Donations for SPRING FLING's Art Wall

We're looking for donations towards SPRING FLING's Art Wall! 
See details on the poster below.

Please also forward this message to any friends or family members who may be interested in assisting in this way - Thanks! 
[forward via email or social media using the icons below]

If you need more info or have questions, email: tamaraleecotton@gmail.com

Volunteers needed for SPRING FLING's Promotion and Photography

See details in the poster below:
If you'd like help with any of these tasks, contact Mariko Kish, SPRING FLING Volunteers Coordinator, at dickens.spring.fling@gmail.com -Thank You!

Donations for SPRING FLING's "Made It"

We're looking for donations towards SPRING FLING's Made It! 
See details on the poster below.

Please also forward this message to any friends or family members who may be interested in assisting in this way - Thanks! 
[forward via email or social media using the icons below]

If you need more info or have questions, email: kerrynwilliams@hotmail.com

Charles Dickens “TECH CRUNCH” Fundraiser - Save the Date!

Charles Dickens Technology Campaign 

We informed you in December 2015 that we are very close to 

reaching our goal of $15,000 (see blog link) which will
be matched by our generous donor, Jackie, to the amount of $30,000.

To finally reach our ultimate goal, we are hosting the

Charles Dickens “TECH CRUNCH” 

Fundraiser - Burger & Bevvie Night

Proceeds from the evening will go towards much needed computers 

and technology-based learning tools at Dickens main school, 

e.g. laptops, tablets and such.

Friday, April 8 from 5 - 8 pm 

(you are welcome to stay later)

Cedar Cottage Neighborhood Pub

Tickets are $25 min. donation  

You get a Burger (Beef OR Veg Only) with a salad or fries 

and a Bevvie (Alcoholic OR Non-alcoholic)

You may also choose not to attend and so that 

the entire $25 goes to the school!

Tickets available through Vivian at the main school 

from March 29 to April 8

  

Cheques payable to: Charles Dickens PAC 

or EXACT Cash only please!

Join us for a great social evening with parents/guardians, 

friends & neighbours while raising money for our school!

Sponsored by LONETREE CIDER & Whistler Beer

PAC Exec Meeting - Feb 2016

Feb 10, 2016 Minutes: https://goo.gl/ZPXCOZ

Guest Speaker this March :: Michele Kambolis

Save the date to hear renowned child & family therapist, Michele Kambolis, speak on Empowering Children in the Face of Stress (see info below). Her book, endorsed by leading psychologists around the world, will be on sale at the presentation. 

Public Consultations with the Vancouver School Board (VSB)

The VSB Engagement Process to gather parents, guardians, teachers & staff input and feedback is about the Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) which includes issues on enrollment numbers, seismic upgrades, 95% capacity and school closures.

Given the Provincial Budget on Education Funding, and the resulting VSB shortfall, it’s critical that we all give input and feedback to this process! The LRFP feeds into the VSB Strategic Plan for the coming 16 years through to 2021 – it’s all connected.

The LRFP can certainly have an affect on our school.  For example, at Dickens, our school won't close as we have a new building BUT we could see class sizes increase to their absolute maximum capacity. We could lose our "open" spaces that we’re currently using, due to the 95% capacity being imposed by BC Government. If a neighbouring school was to close or be repurposed for seismic upgrading, then we would certainly feel the impact of that in our community and school.

The VSB is having to make some tough decisions and they need our input for two key reasons:

•  Feedback and data from us helps them to push back at the Ministry of Education.
• Input across cross-cultural, community and socioeconomic perspectives helps the VSB make smart, strategic decisions for all our children - they don't know what they don't know until we tell them!

The VSB wants to know what to consider, and what's important if they close a school. They are seeking feedback on temporary accommodations for seismic upgrading, and they’d like to hear what’s acceptable or not, with repurposing spaces.

The kick-off for Public Consultation is Saturday, March 5 - see poster below - this will be an Open House where the VSB will share information and will seek input and feedback.

This will be followed by five other Open House /Workshop dates from April through to May 8. Most are on weekends with a few during week day evenings.  

The Open Houses will be an opportunity to learn and share. The Workshops will be more interactive with breakout groups. You only need to attend one session and it doesn't have to be the one closest to your home or school.

The final Open House on May 8 is where the VSB will be sharing their report, based on input received from March and April.

All communications are currently in English but the VSB Engagement Team will be reaching out to different communities, translating materials, and having translators for certain events.

Click on the Strategic Plan Summary to understand how the VSB Strategic Plan and the LRFP overlap. See the Engagement Poster below for dates and locations of the Open House/Workshop events.

The VSB will be updating regularly through their blog: vsbengagement.wordpress.com

and via Twitter: twitter.com/VSBEngagement

Save the Date for SPRING FLING!

We look forward to seeing you! The event will run from 4 to 8p.m. 

"Like" us on facebook to see our fun updates and silent auction sneak peeks, and "follow" us on Instagram on your smart phone or tablet! 
Share your SPRING FLING photos with us this year at #dickensspringfling
facebook.com/dickensspringfling  |  instagram.com/dickensspringfling

Easy Tool to help you Advocate for BC Education Funding!

Our friends at FACEBC (Families Against Cuts to Education in BC) have created this quick and easy email tool which you can use to send a letter to your MLA and the BC Minister of Education, Mr. Mike Bernier, regarding continued inadequate funding for BC public schools.

It's a great follow-up to our PAN/FACE postcard campaign and online petition — the more "noise" we make, the more we will be heard.

If you care about public education and know your concerns are real, use this email tool NOW to tell Mr. Bernier and your MLA that public education matters!

Here is the link to this quick and easy message that you can send:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/17653790/face/can-you-hear-us-now.html

Let's do it! Once you've sent your message, spread the word and link throughout your networks of parents, friends, family and neighbours.

Remember to also post on Facebook, Twitter and Blogs — Thanks!

panvancouver.ca facebook.com/panvancouver twitter.com/PAN_Vancouver