programming we can add?
Does the school have Art start performers? asks Lori W
Milana explains that current music programming consists of possible performances which would be shared with Cavell Elementary)
There is a music therapist, Gemma, currently at the school for 10 wks, working w special needs kids
Current librarian does singing with the kids at library time, but no music specialist on staff
- Presentation by grade 5/6
We need rainy day games (funding already approved by school)
- School website Nathan has set up a school website and need a picture of the school, with no children in it. www.simonfraserelementary.com
Contributors are welcome. Milana wants link from VSB website. The VSB site needs pruning because it is so out of date. Is website secure? Yes! A letter will be sent home as soon as its ready
- Fundraising report, Karen
Gift card fundraising – there was a good response and 30 families ordered cards. The total value of cards sold was around $9,000, with the amount raised for PAC being $450. Karen said that although the gift cards involve lots of admin, the fundraising committee plans to do it again late Nov, early Dec in time for Christmas.
Upcoming events are:
Wed Nov 10 Fiesta night. Chronic Tacos are catering and serving this event.
Fri Dec 10 Family dinner night with music, dancing optional (holiday theme details to follow)
A bigger event is planned in the Spring to fundraise for a garden at the back of the school, with a magician and Tony has an idea for late in the school year to get the back wall painted
Karen will be in the office tomorrow (Friday) to hand out ordered gift cards
- JJ Bean fundraising initiative, Shira, who works for JJ Bean proposes a fundraiser whereby the Pac would buy beans, choosing from the full line of JJ Bean coffee. The profit margin is about $4/5 per pound depending on sale price we go with. Orders tend to range from 500 pounds to 1500 pounds, with larger orders dropping prices. Wholesale price starts at 50 pounds, more money made as more is sold. Shira is happy to organise it. The coffee is packed so it keeps. It would be possible to put a sticker on each bag saying Simon Fraser.
- Treasurer’s report, Chris
The Gaming fund has been restored to $20 per student bringing total in the bank to $10,681. Chris suggests we budget set amounts for our regular overheads:
Childcare and food for PAC meetings, performances $1000. Theses add up to around 3,000 so $7,500 are left not including admin cost
9. Presentations of suggestions for spending this year’s budget (15 mins) Milana. The School board budget is 17,000 this year. We need consistent text books for kids, $50 – 60 each, so the school really needs, and is grateful for PAC money The breakdown is as follows:
Div 1 Laura Rudland $100.00
Div 2 David Murphy $100.00
Div 3 Sundeep Sahota $100.00
Div 4 Helen French $100.00
Div 5 Katrina Naples $100.00
Div 6 Sean Hughes $100.00
Div 7 L Foran/Tony $100.00
Div 8K Brandi Goodearle $100.00
Div 9K Sylvia Luksun $100.00
Resource Ria Dolder $50.00
Sylvia Luksun $50.00
PE Tony Ramsell $50.00
SUB-TOTAL $1,050.00 The school will match these funds
OTHER WISHLIST ITEMS:
- Smartboard $1,500 School will pay the installation
- 2 LCD Projectors $1,300
- Home Reading Bags/Fabric $ 250
- Clay, glaze for the kiln $ 500
- Electrical for the Library $ 750 The school will match these funds
- Film Studies $1,000 The school will match these funds
- Fine Arts Performance $ 500
- Stereo/Speakers for the Gym $ 400
SUB-TOTAL $6,200
TOTAL $7,250.00
David Murphy (grade 6/7 teacher) is working on web classroom, which parents etc can access.
Although Ms. Christie only requested $500 for performances, she would appreciate the $1,000 set aside by the treasurer.
Leslie: will we be funding PE programs? School is not asking for this because the walkathon raised $7000. Tennis is booked for 2 wks at a cost of about $1000 per week and other courses, perhaps yoga, hiphop or skating will follow.
Dean wonders if we should we buy another smartboard instead of rearranging the library? Milana say no the whole staff is behind Pam with her plans to change the library.
Concern is voiced that the film project only caters to a small number of older students, and yet is very expensive. Some feel that the older students are not otherwise catered to with special programs, others wish that for the amount of money, something coule be found for the whole school.
Lori Weidenhammer reports that gardens and a vegetable patch already in place, and that there is a newsletter coming soon. There are plans for a garden at the back (and an outdoor classroom, partly dedicated to Patti), Jim Duick VSB says we can go ahead with plans and we will also have garden in Mount Pleasant Park, next door.
Lori says there are 3 parts to creating a garden: create, maintain, programming. Art starts grant $1800 has been applied for. Older kids will mentor younger kids. Lori is asking for money for creating garden in MP park $350.
- Vote on allocation of funds (10 mins)
- Principal’s report (5 mins) Milana
The Walkathon raised $7000
The school was recently visited by associate superintendent Valerie Overgaard, who was impressed w calibre of work, children and community. Good word is spreading. Val may attend a PAC meeting in future. Good to prepare her to advocate for us in future budget.
Milana further reported that the cross country season is done and the volleyball season is starting. There are intramurals for kids from all graades at lunchtime.
Ms. Chrisite mentioned also that the Mount Pleasant business improvement association is holding a tree decorating competition his year. She has not yet presented this idea to staff. More to come. The staff is planning a holiday concert on Dec 3rd. It will be multi cultural and will start at 6
Snacks and coffee, 7.30 – 8.00