BAYRIDGE ELEMENTARY – PARENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting Held
September 15, 2003

Members Present 

Lori Clifton                Ara Karakashian                Gerard Toney
Lisa Card                  Veerle Anseeuw                Connie Cannon
Stephanie Mohan       Saskia Morton                   Heather Pistner
Rose Altmann-Fraser   Barb Price                       Tania Dusevic
Lindsay Palesch         Jill Ferronato                     Shelagh Samson
Maria Cross               Malcolm McMillan               Mara Harven
Eamown Morris           Ina Paton                        Dianne Shopland
Carol Daniels              Pat Howard                      Shelley Nightingale

 1.  Call to Order

Ara Karakashian called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

 2.  Welcome and introductions

Ara Karakashian welcomed all parents attending the meeting.  Each parent introduced himself or herself and stated their position on the PAC if they held one.

 3.  Approval of Minutes from May 27, 2003 Meeting

Barb Price motioned to approve the minutes of the May 27, 2003 PAC meeting.  Tanya Dusevic seconded.  CARRIED

 4.  Principal’s Report

Shelley Nightingale welcomed all parents to the first PAC meeting of the year & offered her congratulations to all new PAC executives.  Ms. Nightingale reported that 339 students are registered for the 2003/04 school year and that the opening has gone very smoothly.  She reports that cross-country has begun, the Terry Fox Run is scheduled for Friday, Sept 26, 2003 and meet the teacher night is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2003.

Ms. Nightingale advised of several new staff members to join Bayridge for the 2003-04 year: Ms. Majhen and Ms. Scheller are the new Kindergarten teachers, Ms. Gervan the new Grade 5/6 teacher, Mr. Horning the new music teacher, Ms. Stine the school Counselor, the new office secretaries are Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Alsip and Ms. Lyall is the SEA working in the kindergarten class. 

Ms. Nightingale advises that if the PAC would like to have guest speakers, Cst. Mike Elston, School Liaison Officer and Theresa Campbell, Safe School Manager from the Surrey School District would be more that willing to attend a meeting but it has to be a daytime meeting in order to coordinate with their schedules.  They would also be willing to attend any special event the school is hosting. 

Ms. Nightingale reports the school librarian; Mrs. Tisdelle will be working Tues, Thursday and Friday each week.  The music teacher, Mr. Horning will be teaching on Mondays and Wednesdays. 

Saskia Morton asked Ms. Nightingale if we were planning to continue the school’s good relationship with the South Surrey Eagles Hockey Team.  Ms. Nightingale advised she received a call from them and intends to follow up with it and relay our interest in continuing the interaction with the team. 

 5.  Old Business

 (a)    Malcolm McMillan presented the Year End Financial Statement and Projected Budget, YTD (as of August 31, 2003) and Commitments (to August 31, 2003) (see attached copy).  Malcolm noted that the PAC had received the government grant over the summer in the amount of $6662.11 as noted on the budget, leaving a cash balance of $10,115.25.  Saskia Morton motioned to approve the year-end financial statement.  Dianne Shopland seconded the motion.  CARRIED

 (b)    Lisa Card motioned to approve the payment of outstanding monies owed for school photocopying expenses in the amount of $300.00, payment for the sportsman trophy in the amount of $30.00 and payment for the Grade 7 medallions for the 2002/03 class in the amount of $270.00, totaling $560.00.  Lindsay Palesch seconded the motion.  CARRIED

 (c)    Lori Clifton advised the School Planning Council consists of 5 people, which consists of 1 principal, 1 teacher and 3 parent representatives.  One of the parent representatives must be an elected member of the PAC executive.  None of the parents can be employed by the school district in any capacity.  The School Planning Council will focus on improving student achievement, working to create the school plan and seeking input from parents, students and teachers.  Discussions will involve a level of confidentiality.  The School Planning Council will most likely meet about 6 times per year. All those interested in serving on the School Planning Council will have an interest in the FSA scores, report card grades and interpreting data.  Ms. Nightingale advised there would be a lot of work to be done this year by the Council.  The goal being improving student achievement in social studies using critical thinking skills and implementing technology across the curriculum.  The past parent survey has been completed.  The School Plan has to be presented to the School Superintendent by the end of October.  The School Planning Council must meet after school in order for the teacher to attend. 

 6.  School Planning Council Election

Maria Cross asked for volunteers to come forward to be nominees for the Bayridge School Planning Council for the 2003/2004 school year.  Henrietta McMillan, Gerard Toney and Ara Karakashian all asked to be nominated to the Council.  Veerle Anseeuw advised that each nominee must be elected by a minimum of ½ the quorum of votes.  It was determined through past minutes & constitutional reference that the PAC quorum has been established at 15.  Therefore each Council Nominee must receive at least 8 votes in order to be elected to the School Planning Council. Each member at the meeting voted by secret ballet.   DPAC Representative, Veerle Anseeuw and Saskia Morton tabulated all the ballets and it was determined that each nominee received 24 votes.   It was therefore determined the School Planning Council Representatives for Bayridge Elementary - School Year 2003/2004 are:  Ara Karakashian, Henrietta McMillan and Gerard Toney.

  7.  Officer and Committee introductions and first term action plans

 (a)    Chairperson:  Ara Karakashian introduced himself and advised he intends on focusing his efforts to find ways to get more parents to PAC meetings.  Ara stated although new to the PAC himself, he would give his assistance in any way or find volunteers to ensure a successful school year.   Maria Cross advised she would like to be considered a go-between person for parents.  She wants everyone to feel free to come to her with ideas or concerns and she would be more than willing to help.  Maria asked that for the next PAC meeting, everyone present should bring another parent with him or her. 

(b)    Vice-chairpersons:  Barb Price and Tanya Dusevic introduced themselves and advised they would be providing awesome goodies & coffee at every PAC meeting. 

(c)    Treasurer:  Malcolm McMillan introduced himself and advised he prepares the budget for each meeting, provides financial statements and keeps track of all the bank accounts for the PAC. 

(d)    Secretary:  Lori Clifton introduced herself and advised she prepares the minutes of each meeting and sets up an email list to email minutes to interest parents and also posts a copy of the minutes on the bulletin board.

(e)    Fundraising/special event coordinators:  Lisa Card & Ina Paton introduced themselves and advised their goals this year are to have fun and make money for the PAC.  Lisa advised they will be selling magazines again, selling Purdies Chocolates at Christmas, hosting the Santa’s Breakfast, continuing with Boston Pizza’s Operation Education Program, hosting an upcoming pub night, and possibly creating a cookbook for Mother’s Day.

(f)      Hot Lunch:  Saskia Morton introduced herself and reported the goal of the Hot Lunch Committee was to raise approx $10,000.00 this year.  Saskia advised they have a sign up list for needed helpers and are in dire need of parent helpers to come and distribute the hot lunches to each class.  Saskia also advised in order to continue with the Boston Pizza Operation Education Program, you must get your receipt stamped at the White Rock location only and bring the receipt to the school.  A shoebox will be set up in the foyer to place all receipts dropped at the school.  Saskia also advised that Casey Nardi had asked her to make it clear to everyone that this is the last year Casey will be running the Hot Lunch Program and if anyone is interested in taking over next year, to please consider signing up & getting involved now in order to learn how to run the program in advance.  Saskia Morton advised the January Hot Lunch Order will be posted on the school website Dec 1, 2003 for early review and ordering especially in cases where families are going to leave school early for the holidays. 

(g)    Newsletter Editor:  Lindsay Palesch introduced herself and advised she always requires input in information to be put in the Newsletter.  She advises she reviews the Newsletter with Ms. Nightingale prior to publication. 

(h)    Bulletin Board:  Carol Daniels introduced herself.

(i)      Traffic & Safety:  Gerard Toney introduced himself and advised he plans to contact Harold Swanson, City of Surrey Parking Enforcement Officer for any updates or suggestions to our ongoing traffic problems.  A long discussion ensued regarding the traffic problems around the school.  It was noted that the pick-up and drop off areas are not working.  Parents are parking & leaving their cars in these areas.  Rose Altmann-Fraser suggested putting flyers on the parked cars reminding people NOT to park in the pick-up/drop off zones.  Maria passed around a volunteer sheet to get helpers to put flyers on these cars.  Gerard stated he would follow up with Rose and report back to the PAC regarding the situation. 

(j)      DPAC:  Veerle Anseeuw introduced herself and explained what the DPAC is.  She advised she is the voice of Bayridge to the DPAC, but that anyone is invited to attend the DPAC meetings with her. 

(k)    Emergency Preparedness:  Dianne Shopland introduced herself and advised the emergency kits have been moved to the new classrooms.  New kits are in and being distributed accordingly.

(l)      Gardening and School Beautification Team:  Shelagh Samson & Jill Ferronato introduced themselves and advised they plan to clean the gardens around the school, put in more evergreens in the fall, and possibly arrange to have each class paint a cement block in the back of the school in the spring.  They are always looking for volunteers or ideas.  Heather Pistner advised that a garbage can is needed on the north side of the school.  Ms. Nightingale advised she would take care of it.  Heather Pistner also advised of the danger of the pea gravel on the slope in back of the playground.  A few people have reported slipping down the slope.  Ms. Nightingale advised she would look into the problem and consult with the district on the issue and report back.

(m)  Helping Hands:  Henrietta McMillan introduced the new committee.  She explained that Helping Hands Committee would focus on charitable projects for our students to partake in.  Henrietta advised Greyhound Bus Co has sent the collection of books & stuffed animals collected for the Kelowna fire victims to Kelowna.  She is currently looking at another program called “The Christmas Child” for the upcoming months before Christmas.  An in depth discussion followed as some PAC members stated their concerns about the program “A Christmas Child”.  The possibility of helping our sister school, Holly Elementary instead was then discussed.  No decisions were made, but Henrietta advised she appreciates any ideas or feedback.  

 8.  New Business

 (a)    Board Member Mail Folders:  Maria Cross advised all board members that the individual mail folders for each position could be found in the gray metal filing cabinet in the supply room.  The folders should be checked regularly to see if you have any correspondence or notices. 

(b)    Creation of Email Lists:  Lori Clifton advised she would be putting a notice in the upcoming PACYAK to advise that anyone who wishes to receive a copy of the minute meetings to email her @ LoriClifton@Shaw.ca.  Lori also advises she will be looking into an Email List for the PACYAK and weekly school notices.  She will report her findings to the PAC at the next meeting. 

(c)    Halloween Security:  Lori Clifton advised that she had spoken with Gary Holtz, Head of Security for the Surrey School district to see how much it would cost to hire 2 security guards to patrol the school grounds on Halloween night.  This assignment had been given to her last year in response to the horrific events that occurred on Bayridge School grounds last Halloween (fires, vandalism, parties).  Mr. Holtz reported back that the guards could be hired at an hourly rate of $14.18 p/hr GST incl, from 6:00pm-2:00am.  Based on this, Lori Clifton made a motion to spend up to $300.00 of PAC funds to hire 2 security guards to patrol Bayridge School grounds on the night of October 31, 2003 from 6:00pm – 2:00am.  Maria Cross seconded.  A lengthy discussion followed in which some members of the PAC felt that the school board should be paying for such an expense.  The remaining members present voted on this issue.  14 voted in favor of hiring the guards, 2 opposed.  CARRIED.   Lori advised she would follow up with Gary Holtz & arrange to hire the guards. 

(d)    Helping Hands Funding – Topic tabled to next meeting.

(e)    Casino Funds Money – Bayridge has received an unexpected government grant of $6662.11.  The money has been allocated already and has to be spent as per the original application.

(f)      Guest speakers:  Maria Cross advised she is looking for suggestions for guest speakers.

(g)    Ways to Spend Money Made:  Topic tabled to next meeting.

(h)    Class Parent Volunteers: Saskia Morton advises we are in desperate need for class parents in particular to help hand or organize parent volunteers to hand out the Hot Lunches to the classes.  The class parent also acts as a liaison between the PAC, teachers, students & parents.  Saskia advised she would post sign up notices on the school class windows.

 9.  Open to Floor

 No discussion – tabled to next meeting due to time restraints.

 10.  Announcements

 Next PAC meeting is Monday, October 20, 2003…6:30pm social/7:00pm meeting.

11.  Adjournment