1. Welcome:
John Holt welcomed the group and introduced the members of the PAC and DPAC committee. 8 people in attendance.
1a. Mr. Peter Mleziva, Geology department teacher at the school, presented a power point report of the recent field trip to Howe Sound / Whistler areas as part of the Geography grade 12 activity. He also presented a "Thank You" poster to PAC in supporting such an event.

2. Minutes from previous meeting
The motion was passed and no questions arose regarding January and February PAC meetings. The motion was moved by Steve and seconded by Diane. Carried.

3. Student council report
Christine was absent and Ken Hignell presented the school council report of behalf of Christine. The dance held at the school on the 16th. February was a great success. A total of 267 tickets were sold. The music was loud, the students enjoyed the dance and it was a successful event.

Ken Hignell informed about the Ifirst or Eye Flirts program which happened to be held on the Valentine’s Day. It is a software program which matches the student’s likes and dislikes and based on their input, prints out a report. It was a safe event, students enjoyed it and were well supported by the parents and the teachers.

Ken Hignell informed of the formation of the Student Representative Team in the school. The team had to conduct a survey of the existing grade 8 students with regards to the level of comfort at the school, extra circular activities, learning skills and responsibilities. The objective of such a program was to provide feedback to grade 7 teachers in the elementary schools to better prepare the students who will be entering into high school this coming year.

4. Principals Report
Ken Hignell announced that he was happy and proud of the various learning opportunities available at JHSS. The objective is to share resources, strategies and knowledge with teachers and students and help to accomplish the school goals.

Grade 9 and Grade 12 students were immunized.

Technology grant of $50,000 was approved as part of the IT project.

The drug awareness program conducted at the last meeting by Tracy Hardman was very informative and a successful program. Ken Hignell informed that other departments have shown keen interest to have similar presentation in the respective departments.

The provincial exams were held recently. Students were taught on various techniques to approach these exams. The exams were held at the Gym instead of at the Church. This gave the students the feeling and environment of the way the exams are conducted at UBC and SFU.

East Zone Community Forum: was held recently and related to the core values of the school in developing partnership within the community at the district, national and international level. All in all it was a successful event and a lot of positive comments were received. The event helped to showcase the school.

Ken Hignell was happy to announce that JHSS was represented at the Jazz festival held recently. Ken was the MC at the event. It was a great performance and students and teachers enjoyed it.

Ken Hignell informed that a web based course selection program was underway. The report cards have been issued based on the first semester. The compilation of Super G and Honor roll students are completed. Certificates for honor roll student have been issued. Plans are underway to have similar programs at the end of the year.

Africa project has advanced very well since the initial concept was introduced at the beginning of the year. Various fund raising activities have been held to generate more funds for this event. The school had the opportunity to bring in an African Group - Masabo. The members of the group gave a brief description of their life and experiences in Africa and in general to their culture and developments. Funds for the project will be generated by donations. Local elementary schools and businesses will be approached for donations. In conjunction with this project, a walkathon will be held at JHSS. John Holt was concerned that the Africa project has been given several names and at times was very confusing.

Ken Hignell informed that a group of Chinese teachers had finished their practicum at JHSS. They will be leaving at the end of the month and were given a farewell dinner. The school is also preparing to welcome a group of Thai students who will be coming here soon. Ken Hignell informed that he has worked with this group of students before and hopes that this will be a wonderful learning opportunity for both the students and the teachers.

The mothers/daughters breast cancer awareness program was held at the school recently. Due to a number of programs be held on the same day, some of them parents could not attend.

The new graduation program implemented in Sept 2005 is geared towards healthy living and career development with an active physical participation in sports.

A group of students from Calgary University were at the school and presented their skills in playing high end classical music. The event was a challenge to the musicians and the students.

A speech by Kathy Hutcheson (The story of Bob) was a great success. It brought out the message of social responsibility and the ability to forgive and forget. The event had a great impact upon the students and was the highlight of the activity in the school year.

The school choir presented "100 nights of broadway" which was well attended and had a great impact upon the students.

A program to develop student leadership skills will be held on 2nd march 2006 at the school.

Preparations are underway to welcome the students from Quebec this month. The students will be staying with foster parents and spending their time visiting places and getting to know the culture and traditions in B.C.

Ken Hignell was pleased to inform that 95% of the students had done very well during the first semester. Out of these 35% had got A’s and 27% of them got B’s. On the whole grade 8 students had performed well during the first semester.

A new initiative program by the school to recognize student of the month was introduced. Any teacher could nominate the students. The student’s name was announced by a surprise visit to the classroom by the principal and vice-principals.

A similar program to acknowledge the success of the students as a group in the class will be introduced and will be called "class of the month".

Dianne informed the pac members about the activities of the youth church group. Ken Hignell informed that he was not happy with the activities of the youth church group and in future such activities will not be held within the school premises.

Way informed that she was willing to do the translation into other languages such as Korean/Hindi/Punjabi/ Chinese/ Vietnamese of the important events held at the school.

5. Financial Report
Linda was away and could not attend the meeting. John Holt presented the monthly report on behalf of Linda. John Holt was pleased to inform that the PAC was able to make a profit of $75.00 during the school dance through the sales of pops and water. The financial report was reviewed and accepted.

6. Committee Reports
a. DPAC committee: Mark Adams was not present. Emma Dyck informed that Barry Macdonald has been invited by the school to give a speech on the topic "boy oh boy".

b. Dance Committee: John Holt thanked Nadene, Linda, Brenda and Murali for showing their support at the school dance.

c. Fund raising Committee: Emma informed that she has raised a donation of $33.00 towards the fund. She also brought to the attention of the pac members if there was some way to speed up the issue of gift certificates and reduce the turn around time from the time of acceptance of cheques to the issuance of the gift certificates.

d. School Planning Council. Ken Hignell informed that the funding towards grade 10/11/12 field trip was short of $539.28 and enquired if pac could help raise this amount. Dianne set the motion, seconded by Steve and was accepted by all members. John Holt is to discuss the issue with Linda Blais and inform the pac members.

e. Dry Graduation Party: Dianne planned to sell raffle tickets at the parent’s teachers meeting to be held at the school on 30th. March 2006. The recent fashion show held at the school was a successful event. She was pleased that within a short period of time the students were able to put up a great show. Plans are underway to put up a similar show during the month of November.

7. Old business
a. Technology Funding application: Ken Hignell was pleased to inform that their application towards the technology grant of $50,000 has been accepted by the education department and the funds have been received by the school. The funds will be used to upgrade the existing computer labs and extend the memory capabilities of these computers. Funds will also be used to get a mobile computer lab, with 30 computers, printers and scanners. Ken Hignell commented that the existing wiring system in the school was obsolete and needs to update to accommodate the new technology required to support the IT expansion program. He was not sure when the wiring system will be replaced to suit the current needs. Item closed

b. Building Envelope: Ken also informed that the leaking problem at one section of the school building has been stopped for since some work has been done. He also brought to the attention of the members that there were some more leaks developing at other parts of the school building. A special team of building envelope specialist will be visiting JHSS to conduct some feasibility studies and provide solutions to solve the problems faced by the school.

c. Projection screen and media cart: Ken Hignell informed that the projection screen and media center has been used almost everyday. It has been a great help to both the students and the teachers. Item closed

d. Outcomes from the Regional Forums: ‘Planning for Student Success’ A report on the outcomes is available from the secretary. Item closed.

e. Traffic congestion: Mr. H Becker informed that traffic congestion concerns around 100 Ave and 154 Street has been there for the last ten years. The City of Surrey wants the developers to provide solutions to the existing traffic problems. Mr. H. Becker feels that there seems to be no solutions to solve the problem right now. Item closed.

8. New Business
a. Funding request from Languages department: Asking for funding to take about 20 students to Cirque du Soleil. After discussion, it was decided we were not in a position to provide the funds requested.

b. PAC requested to provide an information table at the next parent teacher conference. Emma will attend. Brenda will be asked to assist.

c. The question of teacher’s strike was raised. Ken Hignell informed that it was unlikely that a teacher’s strike during the current year.

d. Emma asked if the Portfolio program is applicable to students in the bases program. Ken replied that it is not mandatory, but the program could be used by the teacher and students in any event.

9. Mail
a. Read and distribute as required

b. Thank you notes were received from the block A, B, C and D planning 10 classes for support from the PAC.

Meeting ended at 10pm.
Next General Meeting: 5 April 2006

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