Southlands PACOct22012

Southlands Elementary School PAC Annual General Meeting MinutesOct 2, 2012 7:00 pmLocation: Southlands Elementary School Library

Attendees: Kim Nemeth (Principal), Michelle Kokan (Co-chair), Andrea Bishop (Co-chair), Dawn Olinek (Treasurer), Heidi MacLean (Fundraising), Amalia Cook (Co-chair Fundraising), Averill Groeneveld-Meijer (Secretary), Deb Grant, Cheryl Cameron, Gina Nasrabadi, Mio Kiyooka, Sofia Sandover, Jeanette Calderone, Steve Tuckwood, Jennifer Thornley, Gwen Waite, Gayle McLeod, Lin Lin, Helen Pastor, Deb Gorter

1. Chair Welcome (Michelle Kokan)

2. Principal’s report (Kim Nemeth) 2012-2013 School Year- This year our school has approximately 215

students with classes organized in straight grade groupings with the exception of our k/1 classroom. Some classes are at or near capacity while others are relatively small. Our many new staff members are: Ms. Stephanie Kinneard (grade 7) who is now replacing Ms. Amy Fonseca who is currently on leave, Ms. Christine Kellard (job share with Ms. Vini Zucko; working Thur, Fri in grade 5), Mr. Christopher Lee (grade 4) who is also replacing a staff member on leave, Ms. Christa Scott (job share with Mrs. Rose and MS Stroh), Ms. Jennifer Oliver (French/Resource). Returning this year: Ms. Caroline Cho (grade 2) and Ms. McFarlane (grade 2).

Professional Development Day- The September 24th Pro-D Day focused the “matters to be addressed” that were highlighted from our PYP authorization visit letter.

IB Update- We are moving closer to full authorization of our IB PYP program. We have 5 matters to address: reporting, teaching two IB POI’s consecutively, Math instruction, collaboration practices, and class configuration.

Goal Setting Conferences: The goal setting conferences scheduled for October 3rd and 4th. Dismissal time will be at 2:00. Please ensure that you have returned the form requesting a conference time.

Copies of the finalized Southlands PAC Meeting Minutes are posted on the Southlands PAC blog. 1

Terry Fox Run- The annual run took place on Friday, September 28th

in the afternoon. Prior to our run the school gathered in the gym to hear about Terry’s journey and Div. 5 shared how it relates to being a “risk-taker”, our September IB learner trait.

Dogs: Some parents are concerned about dogs at the school and jumping on children. Dogs must always be on a leash held by an adult on school grounds. Posted on our outside fence near the two entrances is more detailed information about having dogs on the school grounds.

Cross Country Team: Thanks to Ms. McFarlane, Ms. Stroh, and parent, Paula, Heal as well as the many parent volunteers we again have a Grade 1-7 Cross Country Team. Practices are Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The final meet is on October 25th at Trout Lake during the afternoon. That day, students will miss some school classes.

School Patrol Students: Our 13 school patrol students were trained by the VPD last Friday. Please always be aware of the speed and parking signs in our school zone. Keeping our students safe is always a priority. Parent question: “could we make sure there is hot chocolate available for students after their shifts? This is great motivation!” KN will communicate this to Sharon Hoy.

School Safety Procedures Practices: A “lock-down” drill is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 17th. As part of this procedure all exterior doors of the school will be locked and students will remain in their classrooms.

Rainy Day Games: Does anyone have donations basic games to donate for our students’ use during rainy days? (e.g. checkers, snakes and ladders, connect 4, tic tac toe, etc.).

School Events:October 3rd & 4th Goal Setting Conference: Dismissal @2.00 pmOctober 4th Cross Country Mini-Meet Balaclava Park 3:30pmOct. 5th Pizza Day October 12th IB Assembly: “Principled” Div. 6 presentingOctober 16th Cross Country Mini-Meet Quilchena 3:30 pm


October 17th Lock Down Safety DrillOctober 18th Pizza Day, Div. 5 Field trip to UBC Farm, Div. 1 field trip to ‘We Day”October 19st Provincial Professional Day- No school for studentsOctober 22nd Wild Ed Field trip Div. 2 and 3October 23rd Student Photo day (individual photos)October 25th Cross Country Final Meet at Trout Lake 12:00October 26th Robert Minden Duo Performance Hot Dog DayOctober 30th Grades K and 1 field trip to Southlands Farm 11:00 Subway DayOctober 31st Halloween (Assembly at 11:00)

3. Treasurer’s Report (Dawn Olinek) Recap June 2012 AGM: Last year we had a surplus of approximately

$30,000, which the PAC Executive proposed and parents approved a one-time, long-term capital upgrades to benefit students, teachers, and school.

So far these include: o Up to $5,000 for a new sound system for the gym (this has

since been done for less than $2,000!!). o Up to $2,000 for new sports equipment. o Up to $13,000 towards teacher wish lists, possibly including a

major technology or capital improvement. The BC Ministry of Education awarded us the $5,020.00 gaming grant

we applied for last Spring. The BC Ministry of Education has refunded our Phase 1 playground

costs ($24,401.53). We applied this refund plus $6,817.47 of our surplus to purchase Phase 2 of the playground and a replacement swing structure.

Question from Steve Tuckwood regarding playground Phase 2: Will the new structure have an accessible swing? The new swing structure will replace the 6 swings parallel to Camosun. Initial conversations included an accessible swing seat to be a part of this but the VSB has declined this request. Instead, the current wooden swing (two seater) will need to be replaced within the next 2 or 3 years and it could include an accessible seat. ST offered to seek funding for the replacement swing set including an accessible swingseat. AGM will liaise with Habitat.

4. Fundraising Report (Heidi MacLean)


Introduced Amalia Cook as Fundraising Co-chair. Several fundraising programs are under way: Giftwrap, Subway Day

(until January, then Grade 7 parents take over for Grad fundraising), Breadgarden Day (Tuesdays). New this year, school t-shirts will come out in November and Anti Bullying Day pink t-shirts will come out in February. Purdy’s chocolates will be available in time for Christmas. The Christmas concert (or social) will include a Bake sale.

5. Other Business Volunteer update: A wonderful number of volunteers have signed up for

a wide range of committees this year. Library Committee: Interested in assisting with purchase of books

according to IB themes; books could be presented during assemblies. Looking for partnership with Kidsbooks, including a parent shopping night at Kidsbooks, in exchange for a credit towards school.

Teacher Wish lists: PAC budget items (field trip funds, supply finds, arts performances) letters will go out to staff this week, asking for teachers’ plans to facilitate budget tracking. Also mentioned in that letter the idea of spending $12,000 to 14,000 on upgrades. Ideas so far include technology upgrade.

Communications: with parents can be difficult, mostly achieved through backpack mail and blog. We are in the process of trying to gather email list. Email lists cannot be shared between PAC and school. Perhaps we could go through class parents. Also is it possible to gather emails through the PAC for the school? All ideas welcome: [email protected]

Sandbox sand to be bought by DO. Question from Jeanette Calderone: Is it possible to have a bus to final

cross-country meet at Trout Lake? Maybe this year or otherwise next year. One obstacle mentioned was that the younger kids will want to leave early and also that we must use school buses which are probably already booked.

Agendas: the children will receive their agendas tomorrow. Question about kids who walk to school: how do we know if they arrive?

Safe arrival was discontinued a couple years ago because of difficulty of getting volunteers and phone line cost $500. KN suggests talking to your child’s teacher, they take attendance and communicate absentees to the office.


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Southlands PACOct22012