PAC Minutes of October 15, 2007

In Attendance; Preston Meier, Joyce Giesbrecht, Tricia MacDonald, Brenda Foster, Yvette Cuthbert, Betty Dueck, Holly Brookes, Kinelm Brookes, Jim Pehura, Gay Patry, Sandy Knight, Beth Connery, Pam Kaspick, and Bev Stanger.

Regrets; Mark Diboll and Tracey Taylor.

 Meeting called to order at 7:25pm by Kinelm.

The meeting agenda was presented and there were no additions.

The minutes of the September 17, 2007 meeting were adopted as read by Joyce seconded by Beth. All were in favor. Carried.

Kinelm addressed some correspondence that was received.

Parent Council received a nomination package in regards to the Minister’s Awards for Manitoba Celebration of Excellence in Teaching. If anyone is interested in nominating a teacher they may call Kinelm and get the form from him.

The Rainbow Society sent out information on their 2008 “Wear Green for a Dream” on March 17, 2008. They are looking for participation from schools. Jim will talk to the student council to see if it is something that they would like to take part in.

Treasurers Report; $311.87 is the balance.

Program Report; There is nothing at this time to report.

Volunteer Report; Kinelm made a list of volunteers from the Parent surveys that have been turned in so far. He will pass them on to the coordinators.  There is a dance on Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 8 chaperones will be needed.

Safety Coordinator; There is nothing to report at this time.

Teacher Liaison; It was discussed about having pages for the yearbook in the spring for students to get autographs. The suggestion will be taken to the yearbook committee.

Administration Report; There will be lockdown practice on Wednesday afternoon. RCMP Constable Dave Higgs will be available to give guidance and support while going through this exercise. With having students traveling between the two buildings ideas on how to keep everyone safe while doing this exercise from Constable Higgs will be beneficial.

Bob Kristie and Greg Waldvogel have met with the students on Student Council and have gone through meeting protocol. The Student Council is going to carry on with the Big Brother/Big Sister program again this year. They may cut the length of the program to 3 days.

Picture retakes are scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday, October 16).

The sports teams are going strong with 2 hockey teams, 6 volley ball teams, 2 soccer teams and the football team.

The teachers will now to using the Student Achieve program to enter their marks. There have been a few glitches so patience is needed.

The school has been busier in the evenings with outside organizations/businesses wanting to use the facilities which are putting the custodial work behind. Other schools within the division are not being used as much so encouragement to use the other schools may be suggested.

PCI was approached to hold the Remembrance Day Service on Sunday, November 11, 2007.

The student newspaper will be available tomorrow.

Report cards will be going out in November with a newsletter, PAC will send in highlights from the past meeting to be put into the newsletter.

The Grand opening for the Automotive classes area will be held on November 15, 2007

Portageonline approached the school to see if they would like to be a part of their website; the cost would be $1500 a year. Parent Council didn’t think that would be a good idea as the school has its own site which is updated regularly. Registering on the PCI website through a guest book could be a way to get the newsletter and the PAC minutes to those that are interested.

The School Report Card for the 2006/2007 school year will be ready at the end of the month. It will be available in the office for anyone interested in reading it.

 Parent Council has received a few more parent surveys back. Kinelm will go through them and see what those parents had to say. Kinelm is working on separating the information into categories and will finalize them with the new information that has been received.

New Business;

Yvette Cuthbert gave an update on the progress of the plaza.

We did not receive the Community Places Grant this past year and she will reapply for it when the time comes fro reapplication. The plaza received a grant of $5,000 from the Manitoba Home Town Meeting Places. Student Council contributed $2,200 for benches. Mr. Froese’s classes could build the benches.

Portage Beautification supplied the plants that have been put in this past summer and the City supplied the labour for the planting.

The AMHS Reunion Committee donated $5000 towards the plaza.

Art Smart made 2x8x3 stain glass mosaics at a cost of $8,000+ through the program. There will be pillars for each of the feeder schools and each school can design and create their own decorative theme for their pillar.

Installation for the tubes will be sometime in May with the mosaics being installed the beginning of June.

Banners have been costed from a company in Vancouver at $20 for a 2 ½ by 5 banner, with the paint being about the same price. Mrs. McLenehan’s Art class could do the decorating of the 20 banners.

Murray McLenehan drew up a new plan for the stage; it would be a two size stage expansion with wheelchair access. 2010 Winter Games would be interested in holding the games here with the two buildings being able to house a male and a female residence and the stage for the ceremonies.

Brenda Foster from AFM (Addictions Foundation of Manitoba) gave a presentation on her roll at the school. She has an office in the school which she is available to students Monday to Thursday and is in the community office on Fridays. Referrals come to her through the Administration, Guidance Councilors, Parents and friends. Parents can feel free to call at any time with any type of question or concern that they may have. She does a presentation in Grades 9 & 10 through the Health curriculum.

Barry Rud, also with AFM, works with families and parents. 

Trish MacDonald was introduced as a volunteer parent contact that is willing to help support parents that are going through dealing with a child going through an addiction. She shared information on how her family went through dealing with a child with an addiction.

Manitoba Addictions Awareness Week is November 19 – 23.

AFM is working with the teachers and RCMP to come up with a way that they can incorporate information into everyday classes.

Different items are being set up at the Portage Library for that week. Brenda was wondering if the Parent Council would like to hold an information meeting that week as well. Kinelm will check with the Program Coordinators to see if at the next Parent Council meeting, (Monday, November19, 2007), we have AFM do a presentation.

The police presence in the school has been going very well. RCMP Constable Dave Higgs is in the school Wednesday afternoons. He has been talking to teachers about doing presentations in their classrooms. Constable Dave Higgs gave a presentation at the last PD day on gangs and gang activity. Those that attended found it very informative.

The first dance of the year was a quiet one. Police presence was there with a drive through at the end of the evening. Next dance will be Tuesday, October 30.

Next meeting; Monday, November 19, 2007 at 7:00pm in the PCI Library (located downstairs in the Prince Charles building).

Adjourned 8:45pm