Monday, December 8

* Holiday Hamper Wrapping *

We hope you can join us for the Annual Wrapping Parties for the Dickens Holiday Hampers!

There are 2 PARTIES this year to help split up the work and to be flexible for evening & morning availability.

We’ll wrap, chat and enjoy the Holiday spirit! Come for the whole evening / morning or come for an hour - anything you can manage is appreciated!

LOCATION: 
Lara’s House 1026 East 18th Ave (right across from Dickens Main)

Party #1 - Monday, Dec. 15  6:00pm - 9:30pm 
Bring yourself, your own scissors and wine / beverage of choice. Cheese & treats will be provided.

Party #2 - Tuesday, Dec. 16  9:15am - 12 Noon
Bring yourself and your own scissors. Coffee & treats will be provided.

Please let us know if you’ll be able to make it - many hands make light work - Thanks.

We always have lots of fun - Lara & I look forward to seeing you there - Ho, ho, ho!

Christy & Lara

Email: christy@ctpost.ca
Christy's Cell: 778.686.6131

Saturday, November 29

* We need your help with Holiday Hampers! *

Please take a tag [or two] from the tree set up at the Main or Annex school, and buy the required gift. Alternately, you can donate gift certificates or money towards gifts. Thank you!

See more details below:



Blog link for "The Math Lady" - Carole Fullerton

If you would like to review some of the math concepts that were discussed at this past Wednesday's presentation, you can go to: www.mindfull.wordpress.com 
  

Monday, November 24

Mathematical Thinking with Carole Fullerton

Find out how you can support your child in becoming a mathematical thinker!  All parents/guardians are invited to attend - childcare will be provided.



Tuesday, November 4

Vote for Education During the Civic Elections!


November 15th, Election Day is fast approaching. During this election, you will be voting for 1 Mayor and 10 Councillors, plus 7 Park Board Commissioners for the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and last but certainly not least, 9 School Trustees for the Vancouver School Board. 

Responsible for our school district’s plans, policy and budget, these nine elected individuals will have a profound effect on our children’s education. With budget shortfalls year after year, Trustees are having to make tough choices and decisions. How much do you know about the candidates and the values that will guide their decision-making? Do they align with your own? 

We are sharing information below and other links online which we believe can help you become informed on the candidates and help you make a decision when voting on November 15.

The Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) hosted a Forum recently for candidates running for these School Trustee positions. You can review the DPAC Trustee Bio information at http://goo.gl/RHIySb on the candidates who attended that session. 

Our friends and neighbours on the Advocacy Committee at Tyee Elementary have also been working diligently on issues surrounding education and funding. Their immediate goal is to educate parents on those running for these nine Trustee positions. They have augmented the bios shared by the DPAC and added further notes and commentary about the candidates to help educate parents: Read the Tyee Trustee Bio information at http://goo.gl/Pu5cPk

The Public Education Project is new and they are making history by running candidates only for school board in the upcoming election. They believe public education is a cornerstone of a democratic society. We want education, and the well being of children and youth, to be given priority attention in a civic election. They want School Board Trustees who are elected to fight to defend Public Education. They believe in well-funded, safer, welcoming schools that meet the unique learning needs of all their diverse students. They support free and collective bargaining, not government bullying. They are convinced that a strong voice in the November 2014 civic election for a specifically Public Education party will send a message to the Provincial Government that cannot be ignored. 

Their two candidates - Jane Bouey, Former COPE Trustee and vice-chair of the Vancouver School Board and Gwen Giesbrecht, President of Britannia Community Services Centre Board, and former Chair of the District Parent Advisory Council - have been endorsed by the The Vancouver Elementary School Teachers Association. Review the candidates put forth by the Public Education Project at http://publiceducationproject.ca/

Other links to online information that will be helpful:

http://www.vancouversun.com/life/many+special+needs+students+your+child+class/10161873/story.html

http://www.vancourier.com/vancouver-votes/election-news/public-education-party-seeks-pep-talk-1.1456085

In the 2011 elections, only about one third of eligible voters in Vancouver cast a ballot. 

This year, your Dickens PAC is encouraging all parents & guardians to cast a vote in November for those candidates who will be strong defenders of our public schools and passionate advocates for the changes that are so desperately needed.


Friday, October 31

Resources from Merlyn Horton - Speaker from SOLOS


Merlyn Horton’s highly informative presentation gave parents thought provoking insights on how children of all ages are engaging on social media without fully understanding cyber security and safety, and the impact posted pictures or videos could have on their lives.

She highlighted the increasing rate at which young children are participating in online searches, and joining the world of online gaming, without knowing what is age appropriate.

She concluded that although children do receive some online education at school, e.g. how to prevent cyber abuse/bullying, it has become essential that parents and guardians have chats with their children about online safety and how security options work (or don’t work) on sites which their children have gained access.

In our era of rapidly changing digital technology, she added that it's advisable to create a set of guidelines and family values for your children and teens in regards to the usage of tablets, smart phones and computers. Even if they don't have their own device(s) yet, they'll likely be sharing a friend's/family member's equipment sooner than later.   

This Wednesday evening session was followed up on Thursday with workshops for Grade 4 to 7 students. 

Online Resources and Reports gathered by Merlyn, can be found at: http://bit.ly/dVSsoJ 


Pumpkin Patch in the Park!

All students at the main and annex schools enjoyed a healthy apple snack and had fun winding their way through the pumpkin patch - the event was hosted by the PAC on Tuesday morning, Oct 28.






Monday, October 27

Thursday, September 18

School begins Monday - Letter from VSB Superintendent


Dear Parents/Guardians,

We are happy to inform you that the 2014/15 School Year will begin Monday, September 22 at 9a.m.


Please Note:
Students entering Grades 1-7 should report to their last year's class at 9a.m. The school day will only be 45 minutes long.

Kindergarten: 10-10:30a.m. Gradual entry info has been sent to parents.

Please also click the link to read a letter from Dr. Steve Cardwell, Superintendent of Schools - Vancouver Board of Education:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1fagG47xZKnUmhzSDdUcTNiNHc/edit?usp=sharing

Thank you,
Dickens PAC

Friday, September 12

Reminder: Rally for Arbitration

Sunday, September 14, 10:00 a.m.
The Vancouver Art Gallery
(North Side)

This is a parent/guardian led rally to get our kids BACK TO SCHOOL!

**WEAR RED and BRING NOISEMAKERS!**

This is a grassroots parent-driven rally to make our voices heard. The organizers have banded together through Facebook for the common goal of schools resuming.

Please share this with your Facebook friends and community!

Wednesday, September 10

Rally for ARBITRATION


Sunday, September 14, 10:00 am
The Vancouver Art Gallery (North Side)

This is a parent-led rally to get our kids BACK TO SCHOOL!
Please share this with your Facebook friends & community!



If you can't make Sunday's Rally, please join the local (Cedar Cottage) rally:

Monday, September 15, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Kingsway & Knight St.


Donations to our BC teachers

Dear Parents & Guardians,

If you would like to donate towards the BC Teachers' Federation you can do so at:

http://www.familiesfundingteachers.ca/

Thank you,
Dickens PAC

About Proposal E80

About clause E-80 and the history of the court case:

The BC supreme court's ruling on E-80:
http://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcsc/doc/2014/2014bcsc121/2014bcsc121.html

Wednesday, August 27

Rallies to Support Education

Many Dickens parents/guardians have approached us asking how we can support our teachers during the strike.

Here are two rallies that we can attend in support of our teachers:

Friday, August 29 2014
8:00 to 10:00 a.m. - Sponsored by Vancouver Teachers; Rally at the Olympic Village Skytrain Station to support a fair negotiated agreement for teachers.

Tuesday, September 2 2014
5:00 p.m. - Sponsored by the BCTIF; Defend and Celebrate Public Education! Gather at the Vancouver School Board at 1580 West Broadway.

Thank you,
Dickens PAC

Lobbying your MLA

Dear Dickens Parents/Guardians,

In addition to writing letters to the BC Government, see sample letter: http://dickenspac.blogspot.ca/2014/08/school-start-day-and-teachers-strike.html here is another opportunity to lobby government in support of our children and teachers:

VESTA [Vancouver Elementary School Teachers' Association] is encouraging parents to lobby their local MLA. 

A lobbying session will be held at Adrian Dix's office at 5022 Joyce Street in Vancouver on Thursday, August 28 from 8 to 11a.m. [MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway]

Parents are encouraged to attend to support getting our children back into the classroom!

-Dickens PAC

Tuesday, August 26

School Start Day and Teachers Strike

We all remain hopeful that school will begin on time, however, at this point, here's what we can do:

Below is the copy of a letter sent by the Laura Secord PAC to its parent community plus its two corresponding attachments (see the links below). 

I've included it here for your information and hope that you as a Dickens parent/guardian can participate too. 

There is a belief that "snail mail" letters to government members might be more effective than email, and it's certainly worth a try.

Thank you,
Andrea Sinclair
PAC Chair (Main School)


From Secord PAC to their Parents:

As we reach what should have been the end-point in the Summer break for our children, there has been no movement in the bargaining process between the BCTF and the Liberal Government. As a result, we now face the possibility of the school year not resuming on September 2nd, 2014, which hurts our children and their access to quality education first and foremost.

A fellow parent and concerned citizen has put together the two attached documents. The first provides more details regarding the circumstances of the teacher’s strike. See: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YHr27waZfukYvsDx1jW7lkbYM3O3QWxXwpM8p88b3kY/edit


The second is a letter to the government in support of public education. Click here for the template: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pSf3bya6CcR8_acSPL2XLWnPpjJfXtNNJ5kd6aaj6VU/edit#

Please take a moment to read through the info. Sign off, print and mail the letter to the eight Liberal Government Executive addresses below.

Alternately, you can copy and paste the letter so that you can edit it as you see fit, and add in your information and concerns as needed.

It is our goal as a school community to support access to quality Public Education for our children. Regardless of where you stand on this issue, it is imperative that we put pressure on the Liberal Government and the BCTF to resume talks and for teachers and staff to return to the classroom in September, for the sake of our children and their future.

Addresses:

Christy Clark, Premier and President of the Executive Council
Box 9041
Station PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC  V8W 9E1

Peter Fassbender, BC Minister of Education
301 A – 15930 Fraser Highway
Surrey, BC  V4N 0X8

Suzanne Anton, Minister of Justice
112-2609 E. 49th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5S 1J9

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development
101 – 5658 176th Street
Surrey, BC
V3S 4C6

Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services
5640 Dunbar Street
Vancouver, BC
V6N 1W7

Coralee Oaks, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
644A Front Street
Quesnel, BC
V2J 2K8

Michael de Jong, Minister of Finance
103 – 32660 George Ferguson Way
Abbotsford, BC
V2T 4V6

Don McRae, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation
437 5th Street
Courtenay, BC
V9N 1J7

Tuesday, July 8

PAC Executive for 2014/15

Welcome to the PAC Executive for 2014-2015 

Congratulations to your newly elected PAC Executive for the coming school year!

Chair Main - Andrea Sinclair
Chair Annex - Rossana Caritey
Treasurer - Kelly Maxwell
Secretary - Andy Mitchell (possible co-share with Nicole Nozick)
Members at Large - Hayley Baines, Deb Copeland, Tami Friesen, Leone Hall, Ania Jakobs, Sunya Lai, Sharon Mishler, Christy Thomas, Scott Urquhart.*

*Additional members can still be elected to the executive in September 2014. 

Thursday, June 19

Mural Painting Volunteers Required!

GLEN DRIVE COMMUNITY STREET - MURAL PAINTING

This is a reminder that the Glen Drive Mural Painting Party is taking place this Friday, June 20 and Saturday June 21, with Sunday June 22 as a potential extra painting day.

Painting will take place from approximately 9am to 5pm each day. Children over 5 are welcome to take part but each child must be supervised by an adult. 

Participants are encouraged to bring an old towel or blanket to kneel/sit on, and to wear paint-appropriate clothing and sunscreen. Light refreshments are provided.

Any time that you can volunteer to help would be most appreciated - no matter how short. This is a big job and can't be done without the help of our wonderful community! 

The City of Vancouver has hired mural artist Ashley Guindon to lead this project. Please contact Ashley directly at info@ashleyguindon.com if you are interested in volunteering for this project. 

Thank you so much!

See more details at:
http://dickenspac.blogspot.ca/2014/06/mural-painting-volunteers-required_3121.html

Postponed: Potluck Picnic for Grade 7's

Dear Grade 7 Parents & Students,

Due to the poor weather, we have decided to postpone our picnic for tonight (Thursday, June 19) to next week Tuesday, June 24 at 6pm - Dickens Annex Park (Glen Park).

Thanks and hope to see you there!
Aideen Clery

Tuesday, June 17

Supporting Teachers and Public Education

Dear Dickens Parents/Guardians,

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

If you support our teachers and are wanting to improve our BC Public Education System but are not sure what to do to help, take one simple action:

If we do not speak directly to our MLA, our Education Minister and our Premier NOWour Public Education will continue to deteriorate!

Write a letter, long or short, about how you feel about the present crisis in our BC Public Education and email to the three addresses below:

Christy Clark  -  premier@gov.bc.ca

Peter Fassbender  -  educ.minister@gov.bc.ca

Mable Elmore   -  mable.elmore.mla@leg.bc.ca     


You can also let the BCTF know how you are feeling about how the strikes are affecting your children! More information at: www.bctf.ca
Letters can be sent to: Jim Iker   -  presidentsoffice@bctf.ca


Thank You for your support!

Regards,
Dickens PAC 



Childcare Suggestions

The following organizations listed below are holding Camps during the strike, to assist with child care:



Contact Phoenix  Gymnastics at at 604.737.7693 
or email info@phoenixgymnastics.com

Register online, by phone at 604-737-7693, or in person.



Pedalheads                  
www.pedalheads.com
Email: bc@pedalheads.com
Tel: 604-874-6464                

Flow Mountain Biking Camps 
www.flowcamps.com
Email: info@flowcamps.com
tel: 1-888-886-6464














UBC Camps - Job Action Programs
See exclusive deals with the UBC Camps Crew Card and more!
camps.ubc.ca/spring/courses/strike-program/spring-strike-program.html








MPNH - Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House

Sassamat Outdoor Centre

Friday, June 13

Photos - SPRING FLING 2014


Thanks to Everyone who came out to SPRING FLING on May 29, 2014! 


Photos taken at the event are now up, and can be see at:

https://www.facebook.com/dickensspringfling


Tuesday, June 10

Potluck Picnic for Grade 7's

Grade 7 Potluck Picnic in the Park

Who:   Grade 7 students and families from Dickens
What:  Potluck picnic in the park: Bring something to share, plates and utensils for your family, chairs and sports equipment for games etc.
Where: Glen Park (beside Dickens Annex @ Glen Dr. & 24th)
When:  Thursday, June 19th at 6pm
Why:    To celebrate and say farewell  

Friday, May 23

SPRING FLING is next week!

Don't forget to invite your friends and family!

Thursday - May 29, 2014  (4 to 8pm)
                  

A fun-filled event for all ages - Come and enjoy a wonderful celebration of our school and community!

This is the Dickens PAC main fundraiser to support field trips, school programs & facilities and classroom supplies.
                

Bouncy Castle - NEW Games - Giant Slide - Face Painting - Photo Booth - Dunk Tank - Bake Sale - Delicious FOOD - Cake Walk - Made It Gifts - Plants - Live Music - Silent Auction - Mini Obstacle Course - and lots more!
               

Check out our updates on Facebook and get a heads-up on the Silent Auction items!!!  https://www.facebook.com/dickensspringfling
Two fabulous auction donations of note:
* Thule Roof Box valued at $1140 from RackAttack
* 5 Night Stay at an Oceanfront Condo in Cabo San Lucas

Keep watching as more items are being added daily!
* Bring your chequebook/cash and go home with your item that night.

         

Friday, May 16

Silent Auction Donations

Are you or your business able to make a donation to the Silent Auction this year? 
If yes, contact Gail Hallett at ghallett00@shaw.ca   - Thank you!
See examples below.

 

Wednesday, April 30

Friday, April 25

Monday, April 21

Watch Dickens Students Play Marimbas on YouTube

Parents & Guardians,

Please check out the links below – wonderful to watch these kids!

The VSB link is a Dickens class playing a fairly complex Marimba piece and the YouTube is a newly completed video of Charles Dickens Elementary and two other schools in Vancouver that are also teaching kids music through Marimbas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF_it-jBvXk

http://go.vsb.bc.ca/schools/dickens/Documents/Marimbas%20Performance%20by%20VSB%20students.mp4

Thanks to all parents/guardians & community who are continuing to send letters of support to Patti Bacchus patti.bacchus@vsb.bc.ca, Fraser Ballantyne fraser.ballantyne@vsb.bc.ca and the other Trustees in support of saving our designated music space at Charles Dickens School!

Christy Thomas
PAC Main Co-chair & Parent at Charles Dickens Elementary

Monday, April 14

Important Message from our School Rep. on the DPAC Executive

My name is Stefanie Gajdecki and I'm your school representative on the DPAC Executive.

You may have heard lately that the VSB has released the proposed budget for next year.

The DPAC is letting parents know that the reductions greatly affect many students and also those with the most need in the schools.

What you should know

Many cuts have been proposed including eliminating/reducing support for:

1.      Band and String program - elimination (pg. 44)

2.      Speech pathology support  (pg. 51)

3.      Counselor support (pg. 49)

4.      Gifted consultant position - elimination  (pg.46)

5.      School psychologists - (pg. 50)

6.      Resource time for French Immersion (pg. 54)


You'll find the full list in the budget with details starting on page 22.

The full budget can be seen here: http://www.vsb.bc.ca/sites/default/files/2014-2015%20Preliminary%20Budget%20Proposals%20Report%20%28April%208%202014%29.pdf


What are parents saying and doing

Parents are very upset and concerned and are coming together this week to speak to the cuts in front of the VSB Trustees. This is our time to tell the VSB Trustees what we think of the budget cuts - you do have a voice in your child's education and you need to use it now! 


What you can do at your school

You can help inform parents at your school immediately or it will be too late to be part of the process.


1.   Please spread the word and find the attached posters and petitions - these are generic and can be re-used at your school. Post the info at your school.

2.   Plan to attend the meetings this week  (April 15 & 16th - details below) I've included two meeting dates this week where parents have a voice and can come together in numbers to let the VSB know how we feel. Bring the signed petitions to the meetings this week or your own custom petition. If you haven't registered to speak we can represent you in the DPAC time slot. 


Meetings parents can attend this week

Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 7:00 pm - Mount Pleasant Elementary school gym at 2300 Guelph Street, Vancouver, BC on . Childminding is available. The DPAC will be present.

Agenda: http://www.vsb.bc.ca/meetings/agendas/meeting-agendas-current?quicktabs_10=1#quicktabs-10


Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 8:00 pm - Boardroom, Vancouver Board of Education, 1580 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC. The DPAC time slot to present is on this day.

Agenda: http://www.vsb.bc.ca/meetings/agendas/meeting-agendas-current?quicktabs_10=2#quicktabs-10


Stay connected

Here are ways parents can stay tuned on the latest news via the DPAC updates:

•DPAC Website - e-newsletter signup available: http://vsbdpac.ca/
•Twitter: https://twitter.com/VanDPAC
•Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VSBDPAC


Thanks for your time.

Cheers,

Stefanie Gajdecki
DPAC Executive member & DPAC Secretary

Our children are the future and deserve a fully funded public education.


Please note: We're reaching out to PAC Chairs and DPAC reps we have on record - If your email address is not accurate please contact Steve Baker so he can update: steve@vsbdpac.ca 


Saturday, April 12

Target the VSB trustees now! re: Designated Music Space @ Dickens Main School

Hi Dickens PAC Blog readers, 
The beginning of this letter is similar to that which went out via class lists. However, there are additional action items at the end of the message, should you want other ways to help save a designated music space at Dickens and to support music education in our district.
Thanks!

Thank you so much to Dickens families and community members for the overwhelming response to our call for letters to support saving the designated music space. We gathered 95 support letters at the main school on Monday & Tuesday and over 65 were sent via email directly to the VSB. We had a considerable stack to present to Mark Pearmain, from the VSB, at our meeting on Tuesday morning.

In our meeting with the VSB we were told that the board would not be willing to fund a portable or consider constructing any other designated music space at Dickens next year.

The only way that the VSB will change their decision is if the Trustees instruct them to do so. This is an election year and the Trustees are our elected officials. We are trying to now set up a meeting with our Trustees to discuss our need for a designated music space at Dickens.

The only way for us to Save Our Designated Music Space at Dickens is with another loud, large response from the parents and concerned community members to the Trustees. 

We are still committed to ensuring that every child in our neighbourhood can attend our school. We are still advocating for a designated music space at Dickens School. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1. Target the trustees NOW! 
Modify the letters previously circulated and still on the PAC blog site, http://dickenspac.blogspot.ca/2014/04/dedicated-music-space-dickens-main.html or write your own.

Ask the Trustee's to support having a designated permanent music space at Dickens in the form of a cost-saving, repurposed portable, not in use and recycled from another school.

Please email the following trustees:


Follow this link http://www.vsb.bc.ca/about-vsb/trustees and click on each individual trustee's name to get their phone numbers.

2. Parents and community members are invited to provide input into the VSB budget.

The meetings for Public Input on 2014/2015 Preliminary Budget Proposals are April 15 at 7pm at Mount Pleasant Elementary and 8pm on April 16 at the VSB Education Centre.

We will be presenting at the Wednesday meeting which starts at 8pm at 1580 W Broadway.

Sarah Westwick will be representing Dickens, and our committee, as a music educator. A Dickens parent and student will also speak on our behalf.  We need as many people to attend as possible to support our Dickens save our designated music space campaign.
If you want any further information on  meeting please email Sarah Westwick at swestwick@telus.net

The VSB is also accepting written submissions about the budget no later than two working days before the meeting so if you wish to send a letter, please do so before Monday to the Vancouver Board of Education, Attention: Administrative Coordinator, Secretary-Treasurer's Office, by email to budget2014_2015@vsb.bc.ca or by fax to 604-713-5049.


FURTHER ACTION ITEMS:

1. MARIMBA FLASH MOB. Parents are organizing an event for the whole community and the media on the greenway in which some kids will be playing the marimbas.  Details to follow. 
Please let us know if your child would like to perform and/or speak to the media or if you can help organize this event. If you have media contacts, are social media savvy and/or work in public relations and want to help, please let us know. Photographers and videographers are also needed. Please contact Anne-Marie Long at amlong@telus.net

2.  One of the (many) reasons why there is such a financial shortfall on school boards is that the government is shifting half of the costs of seismic upgrades onto the school boards. Contact your elected officials at the provincial level and tell them to assume the cost of these necessary upgrades. (This won't happen soon enough to save our music space, but is a worthwhile endeavour to reduce the impact of recurring financial shortfalls on the quality of our kids' public education.)

You can also share your thoughts about the VSB's current budget with Premier Christy Clark <mailto:premier@gov.bc.ca> (premier@gov.bc.ca), Minister of Education Peter Fassbender <mailto:educ.minister@gov.bc.ca>  (educ.minister@gov.bc.ca) or Vancouver MLAs (contact info here: http://www.vsb.bc.ca/about-vsb/trustees/advocacy-work/mla-contacts).

3. The Vancouver School Board is proposing cutting to all elementary band and strings programs. An alternate proposal, instead of cutting the programs, would be to raise the cost of participation from the current $25 per student yearly, to $250 per student. Though realizing the tough position that the VSB is in, this is a fairly drastic step that has long term consequences to thousands of children. 

The Coalition for Musical Education in BC is leading a push to ensure that  proposal does not go through please use these links to show your support: http://www.cmebc.org/  and they have a form letter here http://www.cmebc.org/VSB%20Sample%20Letter 

4. If you want to get more involved and/or have other ideas to share contact Anne-Marie Long at amlong@telus.net

Thanks for your support!
From Dickens parents,
Anne-Marie Long
Kathryn Sutherland
Christy Thomas (PAC co-chair)
Sarah Westwick