PAC Meeting Minutes of October 18, 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 

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 7:03pm 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. 

 

3. Review and Approval of Agenda

 

The Agenda was APPROVED by Teg, SECONDED by Michelle. 

 

4. Review and Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting

 

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

 

5.  Administrator’s Report

 

• Welcome to Ms. Nina, our 11th Education Assistant
• Classes settling into new routines.  Our new schedule has been a little challenging with the rain/ poor weather.
• Teacher-parent conferences are starting this week.  Competencies include social skills.
• Summative Assessments are completed in January and June, with parent-teacher conferences in October and February.
• Innovation Grants support teachers to be released from classrooms to learn and explore.  There are 3 groups working on different projects at Dixon.
• COVID 19 safety: Masks are required in all grades and windows are being kept open.
• October 28: Pumpkin Run - a notice will be going out to parents.
• Student Council are planning events for Halloween.
• Students are able to borrow books from the Dixon library and we have a wonderful collection and librarian.
• Staff are having ongoing conversations with students about digital citizenship and parents are encouraged to continue this conversation at home.
• Saleema Noon Educational Services will be providing body health sessions in January 2022.
• Thank you to the parents who organized and helped with the hot lunch!  The kids really enjoyed it!
• November 8: Garlic and lavender sale at Dixon to support garden program.
• The Terry Fox Run raised $1000.00 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
• The Turkey Trot raised $700.00 for the Food Bank.

 

A parent inquired as to the number of posts that parents should expect on the Students Portal.  Admin advised that there is no specified number of posts, rather, the goal is to focus on the quality of learning and to reflect on the learning.  Parents/ caregivers are encouraged to reach out to individual teachers with any questions/ concerns.

 

Admin/ Staff wish-list:

• Saleema Noon Educational Services workshops on body health - 2 days of in-class presentations and 1 parent Zoom information meeting, $1,575.00
• Sound system for Band Room - $1,000.00
• Outdoor learning space - Pergola over 4 picnic tables and shrubs/ plants/ fruit trees, mason bees, outdoor learning bins - budget TBD, need to price out
• $350.00 per classroom - 15 division + library, band, 4 resource teachers, 11 educational assistants.

 

6. Treasurer’s Report

 

   a. Gaming Grant update

 

$6,280.00 Gaming Grant received and deposited ($20.00 per student).

 

   b. Status of Accounts

 

Total Gaming Grant cash balance before budgeted expenses for the 2021-2022 school year is $12,675.00.  We discussed having already budgeted $3,549.00 and having $9,126.00 remaining to spend.

Previously voted upon spending:

• Outdoor learning space (budgeted in 2019) - $1,250.00
• Scholarships (2 x $300.00) - $600.00
• Grade 7 Grad (Yearbook) - $1,000.00
• BCCPAC Membership - $75.00
• Halloween - pumpkin fund (approved in September 2021) - $624.00
• Total budgeted grant expenses $3,549.00.

Notes:

• Since grant did not go through, propose to use funds for field trips instead
• Prior year allotment for dance program was $2,000.00, which did not occur.  There are no plans for the current year to use the funds.
• Scholarships, yearbooks, and PAC membership are regular expenses.
• Outdoor tents were a one-time expense for 2020, no allotment for current year.
• Camp for grade 6/7 fund amount to be decided.

Other items from previous years:

• Sports equipment and team jerseys ($2,000.00)

Total General Fund cash balance before budgeted expenses for the 2021-2022 school year is $25,810.00.  We discussed having already budgeted $12,690.00.  Total cash remaining to spend is $13,120.00.

Notes:

• Proposal to move Dragon Fly Garden to Gaming Grant budget
• Classroom allotments at 15 divisions x $350.00 each, prior year 18 divisions.

Other items from previous years:

• Track fund - $200.00
• Feeducate - $1,000.00
• Field trip fund - $250.00 per division
• Books and subscriptions - $200.00
• Dragon Book Club  - $500.00

 

7. Chair’s Report

 

  a. February Meeting date

Did not discuss

 

​​​​​​​   b.  PAC Budget 2021-2022 school year

Gaming Funds

Reviewed BC Gaming Grant spending guidelines.

Proposed Spending for BC Gaming Grant funds:

1. Saleema Noon presentation for $1,575.00.
2. Grade 6/7 camp Zajak.  Kirsten hopeful that camp can go ahead, but there will be no overnight activities until after winter break.  Cost is approximately $300.00 per child.  Camp will only be booked if deposit is refundable.
3. Dragon Fly Garden (prior year budget $200.00)
4. Track and Field Fund - $200.00
5. Field Trip Fund (per division):  It was agreed that we would review this item at our next meeting.  Previously, PAC had allocated $250.00 per division.

 

Spending decisions for BC Gaming Grant funds:

1. MOTION presented by Jen, to spend $1,575.00 towards Salem Noon presentations.  APPROVED by Billie, SECONDED by Michelle.
2. MOTION presented by Michelle to spend $600.00 towards Grade 6/7 camp (which occurs every 2-3 years).  APPROVED by Billie, SECONDED by Lisa.
3. MOTION presented by Jen to spend $200.00 towards the Dragon Fly Garden.  APPROVED by Billie, SECONDED by Teg.
4. MOTION to presented by Billie to spend $200.00 towards Track and Field.  APPROVED by Billie and SECONDED by Teg.

 

General Account Fund

Reviewed spending guidelines for General Account spending guidelines - there are none.

Proposed Spending for BC Gaming Grant funds:

1. $350.00 per classroom for classroom allotment fund, and there are 15 divisions for the 2021/ 2022 school year.

Spending decisions for General Account funds:

1. MOTION presented by Jen to approve $5,250.00 towards classroom allotment fund.  APPROVED by Michelle, SECONDED by Billie.

 

   c. Babysitting Course

This was previously arranged by the PAC and occurred in the gym on a Pro-D day.  Parent Michelle has investigated and will present information to PAC at our next meeting.

 

8. 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 fundraising initiatives are: Purdy’s chocolate and winter flowers.
• Reminder of ongoing fundraising initiatives for which Dixon has accounts:

               1. Flip-Give

               2. Oliver’s labels

               3. Herbal Glo

• Fundraising committee is open to ideas and welcomes any and all volunteers!
• Plan to schedule a separate fundraising-specific meeting.

 

9. Hot Food Report

Next hot lunch November 12, 2021

 

11. Adjournment 

Meeting ended at 7:59pm

 

***

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).