Canadian Parents for French

January 24, 2012

Meeting Minutes

In Attendance:  Dina VonHahn, Shannon Murdoch, Corina Cleveland, Terri Bowles, Julie Livgard, Stella and Scott Peden, Cory Killoran(Vice Principal of Skeena), Phillip Barron (Principal of Skeena), Kerry Giesbrecht, Carolyn DeFreitas and Kari Eisner

Call to Order:  7:05

Introductions were done. 

Overview of Middle School Transition: 

Over the next 6 months parents can expect many presentations and powerpoints regarding the planning and preparations for middle school.  There are 2 Parent Information Nights planned for Skeena, 1 Parent Information Night at Kermode, and representatives from Skeena will be visiting all the PAC’s in Terrace.  The teacher’s job action has made it challenging however, plans are still moving forward and Skeena will become a middle school in Sept. 2012.  Both Phillip and Cory are confident that the changes will provide students with a welcoming environment.

Middle school will consist of students in grades 7, 8 & 9 and because of this, the Skeena will now be able to slide back into more of an elementary school model. 

There will be 6 divisions in grade 7 and each teacher will be in a pod of 3 with the other teachers in that grade.  Students will have English, Math, Social, Science and homeroom with the same teacher.  With this new model, teachers have a better chance to support and plan with one other.  A typical day for students in grade 7 & 8 could be:  Advisory, Core, Exploratory and Core.

Students in grade 7 & 8 will follow a linear time table, grade 9 students will follow a semester system. 

Currently they are planning to have 2 French Immersion pods.  There are 19 French Immersion students in grade 7, 16 in grade 8 and 9 in grade 9.

Exploratory subjects include: metalwork, woodwork, foods, sewing, drama, art etc. There is a possibility that band may also be considered an exploratory subject.  School officials will be constructing a timetable which will give students the opportunity to try different things however; students will not have a huge choice on what the timetable will consist of.  Students will have the opportunity to explore all of the exploratory pieces.

Skeena can accommodate 648 students and officials predict that they will have between 611 – 620 students in September 2012.  As a result, they have requested portables to be moved onto the grounds before the new year as a precautionary measure.  They have also requested storage units to be moved onto the school ground.

ICBC will be conducting a private review on traffic flow, busing and parking. 

Due to the increase in students next year, the open area will need to be used as multi-purpose room.  Officials are looking at putting up a curtain or finding some sort of way to block it off so classes can use it. 

Gym time will not be an issue for any of the students.  The gym currently has room for classes, there is a dance studio, a weight room, and the multi-purpose room can be used if necessary

Skeena recently received a playground grant which included $50,000 from the Ministry.  A playground structure will be built before Sept. and a committee has been established to plan for this. 

School officials are strong advocates for outdoor activities.

Skeena will be a closed campus.  Students cannot leave the campus without permission.

Skeena recently received $6100.00 from a Legacy Fund and with these funds they have purchased 4 basketball hoops and other sports for the students to use outside.  In the future, they would like to see a  sports court built.

The Information Meetings have tentatively been booked for:

Shadow PAC meeting next week – All PAC representatives
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - Ecole Mountainview PAC Meeting
Thursday, March 29 & Friday, May 18, 2012 - Ecole Mountainview Student Information Meeting
                                                                                 (the powerpoints are suitable for Gr. 6 & 7 students )
April 3, 2012 – Kermode Friendship Centre
April 17 & 19, 2012 – Parent Information Night at Skeena School
May 29, 2012 at 7:00 pm - Transition meeting –– Intro., tour for students, Q & A period
A Rendezvous Meeting with the children in June will be planned as well.
School Officials are also working on having an Open House in August 2012.

Book Reserve:

Carolyn awarded Principal Phillip Barron (Skeena) $800.00 for the purchase of French language materials.

Caban A Sucre:

The Terrace chapter of CPF has paired up with the Kitimat chapter and is planning a joint Caban A Sucre.  It will be held at Onion Lake, Sunday March 4 from 1 – 3:30.  There will be various stations outside including a maple taffy station, cross country skiing, snow fort and snow sculpture building, craft and mural creation in the lodge, snowshoe races, and snow saucers on the stadium “hill”.  After each station children will get a stamp on their “Passport du Maple”.  There will also be a fire pit, outdoor speakers with French music and a visit from BonHomme.  A canteen will be open and the food for this will be ordered from a bakery or store.  Gift certificates and French books will be awarded for prizes, as well as 3 grand prizes of 1 litre of maple syrup.  Volunteers will be needed to help out.  Please contact Carolyn or Julie if you are able to volunteer.

Student Donation Policy:  Policy was distributed and discussed.  Dina made a motion to approve it. Terri seconded it.  Carried. 

Grad Pins: Discussion around what the design on the Grad pins should look like.  The old design features a frog and this no longer seems appropriate.  Suggestions included: fleur de Le, maple leaf, Kermode Bear, CPF logo. Unfortunately the timeframe to order these is tight and a decision will have to be made quickly.

Treasurer’s Report:  Terri reviewed financial statements.  The $1000.00 that we were awarded from the Gaming Funds was put into the wrong account and this money will need to be moved into the correct account. Terri plans to resign as treasurer at the end of this school year. 

French Entertainers:  Just Aissi was scheduled to conduct a gumboot dancing workshop in February however, this was recently cancelled.  Dina has requested our deposit be returned to us and they have assured us it will be.  CPF will continue to look for other entertainers.  There is a possibility that a French Magician may be coming to Prince Rupert in March.  Dina will look into the possibility of having him come to Terrace as well.

Adjournment:  8:50 pm

Next Meeting:  Tuesday, February 21 at 7 pm Caledonia Senior Secondary – Room 2