PAC Meeting Minutes of September 27, 2021

 

Dixon Parents Advisory Committee

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

 

PAC Members Present:

Chair: Jennifer McMillan

Co-Chair: Teg Bains

Treasurer: Billie Caffrey - absent, Treasurer’s report present by Chair Jennifer

Secretary: Michelle Gibault-Fahlman

Fundraising: Charissa Anderson

 

And Parent Guests

 

Dixon Administrators Present:

Principal Kirsten Wallace and Vice-Principal May Wong

 

1. Welcome

 

Jennifer McMillan called the meeting group to order at 7:04pm and welcomed all present. 

Territorial acknowledgement:  We would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) nation. 

 

2. Introductions

 

All present introduced themselves.  Special welcome to our new Principal Ms. Kirsten Wallace.  

 

3. Review and Approval of Agenda

 

The Agenda was APPROVED by Teg, SECONDED by Charrisa. 

 

4. Review and Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting

 

The Minutes of the last meeting, were APPROVED by Teg, SECONDED by Jenn.

 

5.  Chair’s Report

 

PAC meeting schedule for the 2021/2022 school year is listed below.  Noted that the February 14, 2021 date may change as it coincides with Valentine’s Day.  The PAC AGM is usually held in April.  PAC meetings start at 7 pm and are via Zoom due to the COVID 19 pandemic. 

 

• Monday, September 27, 2021
• Monday, October 18, 2021
• Monday November 15, 2021
• Monday, January 17, 2022
• Monday, February 14, 2021 (adjusted for Family Day, may be rescheduled due to Valentine’s Day) 
• Monday April 11, 2022 (adjusted for Easter)
• Monday, May 16, 2022
• Monday, June 20, 2022

There are no meetings in December (winter break) and March (spring break).

PAC Executive 

President - Jenn McMillan 

Vice-President - Teg Bains 

Secretary - Michelle Gibault-Fahlman

Treasurer - Billie Caffrey 

 

Committee Representation 

Fundraising - Charissa Anderson 

Hot Food Days - Lisa Kanavaros & Wendy Hsieh 

Nominating Committee - vacant 

DPAC Representation - vacant 

 

6. Treasurer’s Report - presented by Chair Jenn

 

• Our next Gaming Grant to be received in October 2021 and PAC will have 3 years to use the funds. 
• Fundraising events were cancelled last year due to COVID 19, including our Craft Fair and movie nights. 
• PAC is looking forward to receiving the teacher/ admin wish list, and making decisions to fund supplies and events which enrich the learning, athletic, and social opportunities for Dixon students. 
• Our total cash as of August 31, 2021 is $32,806.00, of which $11,977.00 is budgeted, with a remaining $20,828.00 un-budgeted.  

 

7. Fundraising Report

 

• We are unable to plan in-person events at this time due to ongoing COVID 19 pandemic related restrictions and safety concerns. 
• Seasonal ideas include: chocolate, DFS, Mom’s Pantry, winter flowers. 
• Reminder of ongoing fundraising initiatives for which Dixon has accounts: 

                       Flip-Give

                       Oliver’s labels

                       Herbal Glo

• Fundraising committee is open to ideas and welcomes any and all volunteers!

 

8. Hot Food Report

 

• Goal is 1 hot lunch per month. 
• There is no plan for Popcorn days, as the store where we purchased the popcorn has closed. 
• Team looking into the possibility of frozen yogurt. 
• Food must be individually packaged due to COVID 19 safety protocols.
• Team open to any food suggestions!
• Parents/ helpers are allowed into the school to help on food days, with a reminder that they must sign in and out at the office and wear a mask.  

 

9.  Administrator’s Report

 

• There are 317 students in total at Dixon, including 32 new Kindergarten students.  
• We welcome new staff to Dixon this year, including; Mme Mennie, EFI 4/5, Mme Terejo, EFI 2/3, and Mme Lee, EFI K, Ms. Harrop, Educational Assistant, Ms. Tara, Educational Assistant, Mr. John Sorenson, daytime custodian, and Ms. Dray, Intermediate Band Teacher. 
• September 29, 2021 Orange Shirt Day.  Students to bring rock to school to paint and write a special message, and then place around the school. 
• October 1, 2021, Terry Fox Run
• Grade 4 and 7 Foundation Skills Assessments (FSA) to be scheduled
• October 8, 2021 Turkey Trot
• October 22, 2021 Early dismissal for parent/ teacher conferences. 
• October 28, 2021 Pumpkin Run.  Pumpkins have been ordered for every student, for a total of 317 pumpkins at a cost of $2.00 per pumpkin, with a total cost of $634.00.
• Gary Point Cross Country Run will be open to families.  Participants are encouraged to maintain social distancing. 
• Volleyball has started for Grades 6/7 at lunch on Mondays and Wednesdays.  There is a possibility of playing games against other school that are within walking distance from Dixon, as carpooling is not an option at this time given the COVID 19 pandemic.  
• Student Council is starting up. 
• Digital Citizenship:  parents/ caregivers are encouraged to have discussions with children early about online safety, privacy, and consent. 
• Parents/ caregivers are encouraged to reach with students and/ or schedule time for independent reading.  
• Parents/ caregivers are encouraged to regularly long on to the student’s e-portfolios. 
• Administrator will send “The Week Ahead” emails so that families/ caregivers are aware of events and important reminders. 
• Thank you to PAC for their support with funding and organizing activities.  

 

Michelle presented a MOTION to approve the spending of $624.00 towards pumpkins for all Dixon students as part of the October 28, 2021 Pumpkin Run.  The motion was APPROVED by Jenn and SECONDED by Patrick. 

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY

 

• Parents/ caregivers are reminded to keep children at home if they are sick. 
• Safety protocols in place at school:  frequent hand washing, sanitizer available, and social distancing, “Wings, Wait, Wash” slogan.  Masks for grades 4-7 and staff are required, masks for K-3 are highly recommended.  Spare masks are available in classes.  
• Staff are mindful of the mental of health of students in light of the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic and safety protocols. 
• There will be no whole school assemblies. 
• New schedule includes supervised eating time, which is going well. 
• All direction re: COVID 19 communication is from from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health.  

 

COVID 19 COMMUNICATION

 

Vancouver Coast Health decides if and when to send exposure letters.  Letter will not go to whole school, rather, letters will only go to specific divisions. 

 

10. Questions & Discussion

 

AIR QUALITY

 

• Parent Patrick expressed concern regarding the air quality at Dixon.  Administrators confirmed that the ventilation system meets the minimum requirement set by the Government.  Patrick advised that through his investigations, he has confirmed that there is no plan to upgrade the air quality system at Dixon this year.   The school building is very old, with an old electrical system, and the school was built in 2 sections, which complicates any upgrading.  It is not possible to add a HEPA air filter to the current system.  
• Administrators confirmed that staff have been asked to keep windows open, and the Richmond School Board has confirmed that it will keep the heat elevated in the winter to compensate for the open windows. 

 

CROSS CLASS/ LARGE GROUP EVENTS

 

• The current guidelines allow for gathering in the gymnasium at 50% capacity, however, Dixon Administrators and Staff  have made the decision to further restrict the number of people in the gym.  
• Guidelines are set by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and the Richmond School Board. 
• Administrators and Staff are open to feedback, questions, and concerns from parents/ caregivers.  

 

FIRST AID/ BABY SITTING COURSE

 

This was previously arranged by the PAC and occurred in the gym on a Pro-D day.  Parent Michelle will follow-up and investigate how this might be offered.  

 

11. Adjournment 

 

Meeting ended at 8:20pm

 

 

***

 

Schedule of PAC meetings for the 2021/2022 school year:

 

• Monday, September 27, 2021
• Monday, October 18, 2021
• Monday November 15, 2021
• Monday, January 17, 2022
• Monday, February 14, 2021 (adjusted for Family Day, may be rescheduled due to Valentine’s Day)
• Monday April 11, 2022 (adjusted for Easter)
• Monday, May 16, 2022
• Monday, June 20, 2022

There are no meetings in December (winter break) and March (spring break).