Hillcrest PAC Meeting
Minutes September 24, 2008
In attendance: Bill Hagardt, Stacy Morrison, Kathy Dunfield, Sherry Knipe and 19 parents.
Motion to accept the minutes of the May 28, 2008 PAC meeting and tonight’s agenda by Leanne Kujat and seconded by Angela Carson.
Guest Speaker – Naomi Silver
Naomi Silver is the grief counselor for school district and she was here to discuss change and life change and loss.
Naomi speaks from life experience as well as 20 years professional experience. Change can be from moving or divorce, not just from death. One must acknowledge the endings. Naomi’s presentation is aimed towards parents, not teachers, so teachers must adapt handout accordingly.
Each child reacts differently and you must adapt according to your child. The signs of grief (pg 2) are normal, but if they’re longstanding… Kids only show signs in one place typically (ie school), but not at home.
Pg 3 – visual map of grieving developed for kids, but teens and adults use it, esp to help younger kids. It helps older siblings (and parents) understand where the kids are in the process.
Pg 4 Be aware of what other adults ( ie grandparents ) are teaching your kids, verbally and nonverbally. Page 4 is a cheat sheet of what a grieving child needs.
- Give information – non judgmental, non blaming, keep it very simple. Ideally, all adults give the same answer using the same words ( additional handouts on table). Don’t talk about gory details if there’s a chance the kids are listening.
- Reassurance and comfort. Make sure to tell the teachers if something has happened. The child may be fine at home and acting up at school. It’s ok to cry in front of you kids, but be sure to reassure them. Repetition of comfort and reassurance, esp if you’re visibly upset.
- Security – it’s ok to be angry, but it must be controlled.
- Support in dealing with feelings. Next two pages – help to identify how you or your child is feeling. If your child is hurting themselves or others and the two pages don’t help, go for help. It’s ok to be mad, but not ok to kick or hit. It’s a bad pattern to start.
- Time for play and having fun
- Time for physical and creative activities. Really listen at bedtime; that’s when things commonly come up.
- Positive relationships with significant adults
- Find ways to continue relationship anyway – commemoration quilt made out of their clothes, or celebrate the anniversaries of their lives. Make their favourite food to remember them. Make an xmas stocking with memories of that person. Photo album of memories – old house, lost pets, etc. Important to have sense of connectiveness and that’s ok. Don’t force it – you can tell you’re in the healing hills if you’re ready to look at photos.
Too Many Pumpkins – how the girl works through hating pumpkins and learns to accept them anyway. Many other books…
Bowers sponsors a 3-hr talk on grief once a year in November for free. To see Naomi through the school, you need to get referred by the school counselor.
835-2244 to reach Naomi.
Treasurer’s Report (old business – Angela Carson; new business Lisa Bennett )
The PAC has two accounts:
Moneymaker Account: ~$21000
Gaming Account: $8377.82
$4539.82 balance forward + $3837.93 grant just came in = $8377.75 total
Total (excluding grant): $25347
Proposed changes to budget:
- Friends to Friends – autism program w/ puppets no longer needs to be budgeted
- Budgets for GT’s and chess sets - $500 is ok, but we don’t need chess sets. See Justin at Cdn Tire for GT’s for $52
- Garden club – down to $200 from $500
- Dance workshop – fully booked, so not going to happen this year
Motion to accept budget when changed – Shannon Chesham seconded by Darcy Tamboline
President’s Report (Leigh-Anne Chapman)
There is no miscellaneous correspondence. There is a seminar on Old Math vs New Math on Sept 30 at 7pm.
Teachers fund from PAC – The money raised from selling Purdy’s chocolates went to teachers last year, instead money raised from the craft fair. The amount from the chocolate sales was $250 per class. Should we do the craft fair again? Purdy’s makes more money. Can we give a percentage to each class instead of $250 flat? Can it be per child in a class instead of per class (asked by Debbie Luchkanych)? For example, Mrs. Knipe received $250 for all 40 kindergarten kids, whereas most teachers only have half that number in their class. Teachers do share extra funds, however.
Motion to NOT do the craft fair this year – Lisa Bennett and seconded by Michelle Stockbruegger
Table figuring out how much to give each teacher until next meeting. Note that we need to consider that Mrs Knipe has two classes. Last year, money was by teacher, not by class. Consider doing it by the number of kids in the class instead of flat rate?
Food Day – new legislation (very dry reading) - changing what is allowed to be served to students on food day. Depending on interpretation… Healthy choices are needed. School isn’t allowed to offer non-healthy food choices anymore. Pizza must be on a whole grain crust. Panago at coast must be whole wheat; can possibly be done here. All beef hot dogs on whole wheat are acceptable. Discussion – can the high school provide the food? Last year, the high school did the macaroni and chili and lasagna, and it went in the garbage. Suggestion to rotate between hot dogs and pizza this year.
Clean the school – Oct 4th at 9am (Saturday). Bring gloves, rakes, shovels, etc. $3000 budget for landscaping. Kim to haul Sherry in. Labour on the 4th is free, if at all possible.
Vice President’s Report ( Darcy Tamboline / Shannon Chesham)
Co-op gas (97166) made $642. Coop will give you a sticker with that number if you ask. Put this in the newsletter next time.
Campbell’s soup labels will be continued to be collected. There is an envelope in each classroom for them. Send home another product list.
Epicure fund raiser – set of 3 dips for $20; the school gets $5 of each. Should we do this? Consensus – focus on Purdy’s instead. Maybe try epicure by-classroom, or in the spring? Sheeghan Johnson is the consultant.
Purdy’s catalog’s will come home in October. Blurb to go in newsletter.
Safe Arrival – NEEDS PEOPLE!! Need to update the information from Gayle.
Breakfast program needs volunteers.
Family skate & snowball needs volunteers.
Crosswalk volunteers – can seniors do it? Parents just aren’t available, especially in the afternoons. Parents are preferred, since they have a connection with the school, rather than a senior with no connections. Prefer grade 5 parents, since it’s those kids in the crosswalk program.
Class reps needed for Mrs. Dunfield, Morisson, and Mrs. Knipe (both classes).
Signups for babysitters for PAC mtgs.
Teacher’s Report (Stacey Morrison)
Susan Housden willing to do presentation on restitution throughout the year.
DPAC
District PAC mtg once a month. Nobody volunteered. Michelle left, though J
Old Business
Nothing.
New Business
Nothing.
Administrator’s Report (Bill Hagardt and Kathy Dunfield)
Enrollment was at 246, now down to 230, one staff lost.
New staff – Stacey Morrison, Susan Housden, Chad Hugal.
Fresh fruit program – pears today. Leftovers go to a bird sanctuary (too much to compost). It’s only one year. Province picks the schools.
Terry Fox run tomorrow.
Photos October 10.
Friday cultural performance – goes to every school in this district. They’ll create a school song. LowryOlafson.
Sivlerbacks in next month.
Volleyball team (one other school).
(Crosswalk already covered)
Open Discussion
Nothing.
Meeting adjourned at 8:58pm. Minutes by Kim Webster, PAC secretary
Adjourned 8:58pm
