1. Welcome:
Welcome and introductions. John welcomed the members present and introduced the PAC council members to the guest Mr. Joe Punko. 11 members present.
1a. Additions to the agenda - Way added information regarding translation services; Master Events Planning Calendar.

2. Minutes from previous meeting: Passed and seconded by Brenda Holt. None opposed.

3. Student Council Report
James Holt reported that currently JHSS was hosting the Spirit week on the 4th, 5th and 6th of April 2006. There will be a basketball game and fund raising event. As part of the spirit week, students will be wearing red and white on 6th April 2006 to display their enthusiasm towards Canada day. The next school dance is scheduled for May 2006.

4. Principals Report
Mr. Hignell reported that a new staff Mrs. Rabindra Boparai would be joining the science and business education department. She brings in a wealth of experience and expertise and will infuse new strategies towards the gifted program.

The students at JHSS have done exceptionally well in the recent provincial exams. In 11 out of the 14 examinable areas students have scored well above the district and provincial level. 94% of the students have achieved honour roll. It is a pleasure to announce that 8 students of JHSS have scored 100% at the recent provincial exams.

In addition to the best student and best class of the month, a new club has been formed for those students who have scored 90% and above in the provincial exams. The achievements of these students have been recognized by giving certificates and a pizza lunch.

The superintendent’s visit to JHSS was successful. Emma Dyck represented on behalf of the PAC executive council. Ken Hignell read a brief report from the superintendent’s letter explaining the achievement of JHSS students in various activities such as Africa project, leadership program and the good grades achieved by students at JHSS. Ken Hignell commended the staff for the good job done for the success of the students at JHSS. Our guest Mr. Joe Punko suggested that we should share with the community the successful achievements of our students at JHSS. This could be done by writing a brief report to the local newspapers and highlight the success of our students by giving statistics.

A meeting has been arranged where grade 7 and grade 8 teachers can meet and discuss the challenges and issues that needs to be focused in the coming year. This meeting will give an opportunity to exchange ideas and develop appropriate measures to develop the full potential in students coming to JHSS.

The Quebec student exchange program has been successful. The students have gained enormous experience from this cultural exchange program.

Ken Hignell was pleased to announce that the school received a grant of $15,000 towards IT improvements. This grant will be used towards IMS to replace some of the computers in the lab. At present there are 300 computers at JHSS. The school district will take care of the redundant computers.

A team of teachers has been visiting the feeder schools to educate the students about the life and culture at JHSS. This has been achieved through power point presentations and regular visits to JHSS. This gives the students from feeder schools the opportunity to share their experiences and prepare themselves to adapt well in their new environment.

The 100 years of Broadway was performed once again and it was very successful as usual. The students performed exceptionally well and the audience enjoyed the show.

Some teachers from SFU are planning to visit the school in August of this year to meet and exchange ideas and improvements that could be done at JHSS.

The recent parent teachers meeting at JHSS was very successful. A number of parents attended both the afternoon and evening session.

Ken Hignell presented a three-minute news video presentation of the students at JHSS gearing towards a successful career. A number of groups from the various industries were present to inform and educate the students at this career fair.

A number of students from JHSS will be attending the career fail to be held at Cloverdale agriplex on 6th April 2006.

The Thai cultural exchange students have arrived and getting to know and working with the teachers and students at JHSS.

Grade 10 girls will be attending a seminar on safe teens, which has been successful in the past and has benefited the students at JHSS.

Ken informed that a School ‘Country Fair’ is in the planning stages. To be held on 27th April 2006 to raise funds for the Africa project.

5. Financial Report
Monthly report - Linda Blais gave a lengthy and detailed report of the current gaming and general account break down. A motion to accept the report was carried. Move to revise the Gaming Funds budget to allow for the $1000 support of the Quebec student exchange program. Linda/Murali, carried.

6. Committee Reports
DPAC committee: Mark Adams informed that the DPAC meetings are held on the forth Wednesday of each month. Next meeting is April 26. At the last DPAC meeting, Barry McDonald presented the boys smart program. He also reported that the books are available for parents, students and teachers at a discounted price.

Dance Committee: Brenda Holt requested for some volunteers for the upcoming dance to be held on 19th May 2006. She also requested if we could arrange for some extra coat hangers and racks. In view of renting the helium tank to pump the balloons, she suggested if we could buy one and store it in a safe place in the school. Ken Hignell promised to look into it and discuss the safety issued related to the storage of helium gas tank.

Fund raising Committee: Emma was not present and the report was tabled.

School Planning Council: Ken Hignell is revising the document and it will be ready soon. A meeting will be arranged at that time. He was unsure if the teachers union would support the School Planning Councils in BC, but assured the PAC that the Planning Council will continue regardless.

Dry Graduation Party: Dianne informed that funds for the dry grad has been raised such as fashion week, raffle tickets and shake-the-can. M & M meat shop is donating 10% of all purchases made from 28th April 2006 to 4th May 2006 to the JHSS dry grad program. Parent and teachers have to mention during this period that they would like to see a part of their payment goes towards JHSS dry grad fund. In addition M & M meat shop is having a BBQ on their premises on 29th April 2006 and everyone is welcome. A bottle drive fund raising program is scheduled for 6th May 2006. A helicopter sight seeing trip has been arranged as part of the JHSS dry grad program. More information about the after grad event and funding activities will be announced in the special Graduation Newsletter.

7. Old business
a. Improving the turnaround time for Progressive Funding Certificates. John and Linda have outlined a process that should reduced the time to 2 or 3 days. Item closed.
b. Emma Dyck represented the PAC during Mr. Mike McKay’s visit who is the Superintendent of the Surrey School District. No report.

8. New Business
Mr. Joe Punko reported regarding traffic/safety concerns on the streets south of the school. He is concerned about the speeding vehicles. He has approached the neighboring school in this regard. He has talked to officials at the City of Surrey and has not been completely satisfied. He hoped that JHSS PAC could put forward their concerns regarding the traffic/safety issues. Murali is to draft a letter similar to the one done by the Principal of the neighboring school.

Prepare to set 2006/2007 meeting schedule - postponed to next meeting. Ken was asked to contact Mr. Dear and see what the plan is for the school calendar.

Appointment of Nominations Committee - John Holt requested the PAC members to invite other parents so that they could participate in the PAC executive council as members. Mark Adams suggested that this could be relayed through the school news letter and the sign out front of the school.

Way informed Mr. Hignell that she was willing to do the translation of the school welcome message. She may be able to translate it into five different languages. She suggested that she would prepare a printed copy that could be scanned and posted as required.

There is a desire to create and maintain a master Events Planning Calender. The function of the calendar is to coordinate fundraising activities and prizes at the school. Fund raising conducted by different groups would be negotiated and coordinated to allow for maximum performance. Other schools have such calender, but it does require all the groups to buy into the plan to be effective. Mr. Hignell acknowledged that the school would need to allocate resources to support this planning. A June meeting could be planned to start the coordination for the 2006/2007 year.

9. Mail
Apr. 21 - ePortfolio Showcase held at SFU at Surrey Central location.

Meeting ended at 9:10pm.
Next General Meeting: 3rd. May 2006

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