Minutes September 03 PAC AGM by Recorder: Candace Watson, PAC Secretary This is a DRAFT copy Lord Byng Senior Secondary Parent Advisory Council Annual General Meeting Minutes Date & Time: September 30, 2003. Convened at 7:15 PM Location: Lord Byng Senior Secondary School, Media Centre Foyer 3939 West 16^th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. ATTENDANCE: _Jan Berney__, __Cindy Brenneis__, __Ken Cameron__, __Liz Cullen__, __Rick Downie__, __Laurie Frederick__, __Paul Greisman__, __Kathie Road__, __John Robertson__, Candace Watson, Pradyot Chowdhury, Linette Smith, Elaine Knapp Fuller, Doug Smith, Louise Ries, Lily Rindahl, Jeffrey Bell, Betty Montpellier, Bob Hawkins, Timothea Karringten, Karin Smith, Allison Downie, Elaine Michel, Hank Yu, Sherry Copeland, Peter Burton, Brian Irwin, Susan Gunn, Dianying Jung, Debbie Murray, Ted Murray, Bill Buhozer, Judy Dowler, Deirdre Carter, Kathy Mukai, Anne Widya, Janet Karp, Caroline Crowe, Anna Madison, Susan Ames, Alesandro Azcona, Jacine Siegel, Alice Hurst, Debbie Babcock, Joanne Webster, Susan Daugulis, Rob Schindel, Jim Ion, Claire Greer, Sharon Treavor, Frances East, Richard Lee, Joanne Blaxlund, Kim Hyun Ho, Shirley Cameron, Cynthia Cosulich, Jeff Rice, Jack Matsushita, Donna Underhill, Karen Stierhoff, Deborah Tidesley, Brian Palmquist, Gail Raines, Rosa Chelak, Audrey King, Georgina Lorne, James Carolan (Brooks), Bob Smith, Sharon Smith, Tim Fanning, Megan Fanning, Heather Webster MacLeod, Kate Gomberg, Rick Boretsky, Rosanne Wozny, __MaryBeth Sullivan__._ SCHOOL REPS: (Principal) Darlene Braeder, (Vice Principal) Rob Schindel, (Speaker) Mr. Kosman. Absent: DeAnne Eisch, Chris Gefaell /Rick Downie// moved to adopt the Minutes of the April 22 and May 3, 2003 meetings, Allison Downie seconded the motion, carried./ Ken Cameron circulated a letter from Gordon Campbell as the MLA for the area and a memo from the VSB regarding student accident insurance, introduced himself and the Executive and announced that there were positions available on the Executive for additional Members at Large. He noted that three Executive members have retired: Julie Bonie, Susan Balfour-Hunt, Joan Savoie. /John Robertson// moved and //Laurie Frederick// seconded a motion of thanks to the retiring Executive, carried./ TREASURER?S REPORT John Robertson circulated a Statement of Operations (September 1, 2002 to August 31, 2003) as well as a comparison between the 2002/2003 Budget and the actual expenditures. It was noted that the Plant Sale did much better than anticipated. /Laurie Frederick// moved to accept the Treasurer?s report, //Paul Greisman// seconded, motion carried./ FINANCIAL REVIEW Bill Crockett, Selina Chu and Kathie Road spent 4 days conducting a financial review of the PAC books. Their conclusion was that the numbers are consistent with last year?s budget, the records balance internally and this is a particular accomplishment regarding the Grocery Certificate fund. There is a discrepancy between the main record and the Grocery Certificate fund but it was one of generosity (a couple of $100). Weaknesses noted included lack of documentation and communication. KR thanked the PAC members especially the treasurer for making himself available to them. /MaryBeth Sullivan// made a motion to accept the Financial Review, //Laurie Frederick// seconded, carried./ 2003-2004 BUDGET Paul Greisman presented a pie chart showing the projected receipts for the coming year. 61% of receipts come from the Gaming grant, 27% result from the Grocery Certificate program. Total receipts are projected to be as follows: Swyng with Byng $ 400 DPAC subsidy $ 300 Gaming grant $21,560 Grocery certificates $ 9,750 Plant sales $ 2,520 Student fees $ 1,100 Total $35,630 Various disbursements are proposed to made to various school departments based on their requests including: $675 to Drama, $380 to English, $4,000 to the Library, $2,000 to Music, $700 to Phys. Ed., $1,000 to Science, $1,000 to Social Studies, $2,000 to Visual Arts, $2,000 to the Principal?s discretionary fund and $315 to other. Proposed expenditures of the PAC include: Meeting Expenses $100 Parent education $100 Speakers $600 Staff luncheon $600 Miscellaneous $100 Leaving approximately $20,060 unallocated funds. There is a wrinkle this year as new restrictions have been put on what can be done with the gaming funds. No curricular activities may be funded, only extracurricular. This means that the ?Wish List? from the teachers is to be covered from the other PAC funds and now we have approximately $20,060 in funds for which there are no plans. Jeff Rice asked whether we had a wish list and it was explained that yes we did but more consultation with the school was necessary in order to use the gaming funds for activities that qualify. There was a question about whether library books qualified for gaming funds, the questioner believed that because children take them out they qualify; PG?s information is that they don?t qualify. Reference was made to the Gaming Commission web site for the new restrictions. JR pointed out that gaming funds may be stored for up to 3 years and that he is going to take the issue up with DPAC at the next meeting. Kathie Road asked whether a special committee should be set up to address the new wish list. KC stated that he would like to discuss it with the Executive first. / / /JR moved acceptance of the Budget, KR seconded, motion carried./ ELECTIONS TO THE PAC EXECUTIVE /Rick Downie// nominated Tracy Proke to the Executive as a Member at Large, Shirley Cameron seconded, motion carried./ / / /LF moved that nominations be closed, //Jan Berney// seconded, motion carried./ ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE SCHOOL PLANNING COUNCIL (SPC) The SPC works with the school staff and parents and is currently working on the School Growth Plan. The PAC Executive have nominated KC to be a rep; Joan Savoie and Jeff Rice have both indicated that they would be willing to remain as reps. /LF moved that JS and JR be nominated as PAC reps on the SPC, //Liz Cullen// seconded, motion carried./ KC asked if there were any further nominations. There being none /LF moved and Elaine Napthaly seconded a motion to close the nominations, carried./ ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE DPAC The Executive recommended the nomination of JR to represent the PAC at DPAC. /PG moved that JR be nominated, LF seconded, motion carried./ FUND RAISERS Auditorium Chairs (MaryBeth Sullivan) MBS stated that the fund raising for auditorium chairs is almost halfway to its goal and that the second gala would be held on October 16^th . The Art, Drama and Music departments are all supporting the gala; there will be an Art Show at 7:00 PM, a reception at 7:30 and a dramatic performance at 8:00 PM. 18 chairs were sold last year at the gala; MBS encouraged everyone to come out and support the gala; the kids are behind the fund raising and working very hard. Almost $24,000 has been raised for chairs. The objective is to finish the lower half of the auditorium and move on to the upper half. Tickets will be available after October 1 at the office at $10 each. Each auditorium chair is $288 and a tax receipt is available. MBS said that the alumni have been very supportive. LF drew attention to the web site for order forms which are also available at the office. Grocery Certificate Committee (Rick Downie) Grocery certificates are now available; this is our most important fund-raiser. The Committee consists of Rick Downie, David Voute, Liz Cullen, Shirley Cameron, Paul Greisman and Tracy Proke. Parents can support the fund raiser by buying certificates from PAC which results in about 7% of the value directly to the school at no cost to the parents. The certificates may be purchased with VISA or post-dated cheques. The deadline for the October certificates is 3:00 PM tomorrow (October 1) at the school office. Hanging Baskets Hanging baskets are sold in the Spring and the profits have gone toward the Grade 12 graduation expenses in the past. More details will be available closer to the selling date. MEETING SCHEDULE AND PROGRAMS KC announced the meeting schedule and noted that PAC programs include a Christmas event and a June luncheon for the teachers and an expanding parent education program. One PAC initiative this year has been the school calendar. Jan Berney is preparing a school Directory consisting of the names and phone numbers of students. JB announced that if parents haven?t sent in a Directory form please see her and also indicate whether you would be willing to include the student?s name if you do not wish to have the phone number included. SPEAKERS (Kathie Road) KR circulated a schedule of the Speakers for the coming year. Mr. Kosman is speaking tonight, Constable Cramer is speaking at the next PAC meeting on ?Teens and Crime in our Neighbourhood?. A parenting workshop is being held on November 12 by Sherry Binder and Diane Marshall on ?Parenting Triggers: How Teens Push Your Buttons?. They are also presenting the topic ?The Teenage Brain: New Research Findings? at the November 28 PAC meeting. More information on speakers is available on the web site and will be announced on the phonemaster or KR may be contacted directly. PRINCIPAL?S REPORT Darlene Braeder reported that the first school function was the Parent Walk Through with an attendance of between 700 and 800 parents. This attendance is very encouraging for the teachers. The teachers spent several hours of their latest Pro D day working on the School Growth Plan and are working on strategies to implement these goals to take to the October 7 SPC meeting. DB mentioned that a Ministry document is available listing activities for which external credits may be obtained for the Grade 11 and 12 years. On October 21, UBC will be holding an Information night at Lord Byng and on November 6 all of the other universities and colleges will be holding an information night. DB announced that the graduation presentation will be held on June 4 at the Chan Centre and she is challenging the parents to organize the graduation Dinner/Dance this year as the staff and principal do not have the resources to organize the event this year. Staff will make themselves available to help. LF asked whether the school was interested in the Grade 11 parents helping out with the Dinner/Dance this year. DB said that this was an excellent suggestion. Student dress code issues are being discussed by the Student Council. DB also noted that school dances are not listed in the students? Agendas. The school is concerned about the direction of the school dances which are becoming ?mini raves?. The school has asked for proposals from the Student Council on how school dances can be a safe environment for all students. DB introduced our new Vice Principal Rob Schindel who is open to calls from the parents. STUDY SKILLS (Mr. Kosman) KC introduced Mr. Kosman, known as ?Kos? to students and staff, to give an overview of what he does with the kids to help them with their study skills and to get better marks in school. /Attitude/ One of the goals of the School Growth Plan is /to improve student achievement in all subjects and to improve student attitudes. /Kos talked about the importance of attitude both in school and in the work place. Employers look for candidates with the necessary skills for a job but they also look for people with the right attitude; companies are built and broken by attitude. Kos tells the students that they are going to have difficulties but they should never give up. Attitude is everything; if they have the right attitude then they are halfway there. Kos does not believe that attitude is simply a state of mind giving the example of the homework assignment paper (the folded crumpled piece of paper vs the neat clean unfolded sheet ? which creates the better impression and shows a superior attitude?) Success is a state of mind. If you want success; start thinking of yourself as a success. /Study Techniques/ Kos referred to the _How to Study_ course offered by Terry Small of Learning Right Educational Services. Mr. Small teaches continuing education courses offered by the VSB. Learning study techniques is like trying on clothing ? sometimes it fits and sometimes it?s not you. One key component of successful study habits is using the Agenda. Often students gut the agenda, taking out the important stuff and then filling it with pictures of their friends. It is important that students USE the agenda and stop memorizing their homework ? write it down. It is also important to write tasks down WHEN they are assigned. Students get the message that they are not good in a subject when their marks drop because they are not handing in assignments. They depend on someone else to tell them what the assignment is ? it?s time to break away, try something new (write it down yourself). It is also important to determine priorities: what is vital (ie a coming test), what is important (Mom?s birthday) and what is optional (going to the mall). Students must learn to schedule their time. One easy way is to use a timer. Make an estimate of how long an assignment should take, goals should be set but also be achievable. JUST DO IT. It?s key that students just start and then reward themselves when they achieve certain goals. Kos questions the idea about working with a friend (often becomes a social event). Kos suggests that parents sit down with the student and design a study schedule. Beware of the TV ? it will eat you. No TV or phone calls should intrude upon study time. Kos referred to the Forgetting Curve: 100% is remembered on the first day of study, 50% on the second day, under 35% after one month and almost nothing after a year. The Remembering Curve is based on regular studying of 15 minutes, 10 minutes and 5 minutes daily. There are lots of time slots available in the students? day where some studying could be done. /How to Set Simple Goals/ /The man who believes he can do something is probably right and so is the man who believes that he can?t./ / / Kos referred to SAM: Specific (goal); Action (how are you going to do it); Measurable (when do you want to achieve it). Goals are more effective when you write them down and be specific. Kos is available to help Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 8:30 AM, every lunch hour, and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday right after school. The ultimate responsibility is with the child but parents can help out with, for example, proof-reading. On page 152 to 155 of the Agenda is a place to keep records of each course, tests, assignments, etc. It is important for the student to keep his own records to compare with those of the teacher. This is important as it is the beginning of their taking responsibility. /Study Environment/ No music! It?s not allowed when they?re writing exams ? get used to it. No TV (it will swallow you). No studying in commercial breaks. Get rid of distractions ? shouldn?t have the desk facing a window. If the child does not have his own desk, put everything that will be needed in a box. For example: a coffee mug with pencils, pens, scissors, coloured pencils, erasers, glue stick, calculator, spelling dictionary, regular dictionary, tape, stapler, liquid paper, bulk paper, study light. If all of the materials needed are in one box then there is no need to hunt for it before starting homework. Kos recommended an erasable ink pen for English exams and cautioned on the use of high lighters (which can be used to ?paint? the notes). Kos recommends getting a large wall calendar (a sheet for each month) and get the children to put assignments and important dates on it so that they can see at a glance what they need to do each day, week and month. /Study Checklist/ / / 1. Sound: the quieter the better; 2. Light: ceiling light and non-glare desk light; 3. Temperature: avoid extremes of heat and cold and draughts; 4. Furniture: the chair should support the back and be the correct height. The desk should be large enough to hold books and notes; 5. Supplies should be all assembled and in one place. /Note Taking/ Kos talked about different learning styles: some are visual learners and some are auditory learners. M & M cards (notes written on index cards, M & M stands for memory and mastery) are a physical and tactile way of assisting learning: you hear it, write it, see it, manipulate it. The more senses that are involved the more you will remember. Kos stated that you remember 10% of what you read, 20% of what you hear, 30% of what you see, 50% of what you hear and see, 70% of what you discuss with others, 80% of what you experience personally and 95% of what you teach someone else. The best way to learn something is to teach it. The most effective study method is an active one; take notes or your brain goes on vacation. If you are actively involved then that can?t happen. He recommends the two column method of taking notes (so the paper can be folded and the student can test himself). In one column the key words, dates, formulae and drawings should be put; in the other column the definitions, explanations, solutions, reasons and diagrams or illustrations. The Cornell Method consists of three columns, one for the question, the second for the formula or notes from the text (with page numbers) and the third for notes from the teacher and examples. At the bottom of each page there is a space for a summary of 25 words or less. On M & M cards, question can be put on one side and the answer on the other. Kos recommends coloured pens: for example: red for important facts, blue for notes from the text; black for notes taken in class and green for the summary. If you can do two cards a day you can be all prepared for mid-terms. /Important for Exam Preparation/ - sufficient sleep; - eat properly; - layer clothing so you?re neither too hot nor too cold; - arrive early, visit the washroom; pick out your seat (not near a ventilator and avoid direct sunlight); - bring all supplies including special equipment needed (calculator); - have a watch so you can keep track of time. /Other Tips/ Sit near the front of the class. Tests have been done that indicate that those who sit closest to the front get one letter grade higher than kids who sit in the back. /The whole world steps aside for the person who knows where he is going./ /Questions/ There was a question about mind mapping and Kos said that he teaches this as another part of his program. KC thanked Kos for his presentation and the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM.