PSS PAC MEETING MINUTES
PSS PAC MEETING MINUTESPemberton Secondary School
25 Feb 2020 7:45pm | Meeting called to order by Tamsin
Tarling
(PAC Meeting followed Grad Program/French Immersion Parent
Information meeting)
In Attendance
Tamsin Tarling-Chair, Nancy Lee-Secretary, Krista
Brynjolfson-Principal, Brianne Aldcroft-Vice Principal, Kerry
Teitzel-Treasurer, Meredith Gardner- DPAC Representative. Danielle
- Parent
Approval of Jan 27 2020 Minutes
Motion to Approve: Kerry Teitzel. Seconded by: Nancy Lee
Approval of Agenda
Motion to Approve: Nancy Lee. Seconded by Meredith Gardner
Chair’s Report – Tamsin Tarling
· Sarah Ward Presentation: Feb 23rd was well attended; 30
people, 26 parents from both PSS and SHE. Engaging speaker that
provided good tools for helping parents assist children in
executive function. Krista said the teacher’s presentation on Feb.
24th was similar and provided good strategies for classroom. Thanks
to Chris Telford at Pemberton Valley Supermarket for donating
treats for parents. Link to parent handouts:
https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A5bed542f-58cf-4a46-a8c8-058d44ae414f
· PSS PAC Student bursary of $500: will be included in a
catalogue of all bursaries and shared with grad students’ end of
April, with selection happening late May. A bursary committee is
needed to select from applicants; Meredith, Tamsin and Kerry have
volunteered to review applicants. A PAC member will need to attend
the Grad Ceremony to present bursary – TBD based on date and
availability.
Treasurer’s Report:Kerry Teitzel, PSS PAC Treasurer
· As per last meeting, there may be an opportunity to purchase a
used treadmill from Pemberton Community Centre; PCC is purchasing
new treadmill in March/April. No details yet but hope to hear once
a new Manager is hired..
· Per last meeting, the Regular Funds account has $700 and there
has not been any fundraising for the last few years. The Alumni
Association is holding their Day of the Devils fundraiser April
25th; Nancy will approach the Alumni to see if there is a need that
the PAC can fill, without encroaching on their own fundraising
efforts.
· Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at Maury Young Arts
Centre was a great success! PAC funded rental of the centre
($1,000)
· Meredith added that the Dungeons and Dragons/Magic Clubs are
doing well, also with funding from the PSS PAC ($330)
· Karen Tomlinson has not yet submitted final invoices for
Library shelving so this is still in the committed funds
column.
Principal’s Report:Krista Brynjolfson
LINKS to PROPOSED SCHOOL CALENDARS:
https://sd48pemberton.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/pss-school-calendar-2020-2021-draft.pdf
https://sd48pemberton.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/pss-school-calendar-2021-2022-draft.pdf
https://sd48pemberton.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/pss-school-calendar-2022-2023-draft.pdf
There was a discussion on whether there was any thought given to
align dismissal times with Signal Hill Elementary School so that
older siblings from PSS could pick up their younger siblings from
SHE; this is an issue as after school care is very hard to get into
and parents have to leave work early to pick up young children as
the school has no system in place to hold young students for later
pick up. This is a unique issue as Pemberton’s two schools are
close together unlike other SD48 communities. Krista will take
under advisement and discuss with the Principal of SHE.
Attachment: Vaping Products Information for Parents (BC Lung
Association)
Krista shared a resource for parents and caregivers
that includes tips on how to start a dialogue about vaping, as
well as potential vaping questions that parents may be asked by
their child, accompanied by suggested responses. To download
the full version, click here.
Trustee’s Report:
Tamsin emailed David Walden to invite him to attend our meetings
and to clarify how often he can attend. He clarified that he can
attend one full PAC meeting per school year but could present a
Trustee’s report at the beginning of a meeting then leave. He has
nothing to report as yet. Tamsin will ask if it is possible for him
to send a brief Trustee’s report that can be shared at PAC meetings
in lieu of attending.
DPAC Report: Meredith Gardner
· As mentioned at last meeting, DPAC has created a joint task
force (parents and schools) on student binge drinking. This will be
tied into graduation preparations. DPAC feels that more
communications to parents on this topic is necessary and will be
following up with SD48. Krista spoke to the PSS initiatives that
are ongoing: VCH Drug and Alcohol counsellor every Thursday; Sex +
Drugs + Pizza with Jody, ICBC presentations to grades 10-12, and
Christine Suter at CLE on Fridays.
· DPAC will have a meeting on May 11th at Tzil Centre. Susan
Leslie, Director of Aboriginal Education at SD48 will be leading a
4 blankets exercise. All parents are invited to attend; dinner will
be provided. More information will be shared closer to the
date.
New Business:
· No new business
Communications Received:
BCCPAC Annual General Meeting will be held on May 1-3rd. All
parents are invited to attend.
Parent Education Conference & Annual General Meeting is May
1-3, 2020.
The Power of Change and Empowering Yourself
Our parent education conference is the largest one of its kind
focused on the education and support of parents by parents. We
are unique in our ability to provide parents the opportunity
hear directly from senior officials within the Ministry of
Education and to provide the opportunity to give direct feedback
and engage in dialogue. Parents from across the province
- from large urban centers to small remote and rural
communities both on the mainland and the islands - come
together to learn, share, and experience.
· To register:
https://bccpac.bc.ca/index.php/conferences1/conferences
CIRCLE EXERCISE led by Brianne Aldcroft
Circles are being used at PSS for both informal information
sharing and for more formal mediation/conflict resolution of
incidents. Circles are traditionally used in First Nations culture,
and PSS respectfully acknowledges the traditions of the Stl’atl’imx
Nations.
We gather in a circle, all facing inward to the centre. A
talisman that has meaning to the person who called the circle is
used. The talisman is held by whoever is speaking, and then passed
to the next person. In Lil’wat tradition, the circle goes
clockwise. In this exercise, we shared where we were from, our
heritage, and why we are involved the PAC. What is shared in a
circle is confidential.
The idea of circles is that it levels the playing field, as no
one owns the circle. We face each other without barriers, which can
be uncomfortable at first and make one feel vulnerable; however,
once safety, trust and equality becomes apparent, a circle can
become very powerful and restorative.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm
Next Meeting: April 27, 2020 at 7pm.
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