The meeting was chaired by Pat Haviland and Reiko Kitano, Middle School Chairs.
1. Future PSA meetings
The PSA would like to make the monthly PSA meetings more interesting and enjoyable for parents. We have decided to have a topic for each month and invite speakers to the meeting. As yet we have no specifics planned for next month’s meeting- but all ideas welcome! In November we hope to have Kathy Bader, the school psychologist come and explain her role and talk about the importance of ‘down time’ for children.
The PSA plays a vital role in the life of the school, yet only a handful of parents get involved. If you have any ideas or suggestions on how we, as parents, can make the PSA a more representative body, please let us know- either via your school representative or directly at the monthly meetings. All ideas welcomed!
2. Thank yous
Thanks were given to Rebekkah Cessna for hosting coffee at ACSA after the last PSA meeting, Janet Golden for organising the Quiz Night and Chris Files for the Fall BBQ.
3. After school Hindi lessons
The school is trying to reassess interest levels in students’ after school Hindi lessons. So far not enough have expressed interest for it to be viable. If your child wants to attend, please sign up immediately.
4. Minutes of last meeting approved.
5. Treasurer's Report
There is a current balance of: Rs. 193,000
6. Elementary school
- Sanghita Mehra will be organising Elementary children’s neighbourhood Halloween trick or treating. If you are willing to co-ordinate for children in your neighbourhood, please ring her on 2614 3783. (Please note Oct 31st falls on a Friday this year and there is an AWA children’s party from 6-8pm)
- Parent teacher conferences Friday 26th September- no school.
7. Middle School
- Middle school dances went well, although it was noted that some parents would rather avoid events on 9/11 in future.
- 16th was mini-course Parent Coffee. Some parents in MS and HS have expressed concerns at having to sign ‘waiver’ document for their children who are attending the mini- courses. Would like response from schools on the necessity of this.
- Next parent coffee on NOV. 4th 9am HOP. If you have any issues you would like to raise at this please contact your middle school parent rep.
- Edline has been successfully launched. Paul Fochtman would welcome any comments from parents.
8. High school
- Last HS coffee excellent- notes have gone to all parents via e-mail along with Principals comments on any parent’s comments or complaints. A summary of coffee meetings will be regularly e-mailed to keep those parents who are unable to attend up-to-date on topics discussed.
- High school PSA parents have arranged for Princeton Review programme to be available in the school for study for SATs. This is a facility parents wanted to offer to the children.
- Freshman and Senior Parent’s seminars have been successfully held.
- An upgraded students lounge and garden area is being developed with the help of the school art director, to give the students a better place to ‘hang out’. HS will be putting in a funding request to the PSA to help support this.
Next coffee SEPT 30th 7pm on the IB Programme.
- Feedback requested on different Parent Teacher conference formats.
9. Events
- Quiz night-
- 52 attended
- Total cost for staff/ drinks Rs 15,000
- Wealth of questions already available for next year’s organiser- suggest see Janet Golden well in advance.
- BBQ-
- Over 400 attended, with PSA members selling 80% of tickets.
- Chris Files is writing up a review for next year’s organiser- so if you have any comment can you please feed them back to her for inclusion.
- India Night Under the Stars is next and biggest event. 1st November. It is a dinner/dance for adults with an Indian theme. If you are interested in helping out with this fun event, please contact Rajni Sud (98112-26230).
10. SAISA Tournament
SAISA is a sports tournament that involves 9 schools in the region. The girls’ soccer and boys’ basket ball is taking place at our school from 20-23rd Nov.. Each visiting child will need a home to stay in, so if you have a spare room, please help out. The PSA will also be hosting a lounge for coaches, so we will be requesting a little of your time, plus home baked goods, closer to the time.
11. Curriculum Council
Curriculum council will this year be looking at language curriculum and format of Assessments.
12. Board Report
This year we have current roll of 972 students. Security continues to be Board’s first priority.
13. AOB
Parent/ student evaluations of teachers, possible with schemes like ‘teacher of the year’ award, were discussed.
Principals agreed that extension of 360degree pilot evaluations of last year would be useful, but less keen on ‘teacher of the year’ approach as could be divisive rather than productive. More student feedback at HS and possibly MS level is something that could be looked at.
Next meeting : 8.45am October 23th Boardroom.
Please come along and support your school!
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