Chaffey-Burke Elementary School PAC Meeting Minutes of Monday, November 7, 2011

Chaffey-Burke Elementary School


PAC Meeting Minutes of

Monday, November 7, 2011



Roundtable/Introductions: Ranjit Bharaj, PAC Chair

The PAC Executive meeting was opened by Ranjit at 7:15PM. 8 parents and Principal in attendance.

2. October Minutes

deferred for approval until circulation. Will be placed on December’s agenda.

3. Principal Update- Claudio Bortolussi

School population at 557 puts Chaffey Burke as the second largest elementary school in the district after Marlborough.

For October we had 14 transfers in and 12 transfers out

Thursday is the Remembrance Day Assembly where a veteran has been invited to participate. There will be music, readings and broad student participation.

Friday is the Remembrance Day Stat

Monday November 21st is a district wide Pro Development Day. District wide Pro D Days are in Oct, Nov and February where school wide Pro D Days are in Sep, Jan and June.

Photo retakes on November 9th

Young People’s concert is coming up on November 30th.

Hot lunches on November 23rd and 30th

Student of the week has started 3 weeks ago where Claudio meets with 1 child from each division at 11am on Fridays. The students, in a circle, share learnings, ask questions and get to know each other and the Principal in this small gathering.

Milk and Juice needs more support but Pei Pei Liu has taken the lead. More volunteers are needed for counting, ordering and delivering. Weekday lunch hour opportunity.

Newsletters will be posted on the web with the idea to draw more families to the website where there is growing information, literacy tips, education support information for families and district and ministry information.  http://chaffey-burke.sd41.bc.ca, office will keep 30 – 40 paper copies, goal is to eventually send it out via PAC listserv.

4. Treasurer update: Ranjit Bharaj
Parent inquiry: Do u carry a balance?

Ranjit replied that we do not usually try to carry a balance. Historically, we spend the monies we raise. Spending in the past couple of has been focused on replacing the playgrounds. Now we are in a position where the ‘big’ projects are behind us.

5. Special lunch update: Ranjit Bharaj and Mary MacKillop

We are currently on a 3-month trial of a new vendor for the hot lunch program. The school can then decide if it fits. We have had a bit of a rocky start with the coordination, distribution of our 1st hot lunch, but we anticipate that the process will become smoother over time.

We are feeling out different vendors, with consideration being given to the price point and distribution/ delivery concerns.

The hot lunch program requires a lot of manpower so full service providers are preferred.

6. DPAC update

Our DPAC positions have not been filled.

Mary offered to post updates form DPAC website.

DPAC meets on the last Monday of the month.

We are looking for at least 2 – 3 volunteers.

7. School Planning Council (SPC)

We have 3 vacant positions for the School Planning Council (SPC).

Claudio advised that the SPC acts on parents’ behalf, meeting with him about three times a year to ensure that the school is on track with meeting the needs of the school community.

In June the SPC meets with Claudio for planning for following year. Meetings generally occur in the evening or on Pro D days.

8. Earthquake

The school does not require a committee. An individual would be able to fill this role.

Responsibilities involve replenishing supplies and doing inventory of food & supplies.

Claudio suggested having a parent lead/coordinate a simulation of emergency procedures. The school is due for a practice evacuation in the next year or two as it must be done at least every 5 years.

Mary offered to talk to Scott Ko to see if he would be able to assist.

9. Volunteer vacancies

2 for DPAC

3 SPC (1 exec + 2 parents)

Milk/ juice program volunteers. Claudio mentioned that he has assisted Pei Pei with the milk/juice program on occasion but is not able to offered help on a permanent basis. The process is fairly involved, and the ideal candidate would be able to drive to pick up the milk/juice orders for distribution. The program is a successful one, and it has enabled the school to purchase many school items with the funds generated (ie. sports jerseys, home reading program). Furthermore, it promotes good eating habits in the school.

10. 2011/2012 Budget

The following is a list of some of the school’s ‘wish’ items that PAC executives propose to contribute funds towards:

Field trips $200 per division = $4,600

teacher consumables $65 per teacher = $1,950

Library: $400 author visits + $1,500 books = $1,900

home reading = $600

Classroom libraries $100 per class = $2,300

Beautification (including bulbs for flower beds) = $750

Win its = $500

Red. Cedar program = $600

Cultural event = $850

Math / science supplies = $500

LCD projectors: replace 1 and add 1 more = $,1500

Sound system = $3,000

Total PAC contribution to school: $24,550

MOTION: That we approve the 2011/2012 PAC budget.

Moved: Mary MacKillop, Seconded: Antonella CARRIED

Ranjit advised that we've had some parents express interest in running hot dog days, popcorn days, and photo night. Current numbers in the 2011/2012 budget does not include additional fundraising revenues as a result of such fundraising efforts so we will likely have a surplus of funds at year-end.

11. BCTF workshops: Ranjit Bharaj

In lieu of 1 PAC meeting in the Spring, we've done education/ speaker nights in the past. This was typically done in March.

Ranjit suggested canvassing school interest via online voting.

Mary suggested that the “Child with anxiety session” was popular in the past.

Ranjit added that BCTF workshops are generally quite well-received.

Claudio cautioned that while some sessions are well done (ie. anti bullying, born to buy, internet awareness, supporting child's learning), others themes are not as effective (ie. Raising confident boys).

Mary offered to put together a list of speaker night theme options, and will list serve to the school community.

12. Questions

With respect to the vacant PAC positions, a parent asked what each volunteer role involves. Mary offered to put info together for outstanding roles (ie. Time commitment, description of responsibilities).

A parent asked about having a family movie night as a possible fundraiser/community event. Mary responded that we had had a movie night in the past, and that we have used a company that can set up all the equipment for such an event. Perhaps we can consider a movie night in spring, to be held outdoors.

Meeting adjourned at 8:05PM.Thanks to Mary for bringing the delicious cookies!

Next meeting will be on Monday, December 5th, 2011 at the school library – it will be a PAC meeting / holiday social.