April 2005 PAC Meeting Minutes by reported by Candace Watson This is a DRAFT copy Lord Byng Senior Secondary Parent Advisory Council General Meeting Minutes Date & Time: April 26, 2005. Convened at 7:15 PM Location: Lord Byng Senior Secondary School, Library 3939 West 16^th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. ATTENDANCE:_ __Kirsten Brawn__, __Ken Cameron__, Shirley Cameron, Ann Campbell, Caroline Crowe, Brian Crowther, Anne Duke, Carla Haber, Ian Karp, Elaine Knappfuller, Linda Morrison, Teri Norfolk, John Robertson, Karen Stierhoff, Candace Watson._ _ _ SCHOOL REPS: Rob Schindel (Vice Principal) 1. Minutes of the March 15th PAC meeting. / / /Shirley Cameron moved to adopt the Minutes of the February 2005 meeting. Kirsten Brawn seconded the motion. Carried./ 2. President?s Remarks - Ken Cameron stated that the role of the PAC Executive is to facilitate and to support direct communication between the school and parents; - The PAC is a resource for parents to help them to deal with issues of a more general nature; - KC wanted to emphasize that the first line of recourse for parents is to take the matter up with the school and that the PAC exists to reinforce the principle of direct communication between parents and school, not act as a substitute for it. 3. Vice Principal?s Report (Rob Schindel) - Mr. S. gave an update on the seismic upgrading. There has been a significant amount of noise over the past two to three weeks because there has been core drilling on the south side of the school to secure the bricks; this work is now in the final stages. - The seismic upgrade is scheduled to be completed in the first week of July and then the deficiencies will be corrected over the summer months. The counselors are back in their offices this week and the Skills Centre will be back in Room 218 next week. - On May 5^th at 2:00 PM there will be a District-wide earthquake drill with the support of the PAC, Search and Rescue teams, staff; there will be a triage centre and students will be briefed in class. - In sports, the Track and Field season is midway through and the golf teams are up and running. - The dress rehearsal for My Fair Lady was today and the stage set is great and so is the lighting. There will be performances on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Tickets are $12.00 for adults, $6.00 for students and can be purchased at the office or at the door. - The Grade 10 students are preparing for their provincial exams: English is on June 22, Math on the 14^th and Science on the 25^th . - The administration is working with the teacher leaders to ensure that there will be tutorials in the week prior to the exams. There will also be preparation time leading up to the exams, check the web site. - The preliminary budget was approved by the VSB yesterday, on May 4 the administration will receive the staffing allotment for next year and will report on this for the May meeting. - At the beginning of May there will be Grade breakfasts to celebrate the academic success in each grade: May 10^th will be the Grade 8 pancake breakfast, May 11^th for the Grade 9?s, May 12^th for the Grade 10?s, May 17^th for the Grade 11?s and May 18^th for the Grade 12?s. - We are rapidly approaching Grad season. The junior awards will be on June 7^th ; the scholarship committee is meeting on a weekly basis. On June 2^nd is the grad rehearsal and on June 3^rd is the grad ceremony at the Chan Centre at 2:00 PM. - DB is in Japan and she is enjoying the cultural aspects as well as the shopping. She is having a wonderful experience as are the 10 homestay students. The newsletter is posted on the web site and there is an article by DB contrasting the school experience in Japan and Canada. - RS pointed out the yellow sheets on the table which are to obtain feedback from parents on what significant attributes that you feel that the principal at Lord Byng should have. /Questions/ - one parent asked what happens at the Grade 8 breakfast and RS answered that they are to recognize the students accomplishments, both academic and athletic. There will be entertainment at the breakfasts. - one parent asked what will go on in the tutorials? RS answered that there will be sample tests, the information will be discussed in detail and students will be given sample questions and strategies on how to manage their time. There will also be some in-class time and tutorials, particularly in Math which is the first priority as so many students struggle with math. The tutorials will be posted on the bulletin board. 4. Treasurer?s Report (Kirsten Brawn) - Kirsten posted the April 2005 Treasurer?s Report on the overhead. She announced that a $186 GST rebate is coming and that the Grocery Certificate program made $873 in April or a 7.91% return this month (7.63% overall).// - Kirsten also announced that 75% of the Wish List funds request have been disbursed. - The fourth Tuesday of every month is to be a Pizza Night at Domino?s which is a fund raiser for PAC. If you order a pizza and say that it?s for Lord Byng then 20% of the value of the order goes to the PAC. - The PAC has received $22,660 from the Ministry which has been transferred into the Regular Account, there are no restrictions on its use. - We have $5,787.45 left of the Wish List funds which the Executive recommends be spent on buying more picnic tables and also funding the August mailout. - /Shirley Cameron moved that this money be allocated to these two items. John Robertson seconded the motion. Carried./ 4. Ministry Grant - A one-time grant was received into the Gaming Account from the Ministry in the sum of $22,660 (based on enrolment). It is to be used for supporting parent involvement in the schools as well as to support the students. - The Executive has discussed the grant and identified a number of options: o Give it to the administration to spend at the discretion of the principal; o Give a grant to the Library to buy books; o Use a portion of it to fund major parent education initiatives (speaker events). - the decision of what to do with the money requires the approval of the PAC as a whole. KC wants to get DB?s comments. This item will be put forward to the May meeting. /Discussion/ / - /one parent said that was against the third option as he feels that it should go toward the school. Another asked whether all of the money had to be spent in one year (No). Another parent asked whether the Wish List items might be reconsidered? KC replied that most of the worthwhile items have been funded. / -/ Another parent asked about the deficiency in the fees. KC said that he had asked DB about this and she made cryptic comments about instituting a user-pay system for school activities next year and therefore this would not be an appropriate use of the funds. / -/ One parent commented that she noted that the school first aid supplies were very low and suggested contributing to this. / -/ One parent asked if there had been any discussion about the government funding the schools so that we don?t have to pay these large additional fees. / -/ One parent stated that the PAC in the elementary school that her child attends made the decision to write to the government and express their feelings about the grant. KC did not feel that it was appropriate for the Byng PAC to get into issues like this; that it was not the right body to express opinions on this subject. / -/ one parent asked about providing support to the Arts and Music programs. / -/ John Ribertson stated that he was in favour of turning over the money to DB but excluding paying off the debt. / -/ Kirsten Brawn suggested sponsoring a Pizza Day for an under-privileged school. KC pointed out that every school got a grant on the basis of their attendance. 5. Call for Nominations to the PAC Executive KC pointed out that the first round of PAC elections takes place in May. People are elected to the Executive and then the Executive allocates roles. Tracy Proke and Michele Danicek are on the Nominating committee; please speak to any Executive member if you are interested. There will be a second election in September (to include the new Grade 8 parents). 6. Byng?s 80^th Birthday - Ken Cameron noted that we are partway through the anniversary activities. There is a big sign out at the street, there has been lots of advertising including circulars. The Alumnae Basketball game and beer garden is this Friday night (Spence McTavish is in charge). - The gala preceding My Fair Lady on Saturday night has been cancelled because of slower than expected ticket sales; the reception is going ahead. - There is a symphony concert on Friday May 13^th . - The Tea and Tour of the school is on Friday May 20^th . 7. DPAC /BCCPAC Report (John Robertson) - JR reported that 9 area district parent reps are needed; nominations close on May 13^th . The PAC must support the nomination (no interest). - the BCCPAC AGM is May 14^th /15^th and JR needs authorization from the PAC to vote on resolutions. - he said that he has no problem with the general resolutions: school speed zones, drug-free programs, first aid, teen suicide prevention and counseling (on the BCCPAC website) however he does have a problem with the latest resolutions which he sees as an attack on the teachers (a knee-jerk reaction to a newspaper story about 2 different teachers. He thinks that they are going way too far and will be happy to discuss this after the meeting. / - Ian moved that JR be given PAC permission to attend the AGM, Elaine seconded the motion. Carried./ / / - JR said that he would prepare a presentation for next Fall if the Executive wishes and there is enough interest. 8. Other Business - Grad is going well (Laurie Frederick); currently raffle tickets are being sold as a fund-raiser. Please contact LF or Sidney Hughes if you can help. - KC reported that he has received a letter from one of our feeder schools that their PAC has sent to the government about teacher placement changes that are being made mid-year. Do we have any interest in adding our support. There was an issue at the beginning of the year when there was a turnover in Grade 8 teachers; one parent commented that 6/8 of her child?s teachers changed. (No further action). 13. Speaker, Sheila Marshall (who is conducting a survey on life at Lord Byng) - Ms. Marshall noted that Carla, who has two children at Byng, is helping her with data collection. - It is difficult for UBC students to get access to adolescents. - The survey was put together last summer and in the Fall a team of 4 students put the survey on line (which was terrifying for the researchers). - It worked well, the tech class was amazing; it was a collaborative effort. Dr. M. said that she wouldn?t be here tonight if it had been done in the traditional way. - The initial findings form the base line; the researchers have the opportunity to followthe grade 8?s through to Grade 12 ? it?s a perfect design. /Relationships between Students/ - consent forms were sent home; there were 632 consents, 139 declined, 347 no responses (this latter group bothers her the most); - 576 students assented, 12 were removed. This shows that there is a positive environment as normally around 30 are removed. - The first question was how, on a 5 point scale, the student perceived that they mattered to an adult at Byng (an adult cares about you). - The results were: Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 3.4 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.5 Don?t know many people yet Don?t know many people yet exiting - 3 is the mid-line and it?s not high. There are ways of raising it. - The effect of school or the effect of ?cool?. / / /Altruistic Behavior Toward Peers/ / / - Altruism is voluntary without expectation of personal gain. Most feel somewhat altruistic. The curve is normal and not grade-differentiated. /Proactive Prosocial Behavior/ - (I do something for you so that you reciprocate): - less likely to use than altruistic behavior. /Relational Aggression/ - normative aggression and teasing beliefs; - the belief that aggression is normal ? sometimes believe that that?s okay; - teasing but not for fun. /Homophobia/ - assessed as degree of comfort with same sex orientation; - discomfort is common in adolescence; - of concern are the rates despite the education at Byng; - she had hoped for a little less discomfort with homosexuals; - the team will watch over this aspect over the next 5 years (with more education). /Sexual Harassment/ - Reception and Engagement. - (this study replicates what two researchers in Ontario have done, adjusted for use with adolescents (took sexual coercion words out or otherwise counselors are needed). - 330 had never engaged in sexual harassment (well over half) - 220 had never received sexual harassment. - (note, this is their interpretation). There is a strong correlation between receiving and engaging ? reciprocal. - Mostly in upper grades, probably on dates. - Verbal harassment is much more common than physical. /Engaging in Harassment:/ - more use of verbal - male students more likely to engage; - calling someone gay: o negatively related to homophobia among the youngest female students; o positively associated with homophobia among age 16 females; o positively associated with homophobia among males 17 yrs + - you have to know what ?gay? means; the sudent reps to the SPC are trying to educate the other kids. /Receipt of Harassment/ - more likely verbal than physical; - male students report more verbal harassment than females; /Relational Aggression by Grade/ - no differences in relational aggression excluding sexual harassment; - moe sexual comments and jokes in the upper grades than the lower; - more frequent sexual touching in Grades 10-12. /Clothing/ - this is the first year of the Dress Code. - The researchers assessed the selection of clothing for: conformity, sexual attraction, to look wealthy. - Most dress to conform. - Students are less likely to dress to conform or sexually attract others when they are in a secure attached relationship with their parents. - Females are more conforming - Males are dressing to sexually attract. - (the researchers don?t think that the girls are aware of it ? or admitting it) - ?metrosexual? trend. It?s good to be clean, well-groomed, students don?t dress to look wealthy. /Sexual Information Sources/ - students are more comfortable talking to their friends than their parents about sex; - they prefer their friends as sexual info sources but they prefer their parents over the media. - More comfortable with good friends than family because of the incest taboo /Characteristics of Sexual Information Sources/ - parents are higher than friends - doctors and nurses are high - the internet and TV are low. /Information About Sex that?s East to Understand/ - parents and friends are close - doctors and nurses are high - TV is lower /Sources of Sexual Information as not embarrassing/ - parents are most embarrassing, then close friends, TV is the highest, then doctors and nurses. /Providing Information Quickly/ - students think that a walk-in clinic is quickest - the internet is low - close friends are high Questions - when was the survey done, in class? Yes it was done in English class. Students not in the survey were doing other work like reading activity (not wasting time); - there were good conversations around the answers. - Favourite celebrity? Students asked if they could be fictional or dead ? yes. - They were asked who they live with, ethnic background. - Was their sleep adequate? Most students felt that they got 1 hour less sleep than they need. (this is correlated with aggression). - Do the kids have high stress levels? (no), too much busyness? (no) - Picked an average day ? what would you do on a randomly selected day? - Computer, generally 1 hour a day, a couple spent 12-14 hours. - The researchers didn?t get a sense of hurriedness. - Did you find anything that parents can do to support their kids? - Front end measures: how many parents know where their kids are. - Measures of bonding and attachment. - Attachment is measured by how much they feel that you are there to listen to them; - How much they feel responsive back to you; - How much they feel they can get attention by making you angry. - Securely attached kids are telling you most of what thet?re doing with friends. - If kids are preoccupied with getting your attention then they are sitting ducks for harassment. - No one listens, I don?t care about you, the F---Y?factor. - It is a very small group that is engaging in most of the relational aggression. - It?s important for parents to make sure that your kids understand that you?re really listening - They will talk to their friends if they?re really struggling - It is not easy to turn around a kid who is really angry (6-8 months) - It?s important to differentiate between caring for the individual but not necessarily for the behavior. - Lonely kids rub off on other kids. - In contrast with a survey done in another region ? the teachers took off, the kids were out of control and the researchers couldn?t get the kids under control. - Do the kids see the survey? - Yes, a little bit is posted, not too much or they?ll ?help? us. Just stuff that they need to know. - What faculty are you with? Family studies, parent-adolescent relationships. Adolescent development; she?s a psychologist and sociologist. - Remember the social side of school is just as important as the academic side. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM. The next meeting is May 24^th .