Hot Lunch Program

We are excited to announce the return of our hot lunch program every Thursday - we're relaunching with our pre-pandemic provider, Foodie Kids!

  

You will be able to order directly from Foodie Kids through their online ordering platform at foodeaze.ca and a portion of the cost of each lunch will come back to the Dickens Community.  

See this link for detailed instructions on how to set up your account, place an order and make payment.  Here is a copy of the menu and themed menu calendar ("Theme Days"). 

On the menu, you will see a section with items that are “Always Available” and then there are items on "Theme Days" that are only available on certain days. These days rotate and you will see these additional menu items on the ordering platform when they are available.

The ordering deadline is each Wednesday (by midnight) the week prior to hot lunch day!  

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Some parents and guardians may already have an account that may still be active from the time we previously used Foodie Kids. It is important to log in and ensure that you change the grade/division of your child(ren) under your profile, otherwise your order will be delivered to the wrong division and be packaged in the wrong bag.

• Parents and Guardians will order directly through the vendor's ordering platform: foodeaze.ca

• Ordering deadline is each Wednesday (by midnight) the week prior to lunch delivery.

• Parents and Guardians will need to send cutlery to school with their child(ren)! Cutlery will not be provided by the vendor in the interest of doing our part in reducing plastic waste.

• Payment method: Credit Card.

Thank you in advance of your support and we welcome any questions or comments at dickens.pac@gmail.com

VSB Public Delegation Board Meeting, regarding School Liaison Officer (SLO) program

We would like to inform you that at the inaugural board meeting, held on November 7, of the Vancouver School Board, a Notice of Motion was brought forward to debate the return of the School Liaison Officer (SLO) program at the November 28 meeting.  This is an emotionally charged issue, with people falling for and against the motion.

  

If you would like information on the program, here is an independent report from 2021. The Safe and Caring Schools Department is currently in place.  

All Parents & Guardians interested in hearing the voice and opinions from VSB Educators, Counsellors, Schools and PACs in this regard, can do so at the VSB Public Delegation Board Meeting that will be hosted on November 21, 2022 at 6pm. 

The meeting will be live-streamed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akzqKviF6mc

Once received, we will keep you informed on the decisions made by the VSB.

Thank you,

Dickens PAC

** It's time for Holiday Hampers! **

  Charles Dickens Elementary School & Charles Dickens Annex

Holiday Hampers 2022

In the spirit of the season, the Charles Dickens PAC is asking for your support in helping to create holiday hampers for the families and individuals living in our community who could use a boost at this time of year.

Possibly more so than in years past, this year’s hampers will make a huge difference in the lives of those receiving them. The pandemic may be on its way into our collective rearview mirror, but the economic realities it has left behind are hitting those most vulnerable, hard. The last few years have been like a 1-2 punch and full recovery is still a little further down the road. Until we get there, it’s on all of us to lift our community up and ensure nobody is left behind.

Once again this year, we’re working to support local families, youth and seniors, by partnering with Charles Dickens Elementary & Annex, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House and Aunt Leah’s Place to provide gift card hampers.

There are two ways you can support our Holiday Hamper program:

1. Donate gift cards! Visit your local grocer or retailer and purchase gift card(s) and then send the card(s) to school with your kid(s). Classroom teachers will collect the gift cards on our behalf. We’ve been hearing from our partners that the gift cards that provide recipients with the most flexibility are ideal. Gift card ideas include:

• Grocery cards - Save On Foods, Buy Low, Safeway, Superstore, Walmart, Nesters or other local grocers

• Clothing gift cards - Old Navy, Gap, Walmart, Joe Fresh, Carters, Mark’s Work Warehouse, Sport Chek, etc.

• Flexible gift cards for retailers with a variety of merchandise choices: Amazon, Indigo, Toys R Us, Walmart, Best Buy, The Bay, Walmart, Sephora, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, etc.

2. Donate cash through your SchoolCashOnline.com account: 

• The link above is a direct link to the Charles Dickens PAC donation page. If you sign into your schoolcashonline account, once you’ve selected the “Make A Donation” option, be sure to select E-Charles Dickens PAC as your Fund Destination (this works for gifts from both Dickens Main and the Annex).

• When you make your gift, please let us know that it is for the Holiday Hampers by making a note in the Message box. Gifts of $10 or more are eligible for charitable receipts, which are issued automatically by the VSB.

This year’s hampers will be distributed beginning the week of December 5, so please be sure to drop off your donations by Friday, December 2, 2022. 

If you have any questions, please email us at charlesdickensholidayhampers@gmail.com

Thank you! Your support is vital and deeply appreciated!

Winter Holiday Fundraiser with Purdy's!

We are excited to let you know that the Charles Dickens PAC Winter Holiday Fundraiser with Purdy's Chocolates is back again this year, by popular demand!

Dickens Families did such an amazing job last year of being choco-holics... oops, we mean being generous and buying loads of chocolates for your kid's teachers and friends, that your PAC had no choice but to offer this extremely successful fundraiser again this year. 

But, do not rest on your laurels, as this chocolate fundraiser will only be offered once this ENTIRE year, and that time is now!

This is an easy, fun and tasty fundraiser which will raise money to support the multitude of activities funded by the PAC at Charles Dickens Annex and Main schools. The schools will receive 25% of the money spent, back to support enriching activities for all students! Last year we aimed to sell $5,000 and smashed that goal, selling over $7,000, which raised more than $2,000!  

But, you know that we are not going to settle with second best - so this year our sales goal is $7,500 and we can't wait to see just how much sustainably-sourced chocolate you all can eat! 

To view the available items for purchase, simply go to:

https://fundraising.purdys.com/1418326-100582

Once you are at the above site, begin by entering your email address. Then, select "Shop Online" and "Use Marketplace". In that view you will see images of all the chocolate options for sale. Payment is easy and done by credit card. 

All orders will need to be in by November 27, 2022

Please check it out, and feel free to buy treats for teachers, friends and family through this school fundraising campaign. Or share the link with a friend who you know likes chocolate and our schools!

A little chocolate goes a long way to warming someone's heart!

Pick up of chocolates:

Friday December 9, between 3:15pm-6pm - see pick up location once you've made your order - it's very close to Dickens Annex. Thank you :)