Many Thanks re: Holiday Hampers

Thank you so much for your incredible generosity this year! 

The Holiday Hampers have been delivered and gratefully received by all.  Our Dickens Community pulled together in a big way and we were able to serve 16+ families and individuals this year! That's a pretty significant increase over last year, so everyone should be proud. 

This year's hamper recipients included 11 families, 3 seniors living in our community, 2 youths who've recently aged out of foster care - thanks to "Aunt Leah's" for the connection, and an organization called "BabyGoRound" which helps families in need, care for their youngest members by providing them with baby gear to which they otherwise wouldn't have access.

As always, we are grateful for and humbled by the overwhelming generosity of our Dickens Community — thank you! 

Have a wonderful winter break!

Reminder - Holiday Hampers!

We have been deeply moved by the generosity of the Dickens Community in response to the Holiday Hampers program. We are supporting 17 families and individuals this year who've come through community partners like Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House and Aunt Leah's.  

This is a gentle reminder to everyone that the deadline for returning hamper items is this Friday, December 13 at the end of the school day! 

Tags are up at the Main and Annex and there are still a number that haven't yet been taken, so if you haven't yet had a chance to find a tag, there's still time! 

Your generosity will provide local seniors, families and youth in need, with a bit of extra support at this time of year.  

Childcare BC Survey — Are your needs being met?

As part of the provincial government's on-going efforts to ensure Childcare BC is meeting the needs of families, they have created a survey with questions on your familiarity and experience with existing Childcare BC programs including how you find out about and secure child care, and your opinions on issues that may inform future programs and services. 

This survey is for parents who have any formal care for their children up to age 12 by someone other than a parent or guardian. This confidential survey should not take more than 15 minutes to complete and will be open until January 17, 2020.

Complete the Childcare BC Survey here.

Community Events on our PAC Blog

We've added 3 updates to our "Community Events" page!

For more info, click on the Community Events Tab at the top of the blog...

* It's Time for Holiday Hampers! *

If you have any questions, please contact Sara or Mona at:

charlesdickenstholidayhampers@gmail.com

Sustainability: Education and Edu-Action

All parents & guardians of students enrolled in the Vancouver School District are welcome to attend! 

The goal of this session is to provide a lens on “What is Sustainability?” and to create an educational forum for gathering and distributing information on sustainability. 

Click here for registration and more details about the event.

New on our PAC Blog!

We have a NEW "Community Events" page!
Click on the Community Events Tab at the top of the blog...

From time to time on this page, we'll post events taking place in and around our neighborhood that may benefit Dickens Parents & Guardians and their Children.

"Tending Hearts and Minds" Symposium

Glen Manery, our Dickens School Counsellor, is inviting any interested Parents & Guardians to the following Symposium. Attendance is free but registration is required so that lunch can be provided accordingly.

Tending Hearts and Minds: A thoughtful discussion about mental health education and intervention in our schools—for educators, counsellors and parents

There has been a dramatic rise in the number of children and youth experiencing emotional distress and challenging in-class and domestic behaviours. Teachers, counsellors and health professionals are concerned about labeling, current 'mental health' education and the medicating of children. 

Experts participating in “Tending Hearts and Minds" will present and discuss approaches to working with children, youth and families—in school and home settings—to help more effectively respond to distress and difficulties so that children can better experience well-being and resilience.

For more info about the speakers and how to register, click here. 

Reminder for November Guest Speaker - RSVP today!

Parents & Guardians at the main & annex schools are invited.

RSVP at the following link. Thank you.

How to Apply for Funding for Parent-led Clubs & Activities at Dickens

Successful clubs over previous years have included Chess Club, Ultimate Frisbee, Sewing, Singing etc. New ideas are always welcome too!

If you'd like to apply for PAC Funding for a Parent-led Club or Activity for the 2019-2020 school year at either the Dickens Main School or Annex, go to the following link: 

Read the Information and complete the Online Application Form.

The Online Application Form must be completed by Friday, November 8, 2019.

Thank you,
Dickens PAC Exec

Saleema Noon - Talk Sex Today :: Body Science Boot Camp for Parents

For more information about Saleema Noon Sexual Health Educators go to saleemanoon.com

Can you help? Wednesday, Oct 23

Assistance Needed for Immunization Clinic

Our school nurse, Cindy Diett, is looking for two volunteers to help out with this year's Immunization Clinic:

If you're interested and are able to assist on Wednesday morning, October 23, please email Anne Canning at acanning@vsb.bc.ca or call her at the main school office at 604-713-4978. Thank you.

Update: Thanks again - the two volunteer spots have been filled! 

Presenting "How Dickens Works: Guiding Principles of Our School"

Save the Date for our first Guest Speaker — all Parents & Guardians are welcome to attend!

VSB Presentation on "Student Success"

A DPAC General meeting will be hosted by 
Vancouver School Board Superintendent of Schools, Suzanne Hoffman

She'll be speaking on "Student Success"

All parents/guardians of current VSB students are welcome.  

Thursday, September 26 at 7pm 

Vancouver Education Centre (1580 West Broadway), Room 180.

Presenting "How Dickens Works: Guiding Principles of Our School"

Save the Date for our first Guest Speaker — all Parents & Guardians are welcome to attend!

Dickens Teacher, David Murphy, will present

“How Dickens Works: Guiding Principles of Our School"

Wednesday October 2, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Main School Library

*Child care will be provided*

PAC AGM Minutes - June 2019

Minutes for the 2019 PAC AGM held on Thursday, June 20 can be reviewed here.

PAC Executive Meeting Minutes for the 2018-19 school year have been posted at

http://dickenspac.blogspot.com/2019/06/minutes-for-executive-meetings-20182019.html

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 :: WELCOME BACK!

Parents & Guardians are invited to join us at our Welcome Tables at the main & annex schools on Tue, Sep 3—we will be serving coffee, tea and baked treats.  

Main School: For Grades 1-7, school will be from 9-9:30am on Tue, Sep 3. Regular hours (9am-3pm) will begin from Wed, Sep 4.

Annex School: For Grades 1-3, school will be from 9-9:45am on Tue, Sep 3. Regular hours (9am-3pm) will begin from Wed, Sep 4.

Kindergarten Students will begin on Wed, Sep 4. Follow the gradual entry schedule that was provided to you by the main or annex school in spring. 

Have a Superb Summer!

We trust that you'll have a relaxing summer break, and come back refreshed for a wonderful 2019-20 school year! 

If you haven't had a chance to browse through our fabulous 19th Annual SPRING FLING Photos & Video Clips at your leisure yet, go to Facebook.com/dickensspringfling and/or at Instagram.com/dickensspringfling

© Charles Dickens PAC

Minutes for PAC Executive Meetings 2018–2019

Minutes for PAC Executive Meetings

September 12, 2018

October 9, 2018

November 14, 2018

Funding Distribution (Nov 14, 2018):  Main and Annex

January 9, 2019 

Feb 12, 2019 Meeting Cancelled—due to a Snow Day - 
An e-mailed update was sent to the PAC Exec: News Update 

March 13, 2019

April 9, 2019

May 8, 2019

Some Financial Reports presented at the AGM on June 20, 2019

Main School Disbursement Summary as of June 20,2019

Annex School Disbursement Summary as of June 20, 2019

PAC Budget 2018-19 vs Actual (as of June 20, 2019)

PAC Budget 2019-20

Grade 7 Potluck Picnic on June 27

19th Annual SPRING FLING—Our Photos are up!

A Huge THANKS to Parents/Guardians for Donating and/or Volunteering, and to all who came out for SPRING FLING! 

Our Photos from Thursday, May 30 are NOW UP for click-thru & viewing at the Photos link on our Facebook. Our new Video Clips can also be viewed at the Videos link. You're welcome to share them with friends & family who also enjoyed the event with you! 

Alternately, you can view and share our Photos & Video Clips on Instagram. 

Sharing your pics with us:
If you'd like to share any of your pics (or videos) with us, use the hashtag #dickensspringfling on Instagram, or tag us on Facebook @dickensspringfling and we'll do our best to respond! 

Thank you, 
Dickens PAC

Save the Date! 2019 AGM & PAC Executive Elections

All Parents & Guardians are welcome to attend —as you are a part of the Charles Dickens PAC (main & annex)**

At the Annual General Meeting (AGM), we'll share a brief summary of the splendid activities & fabulous events that took place at Dickens, so that yet another successful school year can be celebrated. Our treasurer will also present an overview of the financials. In addition, we'll be facilitating the elections for your 2019-20 PAC Executive.

** All Parents/Guardians of children attending Charles Dickens (main & annex) are members of the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) which unites the two school communities into one cohesive group. Members of the PAC Executive (PAC Exec) are elected by you at an AGM in June each year.


Feel free to contact our current Chairs, Heather Garnett (main school) or Amy Stanley (annex), at dickens.pac@gmail.com if you have any questions or need more info in this regard.

Staff Appreciation Luncheon - June 12

*please email Daniela or Amanda at dickens.luncheon@gmail.com if you would like to donate food/drink or volunteer - thanks*

An Enormous THANK YOU to all who came out to our 19th Annual SPRING FLING!

An ENORMOUS Thank You to everyone in our Dickens Community who came out on Thursday, May 30 to the 19^th Annual Charles Dickens Elementary SPRING FLING!

We had a great turnout, with a bright sunny afternoon and evening adding to the complete enjoyment of yet another successful celebration of our school & community. 

We greatly appreciate your support very much!

Charles Dickens PAC

P.S.  We’ll be setting up some photos & video clips of our event within the next week that can be viewed at Facebook.com/dickensspringfling and at Instagram.com/dickensspringfling

*To stayed tuned for the picture/video updates, "Like" our page on Facebook and/or "Follow" us on Instagram if you haven't done so yet. Doing so also helps to promote our event for next year - Thank you!  It's going to be SPRING FLING's 20th Anniversary in 2020! 

19th Annual Charles Dickens Elementary SPRING FLING — Join us today for our wonderful community event!

* Thursday, May 30 * 4 – 8 p.m. * 1010 East 17th Avenue *

Come out & enjoy the fun — there’ll be something for ALL ages!

Share your Smiles & Laughter with us at #dickensspringfling on Instagram and @dickensspringfling on Facebook.

 

Live Music & Entertainment * Silent Auction * Food & Beverages * Bake Sale * Cake Walk * Popcorn * Cotton Candy * Bouncy Castle * Face Painting * Petting Zoo * Dunk Tank * Velcro Wall * Inflatable Obstacle Course * Photo Booth * Carnival Games, in the gym * Plants & Flowers * Marketplace: Made It, Gently-used Items and much more!

 

Facebook.com/dickensspringfling

Instagram.com/dickensspringfling

We're looking forward to seeing you today!

Dickens PAC

SPRING FLING is our main annual fundraiser. All proceeds raised support field trips, art and classroom supplies, clubs and fun activities at both the Main & Annex schools.

Hope to see you at SPRING FLING on Thursday!

New at SPRING FLING this year!

• The Cinemazoo Petting Zoo

• Velcro Wall and Inflatable Obstacle Course

• In addition to the exciting items at our Silent Auction this year, we’ll also be receiving donations for the "Wish Lists" of the Dickens Main & Annex schools —  charitable receipts will be available for donations over $10

Join us for this wonderful community event at our school!

We’ll be offering:

Live Music & Entertainment * Silent Auction * Food & Beverages * Bake Sale * Cake Walk * Popcorn * Cotton Candy * Bouncy Castle * Face Painting * Petting Zoo * Dunk Tank * Velcro Wall * Inflatable Obstacle Course * Photo Booth * Carnival Games, in the gym * Plants & Flowers * Marketplace: Made It, Gently-used Items and much more!

Come out & enjoy the fun — there’ll be something for ALL ages!

SPRING FLING Social Media

Facebook.com/dickensspringfling

Instagram.com/dickensspringfling

Share your pics & video clips with us at #dickensspringfling

Reminder! Donations for PLANTS & FLOWERS AT SPRING FLING

All donations for Plants & Flowers, e.g. plants, bulbs, seedlings, seeds etc. can be dropped off at the "Plants & Flowers" table in the Red Court of the main school [Windsor St.] on Thursday, May 30 – any time from 12 noon to 3:30pm

Thanks for your generosity! Dickens PAC

© Charles Dickens PAC

Curious to know about more SILENT AUCTION items at our 19th Annual SPRING FLING?

Over the weekend, we shared a small sample of the Businesses & Professionals who’ve contributed to the Silent Auction, and we hope you’re starting to think about what you’ll bid on! 

Here are a few more of the exciting experiences, merchandise and services you’ll find in this year’s auction:

• La Traviata tickets, courtesy of Vancouver Opera
• Vancouver Canucks tickets, thanks to Paul Eviston
• F45 Chinatown and F45 Kits Point memberships
• Gift certificates for dining at Pepino’s Spaghetti House and Savio Volpe
• Earnest Ice Cream
• $100 to spend at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival
• Tickets to the 2019 East Van Panto at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre
• 4 weeks of Bootcamp through Survivor Fitness
• Beer! Thanks to Red Truck, Strange Fellows, Luppolo and Main Street Brewing
• Backpacks, daypacks and hip packs from Herschel Supply Co.
• $50 to spend at the Pie Hole
• Bike tune-ups at RAD Cycles
• Thule bike rack from Rack Attack
• Tickets to TheatreSports
• Passes to the Burnaby Roots & Blues Festival
• Trainee pass at Origins Parkour
• Private singing lessons with Eve-Lyn de la Haye
• Yoga class passes to Mt. Pleasant Yoga
• Get inked at Adrenaline Vancity Tattoo

Check back soon here on the PAC blog, and keep an eye on our social media pages
Facebook.com/dickensspringfling and Instagram.com/dickensspringfling where you'll be able to preview some of the auction items before SPRING FLING! 

A little something different, re: SPRING FLING

This year’s Silent Auction features a variety of incredible items to bid on and we hope you’ll find something that piques your interest!  We’re so thankful to all of our generous donors!         

Before we share some of the items you’ll be able to bid on, we’d like to give you a few more details on another way you can support SPRING FLING and all the Dickens kids...

This year, we’ve decided to try something new: 

This year, rather than asking families to contribute an item to these themed gift baskets, we thought we’d ask if you might consider contributing cash for the purchase of some specific requests we’ve received from the Dickens Staff & Students.  These “Wish List” items are things that will impact all students, at both the Main school and the Annex.

For the Annex, the PAC would like to raise $1,500 to allow them to purchase:

• KEVA block sets
• Outdoor Sports Equipment (balls, frisbees, nets, skipping ropes, etc.) 
• A portable bin locker for sports balls

For the Main, the PAC would like to raise $6,000 which will help buy:

• A Cooking Cart, with equipment that students/classes can sign out. The equipment would include pots & pans, measuring cups, mixing bowls, baking pans & sheets and other cooking utensils
• Outdoor Sporting Equipment, including goal nets for the basketball hoops, goalie pads & hockey goggles, and sports jerseys for Ultimate Frisbee and soccer 
• Art Supplies for student projects throughout the school 
• Ukulele mounts for classrooms, which would allow for the safe storage of ukuleles that PAC helped to purchase last year

If you are keen to support SPRING FLING, all the Dickens kids and the PAC but don’t get the item you bid on in the auction, it’s still really easy to do!  We’ll be set up on site to take donations for the above-listed items via cash, cheque or credit card. Charitable receipts are available for any donation over $10!

To view some of the Silent Auction items you can bid on, look at our Dickens SPRING FLING Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dickensspringfling or view our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dickensspringfling

We’ll also be adding more info daily, here on our Dickens PAC blog! 

Can’t make it but still want to contribute to SPRING FLING?

If you cannot attend SPRING FLING, you can easily donate through your SchoolCashOnline account!  

Simply log-in and look for the “Make a Donation” button on the right. On the next screen where it asks for the Fund Destination, select “Charles Dickens PAC” and follow the remainder of the prompts. Once you’ve completed the payment, your tax receipt will show up in your inbox almost immediately!

Online giving is quick and easy, and can be done when it’s convenient for you—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.