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Southlands Elementary School PAC
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 7:00 – 8:27 pm
Southlands Elementary School Staff Room
Attendees: Ian Cannon (Principal), Dorothy Bozek (Co‐chair), Jeanette Calderone, Dave
Carmean, Ross Ellis, Jessica Hemming, Carol Jones (Fundraising), Jane McCaye, Marni Macleod
(Co‐chair), Angie O’Brien, Chrystal Palaty (Recorder), Julia Peter, Deborah Phillips, Joanne
Pickford, Sofia Sandover, John Stekl (Treasurer), Mathew Taylor.
1. Co‐Chair Welcome and Call to Order Marni MacLeod, Co‐chair
2008 AGM Minutes were approved; Carole Jones moved that the minutes were accepted, Ross
Ellis moved to second.
2. Report from the Chair – 2008‐2009 Marni MacLeod
• Marni summed up the year by stating that “No Wheels Came Off”. The demographics of our
school community are changing and it is a challenge to get people to attend and participate.
• Body Science presentation: we enjoyed a great presentation from Alex Bacon. We would like
to have her back again next year.
• Sports day went well.
• Next year Marni anticipates that her role will be to support the PAC chair(s), and use the
Blog as more of a communications tool.
• With the end of the school year, we are losing lots of active parents. Julia Peters will be
taking over Safe Arrival from Karen MacDonald.
• Hot dog/Pizza Days. Carole volunteered to take care of administration, and Sofia Sandover
and Jeanette Calderone each volunteered to take over one hotdog/pizza day a month (with
2 – 3 volunteers each)from Nancy Lyman, who is taking a break..
• Some other suggestions besides hotdogs included:
• Subway for sandwiches, but obtain chips and milk from an alternate (cheaper) source.
• Tim Horton’s wraps.
• Julia suggested obtaining several smaller pots for hotdog day, will take less time to heat and
less difficult to lift.
3. Health Fair Presentation Angie O’Brien (Southlands Parent)
Angie gave a presentation about the Healthy Heart Society’s Health Education and Information
Fair for grades 5 ‐ 6 level students, to gauge the level of interest among Southlands parents.
Highlights:
• The program was already piloted at several schools.
• The entire program – instructions, volunteer letters, community sponsors etc, are
located in the Program Binder. Right now, there is no cost to Southlands School for this.
Copies of the finalized Southlands PAC Meeting Minutes are posted on the Southlands PAC blog.
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• To adapt to primary grades, would use the same model but would include different, age
appropriate activities.
• The event would realistically be held in spring 2010 or at the end of the school year, for
a half day. Costs would be for rental of banners and printing – a few hundred at most.
• One idea would be to invite other schools to also attend – do we want to invite different
schools or pick a different venue?
• Angie is willing to coordinate this, but needs six parent volunteers to coordinate each
station.
Carole Jones made motion to support the Hearts at School program by including a request for
volunteers in the information package at the beginning of the year. Sofia Sandover seconded the
motion and all voted in favor. Angie will give a presentation at a September Staff meeting.
4. Principal’s Report Mr. Ian Cannon
• Staffing‐ The Spring post & fill process is ongoing. Currently we have one new teacher hired
for next year: Sharon Hoy will be a new Resource Teacher in September. We have two
postings that still need to be filled.
• School Plan ‐ is basically complete except for some minor edits. School goals will continue to
focus on social responsibility and reading comprehension for next year.
• IB ‐ the schools candidate status has been extended for one more year, this will allow the
intermediate grades to catch up to the primary grades in terms of classroom practice. The IB
Candidate status was extended to grade 4 & 5 children for 2009/2010. Currently, the school
is waiting to find out if IB will approve grades 6 & 7 joining the IB Primary Years Program.
The school has received staffing support from the VSB to ensure success of the program.
• Euler Math Contest ‐ Southlands placed 18th out of 398 schools across Canada who
participated. Thirteen students volunteered to participate and gave up some of their lunch
hours for extra practice and math instruction. Our average score was 21.
• We anticipate between 220 and 250 students for September start up. It is not known at this
time the number of UHill students that will be here next year. As such it is not realistic to
assign teachers to specific grades and compose class lists.
• Retirements: Mrs. Robertson and Mrs. Koerner are retiring. Mrs. Richardson will be back at
the end of September. Mrs. McFadden (French) is accepting a position closer to her home.
5. Treasurer’s Report John Stekl
John presented the proposed budget for the 2009‐2010 school year.
Revenue highlights
• Most revenue projections have not changed from last year.
• The $5000 reserve is something we carry forward, in case “the wheels fall off”.
• Gaming funds have increased due to an increase in students. There was a brief and lively
discussion about the ethics of accepting gaming funds.
Expense highlights/new items
• SPC recommends an Assembly Fund of $200 in order to establish a process to recognize
children who perform well on social responsibility and IB themes. As we have our “Smile
Draw” on Fridays to model good code of conduct behaviors, we would have a similar draw
at each monthly assembly. A few tickets would be drawn highlighting those who have
modeled IB attributes and IB language.
• Budget decreases to early literacy, appreciation and get well. Explanation: Early literacy
books have all been purchases and don’t need so much; Mrs. Robertson has spearheaded
Copies of the finalized Southlands PAC Meeting Minutes are posted on the Southlands PAC blog.
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this program for years. Jessica Hemming has boxes of early readers at home and will give
them to Ian Cannon.
• Reduced budget for science workshops, Safeteen and Condomania, gym and recess/lunch
equipment. Justification: this reflects the actual costs to us, as we we are getting lots of free
science classes.
• Sports day budget has increased by $100. PAC pays for ice cream and juice.
• Increased PAC admin by $300 for volunteer packages.
Ross Ellis moved to approve the budget as presented. Carole motioned to add $255 extra in the
budget, Joanne Pickford seconded. All were in favour and the budget was passed.
Action item: A motion will be made to hire Body Science again next year, in September.
Note: The operating budget to May 31, 2009 will be reviewed at the September PAC meeting.
6. Fundraising Report Carole Jones
• Carol thanked Marni and Dorothy for all their hard work this year.
• There will be a retirement tea for Mrs. Robertson in the primary pod from 12 – 1 pm.
Parents are welcome to attend. Ross Ellis motioned to make a $100 PAC contribution
towards a gift, and Sofia Sandover seconded. After a lengthy discussion the PAC voted
against the motion.
• Teacher appreciation lunch, this Friday – committee of five is making everything themselves,
and did not ask for volunteers.
7. School Planning Council / DPAC
Ross Ellis retired from the SPC. The School Planning Council for 2009‐2010 will be Michelle
Kokan, Deb Grant and Chrystal Palaty.
No one has expressed an interest in DPAC yet, as Serena Kier has stepped down.
Action item: find a new DPAC representative.
8. PAC Executive 2009 – 2010
There were no nominations for any PAC executive positions.
• Michelle Kokan and Verlee Bromley were acclaimed as co‐chairs.
• Carole Jones will continue as Fundraising.
• John Stekl will continue as Treasurer.
• Chrystal Palaty will continue as Recorder.
9. New Business
• Spring Carnival 2010 – needs to be communicated and a planning committee formed in
September. Requests for volunteers will be repeated throughout the year, as 60 – 100
volunteers are needed.
• Backpack mail – IT JUST ISN”T WORKING. In 2009‐2010Marni will get the blog and calendar
going. Somehow we will try to save on paper and get messages emailed or posted on the
blog for parents.
• Suggestion for September: Meet the teacher barbeque and trade fair with all the different
volunteer opportunities.
Meeting adjourned at 8:27 pm.
Copies of the finalized Southlands PAC Meeting Minutes are posted on the Southlands PAC blog.
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