Joint Parent Class Representative meeting and PA meeting 04.11.09-05.11.09

4th November and 5th November 2009

The meeting was very well attended on both days and the PA would like to thank everyone who came for their enthusiasm and their contribution to the topics discussed. This report combines the two meetings as many of the concerns and comments from the parent class reps were similar.

Class reps were asked to introduce themselves and it was established that everyone was free to speak in their choice of language and when difficulties arose, then a quick, informal translation was offered.

Role of the class rep
The role of the rep was discussed and the PA made clear that parents should be encouraged to talk to class teachers first if problems arise concerning their child. Class reps can be consulted if there is a general need concerning the whole class and parents can approach the class rep and PA for help and advice after they have spoken to the class teacher and deputy-director but they continue to be unhappy
with proposed solutions.

school dates and communication
General school information, in particular, calendar dates is a cause for concern for many parents, as they receive the information far too late and it is often unclear. It was requested that information be sent out much earlier, especially for occasions that well known as they occur every year.

Section rep meetings
Resumption of section rep meetings. In the past section reps called meetings for all the class reps of that particular section. It was requested that these meeting resume as often there are issues that need to be discussed that concern only one section. It was agreed that these meetings were of value and it was regrettable that they were missed in the past years. One of the aims of the new committee will be to encourage section reps to hold these meetings regularly in the future.It was noted that parent meetings were much harder to organise because many parents live so far away. It
was suggested that the best way for parents to be consulted is by email and that class reps use social meetings as a way of strengthening class unity.

School website
Class reps again mentioned how difficult the school website is to use. There was also a request that information on the school website be presented in 3 languages as much as possible. For information - all subject syllabi are available on the European schools website, which can be reached through the link on the PA website (menu: ESK, then Schola Europaea, then link to European schools at the bottom of the text).

Canteen
The canteen and Scolarest need to be reviewed for the last few months to get a picture of how successful the new canteen has been, how many students/teachers use it, which are the most popular meals etc. and what is still causing problems, so that the best possible solutions can be found for all the pupils. Queuing continues to be a big problem, and it was proposed that after the Annual General Assembly meeting on November 18th, Scolarest/parents/school meet regularly to address ongoing issues about the smooth running of the canteen. It was requested that the canteen menu be presented in French and English as well. Class reps also reported that parents have heard rumours that the school timetable will be changed by adding 10 minutes to each day to solve the queuing problem in the canteen. Great
concern was expressed at this suggestion as it was felt that the disruption to the school was too great and that other solutions should be tried first to help reduce the queuing at lunch time. The PA said that they were aware of how parents felt and were already taking a keen interest in this matter. However, there has been no written proposal from the school about this, and until such time, the PA feels that other solutions need to be explored and implemented first through the cooperation of Scolarest, parents and school management.

webUntis and Learning Gateway
There was a short discussion on the use of the internet as a way of exchanging information between pupils and teachers and others connected with the school. It was pointed out that some people are already using “webuntis” to do this and it was also noted that the school has the “learning gateway” programme. It was requested that information about both these teaching tools be made more easily available for parents and the school show how the use of these programmes will be developed in the future.

PA website
The PA urged all class reps to regularly look at the PA website for information and to encourage the parents in their class to look at the PA site as well. The PA confirmed that an email will be sent to all class reps to inform them when there is new or up-dated information for parents.

Swine Flu
There was a brief discussion about the threat of Swine Flu. The PA agreed that they would request that the school nurse provide an up-dated statement about the current dangers and what the school’s position is on vaccination of children. Any information received by the PA will be available on the PA website
immediately.

2009/2010 Aims and objectives overview from the PA
The PA gave a brief overview of the successful aims and objectives from last year – the 3 C’s.

Canteen – see above. The PA is very please with the appointment of the new caterers and will continue to work with the school to ensure the best possible midday meal for students.

Communication – has improved greatly between the PA and parents, the PA and teachers and school management, and there has been a greater flow of information concerning school matters for parents. The PA hopes that communication will be even better and more efficient with the development and launch of the dedicated PA website in September 2009.
Community – In order to enhance the school community the PA organised last year various events, which had been very enthusiastically attended. In particular the Summer Fest, the Gluewein and cake refreshments at the Grundschule Christmas concert, the class reps’ and teachers’ dinner evening and the Welcome Back party and Sponsored Bike Ride in conjunction with Education Etoile. Due to the generosity
of parents donating cakes for the Summer Fest, over 2000 euro was raised and this money will be used as a fund for teachers during project week 2009/2010 to encourage projects that offer cross-cultural and cross-section opportunities for all pupils. It was noted with regret by class reps that there could have been
more enthusiasm and effort shown for project days for the Oberschule pupils last year and they are looking forward to this year’s projects. Other ideas such as PA prizes for excellence in various different aspects of school work for pupils were also discussed as recognition of good work.

The PA gave a brief overview of the aims and objectives for 2009/2010 – the 3 L’s.
Language – to encourage and promote language learning in all forms ie 1st language (mother-tongue), 2nd, 3rd, , 4th languages, SWALs etc. The PA offers many language-based after-school activities for pupils from all classes. Language teaching is also a topic often discussed at Interparents so feedback from ESK parents is always welcome.
Lost Hours – The PA is very concerned about the number of parents who are unhappy with the amount of lessons that are missed during a school week due to teacher absenteeism. This is a perennial issue and a serious problem for the school. It is the PA’s aim to work with the school management to establish where the main problems are and to request that the school find acceptable solutions in the best interests of the
students.
Lignes Directifs (guidelines and policies) The PA requests that the school creates working groups to establish school policies and guidelines concerning serious issues that may affect pupils during their education at ESK. These would include bullying, drugs, alcohol, abuse, etc.

Annual General Assembly
Everyone was reminded about the importance of the Annual General Assembly of the Parents’ Association, being held this year on 18th November. The PA requested that all reps encourage parents’ to attend as their contribution is key to the success of the PA. It was also explained that all parents were eligible to be a candidate for election to the committee, and it is possible to become a full member of the
Association on the day of the meeting if they are not already a member.

All class reps are reminded that the Annual General Assembly is on the 18th November at 19.00 in the Aula. Please ask all the parents in your class to attend. The PA are looking forward to seeing you all at the
meeting.

November 2009