December PAC Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Garibaldi PAC Meeting – December 12, 2013

Attendance (approx.):
Lorraine Baker
PAC Board (5)
General PAC Members (2) including 1 Home Learner Parent

Agenda

1. Welcome
2. Agenda/Adoption of Minutes
3. VP’s update – Lorraine Baker
4. Committees
5. Budget/Spending Request
6. New Business – Playground Rules
7. Next Meeting/Adjournment

The Co-Chair opened the meeting. Minutes approved. Budget will be moved to later in agenda as Angela arriving later.

3. VP Update:  Lorraine Baker

• Not much news in December to report. The Remembrance Day ceremony went very well; now preparing for holiday concerts.
• The Library was decorated with a beautiful display created by parents/the Library Committee. The Christmas tree in the lobby was a gift from Rona.
• Reports card are under construction and will be ready for Dec. 20th delivery. Lorraine reported that teachers have been providing thoughtful and sensitive feedback for students.
• Catherine Jameson from VSB Learning Services did an observation about our needs for learning support. She granted Garibaldi .5 of a person to provide additional support – possibly to the end of February – to be confirmed. Support is for the school, not for a particular child.
• Kindergarten registration –aim is to get better numbers earlier so district can forecast staffing. New changes in registration process – please register in our catchment school.
• A parent may file a protest of the VSB decision not to allow a sibling to be treated as in-catchment if they have a sibling who is in the school already.

4. Committees

Movie Night Committee:

• Well-attended events
• No movie in December due to holiday concert.
• Open to suggestions for movies

Garden Committee:

• Clean-up took place on day of bake-sale. Leaves tidied up. Garden looks much better.
• Committee brainstormed ideas of what to do in the spring.
• Signs will be staked and set up in the Spring
• Rochelle attended the Neighbourhood Small Grants wrap-up. Thanks Rochelle!
• Fruit trees are here and in Ann Marie’s yard. Will be planted in the Spring

Outdoor Committee:

• Skating – attended by a few families
• Plans to get up to the mountains. Will confirm after the break

Fundraising and Kitchen Committee:

• $427 was raised for the Philippines relief. The government will match this amount. Lorraine received a thank you from the community.
• Home Learner parents would like to help with fundraising efforts
• Mini-bake sale proposed for concert next week. Will set up in art area of library.
• The Home Learners Network is planning an ice cream raffle and soap sale. The link will be added to the website. Lisa and Joanna will exchange information to coordinate fundraising efforts.
• Lorraine looking for a volunteer to set up the sound system at 12:30 on December 19th. Julie will ask Kerry.
• Taslim mentioned that there are often social nights. Aiming for the spring – possibly beer and burger night?  
• Family Dance - Joanna confirmed that her husband can DJ and February 12 was suggested as the date.  

6. New Business

Request for clarification on playground rules:

• Request that they can be written down because they are not well understood and parents don’t know what the rules are.
• Decision: Lorraine will send out information and clarification in the next newsletter to outline rainy day protocol and playground rules.
• Question, regarding rainy days - What happens on rainy days when some kids are inside and outside? Can they use the whole playground? Lorraine: Only 2 adults supervising, so whole playground is not open.

5. Budget Update:

Angela provided the budget update in Caroline’s place, as she was not able to attend the meeting.

Current status:

• $1492 chequing, with $50.40 to be deposited from Harvest Fest.
• Savings $4970.52. Deposit of $427 from fundraiser. Cheque sent to UNICEF.

Tennis Lessons:

• A deposit needs to be sent to tennis organization for next year’s lessons.
• Suggestion by Joel to revisit for next year rather than pay deposit now, but Lorraine noted that teachers want to know what will be scheduled in advance. Joel expressed concerned that the price went up. After discussion, it was decided that funding for the tennis deposit as long as the cost up front is confirmed.
• Joel: Motion to fund $250 for tennis deposit to be released by Julie upon confirmation of costs.
• Angela 1st; Joanna 2nd. Motion passed.

Proposal to organize a float for movie nights and popcorn fundraisers:

• Angela: Motion to approve setting up funds for movie night, and appoint Kerry as Movie Night Coordinator authorized to purchase supplies. The Coordinator will agree to provide a summary of expenses twice yearly.
• Motion to also approve float for Kitchen Committee - $300 float. Appoint Lisa as Kitchen Coordinator.
• Joanna 1st; Lisa 2nd; Motions approved.

Other activities:

Lorraine noted that teachers are not interested in badminton and the Lion Dance this year because they feel it is time for a change. Angela is not sure if Badminton has been booked already, but will check with Caroline. Discussion: What should be planned instead? (Eg. First Nations drumming.) To be discussed further.

6. Next Meeting:

January 15th, 2014 at 6pm.

Other dates: Family Dance scheduled for February 12th. February PAC meeting scheduled for Feb. 26th.

Meeting Adjourned.