PAC Meeting Minutes - Annual General Meeting of September 28, 2020

Dixon Parents Advisory Committee

Location: Zoom meeting due to COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions on social gatherings

 

PAC Members Present:

Chair - Jennifer McMillan

Treasurer - Billie Caffrey 

Secretary - Michelle Gibault-Fahlman

Fundraising - Lyn Yang, Diana White, and L’nielle Cajigas

 

And Parent Guests

 

Dixon Administrators Present:

Principal Sean Harrington

Vice-Principal May Wong

 

1. Call to Order

 

Jennifer McMillan called the meeting group to order at 7:03pm and welcomed all present. 

 

2. Introductions

 

All present introduced themselves.  PAC explained its role: to liaise between parents and school, to help plan and organize school events, to fundraise money for special activities and supplies, to make decisions regarding the spending of funds for the benefit of the school community, and to foster a positive school community.  

 

3. Review and Approval of Agenda

 

The Agenda was APPROVED by LJ, SECONDED by Charissa, and CARRIED by all. 

 

4. Review and Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting

 

The Minutes of the last meeting held on June 15, 2020, were APPROVED by L’nielle, SECONDED by Billie, and CARRIED by all.  

 

5. PAC Report

 

1. Proposed PAC meeting dates for 2020-2021

 

· September 28, 2020

· October 19, 2020

· November 16, 2020

· January 18, 2021

· February 22, 2021

· April 19, 2021

· May 17, 2021

· June 21, 2021

 

No meetings in December 2020 or March 2021

 

b. BCCPAC Renewal (British Columbia Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils)

 

Dixon has renewed our membership with the BCCPAC. The BCCPAC provides resources and supports to PACs. 

 

c. Vice-Chair Vacancy

 

Mr. Teg Bains has kindly volunteered to fill the position of Vice-Chair.  

 

6.  Administrator’s Report

 

• New Dixon staff were introduced. 
• Just under 80% of Dixon students have returned to school.  There are 5 different cohorts with a maximum of 60 children per cohort.  Dixon is running in-school and transitional learning programs with current staff.  The goal is to have transitional learners connecting with their class/ teacher at least once per day.  
• Health and Safety have been a huge focus.  There is a focus on frequent hand washing, there are directional arrows in the hallways, and mealtime is supervised.  If there is a COVID 19 exposure at Dixon school, parents will be notified by Vancouver Coastal Health.  Reusable masks have been ordered for Dixon students. 
• September 30, 2020, Orange Shirt Day
• October 2, 2020, The Terry Fox Run will take place in cohort groups. 
• October 9, 2020 will be the Turkey Trot in cohorts to fundraise for the Food Bank. 
• October 29, 2020 will be a surprise Halloween Pumpkin run for the Dixon students.  Parent volunteers are needed to pick up pumpkins and help set for the outdoor event.  Please email Mr. Harrington directly if you are able to help. 
• The Quebec trip for grade 6 & 7 French Immersion students, which was to take place in February 2021, has been cancelled and refunds have been issued.  
• FSA (Functional Skill Assessment) examinations for grade 4 and 7 students have been postponed to January 2021.  
• Last year Dixon transitioned to e-portfolios to report on student learning, and it was very successful.  This year, 15 out of 16 divisions will be using e-portfolios to report on student progress and communicate with parents.  A parent information night will be arranged to learn about e-portfolios.  
• Meet the teacher sessions are ongoing. 
• Student Council will be happening this year and something will be planned for Halloween. 
• Outdoor Learning Space:  the shed has been built and gardening supplies have been purchased.  Awaiting fencing. 
• Dixon brainstorming ideas for an outdoor rain structure, to help keeps students dry and warm through the winter.  

 

7.  Treasurer’s Report

 

1. BC Gaming Grant Update

 

The BC Gaming Grant application has been submitted and is still under review, we should receive an update by October 31, 2020.  It is anticipated that the amount will still be $20.00 per student.  

 

There is $34,865.00 in the Operating Budget.  Of this amount, $13,500.00 has been committed.  There is $5,5034.00 remaining in the Gaming Fund, which has been committed to the Outdoor Learning Space.  

 

Financial donations have been received from parents.  PAC and all present at the meeting expressed their gratitude for the donations from:

    i. Laura Gillanders (our previous Dixon PAC Treasurer) donated $1,000 from her company in June 2020. 

    ii. Michelle Lam – has raised $725 by accumulating volunteer hours at RBC, where she works, and RBC has matched her volunteer hours with a donation to Dixon. 

 

b. Munch-a-lunch funds

 

There is $6,172.00 in funds in Munch-a-lunch that were not used for the purchase of food and it is not known when we will be able to resume a meal program at Dixon.  It was agreed that a letter would be sent to parents asking which they prefer: 1. to donate the money to the PAC in lieu of a refund, or 2. a refund.  Michelle to draft a letter to parents.

 

8. Fundraising

 

To date, only 3 parents have requested refunds from their Munch-a-lunch accounts.  We have already fundraised for the 2020/2021 school year.  If fundraising is down in 2020/2021, this will impact the 2021/2022 school year.  Recommendation is for conservative spending in 2020/2021.  Brainstorming ideas for fundraising in light of restrictions/ precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing.  Anyone with an idea is welcome to reach out to the PAC.  

 

9.  Additional Items

 

• The budget for the 2020/2021 school year will be reviewed at our next meeting on October 19, 2020.  
• Any parents able to help with picking up pumpkins on October 29 and setting up our outdoor halloween activity on October 30 please contact Mr. Harrington directly.  

 

10. Adjournment 

 

MOTIONED, SECONDED and CARRIED by All that the meeting be adjourned at 8:24pm. 

 

 

 

The Dixon PAC would like to express our appreciation to all Dixon staff for all their efforts in helping our students return to school safely.  We wish everyone in our Dixon Community a safe and happy Thanksgiving!