Growing Chefs Article and YouTube

Growing Chefs! was one of many successful PAC-funded Classroom Activities hosted at the Dickens main school this year, and was featured on the Vancouver Sun's Blog:

See Photos and Read about the Activities at:
http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2015/12/01/kids-show-off-their-cooking-chops-in-stir-fry-competition/

Watch the Video Clip at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysaY0IQLqvg

Holiday Hampers - Volunteers Needed

Thank you for your generous donations towards the Holiday Hampers! We now need as many hands as possible to help us with sorting and wrapping... 

A Wrap Party will be held this Tuesday, December 15
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Location: 1950 East 34th Avenue, Vancouver 

Please bring as many scissors and pens as possible with you. Tea will be served but feel free to bring any other beverage for sharing. Thanks very much!

Parent Advocacy Network launches a postcard campaign

Join our Postcard Campaign for BC Education Funding! 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY YOUR PAC

The Select Standing Committee on Finance & Government Services found that K-12 Education Funding remains a top priority for British Columbians. 

The Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) in conjunction with Families Against Cuts to Education (FACE), has therefore started a postcard campaign targeting the BC Government. 

Parents on your Charles Dickens PAC are both founding and active members of PAN.

The goal of the campaign is to deliver thousands of postcards declaring “I stand with the Standing Committee” to the Minister of Education, Mike Bernier, in time for him to make his New Year's Resolutions. The postcard includes the Committee’s list of recommendations for K-12 funding as well as a space to offer up your own comments.  

In addition to passionate discussion on social media and support from many schools in Vancouver, PAN has already received numerous requests for postcards from around the province. 

We hope that you will join us in sharing postcards with fellow parents/guardians, family and friends to collect as many postcards as possible: In early January, we will make a bulk delivery and a big statement to the Minister of Education demonstrating that parents will be holding his government accountable to adequately fund public education.  

Here’s how you can participate and help make a change!

GET YOUR POSTCARDS

• If you are within the Dickens community, you may pick up a stack of ready-made postcards by contacting Maggie Milne Martens at m_milne@telus.net or Andrea Sinclair at andreasinclair@gmail.com

• Or download and print your own from this link at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1MKFnQ4MQAPQzZYRUNKN3FZZFk/view 

DELIVER YOUR POSTCARDS

• If you are within the Dickens community, please drop off bundles of completed postcards to the personal residence at 744 East 14th Avenue. 

• Alternatively, if you live in Vancouver, you can bring completed postcards in person to our January PAN meeting at the Tipper Restaurant (backroom) on January 4, 2016 at 7 p.m.

Thank you for participating in our Postcard Campaign —

Together we can make a difference! 

Front and back of two postcard samples:

Summary of Public Education Panel Discussion

On November 25, the Charles Dickens PAC hosted a Panel Discussion on Public Education featuring guest speakers from PENS (Public Education Network Society), a long time public education advocacy group that created a "Charter for Public Education".   

Mike Zlotnik spoke on the democratic vision of public education in Canada after the second world war that promoted equal opportunity for all citizens, and the erosion of that vision in recent years.  

Marilynne Waithman talked about the commodification of education and the consequent breakdown of neighbourhood school communities.  

John Malcolmson illustrated and gave clarity around the ‘numbers’ for public education in BC since 2002. 

This was followed by a lively interactive discussion by parents.  

If you missed the event, you can view their presentations at these links:

Mike: https://goo.gl/FwwkJ1 

John: https://goo.gl/yGcTOR

Marilynne: https://goo.gl/pmhXmX
   

You can also access a copy of the Charter for Public Education at: 
http://publiced.ca/index.php?page=english

PENS will be giving a second Panel Discussion on the west side of Vancouver in early February – the location and date will be announced in the near future.

Technology Fundraiser News

Charles Dickens Technology Campaign 

News Update 

Thank you to everyone for your amazing support!

Together we've raised an impressive $14,400

including funds donated by PAC, 

money given to our GoFundMe page 
and contributions made by our generous Dickens families, 
friends and communities.

We are so close to reaching our target of $15,000 

which will be matched by our big-hearted donor "Jackie" 

to reach our ultimate goal of $30,000!* 

To raise the final $600

we will be hosting a Burger & Beer Night 

early in the New Year

— stay tuned for more info!

Tax Receipts

Donations of $25 or more given to Viv at the Main School Office 

will be eligible for a tax receipt with a tax form. 
Write cheques to: Vancouver School Board.

*All donations and matching funds will be used for much needed computers and technology-based learning tools at Dickens main school. e.g. laptops, tablets etc.

PAC Exec Meeting - Oct 2015

Oct, 13 2015 Minutes: https://goo.gl/0pexoF

* It's time for Holiday Hampers again! *

The following hand-out and a small envelope was sent home with all students this past Wednesday, November 25.  Tax Receipt Forms were attached for Cash or Cheque donations of $50 or more. {Write cheques to: Charles Dickens PAC} — Thank you. 

Parent Advocacy Network Presentation

Parent Advocacy Network Presentation to Vancouver School Board (VSB), re: Ernst & Young (EY) Report.​

On November 10, 2015 the VSB held a special public input meeting for feedback on the proposed response to the June 8, 2015 EY recommendations. These recommendations included the closure of 19 East Vancouver schools to meet a district capacity target of 95%. 

The Parent Advocacy Network for Public Education presented alongside other stakeholders such as DPAC, VESTA, VSTA and CUPE. There were common themes that emerged including the concern over selling school land, the privileging of corporate efficiency  over educational wisdom, and the need for the board to remain transparent to stakeholders in its decision making processes. The Parent Advocacy Network ​highlighted the negative impact on students, learning environments and the arts should a 95% capacity target be agreed upon.
  ​
A highlight of the evening was a presentation by Andy Yan, a city planner who stunned everyone by citing BC statistics student population predictions for Vancouver, which anticipate an increase of 25,000 school age students by 2041. If this is the case, then the elimination of 7,000 ‘empty seats’ through school closures seem shortsighted indeed!  
​​Read the report here: https://goo.gl/imD28x

The Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) is a grassroots group of parents representing schools across Vancouver who share a deep commitment to public education and are extremely concerned for its future. Its founding members include parents from Dickens Main and Annex. We see an urgent need for schools to connect with one another through advocacy groups to share information and support one another. 

Together we can share research and information about public education and current policies that impact Vancouver schools as well as upcoming advocacy initiatives happening in Vancouver. In this way we see ourselves as supporting and complementing existing groups such as FACE, PENS, DPAC, and BCCPAC in the work they are doing.

If you are interested in learning more about PAN, email us at:
parentadvocacynetwork@gmail.com

​Attend the Panel Discussion regarding the Future of Education in BC - Wednesday, November 25 at the Dickens Main School Library:

Are you concerned about the future of Public Education in BC, and would you like to know how you can advocate for a better future? 

Join us for a Panel Discussion with the Public Education Network Society (PENS). Parents/guardians from other schools are also welcome to attend this event. 

See poster for more details: 
http://dickenspac.blogspot.ca/2015/11/whats-happening-to-public-education.html

Another Update on Charles Dickens Technology Fundraiser @ Main

Charles Dickens Technology Campaign 

November Update 

Together we’ve raised $5,400 to date 

Thank You for your generous support!

We still need your support to raise the final $2,600 
to be matched by our generous donor 
to reach our goal of $30,000!*

Please help us by reaching out to your Family & Friends using our GoFundMe page for easy, instant, online donations. Thank You! 

www.gofundme.com/mm5tu4e8

All donations will be matched by our big-hearted donor!
“Jackie” grew up in Cedar Cottage and went to Charles Dickens Elementary — now he’s an entrepreneur who wants to give back to Dickens!

 [photo: Jackie at 9 years old]

Tax Receipts 

Donations of $25 or more given to Viv at the Main School Office 

will be eligible for a tax receipt with a tax form. Write cheques to: Vancouver School Board.

*All donations and matching funds will be used for much needed computers and technology-based learning tools at Dickens main school. e.g. laptops, tablets etc.

What's happening to Public Education?

Are you concerned about the future of Public Education in BC, and would you like to know how you can advocate for a better future?

Join us for a Panel Discussion with the Public Education Network Society (PENS) on November, 25. 

Parents/guardians from other schools are also welcome to attend this event. See poster for more details:

Charles Dickens Book Fair – Volunteers Needed!

More volunteers are needed for our bi-annual school Book Fair to work 1-hour shifts from December 2 – 3. The Fair takes place during the week of the parent-teacher conferences at the main school.

1-Hour shifts that still require volunteers: 

December 2

• 4-5 pm (2 volunteers)

• 5-6 pm (1 volunteer)

• 6-7 pm (2 volunteers)

December 3

• 3-4pm (1 volunteer)

You are welcome to bring your kids if you'd like to do so. Please email dickens.pac@gmail.com if you're able to volunteer for any of these shifts.

What you will do 
Process payments for books as kids/parents come to the counter to purchase; this involves taking cash, cheques or setting up payment through visa machine. 

The school librarian, Cheriee, or parent working the shift prior to you will show you what to do, including how to work the visa machine. And you have to be able to do simple math too of course! 

Shift parents will also write 1 to 2 slips for books that have run out, but can still be purchased if prepaid. Cheriee then orders the books and they'll arrive before the Fair ends.

Kids & Technology Talk @ Simon Fraser Elementary

See details at: https://goo.gl/xrze0X

Final Reminder: Dr. Deborah MacNamara speaks on Sibling Conflict

Media Literacy Talk @ Eric Hamber

Update on Technology Fundraiser @ Dickens Main

Charles Dickens Technology Campaign 

Update 

Together we’ve raised $4,325 this Fall 

Thank You for your generous support!

We still need your support to raise $3,675 
to be matched by our generous donor 
to reach our goal of $30,000!*

Please help us by reaching out to your Family & Friends using our GoFundMe page for easy, instant, online donations. Thank You! 

www.gofundme.com/mm5tu4e8

All donations will be matched by our big-hearted donor!
“Jackie” grew up in Cedar Cottage and went to Charles Dickens Elementary — now he’s an entrepreneur who wants to give back to Dickens!

 [photo: Jackie at 9 years old]

Tax Receipts 

Donations of $25 or more given to Viv at the Main School Office 

will be eligible for a tax receipt with a tax form. Write cheques to: Vancouver School Board.

*All donations and matching funds will be used for much needed computers and technology-based learning tools at Dickens main school. e.g. laptops, tablets etc.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Deb MacNamara to speak on Sibling Conflict

Care about Public Education in BC?

A request for written public input in to the 2016 Provincial Budget has been issued by the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.

This is your chance to express your thoughts to the Government of BC about:

• Current funding levels for public education
• Cutbacks to special needs’ and student support services/programs
• Cutbacks to arts and music programs
• The growing pressure on parents to raise funds to cover basic educational resources

Your written input can be short, but it should be in your own words.

Further information, including an outline of the Committee’s privacy policy, is provided on the Committee’s website at https://www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/finance/submission.asp

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 

Midnight, Thursday, October 15, 2015

There are three ways to submit your input:

1. Email your letter as an attachment through the online submission form at                    https://www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/finance/submission.asp 

2. Mail your submission to:

Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services

Room 224, Parliament Buildings

Victoria, BC   V8V 1X4

3. Fax your submission to: 250-356-8172

More info on Public Education in BC from FACE (Families Against Cuts to Education)

FACE brochure and fact sheet which has great accessible information on impact of funding cutbacks: https://facebc.wordpress.com/2015/06/20/whats-happening-to-public-education-in-british-columbia/#more-113

Podcast of BC Almanac about Public Education and School Supplies with Gloria Macarenko and Jen Stewart, co-founder of FACE, as a guest:  http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/bcalmanac_20150925_61649.mp3

Donate to Technology at Dickens!

Welcome to the 2015/16 School Year! 

We have some wonderful news to share with you regarding our Technology Fundraiser and hope that you'll be able to participate with us in this drive where your donations will be matched! 

Coming this Fall! Amazing Technology Fundraising Opportunity...

PAC Executive for 2015/16

Welcome to the PAC Executive for 2015-2016 

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

Chair Main - Andrea Sinclair

Chair Annex - Rossana Caritey

Treasurer - Tiffany Searchfield

Co-Secretary - Amanda George, Shaun Kalley

Members at Large: Andy Mitchell, Christy Thomas, Hayley Baines, Kelly Maxwell, Kerryn Williams, Lara Penno, Leone Hall, Maggie Martens, Mariko Kish, Megan Crouch, Tamara Shand, Tami Friesen *

*Additional members will be elected to the executive in September 2015. 

A Heads Up for Tuesday, September 8

The PAC will host a "Welcome Table" for Parents/Guardians on the first day of school, at both the Main & Annex, where coffee/tea and baked goods will be served from about 9 to 11a.m.  

Have a wonderful summer!

SPRING FLING Thank You & Photos

View more of our photos at:
www.facebook.com/dickensspringfling

NO need to join Facebook (if you haven't already) to see our pictures — just click on our Facebook link, then click on our 2015 SPRING FLING Album and you'll be able to page through the photos!

Ultimate Frisbee News

The first year of the Ultimate Club Team was a huge success!  

Over 55 players honed their skills and Spirit of the Game (SOTG) after school on Tuesday and Thursdays — all of which was on display on May 23 at UBC during intermission at the Vancouver Night Hawks vs. Seattle Rainmakers game where we participated in the Elementary School Ultimate Showcase Game.  

We followed that up with a single bid at the Sabrefest Tournament on May 29.  Dickens and 15 other teams from the lower mainland spent a sun-soaked day at Winnona Fields making new friends and playing ultimate together.  Not only was our SOTG amongst the best, we finished 5th in our tier! Impressive for a first year program (open to grade 4+) playing against some very established programs using only grades 6/7).  

The Team would like to thank the PAC for all their support getting this program off the ground.  The players (and coaches) are looking forward to next season!

TODD HICKLING

Final PAC General Meeting & Council Elections

Come out to our PAC general meeting to hear more on how you can be involved at Dickens, and to vote for next year's executive council. We will also be discussing our PAC budget for the 2015/16 school year.

Take another Sneak Peek at our Silent Auction!

We have loads of fabulous items at our Silent Auction this year! 

For another Sneak Peek update of some of the items we have, go to: https://www.facebook.com/dickensspringfling

NO need to join Facebook to see the page if you are not on Facebook – 
Just scroll up and down to see the various products on our SPRING FLING Facebook!

You are welcome to share this info with all who will be attending.

Remember to bring cash or your chequebook to the SPRING FLING on Thursday May 28, so that you can go home with your item(s) on the day!

Bids will close at 6:30 and 7:30p.m.

Silent Auction "Sneak Peek"

Here's a sneak peek at a few of the many exciting Silent Auction items we have this year at the SPRING FLING!

Family Membership for one year at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Total Value of $73.

Enjoy an entire year of floral delights, fun and special events at Vancouver's renowned urban gem. 

2 adult and 2 children 3 month Flexipasses for Vancouver Parks and Recreation Centres. Total value of $350.

Take advantage of three months of fun and fitness with these passes to any Vancouver Parks Board gym, swimming pool or ice rink.

Birthday Package for 6 kids at The Hive Bouldering Gym.  Total Value of $150.

Give your child and five of his/her friends the birthday party experience of a lifetime at Vancouver's favourite climbing gym. 

2 adult concert tickets to the VSO for any regular concert in the 2015/2016 season. Total Value of $140.

Treat a friend or family member to the sublime sounds of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, at a concert of your choice.

Throw a Keg Party with a Whistler Brewing Keg. Total Value of $200.

Certificate for Harkness & Company Butchers. Total Value of $50.

Get set for backyard entertaining this summer, with $50 worth of steaks, ribs or other meat of your choice.

Gorgeous aromatic herb planters - valued between $25 and $40.

Add colour and freshness to salads all summer long with delicious herbs and goodies from your very own planter created by garden designer, Jill Townsend.

Remember to bring cash or a chequebook to purchase your auction item on the day! Bids will close at 6:30 and 7:30 pm.

***NOTE*** 

We are still accepting Donations for the Silent Auction! Please remember to contribute to your classroom basket and drop off any unused merchandise, certificates or descriptions of services you wish to donate into one of the boxes located in the office at both the Main and Annex schools. Thank you.

See our Dickens SPRING FLING Facebook for more Sneak Peeks of our Silent Auction at https://www.facebook.com/dickensspringfling

- No need to join Facebook to see the page - just scroll up and down to see the various items. 

Cakes Needed for the Cake Walk!

SPRING FLING 2015

Invite your family & friends to join us!

View and "like" us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dickensspringfling

   

Donations & Volunteers for SPRING FLING

The following hand-out and a small envelope was sent home with all students this past Thursday, May 7. 

Donations and filled in hand-outs can be dropped off at the Main School or Annex Office:

These are the areas where volunteers are needed:

Please email Hayley Baines with your area of interest & availability at hayleyr@mac.com - Thank you!

PRE-EVENT SET UP:

Wed, May 27th, SET UP 6 - 9pm

Thurs, May 28th SET UP 9am - 12pm

Thurs, May 28th SET UP Noon - 4pm

SPRING FLING EVENT (4 - 8pm)

PLANT SALE TABLE SET UP (3-4pm)

SILENT AUCTION SET UP (3-4pm)

TICKET SALES (2hr shifts)

FOOD TENT (2hr shifts)

GYM GAMES (1.5hr shifts)

BOUNCY CASTLE (1.5hr shifts)

DUNK TANK (1.5hr shifts)

COTTON CANDY SALES (2hr shifts)

FACE PAINTING (1.5-2hr shifts)

REPTILE ROOM (1.5-2hr shifts)

CAKE WALK (2hr shifts)

RECYCLING/GARBAGE (2hr shifts)

CLEAN UP/TEAR DOWN (8-9pm)

Slide Presentation from Naslishah Thony's Virtues Workshop

Here is the PowerPoint presentation that was part of the discussion at last week Wednesday's Virtues Workshop - Bringing Out the Best in Our Kids!

https://goo.gl/AJtPkc

Reminder: Staff Presentation & Virtues Workshop is this Wednesday!

Thank You, re: Staff Appreciation Lunch

STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCH

THANK YOU FROM NICOLE, DEB and RACHELLE!

Our sincere thanks goes to all the wonderful Dickens parents & guardians who contributed to the success of the annual Dickens Staff Appreciation Luncheon which was held on Friday, April 24 at the Annex.  

The 65-plus attending staff from both schools had a fabulous time (despite the cool weather), thoroughly enjoying the lavish and delicious spread - especially the retro ice-cream sundae bar! 

Your generous homemade goodies, beverages, cash donations and hands-on help on the day made it all extra special and the staff made a point of asking that their gratitude be expressed to the entire Dickens parent body. 

Thanks to your help we made our school teachers and staff feel truly appreciated! We couldn’t have done any of it without your support. Thank you Dickens parents - YOU ARE AMAZING!

Next up: SPRING FLING!!!

Virtues Workshop: Bringing Out the Best in Our Kids!

Parents/Guardians, 
Come and hear our final guest speaker for the year on Wednesday, April 29 - Main School Library!

Naslishah Thony will introduce you to the Virtues Project and the five strategies used to instill virtues that can bring out the best in your children! 

Since 1991, the Virtues Project has empowered 

• individuals to live more authentic meaningful lives
• families to raise children of compassion and integrity
• educators to create safe, caring, high performing learning communities and
• leaders to encourage excellence and ethics in the workplace. 

In 1984, the United Nations honored the project as "a model global program for families of all cultures". 

A brief update, from 6:30 to 7pm will be given by Dickens Staff on our 2015/16 Annual School Goal Plans before the Workshop runs from 7 to 8:30pm. 

Childcare will be provided from 6:30 to 8:30pm.