Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009

Agenda

1. Approve FAPVG Meeting Minutes from May 13, 2009

2. Financial Update - Ineke Van Praag

3. Used Uniform sales - Yvonne Marcus

4. Holiday Staff Coffee/Cookie Party - Kathy Martin

5. Scholastic Book Fair January 2010 - Kathy Martin

6. Online Registration forms - Maureen Steltman

7. Endeavour 2009 - Brenda Bradshaw

8. Art Cards - Cindy Schreyer

9. Gift card Fundraising - Ineke Van Praag

10. Grade 11/12 Italy Trip Student Fundraising - Maureen Steltman

11. Hot Lunch fundraising - Kimberly Harrison

12. Team Gear/Lionheart clothing - Michelle Clerides

13. Hey Ocean May Gala - Maureen Steltman

14. School Awards - Maureen Steltman

15. Uniform Review - Donna Williams

16. Other Business

Approval FAPVG Meeting Minutes from May 13th 2009

Debby Jenkins approved, Kathy Martin seconded.

Financial Update - Ineke Van Praag

Approved, balance to date is $993 and Used Uniforms is $7,484.

Used Uniform Sales - Yvonne Marcus

The next Used Uniform sale will be on Parent-Teacher Interview Day (Jan. 14) in the lobby.

Yvonne needs volunteers for Uniform sales Jan. 14, 2010.

Scholastic Book Fair/January 2010 - Kathy Martin

Set up on Monday, Jan. 11, the book fair will run on Tuesday, Jan. 12 (tutors wish lists), Wednesday, Jan. 13 (students’ wish lists) and Thursday, Jan. 14 for regular sales to parents. A separate flyer will go out by mail to the parents. Monies raised will be spent in the Tutoring department. Kathy needs volunteers for set up and for sales during Book Fair hours. A new coordinator is being sought to take on the Scholastic Book Fair for next year. If anyone has a raffle item to donate (last year there were two Vancouver Canucks tickets donated) please notify the FAPVG Executive by email.

Online Registration forms - Maureen Steltman

The Fraser Registration package is comprehensive and costly to mail each year to all families. This year in particular, 40 families still have some forms outstanding. Fraser staff has spent countless hours chasing down delinquent families by phone. This is both time consuming and costly. The staff is currently seeking information on online registration and re-registration, which will be much easier for both families and administration. The Vancouver School Board currently offers it, as well as Arts Umbrella and Lord Byng Fine Arts. If you have any information on an online registration system, please contact Maureen Steltman.

Endeavour 2009 - Brenda Bradshaw

Total funds raised from the event have yet to be communicated to Fraser Academy. Fraser Academy would like to extend our thanks to the 2009 Endeavour Chairperson Brenda Bradshaw for her excellent work on this event. A more in depth report will be given at the next PVG Meeting in early 2010.

Volunteers

A discussion began about a shortage of parent volunteers. It was put forward that Fraser PVG could adopt the policy of some other schools, where parents give a monetary deposit, and work it back by doing volunteer hours. Maureen Steltman stated that this has been done in the past without much success; it takes a lot of administration work and gives distress and anxiety to families, especially those that have other children in other schools. It was agreed that the PVG will continue to advertise for volunteers. Rhonda Sacks suggested that if every parent in attendance at this meeting brought one more parent to the next meeting, our numbers would increase.

Marcy Oakley agreed to coordinate volunteers and will meet with Michelle Clerides to obtain the Volunteer list and take over this task.

Art Card Fundraiser - Cindy Schreyer

Cindy is a new parent to Fraser and has organized a similar event when her son Eli was a student at Nootka School. The concept is the production of fine-art cards with envelopes will be sold in sets through the school. Although Cindy was not present, Michelle Clerides spoke on her behalf about this project. Mr. Eccles (Head of the Art Department) will be collaborating with Cindy in the production of the cards. He will coordinate the student artwork that will be transferred to gift cards and Cindy will facilitate the printing. They will be ready in April in time for Fraser Grandparents’ Day/Mother’s Day.

Gift Card Fundraising - Ineke Van Praag

Yvonne Markus set up an online gift card fundraising initiative that Ineke Van Praag demonstrated online. This system is easy to use and should work well for parents. Parents with children at other schools reported that this is a very easy and lucrative fundraiser. Gift cards are bought at face value and include groceries, gas, Starbucks, Chapters etc. It was agreed to set up this program and send out as a separate email to parents with information on how to sign in online to buy the gift cards.

Grade 11/12 Italy Trip Student Fundraising - Maureen Steltman

This year’s trip will be to Italy during March/April 2010. The destination was chosen by the students. Costs are $4,000 pp. Students will be fundraising and working to pay for their trip. Some students will work during the Olympics. They will be staying in Rome over the Easter weekend. FA wants to make students individually responsible for fundraising for their trip instead of parents simply paying for it.

Hot Lunch Fundraising - Kimberly Harrison

Kimberly was not present at this meeting and will hopefully report on the possibility of turning our Hot Lunch program into a fundraiser. There are other schools that use the same “Munch a Lunch” Program as ours that turn a good profit for the school.

Team Gear/Lionheart clothing - Michelle Clerides

Mr. Klassen, Mr. Felton, Ms. Marshall and Michelle Clerides (PVG) met with a local sportswear company named Lionheart Athletics. It was felt that the current Top Ten Uniform PE strip is not conducive to our outdoor climate, given it’s primarily cotton. At this point students are allowed to wear their own jackets over top of their uniform in the rain. There is no consistency in the gear, and Fraser is trying to grow recognition in the community as well as pride with the children. Sport teams require new gear as well.

Sample clothing from Lionheart was passed around the room.

This new team gear could be worn during PE and team games for students and coaches (and parents). Lionheart provides great quality technical gear. It was decided amongst the PE staff that we would offer a track suit (lined pants), hoodie, shorts (both male and female) and dri-fit tee shirts and polo shirts. The gear would be navy/gold/white (in keeping with Hornet colours). This is NOT mandatory for students but would be a great addition to our PE uniform. Parents will be sent information with photos of the gear and an order form via email. If they wish to purchase the clothing they will send in the form and payment to the front office.

Hey Ocean - May Gala - Maureen Steltman

Hey Ocean is an upcoming Vancouver band that has some members who are FA alumni. The band has agreed to hold a gala with proceeds to FA. This event will be a fundraiser, organized by FAPVG. There was discussion that having an Honorary Chairperson who would help drive tickets sales and promote the event should be sought out. Rhonda Sacks and Maureen Steltman will investigate these opportunities.  A separate email will be sent out to parents announcing a date for the event.

Volunteers will be needed to coordinate this event. Debby Jenkins, Yvonne Wray and Rhonda Sacks put their names forward.

School Awards - Joanie Tara

Joanie Tara has undertaken to facilitate a review of Fraser Academy’s awards procedures in order to develop an awards policy that is line with the school’s philosophy and mission. She will be working with a committee of two staff – Brie Brown and Sue Mercer – and parents Cindy Ball and Rhonda Sacks.

Uniform Review - Donna Williams

After consultation with students and parents, the Uniform Review group advised to replace the existing khaki pants with grey flannels. A navy blazer with a small FA crest is also recommended as optional for both Junior and Senior students. Our current uniform supplier Top Ten currently doesn’t stock girls’ pants. Therefore, girls may have pants tailored to fit (offsite since Top Ten can only do hemming). The grey flannels and navy blazers will be available immediately at Top Ten Uniforms and students will be allowed to wear the current khakis until June 2009.

Uniform changes were accepted with an effective wear date of January 2010.  For the remainder of the 09-10, school year, students may wear either grey or Khaki pants. 

***In September 2010, boys must wear grey pants – no khakis***

Other Business

Marcy Oakley asked about the availability of gyms near Fraser Academy instead of having early-morning training sessions at Aberthau Community Centre. Mr. Klassen advised that FA can’t get time at Kitsilano Community Centre but if there is a possibility of another facility nearby, it would of course be considered.

Marcy Oakley volunteered to check into other gym locations for team practices.

FAPVG requires volunteers for the following events:

Hey Ocean- FAPVG Gala in May: immediate

Endeavour, new Chairperson: immediate

Used Uniform Sales: Jan. 14

Gift card distribution and sorting: Email with dates to come

Set up, help during Scholastic Book Fair: Jan. 12-14

Scholastic Book fair Chairperson for 2010: immediate

If you’d like to volunteer, please email the FAPVG at: fraserparents@fraseracademy.ca

Meeting Adjourned 10:20 am