Meeting commenced at 7:05pm

1. Welcome and Introductions
Items to be added to the agenda:
Parking Lot access at the back of the school.

2. Review of Previous Minutes
Motion to accept - Carried.

3. BASES Program Presentation
Aaron Vick - department head of BASES (Building Academic Social and Employment Skills) discussed the current program at Johnston Heights with a PowerPoint show and question period. We currently have 24 students in grades 8 - 12 attending the BASES program at Johnston Heights. The BASES program also includes a very successful woodworking program to give students real life work experience. Functional Assessment Info and Exercise sheets were distributed to parents attending.

Aaron Vick will make a "wish list" of reading material etc. to be presented to the PAC for funding consideration. Emma Dyck will forward information on computer scanning program to aid in reading comprehension. Brenda Holt to get more information on the Milestones reading program.

4. Principal’s Report
Jim Deacon negotiated with the vending machine distributors and got a better pricing on juice and water. Pop is now more expensive at $1.75. The funds received from the vending machines goes toward the athletic activities at Johnston Heights.

Jim Deacon also met with the Minster of Education to discuss the Portfolio starting with Grade 10’s, unfair per student funding for the Surrey district and staff development days.

Grade 10’s did well on the testing in January. They were all on time for the test and the cafeteria staff and students prepared Test Busting Bars for all these students.

Discussions are currently ongoing with Johnston Heights Church for future space to write mid-term exams in April and maybe final exams for Grades 10 and 12. Wooden dividers will be constructed.

The Grade 7 parents are coming to Johnston Heights on the evening of March 8th. Darlene and Linda Blais will talk to these parents about PAC and to discuss wanting input from the parents at school. Emma Dyck created a PAC display for this evening and will be selling coffee as a PAC fundraiser.

BC Lions will be coming to the school soon to make a presentation to the students on the importance of commitment etc.

It is anticipated that the School District will be funding $50,000 for computers in the school.

On February 10th, the Board of School Trustees recognized Rebecca Plante for her award winning fashion and design tailoring. Tribute was also paid to Mrs. B. Vanzandt, Rebecca’s Fashion and Design teacher.

A delegation of skateboarders talked to Jim Deacon about skateboarding on school property. The Surrey School Board informed Jim that they would be liable for any high-risk activities on school premises. Jim could not give permission for skateboarding, but gave the groups steps to set-up skateboarding in the area.

The PAC completed a list of characteristics of a Principal/Vice-principal with Jim Deacon.

5. Financial Report
Linda Blais provided a Statement of Revenue and Expenditures (attached for February). Not a lot of activity for this month. Received $324 funding from the School District and paid Dry Grad postage expenses. The General account has $3,795.47 and the Gaming account has $21,729.82.

Linda Blais also provided an Items To Consider for Gaming Funds (attached). The Career Programs and Licenses amount should be changed to $1,200. Linda Blais motioned to have the Items to Consider for Gaming Funds List to be accepted by the PAC. John Holt seconded the motion. After some discussion and adjustment, there was a motion to accept as amended. John/Emma. Carried.

6. Committees
DPAC from Emma: Lots of new material in the binder at the front office. Interested parents are encouraged to review the information. The District PAC is reviewing how the privacy act affects the PACs, and encourages parents to visit the BCPAC web site at this link.

Dry Grad: Since there has been no organized group of parents approach the PAC for any information, there is nothing to report. Fund Raising, Emma. Will attempt to attend the March 8 and 10 functions at the school.

Progressive funding, Emma: The next order is going in tomorrow. Interest in the program is increasing slowly. Parents, staff, and students at the school are encouraged to check out the list of Participating Merchants on the PAC page of the Johnston Heights web site. There is a great opportunity to purchase certificates for regular day usage, and as a result, support programs at the school too. A process is being developed to simplify the certificate distribution. The idea is to allow students to pick up the family certificates from the office.

Dance committee from Brenda: Feb.24th. Very well attended. Thanks to Susan, Tammey, Tammey, and John for helping with the coat check and soft drink sales. Even at 50 cents a can, we made about $50. Cold water was a big seller. There is the need for a couple more portable coat racks at the school, as we ran out of room quickly. Anyone that knows of some we can purchase, please let us know.

7. Old Business
Leaking Roof: John read the letter we received in reply to one we sent to the Minister requesting a speedy solution the leaks in the school roof. His comments were that this is a District issue, but thanks for the information.

8. New Business
Why is the gate at the east end of the school locked? It would be easier to drop off people if I could drive through the parking lots. We keep the gate locked for just that reason, to stop people from being able to simply drive through the school grounds. There is no security if we cannot challenge people with questionable intent.

Motion to provide $500 to Counseling departments children with needs program from the general account. Brenda/Emma, carried.

9. Mail
Read and distributed as required.
Kaplan is offering information regarding admissions to U.S. Colleges. March 5, 1-4pm.
The letter sent for the Student Counselor software license was returned. New address is needed from the school counseling department.

Adjourned at 9:15pm.
Next Meeting: April 6th. 2005

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