Dixon Parents Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes of Meeting of Sept. 17, 2018, 7 p.m.

PAC Members Present:

Sandra Townsend - Co-Chair          

Karin Schweizer - Co-Chair (and Food-days Team)

Laura Gillanders - Treasurer

Volker Helmuth - Secretary

Karen Fisher-Hagel - Fundraising

Lyn Yang - Fundraising

Absent:

Diana White - Fundraising

Kay Arambulo-sy - Food-days Team

Lisa Fisher - Immediate Past Chair

Pilar Ramos - Early Warning Coordinator

Nadine Eade - Member at large:

Dixon Administration Presents:

Sean Harrington – Principal

May Wong – Vice-Principal

Parent Guests - present

1.         Welcome & Introductions

Sandra opened the meeting and welcomed all present. 

2.         Review and Approval of Agenda

Approved.

3.         Review and Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting

Minutes of June 11^th, 2018, meeting approved.

4.         Administrators’ Report 

Sean Harrington reported on the following past and upcoming events:

-      new staff members who have joined Dixon include: 

• Mme. Plummer – FI 4/5,
• Ms. Collins E 4/5,
• Ms. Leclerc Resource/ELL, and
• Ms. Gallagher Resource/ELL;

-      it is appreciated that the PAC organized and staffed the ‘Sweet Start’ meet-and-greet in the gym the first week of school;

-      class placements have been finalized, based on a thorough assessment of student needs and giving consideration to parent input; 

-      ‘Meet the Staff’ night is coming up this Thursday, with pizza available in the gym; 

-      a first fire-drill was completed and students responded very well;

-      discussions with grade 6 and 7 students is underway about leadership, student council and related matters, with student ideas being given consideration;

-      students able to volunteer for morning announcements, office monitors and assembly set-up;

-      teachers professional development day scheduled for Sept. 21, where emphasis will be in teaching and inspiring social responsibility in students;

-      ‘Terry Fox Run’ scheduled for Friday, Sept. 28^th; 

-      ‘Orange Shirt Day’ for aboriginal recognition scheduled for Sept. 30; 

-      Students Photos day (individual and class photos) will be on Wednesday, Oct. 3;

-      Parent – Teacher Conferences will take place on Thursday, Oct. 18^th;

-      the School District is undertaking an assessment of emergency supplies/kits as needed by schools, with a report to the District to come;

-      at the next PAC meeting, West Richmond Community Centre will attend and make a presentation about their programs and what changes they are considering making;

-      keep watching the Dixon website for events and updates. 

Karen expressed her appreciation, on behalf of all parents, for Sean Harrington and May Wong’s excellent morning parking-lot management, which has made student drop-off efficient and safe.

The PAC asked SeanHarrington to liaise with the City of Richmond and seek to have the intersection at the back parking-lot exit much better marked, preferably with yellow cross-hatching painted on the square area of the intersection.  Students come out of the back lane running or on bicycle and cars are very unaware of there being a school driveway exiting into what appears to be just a ‘T’ intersection.

5.         Treasurer's Report

Laura Gillanders presented the proposed budget. Total PAC general account assets as of Sept. 1 were $22,275, plus an additional $2,086 in the Gaming Funds account.  Liabilities from the general account are budgeted to be $16,836, resulting in equity in the amount of $5,439.  All gaming fund assets are committed in the budget.

It is anticipated that new gaming grant funding in the amount of approximately $7,000 will become available.  The PAC will write the necessary grant application for the next grant application cycle.

Motion– Karin moved that the budget, as presented, be approved.  Seconded and approved unanimously.

6.         Fundraising Report  

First Movie Night – October 12^th! 

Karen reported that further fundraising activities will include:

- the hot-lunch program;

- more movie nights;

- pizza lunch days;

- another famous Dixon fall craft-fair; and

- the gaming grant application.

Karin and Kay will be taking the lead as food-day (Munch-a-Lunch) and pizza day coordinators.  Parents are required to help volunteer – please contact the PAC! 

7.         PAC Meetings Dates

Sandra proposed the following dates for PAC meetings during the 2018/19 school year:

October 22;

November 19;

January 21, 2019;

February 11;

April 15 – AGM;

May 13; and

June 10.

8.         Additional Items

Karen asked the Sean Harrington to consult with teachers and to report back on what in-class resources teachers may wish for that the PAC will then consider funding.

Motion to Adjourn Meeting:

MOVED, SECONDED and CARRIED that meeting be adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Next Meeting:                        October 22, 2018     All parents are invited!