Join us on Thursday, May 30 from 4–8pm!

New to SPRING FLING? You can view previous years' photos & videos on our Facebook and Instagram

facebook.com/dickensspringfling | instagram.com/dickensspringfling/

Urgent Message from the Vancouver School Board

Dear Parents and Guardians,

A few weeks ago, you received information (if you're a subscriber to the VSB) about two initiatives affecting schools in Vancouver and the invite to share your input about both. This message is a reminder that there is still time to share your feedback! 

2019-2020 Budget Development Process Consultation

The 2019-2020 annual budget continues to be developed. Your input during this process provides valuable information for the Board to consider as it weighs options throughout the budget development period. Please participate in the District's online engagement by April 30, 2019. Visit vsb.ethelo.net to take part.

There are several ways to share your feedback about the annual budget. Written submissions can be sent via email to: budget2019-2020@vsb.bc.ca Input can also be provided through delegation presentations at meetings. A Committee-of-the-Whole meeting was held at Mount Pleasant Elementary on April 23 with another scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 7:00 pm at Education Centre located at 1580 West Broadway. This meeting is intended to provide an opportunity for members of the public to present to the Board about the draft budget. If you wish to make a delegation presentation, please send an email to the above address.

Draft Long Range Facilities Plan

If you were unable to attend one of the public information and trustee dialogue sessions, there is still time to share your feedback. Visit the District website to review the information boards from the public feedback sessions and complete the feedback survey. The survey has been extended until Friday, April 26, 2019.  

Stay up-to-date about the Long Range Facilities Plan and the District's 2019-20 school year budget development. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or visit the District's website for updates.

Thank you for your input!

Vancouver School Board

Handout Notes—Screen Time Talk: The Parents' Guide to Media Literacy and Youth

We had a great turnout last night for the first workshop of our "Screen Time Talk" Series. The guest speaker, Maryann Kempthorne and Dickens Principal, Matt Carruthers stayed after to field questions. Parents/Guardians were also given the opportunity to share personal insights and experiences. Thanks to all who participated! More workshops to follow in the  2019/20 school year - we'll keep you posted.

A PDF copy of the Resource/Handout Notes can be viewed and downloaded here.

We need help with our Silent Auction...

Silent Auction needs your help and ideas!

Each year, our SPRING FLING’s "Silent Auction" raises a significant part of the entire fundraising amount. We are always keen to have new and exciting items to include, so please don't be shy!

Do you have any contacts?

If you know of businesses and/or professional services that may like to participate or if you have any other contacts you think should be represented at the Silent Auction, please let us know. Thank you!

If you’re not comfortable approaching them for donations, we can help! We'll either get you set up to do it yourself OR we'll do the asking for you—in a very polite and respectful way.  

We need Silent Auction Volunteers!

If you would like to volunteer to assist with the Silent Auction, either by helping to acquire items or by setting up on the day of the event (May 30), please do let us know as soon as possible. Thank you!

For more info or if you have any questions, contact Sara Getz at saragetz@telus.net

Screen Time Talk: The Parents' Guide to Media Literacy and Youth

Crafters, Hobbyists and Artists! We'd love to have your creative input...

Contact Kerryn Williams at kerrynwilliams@hotmail.com if you have any questions or require further info. 

Changes for Spring Fling 2019: Classroom Baskets — we need help with our Silent Auction!

Classroom Baskets at the Silent Auction... change is in the air!

There are a few changes coming to SPRING FLING 2019. Most notably, we will not be having “Classroom Baskets” as Silent Auction items this year.

While we’re sure they were popular, there are a few reasons for this change:

The return on the baskets, given the investment of time and resources, hasn't historically been spectacular. They’re a great way to rally student participation—but from a fundraising perspective, the baskets weren’t generating enough funds to justify the time and energy taken to assemble and wrap them.

We therefore feel that the money families were spending on their contribution to the Classroom Baskets can best be directed toward other initiatives instead.

In place of the baskets, we are going to try something different this year:

Working with Dickens staff & administration, we are going to identify a few key items that will significantly improve the students' experience over the coming year(s), and we are going to ask families to consider supporting those specific items in place of bidding on Classroom Baskets.

We will of course still have the Silent Auction, which will be jam-packed with amazing items and experiences to bid on (see more info below).

The PAC is working on ways of ensuring that SPRING FLING remains the incredible community event into which it has grown. However, we are also exploring ways in which we can maximize its fundraising potential for the greatest benefit to our kids and school.

Stay tuned for updates on the new initiative and how it will work; it will be shared over the coming weeks! Keep visiting us here on the Dickens PAC Blog!

If you have any questions/concerns about this change, feel free to contact Sara Getz at saragetz@telus.net

Silent Auction needs your help and ideas!

Each year, our SPRING FLING’s Silent Auction raises a significant part of the entire fundraising amount. We are always keen to have new and exciting items to include, so please don't be shy!

Do you have any contacts?

If you know of businesses and/or professional services that may like to participate or if you have any other contacts you think should be represented at the Silent Auction, please let us know. Thank you!

If you’re not comfortable approaching them for donations, we can help! We'll either get you set up to do it yourself OR we'll do the asking for you—in a very polite and respectful way.  

We need Silent Auction Volunteers!

If you would like to volunteer to assist with the Silent Auction, either by helping to acquire items or by setting up on the day of the event (May 30), please do let us know as soon as possible. Thank you!

For more info or if you have any questions, contact Sara Getz at saragetz@telus.net

Guest Speaker on "The Parents' Guide to Media Literacy and Youth"

All Parents/Guardians from the Main & Annex schools are invited!

Come and hear Media Librarian, Maryann Kempthorne, speak on managing media systems, 

app selections and privacy for your children.

Dickens PAC introduces a "Screen Time" presentation

The Parents' Guide to Media Literacy and Youth

Tuesday, April 23 from 7 - 8:30pm

Dickens Main School Library 

As we rapidly progress into the digital age, more personal devices are being used by youth. Parents/Guardians are feeling compelled to manage media systems, app selections and privacy for their kids. 

With digital learning offering so many pluses, how do we manage the extension of screen time into our children's activity-driven schedules in a happy and confident manner? 

"Screen Time" is a recurring series of presentations + workshops—topics will center around smart phone and tablet use, screen time, and strategies for safely negotiating online choices in a positive way. Designed for kids, parents and teachers, the series will cover an overview of some key digital literacy targets for families. Screen Time was birthed from dialogues about the technical and emotional work it takes to "deal with digital media" in the lives of kids and parents today.

Maryann Kempthorne is a media librarian and open access advocate who's worked in schools, libraries, cultural organizations and media for over 20 years. As a parent and social scientist, Maryann is a longstanding observer of how the media and its use shapes communities. She enjoys speaking with engaged, caring groups who share her appreciation of dialogue over the personal, family and professional development complexity of these topics. Follow her insights at twitter.com/maryakem 

Contact Brian Ganter at gantercap@gmail.com or Tamara Shand at tamara@thepackwoods.net for more info.