Minutes of the Ridgeway PAC Meeting



Minutes of the Ridgeway PAC Meeting??? ??? Monday January 18th, 2021 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 pm – Virtual Zoom MeetinGATTENDANCE:Arieanna Schweber (Board)Kim JackmanMelissa McConchieJillian Gordon (Ridgeway Vice Principal)Dean Yeo (Ridgeway Principal)Diana ElligottDavid Pyron (Board, DPAC Rep)Meredith DawsonRosalind Hollett (Ridgeway Teacher)Ali RitchieChrystal Zachrisson (President) Karla Amy Reid (Board)Chuck WoottenRenata FascinaEduardo FinkelsteinRachel DutraStasa AndricA.L.Y.Jen Anderson (Acting Secretary)(7:17) Call to OrderChrystal Zachrisson(7:22) Approve minutes from the last meeting – Jennifer Anderson (1st) and David Pyron (2nd)(7:25) Updates from Ridgeway's Principal Dean Yeo and Vice-Principal Jillian Gordon, including COVID-19 UpdateDean Yeo (Principal):Good to have students back in – thank you to parents for protocol diligence at school and over the break – no exposures in 2021 to dateOngoing safety measures still a focus in the school, may still remind students and families not to hang around on the school grounds after schoolIn Kindie COVID exposure from December, school forwarded information on the day it was received – reason for delay from exposure date not clear – may have been a later test etc. VCH did not share the reason.Speed zone change now in effect – 30km at all times in the neighbourhood around the school Jillian Gordon (Vice Principal):Grade 7s looking to get involved – each class organizing spirit days: jan 21 – comfy sweatpants day and twin/triplet day coming shortly thereafter on tues jan 26Pro D on Friday Jan 22 – teachers had numeracy focus on last Pro D and have decided to carry on and extend that learning on Friday morning. In afternoon, focus will be on mental health literacy.Ms. Hollett (Ridgeway Teacher):Different year for Grade 7s, happy to have creative ideas from teachers on leadership opportunities for the students – Hallway helpers – Gr. 7s alerting adults if any issues identified. Ms. Gallilee started a library helper program, kids had to apply. Weekly Thursday cheer last year was greatly appreciated by the teachers who are finding it tough not to be closer with parents this yearConsider extending concept into this year, but need clear communication so that parents are informedMaybe appoint keeners to start cheers in specific locations – Kim and Meredith volunteered“Cheer Here” signs?(7:41) Mask culturePAC constitution –“ exercise leadership…expressing collective parental views regarding wellbeing of children at Ridgeway”Want to create a culture of caring for others wellbeing and mask acceptance in classEncourage parents to have discussions with their kids about wearing masks in classPAC exec has voted they are advocating for this – discussion to focus on how best to move this forwardBuddy system could help – easier for kids to wear a mask if their friends areBurnaby DPAC circulated a simple message to parents encouraging them to talk to their kids about wearing a maskDean: students in elementary schools not required, given the cohort model. If there was cross-cohort exposure, it would be different. Adults however, must wear masks in common areas but not in their classrooms.Need to consider access, motivation and promptsNeed to be sensitive to kids who cannot or choose not to wear a mask – concepts of behaviour change and ‘peer pressure’ might be too strongSchool has struck a balance, already encouraging mask wearing, how far should we go and could it cause more challenges?Transmission rates thought to be low in young childrenStrike a committee to continue this discussionInvite more voices to the tableOpportunity for mask fundraiser? Needs further considerationEncourage people to do their own research, reach out to Chrystal if you’d like to be involved in the committee (8:14) Call for SecretaryRole includes taking minutes and preparing YE report – no takers, but Chuck signed up for social committee(8:17) Current Blue Playgroundwood chip base not performing well, drainage not working properlywood fibre coming in to elevate overall level, but will not solve drainage problemrubber surfacing would likely be $60-80k(8:20) Playground Projectplan was to do the build during Spring Break 2020, but COVID halted this due to volunteerism componentproject was since revamped to a more retail model – Houston Landscaping is increasing their support significantly to help offset costs $105k on rubber surfacing - $180k raised and waiting since last MarchStill asking for corporate support – may be a $5-10k gapGoal is to complete the project over Spring Break to minimize impact on kids – gating will be required during installation. Expect a small parent volunteer component after the fact to install plants.Playground design shared with the groupOnce playgrounds are completed, they become the district’s responsibility for maintenance(8:35) Parent Concerns/Open Forum Families needing assistance – 9 families supported to date, remaining funding available is not clear, but the idea is that the PAC will always find ways to helpSchool transition program has been extended to March, may be extended further but is a NVSD decisionMeeting Adjourned 8:40Next meeting is February 22nd, 2021Meeting Notes: Jen Anderson ................
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