Highlights from the Tuesday, March 10 meeting of the Flin Flon school board:
Lunch request
Parent volunteers who operate École McIsaac School’s lunch program asked the board to eventually assume control of the initiative.
McIsaac’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC) launched the program five years ago to give children the option of staying at the school over noon hour.
But with volunteers and staff in short supply, PAC chairwoman Kara Plamondon said the program faces challenges.
“Ideally we would like to see the school division take over this program from the PAC and continue it in whatever form that might take,” Plamondon told trustees.
Plamondon, joined by PAC lunch supervisor Fran Whitbread, said she would like PAC to hand over the program in the next year or two.
The lunch program has proven popular. More than a quarter of McIsaac students – 100-plus in all – are registered in the program, though a typical day brings 30 or 40 children.
PAC charges parents a fee ranging from $5 a day to $200 for each term their child takes part in the program. The fees cover program costs, including the lunch supervisor’s salary.
Plamondon told trustees that in researching school lunch programs across Manitoba, PAC found only a few other parent-organized programs. Most were run by the schools.
She also offered suggestions for the future of the program. Among her ideas: add new lunchroom space in the school, amalgamate the program with the student busing program and incorporate lunch fees into the normal school fees to reduce administration.
Trustees will further discuss PAC’s proposal before reaching a decision.
New supervisor
Trustees approved the hiring of Brent Osika as the new school division maintenance supervisor.
Osika, whose contract takes effect Monday, March 30, replaces long-time supervisor Bruce Fidler, who is retiring.
Trustees further accepted contracts with full-time teachers Laura Sparling, Craig Bancroft, Patricia Lawrence, Kari LaBorde, Nicole Menzies and John Bolton, and half-time and quarter-time teacher Brittney Henry. All contracts are effective September 8.
The board also learned that Brandon University student-teacher Rachael Wiggins-Smith will be training at Flin Flon schools over the next few months.
Boost attendance
Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dean Grove detailed measures Ruth Betts Community School is taking to boost attendance.
With March recognized as Attendance Month, the school is awarding prizes to classes and students with outstanding attendance.
The first week of March saw the class with the best attendance receive a sundae party. The second and third weeks have or will see individual students with perfect attendance enter draws for a pizza and a lunch with two friends and principal Tammy Ballantyne.
For the final two weeks of class before spring break, students with perfect or near-perfect attendance will enter a draw for a grocery hamper. There will also be a draw for most improved attendance.
Congratulations
In her chair’s report, Trustee Trish Sattelberger applauded students on two recent achievements.
She said the feedback she has received on Hapnot Collegiate’s Dinner Theatre production has been positive.
The students’ performance of Sympathy Jones: Super Secret Agent Musical was held in the gymnasium on two evenings late last month.
Sattelberger also praised participants in the Flin Flon Citywide Science Fair.
Held March 4 at the RH Channing Auditorium, the fair combined projects from Ruth Betts and McIsaac.
“I was very impressed,” said Sattelberger, adding that she extends her
congratulations to the winners.
