Minutes
Lord Tennyson PAC Meeting
January 11, 2011
1. Meeting called to order at 7:15pm, by co-chair Tracy Rowand. Vice-Chair Doni Gratton, CoSecretary Jane Gardiner, Treasurers Aniko Kovaks and ??, DPAC Rep Borja Brown, Mme Lavoie
and Mme Salweski were in attendance, in addition to some parents.
2. Approval of previous minutes. The minutes were not available for approval.
3. Additions to Agenda. Vendor cards added to the agenda.
4. Principal/ Vice-principal Report.
Mme Lavoie announced that Mme Salweski will be leaving the school in 2 weeks to take up an
appointment at an annex primary school. There will be a 2 week transition to the new viceprincipal, Mme Connie Carver.
Mme Lovoie passed on condolences to the family of grade 3 student, Madelaine Enticol. Her
father passed away suddenly over the Christmas break.
Mmme Salweski brought the PAC up to date on the status of the Art/Mural project.. There will be
an artist in residence to help grade 6/7students create canvases in February. These will be
auctioned off at an Art Gallery/Auction night in March. A grant of $500 has been received from the
VSB for the Artist in Residence. The proceeds from the Art Gallery/Auction will be used to help
fund a new mural for the school. Other funding for the mural is also being contributed by Art
Starts ($1800), the PAC ($1500) and possibly Van City. The mural will replace the existing mural
on the south wallof the school. The artist chosen was Anne Thornstensen. She has created other
school murals. The total cost is $5000. This will done over 4 weeks in May. The process will
involve all the students. Parent volunteers will be needed.
Mme Salweski reported on the Global Group. Before Christmas there was a fund raising project
through making Christmas decorations at lunch. This was undertaken by the grade 5/6/7
students. Other projects are being planned with the ultimate goal of raising enough money to buy
a well for an African village. It is hoped that the new vice-principal will take over this initiative.
Mme Salweski remarked on the leadership qualities these activities are fostering in the students.
Mme Lavoie discussed the Technology funding of $5000 given by the PAC. The intention of this
money was to buy Smart Boards. She asked for permission to buy one Smart Board (bringing the
school total to 9) for a teacher who expressed an interest in having one in the classroom and use
the reaming funds for LCD projectors as per a recent consensus at a staff meeting. The PAC agreed.
She also asked if $1000 of the $2000 given by the PAC for funding Science teaching aids be
transferred to Technology. This was turned down until a better idea of the Science costs vs
Technology costs were obtained. The PAC felt that the Science initiative was important.
5. Treasurer Report. The most recent closing balances are in the order of $15,000 in each of
the PAC’s 2 bank accounts. The liabilities were not clear at this point. At least $15,000 has been
spoken for by PAC supported school projects (Preforming Arts $3000, Teacher Support $4000,
Sports equipment/Jerseys $1500, Peer tutoring $600, Artist in Residence 2010 $1750, Science
Funding $2000, Technology Funding $5000). If the funds are not used by the end of the school
year, the excess will be returned to the PAC.
The treasurers (Aniko Kovaks names here) expressed concern that there has not been sufficient
handover for their job. Unfortunately, like much of the PAC council, they are both new. Efforts
will be made in the near future to bring them up to date. This will give a better understanding of
the balance sheet. Also, new signing authority needs to be arranged for the PAC bank accounts.
6. Donation /Volunteer Letter. The proposed letter was passed around. It has been in the
works since last spring. It was intended to be given out at the start of the school year to “kick-start”
fund raising for the PAC , as well as make parents aware of the volunteer opportunities at the
school. It was agreed that it is too late in the school year to ask for money. However, a general
letter about the PAC and the volunteer opportunities would be appropriate. This will go out to all
parents (through the class reps), with these minutes, in the coming weeks. A donation request
will go out at the start of the next school year.
7. Tennyson Anniversary. The 100th anniversary of Lord Tennyson School is coming up in 2012.
Stay tuned.
8. Announcements.
A) Division reps are in place for the easy distribution of school info. There may be a
meeting for these reps in the near future to formally discuss their roles.
B) PAC Speaker list. This might be considered for future meeting. Suggestions welcomed.
C) Spring Fling. For this year it has been proposed that this event be combined with the Art
Gallery/Auction evening. Quebec 2012 would like to do the food. Possibly there could be art
related activities for children. Volunteers are needed to spearhead this event.
D) Math-a-thon. This will be in May. Anika Kovaks and Jane Gardiner will take this over
from Borja Brown.
E) Parking in front of the school has changed. A reminder about this and the flow of traffic
will be sent in the next school Newsletter. The reason for this change is unclear. This will be
explored (Susan Hynes volunteered to call City Hall).
9. Casino Grant. $8500 was received last year. Borja Brown will inquire as to whether or not
funds are available this year and the process for applying.
10. Signage. The PAC will look into the cost of 2 announcement signs to be placed outside the
school.
11. Vendor program. A reminder of the vendor program was given. This will also be included in
the upcoming school Newsletter. It is an easy way to contribute to the PAC, simply by spending
money where you usually do. For more info and purchase, see the PAC website.
12. Future Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday evening of each month, 7pm, in the
school library. All parents are welcome.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Jane Gardiner.