PAC Minutes Nov 21st 2011

Attendance: Ruth Neufeld., Amy Herfst, Jayne Dekany, Lorraine Brown, Natalie Sache, Terri Krug, Anne Russell, Tia LeTexier, Verna Hoogeveen, Nicole Johnston and Tara Field.

Apologies: Shannon Kostering

WELCOME EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED

Approval of minutes from Oct 17^th meeting: Moved by Tia, seconded by Anne. Approved.

Approval of agenda: Moved by Jayne, seconded by Terri. Approved.

TREASURERS REPORT: By Natalie Sache

Profit made at the recent spaghetti dinner:

• Meat Raffle made $1,958.00 profit ($1991 in 2010)
• Spaghetti meal made $350.31 profit ($383 in 2010), however we did over purchase by $50.00 with new excellent deserts this year. Two trays have been put away in the freezer for another event.
• Silent Auction made $285.00 ($1055 in 2010 however a lot more prizes were donated)
• Spin the Wheel made $311.39 ($451 in 2010 along with the raffle baskets)
• Raffle Baskets made $238.95
• 50/50 made $110.00 profit ($65 in 2010) thanks to a generous donation of $100 .
• Plus a few extra donations of $16.25.

TOTAL PROFIT MADE FROM THE SPAGHETTI DINNER $3,259.90!!

Everyone agreed it was a very successful evening. Well done and thanks to Amy for co-ordinating the whole event.

HOT LUNCH REPORT: By Amy Herfst

Grilled cheese dinner made $366.81 profit.

Maggie Klassen helping with the next hot dog dinner. Some parents concerns over cross contamination of gluten free products. We need to be clearly marking items which are gluten free and handling them separately. Helpers need to be informed of consequences of cross contamination

PRINCIPALS REPORT: By Ruth Neufeld

• Ruth agreed that it was a great spaghetti evening and thanked all for their help.
• School goal remains the same.
• Just to confirm that last Monday was in fact a teacher Lieu Day not a Pro D Day.
• Term 1 finishes at the end of November, report cards to be sent home at the end of December, if you have any concerns make an appointment to see your child's teacher.
• Grade 6 class still rolling coins from the coin drive, approximately $700 raised.
• Remembrance Day went well. Well done Jordan Huttema for singing even with a cold plus K- 4/5 split classes for their efforts too. Think we may offer a creche service as there were some “noisy” disrespectful siblings attending.
• May review the speakers next year, 2^nd speaker was great.
• No noon hour games for the Kindergarten students, just too many students.
• Sports – volleyball postponed for boys till January, girls doing well with Tia and Bronny as coaches.
• Christmas concert Dec14th – 12.00 and Dec 15 – 9.00am. No evening concerts due to strike action.
• Chilliwack Cheifs visiting on Wednesday to the class which has read the most.
• Newsletters available online. Apologies to parents who had received an email of the newsletter without the bcc removed.
• USE THE WEBSITE IT HAS LOTS OF NEW INFORMATION. ITS BEING UPDATED ALL THE TIME. May start to link all forms online too, i.e. hot lunch, field trips etc. Get used to logging on regularly.
• 60minkidsclub is still going, coach Matt came in for some encouragement and will be back again.

OLD BUSINESS:

• More sales were generated by just sending each child home with a ticket for the meat raffle. Will drop the request to send tickets home next time. This worked really well.
• Silent auction needs more structure, starting bids, standard increments. Natalie will find the information next time.
• Should we welcome all new families? This was something that ECE did a long time ago. Should we send out a Christmas card to new families welcoming them and hoping all is going well?

NEW BUSINESS:

• Poinsettia fund raiser sent home this week. Watch out for it.
• Grade 6 Christmas Store taking place on the 6^th/7^th December. Nicole and Jayne to help sort after school on the 5^th and prepare tables for the store. Helpers needed for the daytime of the 6/7th, can anyone help? Nicole to mention to Ms Eburn to begin to plan it, Jayne to talk to Maddy to make up a small newsletter asking for donations. Needs to be out next week.
• Book Sale on Weds/Thurs – Usborne Books not Scholastic. Scholastic is for teachers only to run and therefore with the strike action in place a private book seller has been arranged. It will be set up in the PAC room.
• Christmas lunch booked for December 9^th, helpers needed for serving. PAC paying for half.

PAC SPENDING 2011:

The PAC has almost $10,000.00 in its account. Ruth had some ideas as well as some parents.

Ruth's suggestions:

• New projector in the sports hall for family and community events.
• New benches down by the running track, in between the trees for spectators of soccer matches, sports day etc. and for the kids to use at break times.
• New benches in the garden area. This is currently being revamped. Grass removal and mulching, removal of the sprouting oak tree and replacement with 3 new smaller trees, bamboo in pots along the gym wall.
• Begin to buy smart boards for each classroom, 4 x intermediate classes to start with. ($3000each)
• Projector in the library for all school use.

Parents suggestions:

• New volleyball nets
• New hockey equipment

Natalie motioned to buy the projector for the gym for use on movie nights/community events. $2,000.00. Terri seconded, no one opposed. Motion carried. Ruth made up work order.

More allocations to be motioned on at the next PAC Meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS:

• Pancake breakfast for the skipping club – February 16^th 2012.
• Suggestion of a Skate at Twin Rink/Ski Day at Hemlock for Primary/Intermediates. Terri to investigate ski prices. Ruth to investigate whether its OK with the teachers.
• Tara has 20/30 day packs she would like to donate and asked if the PAC would like to “fill” them. A Back to School donation of paper, pens and supplies was suggested for September. Ruth to look into the Hope International charity to see what else we could do. Transition House was also suggested. Get the children to think about others who have little.
• Ruth organising an “Anxious Children” session for parents on an evening/weekend with Trish Williams. More and more children are showing a lack of confidence and risk taking skills. May invite other local schools to participate and make the session worth while.
• After Christmas to collect Canadian Tire money. Have a contest per class to get the most. Could buy some new hockey equipment.
• Free medical alert bracelets, Ruth to see if ECE are on the list to receive them.

WELL DONE TO TARA FOR WINNING THE FREE HOT LUNCH

NEXT MEETING SET FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 9^th AT 8.15AM. MORNING MEETING JUST BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS LUNCH.

PAC Minutes Oct 17th 2011

PAC MEETING MONDAY 17th OCTOBER 2011

Attendance: Bonnie Kind, Amy Herfst, Jayne Dekany, Natalie Sache, Terri Krug, Ruth Neufeld, Michelle Schaefer, Maggie Klassen, Tara Field, Karen Steinbach, Anne Russell, Tia LeTexier, Jen Hansen, Melanie Derksen, Nicole Brown.

Apologies: Shannon Kostering, Lorraine Brown

WELCOME TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED

Approval of minutes from Sept 20^th meeting: Moved by Natalie, seconded by Jayne. Approved.

Approval of agenda: Moved by Natalie, seconded by Jen. Approved.

TREASURERS REPORT: By Natalie Sache

$4,700 gaming monies deposited. Bank error paid it into the wrong account but amended.

Spending - $60.00 on oranges for the Terry Fox Run.

Hot Lunch monies deposited $501.00 expense to come out yet.

Emergency kit supplies and kitchen supplies purchased too.

Playground equipment – update – deposit paid, sufficient balance in account.

HOT LUNCH REPORT: By Amy Herfst

Pizza hot lunch made $207.78. Thanks to all the handing out helpers, it ran smoothly.

PRINCIPALS REPORT: By Ruth Neufeld

• School Goal remains unchanged – To develop powerful thinkers, listeners, speakers, readers and writers.
• School Pro D Day October 7^th – Daily 5, organization tools, student engagement discussed,
• Continuing smart learning
• K1 oral initiatives – talking tables continuing
• Healthy Buddies/Class Buddies still running
• 60minkidwsclub being promoted
• District initiatives
• Mid term reports will be sent out.
• Parking lot safety issues were discussed at length. 150 kids do not catch a bus. Ruth has addressed the issue with the school board and safer city assessment office. Perhaps extra buses for the Hack Brown area can be organized. A parent petition for Free Busing was discussed too. Also a common collection point discussed to avoid the excess of cars at 8am and 2pm!!
• Christmas Store going ahead, in need of up-to 4 parent helpers please to help with wrapping and monies. Probably be the 6^th and 7^th December. Help also needed to sort through the donations. Grade 6 have discussed donating profit to Ethiopia and a local kids based project e.g. Toys 4 Xmas, Salvation Army or Ann Davis charity. Contact Ruth if you can help.
• Noon hour house games have started. K-2 on Wednesdays, 3-6 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Soccer tournaments next Tues/Weds, Cross country on Weds 19^th at Twin Rinks.
• Skipping Team acknowledged in assembly this week.

NEW BUSINESS

• Gaming money $20.00 per child has been deposited in the bank. It can only go towards non curriculum items which comprise of very few items. These include but are not limited to field trips, school team jerseys, and playground equipment. It cannot be spent on any technology, books or educational items. Natalie motioned to spend $10 per child towards field trips, Maggie seconded, motion carried. There were 2 PAC members opposed.
• Raffle tickets have been issued, to be drawn on the spaghetti evening.
• PAC asked Ruth for areas where monies could be spent. Kindergarten has its own funding and no extra is required here. ECE has ordered 2 new projectors and have asked for help with mounting the projectors (cost are $800 per mounting). To be voted on at the next meeting. Zumba dancer approached for a day at the school, $2.00 per kid for a lesson. Sounded like a fun way to keep fit.
• Destination Imagination – Parent volunteers to continue to help out on one Monday per month – Jen Hansen, Natalie Sache, Nicole Brown and Nicole Johnston offered help.
• Earthquake kits due in hopefully by the end of October. Is there a standard procedure for safety? Natalie brought new information about safety triangles and not hiding under the desk. Ruth will check out the new safety issued from the City.
• Movie night on Thursday – Poppers needed – Nicole B, Tara, Nicole J, Terri, Lorraine, Shannon and Amy to help. Amy to bring Rio and another backup movie. Trying to source pizza but some confusion with getting the information out. Not sure if its too late.
• Spaghetti evening – Helpers:-
  Cooking – Shannon, Karen, ? Need more helpers
  Silent Auction – Lorraine and Amy
  Raffle Baskets – Tia
  Games – Amy to investigate Rosedale Middle Leadership kids to help organize
  Food Servers – Terri, Natalie, Jayne, ? ,?, ? need more helpers
  Door – Anne, ? ,? need more helpers
  Face painters -?, ?, ?, ? Does anyone know any????
  Prizes for the games needed to be purchased - ???

WELL DONE TO MELANIE FOR WINNING THE FREE HOT LUNCH

NEXT PAC MEETING SET FOR MONDAY NOVEMBER 21ST AT 7PM IN THE PARENT ROOM.

PAC Minutes Sept 19th 2011

PAC MEETING MONDAY 19th 2011

Attendance: Amy Herfst, Jayne Dekany, Natalie Sache, Terri Krug, Ruth Neufeld, Nicole Johnston, Michelle Schaefer, Tara Field, Jaimie VandenBrink, Andrea VandenBrink, Lisa Rose, Kerry Koster, Karen Steinbach, Anne Russell, Julie Egus, Tia LeTexier, Trudy Maarhuis, Verna Hoogeveen, Jen Hansen, Broni Wiebe, Stacy Bryant, Melanie Derksen, Nicole Brown.

Apologies: Shannon Kostering, Lorraine Brown

HUGE WELCOME TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED

All records were broken with 23 parents in attendance, what a fabulous start to the year.

Approval of minutes from June 20^th meeting: Moved by Natalie, seconded by Tia. Approved.

Approval of agenda: Moved by Anne, seconded by Jayne. Approved.

TREASURERS REPORT: By Natalie Sache

New Excel spreadsheet used, opening Balance for Sept 2011 is $13,407.28.

Gaming a/c: $136.72, Chequing a/c: $8,268.74, Savings a/c: $5,001.82

Email received indicating deposit of $4,700.00 gaming grant monies accepted. (To be received and deposited).

HOT LUNCH REPORT: By Shannon Kostering

3 Hot lunches per month Shannon to offer a fresh Homemade meal

Ange DeBruyn to offer pizza

Maggie Klassen to offer Hot Dogs

ABSOLUTELY NO LATE ORDERS

• Help needed with counting once per month on a Tuesday
• Help needed to hand out food from 11.30 onwards on Fridays
• Motion put forward to purchase some general kitchen equipment £200.00: Moved by Nicole, seconded by Verna. Motion approved.
• Food Safety Officers required, Natalie and Lisa to supply copies of their certificates. The certificate can be taken online if we need any more copies.

PRINCIPALS REPORT: By Ruth Neufeld

• Ruth thanked the new committee for taking on their new roles.
• 258 students this year, 100 + new students over the past 4 years.
• New playground equipment is on its way, due any time.
• New computer equipment on its way too.
• 4 new staff introduced.
• Mrs Pauls is planning a Xmas Concert this year.
• BC Ministry of Education new website for 21^st Century learning was introduced to those who were unaware if it. Worth logging on and checking it out.
• Ruth explained in more detail the effects of Phase 1 of the job action strike by the teachers and is helping all she can to enable smooth running of the school as she is not part of the strike action.
• School Planning Council (SPC) needs 3 new parents to help Ruth in developing new goals. Thanks to Kerry Koster, Jaimie VandenBrink and Lisa Rose for offering to stand up to help Ruth.
• New 60minkidsclub website too. ECE will be getting involved in this along with a healthy eating program and community program. Parents encouraged to get involved on a family level too.
• Terry Fox Run on Friday 23^rd Sept – Intermediates to run 6K, Primaries to run 3K.Help needed for marshaling of the path, all parents available would be much appreciated. Amy to check out renting a 10 gallon container for water from MacDonalds.
• Fruit an vegetable program still running this year. Help needed to distribute once a week. Amy, Lisa and Broni offered to help.
• House Teams will begin in October during lunchtimes.
• Soccer has started, Rick is coaching the boys team (Monday after school), games Tuesdays.
• Verna/Rebecca is coaching the girls team (Wednesday after school), games Thursdays.
• Ruth asked for financial assistance with 4 sessions from Mr Baker during this next year. Motion put forward by Nicole to pay half of the balance approx $800.00, seconded by Anne. Motion approved.
• Golfing program and Zoomba to be discussed at the next meeting.
• Math Mania is coming to ECE on Feb 1^st, 6.30-8.00pm. A fun math based evening for the whole family.

BIG THANK YOU FROM THE PARENTS TO RUTH FOR HER HELP WITH ADMINISTRATION AND SMOOTH RUNNING OF THE SCHOOL DURING PHASE ONE OF THE TEACHERS STRIKE ACTION.

NEW BUSINESS

• Allocation of the gaming account monies will be voted on at the next PAC meeting. Should we still give $10 per child towards field trips? What shall we propose doing with the balance of $10 per child?
• Earthquake kits – Verna to work together with Lisa Rose in handing over the program.
• Movie Night booked for October 20^th, 5.30pm start. Need a couple of parents to “pop” popcorn all day/part of the day, Nicole will help. Help needed on the evening from 5pm at the front entrance to hand out pizza etc. Tia offered to help. Anne to investigate an appropriate movie, Rio suggested.
• Spaghetti Night booked for November 18^th, needing help from 4pm to set up tables. Games, raffle baskets and silent auction to be planned for this event too!
• Destination Imagination explained by an emotional Nicole in more detail to the new comers. We need more input at the primary levels. Perhaps start a lunchtime program again.
• Skipping encouraged by Tara. Anyone can skip Monday lunchtimes, K-6. Friday club still running after school.
• Photo day on October 3^rd at ECE.
• Anne questioned whether the school needs to be peanut free still. Ruth confirmed will still have some students with allergies so NO PEANUTS.
• Anne questioned that student supply lists need to be made available earlier as stock has sold out. New lists were issued by individual teachers. Ruth agreed to look into this.

WELL DONE TO TIA FOR WINNING THE FIRST FREE HOT LUNCH OF THE YEAR.

NEXT PAC MEETING SET FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 17TH AT 7PM IN THE PARENT ROOM.

East Chilliwack Elementary Parent Advisory Council Mon, Nov 15, 2010

East Chilliwack Elementary 
Parent Advisory Council
Mon, Nov 15, 2010

Present: Tia Letexier, Nicole Johnston, Bonnie Kind, Anne Russell, Danielle Dahlby, Heidi Wiebe, Terri Krug, Cheryl Hagen, Natalie Sache, Broni Wiebe, Sarah Burke, Ruth Neufeld.


APPROVAL of AGENDA

Moved by Bonnie; seconded by Broni
Approved

APPROVAL of MINUTES from Oct

Moved by Tia; seconded by Natalie
Approved


AGENDA

Treasurer’s report
(Natalie Sache)

As of Oct 31 we had $9,786 in our chequing account and $4,400 in our gaming account.

We are planning to transfer $5,000 from our chequing account to our playground savings fund.

Fundraising report
(Nicole for Lorraine Brown)

Meat raffle, Christmas fundraisers
Doing poinsettias again through Little Mountain Greenhouses. Will make extra effort to get notices out early about them.


Fundraising goal – more playground for more children
Our main fundraising goal for the immediate future is to add to our playground facilities. Our primary-age population continues to grow every year. Next year there will be two classes of full-day kindergarteners out on the playground at the same time as everyone else. There are more ‘little kids’ at ECE than ever before.
We are striking a playground planning subcommittee to plan how best to spend the funds we raise.
We’d love your input. To join, contact Bonnie Kind at bkind1@telus.net or 794-5512

Fundraising activities – pickup Dec 10
• Meat raffle sales (bring tickets in by Dec 10)
• Poinsettia sales
• Christmas tree sales
• Epicure sales (thanks to Tyra Elgersma)
We’ve sent home flyers outlining these sales. Orders are due Fri, Nov 26.
To receive another flyer contact Lorraine Brown at lorrbrown@gmail.com or 604-799-1484.
The key to success for these fundraisers is for everyone involved in the school to make the effort to help out. Think of the fun your child will have on the new playground equipment and order a few items and encourage your friends and family to do the same!


Hot lunch
(Sarah Burke)

We made a $154 profit on first pizza lunch, and a $293 profit on the hot home-made lunch. We are looking into having a Booster Juice wrap and smoothie lunch day.


DPAC report
Tia LeTexier attended the District Parent Advisory Council on behalf of ECE.
Superintendent Corinne McCabe informed the group about several issues, including: a minor budget surplus, extra kindergarten class added at ECE, and the fact that there has not been a major drop off in bussing despite the fact that parents are now charged $200 per year per child for it.

Principal’s report
(Ruth Neufeld)

Remembrance Day
Our Remembrance Day ceremony was made extra special this year through the presence of several veterans and an active armed forces member. They were invited by some of our intermediate students, who met them on the field trip to the military museum. Some of the veterans stayed afterward and visited the classrooms.

Budget
Because of a school district surplus, ECE received back funding that was held back two years ago. This amounted to $3,200.


Parking
The crowded and somewhat chaotic parking lot at ECE is still an issue before and after school. We are addressing the afternoon problem by letting children who are bussed out at 2 pm and holding the children who are driven until 2:05 pm.

Parents who drive their children are urged to drop them off just before the buses at 7:50 am, rather than during the time when busses are coming in and out. Also, do not stop in the drop-off lane and get out of your car. If you want to walk your child to the playground then park in the spots to the west of the school.

School Goal

To develop more powerful thinkers, listeners, speakers, readers, and writers.
• Staff are meeting after school this year for a total of 10 hours to participate in school based professional development. There are 4 groups:
Group 1 — focus is on the Lucy Caulkins writing process
Group 2 — focus on Social Responsibility — manners, inclusion, anti-bullying
Group 3 — all intermediate teachers are focusing on developing rubrics that can be used to assess students and drive their teaching
Group 4 — EA’s are focusing on strategies that will support student’s with special needs to meet their potential.
Groups 1–4 will meet together next week to learn more about the Literacy Place program that we are all using to support our goal.

• All groups will report back to the staff at monthly staff meeting

Early Dismissal was well attended. Alternate arrangements were made for parents and students who were not able to attend at that time.

Noon-hour games will be starting next week. We have difficulty organizing supervision for this activity.

Sports: Volleyball has started with Rebecca Solheim coaching the boy’s team and Deb Chand coaching the girl’s team

Code of Conduct — any responses?

Christmas Activities — there has been some difficulty with establishing dates and times. The performance will be on Dec.16 at 9 am and 6 pm. Turkey lunch will be on Dec.10.

Energy Challenge begins in January.

Kindergarten registrations — if you know of someone who is planning to attend K at ECE next year and has not yet registered please encourage them to do so.

Old Business

“Fun”raising activity — school turkey lunch Dec 10
The PAC is about more than just raising money. We also sponsor events that raise school spirit. For the second year in a row, we’re co-sponsoring (with East Chilliwack administration) a turkey lunch for the whole school. Come out on December 10 and volunteer for the morning, then join us for lunch (prepared by Chilliwack Senior Secondary cooking students). It will be a festive day as we have poinsettia and Christmas tree and Epicure order pickup, the school lunch, and general frivolity. No need to call ahead. Just show up to help mid-morning.

Christmas store Dec 14 and 15 — send goods by Dec 10
Once again the grade sixes are hosting a Christmas store. The funds raised by this activity go to a community development project in Africa. It’s a great way to encourage our young students to learn to help others. Please support the store by bringing gently used items to the school by Dec 10. The store will run Dec 14 and 15 and ECE students will get to shop for mom and dad from the donated items. You never know what your child will choose from the store for you this Christmas (all items $1 so send a loonie or two along that day).
To help with the store call Sarah Burke @ 604-794-5520.

Christmas concert – Dec 16
The school Christmas concert will be on Thurs, Dec 16. Details to come.

New business

Lice check
Volunteers are needed to help with headlice checks

Playground planning
Terri Krug and Bonnie Kind volunteered to be involved in planning for our new playground. Other volunteers welcome.

Next meeting
Fri, Dec 10, at 8 am in the PAC room.

ECE PAC meeting -- Mon, Oct 18, 2010

East Chilliwack Elementary
Parent Advisory Council
Mon, Oct 18, 2010

Present: Tia Letexier, Nicole Johnston, Bonnie Kind, Anne Russell, Jen Hansen, Tra Field, Danielle Dahlby, Jayne Dekany, Heidi Wiebe, Terri Krug, Alyson King, Robret Lecompte, Tyla Elgersma, Erik Van Laar, Lorraine Brown, Verna Hoogeveen, Ruth Neufeld.

APPROVAL of AGENDA

Moved by Jen; seconded by Heidi
Approved

APPROVAL of MINUTES from Sept

Moved by Tia; seconded by Bonnie
Approved


AGENDA

Treasurer’s report
(Bonnie Kind for Natalie Sache)

Bonnie Kind provided the treasurer’s report, as signing authority had not been transferred to Natalie yet.

She was happy to report that we received a gaming grant from the provincial government in the amount of more than $4,000 in reflection of the more than 200 children now enrolled at the school (we get $20 per child).

We also have roughly $8,100 in our chequing account.

Expenses for September included treats for the Teapot Hike, meat for the barbecue, hot lunch supplies, new cheques, last year’s mementoes for the grade sixes.

Revenue for September/October will include hot lunch profits, movie night income. We also made a small profit on the meet and greet barbecue evening.

We will be transferring money to a savings account to accumulate for a big playground expansion, probably in 2011/12.

Fundraising report
(Lorraine Brown)

Meat raffle
Our meat raffle (complete with freezer!) is proceeding. We are getting the freezer at cost from the Brick. Johnston’s Meats are splitting the cost of the meat with us. Second prize is donated by the Chocolate Shoppe, with third prize from Verard Farms ($20 gift certificate).

The Hawk radio station will once again be supporting us with on-air publicity.

The draw will be held Dec 10.

Students will be issued booklets to sell: as many as they want to order. It’s okay to bring back unsold tickets.

Christmas fundraiser
Doing poinsettias again through Little Mountain Greenhouses. Will make extra effort to get notices out early about them.

May do a Christmas tree deal with Pine Meadows.

May do an Epicure package thanks to Tyra Elgersma, who is an Epicure rep.

Hot lunch
(Nicole for Sarah Burke)

We made a $154 profit on first pizza lunch. There is some concern about hygiene of having boxed large pizzas sliced instead of individual boxes, but less waste, and better pizza quality (more topping, less dough).

Principal’s report
(Ruth Neufeld)

The school continues to expand at the primary level. We have received funding for another kindergarten teacher (Mrs. Trieneke Patterson), so there are now three classes of 13/14/15, instead of two larger classes.

Parents are asked to read the code of conduct carefully and provide any feedback directly to Mrs. Neufeld.

Early dismissal coming Oct 21 for parent-teacher conferences.

Fruit and Vegetable program— Mrs. Neufeld appealed for someone with FoodSafe certification and got several volunteers. We will continue to have fruits and veggies distributed in our school thanks to this initiative.

Noon hour games will start in October. Soccer and cross-country teams have been competing for our school. School running program also continues on days when a class does not have regular PE.

Teaching wise, the teaching staff continues to implement Smart Learning strategies and using Literacy Place resources, as well as looking at the province’s 21stCentury Learning initiative, which fits in well with what ECE has been doing with Smart Learning strategies. Also concentrating on oral language development initiatives like talking tables at the K/Gr. 1 level.

Definition of In 21st Century Learning from the provincial ministry of education website:

In 21st Century Learning, students use educational technologies to apply knowledge to new situations, analyze information, collaborate, solve problems, and make decisions. Utilizing emerging technologies to provide expanded learning opportunities is critical to the success of future generations. Improved options and choice for students will help improve student completion and achievement.

In its 10th Report in 2007, the Premier’s Technology Council (PTC) identified technology and e-learning as central to addressing future skill shortages in the work force, particularly in rural areas of the province. The PTC described “blended learning” – technology-enhanced learning that is both online and in the classroom– as an effective approach to enhance education. The PTC recommendations are consistent with international initiatives that promote 21st Century Learning and the use of technologies to support student choice and flexibility.

The School District is going green officially, in an attempt to use power more responsibly. There will be a contest and prizes for schools that reduce energy use.

(For more info see
http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/technology/Energy+challenge/3693729/story.htm )


East Chilliwack will acknowledge the “costume” season by having a Country and Western-themed day on Fri, Oct 29.


Old Business

Movie Night
Was another great success, although attention spans waned a bit among the youngest students, of which there are now a great many at our school. Marmaduke was shown, as How to Train Your Dragon was not yet available.

Destination Imagination
A video on this dynamic and fun creativity competition was shown at Movie Night to let the younger families know about the excitement of DI. ECE has sent teams to the regional and provincials (and to the globals three times) for the past six years. This is a parent-run initiative at ECE, and volunteer parents are needed to keep the tradition going. Kids love DI, and it doesn’t take much to be a parent volunteer. The kids do the creating. You keep them safe and on-task. Contact Nicole at 604-794-5646 for more info, or email Nicole.happyhomesbc@gmail.com

Emergency kits
It is vital that these kits be brought into the school by your child by Oct 29.


New business
Christmas lunch
We decided to host a Christmas lunch once again, co-sponsored with the school (PAC pays half; school pays half) on Fri, Dec 10. Students from Chilliwack Senior cooking class will cook (pending availability). We will also hold our meat draw that day, delivery of poinsettias, and other Christmas-themed activities.

Fri Dec. 17 is the last day of school before Christmas, and there will be a concert on Thurs, Dec 16.

Christmas store
The grade sixes will be running a Christmas store again, so start collecting items to donate. Students of all grades are invited to visit the store to purchase items for their parents or siblings for Christmas at a cost of $1.
Proceeds go to the grade six charity initiative, which has had a water for Africa theme for the past few years.

New hot lunch idea
Eric Van Laar suggested Jugo Juice as a healthy hot lunch option. The group agreed to look into it.

This month’s winner
Of free hot lunch for one child for one month was Terri Krug. Attend next month’s meeting and you will be entered too.

Next meeting
Mon, Nov 15, at 7 pm in the PAC room. Free babysitting in the gym.

ECE PAC -- Minutes from Sept 20/2010

East Chilliwack Elementary
Parent Advisory Council
Mon, Sept 20, 2010

Present: Nicole Johnston, Tyla Elgersma, Jen Hansen, Amy Herfst, Terri Krug, Sarah Burke, Natalie Sache, Jayne Dekany, Donna Stiles, Erik Van Laar, Caroline Laanstra, Alyson King, Bonnie Kind, Anne Russell, Tia Le Texier.

APPROVAL of AGENDA

Moved by Natalie; seconded by Donna

Approved


APPROVAL of MINUTES from June 2010

As these haven’t been written yet, this was deferred

Deferred

TREASURER’S REPORT
(See Bonnie Kind’s report for full details.)

• We are starting the year with approximately $8,500 in our main account, and 41 cents in our gaming account (all gaming funds must be spent each year by law).

• We made a profit of $372 from the Meet and Greet barbecue. Fed 256 people. Have some leftovers that have been kept frozen for future hot lunch.

• So far this year, have spent money on Meet and Greet supplies (thanks to Natalie for doing the humungous shop), and chocolate bar treats for the Teapot Hill hike.

HOT LUNCH REPORT
(Sarah Burke)

• A planning meeting was held and the following decisions made:
• Will rotate three types of hot lunches: home-made meal once a month (thanks to volunteer cooks), hot dogs, and pizza by the slice.
• No more McDonald’s except once a year in order to provide healthier fare, reduce garbage, and make distribution simpler.
• We need at least seven people to help count at 8:07 am on the first Wednesday of every month. Just show up!
• Hot lunch forms are due by 8:07 am on first Wednesday of the month.
NO LATE ORDERS ACCEPTED.
Could also use more help with distributing lunches on Fridays.
Contact Sarah Burke: 604-794-5520 or ssburke@shaw.ca

FUNDRAISING REPORT
(Nicole reported for Lorraine Brown)

• We will be having a meat raffle once again. Currently sourcing a freezer as can’t get donation from Wagner this year. May have to buy one at cost from The Brick.

• Johnston’s is once again donating some meat, and we’re buying some at cost from them. Also looking into other donors. Scott’s was suggested as some ECE families have a connection to them.

• Made $3,700 profit from this last year.

Motion to spend $350 on prize supplies for raffle.
Moved by Donna. Seconded by Natalie. Approved.

• Have decided against selling Bruins tickets as a fundraiser. Hard to sell.

• Will do poinsettia sales at Christmas and get the forms out earlier this year.

• May do a partnership with Pine Meadows where we get a payout for every tree they sell to a family that mentions our school.

• Are planning a BIG EVENT for spring to raise some major funds for playground expansion. Hoedown? Spaghetti dinner? Bit of both? Ideas?


PRINCIPAL’ S REPORT
(See Mrs. Ruth Neufeld’s report for full details.)

Start up went smoothly and classes were settled by Thursday, but then Mrs. Neufeld found out on Friday afternoon that we will get one more morning kindergarten (an addition of a half-time teacher). This means the portable classroom must be used. Chris Pauls has volunteered to take her Grade 3 class there. There may be some other shifting around of classrooms (i.e., a whole class moving to a new room).

We have several split classes this year for the first time in recent memory (have had one or two, but now have three). Haven’t had intermediate splits recently, but now we do.

Population of the school has grown from 170 to 235 in the four years Mrs. Neufeld has been here. Most growth is in the primary grades so there are many young children at the school and proportionately fewer older children: a challenge for “buddies” and other mentor activities.

Because of the decision to add eight minutes to the school day and add a week to spring break as a budget-saving exercise, school now starts at 8:02 am and goes to 2 pm.

The Teapot hike went well, but may consider something more inclusive this year, that our wheelchair-bound students can do too.

Smart learning
We are into our fourth year of implementing a ‘smart-learning’ approach that emphasizes learning by doing. Our kids are doing well across the board in district and provincial assessments. This ties in well with initiatives being introduced by the provincial ministry of education. Check out ‘21st Century Learning’ on ministry website.

Running program is now twice a week at days of each teacher’s choosing. (Some parents requested warning on which days it will be so kids can wear appropriate shoes, but Mrs. Neufeld noted it is often weather determined.)

There will be a Terry Fox run on Thurs, Sept 30. Intermediates will run on road, primaries around the track.

Soccer has started. Mr. Letkeman coaching boys; Verna Hoogeveen coaching girls, with Ms. Solheim as sponsor teacher.


NEW BUSINESS
(Nicole and others)


Playground
Our new playground equipment is nice, but rapidly becoming insufficient with so many younger children joining our school. This will be exacerbated next year with full-day kindergarten coming on.

We will need more playground equipment which means we may need to swing into higher gear for fundraising for next couple of years, and also sock away some of our current nest egg for future playground use.

Motion: to put $5,000 of our $8,000 into a savings account earmarked for future playground expansion.
Moved by Anne, seconded by Alyson


Destination Imagination

East Chilliwack has enjoyed huge success with this creativity competition activity over the past five years, both in a competitive sense in that we have done very well at the provincials and sent teams to the globals on three occasions, and in an enriching sense, in that it has provided a stimulating extracurricular activity to many ECE children.

Destination Imagination has been a very parent-driven activity at ECE: parents run noon-hour workshops to teach the kids the concepts, and then coach individual teams (which generally means provide a safe place for them to work in groups and let their imaginations run wild).

BUT WE NEED NEW BLOOD! Several of the key families are moving on to middle school and we need parents of younger children to get involved as leaders.

We will be providing info about DI at the family movie night on October 8.

Family Movie Night
• An East Chilliwack tradition!
• Thurs, Oct 7
• Doors at 5. Pizza available (pre-order). Show at 6:15 pm.
• Note: we had planned on How to Tame Your Dragon but it is not released on DVD until Oct 15, so we will provide an alternate title (Marmaduke)

ECE PAC -- Mon, April 19, 2010

East Chilliwack Elementary
Parent Advisory Council
Mon, April 19, 2010

Present: Anne Russell, Ruth Neufeld, Cheryl Hagen, Sandi Williams, Sarah Burke, Celia Stolee, Corina Barchard, Tia LeTexier, Alyson King, Tara Field,

APPROVAL of AGENDA

Moved by Tia; seconded by Anne
Approved

APPROVAL of MINUTES from March
Bonnie noted the need to change the report on the profits made by hot lunch slightly. Hot meals prepared from scratch by volunteers net us $150-180 (hot dogs, wraps, macaroni etc). McDonalds nets us $30-$40, and pizza brings in around $50.

Moved by Alyson; seconded by Sandy
Approved


TREASURER’S REPORT
(See Bonnie Kind’s report for full details.)

We started March with a balance of $7,500 in the general account, and ended with $8,277.

We plan to spend $1,000 on tents for shelter for sports day/waterslide day, etc; $1,200 on the sound system; $125 on Grade 6 keychains; $325 on photocopying; $300 on pizza for sports day volunteers; $400 on food for waterslides; $110 for teachers’ year-end presents, and $161 to supplement field trips (the bulk of funding for field trips comes from the gaming account. Will also be paying some parents for out-of-pocket expenses for hot lunch days.

We started March with a balance of 3,738 in the gaming account and ended with the same amount.

We plan on spending $400 on field trips; $1,200 on lights, and $2,300 on field trips.

The meat raffle in the fall made $3,620 in profit, which went to a new screen, microphones, and lights (still to be bought).

The movie night in February made $408 from pizza sales.

We are considering being strategic about our buying of bulk items such as juice next year. There are times when spending $250 at Superstore will net you a $25 gift card, and we may try to bundle our shops to take advantage of this.

To improve hot lunch reporting, we may create a form for the organizer to input what was spent on each occasion, to save us waiting for receipts and not knowing how much they will be for in advance.



PRINCIPAL’ S REPORT
(See Mrs. Ruth Neufeld’s report for full details.)


1. Staffing – There have been many reductions and administrative position jugglings in the district. We have retained the one principal model at our school, unlike some other small schools where admin duties are being shared among one or more schools. We have had a reduction in our non-enrolling positions from 1.26 to .9, which will have some effect. Nobody at ECE has lost his or her job due to these cuts. We are fortunate in that we expect to keep growing because of the subdivisions near by, which is good for keeping the school well funded and well staffed.

2. School Goal

To develop more powerful thinkers, listeners, speakers, readers, and writers.
• Intermediate teachers continuing to develop their use of formative assessments to inform their teaching.
• Social Responsibility—Canucks Autism Network – lessons continue to be taught by Dar Chand; walk went well – raised about $40. The program teaches that everyone is on a spectrum and that everyone deserves respect.
• Run for Water – May 12 – same route as last year. Grade Sixes did assembly to inform other students about the issue of water for Ethiopia. Intermediates will run to Gibson and Upper Prairie again. (One parent commented that we need to ensure the police officer stays for the whole run to quell traffic this time.)

3. School Events
• Jump Rope for Heart – raised $2,000
• Spring concert April 29; 9 am and 6 pm. Both full performances.
• Deb Chand is working with a group of students to prepare them for Bookmania.

4. Sports
• Basketball tournaments are April 27 (boys) and April 28 (girls). Both teams have done very well. Cross country is on May 19 at Cultus Lake.

5. District Budget Forums: Thurs, May 6: 3:30 to 5 pm
6. Bullying session. Bernard Klop (counsellor) is willing to do one session on bullying, focusing on giving tools to the victim and addressing the bully’s behaviour. Could be in June or Sept. There would be a small fee for families to pay.

Old business

Key chains vs. dog tags.
We will proceed with key chains for the Grade Sixes. This is a change from the dog tags of previous years.

Class photos
Are rebooked for May 5. The photographer had doublebooked for April 5.

New business

DI to Tennessee
As usual, our Destination Imagination (creativity competition) teams did very well at the provincials. Two teams placed first in their category, and one of the teams, consisting of five Grade 4 and 3 boys, wishes to go the global championships in Knoxville, Tennessee, in May. East Chwk teams also went to Knoxville in 2007 and 2008. To reach their goal, the boys and their families will be fundraising fervently for the next few weeks. As in the previous years, this year’s team requested some support from the PAC in the form of $100 per child for a total of $500.

Discussion about whether to provide the funding reflected two opinions: one that we should be celebrating excellence when children at our school do well at the provincial level, and that with ten percent of the school’s students participating in DI (and a higher percentage than that if only Grade 3’s and up are counted), most families connected with the school have a chance of having a child getting this opportunity at some point. The other opinion noted that like DI, the skipping team is a parent-run activity associated with the school, and yet families were all paying their own costs to go to skipping meets in Washington and provincials in Victoria, receiving no financial support from the PAC (and families paid their own way to DI meets in Vancouver).

The group voted to provide $500 to the DI team (with one abstention), and discussed the idea of creating a general “excellence” fund to support any ECE students who make it past the provincial level in an ECE-associated activity.

Spaghetti dinner
Building on the success of last year’s dinner, we decided to hold another one, this time on Friday, May 7. Funds raised will go to audio-visual equipment and field trips.

Jen Hansen will be handling ticket sales at the door. Alyson King and Verna Hoogeveen are handling games. Tia LeTexier is arranging baskets. Please send items to school for your child’s class basket (see list your child brought home). Bonnie Kind and Cheryl Hagen will be shopping and cooking all day. Anne Russell and others will help with last-minute preparations. Nicole Johnston is coordinating.

Everyone welcome. Get your tickets now!

New business

Events

Spring concert: Thurs, April 29

Class photos (rebooked): Wed, May 5

Spaghetti dinner: Fri, May 7

Sports Day: Fri, June 4

Awards Assembly: Fri, June 25

Waterslides: Mon, June 28


Next PAC meeting
We are going to continue with Monday evening meetings for the time being.
Next meeting: Mon, May 17, at 7 pm. Free babysitting in the gym available. All ECE parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Remaining meetings

Mon, May 17
Mon, June 21