Meeting commenced at 7:06pm

1. Welcome and Introductions
There were no additions to the agenda.

2. Review of Previous Minutes
Motion to accept - Carried

3. Principal’s Report
Mr. Hignell introduced the school Vice Principals.
Mr.Brett Raycroft was just posted to the school. He was formally at L.A. Matheson.
Mr.Ray Dear has been at the school for 5 years now.

Mr. Hignell gave the following update on the end of the last, and start of this new school year:

Very smooth start to the year, partly due to having the new Grade 8’s able to come in one day early to get acquainted with lockers, etc.
There are 20 new staff, and all teachers are in place.
Enrollment is up slightly from last year. Enrollment is currently 1272 students, and this may necessitate additional staffing.
The Johnston Heights mission and values were explained to the PAC. Johnston Heights is a "Caring Community of Excellence."
There were 23 scholarship winners in June.
96% of all students passed their courses last year, and Johnston Heights is above provincial exam score averages in several categories.

The following new initiatives have started this school year:
Grade 12’s must now sign out at the office if they wish to leave the campus during a study block.
No students to leave the campus between blocks.
Grade 8’s are not permitted to go off-campus to the adjacent smoking area.
There will be an improved menu in the cafeteria and the vending machines will soon be offering healthy choices.

The Terry Fox Run will be held on Friday September 16th., and the entire school has been asked to participate.

The current School Plan is in draft form and will contain the following two goals for 2005/06:
1. Improved achievement in literacy in all instructional areas; and
2. Reinforced personal and social responsibility.

Steve Schnitzer explained the structure of the School Planning Council at this point.

4. Financial Report
Linda Blais provided an opening Bank Statement for the 2005/06 school year. The General Account has $25,954.45 in it, while the Gaming Account has $6,088.10 in it.

Linda reported that the 2005/06 Gaming money should be received within a week or two. $25,000 is expected.

Linda handed out "Budget Items for Consideration." Decisions will be made at future PAC Meetings on how this year’s money will be spent.

The PAC spending criteria was also explained to the new members.

MOTION: To accept the Financial Report. CARRIED.

5. Committee Reports
DPAC: Mark Adams was unable to attend the meeting as he was at the DPAC Meeting.

Dance Committee
There is a thought of having one Grade 11/12 only dance. This is ultimately up to the Student Council. There will still be a couple of dances for the entire school. First dance is tentatively set for November 24th.

Fundraising Committee
Emma explained Progressive Fundraising and how it works.
Emma also has paper gift certificates from Save on Foods, Super Store, Safeway & Tim Horton’s (This is separate from Progressive Fundraising but it works the same).
The cut off for orders will be the PAC Meeting dates.

School Planning Council
Nothing further. Everything was explained during the "Principal’s Report".
For more information, visit the Ministry of Education or the BCCPAC web sites;
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/spc/
http://www.bccpac.bc.ca/SPC/SPC_index.htm

Student Council Report
Nothing to report. A representative will attend next meeting.

6. Old Business
PAC Bursaries: All new PAC members were advised of the ten $400 bursaries that the PAC gives to Johnston Heights Students.

Speaker’s Program: The new PAC members were told of the new Speaker’s Program that was initiated by Jim Deacon (retired Principal) last year. The goal is to motivate and educate students on current issues. The first booking is on "Social Responsibility" and will be performed by the Justice Theatre. The cost will be approximately $900.

Grade 8 Parents Meeting - September 27th. at 7pm: This is an opportunity for parents of new students at Johnstson Heights to meet with the school staff and tour the building. Treasurer Linda Blais will be the PAC rep at this meeting.

7. New Business
Dry Grad: Last year there was no interest from parents in organizing a Dry Grad. This is not a PAC event, but the PAC is willing to provide some funding. Ken Hignell believes it is important and that this event should happen every year. Considerable discussion ensued on how to get parents interested in organizing this for the Class of 2006.

Nominations For School Planning Council: The School Planning Council includes three (3) elected members of the PAC for a 2-year term. Three new positions are needed for 2005 - 2007.

The President called for nominations and the following were received.
Steve Schnitzer nominated and accepted
Emma Dyck nominated and accepted
Darlene Taylor nominated and accepted
Mary Fulton nominated and declined

There were no further nominations and Steve Schnitzer, Emma Dyck and Darlene Taylor were acclaimed.

8. Mail
New fund raising information will be added to the binder. The binder is available for viewing at the school office.

Adjourned at 8:46pm.
Next Meeting: October 5th. 2005

Back to PAC