Mount Pleasant Elementary School
Parent Advisory Council
Annual General Meeting
Tuesday October 20th 2009
In attendance:
Voting Parents (26): Jane Cobbler (Chair), Abdul Ahad, Lisa Marsh, Ganga Jolicoeur, Colleen Browning (Fundraising Coordinator), Jackie Ingram, Cheryl Allen, Linda Tam, Roxanna Azad, Winston Whitlock, Carol Whitlock, Mary Francis Hill, Kristina Whelton-Davis, Mauricio Garduno, Scellena Kamruzzaha, Dr. Abu Ali Khan, Shamim Tariq, Alvin Benigno, Divina Vega, Caroline Gapongli, Mara Enqunin?, Abul Azad, Amena Aktersumi, Loc Tran and Makit Furn… (??)
Past Parents (1): Sheryl Palm (Secretary)
Staff (4): Steve Agabob (Principal), Julia Clark (Project Teacher), Jug Sidhu (Teacher) and Renee Davies (Community Worker).
Regrets: James Xue (Treasurer)
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm. Jane Cobbler welcomed parents and thanked them for their attendance. Ms. Cobbler briefly discussed the impact of the provincial gaming cutbacks (Ministry of Housing and Social Development – Gaming and Enforcement) from $20 to $10 per enrolled child allotted to BC PAC’s.
Ms. Cobbler went over the remainder of the Agenda with those present. There was a motion to accept the agenda which was seconded and approved.
Jane Cobbler and Sheryl Palm reviewed the minutes of the previous (June) meeting. Key issues at the time were spending the remaining gaming funds, fundraising ideas and how to get more parents to attend PAC meetings. There was a motion to accept the meeting minutes which was seconded and approved.
As the current Treasurer, James Xue was absent, Jane Cobbler and Sheryl Palm briefly outlined the PAC’s current financial position. It was agreed that a treasurer’s report would be presented at the next meeting.
Guest teacher, Jug Siduh, discussed the roles and benefits of student teachers in the classroom. He emphasized how student teachers are a necessary part of the teaching profession and how they enhance the school with their energy, “fresh eyes” and manpower. Mr. Siduh advised parents that student teachers begin gradually in the classroom increasing to up to six weeks full time teaching. Parents were assured that classroom teachers ensure all the required curriculum is covered.
Steve Agabob introduced himself and discussed the key goals at Mount Pleasant as literacy, family and social responsibility. Introductions of all present followed.
Julia Clark and Steve Agabob presented their school report (see attached), highlighting key activities from September and October and drawing attention to those activities and events that will be taking place henceforth, up to and including the next PAC meeting on November 24th 2009. Key items included:
· the current 196 student breakdown: 27 children who identify as First Nations, 27 children with Ministry Designation and 73 ESL children from 29 countries and with 25 different languages.
· students raised a record $2300 for the Terry Fox Foundation
· participation in the Fruits and Vegetables program enabled the school to apply for and receive a grant for a new refrigerator
· Wild BC (Pathways to Sustainability) provided classroom teachers with science kits and lesson plans on ecology which have been a great benefit in the classroom
· Fire drills, earthquake drills, Code Red (a threat to children within the school) and Yellow (a threat to children outside the school) Drills were described. A parent expressed concerns that drills (in particular code red and yellow) may cause insecurities and fears among the younger children. Mr. Agabob advised all parents that such drills were a VSB initiative and that children were provided with more context than the drills themselves in the classrooms and throughout the school prior to each drill taking place. Following the discussion, a parent mentioned that there was a code yellow a couple years ago at the school. The parent was thankful for the drills as her child (a primary student) felt comfortable and knew what to do. Another parent suggested that the school explore having only the main entrance unlocked. Mr. Agabob mentioned that this idea had been explored in the past. It was agreed that the idea would be addressed at a future meeting.
After a brief description of the duties of each position, Rene Davies and Jane Cobbler called to order the nominations of the 2009-2010 PAC Executive. The results were as follows:
Jane Cobbler – Co-Chair
Abdul Ahad – Co-Chair
Lisa Marsh – Secretary
Ganga Jolicoeur – Treasurer
Colleen Browning – Fundraising Co-Coordinator
Jackie Ingram – Fundraising Co-Coordinator
Members-at-Large: Cheryl Allen, Linda Tam, Roxanna Azad, Winston Whitlock, Carol Whitlock, Mary Francis Hill, Kristina Whelton-Davis and Mauricio Garduno
Outgoing Secretary Sheryl Palm thanked Steve Agabob for his commitment to the school and making her family’s time at the school a very positive experience. She presented him with a Canadian flag from the House of Commons.
Colleen Browning briefly described an upcoming wine tasting fundraiser that will be hosted by Lark Clothing, located in the Mount Pleasant Community on December 4th 2009. A significant portion of the proceeds of this event will be donated to the school.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm.
School Report to PAC
October 20th 2009 Submitted by: Julia Clark and Steve Agabob
September 2009
Ø School opened on September 8 (196, 27, 27, 73, 29, 25)
Ø New staff since last meeting: Jennifer McFarlane (Resource Teacher Tues., Wed. and Thurs. pm) May Dalgliesh (Secretary – 1 day each second week)
Ø Fire Drill September 18
Ø Meet the Teacher Night September 22
Ø Terry Fox Run September 25
Ø Strong Start opened September 28
Ø Fruits and Vegetable Program started September 29
Ø Wild BC Pro D September 30
October 2009
o Pathway to Sustainability begins October 1
o Student Teachers: Michael, Andrea, Bonnie, Liam, Rupert start at MTP October
o Family Groups on Code of Conduct October 8
o Brazilian Drummers and Dancing October 9
o Homework, Super Science, Cooking and Hip Hop Clubs begin
o Earthquake Drill October 13
o Peer Leaders started October 19
o BLG starts October 21
o Provincial Pro D October 23
o D.E.A.R on October 26 (National School Library Day)
o Pumpkin March and Halloween celebrations October 26-30
o Proposed Immunization October 27
o Pedestrian Safety Presentation October 29
November 2009
Ø Kindergarten registration for 2010 2011 begins
Ø Student Led Conferences November 3 and 4
Ø Student Photo Retake Day November 9
Ø Remembrance Day Assembly November 10 at 10:30
Ø Remembrance Day – School closed November 11
Ø Carousel Theatre comes to MTP November 12
Ø Audiology testing for Kindergarten students November 16
Ø Code Red Drill November 18
Ø Vision screening for Kindergarten November 23
Ø Next PAC Meeting November 24th at 6:30pm
MTP PAC AGM Minutes October 2009 Page 1 of 4
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