PCI Parent Advisory Council

Monday, January 21, 2008 Meeting

In Attendance; Tracey Taylor, Sandi Knight, Rolande Williams, Diane Hamilton, Sherri Morgan, Beth Connery, Gay Patry, Jim Pehura, Mark Diboll, and Bev Stanger.

Regrets; Kinelm Brookes, Holly Brookes, and Joyce Giesbrecht.

Meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm by Beth Connery,

The meeting agenda was presented and there were no additions.

The minutes of the November 19, 2007 were read. Changes to clarify what “Activities will be out” in the Administration report means, Jim Pehura will clarify before the minutes are posted on the school’s web site. Tracey Taylor adopted the minutes with the revision and Sandi Knight seconded. All were in favor. Carried.

Correspondence; PAC received a thank you note along with a brownie treat from Ms. Gay Patry, as she is retiring at the end of the semester.

Bill 2 - the Public Schools Amendment Act (Trans Fats and Nutrition) regarding the new Physical Education course is asking again for input and views from Parent Councils. Kinelm put together a letter to the School Board for the PAC to go over. Discussion was held and a few revisions were made.

MAPC newsletter is available for anyone that wishes to read.

Treasurer’s Report; $311.87

Program Report; No report at this time.

Volunteer Report; There is a dance Tuesday, February 12 from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. 8 chaperones will be needed. Diane requested that the PAC questionnaire, which is sent out at the beginning of the school year, be sent out with the first newsletter instead of the first week of school as there isn’t a strong parent base to get volunteers form this year as not as many questionnaires were returned.

Safety Report; No report at this time.

Teacher Liaison; Ms Patry will be retired and her replacement will be Mrs. Carol Fast.

Administration Report; There will be a plaza meeting on Wednesday, January 23 with 7 members of PCI staff being part of the Adhoc. Discussion will be held on the feasibility of the proposed outside stage.

There is and exchange teacher from Australia, Denise Williams, she will be teaching Senior 3 & Senior 4 English (Grade 11 & 12). She comes with over 30 years of teaching experience. Ryan Muirhead has gone over to Australia as part of the exchange.

There are 6 basketball teams that are now busy; the Senior 1 teams are being coached by former students.

There are 8-9 students that will be participating in the Health Care program being offered through Red River Community College at Southport this semester. The students have completed their grade 12 courses the end of the first semester with 28 credits and will be receiving 5 credits from the Red River Community College, in total at graduation will be graduating with 33 credits. The students after successfully completing the Health Care course will be able to start work in that field. They can also use the credits towards nursing if they want to enter that field.

Carol Stewart is working hard with the community businesses in regards to the Apprenticeship program in trades. Students can earn credits while earning a pay doing the program which is being subsidized by the government ($2.50/hour) so the employer isn’t responsible for the students whole wage while on this program.

The school is staying up on the new technology by purchasing restored computers that have 3 year guarantees.

The student achieve program is going well.

Looking at the long range of the school a portable lap top lab would be great as there isn’t enough lab time available in the computer labs that the school has now, especially for the Math programs. Wireless would need to be installed.

Some of the cameras need to be relocated as they are not seeing exactly what is needed to be seen.$ cameras need to be motion sensored; overlooking the football/soccer field, the student parking lot, and 2 looking into the plaza area.

There are three retirements; Mr. Popof, Mr. Halmarson, and Ms Patry.

Kellee Clifford-Bousquet and Mark Essey have been hired as teaching staff.

February 11-15 is staff appreciation week; 2/3of staff at PCS building and 1/3 staff at PCI building.

The School Division budget meeting is on Tuesday, February 26, 2008. Administration will be requesting vocational funding for some major upgrading on equipment.

There is a Safe Grad meeting for February 5.

Student Council; No report at his time.

Old Business; There is nothing to report at this time.

New Business; There is no new business.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30.

Next meeting is Monday, February 25, 2008 in the Library.

Staff appreciation; Cookies and muffins will start off the week (Diane will ask for the donations for that). Rolande will be at the school to distribute them to each staff room. Candy will end the week (Tracey Taylor will be looking after that).