September 2026

The meeting opened with a territorial acknowledgement recognizing the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples and the Nation on whose lands the school is located. Introductions and attendance followed.

Several roles open up next year. If you’re curious about one, now is a good time to shadow.

• Vice-president: Morgan is leaving after this school year.
• Social media: Carla is leaving after this school year; more support is needed.
• SPEAC representative: Dwayne is leaving after this school year.
• Treasurer: Erica expects to leave after two more years. Having someone shadow or serve as co-treasurer before then was discussed, so the handoff is smooth.

• ✓ Done: The agenda was approved.
• ✓ Done: The June PAC meeting minutes were approved.

• 2025–26 operating budget: $16,153.20 budgeted; $14,163.85 spent.
• Gaming funds: $4,891.67 budgeted after the grant came in; $3,950.11 spent. What’s left carries into this year’s budget.
• Fundraising in 2025–26: $13,827.59 against a $15,000 goal, which largely covered operating costs.
• Gaming account: holds the remaining prior-year funds. The new gaming grant is expected to be about $4,000, near the end of October.
• Already paid this year: Munch-a-Lunch setup (about $300), the SPEAC annual fee, and the budgeted $1,500 transferred to the school for art supplies.

Yoto classroom technology proposal

Classroom iPads were removed by the district last year because the devices and operating systems could no longer be maintained, and they were not replaced with equivalent classroom devices. Teachers noted that Chromebooks can be harder for younger students to use, which led to a proposal for Yoto audio players and shared reading materials.

• Four Yoto Minis were bought for the library last year.
• Yoto Minis are about $100 each; larger players were discussed at roughly $130–$145. Audio and book cards can be shared through the library.
• Ms. Bodman had expressed interest in a Yoto; more teacher feedback was still being gathered.

• SPEAC held two dinners last year; PAC members are encouraged to take part in future district-wide events.
• SPEAC meeting minutes will be shared alongside the PAC minutes.
• Families were asked to be patient with school transportation: there are many new bus drivers, and traffic and construction can affect schedules.
• SPEAC also provides district-level information, including school district budget matters and PAC governance and compliance.

• The school was 7.5 instructional days into the year. About 200 students were settling into nine divisions, the same number as last year. Erica was thanked for attending the previous week’s staff meeting.
• New staff include Ms. Alyssa Richard (learning assistance teacher, student support and vice-principal) and Mr. Kay Otani (PE on Thursday and Friday).
• The Welcome Picnic and “Meet the Staff” evening let families connect with staff and tour the new Childcare Centre. Karen thanked the PAC for the free hot dogs.
• A welcome assembly was held, cross-country practices began, and students moved into their new classes.
• For the first time in Karen’s tenure at Hans Helgesen, some in-catchment students could not be accommodated because of capacity. About 10 students were placed mainly at Sc’ianew.

Dates and what’s coming

• Mon, Sep 21: district-wide school planning day; no school. District staff take part in an Indigenous Learning Day with local Elders and a live-streamed keynote, then school planning and Equity team work.
• Mon, Sep 28 at 1:00 pm: Terry Fox Run. Ms. Rambo is leading fundraising and the assembly. Donations are collected online and in cash through the Terry Fox Foundation.
• Tue, Sep 29: Orange Shirt Day, with a special morning assembly for all students in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
• Wed, Sep 30: no school.
• Thu, Oct 1: cross-country race for Grades 2–5, sponsored by Ms. Struch, Ms. I and several staff. Details and permission slips go home. The same morning, 10:30–11:20 am, is the grand opening of the new Childcare Centre, run by the YMCA.
• October and early November: Foundation Skills Assessments (FSAs) for all Grade 4 students in BC, covering literacy and numeracy. Results are not used for individual reporting; parents receive their child’s results and booklets. Grade 4 families have had more information from Superintendent Paul Block.
• Some exterior and groundwork remains around the Childcare Centre, including refurbishing the Gaga ball pit; no completion date yet.
• Families are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher with questions or concerns. Mrs. Sjerven is also available to support students and families.

• Hike for Hope / Jane Goodall walk: Fri, Oct 2 at 9:00 am; four buddy classes are taking part.
• Bottle drive: Sat, Oct 3, 9:00 am – noon. Volunteers and bottle donations are needed. The organized drive returns a higher share of deposits than the standing bottle bin.
• Walkathon: Thu, Oct 15. A simple school fundraiser with class themes and small incentives. Parents who can volunteer that day, please contact the PAC.
• Halloween dance: a planning committee is needed.
• Winter Treasures: Quentin and Virginie will store donated items before the event. Volunteer help, especially for wrapping during the school day, remains important.

• Molly is leading the new hot lunch program, with Erica helping with the initial setup.
• Munch-a-Lunch costs about $300 a year and means families pay no per-transaction card fees.
• Popcorn days are the first offering; ordering closes next Friday.
• Aimee continues to run pizza days separately; offering add-ons through Munch-a-Lunch was discussed.
• Island Chef has offered possible hot-lunch dates. Booster Juice smoothie-and-wrap combos are also being explored.
• Fridays are the preferred hot-lunch day. The goal is to run several lunches before January, then settle into a monthly or twice-monthly schedule.
• Munch-a-Lunch can support confidential meal assistance for families, and may allow a “Donate a Meal” option.
• Parent volunteers are needed to hand out lunches and build a sustainable volunteer team.

• Spirit wear: Hans Helgesen spirit wear will likely be offered again, probably late October or November. It is sold at cost, not as a fundraiser.
• Sports council fee: the district sports council fee is expected to rise substantially this year; the final amount is not yet confirmed.
• Student agendas: some divisions use them. Families in those divisions pay $5, while the actual cost is higher. The school may ask the PAC to help cover part of the difference now that the earlier affordability funding has ended.