PSA GENERAL MEETING
March 18, 2004
1. Previous minutes were approved.
2. MS Report:
Parents will shortly be receiving a notice re: Teacher appreciation lunch on 19th April, asking for donations of, preferably food but otherwise money towards this worthwhile event.
Next Parent Coffee 9am 13th April aimed at 5th Grade parents who have children coming into Middle School next year. However, existing MS parents are also welcome to attend.
3. HS Report:
Results of the December 2003 HS student life survey on, among other things, drug and alcohol use are now available. Anyone interested in receiving a copy please contact Bob Hetzel's office. The survey results were the topic of the last high school coffee and a summary of that coffee will be distributed to HS parents shortly.
An 'alcohol and drug free' HS after-prom party will be held at ACSA. A letter to HS parents giving all the details will be sent soon. Donations from individual and corporate sponsors are needed. Please see Gail Walker.
4. Thrift shop request:
5. Events:
6. Treasurers Report:
PSA has donated Rs 20,000 to each school. HS are using their funds for safesocial events for their children. MS is considering a paper recycling/ making scheme and ES have a number of smaller community related projects that they would like to use the funds for over the next year.
Events for the rest of the school year include the Teacher Appreciation Lunch for which Rs 10,000 has been budgeted and the Jazz Concert for which Rs 5000 has been approved.
The PSA account will go forward for the next academic year 2004/05 with a minimum balance of Rs 120,000 (This may be more depending on whether budgeted expenses have been fully utilized or not)
7. PSA nominations:
There are a number of vacancies coming up on the PSA Committee for next year. These have to be filled by April. Charlotte explained the roles and several people have come forward who want to be considered for them. However, there are still vacancies. If you are interested in finding out more or know of someone who may be, please contact Caroline on 9810350812 for more details.
8. Conflict Resolution:
Julie Keith, Elementary School Counselor, delivered a very interesting presentation on Conflict Resolution. She explained the ‘Win/Win guidelines’ (see attached notice) that are taught in Elementary school, not only to students but teaching assistants and specials teachers also. Each class has this poster in their room and is encouraged by the teacher to use it when a conflict arises.
Julie raised the point that it is important to recognize the difference between conflicts and bullying. If a parent suspects bullying it is important that they bring it to the teacher’s/ counselor’s attention.
An interesting discussion ensued encompassing behaviour out of school/ on the school buses/ with siblings and parents; whether ‘lose: lose’ was the reality and compromise the lesson; the importance of teaching children to ‘make space’ between themselves and the conflict/ problem.
Julie emphasized the importance of parent’s modeling this ‘win:win’ approach in order to teach our children to cope with life’s conflicts in a positive and constructive way.
9. On-line student directory:
- Barb Dowe presented the new ‘on-line’ school directory. The aim is to provide parents with a computer version of the School Directory that is always up-to-date, can be searched quickly and easily by required category (eg, grade, name, address locality, classroom teacher etc) and that ultimately abolishes or reduces the need for a (vastly consuming) paper version.
Barb would like parent’s feedback on the Directory- so if you have any comments please e-mail her or call by her office.
- Barb also demonstrated one of the new ‘Electronic Whiteboards’ that have been bought for the school. HS and MS students are using these very effectively- ask your child for more details!
- There is a conference this Saturday 20th March (10am-5pm) on the way forward for technology in schools like AES. With a number of interesting speakers from both India and US and plenty of room for discussion, it is well worth attending if you are interested in technology and it’s role in your child’s education. If you would like to attend but haven’t yet signed up, please see Barb.
Next meeting: 8.30am April 15th.
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