Parent Council

 

Additions to Agenda– School Council Funds Control

 

Adoption of Minutes-  Karen Balkwill motioned to adopt last month’s minutes.  Chantel Sommerfeld seconded the motion.  Carried.

 

Reports

Teacher Reports

Division I – Mrs. Latter

      The staggered entry for Kindergarten has worked well.  Gr. 1 – 3 are all settling in well. Gr. 1 has two half time teachers.  Tyler Brooks is assisting in Gr. 3 with computer projects.

Division II – Mrs. Henderson

      Gr. 4’s have larger classes this year.  Gr. 4’s are going to Aspen Ranch next Tuesday.  Farm Safety has been expanded from a half day to a full day.  Gr. 5 is going swimming and spending some time getting to know classmates.

Division III – Debbie Riemert

      There are larger class sizes in this division as well.  Kilometer Club started on Monday.  Volleyball starts this week.  Gr. 6’s are going to Bearberry Greenhouse next week.  Gr. 6’s are excited to be able to attend dances this year.  Ms. Cheung is getting the Leadership Club started on Sept. 30 by doing a presentation.  Environment Club is volunteering at SPOG again this year.  Also very exciting, the current Gr. 6 class is applying for a trip to Quebec in Gr. 8 for French during Spring Break in 2013.  RVS is celebrating Arts Day on Sept. 30.  “Flying Bob” a one man circus will be performing.

School Report – Rod MacLean

      Enrollment – 596 Students enrolled, but Kindergarten students, count as half student, so we have funding for 558 students.  This is down 10.5 from our forecast last year which translates into $57,000 less funding for this school year.  The district has made a proposal for additional funding.  This year the focus is in writing – “6 + 1 traits of writing”.  We will be learning new assessment strategies to keep things consistent.  There will be no going up Snake Hill until the “Bear in Area” signs are removed.  The scale used in report cards will be changing from a three point to a five point scale, as encouraged by the RVS School Council.

Trustee Report– Ron Fisher

      The newest Associate Superintendent is now in place.  Also Ray Hoppins is our new Liaison.  The new School Act could be worked out by this fall, but more likely in the Spring.

Treasurers Report – Michele Waters

As of August, there was $9,089.16 in our regular account and $6621.78 in our T-Bill.  There is $11,767.41 in the Casino account. 

 

Old Business

Our welcome table on the first day of school, and at the Welcome Back Barbeque were a success with 21 new names signed to receive Council minutes and meeting reminders.

A kiln and some new band instruments have been ordered but not yet received.  School Council is purchasing these with Casino money.

The Lateral Climbing Wall has been a huge success.  Michele Waters motioned to pay $1433.38 to cover the cost of brokerage, installation, room rental for one night and food for the installer.  Chanel Sommerfeld seconded the motion.  Carried.

 

New Business

School Council Funds Control

      Total control and responsibility will come to council rather than school staff taking care of it.  The mail can still come to the school.  The signing authority will have to change.

 

Council discussed whether or not we would allot money to school rooms to spend at their discretion.  Michele Waters motioned to spend $10/student for educational experience.  Karen Balkwill seconded the motion.  Carried.

 

The new School Website is up and running.  It can be found at rivervalleysundre.ca.  This great website is a great tool for parents and students.  It contains tabs for Activities, Calendar, Special Events, etc.  Make sure to mark it as a favorite!

 

Bus Policies - Bus routes are planned by a program called Versa Trans.  This program decides routes according to addresses to make the quickest, safest route.

 

Time Change – It was decided to leave the Council meeting time as is.

 

LAC - Chanel Sommerfeld will talk to parents about becoming involved with the LAC.  She will also make a notice to Kindergarten parents to sign up to become members at large with School Council and become volunteers with Pizza Days.

The quilt raffle money will be labeled as School Council money, but earmarked for Kindergarten.

 

It was discussed that the AGM might gain higher attendance if it was moved from June to sometime in the fall.  Mr. MacLean will check into the bylaws to see how we can change the dates.

 

Michele Waters brought forth information about “Kananaskis in the Classroom.”  This organization will come visit our school for free.

 

Karen Balkwill brought up her concern about the “Choking Game” and wondered if things like this were discussed in class.  Mr. MacLean assured us that all emerging needs are discussed as needed.

 

Babysitting.  Chantel will make a blurb to go in the next newsletter asking for any interested Gr. 7 – 8’s to apply to babysit during our Council Meetings.  Chantel will draft an application form with a list of requirements.

     

Next meeting October 18, 2011, 3:30 PM in the school library. 

 

Meeting adjourned at 4:50 PM