PAC Meeting Minutes - Meeting of September 22, 2019

Dixon Parents Advisory Committee

Minutes of the Meeting of September 22, 2019

Location: Dixon Elementary School

PAC Members Present:

Chair - Jennifer McMillan

Co-Chair - Rebecca Van Der Hijde

Treasurer - Laura Gillanders

Secretary - Michelle Gibault-Fahlman

Fundraising - Lyn Yan, Diana White, L’nielle Cajigas

And Parent Guests

Dixon Administrators Present:

Principal Sean Harrington

Vice-Principal May Wong

1. Welcome and Introductions

Jennifer McMillan called the meeting group to order at 7:00pm and welcomed all present. 

2. Review and Approval of Agenda

Jennifer motioned for the approval of the agenda.  Motion approved by all. 

3. Review and Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting

Jennifer motioned for the approval of the minutes of the meeting held June 10, 2019.  Motion approved by all.

4. Administrators’ report

Principal Sean Harrington reported as following on staffing for the 2019/2020 school hear, as well as upcoming events, which include the following;

• The new teachers have settled into their classrooms.  The student class placement process is a complex, and now complete.  There are 3 more EA positions to fill. 
• There was a very good turn out for the meet the staff event held on September 19, 2019.
• Completed Dixon’s first fire drill for the 2019/ 2010 school year.  Repeated drills will be held throughout the year, as well as earthquake and hold-and-secure drills.  
• The grade 6/7 camp is scheduled for September 24-26/, 2019 at camp Zajak.
• The Terry Fox run was a success.  
• September 30, 2019 is Orange Shirt Day.  Students are encouraged to wear orange.  There will be a display in the school library. * See note below
• First Pro-D day was held on September 19, 2019. 
• Dixon Pride is to encourage positive behaviours.  Theme will be “Honouring school, self, and the environment”.  Younger children will learn “Hurt vs. Help” with regards to positive behaviours and communication.  
• October 10, 2019 is Student Photo Day
• In January 2019, the PAC discussed an outdoor learning space and $5000.00 was allocated. Work is ongoing with regards to this project; a mud kitchen is planned, a shed will be built, and new garden beds/ trees will be planted. The estimated total cost is $4000.00.  
• New wood chips have been placed in playground, to help reduce injuries from falls. 
• Plan to hire a Hip Hop dance instructor to run a dance program/ event for the children in early December 2019.  
• October 24, 2019 - Parent Teacher conferences will be held. 
• Communication of student leaning between parents and teachers;
  • teachers are continuing to use E-portfolio for communicating progress to parents
  • Parents can log in to view and comment on their child’s progress. 
  • Students are evaluated along a proficiency scale, instead for traditional grades.
  • This year’s report card will look different than last year’s.  There will be 2 report cards sent home, one in January 2020 and one in June 2020.  There will also be 2 teacher conferences per year.  
  • All teachers will be using E-portfolios this year. 
  • There is an information night being planned for parents to help learn the E-portfolio system ad how to long-in and use the system. 
  • Dixon has applied for a $10,000.00 grant for additional resources for the E-portfolio system.  Mr. Harrington advised that all Dixon teachers are on-board with the use of the E-portfolio system and this is a system that the Richmond School District strongly supports.  Parents are always welcome to discuss learning concerns with their child’s teacher directly.   Teachers will continue to reach out to parents when there are significant learning concerns in advance of formal report cards and teacher-parent conferences.   One of the goals of the new system to engage students in self-evaluation of their learning. 
  • There is no band for students in grade 4/5 split classes.  Band teacher availability/ funding is only for students in grades 6 and 7 this year.  This grade 5 students in a 5/6 split will have band.  This is a change from the 2018/2019 school year when the band teacher availability/ funding allowed for students in grade 5 to also receive band education.  While this is a reduction from last year, one parent noted that we are very fortunate to have a music program, as other school board(s) have cut music programs entirely.  

5. Treasurer’s Report

Laura Gillanders provided a detailed report on PAC finances. The Operating account holds $$23,497.46 and the Gaming account hold $6,761.28.  All grant money from 2017 has been spent. $500.00 has been allocated to the Track and Field fund.  There is an increase from $200.00 to $1200.00 for the Feed-ucate food program.  Money has also been allocated for the Hip Hop dance program.  

Laura advised that she is no longer able to continue in her current role as PAC treasurer for the 2019/2010 school year and will be stepping down by Decembre.  A new volunteer for PAC Treasurer is required.  Laura advised that training and assistance are available.  The PAC thanked Laura for all her assistance.   

6. Fundraising Update

The goal of the fundraising committee is that parents are not asked to sell anything, noting that many parents already have to sell things in order to fundraise for sports/ arts programs.  Money is raised for the school through the Hot Lunch program (pizza, pop corn, and hot meals), Movie nights, and the Dixon Craft Fair. Funds raised help cover costs for field trips for all classes. 

The next Dixon Movie Night will be on October 18, 2019, and the movie will be Toy Story 4.  Admission will be by donation. 

November 13, 2019 will be the Dixon Craft Fair.  LOTS of help required!  There will be an information night with information on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 from 6 to 7pm, with information on how parents can help.  Help is needed with the many administrative jobs.  Donations are also required for the silent auction.  

Parent donations to the PAC are also accepted.  

7. Additional Items

Parent update:  PAC all agreed that as much as the road work was needed in the neighbourhood around Dixon, we are relieved that the project is nearing completion.  Speed bumps are to be installed.  A parent inquired as to whether there will be any speed bumps installed along Gormond Street- she will inquire with the City of Richmond.  

Dixon school gymnasium will be used for up-coming federal election. 

Teacher wish-list pending. 

Lyn Yang advised that she is looking into organizing a screening the movie “Screenagers”  at Dixon.  Funding has already been approved in the budget.  Additional information to come.  

Hot lunch parent inquiry.  Jennifer McMillan advised that a school parent had inquired about a hot lunch delivery service program, such as Nova Foods at Dixon (this is different that our current hot lunch program).  The pros  and cons were discussed.  Mr. Harrington noted that this would have to be a parent run initiative.  Challenged notes from other schools included volunteer parent organizing of program, wasteful packaging, late delivery, wrong/ missed orders, etc.  Jennifer advised that she would follow-up with the parent directly.    

SCHEDULE of PAC MEETINGS FOR 2019/ 2010 SCHOOL YEAR

October 21, 2019

November 18, 2019

Jan 20, 2019

February 24, 2019

April 20, 2019 - Annual General Meeting

May 25, 2019

June 15, 2019

Motion to Adjourn meeting:

MOVED, SECONDED and CARRIED that meeting be adjourned at 8:00pm. 

Next 2019/2020 PAC meeting scheduled for October 21, 2019.  

* Re: Orange Shirt Day.  In 1973, six-year-old Phyllis Webstad was excited about her first day at St. Joseph’s Residential School in Williams Lake, B.C. Her granny had bought her a new, bright orange shirt for the occasion, but when Phyllis proudly arrived at the church-run residential school, she was stripped of her clothes, and her hair was cut off short. Her new shirt was taken away and she never got it back.  Forty years later. Phyllis remembers that the colour orange has always reminded her of how her feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared, and how she felt she was worth nothing. September 30th is Orange Shirt Day. Please wear orange to show your support for the important message that Every Child Matters.