MPCS PAC Meeting Minutes

November 19, 2012, 7pm, MPCS Library

PAC Executive in Attendance: Melanie Jones; Louise Tomcheck; Sarah Strother; Trina Talarico; Dave Clark Members at Large in Attendance: (as per attendance Sheet): Pattie Lindsay, Lee Schwartz, Don Schwartz, Chris Vernon- Jarvis, Tim Hucke

Meeting called to order at 7:04. Quorum was determined. October 18th minutes approved with amendments - budget decision to put t-shirts on hold; - next meeting date November 19 (not October 18) Principals Report Pro-D day intermediate staff focused on project based learning. Primary staff focused on Mindup techniques, strategies to reach vulnerable readers, and ways to address behaviour challenges Report cards going out Friday. Early dismissal Tuesday November 27th & Thursday November 29 Penny drive being lead by Gr. 7. Goal to provide clean drinking water to kids around the world. (We Day outcome) Christmas Concert Dec. 12th, Trinkets and Treasures / Christmas Crafts Friday Dec. 7

School Planning Council - Looking at approaching differently this year to respond to frustrations expressed by parents and teachers in years past. - Focus on broader look re: what we are trying to do as a school - Mrs Broach lead a session at the PAC meeting that looked at two key areas. 1. Building a community - what are doing now, how we can enhance 2. Building a community of engaged learners - Same exercise conducted with staff. Results will be rolled up and discussed by a planning group with representatives from staff, PAC and parents. Together with relevant school / student data, Mrs Broach will draft school plan for next year. District Thought Stream Process Please participate in the districts consultation on education planning. Go to www.sd48learns.org to share your thoughts. Action Item: Mrs Broach to send out summary notes from the session she lead.

Chair Report PAC Executive reflected on budget discussion at October PAC meeting. Open to developing and exploring further teacher classroom spending needs. Encouraged teachers to come to PAC meetings and make requests for additional classroom spending if current budget allocation does not cover needs. Teachers also encouraged to make larger requests for capital spending (e.g. TV monitor) to PAC directly. Christmas cards ready. $500. 00 profit for PAC Treasure Report PAC is looking for a new Treasure. Lynda Kranjc has stepped down as her daughter has changed schools. PAC would like to acknowledge her contribution, and thank her for all of the work she has done for the school and our children. Lynda will provide support in the background until we find someone to replace her. Motion passed to send flowers and thank you note to Lynda for all of her work. Action Item: Melanie Jones to arrange flowers and card

Trustees Report Chris Vernon- Jarvis made following comments: Strategic Plan Update SD 48 Board toured High-Tech High in San Diego. Unique learning environment that included: project based, real world applications, guided learning, collaborative classroom approach, high expectations of students, very relaxed environment (minimum number of rules). Kids learn by doing. High university entrance rates. Not a technology school, not about a computer on every desk. About a different way of teaching and learning. SD 48 putting together a presentation on what was learnt from their tour of High-Tech High. Watch for notice. Question: how do you implement something like this program here when the Province controls so much of the learning environment? not a lot that they are doing there that we they cant do here. We will start by looking for people who want to do this - support teachers in our system to do this kind of project based learning DPAC Report Number of new DPAC representatives. Sarah is now on the DPAC executive. Number of informative presentations - from Asst. Superintendent, Union rep etc. Important that MPSC continues to have representative here Sarah raised the staffing situation that occurred the 5/6 class. Interest from administration and Union representative to address contract language to avoid similar situation in future. Discussion on technology, concurrent with education plan being released in the spring. Question: did we raise issue re: number of teachers at MPCS that dont have contracts?

Chris advised that teacher contract issues and hiring practices are not part of the PAC mandate. Teachers can speak to the Union, concerned parents can write a letter to the Board. Guidelines for PAC: Provincial mandate - Bylaws. Action Item: Sarah to invite Peter Jory to next PAC meeting to discuss emerging Technology Plan.

Business Arising Hot Lunches Running well. Chafing dishes donated at significant discount by Nicklaus North Golf Club (Thank you to Andrew Smart). Looking to start Pasta day in December. Still looking for volunteers. Action Item: Find person to run administration of the order system for hot lunch day (January and September). Committees Interest in forming a School Calendar Committee, liaise with other schools in Whistler to develop a unified voice to present to the Board o Calendar notice that came out did not include enough time for meaningful input. o Chris explained Province changed date when calendar needed to be submitted. Not possible to do the consultation needed to make any significant changes. o Ministry mandated that Boards look at calendars 3-4 years ahead. Board likely to strike committee to explore, set some planning parameters. MPCS PAC expressed interest to participate in this process. unclear at this point as to how Board will pursue input MPCS can lobby for the calendar we want, but important to recognise that it must work for all schools in the District Action Item: Melanie to explore further. Assess opportunity for input, influence. Reach out to other schools in Whistler and explore developing a Whistler position. School Directory Ready in electronic version. To be distributed shortly. Action Item: Melanie to speak to Robyn to get it sent out Missoula Tortoise and the Hare huge success. However not as many people participated. Participating PACs to revisit approach, date etc

Christmas Craft Morning parents invited to stay after drop off, come make a craft with their child. Friday December 7th Treasures and Trinkets Set for Dec 7th. Notices went out. PLEASE donate Any money made donated to community services centre Comment: consider letting kids gift wrap themselves in the classroom, have buddies wrap in the classrooms with the younger ones. Way to avoid huge bottle neck at the wrapping station and allow parent volunteers to assist with the picking. Action Item: Sharron to ask teachers about suggestion re: bringing wrapping to classrooms, involving buddies.

Mark Your Calendar Next PAC meeting Monday January 14, 7pm Meeting adjourned 8:30 pm