Ina Paton,   Colleen Bloudell,  Heather Pistner,   Heather Peverley,  Stephanie Mohan,   Saskia Morton,   Diane Shopland,   Connie Cannon,  Shelagh Samson,  Jill Ferronato, Gerard Toney, Tania Dusevic, Lisa Card,Lindsay Palesch, Barb Price, Penny Ashton, Malcolm McMillan,  Mara Harvey, Veerle Anseeuw, Maria Cross, Ara Karakashian, Shelley Nightingale, Christie Jackson, Donna Hartman, Lori Clifton

Ara Karakashian called the meeting to order at 7:12pm.

Lindsay Palesch motioned to approve the minutes from the September 15, 2003 PAC meeting. Tania Dusevic seconded. CARRIED

Shelley Nightingale reported that the fine arts performance of “Hooked on Books” was well received. The Vancouver Opera is scheduled to come to Bayridge in early December.

Ms. Nightingale also reports the Bayridge Choir Application has been approved and our choir will be singing on the BC Ferry on Monday, December 15, 2003, round-trip on the 9:00am sailing to Victoria. A few parent chaperones will be needed. Please notify Mr. Horning if you are interested. A bus will be provided to transport the choir to and from the ferry terminal.

Ms. Nightingale informed the PAC of the “Golden Coin”. Replica gold coins have been handed out to students (2 per division) for acts of kindness. These students are then to pass the coin on to another student who they see doing an act of kindness. Based on the “pay it forward” philosophy, the idea was the initiative of the Student Council.

FSA results are now available on the Ministry website at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/assessment/fsa/results. Once again, Bayridge did really well.

Ms. Nightingale also advised Bayridge was successful in receiving the Technology Integration grant for the Wireless Mobile Computer Lab. We are to receive 8 I-Book Wireless Laptop Computers valued between $15,000-$20,000. A special thank you to Mr. Sommer and Mrs. Brett for all their hard work!

Ms. Nightingale reports that she and Henrietta McMillan are going to our sister school, Holly Elementary in Guildford to talk with the principal & councillors to determine how Bayridge may help or assist our sister school.

(a) Maria Cross asked that all PAC representatives please check their mail folders regularly.

(b) Lori Clifton confirmed that 2 security guards have been booked for Halloween night as previously approved in the September 15, 2003 meeting.

(c) Maria Cross asked if the PAC would like a guest speaker for the November 26, 2003 PAC meeting. It was decided to postpone having a speaker for the New Year. Maria asked the PAC to please bring any ideas forward at the next meeting if they would like to hear specific speakers so that she may book them.

(d) Helping Hands – this issue was discussed under New Business. Henrietta McMillan was not present.

(e) Class Parents – Maria Cross handed out the list of class parents that are to be forwarded to the teachers.

(f) Emailing Newsletter as another way of communicating to parents – lengthy discussion followed. Lori Clifton advised that she was told we couldn’t set up an email site at Bayridge for parent’s to email. The school board will not allow us to use their server therefore it would be up to one or two parents to create a mailing list on their own computers. This opens up the issues of viruses, security and what happens to the mailing lists when the parents leave the area. It was decided there were still too many issues at stake to set this up presently. The issue was tabled again to another meeting as Ara Karakashian advised he wanted to do more investigating on the issue.

(c) Traffic & Safety Coordinator – Gerard Toney advised Harold Swanson, City of Surrey Parking Enforcement Officer & Cst. Elston have been to the school enforcing our parking area. Tickets are in the mail for repeat offenders. Gerard reports he is still asking people to move out of the Drop Off Zone.

(d) Hot Lunch Coordinators – Saskia Morton reports everything is going well.

(e) PACYAK – Lindsay Palesch advises the next PACYAK will be sent in November. She is looking for information for the letter. Lindsay also inquired whether or not she should include a page of advertising in the PACYAK for licensed business owners/parents only. Most of the members present were in favour despite concerns regarding liability. It was agreed if a “disclaimer” were placed on the ad page, Lindsay could go ahead with it.

(f) Gardening Coordinator – Shelagh Samson advised Mr. Frank’s & Mrs. Kinvig’s class submitted scarecrows to Garden Works for the contest. Shelagh advised to please go to the Garden Works store on 128 St. and vote for a Bayridge Scarecrow. The winter will receive $300 worth of plants from the store. The flowerbeds have been cleaned up & Shelagh reports they are waiting for the spring to plant gardens in front of the kindergarten class.

(g) Emergency Preparedness – Dianne Shopland advised to please put only 1 staple on your notice/cheques. Next year the emergency packs will be going up in price to $17.00.

(h) DPAC – Veerle Anseeuw advised the PAC of the upcoming seminar at the Surrey Conference Centre, “Reload your positive parent energy”. She will post the information notice on the PAC bulletin board. Veerle asked the PAC if we would approve spending $50 to renew our BCCPAC Membership. Tania Dusevic motioned to spend the $50 to renew our BCCPAC Membership. Lisa Card seconded. CARRIED

(a) New idea for fundraising/PAC YAK – Lindsay Palesch presented her idea in the Officer & Committee Report.

(b) Approval of New Financial Statement for Sept 1, 2003 to August 31, 2004 – Before the new financial statement was approved, Malcolm resubmitted the Final Year End Financial Statement for September 1, 2002 to August 31, 2003 including all commitments that need to be included. (Copy attached to minutes on bulletin board). Malcolm advises the Direct Access Funds of $6,662.11 are already allocated to purchase more I-Mac Computers so that our school lab will have 30 computers and 1 in each classroom. Barb Price motioned to approve the Final 2002-2003 Financial Statement. Lisa Card seconded. CARRIED. Malcolm McMillan then presented the Proposal Budget for the 2003/2004 school year. (Copy attached to minutes on bulletin board). New commitments include a Space Presentation for the school in the amount of $500.00. The Helping Hands Program has a projected expense of up to $250.00 should any administrative costs arise e.g. Boxes, supplies. The technology upgrade of $13, 342.11 (computers) included last years Direct Access Funds and the projected funds we are to receive this year after we submit our application. The Justice Theatre presentation theme will be Girl on Girl Bullying but promises to be relevant to everyone. The Halloween Security bill of approx. $230.00 is not on the statement, but Malcolm advises he will revise the statement for the next meeting to show the cost a projected expense. Ina Paton motioned to approve the Projected Budget for the 2003/2004 School Year. Lisa Card seconded. CARRIED.

Next PAC meeting is Wednesday, November 26, 2003 @ 7:00pm (Executive Meeting @ 6:15pm)