Minutes April 22 2020
We had a virtual PAC meeting.
Present: Sheril Gelmon (PAC Chair), Jo-Ann Gordon and Wendy Sinclair (Co-Secretaries), Lara Spence (Communications/Social Media), Brent Schieman (Principal) and 9 parents.
The meeting began around 7:00 pm with approval of minutes from February 20th meeting by Sheril Gelmon and seconded by Wendy Sinclair.
Principal’s Report – Brent Schieman
– daily meetings planning how to operate from safety standpoint, and with Health Minister, Education Minister and then VSB District guidelines
– any room where teachers have been in recently gets deep cleaned
– committees are getting back together
– timetable for next year is beginning
– using Microsoft Teams (rather than Zoom or other platforms) – students information is more protected
– have given out about 40 laptops to students/families who have no computers at home
– technology is also a focus – there are some students who stand outside the school to use the wifi
– as of March 13 – marks from Term 1 and 2 will be combined to give minimum mark for the year
– if students are failing as of March 13 teachers need to make a plan with the student and give a remedial course to pass from now to the end of June
– lockers (removal of personal items) – procedure will be detailed Thursday April 23 by the District – may begin having students come in small numbers by next week
– continue to provide lunches to those vulnerable students in our community
– schools may be in the classroom by the end of the year, but unlikely for secondary schools
– Tupper is trying to have Life Skills coming back to the school, in rotation
– schools have been asked to cancel all outside vendors – Prom hotel has been cancelled; Grad Chan Centre is not giving back June deposits until later in May
– all trips have been cancelled and refunds are in process or will be in due course
– best way to contact teachers is through email (on website)
– teachers need feedback and encouragement as well, not comparing with other teachers
– they have been told to go slowly and to teach key concepts to allow students to go onto next level
– they have done away with the Day1/Day 2 structure and are asked to give 1-2 hrs/day total for Gr. 8-9, etc.
– looking at level of instruction for students at this point – how much, how often in order to have continuity of learning
– Summer School – will not be in the form it usually is
– no remedial courses (4 weeks) – taken by students who have failed a course
– might be completion courses (6 weeks) – full course
– VLN in the summer may shorten their usual 12 month time period to finish a course
– continue checking the John Oliver website for updates and information
PAC Executive 2020-2021 – A Few New Volunteers Needed!
– we thank some outgoing Executives for their years of service – Jo-Ann Gordon, Suzanne Smythe, Michelle Koski
– we have some opportunities for volunteers for September 2020 or earlier – a Treasurer, a Co-Chair, Co-Secretary, District PAC Rep (7 other meetings to attend a year + send update), Communications/Social Media Helper. If we do not have a Treasurer, we cannot apply for the grant; this will cost John Oliver $20,000.
– here’s a summary of each position
Next Meetings
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm. Next PAC meeting will be held Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 7pm.
If you have Feedback
If you have meeting feedback, ideas or need to contact Sheril Gelmon please email her at sherilgelmon@gmail.com.
JO Things to Follow
To stay in touch and help learn about/share the happenings at John Oliver, please:
- Visit John Oliver website: http://johnoliver.vsb.bc.ca – look at the Calendar & School News (set a reminder to do this every week- there is no more WAAG.
- Follow:
- Sign up for PAC Email: https://mailchi.mp/84a856a6e2d1/jopac
You may be interested:
JO Writing Club: https://jo-canvas.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jowriting/
JO Music: https://www.instagram.com/musicjohnoliver/
JO Athletics: www.instagram.com/jokersathletics/
JO Student Council: www.instagram.com/jo.stuco/
JO Finders Keepers (upcycling store for vulnerable youth) https://www.instagram.com/finderskeepersjo/
Want to help raise funds for JO PAC? http://blogs.vsb.bc.ca/jo-pac/fundraising – tax receipts available.
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