Minutes – November 28, 2018
Present: Sheril Gelmon (PAC Co-Chair) Lara Spence (Communications/Social Media), Jo-Ann Gordon, Wendy Sinclair (Co-Secretaries), Sheri Wiwchar, Jennifer West (Co-Fundraising Coordinator), Suzanne Smythe (DPAC Rep.), Damian Wilmann (Principal), Doris Sandri (Vice-Principal), Shareen Siddeeq, Ailin Wong, John Silver, and 20 parents.
The meeting began at 7:00 pm with approval of minutes from Oct. 24 meeting by Nirpal Minhas and seconded by Wendy Sinclair.
- Principal’s Report – Damian Wilmann
School Update –
– new school Indigenous logo with trickster raven (artist Dana Ponit) has joined the Joker character on newly distributed basketball jerseys – the logo will appear on stationary and in other school garments over next year(s)
– school growth plan (4 pillars – Social & Emotional Well-Being; Building Curiosity & Imagination; Accessible Learning; District-wide Aboriginal Goal) is being worked on
– partnership with Microsoft Teals program – coding training with Ms. Ink
– Janet Fraser is the new School Trustee for JO
– Dec. 11 School Winter Concert (Jason de Couto) 7:00 pm in the auditorium – $5.00 admission
– Dec. 21 last day of classes before winter break
– Jan. 7 first day back to school
– Artona school photos are in the office for students to pick up
Doris Sandri, VP
– posting of report cards on the My Education Student/Family Portal on Thurs. Nov. 29 – able to print pdf of report cards at home; post-sec institutions will receive Gr. 12 report cards electronically
– if parents cannot access site then the office can print the report cards
– on the site able to have students and parents emails, with separate passwords (under set preferences)
– on same site some teachers will post messages about student’s ongoing progress; assignments will be made public; attendance, etc.
– Parent/Teacher conferences will be held Thurs. Dec. 6 (3-5 pm) and (6-8 pm)
– parents can sign up for 4 meetings with student’s teachers on Fri. Nov. 30
- Treasurer’s Report – Tracey Santos
Gaming funds have been disbursed to the various groups and clubs, totalling $22,115.00.
- Fundraising – Sheri Wiwchar, Lara Spence, Jennifer West
Purdy’s Chocolates – Nov. 28 deadline, with pickup at the school Dec. 11 or 12. About $1,000 have been purchased with PAC receiving 25% of every order, or about $250.
Gift card shopping Fundscrip – Funds raised go to PAC for distribution (Mini also using Fundscrip). See more here>>
Student Club / Staff Program Funding Request – revision of process complete and new form handed out for input from everyone – we will use this process and form next October. Thanks to Jennifer, Jo-Ann and Sheril for putting this form together over a few drafts.
- Liaison Teacher Report – Shareen Siddeeq/John Silver
– union contract for the teachers expires June 30, 2019 (6 year contract), so bargaining will begin in the New Year (local and provincial bargaining)
– hoping to come back in September 2019 with a new contract
- DPAC – Suzanne Smythe
– School Trustees have been allocated to schools and new committees have been formed
– seismic upgrading – what schools are on the list – where is JO? – how are decisions made for which schools receive upgrades?
– Facilities Committee will meet in Jan. 2019 (Alan Wong is Chair) and can possibly answer these questions – Suzanne will be going and would like other parents to join her – please email her if interested at suzannesmythe41@gmail.com
– invite Janet Fraser (JO School Trustee) and Alan Wong (Fac. Committee Chair) to Feb. 2019 PAC meeting
– new curriculum – Planning 10 and Grad Transitions is being replaced by Career & Life Education (CLE) and Capstone project in Gr. 11 and 12
- Shop, STEM and Apprentice Programs – Ailin Wong and John Silver
– Shops are one of the largest and finest in Vancouver, with industrial machines
– Automotive (full service shop) with students working on teachers and parents vehicles
– Woodworking (joinery, carpentry, etc.)
– Metal Work/Jewelry (anything you can think of)
– Graphic/Drafting
– Robotics Electronics course and clubs (open at lunch and after school)
– Skills Exploration – sampler course (taste of industry training) – JO is one of the few high schools offering this – funded by Industry Training Authority (introduces plumbing, electrical) (building a 16’x24′ modular cabin
– Community Involvement – robotics workshops at elementary schools, JO students officiating at provincial robotics games
– Skills Competition – 6 or 7 JO students represent Vancouver to compete in automotive service, cardboard boat, spaghetti bridge, workplace safety, job interview, etc.
– Youth Train in Trades (ACE IT) – through VSB Career Programs – tuition is paid for by career program and is equivalent to 1st year university (must be under 19 yrs. old) – apply through counsellors at JO – no waitlist so saves time and money
http://go.vsb.bc.ca/schools/careerprograms/programs/youthtrainintrades/Pages/default.aspx
– STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math)
– 4th year at JO – 24 students in Gr. 9, 24 in Gr. 10 and 24 in Gr. 11/12
– requirements to join program do not include tests
– program happens on Day 1 and so field trips can be coordinated (to UBC, BCIT, etc.)
– independent directed studies as well as course load
– new partnerships with Douglas College Engineering (2 yr diploma program then transfer to UBC/SFU), Vision Critical and Microsoft Teals
- Dry Grad – May 2019 – Shareen Siddeeq
– Mystery buses, SACY presentations, games in the gym, etc.
– all 220 grads can participate as PAC has given funds to support it, bringing cost to nominal for students
– parent volunteers are needed to help on the day (a couple hours), preferably not Gr. 12 parents
– sign up list coming in the New Year
- Bingo Night – Feb. 2019
– open to students and parents, neighbours and friends (community event)
– bring food to share
– donations of prizes
- Teacher Appreciation Lunch – Thurs. May 16 2019, noon
– an annual tradition – the teachers/staff love it! parent volunteers are needed to donate food, set up the lunch in the staff room, and clean up
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm, with the next PAC meeting to be held Wednesday January 23, 2019 at 7pm in the Library. Have a good winter break!
