Author: Sperling PAC

Meeting called to order: 7:07 pm

Attendance: (refer to sign up sheet)

The previous Minutes from the general meeting held on September 11, 2019 were passed and adopted.

Items discussed:

Burnaby Parks & Recreation

Amanda from the Burnaby Parks and Recreation came out to talk about upcoming community events, as well as obtain feedback and provide information regarding current and upcoming after school programs held at Sperling school.

Upcoming events:

• Heritage Christmas @ Burnaby Village Museum
• Warming Centres in Burnaby – spread the word to the community
  • Warm shelter; drinks provided
  • Staff is really trained
• Preschool programs
• Breakfast with Santa @ Charles Rummel – $5/person
• Edible Gifts workshop @ Gilmore school ($ ?)
• Family Games Night at Forest Grove ($1)

Programs held at Sperling:

Mr. McLean (from school perspective) and one parent provided awesome feedback regarding the programs – great praise to Parks Board and staff.

Various feedback was provided on the following:

• Specialty one day workshops (ie. Valentine’s, Easter) – always popular;
• Science – while Mad Science does hold their program at the school each term, Amanda suggested a soap/spa-making themed science program to be a little different;
• Sports – the gym time/space is limited due to Staff uses of the gym after school on some days; however, springtime is good for sports and opens up the option to use the outside field and playground
• Babysittting: Burnaby tried last year but it got cancelled.  Amanda inquired about trying again in the spring – perhaps there is possibility to coordinate it on a pro-d day (district or province wide day rather than school pro d day) 
• Cooking – parents like less sweet items (cupcakes and muffins) – Amanda suggested a “meals around the world”/global snacks” theme

The Registration dates will be Dec 17^th for Winter session (January-March) and March 10^th for the Spring (April-June).  Flyers will be available from Parks Rec on December 2^nd for winter programs, and they have barcodes to scan for registration; you may also register online via webreg site or you can call any Burnaby recreation centre.

Emergency Preparedness

Discussion was held regarding Emergency Safety kits.  Emergency kits are to sustain an individual(s) for 72 hrs for those that can’t be ‘picked up’ when an emergency crisis occurs during school hours. The school/Head Teacher is still conducting an inventory count.  A (new Sperling) parent offered to assist with reviewing and helping maintain safety equipment, (ie. the emergency bin). William Au (PAC Exec Committee) raised the question about considering an e-commerce bulk sale – he has some connections and can look into this.

While the Emergency bin (outside on the field was initiated by the Head Teacher, it should be overseen and maintenance upkeep done by the PAC.

Shopfunds

The due date for Shopfunds orders is November 25^th and delivery will be on December 6^th.

Hot Lunch

The current organizers have stepped down from continuing the Hot Lunch program after Term 1.  The PAC will be holding an Information Night scheduled for November 27^th to see if there is enough interest to form a new committee and continue the Hot Lunch Program going forward.

Principal’s Report

1. Strategic Plan:

• New Board has been excited and worked hard to align the initiatives of the schools
• Mandate contracts to ensure the proposed plans and goals are being met
• Hired outside consultant – turned the “Burnaby way” into really tangible pieces
• Sperling initiatives will be aligned and founded within this Strategic Plan

2. Recent school events:

• Pumpkin Patch:
  It was a great day for the Patch and even caught some pictures of teachers playing in the leaves! Hot chocolate was provided by PAC.  There was inquiry about having marshmallows next time; however, there have been issues in the past hence the reason to forego marshmallows at the event.
• Ski meeting:
  Numbers this year significantly declined, which is surprising.
  The price did not increase – for Grades 4 – 7, cost is $300 all in (transportation to and from Whistler, fully guided lessons, and rentals).  The potential drop could be due to increased other options for parents.  One parent provided feedback that her son didn’t want to do it after the 3^rd year (bus ride too long, too far).
• Remembrance Day assembly:

Assembly ran beautifully; great coordination of the last song.  Great thanks and shout out to Mr. Hersog!

• Volleyball:

Boys and girls, Gr 6/7 – Competitive boys and coed teams, but no competitive girls team this year.  Season is finishing up with the play dates.  Kids have done a great job on sportsmanship, community and learning to play a new sport.

3. Upcoming Calendar of Events:
   

• Basketball – starting up in Jan 
• Toy Drive – student council run – aiming for a goal of 150 gifts
• Primary Concert – scheduled for December 11^th as an evening event; ticket system – 2 tickets per family, any available tickets available first come first get at the office
• Dance – Hip Hop coming again via One Vibe; beginning after the winter holidays in the first 2 weeks of January
• Wheelchair Basketball – 1^st 2 weeks of March (before spring break)
• Tennis – after spring Brek
• Report Cards:
  • Will be handed out on December 19th
  • As an “Option A” school, a variety of different formats can be used, but still meets the interim report requirements
  • Principal emphasizes 3 roles to the reports: (1) show you know the child; (2) Do no harm; and (3) 

4. Learning Resource Program (LSS):

Collaboration and support of the teachers is really starting rub off on the other classrooms. The parents’ feedback on full service resource model/classes have been positive. Teachers are really getting to know the students and kids are really starting to come out of their shell.  Everyone that requires support and seems to be getting support.

5. Resident Bard Owl:

There is a bard owl residing in the forest and the students have been going and checking it out. It is the talk of the town – there is even a naming contest happening. This is the 3^rd year now with the forest being integrated into the curriculum and it is very exciting to see kids own their learning and their space.

6. Zonal indigineous resident speaker:

This Friday is a professional development day and teachers will have a resident speaker presenting on what it means to have relations with the forest and nature. Topics include evasive and non-evasive aspects of the forest; indiginizing the forest; cottonwood – how it can be used in traditional ways; and onnection to nature and connection to the forest.

At the end of the presentation, all will have a whole bunch of teas from the plants out there.

Treasurer Report

The Treasurer (Jessica) provided a brief summary and general notes on:

• Centralized all the money
• All fundraising money now into our account – hot lunch, Sperling sprint
• Little interest coming in every month
• Still holding vendor money for hot lunch (prepaid money) – not considered revenue; after January will be paid out to vendors and will reflect over as revenue
• Gaming account – BC government grant ($20/student)
• $400/division for each $50 sundry to spend

DPAC

The last DPAC meeting had a focus around mental health issues. It was aimed towards teenage years. The discussion included:

• words around mental health
• thinking about stress differently – rather than trying to accommodate our kids, we should try to work around ways to build resiliency 
• not calling it anxiety – that is using the term/language incorrectly and using diagnosis words before an actual diagnosis

Ron Heyde is considering stepping down as the DPAC co-representative. William expressed interest to take on this role. Ruth nominated William for the co-representative position which was seconded by Kelly. 

It was therefore adopted that the new DPAC co-representatives are now Dina and William.  William will remain as the CPF representative; Livia expressed interest in taking on the CPF rep role or co-rep with William, but for now will maintain her co-secretary position with Ruth.

The Vice-Chair (Grace) inquired about obtaining information regarding DPAC; in particular, regarding free speakers to come to the school. Dina will follow up on this, as well as login information for William. 

Clothing Drive

The Chair (Kelly) reported on the Clothing Drive fundraiser held in October. The school brought in over 3,000 lbs of textiles and raised a total of $663.93. After general discussion, it was proposed to have the next clothing drive scheduled after spring break. A notice will go out before the break. Kelly noted that if we accumulate a total of 6,000 lbs by the end of the school year, we will earn an extra $100.  

Helping Community

Principal MacLean mentioned that Edmonds Community School is collecting new or gently used items as gifts to the community for the Christmas season. They are also asking for wrapping paper, bows and  bags to wrap it. These items can be dropped off directly at Edmonds school.

Pancake Breakfast

The annual breakfast held in December has not been confirmed as of yet. The current organizers, who are also the Hot Lunch committee, may be stepping down and if so, we will need to organize a new coordinating committee. This will include much needed planning beforehand as well as on the day of.

A suggestion was made to vary the timing of the breakfast to be during school hours rather than early morning before 9 am.  There could also be designated time slots for each division/class. The PAC hopes to have confirmation from the current organizers by this Friday Nov 22^nd. 

Sperling PAC Website and CommunyHub app

The Sperling PAC website was updated and refreshed over the summer by our webmaster (Ian). Since September, the site has a new look and is much more user friendly. 

Ian has also created a new app called “CommunyHub”. CommunyHub is a private online parent community for Sperling and is spread and communicated through parents directly. It is meant essentially as an augmentation to what a teacher or school may have in place, ie FreshGrade or class site (which are teacher driven). The app can be set up for a particular division or group/committee so that parents may upload or retrieve specific information related to that group, ie field trip notices, important classroom dates, etc. Ian has already received requests to set up a grad committee group for fundraising.

It is important to note that CommunyHub is not headed or run by the school; rather, it is among the parent community and is parent driven. While CommunyHub sources and generates its information from the school website for general calendar events, the information is generated by a school parent and not the school itself.

The PAC plans to prepare an information sheet to communicate to parents about the CommunyHub app.

Meeting adjourned (time unconfirmed – approx. 8:30 pm).

Meeting called to order 7:12pm

See sign in sheet for attendance.

Minutes from last annual general meeting May 22, 2019 passed.

PAC Activities

Fruit & Vegetables 11 times a year. Call out for volunteers. Kids more likely to try a new food when all their peers are trying it. Email chair@sperlingpac.com if you are interested in volunteering once in a while. Meets on a Monday from 1pm.

Emergency Safety Box needs organizing. Looking to do an emergency release practice this year. 2 very organized teachers have purged the box and organized purchase of needed items. Parent needed to check the list and make sure everything is there.

Indoor/Outdoor Boxes. You get a budget and get to shop for needed items for each class. i.e. magnifying glasses, hula hoops, chalk, balls, etc. Budget is $600 for 23 divisions. Email chair@sperlingpac.com to volunteer. Twice a year. One for inside in Sep. Outside boxes get done in the Spring.

Sperling Sprint will likely be first Friday of May. Great fundraiser and healthy fun activity for the kids. Need volunteers to monitor street corners.

Shopfunds twice a year. Nov/Dec and Apr/May. Parents buy gift cards for places they might normally shop at and the school gets a % of sale. Great for birthday parties, teacher gifts, Christmas or other celebrations. And parents aren’t pressured to spend money on anything they would not already purchase.

Clothing Drive. Paid by weight. Condition doesn’t matter as items are repurposed. Twice a year. Oct and Apr.

PAC Donation Letter is another option for you to participate in if you want.

We will be easing up on the fundraising this year and will likely stick to these options. Raised over $12K with the Fun Fair in the Spring so we are going to enjoy the year without any heavy fundraising. Again, there is no pressure to participate in all fundraisers, only the ones you would like to take part in. We want to give you options…

Principal Report

Great start to the school year and the assembly was great. Kids were encouraged to say ‘it’s going to be a good year’ when they were assigned to their permanent classes.

6 words we believe in as a school. 10 minute video sent out by the school animated short. Great to watch if you have a chance… emailed to all the parents by Mr. Maclean. Once you know your own gifts you are able to appreciate everyone else’s gifts. Jigsaw pieces are starting to be placed around the school aerial photo.

School is full! They had to reorganize 7 classes in English at the last minute, while trying to keep the composition they felt was important to each class. Mostly new students who got moved around. Primary French is totally full. Intermediate has a small amount of room. (Only 4 spots left in the school?)

22 new teachers hired district wide as enrollment is up across Burnaby.

Intakes in 2 weeks. Forms getting sent home soon. Get to know you for the teacher… if there is something greater, please make an appointment.

Terry Fox Run Sep.26 to raise funds for cancer research. Voluntary donation. Terry was Metis and this is a great opportunity to put the lens on this event.

Orange Shirt Day will be used to launch a week of education around reconciliation. ‘Stolen words’ is a book that points to some truths about the lost language.

Timberline for Grade 6 coming up. 3 staff going as well as the counsellor the first day to help with any homesickness.

32 students for Cross Country.

Pro-D Day Sep.27th to set up a variety of focuses. Mme Neuman Grade 6/7 is working on creating an in house challenge program (0.1 admin time). 16 vex robots at the school. Alexa will start off the Pro-D Days with a design challenge. (4 students from our school go to Parkcrest every Wed and series of design challenges and lessons that they do there. We had 60 students apply but we can only send 6 so there’s a need. In-house program can hopefully meet that need). Does not take away from our LSS time. Model is a co-teaching model. Alexa can go into classrooms to run these workshops. Will get stronger as a staff. For the first couple of months. Looking into building a hydroponic wall with one of the classrooms. If we can build the capacity of our staff around ADST challenges and design challenges … Working on writing goal around motivation and relevancy and helping students feel confident about writing and want to write… break down the apathy around writing. Restitutional language also an aspect.

Playground… 2-week delay in some of the parts arriving. Cement delay by a week. Climbing rock to get poured this week. Levelling to come next week then soft fall. Hope to be done by sept 20th. Colour scheme looks great. Kids will be introduced to the playground when it is opened and the K’s will have their own dedicated time.

Question: K parents’s who didn’t attend orientation in the Spring did not get the memo that gradual entry was 2 weeks. The package that came out the first week didn’t mention the 2nd week. Reply from Mr. MacLean was apology for the breakdown in communication and will take the feedback to the staff. The reason they changed the model was that they weren’t effectively balancing the classes cause they didn’t know the kids. But this is important for them to learn. Parent comment that this is a very appealing was to start Kindergarten. Our primary teachers are very strong and there is some great practice going on within the classrooms. Teachers are collaborating together and it’s great to see.

Skiing will be slightly later this year cause they offered different dates at Whistler. Documentation will be sent out when it is ready. Available for Grades 4-7.

Ottawa/Quebec info will be offered to Grade 7s. Staffing will be determined based on number of students taking the trip. Likely the first week of Jun.

Hip Hop happening again but not in Sep. booked for Jan this year for 2 weeks.

Teachers sat down in June to look at the calendar to properly space out the events to see what we can manage properly.

Question: Grad committee gets initiated by Grade 7 parents. Go to teacher and set up a time and date with teachers

Looking for parents to join in the ‘Safety of Your Children Committee’ i.e traffic patrol. Parent requests for paid crossing guard would be appreciated. Evaluations being done all the time but safety of our children needs to be taking the safety of our children more seriously. Would love to reinstate the walking sidewalk. If we can focus a campaign parents for a walking sidewalk that would be great.

Treasurer Report

Error Noted: Change the $800 from the ADST line to $8000. Motion made to pass the minutes with the change to the ADST line. Budget adopted with the change.

Question: About why Movie Night is not a line item: we would like to present it as a free event for the kids not a fundraiser so that’s why it is not on the budget.
Question: Christmas Concert? Primaries will have one in the Spring. Musical theatre cabaret in the Winter for the intermediates.

DPAC

Nothing to report

CPF

Nothing to report

Website Presentation by Ian

Changed the large repository of information that was the old PAC site [public Sperling PAC website for school-wide parent communication] into a more streamlined look with improved functionality. Clean and purged old information. Progressive Web App will adjust to phone or desktop. MacLean: School calendar is updated on a weekly basis – Ian can subscribe to that and it can be imported into the PAC calendar, ideally.

Review of CommunyHub [private parent community for classroom parent collaboration and connection] which can be opted into by the classrooms individually so that you can only get the info that is relevant to you. Question: Who is vetting membership? Ian at the moment. Other parents could take over their own classroom as a classroom parent rep. MacLean has a few concerns as to how to address issues such as permissions to post photos/videos. Also custody issues, etc. need to be considered as to how the info gets to the parents and to make sure only the parents who are supposed to be getting the information are getting the info. If there is a custody situation within the classroom this could be an issue. And have all the parents of the children in the photos opted in? Something to look at when setting up CommunyHub. How do we moderate proper information when parents are able to chat… when we are asking a parent to be a moderator of what might turn into taking sides… cannot be sanctioned by the school in any way. Suggestion for Ian and McLean to sit down and problem solve some of these issues. Maybe limit to classroom Calendars only and other information that could be found publicly.

Sperling PAC website set to go live shortly.

Meeting adjourned 8:53

PAC General Meeting – AGM held on May 22, 2019

Attendance: refer to sign up sheet

Meeting called to order (Kelly-Chair) at 7:12 pm.

Attendees reviewed last meeting’s Minutes and a motion was made to adopt the Minutes from the last meeting – motion to pass made by Ruth and seconded by Tina. All were in favour and Minutes were passed.

1. Voting in of the PAC

Chair: Nominations were made for Kelly Zecca. No other nominations were brought forward. All were in favour of Kelly and she was voted in.
Vice-Chair: Nominations were made for Grace Liang. No other nominations were brought forward. All were in favour of Grace and she was voted in.
Treasurer: Nominations were made for Jesssica Liu. No other nominations were brought forward. All were in favour of Jessica and she was voted in. Note a co-position available.
DPAC: Nominations were made for Dina Shafey and Ron Heyde. No other nominations were brought forward. All were in favour of both Dina and Ron as co-committee members and both were voted in.
Secretary: Nominations were made for Ruth Heyde and Livia Hong. No other nominations were brought forward. All were in favour of both Ruth and Livia as co-committee members and both were voted in.
Website Designer (King of the Web): This is a new position available. Nominations were made for Ian Chan. No other nominations were brought forward. All were in favour of Ian and he was voted in.
CPF Member: No nominations were brought forward. One parent, William Au, was considering the role. At the moment the position and a co-position are still available. (Subsequent to the meeting William Au has put his name forward for the position)
Committee Members at Large:

• Brief summaries were provided for other tasks available during the school year:
  • Fruit & Veggie program (Kelly)
  • Fundraising:
    • Christmas Craft – current member is stepping down, need someone to step up
    • Sperling Sprint – Eugene will stay on, with assistance by Kelly and Melanie
    • ShopFunds (Ruth continues to run)
  • Indoor/Outdoor Boxes (Dina is considering)
    • Indoor – rainy day games
    • Outdoor – bubbles, sport balls
    • Buy items needed with a budget, organize & coordinate the boxes
  • Emergency Box (Daisy is stepping down)
    • Forms filled out at beginning of the year – update the forms – member will replenish as needed with the budget given
    • Review and replace expired items; systemizing the Box
    • Sperling teachers are willing to assist (Mme Day and Ms. Schiffo)
  • Lost and Found (Alessandra and Renee)
    • Alessandra and Renee will continue to maintain
      • Instagram post is a hit and awesome feedback; really helps for the working parents
      • Once the L&F get super full, the members will donate to Once Upon a Child and funds go back to PAC
      • Tupperware gets donated to Value Village
  • Lice committee
    • Current members will re-convene in the fall
    • Need 6-8 people;
    • Hopeful for 2x a year, maybe a 3rd – ideally at the beginning of the year; after winter holiday and after spring break

2. DPAC Update

Ron provided a general feedback of attending the DPAC meetings. He found it was a good source of sharing information and storytelling of what other schools are doing or stopped doing for various reasons. It is great to hear how we can benefit with each other school wise, such as incorporating ways to learn and focus on indigenous matters. For example, Sperling has been accredited for their use and exploration of the forest. Another example is how and what schools are doing to fundraise. The District helps look at how to encourage stuff that we are doing right.

There was discussion on the new funding model:

• Still postponing; in a holding pattern
• Considering the concept – not solidified yet on how the model will look like
• All hearsay still at this moment, indication from the ministers and school trustee is that there is new money and new opportunities
• Also talked about the first school closure in 21 years (snow days)
  • Have learned to be over prepared in situations for future

3. CPF Update

The CPF member (Monique) was not present and thus no update was provided.

4. Treasurer’s Report

• a. Latest update is to May 14 th, which includes the Fun Fair and some Deposits
• b. Last page detail – mostly fundraising (Fun Fair) – not all monies have been deposited and accounted for yet
• c. Gaming account – haven’t spent much yet (funding just came in March)

Motion to adopt the Treasurer’s Report as presented – motion to pass made by Ruth, seconded by Kelly; all were in favour and Report was adopted.

5. Fun Fair Update

Lucia Yap from the Fun Fair Committee gave a brief rundown on the status and setup for the upcoming Fair. The Fair is 10 days out and things are ramping up. Lots of promoting has been done through Facebook and flyers are being delivered through a local paper route. There has been awesome teacher engagement and student excitement which is great to hear. Lucia also gave a huge shout out to all the PAC members involved in the Fun Fair for their time, dedication and efforts on this major event.

Activities:

• Many activities lined up, including stage entertainment
• Silent auction has been moving along, with the showcasing of local vendors/businesses via Facebook and Includes teacher/classroom art pieces

Food:

• Set up for presale orders for punchcards and food (through Munchalunch)

Volunteers:

• Still looking for volunteers
• Extra hands usually on deck and available on day of
• All volunteer time is appreciated;

Day before the event:

• Presale punchcards and food orders will be disbursed to students on the Thursday before the Fair
• Setup and preparation will begin at 6:30 and there is a callout for parent volunteers to assist

6. School Fundraising.

• a. Sperling Sprint raised over $6,000 this year – one child raised $1,100 alone – AMAZING!
• b. Clothing Drive (April) – raised $765 plus extra $100 from the company
• c. Mother’s Day flowers – still confirming the totals. Possibly need to re-consider this fundraiser for next year, as the prices keep getting raised.

7. Chair’s Thank You

Kelly expressed a huge thank you for all members who have committed their time and support for the PAC. She thanked all those that have come out to the meetings.

8. Principal’s Report

• a. Carving ceremony:
  • The dedication and blessing carving ceremony is scheduled for 1 pm on June 18th. The mayor, various dignitaries (MP, Burnaby School District) and Simon and his family are expected to attend. We are working on someone to come out from the Coast Salish Nation to bless the carving piece. Two indigenous members are also working with the Kindergarten classes and teaching them a thank you song. The principal commented that the carving tells an amazing story and has become a great catalyst for telling stores, creating interactions and conversations. It will continue to be a legacy for the school. The principal gave many thanks again to the PAC for the funds given towards the carving experience.

• b. Staffing:
  • no surplus; but also not adding any classes; will remain at 23 divisions
  • at the moment, only 1 or 2 spots available at the Primary level
  • French Immersion is full
  • Goodbyes and Hellos:
    • i. Mme. Godel (5/6 immersion) is leaving – Ms. Schulz to replace her
    • ii. Ms. Spence will not be returning; Ms. Deis to replace her
  • Moves:
    • i. Mr. Kelsey will be moving from Grade 6/7 to 5/6; a Grade 6/7 position is open now and Mr. MacLean is currently looking into filling it
    • ii. Ms. Grundy’s return status is unknown, PT basis – will move to 4/5
    • iii. Ms. Czech (LSS) is leaving; Ms. Venos will fill the LSS role and still maintain her role as Head Teacher
• c. New Playground update:
  • Mr. MacLean met with a committee that included parents and teachers who provided good feedback. It was realized that the existing playground area has quite a large footprint and so there was more than enough space to keep the existing component while still able to add the new structure. Therefore, the current structure will be moved and flipped around to be alongside the new play piece.
  • Mr. Maclean showed a visual sketch of the projected new playground, which included the following:
    • Disc chair/swing part of the accessibility component
    • Accessibility ramp that will come onto the play area
    • some areas for shade
    • lots of climbing pieces including ropes, a wall and a rock
    • slides facing southwest – so it doesn’t get too hot The estimated timeline for the installation is projected to be for September.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 pm