DPAC MINUTES FOR February 6, 2012
7:00 p.m. Van Bien Training and Development Centre
Chair: Don Sabo, Minutes prepared by Gillian Burnett
Attendees:
DPAC Executive: Don Sabo, Michelle Rolfes, Gillian Burnett, Chris Finke, Sarah Holland and Steve Shannon
Partner Groups: Brian Pepper, Superintendent; Matt Pearce and Tina Cousins, PGDTA; Kate Cooke, Trustee; Lorraine Prouse, CUPE; and Faith MacKay, PGPVPA
School Reps: Trish Stevens, Aboriginal Choice; Colleen Smith, Beaverly; Lara Beckett, College Heights Elementary; Melanie Pierce, Edgewood; Kim Shannon, Hart Highlands; Sarah Holland, Heather Park; Steve Shannon, KRSS; Shauna Connor, Lac des Bois; Gillian Burnett, Nukko Lake; Michelle Rolfes, Pineview; Don Sabo, Pinewood; Michelle Rolfes, PGSS; Ryan Clarke, Quinson; and Dennis Fudge, Spruceland
1. Adoption of Agenda
Accepted as circulated
2. Adoption of January 9, 2012 Minutes
Motion to accept minutes – Heather Park
Seconded by – PGSS
3. PAC Networking
Discussions were held about:
- Beaverly looking for advice on hosting a large scale event; will be hosting a Magic Show at Vanier Hall. Suggested asking other organizations such as United Way. DPAC will advertise this event on our website
- Teaching virtues – excellent
- Both College Heights and Heather Park currently holding raffles for Canucks tickets including airfare and accommodations for 4
- Heather Park held French Immersion information evening for parents
- FSA notification letters to parents have not been consistently sent throughout district
- Interest shown in obtaining information from all schools regarding how many Kindergarten students are registering, how many being turned away, how many in and out of catchment.
4. Reports
(a) DPAC Chair Report – see attached
(b) Treasurer’s Report – see attached
(c) Superintendent’s Report –(presented after 4(h) as Brian was late arriving) see attached
- Asked about FSA notification letter – Principals asked to distribute – indicated follow-up required.
- Questions regarding Kindergarten registration; pinch point at College Heights (both French and English)
- Question regarding catchment registrations that are unsuccessful – Superintendent take as immediate concern.
- Question about figures for transfer into the Northern Learning Center – Best recollection is 37 confirmed registrants
(d) Trustee Report – see attached
- DPAC chair expressed our concerns about access to information and appreciates the interest shown by trustees.
- Question – Will ‘Math Makes Sense’ for gr 4-7 be replaced, scrapped, continued….?
(e) PGDTA Report
- Second semester up and rolling.
- What’s happening at the bargaining table – BCPSEA didn’t show up last time, do not wish to discuss BCTF’s proposals
- Belief that this is setting stage for next sitting of legislature. Unfortunate.
- Tina Cousins offered to attend PAC meetings to provide parents with more information. This offer will be posted on our website.
- Question – Will “Math Makes Sense’ for Gr 4-7 continue, be replaced…? That is a school decision.
(f) PGPVPA Report
- Drew attention to some great things happening around the district. Ron Brent and UNBC partnership for tracking the use of technology; a weekly support program for young moms; the Mackenzie Hockey academy; PGSS hosting the Grey Cup.
- Question regarding the collection and sharing of registration information – Principals do collect this information and they do share this information.
(g) CUPE Report
- Ratification vote on collective agreement taking place; scheduled for February 21th in PG
- If vote receives 50% plus one in favour, will mean a notice to bargain in March, if not, members will be asked to take a strike vote.
- Ratification will be tricky across the province; different locals will have different outcomes.
(h) DSAC Report – Not in attendance
5. Committee Reports
(a) EPPC Committee Report – see attached
(b) Education Services Committee Report – met today to discuss several matters, will be brought forward at next Board meeting
(c) Policy and Governance Committee Report – Subcommittee created to develop feedback from DPAC regarding Child Protection Policy, hasn’t met yet, but has communicated through e-mails. Will have response prepared by deadline.
(d) Environmental Sustainability Committee Report – Haven’t yet met, new liaison Kate Cooke will communicate with Don regarding when they will meet.
6. Announcements/New Business
(a) Calendar Committee – Has met, considering 2 week spring break next year. Discussion regarding how we could collect a better, fairer representative sample of parents on this issue. Led to discussion regarding DPAC’s acceptance of Brian Pepper’s offer to collect PAC contact information. Determined that PACs could refer parents to our website to provide feedback and opinion regarding the spring break issue.
(b) District Resource Centre Tour – Scheduled to take place on February 16th at 6:30 pm. 10 spaces still available, register on our website.
(c) Status on kindergarten registration in schools that are capped – Covered under Superintendent’s report
(d) Langley DPAC (Cracks in the system) letter – went to PACs for direction, what are the results? Cracks identified as grade 7 transitions hindered, course schedule development in secondary schools not happening, extra-curricular sports coaching affected. Majority in favour of pursuing the submission of a similar, but briefer, letter from DPAC SD57.
(e) DPAC funding for PACs. What are PAC funding priorities? – Ideas include FoodSafe Courses, BCCPAC membership fees, and parent seminars.
(f) BCCPAC Conference May 25 – 27. Expression of Interest – Refer to policy on our website, looking for expression of interest in attending before our next meeting.
(g) DPAC Bylaws and Policy Committee Update – Have met and almost completed revisions to Bylaws, still need to cover Policies, next meeting Thursday February 9th at Duchess Park 7 pm.
(h) Scent free policy – Discussion around event involving a student at Duchess Park. District policy provides direction about how to respond and what must be done as well as outlining the consequences of not abiding by policy. Not a policy issue, rather an enforcement issue. More visible signage concerning scent-free policy may be needed. Action required. DPAC to draft letter of concern regarding Bullying and enforcement.
7. Other Business – none
8. Agenda items for next meeting
Delegate selection committee for BCCPAC Conference
9. Adjournment – Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 5, 2012 at 7:00 pm Van Bien Training and Development Centre.
Motion KRSS
Second Spruceland
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