Fairvale Elementary School, Parent School Support Committee

MINUTES

Fairvale Elementary School, Parent School Support Committee January 16, 2014

The meeting was called to order by E. Tait at 7:34PM in FES library.

In attendance Bonnie Hierlihy, Robin Kirkpatrick-Evans, Tracey MacPherson, Heather Tait, Elizabeth (Liz) Tait (Chair), Peter Menchenton, Jana Comeau (note taker), Marty McCarthy, Kendra Gallant, Melissa Harris, Bridget Stack Tricia Wilson, Charlotte Pierce, Judy Kilpatrick, Spring Lake

Regrets Robin Kirkpatrick-Evans, Heather Tait, Kevin Finnigan, Tracey MacPherson

Approval of Minutes Moved by T. Wilson to approve November 13, 2013 minutes. Motion passed unanimously.

Introduction of PSSC Members  All present members introduced themselves as committee is greatly expanded and many new and welcome faces join the group.

DEC Update (C. Pierce)  Update has been received from District about new support staff for schools relating to Ends Policy #1 – Literacy . She wanted to confirm that the district outreach employees have in fact been in contact with FES administration. o B. Hierlihy confirmed that Ryan Price and Sarah Badger from Hampton Education Centre have both been in contact with and visited the school. Both are transitioning well into their new roles (previously both high school teachers) and will begin working more directly with the school. o Bev MacDonald is the new district representative for the Hampton Education Centre and she too has been in contact with the school.  District updated the DEC about a new report card format that is being piloted now in Fredericton area. Intent is that there would be two progress reports and two achievement reports per year per child. The formats would be more outcomes oriented, and will have more consistent language in the rubrics. o J. Comeau asked is this is going to allow for reporting/tracking of students over a period of time. C. Pierce will check.  There will be a DEC retreat this weekend to review ASD-S facilities.

Business Arising from Minutes  New Elementary School boundaries o K. Black, T. MacPherson, B. Hierlihy, C. Pierce were present at the boundaries meeting for local PSSCs representing FES in December, 2013. o The new school will hold 350 students. The student body will be comprised of 60% from current Lakefield population, and 40% from current FES population. o New boundaries presently are set will see students living in the quadrant starting at the Vincent Road Store/Scarlett Avenue to Gondola Blvd, to Quispamsis Rd, and to Vincent Road transitioned to the new school. Homes on river side of Gondola Blvd. will remain in the FES district. o Superintendent Watson would like us to provide feedback to her regarding the boundaries. PSSC members find new boundaries logical but recognize that it might be challenging for students particularly in grade 5 who will have to spend their final elementary year in a new school.

 Budget – Road Sign

FES PSSC – Minutes January 16, 2014 1 o District does not own the land, so B. Hierlihy and L. Tait now need to talk to Town of Rothesay in regards to getting an easement for a sign. Then quotes can be obtained and brought back to committee at February meeting.

 Parent Wellness Night o Original plan was to have a wellness related evening for parents in conjunction with February meeting, but B. Hierlihy suggested that we move to January 21 because Mrs. Perkins-Love, FES guidance counsellor, wants to do an 8-hour seminar over 4 nights on student anxiety. This would be a good follow-up for parents who attend the initial event. o Event will be held in the music room from 7:30-9:00PM. o Confirmed speakers include: . Aisha Khedheri- Dietitian with Horizon Network. . Angela Gionet – District psychologist who will speak about youth anxiety. o It was suggested that speakers be approached regarding sharing their presentations with us, or be videotaped, so that they can be posted on the website for parents who are unable to come. o A reminder should be sent to parents that is specific to the event as all parents might not have noticed it in the general email. B. Hierlihy will send a note on Friday, January 17,, 2014.

Ends Policy Practices: Sept-present  B. Hierlihy reviewed new and successful initiatives under the ends policy over the fall semester: o Ends Policy #1:Positive Learning Environment . Walk and talk initiative going well. This initiative involves having a behaviour support worker talk through a poor choice with student on the school yard, and then has parents review it again with child at home. . Two pyramids of intervention now exist, one for behaviour and one academic. . Superflex program is being expanded to ensure consistency across whole school. . School focuses on one of 7-habits per month. School trying to establish ways to celebrate students who are living the 7-habits and wants to ensure whatever measures are implemented they embrace everyone, and not just those who demonstrate a significant improvement. o Ends Policy #2: Literacy . 3 children’s authors have visited school this year: Robert Rayner, Louis Petrie, Jennifer Rouse. . Teachers are starting to use laptops and netbooks more frequently in their classes. School has also purchased 6 iPad for use in the Resource Rooms to accommodate different learning styles, and 4 more have been approved. . Mrs. Gillis has established a lunch hour open library on Tuesday (K-2) and Thursday (3-5) which is well attended. . B. Stack suggested that school share the top learning apps that they use in the school with parents. B. Hierlihy will start a ‘Technology’ section on the FES Newsletter. . Early Literacy Friends (E.L.F.) program began in early November. The program matched 6 community volunteers with 6 Grade 2 students who could benefit from additional reading time. 7 volunteers are confirmed for this semester. Program is for an hour per week after school, and volunteers are all trained on the E.L.F. methodology. o End Policy#3: Numeracy . New district math mapping has now being used as a standard across all classrooms. . More effort being made to ensure students are aware of the outcomes being worked on as they complete various activities. o Ends Policy#4: Increase family and community engagement . FES now has a Twitter account. B. Hierlihy now trying to get website updates linked to Twitter account. . Grade 4 classes, as a result of their social studies curriculum, are showing interest in wanting to do something for the broader community. There is a student and her mother who want to start to initiate the ‘me to we’ concept at FES. Efforts are being made to support and encourage this initiative.

FES PSSC – Minutes January 16, 2014 2 Tell Them From Me Survey Results  Tabled until the next meeting.

“Once Around the Table”  L. Tait read a letter from a parent who has concerns about the skating program. Items of concern relate to the lack of instruction for students who are unable to skate, and anxiety of students who are unable to skate. B. Hierlihy will take the discussion back to the staff to see if there are ways the program can be tweaked.  P. Menchenton brought up issue of flash flooding and wondered how school ensured students were playing on safe grounds. B. Hierlihy mentioned that each day a walk about is conducted to see if any areas should be closed and all students and faculty are advised of any area closures on the playground.

Adjournment  Meeting was called to adjournment by L. Tait at 9:42PM.

Next Meeting February 14, 2013 in FES Library.

FES PSSC – Minutes January 16, 2014 3