Mark R. Isfeld Parents’ Advisory Council

Non-Adopted Minutes of the Annual General Meeting

September 24, 2007

 

  1. Welcome and Introductions: Meeting attended by voting members: Jennifer Keenan, Kathy Cruickshank, Sharon Adams, Brenda Hunt, Barb Girody, Shayna Naswell, Maureen Weiman, Brian Syrowith, Florence Jean, Carol-Lyn Nottebrock, Diana deWitt, Diana Briggs, Marilyn Atkinson, Leah Taylor, Andrea Lang

 Non-voting: Wayne Friesen (principal), Lyneita Swanson (vice-principal), Rick Grinham (trustee)

 

  1. Adoption of Agenda:  Motion to adopt agenda –  Sharon Adams & Maureen Weiman, Carried.
  2. Adoption of Previous Minutes : no minutes were taken at June meeting, only a few attended, all discussions carried forward to this meeting for voting.  No meeting held in May.    

4.   Reports:        

a.  Student Council –  not available.

b)  RCMP Liaison  -  Constable Chris Baccus not available.

c)  Principal Wayne Freisen – See Attachment A   

     Grade 9 classes are over limit. Another part-time teacher is being hired and some classes will be split.  No grade 9’s have been allowed to cross-boundary into Isfeld this year.  New Teachers-  There are nine new teachers on staff this year.  International Student enrollment  has increased this year from 32 to 50.  Meet the teacher night- feedback from parents who attended thought it was very informative and helpful.  District wide early dismissal days- 4 scheduled for the school year.  Busses will be running early on these days.  Portfolio  Graduation Requirements-. 1) 30 hours of work experience.  2) 80 hours of physical activity after grade 10 PE.  3) 10-15 hours of transition activities done in planning and TA.    4) Exit interview and portfolio presentation in weeks prior to graduation.-  Booklet was distributed for parents to see

P.A.R.T.Y. program- new program about the choices youth make in social situations and the possible consequences.  Gr10 planning classes to visit hospital learn about the such consequences.  Staff Book Club- parents welcome to attend.  Concession is being run by Life Skills program, providing healthy choices each day. Vending machine also has healthier choices this year. Four student teachers to start in 2nd semester.

d) Trustee  Rick Grinham–   Enrollment-  Official count to be done at end of September.  Currently there are over 2000 empty “seats” in the district which is equivalent to 6 empty schools.  District Configuration Timelines & school closures– See Attachment B- Six committees have been formed to deal with the issues of school closures (one for each school).  Board to make final decision in November. Cumberland Jr. School proposed to be a senior school to allow room in Isfeld for French Immersion students and Gr9 students at Highland.  Cumberland Sr. for all students in south district, including the islands.  Surveys to be sent out to all parents in the area and a public meeting to be held prior to final decision on Cumberland senior.  Decision should be made by January in order to begin the process of preparing the school.  Isfeld’s official capacity is 900 but actually it is 800 if you allow for space required for “special” classes such as woodwork or cooking.  Diana deWitt suggested that there might be room for the “Cumberland” kids if we no longer took in International students.  Grinham responded that the education or our students is definitely a priority over that of making room for international ones and that the decisions to be made must put education of our students first.  Unfortunately empty classes mean that money that should be spent on student education is being spent on building operating costs and the board has made a commitment to remain financially viable.

e)     Treasurer Report:  See Attachment C- Bank balances as of August 31. Non-Gaming account = $11089.59, Gaming account= $5060.96.   No current activity to report.  Direct Access Grant of $13680 for this year.  Gaming funds to Budget including amounts carried forward from last year $ 17,170.  Budget to be discussed at next PAC meeting.    

f)   DPAC –  no report. First meeting is tonight

 

 

            g) Committees:1.  Athletics – no committee yet.

                                       2.  Bingo / Fundraising –  no report.

         3.  Grad –  First meeting scheduled Thurs. Sept 27 @ 7:00 for parents and students

4.  School Planning Council –  Numeracy plan to be presented at next PAC meeting, Teachers Individual Growth Plans to be presented at November PAC Meeting.   Literacy- Presentation by Lyneita Swanson:  English teachers meet monthly to work on plan.  Current strategies include free reading time in all English classes; Book club; Ice Picks-student suggested reading list; and workshops on reading for information.  Reading week scheduled with activities such as, visiting authors, book talks etc.  Students are requested to each fill out a survey which reflects their attitude towards reading.

    5.     Old Business:

Yearend awards-Suggested that we replace the plaques with certificates for some or all of the awards.  It was agreed that we want to acknowledge the accomplishments of all deserving students in achievement as well as excellence.  Suggested  that perhaps we have some awards that are more significant than others.  Students to be asked for their opinion and subject to be re-addressed at future meeting.

Funds for Uniforms- Request for funds from last years budget.  – Moved by Diana deWitt & Carol-Lynn Nottebrock that we allocate $1300 from last years budget towards team uniforms - carried.

 

           

  1. New Business:

Funds for Cardio gym equipment- Funding request from Colin Cunningham that we allocate some funds towards the proposed Cardio equipment purchases.  Suggested we wait until the board makes their decision towards funding the project before we commit any of our funds.  Board will not be making any decision until they have the funds to spend.  Current request is for approx. $40,000 from all sources.

Govt. Grant Funds- We are still holding approx $9000 in our non-gaming account that we have allocated towards the purchase of an LED sign for the front of the property.  So far the city will not approve such a sign because of the size of the sign and the LED component.  Suggested that we invite an elected official and a city planner to attend a meeting so that we can discuss our options.  Brenda Hunt reported that Mt. Washington has already offered financial support for such a sign and that perhaps we could ask our neighbours Crown Isle for additional support.  Moved by Brenda Hunt & Maureen Weiman that we continue to hold the $9000 towards a sign purchase and look further into our options- carried. 

Earthquake Container-  The school now has a 10’x20’ container to store emergency supplies outside the school.  Lyneita Swanson put forth a request for assistance from the PAC in purchasing supplies.  Shayna Naswell volunteered to help make up a list of required supplies.  Request for funds to be included in our Budget meeting. 

Election of Officers:   

Co-Chair:  Jennifer Keenan appointed by acclamation.

                        Co-Chair:   Kathy Cruikshank appointed by acclamation.

            Co-Secretary:  Carol-Lyn Nottebrock appointed by acclamation.

                        Co-secretary : Shayna Naswell appointed by acclamation.

Treasurer:     Diana Briggs appointed by acclamation.

                        DPAC:             Leah Taylor appointed by acclamation.

                        SPC:               Diana deWitt, Jennifer Keenan & Sharon Adams appointed by acclamation

 

                                   

       7.  Next  Meeting – October 15,2007- 7:00 pm in the Library