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.

5th Annual Community Family Dance

Mark Your Calendars and Spread the Word for our 5th Annual Community Family Dance! This Canadian Parents for French fundraiser hosts a family dance, photo booth, carnival games, silent auction & more. It all happens

Friday, November 18th, 2011, 

6-9pm at Ecole Mountainview

(3505 Bailey Street, Terrace)

Entry fee: 

$2/family (CPF members)

$5/family (non-members)

Game tickets:

.50ea or 12/$5

We'll need helpers on the big night. Grab a one hour shift at your favourite activity by signing up at the Ecole Mountainview office or contacting one of the following coordinators:

Games - Nita Back rnback@citywest.ca

Canteen - Lyne Watt lyne.watt@yahoo.ca

Door/Admissions - Dina von Hahn dvonhahn@telus.net

Bakers for the Cake Walk please contact Trish Francoeur at gtrish@telus.net

To help prepare Silent Auction gift baskets contact Carolyn DeFreitas at carolyn_tb@yahoo.ca

A big thank you to Rob and Aliah McEvoy who are canvassing for Silent Auction items in the community. If you would like to donate an item or know of a business or individual who would like to, contact Rob at youarethegreatest@hotmail.com

Silent auction bidding will open at 6pm and close at 8pm (Sharp)

Please note: any unclaimed items by the third call will be rewarded to the next bidder. 

Cash is the only method of payment available.

Thanks in advance, and see you there!

Bonjour Bonhomme!

Bonhomme delighted young and old at the recent CPF Terrace Membership Drive Skating Party held at Hidber Arena. Families enjoyed free skating, home baked snacks and games on and off the ice at the two hour event designed to increase awareness and membership in the CPF. Lucky winners of the new/renewed membership draw were Morie Gracey, who won an electronic French-English dictionary, Natasha Partel, who won a French language CD, and Angela Rabut, Bonnie Ziebarth and Julie Livgard, who all won French language books. Thanks from CPF Terrace to all those who helped at the event, and to those who renewed memberships or joined for the first time.

The membership drive continues to October 31, so start or renew your membership today to enter our final membersip drive prize draw. Contact your school or any CPF Terrace executive member to get a membership form, or to drop one off with your payment.

General Meeting, September 27, 2011 Agenda and Minutes

Canadian Parents for French, Terrace

General Meeting, September 27, 2011

Agenda and Minutes

Present:

Carolyn De Freitas, Julie Livgard, Maxine Champion, Dina von Hahn, Josiane Biggs, Terri Bowles, Flo Sheppard (recorder), Lyne Watt

Call to Order	7:07 pm
Introductions
Approval of June General Meeting Minutes	approved
Approval of Agenda	·    Carolyn moved to add item:  search for liaison at other schools (Jack Cook, Skeena, Caledonia) ·    Lyne – fundraising – decals on labels (Campbell’s parent company); Terri to share with PAC
Presidents Report – Chapter Status, Schedules, Program Info	·    We are a chapter in good standing, in great part to Terri and Kari’s efforts! ·    Awaiting response from CPF re remittance of membership fees ·    Deposit fees collected into CPF account and Terri will write a cheque to head office ·    Total membership fees need to be in Ottawa by Nov 15th ·    Dina (and Carolyn) met with many of the students at all 3 FI schools in Terrace ·    Discussed arising issues in high school (e.g. technological issues with distance courses).  Dina to follow up with Cam McKay and/or Agnes Casgrain.
Treasurer’s Report – Financial statements	·    Reviewed financial statements ·    Bad news:  (1)  $219 + $14 in our general account; (2)  we were denied a gaming grant because we have >50% of last year’s grant still in our account and we have an ineligible program (need to “beef up” our focus on youth); Josiane will contest decision; M/S/C to add a restricted reserve fund for enhancing local French library (literature, recreational fiction, nonfiction, magazine subscriptions & reference books) supports for youth ·    Good news:  our bingo account has $4, 690.37 as of the reporting period (Aug 2011)
Secretary’s Report – please tally volunteer hours from June to end of September	·    Terri – 16 hours ·    Josiane – 61.25 hours ·    Flo – 10 hours
Principal’s Report – EMV, Maxine Champion	·    161 students registered ·    Extra kindergarten class plus new students in other grades:  6 students from Jack Cook, some from out of town ·    2 kindergarten classes (13 each) ·    Straight grades:  1, 2, 3, 4 ·    Split 5/6 and 6/7 ·    Terry Fox run on Sept 28th after lunch ·    Staffing:  still looking for a replacement for Mme. Fortin; new staff member Mme Seguin (from Victoria); Mme. Hanna has returned; ·    Music offered to K – 5/6 and band to 6/7
OLD BUSINESS
June Recognition Activities	·    Dina will get EMV plaque engraved
Summer Reading Club - Carolyn	·    24 children read in French; 1/3 of readers were non-French students ·    Plan to recognize the top readers at a future school assembly
Skating Party/Membership Drive – Josiane	·    Dina to draft a thank you letter for the teen volunteers.  Josiane to proof.  Elementary school student volunteers to get a certificate.  Adults to get a general thank you. ·    Positive feedback from participants that the event was free (skating and snack) ·    Suggestion to host a swim party ·    Received 23 new memberships or renewals  with more anticipated ·    Suggestions for next year:  have a sign in sheet for participants to get a count, identify who were FI, Jack Cook, CPF membership; have change rooms locked up; each person to get a ticket to visit the canteen; have more signage to inform participants about the additional activities in the arena banquet room; formally invite the teachers ·    Membership prize draws:  Natasha Partel (French Playground cd), Bonnie Ziebarth (1000 First Words in French book), Julie Livgard (Lili la vache book), Angela Rabut (Pierre et les pirates book), Morie Gracey (Sharp electronic dictionary); kids will be called on the PA to collect prizes
Scrapbook – Stella Peden	·    M/S/C to give $20 honorarium to Stella to cover scrapbook supplies
NEW BUSINESS
French Language Classes, October 4-Dec 13	·    Contact Renee Syvret at Ecole Jack Cook for more information
CPF BC AGM November, 2011	·    We are entitled to send three delegates
Family Dance – Nov 18, Lyne Watt	·    Request for donations for themed baskets; donations to be dropped off at the office due to teacher job action; ·    M/S/C a budget of $1000 (DJ, concession, advertising) ·    Ted Taylor (parent) may be able to help with advertising ·    Request Rob McEvoy to coordinate donations
Book Fair – Nov 29? And 30, Souad Gabriel	·    Run from end of school day to 7 pm on Nov 30  (or as much time possible with available volunteers) ·    Decision to go with usual volume of books from Scholastic
Teacher Appreciation – December, Flo Sheppard	·    Not discussed
Carnaval - January	·    Not discussed
Film Festival	·    Not discussed
Caban a Sucre –	·    Not discussed
Concours – March	·    Not discussed
Spring Event –	·    Not discussed
Early Years Fair – May	·    Not discussed
Liaison at Jack Cook	·    Not discussed.  Table to next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 9 pm

Future Meeting Dates, Places and Themes

October 25, Ecole Jack Cook, 7 p.m.

November 22, Ecole Mountainview 7 p.m.

January 24, Skeena Junior Secondary, -  FI Middle School Program

February 28, Caledonia Senior Secondary,  - FI Graduation Program, Scholarships

March 27, Ecole Mountainview

April 24, Ecole Jack Cook

May 22, Ecole Mountainview, AGM

June 26, TBA

French Language Classes for Parents

Renee Syvret, Principal of Jack Cook, is offering French language classes

Beginning date: Oct 4, 2011

Time:Every Tuesday, beginer's class from 6:30 to 7:30pm, and intermediate from 7:30 to 8:30pm

Location:Ecole Jack Cook

Cost:$75/person, with payment received by Sept 30th, at Ecole Jack Cook, cheques made out to "Renee Syvret"

Class duration:10 weeks

Info: Call Renee at home at 635-3940

This schedule is proposed, but if a majority of students would prefer another date/time she may be able to shuffle things.

CPF Terrace Membership Drive Skating Party

What: CPF Terrace Membership Drive Skating Party

When: Sunday, September 25, 2011, 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Where: Hidber Ice, Terrace Arena/Sportsplex

Who: All French Immersion and Ecole Jack Cook students and their families, K-12

Why: Have Fun and Discover CPF Terrace



Please Bring: A helmet, skates (a limited number will be available to borrow free of charge).

How to Enter to Win a Prize: Bring your completed CPF membership form and payment to enter the Early Bird Draw. You could win a French-English electronic dictionary and other prizes.

More Info or to Volunteer: Contact Dina von Hahn at dvonhahn@telus.net