October 25, 2011 Meeting Minutes

Canadian Parents for French

October 25, 2011

Meeting Minutes

In attendance:  Dina von Hahn, Patrick Witwicki, Flo Sheppard, Carolyn DeFreitas, Trish Franceour, Renee Syvret, Kari Eisner

Late arrival – Lyne Watt

Call to order: 7:05 pm

Introductions were done.

Minutes from last meeting approved.

President's Report:  Dina, Terri & Josiane worked very hard to resubmit the Gaming application.  It is currently unknown whether or not the application will be approved.

           

Plans for the Family Dance are still moving forward.

Principals Report - Renee Syvret, Ecole Jack Cook: 

Ecole Jack Cook is always looking for joint opportunities to work together with different schools.

Renee went over the Scholastic Book Form, discussed which books she recommended and returned the form to Carolyn.

If any CPF members have information they would like to share with Ecole Jack Cook, the best way to communicate it is by emailing Renee with the attachment and she will distribute it to the school.

Renee is currently teaching French Classes for adults.

• Tuesday 6:30 – 7:30 French Beginner
• Tuesday 7:30 – 8:30 Intermediate Class – French Conversation

Classes are going well.  She is considering running another class in January so if anyone is interested they can leave their name and number with her. 

The French entertainer “Just Aissie – Just Gumboots” has agreed to come to Terrace during the week of Feb. 13-17, 2012 to do 2 separate workshops.  It will cost $1300.00 plus travel from Vancouver.  The entertainer travels alone and is willing to billet with a family.

Renee has approached CPF to contribute $650.00 for the workshop.  CPF is considering this as an option and will let her now in the next few weeks.

Ecole Jack  Cook recently held a Spaghetti dinner.  It was a huge success and they are considering holding another one in the new year.

Discussed the possibility of holding a French Summer Camp in 2012.  Renee will approach the Recreational Dept.  at the city about the possibility of a French Summer  Camp.

Currently Ecole Jack Cook is offering an “After School Activity Program” from 3:05 – 5:20 pm.  The children get a snack, do their homework and have some time for physical activities.  This was approved through the LINKS program and has proven to be a success thus far.

According to the Jack Cook School Board, the children at Ecole Jack Cook have the option to stay at the school until the end of grade 7 before transferring to Skeena.  Renee feels that both the parents and the children will prefer to do this rather than moving to Skeena at the end of grade 6.

Old Business

Parent Representative - CPF is still looking for a representative from Skeena, Caledonia and Ecole Jack Cook.  Renee will ask around and see if anyone is interested from Ecole Jack Cook and we will continue to look for one from Skeena and Caledonia. 

Membership Drive - will continue until Oct. 31, 2011. We have only received 2 new memberships since the skating party.

CPF BC AGM – Nov. 4 – 6, 2011.  Carolyn is going to attend as a representative for the Terrace Chapter. 

Family Dance – Lyne distributed an example of the poster and the volunteer sign up sheet at the meeting – it looks great!  The poster is ready to be distributed and the radio & newspaper have been informed of the dance.  The majority of the marketing has been taken care of.

Rob McEvoy and his daughter have agreed to canvass various businesses in the community for support.

We will be having a photo booth, silent auction, cake walk and canteen at the dance. 

Volunteers are still needed for the dance.

Rob McEvoy has agreed to be MC for the dance.

We still need to figure out where/how everything will be held at the school (physical space). 

Sociocultural Grant Application – Not discussed.

Scholastic Book Fair – Not discussed.

New Business

AFFNO – Patrick explained the role of AFFNO and his role as Executive Director.

 AFFNO is trying to do more with the CORE French programs at the schools as well as the new French Immersions programs which are being established. They also provide support to both the Francophone and Francophile families and students in the community. 

AFFNO has partnered with CPF in the past to hold Caban A Sucre and there is a possibility that they could provide some financial support if the Terrace chapter decides to hold one again. 

Similar to the Terrace CPF chapter, AFFNO is also struggling with cuts to their gaming funds although they did receive some funds and would consider helping CPF (Terrace Chapter) with the purchase of library books. 

AFFNO has a Le Lien Culturel (Cultural Link) which is a mobile library for children to choose French books and DVD’s from.  It will be coming around to the Terrace schools in the near future. Children do not need an AFFNO membership to access books or DVD’s from the library.

An AFFNO membership costs $5.00 per year and with it you will receive 6 e-newsletters a year, 2 printed newsletters per year, and access to the lending library.

On Saturday Nov.12/11 they will be hosting a Murder Mystery fundraiser in Prince Rupert.  This fundraiser includes a dessert auction and will be performed in English.

Student Event and Travel Opportunities – not discussed.

Teacher Appreciation – not discussed.

Adjournment:  9:00 pm

Next Meeting:  November  22, 2011 at Ecole Mountainview.