(PAC) Meeting Agenda October 7, 2014

Edith Cavell Elementary School
Parents Advisory Council (PAC) Meeting Agenda
October 7, 2014
Principal’s Report – Ms. Diane Martinson
School Startup:
• 323 students in 13 Divisions – approximately the same number of Primary as
Intermediate students this year
• New staff members:
¾ Mrs. Abbey Lewsley (Resource) for Ms. Lum who is on a leave
¾ Ms. Liisa House – (Resource) – Tuesdays and Wednesdays
¾ Ms. Winnie Park – (Resource) – Thursday and Friday mornings as well as
her Mon-Wed position teaching Div. 9 (Gr. 1/2) with Mrs. Bicycle
¾ Ms. Jane Wyllychuk – School Counsellor – Mondays, Friday afternoons
¾ Ms. Elizabeth Payne – Speech and Language Pathologist – Wednesday
afternoons
• Students moved to new classes on Tuesday, Sept. 23rd (first full day of classes) –
opportunity for the students to get to know their new teacher and classmates in the
first few days (community building activities)
• Net Climber – VSB crew is putting the net climber in this week on the edge of the
west field beside the other playground equipment – should be finished by Friday –
students will initially be rotating times, by grade, on the equipment
New Calendar Dates (as per previous email to parents)
• October 22 and 23rd – early dismissal at 2:00 for Goal –Setting Conferences
• October 27th – Professional Development Day – date suggested by the District staff will be working on the School Growth Plan and Literacy at the
school
Other Upcoming Dates:
• October 8th – Patrol training for returning and new members
• October 10th – QSP Assembly in the gym
• October 15th – Individual Photos
• October 20-23 – Book Fair (times TBA – information will go home)
• October 28th – Kindergarten Audiology testing
• November 3 – Individual photo retakes
School Growth Plan
• Literacy (Reading Comprehension) and Aboriginal Awareness (District Goal) will be
our school goals for a second year
• In the process of being completed for this year – summary of information/data
from last year as well as classroom based activities and focus on this year’s
direction
• Discussion of continued expansion of computer literacy
Current Extra-curricular Sports Teams
• Mr. Baldwin is coaching three soccer teams this year – Jr. Boys, Sr. Boys and Sr.
Girls
• Mr. Walter is coaching the Cross-Country teams – Grades 3-7
Classroom-Based Activities
• Teachers in the process of planning upcoming activities, fieldtrips and units for the
term
• Divisions 4 and 5 (Ms. Tsoulos and Ms. Bilodeau) have applied for and received
confirmation of a February date for “Project Chef”
• Upcoming dates and class activities TBA in the next newsletter
Chair’s Report – Brenda Brown
Welcome Back Coffee – This first day gathering was a big success again. This year we
bought too much coffee! Next year we’ll get it just right.
Fruit and Vegetable Program – The first Fruit and Vegetable day will be Nov 4th. They are
delivering baby carrots. Thanks to the teachers for their continued support of this program
and thanks in advance to the volunteers who help with distribution.
Hot Lunch Program Changes – There have been several changes made to the Hot Lunch
program this year.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Subway
Pizza (Panago by the slice)
Sushi
Hot Dogs
Sliders, Chicken Fingers, Mac & Cheese, Lasagna (My Tiffin)
* Healthy food discussion see DISCUSSION DETAILS section for more information.
* Kids receiving junk food at school discussion see DISCUSSION DETAILS section.
Ordering information will be going out soon. We use the site Lunch A Munch.
Please let the PAC know if you are able to volunteer this year on Hot Lunch days. Each day
has a separate Coordinator, except for My Tiffin day. WE REALLY NEED A VOLUNTEER FOR
THIS DAY.
We also still need a Food Day Coordinator. Most of this work has been completed for this
round of ordering, so it should be smooth sailing until January.
Please send in your valuable feedback to the PAC, as this helps guide the decisions we make
about food choices for Hot Lunch days.
I just want to remind everyone that every student will need to bring their own drink on Hot
Lunch days. They should bring it in a bottle labelled with their name and they can put it in
their Division Lunch bin when they are finished.
Environmental Brigade – We are hoping to form a parent run Cavell Environmental Brigade.
These students would help other students recycle their waste on Hot Lunch days and as a club
devise other ways to reduce waste around our school.
Earthquake Kits – Last year we were presented with the idea of creating class sets rather
than individual Earthquake kits.
We feel that this would be a much easier way to proceed moving forward. The Class Division
Rep will oversee the collection of items for the class kit.
Motion: To create class sets of Earthquake kits for the 2014-15 school year.
Motion to Approve - Jeff Lewis
Seconded - Warren Brander
District PAC and BCCPAC – We are renewing our Cavell memberships to these Councils
again this year. Most PACs have a parent who represents their school at these meetings. Can
we get a volunteer for Cavell DPAC representative?
Playground Equipment – At long last, Net Climber is getting installed this week!!!! Yeah!
Treasurer Report – Andrea Cassels
Reporting period:
2013-09-01 to 2014-10-07
Revenue
Carnival Raffle 2014
9,540.75
Hot Lunch Program
9,462.05
Gaming Grant
6,440.00
QSP Fundraiser
5,362.21
Family Photo Night Fundraiser
810
Plant Fundraiser
1,323.56
50/50 Raffle
1,280.00
Sports Day Lunch
Total Revenue
659.52
34,878.09
Operating Expenses
Home Reading Program (Judy Fung)
Resource Teacher's Funding
2,000.00
400
Saleema Noon Program
1,215.00
Extra Curricular Programs (dance)
Eric Hamber/Former Edith Cavell Student's
Fund
1,500.00
LunchaMunch yearly fee
QSP Fundraiser Pizza Party
PAC Meeting babysitting
Sports Day Lunch
Active Friend's Program
500
336
128.27
160
639.87
750
School Performances - funding
1,800.00
Bookworm Reading Awards
2,100.00
Field trips
6,420.00
Classroom funds
4,815.00
Earthquake kits
Grade 7 grad
Welcome Back Coffee
BC PAC renewal fee
Net Climber
Net Climber Installation
Sunshine Fund
Red Cross Donation
41.96
975
116.35
75
22,222.65
9,396.35
162.72
600
Devry GreenHouses Ltd
Total Operating Expenses
2,281.44
58,635.61
Regular Bank Account: 45,245.14
Gaming Account: 20,012.06
Funding Motions:
-Family welcome back coffee on the first day of school - $164.01
- Registration fee with the BC Confederation of PACs - $75.00
- Book Worm Awards (for student reading goals) - $2100
- Xtra Curric. Gymnastics, Hip Hop Program (all students) - $1500
- School Performances - $1800
- Babysitting for PAC Meeting - $140
- Field trip fund ($15 x 322) = $4830
- Classroom Supplies Fund ($15 x 322) = $4830
Motion to Approve - Tanya Fairweather
Seconded - Tracey Manrell
2014-15 Volunteer Report – Andrea Daem
Division Parent Volunteers - have been found for each classroom only Division 3 is still
outstanding.
Volunteer Positions Available:
o FOOD DAY COORDINATOR
o MY TIFFIN DAY COORDINATOR (FRIDAYS)
Note: At the meeting 50/50 Volunteers were found for the Winter Holiday Concert (Tracey
and Nicole)
Fundraising Reports
QSP o
o
o
o
Rekha Diocee & Jane Liang
Kick-off to start this week.
A major magazine fundraiser for the school.
Funds are collected throughout the school year.
New additions: Photobooks, Holiday Cards, Calendars.
Family Photo Night - Tracy Manrell
o
Date is Oct 28th
o Cost is $35 per family
o 17 Families Maximum
Carnival/Raffle - Andrea Cassels
Question Posed: Should we sell raffle tickets again this year? If so, we need the support of
the parents. The raffle takes lots of work, which begins in January. Last year we made
$9,000 in past years $14,000.
Committee / Initiative Reports:
PAC Website – Jane Liang
It is our second year using MailChimp as our email service provider. This week we
encountered some unforeseen issues with our processes and our account was disabled. As a
result, Division Parents and the PAC were unable to send emails for a few days. This issue
has now been resolved.
Reminder: in order to receive information from your Division Parent, parents need to
subscribe to their child’s new division via the Cavell Pac website at cavellpac.ca
Discussion Details
Healthier Food Options
o Parents raised concerns over lunches provided wanting healthier, organic option
o Everyone agreed that healthier is better but last year’s healthier options were not
well received by kids and much of it was thrown away
o Hot Dog Day is an excellent fundraiser for the school bringing in almost $4000.
o Healthier food at sports day was discussed with an alternative to the freezee at the
end (snow cones).
o Removing hot lunches was suggested. People voice an opinion that hot lunch is
optional and only once a month. Some parents love the current options
Bottom-line: The PAC still needs a hot lunch coordinator and more volunteers to make these
excellent suggestions happen.
Children Getting Junk Food at School
o Parent concern was raised around extra treats handed out in classrooms. Parents
would like to know what and when their child is eating these extras.
o The idea of a book donation from families to the class on a birthday, rather than a
sugary treat was a possible solution.
o The principal will be discussing this item with teachers at an upcoming staff meeting.
Winter Concert Question
o A parent asked if we could have an evening winter concert performance for those of
us that work during the day.
New Business
Motion: The PAC would like to present the following seminar (see details below) targeting
children in grade 4-7 and their families. Seminar cost to the PAC $895. Tickets would be
$10 per person.
Motion to Approve: Kate Chipperfield
Seconded: David Li
Terry Small Seminar: How to get better grades
You can make this your child's best year ever in school! Smart students have secrets. What does it
take to be a superior student? The most important secret is a great study strategy! Terry Small's
student success system shows your kids how to take charge of their time and succeed! Parents
and students attend this seminar together to learn proven strategies and study secrets that have
helped 150,000 students to excel.
Guaranteed: better grades, self-confidence, more free time, and fun learning! Good grades have
never been more important than today. Come and learn how to get them! You will have fun and be
entertained. The seminar is suitable for students of all abilities in Gr. 4 to 12. This seminar sold out
early last time so call early! Get a head start on good grades.
Terry Small is a master teacher and trainer. He has presented his ideas to over 150,000 people.
These ideas were recently featured on CTV, Global, BCTV, CKNW and in Student Success. His
sessions are described as practical, fun, and provoking. Terry believes success is a skill anyone
can learn.

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