March 2004 Minutes
by recorded by Candace Watson
This is a DRAFT copy
Lord Byng Senior Secondary
Parent Advisory Council
General Meeting Minutes
Date & Time:
March 23, 2004. Convened at 7:15 PM
Location:
Lord Byng Senior Secondary School, Library
3939 West 16^th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C.
ATTENDANCE: Kathryn Aberle, Stephen Aberle,_ Alex Azcona, Gilles
Babin, __Jan Berney__, Cathie Best, __Ken Cameron__, Larry Diamond,
Yvonne Diamond, Allison Downie, __Rick Downie__, Bernard Fletcher,
Laurie Fredrick, __David__ Gray, __Paul__ Greisman__, Janet Karp,
Cecilia Martell, Kathy Mukai, Greta Oya, Brian Palmquist, __Tracy
Proke__, Madeleine Rigg, __Kathie Road__, __John Robertson__, Karin
Smith, Karen Stierhoff, Donna Underhill, Candace Watson.,Karl Zaeuher._
_ _
SCHOOL REPS: (Principal) Darlene Braeder, Rob Schindel, (Vice
Principal)
1. Minutes of the January 27, 2004 meeting.
Rick Downie moved to adopt the Minutes of the February 2004
meeting. Laurie Frederick seconded the motion, Carried.
2. Principal?s Report
- There have been two musical nights since the last PAC meeting
- The Grad Committee is in full swing preparing for Bingo Night
- The Grade 9 Boys basketball came ninth in the province.
- the Band is getting ready for Band Camp in April and then they are
going on a tour of the Kootenays.
- Thursday is the Grade 89 Track Meet (weather permitting)
- reports will go home with the students shortly after April 2, also
the notices of parent-teacher interviews.
- DB asked the PAC?s advice and input about the vending machine
contract with Coca Cola which is coming up for renewal:
Laurie Frederick wondered if there were more nutritious
options available. DB said that more juices and water could be
included. LF also wondered whether prices could be lowered on healthier
options and raised on the less healthy options.
Karen Stierhoff asked whether the contract was based on
sales or negotiated at a specific amount. Generally revenues are based
on 35% to 42% of gross sales. The Coca Cola contract was for 35% of
gross revenues and was for 5 years.
Rick Downie said that he would like to see lots of choice.
One of the PAC members recommended against Coke as a
vendor because of their history of labour relations.
JR said that there has been a lot of talk about this
issue on radio and TV but he is a firm believer in letting kids have a
choice and offering more than drinks with high sugar, caffeine and
carbonation. The less healthy choices are available across the street.
It was suggested that the milk drinks such as banana etc
not be considered as they contain more sugar than pop.
Another suggestion was yoghurt drinks.
- DB said that Pinetree (one of the companies under
consideration) has those options. All proposals will be received by May
1 and she will bring them to the PAC and then go to the SPC. The
decision will be made by June.
- The chocolate and snack machines are owned by the Athletic
Department.
- Ken Cameron noted that the issue had sparked
considerable discussion at the Executive meeting and that the Executive
will bring forward their position to the April meeting.
3. SPC Meeting (DB)
- the last meeting was attended by fewer people because of health
reasons.
- Lord Byng is doing very well academically, placing third in all
public schools and 18^th out of 276 Province-wide according to the
recent Fraser Institute report.
- Five years ago LB was 68^th in the province
- the SPC will be looking at more data at their next meeting on
Monday in the Library at 6:30.
- In April there will be a phone survey of recent Byng grads to find
out what post secondary education they are doing and how well Byng
prepared them. Laurie F. will be asking for volunteers.
4. Treasurer?s Report
- Paul Greisman reported that there is $5,740 in the Gaming
account and $893 in the General account. 76% of all expenditures agreed
upon have been made
5. School Board Budget (KC)
- the VSB has a $10 million deficit after years and years of budget
cuts.
- there is a meeting tonight and tomorrow night.
6. Updates on Committees
(a) Grad Bingo Night (Jan Berney)
this is the first time that we have tried this; it?s a
fund-raiser for Grad. It will be this Thursday from 7 to 9. There will
be a concession and teachers have volunteered to be celebrity callers.
It has been inexpensive to put on and we hope to make some money for
Grad. Contributions toward prizes would be appreciated.
(b) Executive Nominations (Laurie Frederick)
the PAC has two elections for Executive Members at Large
annually: one in May (and nominations are needed) so that the Executive
may choose the Officer positions of President, Vice President, Secretary
and Treasurer are elected and the second in September allowing new
parents to the school to join the Executive.
We will be needing a new treasurer. Paul
Greisman assures us tha an accounting degree is not necessary just
knowledge of how to construct and read spreadsheets is necessary.
(c) Hanging Baskets (Karen Stierhoff)
forms have been put on the tables and also included with
the newsletter and are posted on the web site.
Orders must be in by April 30^th for delivery on the
Saturday before Mother?s Day.
(d) Blueberry Fund-Raiser (LF)
we have a new fund-raiser, the sale of frozen
blueberries. They will be sold in 30 pound boxes with plastic bags so
the boxes can be split.
A form letter will be going out soon.
(e) Meetings
because of ParentTeacher night, the PAC meeting in April
will be on the 20^th .
In the interest of better liaison with our feeder
schools the PAC Executives from Kitchener, Queen Elizabeth and Queen
Mary have been invited to that meeting.
Issues are arising in the feeder schools and so the PACs
would benefit from mutual education on these issues.
We would also like to counteract the fall-off in parent
involvement that often happens when kids go to high school.
We would also like to strengthen the continuity of
leadership by trying to involve the Grade 8 parents.
The next meeting?s speaker will be Sex and the Modern
Teenager by Laura Taylor-Hansen.
In the event of a rainout, Plan B for the Grade 89 track
meet will be the following Tuesday
7. Speaker
- KR introduced the speaker, Dr. Baerg-Hall whose topic was
Adolescence, Stress and Coping: Strategies for Coming Back from the
Dark Side. Dr. Baerg-Hall works at the Moods and Anxiety Disorders
Clinic at Children?s Hospital.
Dr. Baerg-Hall said that it is a difficult time for adolescents,
coping, trying to sort out who they are, developing the ability to keep
going.
The Truth About Normal Adolescence
Most adolescents don?t experience mental health problems
Most develop in a continuous and step-wise fashion: about
13 have significant problems; 13 experience blips along the way and
13 are normal.
Extended periods of turbulence and turmoil are not
typical; adolescents have a larger resource set than a two year old.
The developmental realities are that the frontal lobes of
the brain, which have the executive function, overriding our impulses,
are not fully developed. The use of drugs and alcohol are more risky
when the frontal lobes are developing.
The limbic system is the area of the brain that governs
raw emotion. We still don?t really know what causes depression.
Stress
Is essential for learning, growth, it is part of life.
Appropriate self-care is required we should look at how
we handle stress in regarding our adolescents.
IQ is not the best predictor of success in high school
and beyond.
Depression is one of the main reasons for loss of work
time and disability
Many parents say that they just want their children to be
happy. What makes people happy:
Satisfaction of their basic needs;
Health
Healthy relationships;
Meaningful work
Aesthetic pleasures
Feelings of purpose and success;
A good attitude.
A Healthy Attitude Will Change the Brain?s Physiology
It is possible that what we are thinking affects the
physiology of the brain
We need to think about what we are thinking about
ourselves and others. For example in healing cellular biology and
neurological relationships are linked.
?Get over it? won?t do. Adolescents need to cultivate a
realistic assessment of the situation. Stay aware but keep your
perspective. In some ways depression becomes a friend ? an excuse, a
way of understanding yourself.
The biology of hope and possibility
Agency and action. The concept of my action has a
reaction; one can do something in the world.
People who fight disease most often do well, active
coping style is healthy
Healthy Attitude Skills
Emotional Awareness Skills
Temperament. Research was done in the 1970?s and
classified them according to temperament: (1) easy, breezy; (2)
difficult and (3) slow to warm up. It studied the biological correlates
of personality. For example a shy and anxious child probably will not
develop along gregarious lines. Some people are more anxious than others.
Personal style is responsive to intervention.
Adolescents need to develop realistic self-appraisal
skills: what do I like; what am I good at; how can I understand myself
better.
There is good evidence that if there is depression in a
parent there is a good indication that a child will be depressed.
Adolescents need to know how to self-monitor ? how do
they go and chill out.
Relaxation Skills
Parents need to model for our young people. Regular
physical activity (letting loose in healthy ways)
Systematic relaxation skills as required: progressive
muscle relaxation; visualization skills.
It has been proven that 20 minutes of exercise 3 to 4
times a week reduces the risk of breast cancer.
Cognitive Skills
Cognitive restructuring skills: the realistic challenging
of faulty beliefs; positive reframing of events.
Common Cognitive Distortions
In order to be happy I should be successful in whatever I
do;
I must be accepted by all people at all times;
If I make a mistake I?m useless;
I can?t live without you;
If you disagree with me you don?t like me;
My value as a person depends on what others think of me
Learned Helplessness (the depressive coping style)
Nothing works out;
It?s no use trying;
Nothing makes any difference;
Leads to easily giving up;
Presumptive rejections;
Poor coping strategies: avoidance, anger, unassertiveness.
Reversing Learned Helplessness
Changing this thinking and behavioral style prevents and
treats depression;
Self-affirming thinking style;
Active coping strategies.
Problem Solving
Willingness to try other options;
Action-oriented;
Learning from success and failure.
Reciprocal Communication Skills
Dr. B-H believes that one of the best communications
books is ?How to Talk So Your Kids Will Listen; How to Listen So Your
Kids Will Talk?.
The basic things are: be interested, avoid judgement, be
empathetic, talk about ideas, encourage differences.
Our Role As Parents
We need to model for our adolescents. If you have a
tendency to get down on yourself do it in private.
Encourage: problem-solving, skills, risk-taking.
Be there
Bring up the tough stuff; the idea of being friends with
your kids is not always possible.
What Makes Strong Families
Commitment, shared values, working together;
Communication;
Spiritual wellness;
Appreciation. How often do you say ? I like who you are.
Fun times together
Coping abilities.
Anxiety and Stress are Normal
Review your coping style;
Are you modeling good coping styles?
Formulate strategies.
Role of Perspective
Crisis or opportunity?
The hard subjects: disability; rejection; illness; family
stress; impossible schedules; everyone has limits.
When to get Help
If the child is unable to bounce back despite support;
If he exhibits persistent signs of stress: sleeping,
eating, body.
Expressions of hopelessness;
When the young person asks for help.
Depression Statistics
-10-12 year olds: 10% are unhappy; 3-4% are depressed;
-14-15 year olds: 40% are unhappy; 5% suffer major depression, 4%
suffer minor depression.
Depression rates have been rising since the 1970?s;
There is a 20% risk of depression by the end of the teen
years;
there is a 50% risk of depression if one of the first
degree relatives is depressed
the recurrence rate after the first depression is 70% in
the first 5 years, so booster sessions of cognitive therapy processes help.
What Is Depression?
A psychobiological reaction, also seen in a grief response;
There is interaction between the genetic makeup and the
environment
Similarly to diabetes, very few cases are purely
biological in origin
There is a whole new generation of anti-depressants that
the medical world doens not really understand how they work.
Risk Factors
Family history, not just genetics but modeling in coping
styles;
Early losses, parents before the age of 13;
Parental conflict: separation and divorce, conflict is
difficult for everyone, also the socio-economic realities of family
break-up.
Expressed emotion, high levels of criticism lead to
depression;
Abuse and trauma;
Learning disorders;
Attention problems;
Anxiety disorders;
Societal pressures.
Triggers For Depression
Brain changes in adolescence;
Losses in relationships;
Rejections, disappointments, humiliation;
Medical illnesses (mono, chronic fatigue)
Societal (everyone else has it together but me)
It can be a tremendous challenge to keep going.
Symptoms of Depression in Adolescents
Irritable, depressed, moody;
Loss of interest;
Physical problems;
Hopelessness;
Fights with parents and siblings;
Dropping out of activities;
Lying around on the couch, looking unwell, withdrawing,
failing grades.
Comments, writings, drawings, self-harm.
How Can You Tell the Difference Between Unhappiness and Depression?
Is there a trigger situation?
Is the problem only at home?
Is the problem persistent and daily?
It may be a normal reaction, give it time.
It may be developmental, communication;
Clinical depression greatly interferes with functioning.
Recreational Drugs and Depression ? Challenging
Alcohol is a depressant;
Regular pot use looks like depression;
Cocainecrystal meth look like manicdepression;
Regular drug use prevents anti-depressants from working.
Depression and Suicide ? The Link?
Failure of coping, things seem too hard, too painful,
trapped, no other solution;
Too hard for parents to deal with ? need a professional;
Girls have more attempts at suicide; boys have higher
rates of completed suicides.
Canadian rates are higher than the US;
Can be chronically suicidal without being depressed
Treatment
Medical, correct diagnosis;
Lab tests (ie for thyroid ? leads to anemia)
Psychological treatments
Medication
General
Sleep habits;
Nutrition
Exercise
School adjustments
Family changes
Social activities
Avoid alcohol and drugs.
Role of Medications
Slight rise in suicidal thoughts early in the prescription;
Emotional and behavioral side effects;
Regular research trials don?t have to be published;
researchers may not see all of the data;
Prozac is slightly helpful for depression in adolescents
(over a placebo);
If a patient has 2 or 3 disorders they would not be studied
Zoloft can be helpful for obsessivecompulsive disorders;
Anxiety disorders respond to medication.
Sometimes if a depressed person starts to feel better,
with more energy they can carry through on a suicide;
10% to 15% rwesponse rate for medication;
response takes 6-8 weeks maybe longer;
Parental Role if Teen is Clinically Depressed
Be an advocate;
Give support
Need to be a parent;
How You Relate to the Professional Treating your Teen
Understand the confidentiality issues;
Comment on your observations;
Ask what you can do to help.
Resources
School
Family doctor
Mental health team, self-referral
Community services
Private psychologist (expensive)
Private psychiatrist (referral by doctor, covered by
medical plan)
Teaching clinics (Children?s, UBC, SFU)
Questions
Should you talk to you teen directly if you think they are suicidal?
How do you get help.
Yes, you should be as open as possible. Go to a trusted professional
(family doctor) walk-in clinic for adolescents (Pinetree Clinic)
What is the relationship between anxiety and depression?
With adolescence, anxiety comes first and predisposes the teen to
depression. Some professionals feel that they shouldn?t be separated at
all. Anxiety is a normal spectrum disorder that has an intimate
relationship with depression.
With girls, how do you address accepting themselves as they are. With
movies, magazines etc they do not see their assets and the uniqueness
that they have.
This is hard to address, especially eating disorders. Try to let them
know that it?s going to be better after high school.
Four years ago we lost a teen to suicide, our experience with our GP
was terrible. Teachers missed many of the signs and symptoms. Money is
needed to educate teachers to recognize the signs. Don?t push kids too
much, stresses are huge, academic success is not the be-allend-all,
watch them, be less hard on them.
It takes 6 to 8 months for an assessment ? our system is under stress.
There are ways through the system, urgent assessment clinic at
Children?s. If you are willing to pay $100 - $150 per hour then you can
get excellent psychological help within a week.
What about disclosure, how do you educate teens that they must tell
people if one of their friends is talking about suicide?
You should talk about these things, at the dinner table. Many young
people feel isolated. Take them in for assessment, affirm that you are
listening.
The next PAC meeting is on April 20th. The meeting adjourned at 9:25
PM.