March 2010

Mount Pleasant Elementary
School

Parent Advisory Council

Executive Meeting

Date: Tuesday March 16^th 2010

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Mt. Pleasant
Elementary School staff room

In attendance:

Voting Members (6): Jane Cobbler (Co-Chair), Abdul Ahad (Co-Chair), Lisa Marsh (Secretary), Kristina Whelton-Davis (Member-at-Large), Ken Wong (Member-at-Large) and Winston Whitlock (Member-at-Large).

Non-Voting Members/Staff (1): Steve Agabob (Principal)

Regrets (3): Ganga Jolicoeur (Treasurer), Colleen Browning (Fundraising Coordinator), Jackie Ingram (Co-Fundraising Coordinator),

The meeting was called to order at 6:15pm by Jane
Cobbler.

Previous Meeting Minutes: The minutes from the January meeting were dispersed electronically prior to the meeting. The minutes were discussed. Ms. Cobbler moved to adopt the minutes. The motion was seconded and passed.

Treasurer’s Report: It was reported that there was no account activity in our Gaming or general accounts.

Members inquired what as to what sort of financial support the school would like from PAC. Three key areas were highlighted:

1. Mount Pleasant’s 5 year Sustainability Initiative


2. Technology, Smart Boards in particular


• Smart boards cost between 3-3.5K each


• The school would like 6 more


3. Camp Artaban 2010

• School covers half camp fees


• Funding through walkathon and inner city allocation

Fundraising: It was reported that Mount Pleasant Elementary would be the recipient of a $1600 2 year Growing Chef’s program. 2 classes, grade 2/3 and grade 7 will be participating. Helen Sortina from Lark Clothing assisted in our receipt of this program.

Mount Pleasant Elementary will be hosting a plant sale and garage sale at Mount Pleasant Days, which is held yearly on the school grounds. Volunteers are required to assist in all areas of both the garage and plant sales. In particular, we require volunteers to assit with donation pickups, general set-up and sales.

It was reported that a representative of the Lions Club did not feel there would be a conflict if Mount Pleasant pursued the Christmas tree chipping event next year. It was decided that the parking lot of the Kingsgate Mall was the ideal location to hold this event.

Other Business: There was a brief discussion of the proposed Board of Education budget planning process. Mr. Agabob advised parents that the Province decides how much money to allot to school districts and individual districts are then required to allot the funds producing a budget with no deficit.

The BCCPAC will be holding a budget meeting on April 9^th 2010.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:30pm.

Mount Pleasant Elementary School

Parent Advisory Council

Member Meeting

Date: Tuesday March 16^th 2010

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Mt. Pleasant Elementary Classroom

Guest Speaker: Laurie Cassie, Grade 6/7 teacher, Livingston Elementary School.

The meeting was immediately called to order at 6:35pm, at which time Ms. Cassie began her Smart Board presentation. Ms. Cassie provides smart board training to teachers throughout the province.

Using examples from students and teachers, Ms. Cassie demonstrated the ease of use and functionality of the smart board. Smart boards can be used like whiteboards or blackboards with the increased functionality of having object-based software and internet connectivity.
Teachers are better able to pre-plan their lessons and students are able to present more interactive projects and presentations.

Ms. Cassie advised parents that children using this technology have been demonstrating better memory retention and improved attention in class. The technology allows for more engagement
within the classroom.

Smart boards require Smart Notebook software, provided by Smart Technologies. Parents are able and encouraged to download a copy of the Smart Notebook software from the Smart Technologies website at www.smartechnologies.com. Once the software has been downloaded, users must input an activation code, which is provided upon request to all parents/caregivers of children attending school in the Vancouver School District. A copy of this code is available on the PAC notice board in the main entrance to the school.

In addition to her hands on demonstration, Ms. Cassie discussed the costs and durability of the smart boards. She advised parents that the smart boards used within the Vancouver School District are manufactured in Calgary. Smart boards are prolific in the UK, US and Australia.

School Report:

Due to time constraints, Mr. Agabob was unable to discuss the school report. Copies were distributed to parents to read at their leisure. Please see attached.

Other Business:

Kristina Whelton-Davis (Member-at-Large) discussed the Neighbourhood Small Grants project. A member of the steering committee for this project, Ms. Whelton-Davis distributed flyers and
encouraged parents to apply. Funds could be used for one time events or recurring events in the community. Deadline for applications is March 31^st 2010.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:40pm

School Report to PAC
March 16^th 2010

Submitted
by: Steve Agabob and Julia Clark

March 2^nd

• 20 Japanese Language Students visited MTP for the morning.


• Andrea Hotomanie is our new First Nation Student Support worker.
  We have 27 FN students.

March 3^rd

• Class photos taken.

March 10^th

• Spring break begins.

March 12^th

• Paralympics start. Several families received Paralympic event/opening
  tickets.

March 15^th

• School resumes


• Roller blading begins for two week stretch for all classes.


• Vancouver Police here at lunch Monday and Tuesday to roller
  blade with Grades 4/5


• Recycling being undertaken for milk containers in the lunch room.

March 25^th

• A to Z performance for Primary students at 9:00am

March 29^th

• Report Cards go home.

March 30^th

• Newsletter home.

March 31^st/April 1^st

• Student led Conferences. School closes at 2:00pm


• April 1^st SMMO Motivation Concert @ 10:30am

April 2-5

• Easter

April 14^th

• Pink Shirt Day

April 19^th/20^th

• Technical Rehearsal for Sustainability Play


• Next PAC meeting

Looking for parent Volunteers for Mount Pleasant Days Garage Sale on the first Saturday in June. Well work with Julia Clark.

Looking for parent Volunteers to help with Welcome
to Kindergarten on May 5^th, 2010 (90 minutes approximately).

Thanks to Douglas and Randy for providing the child minding
for this evening.

MTP PAC March 2010