October PAC Meeting Minutes

Garibaldi PAC Meeting
October 9, 2013

Attendance (approx.):
Lorraine Baker
PAC Board (4)
General PAC Members (10) including 3 Home Learner Parents
Home Learning teacher (1)

Joel called meeting to order and asked for any additions to the agenda

1) A motion was made to accept the agenda, to adopt the minutes for the September PAC meeting, and the annual report (circulated ahead of this meeting).
 - Jocelyn 1st; Maria (2nd)


2) VP Report - Lorraine Baker - had goal setting conferences with parents;
- Terry Fox Run went well; students carried themselves very well.
- ProD day – students to go over the school growth plan which helped to guide staff development – what are we doing already and what do we need to address. A great collaborative time.
-Fire Drill – fire department came because notification did not go through. Kids did great.
- Code Red Drill – lock down and safe place for staff and kids.
- Photo day – coming up; pictures also for library card
- Mother Goose – orientation to school; in consultation with VPL; 6 sessions that start next week.
- Earth Quake Drill – Coming up
- Halloween – Frog Hollow pumpkin patch not happening; school hosting pumpkin parade; parents welcome to attend on the 31st at 10:00am; if kids afraid there will be an alternate activity.
- Remembrance Day Assembly – Nov. 11. Parents welcome – will occur before next PAC meeting
 - School Board Website - almost operational; May need to wait for Ms. Conte to get back. Away for at least 2 weeks.


3) PAC Elections – Joel went over all the positions and who is currently in the position. Explained the rolls and welcomed anyone who has any interest to take a roll. Small PAC and able to make additional positions. No experience necessary.

Co –chair – Joel nominated by Angela; Julie nominated by Lisa; both were in by acclimation; Julie and Joel were voted in; carried

Vice- Chair – Angela nominated by Julie; accepted position noting that she would decline treasurer position; in by acclimation; carried

Treasurer - Angela nominated Caroline La Pointe – Caroline in by acclimation pending acceptance of the role.

Secretary - Andrea nominated by Lisa Osoba in by acclimation; carried.

Joanna and Lillia – were acknowledged and confirmed at home learning representatives on the PAC.
A motion was made to adopt Joanna as rep for Tuesday/Thursday HL Coordinator and Lillia as the M/W Coordinator. Angela; Taz seconded; carried.

Lisa Osoba and Lisa Nessi were voted in as members at Large on the PAC – carried.

4) Committees:
Julie provided a brief update of the committee sign ups and noted that emails were sent out, usually with a lead person to initiate the first meeting.
4a) Garden –
 - Harvest festival - date moved to the 20th. Come out; help out; happy for any participation.
 - Bulb fundraiser – bulbs are in; Made approximately $350 roughly


4b) Movie Night – Kerry not here but first movie night went well. Next to be held Oct 23rd.

4c) Fundraising Committee
- Last year was a silent auction soiree that has run for several years
 - Taslim willing to take the lead and trying to get the first meeting together to discuss what can be done and to brainstorm and event.

5) Treasurer’s Report
Gaming fund: $1,550.26
Savings PAC: $5,155.24
These numbers will be adjusted with a few items such as the laminator and the bulb sale that needs to be paid out to the organizer.

Angela made a motion to allocate $700 for a general allocation from the PAC (which can be spent with an executive’s approval). This amount was increased from $500 from last year to allow more flexibility. Lisa seconded; carried.

6) PAC requested teacher wish lists from Lorraine to be brought to next meeting for discussion.

7) PAC Blog best way to keep informed. Joel asked that we pass this info on to parents on the playground.

8) Next PAC meeting November 13. A discussion and informal vote for the best time to hold PAC meetings was held. Looking at alternating between afternoon and evening meetings. Most parents indicated that and earlier time in the evening would be better and that in the afternoon 3:15-4:30 best time provided child care is provided.

Julie made a motion to hold the PAC meeting on Nov. 13 at 3:15. Carol seconded Carried.

The meeting was adjourned.

Minutes Garibaldi PAC Meeting - April, 2013

Garibaldi PAC Meeting - April, 2013

Parents Attending: Sandra, Brenda, Joel, Carol, Angela, Jocelyn, Julie, Jana
Teachers/Admin attending: Lorraine Baker, Shannon Hobson, Ian Delong

1. Motion to adopt Minutes from March PAC meeting and April Agenda - Jocelyn (Seconded by Sandra)

2. Opera, May 30th performance - Ian Delong
environmental theme, similar to last year's performance of The Lorax
co-written by all divisions. Div 1-4 kids working on it in music class; Home learners working on their portion with their teacher and amalgamating into the whole.
Main roles limited to grades 3 and 4, assigned based on interest and comfort level.
Orchestra will be made up of grades 3 and 4.
Mr. Delong is requesting parents to volunteer. Will send a group email to interested parents to schedule a meeting and assign responsibilities.
Sandra recalled last year's popcorn fundraiser and donations at the door for The Lorax last year being successful.
K, 1 and 2 are forming the chorus
Discussion around amount of money needed: ~$150
Donations were taken at the door

3. VP Update (Lorraine Baker):
back after Spring Break
Length of break  - some back and forth in the media; some love it; some find it difficult to find child care
Preliminary budget from the VSB is out; anyone who would like to see it or have more info can contact Ms. Baker
Projections are not great – 7.8 million shortfall
Ready, Set, Learn – taking place tomorrow; parents and toddlers invited to come to the school to get more familiar; visit to the Kindergarten; Nadine Uzelac key and making this event go forward.
Performance – “Clean Up Your Act” – coming to Garibaldi in conjunction with Earth week
April 19th – Pro D day – kids out of school- there will be an invite going out for parents to participate in this day which is a goal setting exercise for the teachers and the school; one of the goals has been delivered by VSB/Province toward First Nations as part of the curriculum
Provincial Audit – Vancouver and Nanaimo selected
Performance at Begbie School – pick up at Begbie or kids returning late to Garibaldi; notices will be sent home
Question was asked about why last year a teacher was generally present at all PAC meetings but this has not been the case this year; Teachers are invited and welcome to attend but it is entirely voluntary.
Teachers more apt to attend during the job action last year.
With a small staff – harder to get ongoing participation
Staffing and numbers – will come out at end of month; currently enrolment about 70 children; need 73 minimum to keep all of our teachers. Currently no cross boundary enrolment being allowed as per our last PAC discussion

4. Committees

Garden (Sandra):
Manure sale raised $1835
This money is going to general PAC funds
No additional funds to garden other than that approved last meeting for some signage for the garden
Baskets – not going forward but can buy through Tillicum and support them
Garden Club starting – Jana and Sandra – noon hours every other Friday.
Seeds provided by Ms. Baker
This month kids planting seedlings
Will develop edible play garden
Each teacher will have a bed – coordinate with teachers; have it so bed moves along with kids

Sustainability – Bike Swap (Jocelyn)
1 day afterschool
Likely April 30th (Tuesday), Now May 7th.
Asking for working bikes or those that require only minor repair
1 day only
Jocelyn working on a place to take unwanted bikes – possibly Ride-on-Bikes – good organization that uses bikes to give back to those without etc.
Bike Rally at same time – obstacle course; longest skid; Bike decorating; Joel asking for help to set it up or ideas of what to do.
The idea of letting the VSB know and inviting Gregr Robertson to attend was brought up

Bike Rodeo (Jana)
New grant
PAC to apply
Looking to find out what interest level there is among teachers
Ms. Baker talked about inviting friends who have developed bike power projects that can power iPods etc. to attend or for an event next year.

T- Shirts (Kerry)
Kerry spear-heading new design
Something that kids and parents think is cool to wear
Kerry not here to provide update

Fundraising
No coordinators in attendance
Angela talked with Denise regarding the idea of a carnival in September that would need to be organized before year end in lieu of the Soiree which may have run its course
Weather dependent
Check with other schools to see how successful as fund raiser

Budget
Chequing account (gaming): $1879.81
PAC account: $5006.03

Yet to come out of account: $425 Microscope
$105 goggles
$120 hockey sticks

Discussion around some money $150 for possible performance Blues Berries if it is on a day that Garibaldi students can attend (Joel referred this to new business)

April 23 performance $350

Also a DPAC account that we didn’t realize had money in it. Need to confirm amount
Rita – indicated about $700-$900

A motion was made by Jocelyn; Seconded by Angela to approve the following expenditures:
$150 – for additional performance if it goes ahead
$300 – for the Opera

Other items that were identified as potential purchased for the school that should be considered include:
$3000 smart board
$1000 bike rack
New laminator since old one may or may not be able to be fixed.

Discussion around the idea that smart board would also require money to install; not considered best use of money
Laminator extends life of library books etc. new would mean you know it will work at least for some time.

Movie
Next Movie night with Pizza April 24

Sandra brought up that she has connection to Olympian Brent Hayden – who does motivational speaking to school

Jocelyn made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Angela
Next meeting: May 8th

Garibaldi PAC
February 13, 2013

Attendees:
Parents: 4
PAC Exec: 5
Garibaldi Teachers and Admin: 1
Lisa Patterson – Hastings Community Association

1. There were no amendments or additions to the agenda
2. Joel made a motion to adopt the minutes from the January PAC meeting – carried
3. (Ms. Baker) VP Update:

Camp read was a big success – author Cynthia Nugent – read to kids and showed kids the process around illustrating books

Kindergarten hearing screening took place in January

Cross boundary registration now open

• low registration now reaching intermediate grade levels
• demographic data fro coastal health indicates upswing in this neighbourhood for children
• puts us in good stead for potential enrolment

4. (Jocelyn)PAC executive Meeting – held last week.

• Main discussion around budget and additional fundraising
• Need to touch base with fundraising committee to see what their intension is
• Looking into creating T-shirts that could be sold as a fund raiser.
• One idea to use kids art; another thought is to have something “on trend” “cool” that would be more in demand than kids art.
• Budget: - looks like we would be $500-$1000 short of our goal if we complete all item on our current budget list while leaving behind $2000 for next year start up.

5. (Angela/Joel) Financial update:

• PAC Account: $3409.14
• $1074.47 spent on xylophone and ukulele purchase
• $1173.17 spent on sound system
• Gaming account: $2085.31
• $198.00 to come out of this account for Lion Dance Performance.
• Joel made a motion to purchase the Lion Dance using gaming fund money since it is currently coming out of the PAC operating budget. Dave seconded. Carried.
• need to verify purchase of hockey sticks is moving forward through the school
• Tax receipts from the Silent Auction are done and being distributed.
• Microscope was purchased and is expected for delivery in the near future

Budget:

• could consider doing the year end BBQ by donation to reduce costs
• intend to fund another performance in the school (TBD)

Garden Committee (Anne-Marie)

• gearing up for a hanging basket fundraiser – has been very profitable at other schools (Tillicum)
• baskets are $20-$25 and are delivered. Baskets are available around mother’s day.
• Will be potential for some of that money to be put into the general PAC fund.
• Manure Sale – a lot of work. Some uptake to do it while others not so keen
• if it goes ahead would look at one-day sale with lots of support.
• Pea gravel for digging area was discussed. Fear of the digging area becoming kitty litter box. Will discuss off-line.

Popcorn Sale (Sandra)

• tried some new items: seaweed and apple cider
• scramble to get people to committee to helping
• in the end worked out.
• Lack of coordination resulted in increased cost to purchase cups
• Need to have more secure help and advance coordination
• About 6-8 parents required – making popcorn; set up and clean up crews.
• Made about $25

Next Sale: March 8th

Movie Night: (Kerry)

• not going overly well
• aiming for more promo – sending reminders
• possible pizza night for parents who find the timing tight.
• Keep time the same – doors at 6; movie at 6:15 or 6:30 depending on length.

Parent Education Committee: (Anne-Marie)

• starting to get some info out on the blog (e.g. Neufeld talks etc)
• would like to aim to have one in-house event this year on internet safety

Sustainability Committee (Jocelyn)

• book swap going on now
• well received
• in future 2 days likely enough

Yvette made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Joel seconded. Next meeting March 13.


Hastings Community Association Presentation:

Following the PAC meeting Lisa Patterson gave a presentation to inform parents of the changes that are currently being undertaken by the City and Parks Board which will have an impact on the way in which community centres in Vancouver are run. The Hastings Community Center board has significant concerns that by centralizing the community center model of operation will not lend itself to the community centre being able to serve the Hastings community in the same way that is has to date. The changes would mean that the community centre would not control over funds raised by the center and would not be able to carry fund from year to year. As well there is concern that they would not have control to choose what programs are offered and things like the parent drop in and pre-school maybe significantly impacted, particularly because some of these programs are subsidized in order to keep them going. The Hasting Community Centre is currently trying to inform the neighbourhood of the changes and would possibly request that a letter of support for the Community Centre Association be considered by the PAC.

Minutes of the Garibaldi PAC Meeting January 9, 2013

Minutes of the Garibaldi PAC Meeting January 9, 2013

Attendees:

Ms. Baker
8-Parents

1.Quorum adopted; n=5 necessary to meet quorum

2.Adopted minutes of November and December meetings

• Jocelyn motioned; Jana – 2nd; carried

3.Pac Objectives:

• PAC can use bulletin board outside Staff room for their notices
• White board to be put up overtop; will use funds from general revenue to buy
• No additional discussion; have been circulated on-line and at previous PAC meetings
• Jana made a motion to adopt the PAC objectives; Dave – 2nd; carried

4.Bylaws and Constitution

• Discussion: 5 adults for quorum;
• 2 signatures over $250 required
• Annual report of finances;
• Fiscal year Sept 1 to Aug 31
• 48 hour notice of meeting
• Friendly amendment to change election of board executive to 16 month term from 13. This is to provide opportunity for board to be set up in June for following year.
• 2/3 vote can change this bylaw
• Sandra made a motion to adopt the bylaws and constitution; Anne-Marie – 2nd; carried

5.Ms. Baker update:

• Amy Low – moved on to intermediate school
• Navi Darred will be here till the end of the year. New teacher hired for next year returning from maternity leave.
• Begbie Performance – this Friday; walking field trip
• Gymnastics – starts Friday; mats borrowed from Lord Nelson
• Jan 15/16 – early dismissal for goal setting
• Jan 21 – professional Day – Dr. Steward Shanker - teachers choose to attend his workshop.  – Info on remediation for kids lacking executive function; impacts of digital era on kids and development.
• Fire Drill before Christmas – not planned. Alarm was pulled. Good news is that students did extremely well getting out.
• Hearing screening for Kindergarten
• Camp-Read starting
• Early Feb – Family day

6.Committees

• Fundraising - just under $5000 from soiree
• Movie Night – 30th January – looking for a movie; will use new PA; held in gym
• Parent Education – Anne Marie and Juno
• will start organizing some parent education events or opportunities
• will coordinate with Lorraine to see what else is happening
• Food and Health – second round table discussion today; key points were around autonomy of parents to feed kids what they want; safety with allergies and other food issues; ability of teachers being able to integrate food as a learning tool (e.g. Berries into jam)
• Working to draft a check list that would be distributed at the start of the year that would allow parents to provide input on their concerns and preferences so that they are upfront; provides a platform for discussion and providing information to parents for about alternatives for food in the school – particularly for sharing opportunities.
• Discussion around lunch reversal – something that can be researched and explored before being broached as an idea; key issues around unionized workers for lunch supervision; schools doing it already? What works and what doesn’t? Don’t go too big too soon. This idea may be better implemented at the start of the year.
• Sustainability – book Swap happening in February; includes video, DVD, CD, Board games
• Garden – no update; currently dormant; VSB landscaping looks great; shout out to John Epilette

7.Budget

• Currently $500 under in order to meet the proposed budget for the year.
• This includes having $2000 remaining for next year

8.A motion was made by Jocelyn to give new teacher Navi Darred $100 for class

supplies; Dave seconded; carried.

9.Meeting adjourned; Next meeting February 13

PAC Meeting Minutes from Dec 12, 2012

Garibaldi PAC
December 12, 2012

Attendees:
Joel
Julie
Angela
Ms. Baker

Joel made introductions and there were no additions to the agenda.

Minutes will for the November meeting will be adopted at the next PAC
Adoption of the PAC bylaws, Constitution and PAC objectives deferred to next meeting.

VP Update:

• Ms. Baker noted that she liked the value driven PAC objectives
• Looks like we are on par for Kindergarten registration for next year.
• Consideration of putting out a leaflet in the neighbourhood to promote registration.
• Offered up a formal thank-you for the fundraising efforts of the soiree
• Update on communications and checking-in:
• More professional
• Need to have boundaries
• Already parents checking in at office more

Last month:

• Remembrance Day assembly
• Drills: - code yellow and code red
• Eye testing done
• Visit by Gino Bondy – District principal for Alternate Programs – visited the school
• Gino in a new position; VLN and home learners are unique and also more stable.

One to One Readers

• providing support to 12 children
• trained and approved adults come to school to read with children
• a variety of kids selected to participate

Bulletin Board

• offered bulletin board outside of staff room to PAC vs. sharing the white board

January Events

• Food committee meeting will be held at an afternoon time.
• Invited to a performance at Begbie School
• Gymnastics starting for all children
• Goal setting days for staff.

Committees:

5(d) – Parent Education Committee – need two people to spearhead the committee

Parent Programs – possible to coordinate with other Schools who might be offering parental programs already. Ms. Baker willing to put out feelers through her network


Fundraising Update:

• $4,747.69 raised at the soiree
• Might be time to switch up the style or venue of this fundraiser for next year.
• other ideas – fridge magnet with dates – info on this was provided by Ms. Baker
• Hot chocolate/lemonade/ popcorn after school not happening right now. Would like to look at a way to make this happen even if Lunch committee not going forward.
• Spell-a- thon – pledge sheets; tested at school

Movie Night - dates to be sent out.

Budget

• Joel provided budget update
• Gaming account $2342.81, less $250 for tennis reservation
• PAC account $ 5,467.69

• Julie made a motion to purchase a sound system for the school with and expenditure up to $1200. Angela seconded.
• Would like to have in time for the Christmas concert.

Meeting Adjourned.

Nov 7, 2012 PAC Meeting Minutes

Garibaldi PAC

November 7, 2012 Meeting Minutes

Attendees:

8 parents

Ms. Baker

It was moved and seconded (Brenda) to adopt the agenda with addition of Parent Room. (Passed)

It was moved and seconded (Joel) to adopt the minutes from Oct 2012. (Passed)

Financial Update:

PAC Account $853.12

Teacher allocations have been withdrawn

Gaming $2346.56

Joel moved that $400 be spent on Tennis Lessons. (Passed)

VP Update – Ms. Baker

Teachers appreciate the class funds

Unicef fundraiser $145 raised by home learners and over $400 aver all

Mother Goose just started 9:45 AM Wednesdays for ages 0-4 for six week.

May get funding for spring session

Kindergarten Registration is now open for students within catchment.

Upcoming events:

Giants tickets for community game event

Remembrance day assembly – Nov 8

Christmas Concert – Dec 20th – 1pm

Committee Updates

Fund Raising – Joel for Taz

sparkling soiree planning underway for event Dec. 1

looking for parents to donate time and talent items (eg. Lawn mowing) to the auction

tickets $20 each

Movie Committee

no one in attendance on committee

made $40 at first movie night

A discussion was had about adding PAC events box to the newsletter

PAC dates on fridge magnet as a fundraiser was also talked about as an idea

Garden Committee – Joel

looking to plant bulbs tomorrow Nov. 8

Outdoor Committee – Joel

held skating event at trout lake Oct 21

5-6 families attended

Looking to hold a parent/child soccer match when weather allows

X-county at Cypress in the winter

Food/Health Committee – Jocelyn

looking to have many ways to get involved.

Invitation to meet for discussion Nov. 16, 8-9 a.m.

A one hour round table designed to give everyone a chance to be heard.

One topic that may be discussed in food allergies in the school

Communications – Carole

Kate currently doing most of the blog maintenance

Working ok overall

Sustainability – Jocelyn/Brenda

a lot of enthusiasm at sign up but tapered off

discussion about composter in garden needing maintenance

VSB vs. city have different requirement

Our composer not meeting criteria for the VSB

Sustainability group could take on maintenance

Regular Business

Joel made a motion for PAC meetings to be held the second Wednesday of each month and movie night the 4th Wednesday of each month, as per the noted dates on a circulated list

discussion was held around ability to hold these meetings/events over spring break. It was determined that the Movie on the 27th March would be cancelled.

The motion was carried unanimously

Ms. Baker requested that Brenda and Jana meet her ahead of the food meeting on the 16th in order to frame the meeting

Ms. Baker noted that movie night can no longer be held in Library and will need to be in the gym or elsewhere

Ms. Baker brought up a discussion around “porous boundaries” in the school.

her aim is to create a parent space in the school as a place for parents to “hang out” and interact or to work in school initiatives

School will be accommodating a high needs child and when space no longer needed after child integrated into class room, an opportunity to take this over as a parent space will exist.

Parents asked questions to try to determine from Ms. Baker where the issues were boundaries and expressed their desire to keep the small feel of the school by being able to have a different level of interaction with their child/children than might be “normal” at larger schools

Brenda spoke about the desire of HL parents to have access to the school  and the need of the school to have the HL group as part of their infrastructure

Attendees indicated that they have an interest in having a parent space

New Business

Brenda made a motion to fund up to $500 to purchase 2 signs/banners for the school:

a sign to indicate home learners are at Garibalidi (wording to be determined)

a sign to promote registration at Garibaldi kindergarden

passed unanimously

Ms. Baker reported on Teacher wish list:

tennis

fund a performance for children to attend

microphone/sound system for gym – discussion about DPAC possibly helping with this; Angela to look into it and report back

CD for exercising – (Dave Murphy)

Bus for year end beach day

Laminator – size to be determined based on cost

Smart board screens for library – may be costly therefore long term goal?

Brenda made a motion to adjourn the meeting – carried unanimously

PAC Meeting Minutes from October 10. 2012

Garibaldi PAC

October 10. 2012

Attendees:

6-PAC Exec members

8-Parent members

Ms. Baker

1. It was moved and seconded (Jocelyn)) to adopt the agenda as is.
2. It was moved and seconded (Brenda) to adopt the minutes from September 2011.      

                 

3. PAC – Executive meeting report

-Bylaws and constitution are to be reviewed and rewritten – Joel spearheading this initiative. Bylaws have not been revisited or seen in recent history.

-Aiming for Exec to meet monthly prior to PAC

-Working on setting PAC objectives and should have those available by next PAC meeting.

-nne Marie - appointed chair of garden committee during Executive Meeting and given authority to access funds raised by the committee via the treasurer.

4. VP Update – Ms. Baker

-library update – bean stalk removed – getting old

-new system for book check out

-Library now open daily – flexible for teachers and more accessible for students.

Upcoming events:

-Garden harvest

-UNICEF bake sale – Oct. 16^th – HL initiative

-Photo day – Oct. 15^th

-Mobile dairy – Oct 22

-Halloween assembly – Oct. 31^st

-Remembrance Day assembly – between recess and lunch on the 8^th Nov.

                              Note: 9^th is a district closure

- Beginning of November – literacy focus = baseline with follow-up in spring

                              3 day write

5. Financial Update:

-$1400 from gaming grant

-Working on an annual budget for this year

-Teacher wish lists have been requested; Ms. Baker to follow up at Staff Meeting and will bring back to PAC Exec.

-Would like to also look at $$ set aside for “slush fund” for events or other activities that come up. Would also like for teachers to be able to plan in advance since some of these initiatives require fore planning

6. Spending request

-moving toward having a budget in place

-It was moved and carried (Jocelyn) that $500 from the current PAC funds be allocated for PAC administration – such as child care, DPAC etc.

-Funds from Green Room Yoga - $60 - new member sign up.

-This brought up a discussion about Yoga for the kids at lunch – Yvette and Terri both yoga instructors that would be willing to work with Garibaldi to provide a yoga program to the school – teacher sponsor required or a company to come in and to the class another possibility as they would take on liability. Alternatively liability via school (VSB) with teacher sponsor.

-Badminton/ Tennis lessons – again in spring (and fall)

7. Committees:

General:

-Anne Marie noted as coordinator of Garden Committee

-Other committees should also have a coordinator who would be responsible for reporting to PAC and for making funding requests.

-Funds spent need to be authorized by PAC except in cases like garden committee who have raised their own fund that are just being kept in the PAC account.

-Angela is working on forms to “streamline” use of funds reporting  by committees

-It was noted that Yvette is available to all committees who need a hand getting up and running or if there are any issues or difficulties that need to be addressed now or during the school year.

Fundraising Committee:

-A dialog took place about changing the name of the fundraising committee.

-It was determined that this is up to the committee but that there was some dialog that felt it is better to have more general committees that many fund raising initiatives could be under taken under one name.

-Fund raising for general PAC account that can be used at PAC discretion

-Taslim – coordinator of the Fundraising committee

-Will focus on Dec. 1^st – silent auction/cocktail party since there is really only 7 weeks left until then.

-A dialog was held regarding direct contributions to the school – “direct appeal funds” that are able to be receipted for a tax credit.

-This evolved into a discussion about equal opportunity for all schools – i.e. equal distribution of funds among schools. This may be revisited by the PAC as a dialog piece at some point in the future or as part of the blog.

Garden Committee Update (Anne Marie)

-Bulb sale raised $350 and provided funds for new soil and plants.

-Harvest table at school entrance to display what was produced in the garden this year.

-Garden Harvest Party this Saturday Oct. 13^th.  – 12-3 pm rain or shine.

-Apple juice, potatoes and garlic butter; crackers and jam; pickles; pinecone feeders; tree and blueberry planting;

Movie Night Committee (Shannon on behalf of Cary)

-just getting up to speed with where equipment for this activities

-held on second Wednesday of the month when school has engineer in place

-Next one will be OCT 24. – 6:15 p.m.

-Meeting of PAC Exec. will be help at the same time as movies in the staff room

Communications/Media/Advocacy Committee

-merged into one committee this year

-update given by Kate – coordinator of the Communications Committee

-blog updated

-vision for this committee is to move forward with “less-paper PAC” vs. paperless

-Need to get everyone on board – new PAC; New parents etc.

-blog and other ways to get messages out  - e.g. Newsletter

-coordinate with Rita and Ms. Baker to make this happen

-Blog site able to provide way to provide parents with easy way to get forms and other correspondence as well as a way to communicate with each other.

-Continuing with having parent volunteer to post things in the school at entrance

-Aiming for a stronger presence in the neighbourhood

-Want to see school valued in the neighbourhood and bolster awareness – word of mouth as a positive way to make that happen.

-A lot of conception that Garibaldi is closing.

Hot Lunch Committee (Jana)

-May not move forward. Only 2 parents signed up and limited availability during school hours.

Food and Health Committee (Jana)

-Aim to develop a healthy food guidelines by involving parents, teaches and administrative staff.

-E.g. – birthday snacks; pot luck events as a way to share food; candy as rewards in class; litter less lunch;

-Dialog was held regarding how to proceed  - does committee require a motion to engage in this dialog with parent and staff – not at this time

-Possible for this to be a hot topic depending on how it is approached.

-Committee to meet with Ms. Baker to discuss and then move forward

-A drop box and feed back on blog with ability for anonymity was discussed as a way for parents to provide feedback.

Next meeting Nov. 7^th  

8:15 pm a motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded (Yvette)

September 2012 Garibaldi PAC Meeting Minutes

Garibaldi Annex Parent Advisory Committee Meeting

September 12, 2012  6:30 pm

Attendance

20 People

 Agenda

            •           Added by Kate:  potential donation of bicycles to school

            •           Added by Anne-Marie: potential sustainability committee

            •           Agenda adopted with additions

  

PAC Welcome

• Jen Gunasekera, Past Chair, welcomed everyone and encouraged parents to get involved.  Any contribution to the PAC helps to grow the school.  There will be a parent volunteer drive in the next 2 weeks where parents can sign up for a variety of committees.  Parents are encouraged to consider signing up for the fundraising committee, which can decide how it will operate and what it will focus on: a large party with silent auction as in the past two years, and/or a combination of other fundraisers such as manure sale, coffee sales, popcorn and hot chocolate sales, etc.
•  Joel Ronne, interim Co-Chair, encouraged all parents to feel welcome to have input into the PAC through meetings and committees, and thanked teachers for attending.

Principal’s Message

•  Encouraging to see so many parents in attendance – studies have shown that when parents are involved in their child’s school, children are often more successful at school.
•  Ms. Baker receives many messages about events in the community that might be of interest; these will be forwarded to the PAC for possible distribution to parents.
•  Terry Fox Run is coming up – more information about how Garibaldi will participate to come.
• Parent-Teacher Goal-Setting Conferences will be Sept 25 and 26 – 2pm dismissal.
• Open door policy at Ms. Baker’s office – please let her know if there is something you need.  

Communication Committee

• Last year the Committee developed a blog to tell parents about events, post information about the community, and so on.
• Visit http://garibaldipac.blogspot.ca/  if you are not already receiving emailed blog updates, and sign up there.  If everyone signs up, it will help the Committee make sure everyone receives important notices.  The goal is to go paperless in terms of notices sent home about PAC events.  Parents can post items to the blog themselves (this is the most efficient option) or send them to the Committee to be vetted and posted.  Emails to the Committee can be sent to garibaldiannexpac@gmail.com 
• Posts to the blog can only be viewed by people who have signed up.  So far, posting ads (as opposed to community notices) has not been a problem, but material is moderated and if necessary, the Committee can develop a policy to prevent inappropriate postings.

Donation of Bikes and Other Items

•  Kate’s family has 5 or 6 bikes that they are willing to donate to the school. Possible ideas are to create a bike “co-op” – bikes that stay at the school for kids to ride home (but there may be liability issues around this) or to have a bike swap.
•  There have been discussions about organizing swaps of other items too, so bike swap could be rolled into a broader swap system.
• If there is enough interest, a subcommittee could be struck to decide what to do  

 
Executive Nominations

• Required positions are Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary.
• Can also create additional positions and have members-at-large on the executive.
• Duties of executive members were read out from BCCPAC Constitution and Bylaws.
• Five executive members were elected by acclamation, as follows:

• Joel Ronne was nominated as Co-Chair by Yvette Gabrielle, seconded by Angela Wong-Moon. Nomination confirmed by acclamation.
• Jocelyn Gallagher nominated herself as Co-Chair, seconded by Lisa Osoba. Nomination confirmed by acclamation.
• Yvette Gabrielle was nominated as Vice-Chair by Lisa Osoba, seconded by Caroline Troffe.  Nomination confirmed by acclamation.
• Angela Wong-Moon was nominated as Treasurer by Taslim Hameer, seconded by Sarah Boon. Nomination confirmed by acclamation.
• Julie Beer nominated herself as Secretary, seconded by Brenda Kyle.  Nomination confirmed by acclamation.

• A call for members- at-large was made, but no nominations were made; it was decided that members-at-large would be elected at the next meeting.  There was consensus that it would make sense for chairs of Garden Committee, Fundraising Committee, and Communications Committee to become members of the Executive, once selected.

 Financial Update

• Angela Wong-Moon updated the PAC on the PAC’s financial situation. Overall, it is better than the same time last year.
• The PAC Account has a balance of $2776.62. Last year, money in this account was used to pay for the teachers’ resource fund, math supplies, musical instruments, picnic tables, popcorn maker, gym mats and Hot Lunch kitchen supplies.
• The Gaming Account has a balance of $918.48.  Last year, money from this account was used for Chinese NY Lion Dance, One Woman Circus Show, Year End Beach Day bus rental, Badminton Lessons.
• There is also $300.00 available to the school in a one-time DPAC fund.
• Finally, there is $957.50 in the PAC’s Vancouver School Board account.  Money from this account was used last year for the bike rack installation, purchase of musical instruments and tennis lessons.
• In terms of profitability of different PAC events, Angela estimates that hot lunches made about $50 per lunch; popcorn and drink sales made about $80 per sale; movie nights made about $160 per night; and coffee sale made about $80. The auction evening in December last year made $6000.00.
• Angela would like to see some stricter systems put in place this year for accounting – ie. for example, movie night has been run so that snacks are purchased in bulk with cash from the last event, then some snacks are used for one movie night, some for another, so it is difficult to tell how much money is actually made from each event.  Plus, a more systematic way to process and decide upon requests for PAC funds would be beneficial.  If anyone would like to help create forms or systems for putting into place a more accurate system of keeping track of expenditures, etc, please let Angela know.

Spending Requests

• Joel noted that the PAC strongly supports the teachers and wants them to feel that the PAC is approachable and efficient at providing needed financial support to teachers.
• Amounts to be allocated to teachers for the purpose of supplementary school supplies and other resource materials were discussed. 
• Anne-Marie moved, seconded by Caroline, that the PAC should give to each of the seven VESTA member teachers (both Annex and Home Learners) a teacher allocation of $200.  Motion passed unanimously.  It was noted that a second teacher allocation could be made later in the year if finances permit.    

 PAC Committees

• Volunteer signup will take place the week of September 25/26 – at least two or three mornings, plus during teacher conference times. Home Learners do not start classes until September 25^th so special attention will be paid to making sure they are given opportunities to get involved.
• Parents should feel free to suggest new committees to be created.  Last year’s committees included Recycling, Movie Night, Hot Lunch, Fundraising, Bike Rack, Garden, Program Support, Communications, Library, and Media Relations/Advocacy.   

Next Meeting

• October 10, 2012 at 6:30pm.  Yvette to arrange childcare for meeting

Minutes of June 2012 PAC Meeting

• Anne-Marie moved that the minutes of the June 2012 PAC meeting be adopted as circulated. Caroline seconded. Motion passed unanimously.   

Adjournment

•  Jocelyn moved that the meeting be adjourned. Motion passed unanimously.