Van Horne – Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Attendance: 9 parents, Principal Morgan, Vice Principal Weatherall, Ms. Stewardson
Agenda
- Approve September 2015 Meeting Minutes
- School Update
- Treasurer’s Report
- PAC Webpage
- Shop Funds
- November 24th PAC Meeting
(Guest Speaker at next PAC meeting: Catherine Evashuk – Continuing the Discussion of ABC’s of Sex Education)
Motion: The PAC membership approves the September 28th, 2015 meeting minutes
*Amended item #6 on page 2 to include October meeting date and to note that there would not be a guest speaker at the October PAC.
Motion to Amend Approved: Susan Seconded: Shera
Approved: Caroline Seconded: Susan All Approved
Meeting start 7:10pm
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Presentation by Ms. Stewardson, Division 3, Grade 6/7
- STEAM Vs. STEM Education – Science Technology ART Math (vs. Science Technology Education Math)
- STEAM Education at VSB: at secondary school level there is a number of programs
- STEAM programs are not offered at the Elementary level
- Would be a great advantage ‘specialized’ stream – choice program – STEAM / Robotics Program at Van Horne could bring students with specialized interests
- Pilot program with Colorado Consortium, training through NASA
- Having students explore the inner workings of machinery – fundamental skills for careers in engineering, chemistry, etc.
- Helping students to understand how things work and why things are working that way
- Logical reasoning skills are needed to program a computer
- Coding skills are purposeful when students build / program robots
- Start a club in addition to using in classroom
- Student presented on personal experience with VEX Robotics Programming, Logic and Robotics – built troubleshooting as well
- http://vexiqbc.com/ – BC-wide competitive aspects of robotics
The Future of STEAM at Van Horne
- STEAM eMissions with Colorado Challenge Centre
- After school Coding Dojo
- Robotics in class and robotics clubs
- Destination Imagination competitions http://www.destinationimagination.org/
- UBC outreach programs – Let’s Talk Science challenge
- Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
- Asking PAC for financial support to move forward
- Important to engage entire school behind a new project
- Shop funds upcoming – Approximately $2000.00-$2500.00 fundraising
- Currently 6 Robots (on loan), seeking funds for 10 robots – approximately $400.00 each
- $4000.00 cost in total for the 10 robots
- Club could have an entry fee ($25.00)
- Seeing this as a 5 year project at the school
- Would attract more students to Van Horne (both in and out of catchment)
- Activities that can start right away:
- Destination Imagination sponsored by BC Government
- Destination Imagination Manual with spontaneous challenges
- Fundraising event – Family Night Challenge (team problem solving activities)
- Curiosity Camps
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Vice Principal Weatherall
- Updates
- Discussed recent professional development – early literacy / literacy support / lunch and learn – aboriginal education and storytelling
- Seeking volunteers for library support – parents to help keep the non-fiction books shelved
- Cross-Country went well: 48 participants
- Mentioned various activities: Basketball, Floor Hockey, Choir
- Halloween Parade at 9am
- Remembrance Day Assembly 11am
- Seeking donations $1.00-$400.00 for new classroom supplies for new teacher, Ms. Phillips – list reviewed and parent present offered to supply a number of items / follow up and speak directly to teacher
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Treasurer’s Report
– by Shera
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PAC Webpage
with PAC Events – by Caroline
- 60 parents signed up for PAC website information / mail outs to go home to increase numbers
- All present expressed interest in being able to pay for events and PAC Lunch online, there are non-profit discounts for registered charities for PayPal (lowered fee per transaction)
- Discussed importance of adding Van Horne school events to the Van Horne PAC Webpage
- https://www.vanhornepac.com/
5. Shop Funds
will be available soon; proceeds from sales can go towards purchases for STEAM program; motion at future PAC meeting when full executive present.
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Next PAC Meeting Date:
Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 – Guest Speaker at next meeting: Catherine Evashuk – Continuing the Discussion of ABC’s of Sex Education