Vincent Massey Parent Advisory Council

Minutes of November 16, 2004

 

In attendance: Leslie Loader(chair), Theresa VanHoof, Lynn McCaughey, Joyce Agar, Terry Osiowy, Heather Ficek and Student Council Reps: Robyn Oftedal, Rhonda Wlock, and Braden Loader

 

Regrets: Lily O’Driscoll, Gail Janz, Marilyn Eamer

1)      Call to order: 7:00 p.m.

2)      Presentations

a)      Student Council

A community meeting regarding dances was held in November. Students felt the response was positive. Most concern was over noise. There is more planning to do before a date is picked for the dance. A BBQ was held over lunch for students who have paid their fees. Students had a presentation on drinking and driving. Future events are the Cancer Drive with teachers shaving heads or legs. Clothing sales are finishing up right now. So far sold $11,000.00 worth of orders. Student fees are hard to collect. Only about 20% of fees are paid so far which may be due to the cancellation of dances. Elections will be held in mid January.

3)      Reviewed minutes of < >. Next meeting is January 18, 2005.

4)      Principal’s Report

a)      School planning mtg that L Loader and D Jory will attend TBA for January

b)     Seussical the Musical now on. Tickets can be purchased at the WMCA

c)      Athletics: the football team won the Rural Manitoba football Championships in Dauphin. JV Girls and Senior Varsity Girls are going into the Provincials with JV in 2nd place and the Seniors in 5th. Boys Basketball will be coached with the help of the BU Bobcats. Hockey – there will be two coaches this year.

d)     Native Students Group – is trying to help aboriginal students connect with the school. Potluck supper is organized for Thurs evening for the aboriginal parents and students, before the interviews. Will also have drummer from Sioux Valley to perform the Honour Song to celebrate participation. This group is inclusive of students whether aboriginal or not. 39 of VM students attended the Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Career conference for Grades 9 – 12.

e)      New Courses -Student Voice Luncheon last year students had asked for more options in programming. Courses added are Family Studies at Senior 1 and Senior 2 level as well as Spanish and Latino Dance Club.

f)       Report cards issued this month. Another report will be sent in December. Still working out kinks in the software. It is hoped that more comments can be applied to the reports. Absences hopefully can be categorized under excused, unexplained, parental excused or school approved. An excused absence is anything connected to co-curricular programming, school athletics, or educational activities.

g)     Staffing – Don Taylor will retire at the end of January. He has been a biology teacher for many years. Currently have postings for 2 half time positions for English/LA and Futures in Business/Science

h)     Band program planning to attend the Atlantic Band Festival may 5-7 in Nova Scotia. Cuba trip will not be pursued this year

i)        Student Voice Luncheon – students asked that the student parking area be upgraded with expansion, gravel and fencing and dividers

j)        Expenditures – New PA $15.00.00; Picture frames to showcase student art $1,000.00; seating areas and benches planned by student council $3500.00

5)      Old Business

a)      Leslie Loader and Terry attended the Budget Forum. Discussion group topics included home school liaison, school closures, options in high school, class size, and high school credit limits.

b)     Grad meeting was held 2 weeks ago. Mail outs for Grad parents will go out. Next meeting is Dec 9 at 7 pm. Safe Grad may turn into Prom Night so that students can keep their expensive good clothes on for the entire event. To be held at the Curling club.

c)      Tutor List – trying to put on Web

d)     Scholarship – it is hard to keep an up to date list on the web. Terry will take to staff for ideas and check with principals regarding sharing Crocus’ website

6)      Committee Reports

a)      Parent Division Liaison

Survey of parents re fees did not get out to parents. It went out to principals. Probably will go to parents with the next mail out of report cards. Schools to get info sent back by end of January.

7)      Correspondence

a)      “Pages” has an article on class size, reporting that 92% of classes are fewer than 25 students.

b)     BSD hired a new Assistant Secretary Treasurer – Kevin Heide.

c)      Westman Dreams for Kids has a fund for coats, sports, runners etc. Division is committed to helping fund this idea with a central pot to be drawn from for students in need.

8)      Next meeting presentation may be on Tri-School initiative on Philanthropy. Date to be January 18, 2005.