With the onset of the new school year, we seem to find ourselves somewhat lacking in the volunteer department. Being on the PAC isn't all about fundraising. Yes, we DO do that as well, but for the most part, PAC is just about being involved with your child's school.
Right now we have two main 'teams' looking for parent helpers: The Nit Check Mom's and the Lunch Ladies (yes, Dad's are welcome, too!) Both extremely glamorous jobs! There are only enough volunteers right now to run two days of the school store (cafeteria). That means no hot lunches for our kids. No milk, no soup.
The year before last, I was the sole nit-checker. It was a long and tedious job, and I honestly could not stay ahead of the game. If we have a team of four or more, the job would be done quickly, and we wouldn't have the fear of lice running rampant through our halls. Many hands make light work!
Apparently, we have SIXTY new kindergarten children! We are planning to do a mini Meet & Greet this Monday morning to make the parents feel as welcome as the children. During this time, we will be introducing some of fundraising options (IGA loadable cards!) as well as letting them know what they can do to help out in the school.
Monday evening at 7:00 pm is our 1st PAC meeting of the year. This year, we will be doing a draw at each meeting as well, to help get the numbers in! Nothing like a little incentive! There is also free babysitting available. This truly is one of the most important years to be a part of the PAC. With the school rebuild, you will be on of the first people to know the goings on. Front seats as it were.
One more new implement this year: the Meet & Greet BBQ on Thursday evening! From 5-7 pm come and enjoy a burger and meet your children's classmates and their parents. Find out what we, the PAC are all about and what you, as a parent of one of our students can do to help make their 8 years at GES great!
See you Monday!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Re-Build INFO
February 12, 2013
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 46 ANNOUNCES DESIGN BUILD TEAM FOR GIBSONS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!
The Sunshine Coast Board of Education has accepted the recommendation of the SD46 Evaluation Team for Bouygues Building Canada Ltd. & KMBR Architects to be the preferred design build team for the new Gibsons Elementary School. The Evaluation Team, comprised of Patrick Bocking (Superintendent), Nicholas Weswick (Secretary-Treasurer), Rob Collision (Manager of Facilities), Deborah Luporini (Principal, Gibsons Elementary School), Jim Alkins (Project Director) and Patrick May (Architectural Advisor) provided their recommendation to the Board of Education at its meeting on Tuesday, February 12, 2013. Patrick Bocking commented, We are excited to be moving forward to provide an excellent learning environment for our students in the Gibsons community! The next steps will be to meet with staff, students and parents to share the plans and hear further feedback. The SD46 Evaluation Team anticipates bringing a report to the Board of Education at the March meeting. It is anticipated that the new Gibsons Elementary School will be open in the Fall of 2014. Board Chair Silas White added, The community has been waiting a long time for this. We are thrilled to have found an incredible team, that has been extremely responsive to staff, parent and community input, to begin construction for us later this spring.
February 4, 2013
The school district’s evaluation team (Superintendent Patrick Bocking, Secretary Treasurer Nic Weswick, Principal Deborah Luporini, Manager of Facilities Rob Collison, Architect Patrick May and Project directorJim Alkins met last week to review the three submissions for the new Gibsons Elementary School.
We have completed our part of the process. The information will now be presented to the Board of Education by Mr. Bocking, Mr. Weswick, and Mr. Alkins. We are excited that our new school is moving forward and we look forward to sharing more information in the near future.
January 27, 2013
Last Thursday morning the school district's evaluation team met to review the evaluation criteria for the projects submitted by each one of the three teams. Each evaluation team member has until this coming Thursday evening to do an individual review of each one of the projects. The entire district's evaluation team will meet again on February 1st and 4th to continue the conversation on the preferred team for the new Gibsons Elementary School.
January 13, 2013
Last Thursday and Friday morning, the Evaluation Team met with each of the three companies to answer any final "request for information" questions or clarifications. Each one of the teams will now be putting the final touches on their proposals. The complete packages are required to be submitted to the School District by January 21 at 2 p.m. The Evaluation Team will be meeting again on January 24th to receive further information and details as the final evaluation process begins. We are hoping to have a team selected by mid to late February.
January 1, 2013
Happy New Year!
Next week each one of the three shortlisted teams will have an opportunity to meet with the Evaluation Team. All three shortlisted teams have had an opportunity to present their ideas and vision in relationship to the desired requirements set out in the Request for Proposal - fall of 2012. We anticipate that next week's meeting will likely be their last request for information, as the final submissions are due into the school district on January 21st.
school re-build info
It was recently announced who will be building our new school! At February's PAC meeting, Mrs Luporini presented the group with computer generated images and blue prints of the new school. Very impressive. Over the next few PAC meetings we will be meeting 1/2 hour early (6:30) to discuss the re-build and to gain more information as things progress.
As the next scheduled PAC meeting would lie on SPRING BREAK, we have
Moved the meeting up to March 13th. 7:00 to 8:00. (6:30 for rebuild info)
Sunday, September 30, 2012
NIT CHECKERS wanted!
Looking for Volunteers to help with NIT CHECKS.... (Oh, the Glamour of being a volunteer!!) I can no longer commit to Mondays due to a part-time job. I will be training tomorrow morning from 9-10 am for anyone who wishes to help out. Once you know the 'drill' you can come and go at your own convenience... Set up meeting times with other team-mates (goes faster with more people!) and the such. Please meet at the office at 9:00 am tomorrow (Monday) morning..... THANKS!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
News Release - Shortlist of Architects
Gibsons Elementary School Design Team Shortlisted to 3 Architects!
SD46 Evaluation Team has now completed its shortlist of architects! The respondents from the Request For Qualifications Phase in July 2012 for the rebuild of Gibsons Elementary School has now been shortlisted to Bouygues Building Canada Ltd., DGS Construction Ltd. and Stuart Olson Dominion Construction Ltd.
The Evaluation Team, comprised of Patrick Bocking (Superintendent), Nicholas Weswick (Secretary-Treasurer), Rob Collision (Manager of Facilities), Deborah Luporini (Principal, Gibsons Elementary School), Jim Alkins (Project Director) and Tom Moore (Architectural Advisory) arrived at a decision after ensuring the Fairness Monitor procedure was completed. The Team concluded that based on the submissions received these three respondents best demonstrated their capacity to undertake the Gibsons Elementary Rebuild project with an understanding of the project objectives.
The next step is a Public Information Session at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, September 19th at Gibsons Elementary School (Gym). The community and users of the school are invited to attend this information session and provide feedback to the Evaluation Team. After receiving input on the school and community’s vision, School District No. 46 will issue a Request for Proposals from the three shortlisted architects.
The school district hopes to be able to look at designs for the new building by late fall with the Board of Education approving the final selection in early 2013 and building of the new school to commence in the Spring of 2013. The anticipated Gibsons Elementary School opening would be in the Fall of 2014.
Board Chair Silas White commented, “We’re extremely pleased with the work and expertise of the district Evaluation Team and now look forward to the important community input to help inspire the shortlisted architects to give us their best stuff.”
The Evaluation Team, comprised of Patrick Bocking (Superintendent), Nicholas Weswick (Secretary-Treasurer), Rob Collision (Manager of Facilities), Deborah Luporini (Principal, Gibsons Elementary School), Jim Alkins (Project Director) and Tom Moore (Architectural Advisory) arrived at a decision after ensuring the Fairness Monitor procedure was completed. The Team concluded that based on the submissions received these three respondents best demonstrated their capacity to undertake the Gibsons Elementary Rebuild project with an understanding of the project objectives.
The next step is a Public Information Session at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, September 19th at Gibsons Elementary School (Gym). The community and users of the school are invited to attend this information session and provide feedback to the Evaluation Team. After receiving input on the school and community’s vision, School District No. 46 will issue a Request for Proposals from the three shortlisted architects.
The school district hopes to be able to look at designs for the new building by late fall with the Board of Education approving the final selection in early 2013 and building of the new school to commence in the Spring of 2013. The anticipated Gibsons Elementary School opening would be in the Fall of 2014.
Board Chair Silas White commented, “We’re extremely pleased with the work and expertise of the district Evaluation Team and now look forward to the important community input to help inspire the shortlisted architects to give us their best stuff.”
News Release - $600,000 Allocated!
SD46 SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE $600,000 IN SURPLUS ALLOCATIONS!
At the Regular Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, Trustees approved the release of two-thirds of the school district’s surplus – $600,000 – to be allocated directly to schools!
The school district recently completed its annual audit and has an unrestricted surplus of $904,191. In the past, unrestricted surplus amounts have been dispersed in February of the school year as part of the Amended Budget or even held until the Spring for inclusion in the following year’s budget.
This year, the Board of Education approved the immediate dispersal of funds so they would be available for direct classroom support at the beginning of the school year. The allocation would be distributed in approximately the same ratio that resources are allocated to schools from the operating budget. By releasing these funds now, schools would have an additional $600,000 in funding with the potential for additional resources later, based on future discussion about the remaining surplus.
Nicholas Weswick, Secretary-Treasurer, stated, “September is a time when the funds are most needed. Staffing plans for most schools are developed and revised within the first two weeks of classes. Additional resources could be the difference between adding a division or increasing other supports to students much earlier in the year.”
Trustees agreed that dispersing the funds now would better support our students while still honouring the need for consultation with stakeholders. Board Chair Silas White commented, “When we consulted our employees and parents about allocating surplus funds last year, most of the suggestions involved direct classroom support for students, including more special education, library and fine arts support or smaller class sizes. By receiving the funds in early September, our schools will have far more options to best meet the needs of our students from September to June.”
The school district recently completed its annual audit and has an unrestricted surplus of $904,191. In the past, unrestricted surplus amounts have been dispersed in February of the school year as part of the Amended Budget or even held until the Spring for inclusion in the following year’s budget.
This year, the Board of Education approved the immediate dispersal of funds so they would be available for direct classroom support at the beginning of the school year. The allocation would be distributed in approximately the same ratio that resources are allocated to schools from the operating budget. By releasing these funds now, schools would have an additional $600,000 in funding with the potential for additional resources later, based on future discussion about the remaining surplus.
Nicholas Weswick, Secretary-Treasurer, stated, “September is a time when the funds are most needed. Staffing plans for most schools are developed and revised within the first two weeks of classes. Additional resources could be the difference between adding a division or increasing other supports to students much earlier in the year.”
Trustees agreed that dispersing the funds now would better support our students while still honouring the need for consultation with stakeholders. Board Chair Silas White commented, “When we consulted our employees and parents about allocating surplus funds last year, most of the suggestions involved direct classroom support for students, including more special education, library and fine arts support or smaller class sizes. By receiving the funds in early September, our schools will have far more options to best meet the needs of our students from September to June.”
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