Dickens Cheer Gear!

 Cheer Gear is Back!

What better way to support our school, than wearing Dickens Gear. Once again the PAC in partnership with Jackson's General Store is bringing back some classic Cheer Gear items. All proceeds raised go directly to funding school needs and programs.

Order Here by Sunday, May 19th, 2024

Red Cross Courses for Students on April 22nd (Pro-D day)

Charles Dickens PAC is once again hosting fundraisers for a Babysitting and Stay Safe Course! We’ve partnered with the Red Cross to offer the Babysitting & Stay Safe Courses in person for April 22nd. Partial proceeds from all registrations will be directed back to the PAC. Details on both courses are below. 

In PERSON Red Cross Courses - April 22nd, 2024 (Pro-D Day) at Charles Dickens Main School.

Maximum of 30 students per course.

• Babysitting Course

• Minimum Age 11 years old (or completion of Grade 5)
• Time: 8:30am - 3:30pm
• Offers basic first aid and caregiving skills for youth 11-15 years old. Participants learn
• how to provide care to children in a variety of age groups, and how to prevent and respond to emergencies. The course also offers youth the skills to promote themselves as babysitters to prospective families.
• TAKE-HOME MATERIALS:  Babysitter’s Manual 
• Cost: $72

• Stay Safe Course

• Minimum 9 years of age (or completion of Grade 3)
• Time: 8:30am - 2:30pm
• Offers basic first aid and safety skills for youth 9-13 years old. Participants learn about being safe when they are without the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or trusted adult, both at home and in their communities.
• TAKE-HOME MATERIALS: Stay Safe! Workbook
• Cost: $72

 

• Register for either class at this link.   
• There is a maximum of 30 students per course and registration will be first come, first served.
• To guarantee registration, payment will be required. 
• We do require 12 students minimum for each class, so please book by April 11th to ensure we can run them!

Looking forward to having more babysitters in the neighbourhood!

RBC and BC Children's Hospital Race for the Kids

On June 9th, 2024 BCCHF is hosting a family fun run Race for the Kids that helps to support the incredible work being done at BC Children's Hospital.

Whether they are for small injuries or even the unexpected bigger issues, all of our families are so grateful for everything they do at BCCH.

This will be the first year we will have a team for Charles Dickens families to gather and walk or run together.

If you would like to join the team, please register at https://fundraise.bcchf.ca/event/race-for-the-kids

After creating an account, please go to Join a Team and search for Charles Dickens Dragons.

We hope to see you there!

Red Cross Courses for Students on October 20 (Pro-D Day)

Charles Dickens PAC is once again hosting fundraisers for a Babysitting and Stay Safe Course! We’ve partnered with the Red Cross to offer the Babysitting & Stay Safe Courses in person for October 20th (Pro-D Day). Partial proceeds from all registrations will be directed back to the PAC. Details on both courses are below. 

In PERSON Red Cross Courses - October 20th 2023 (Pro-D Day) at Charles Dickens Main School.

Maximum of 30 students per course.

• Babysitting Course

• Minimum Age 11 years old (or completion of Grade 5)
• Duration: 7-8 hours.  Starts at 8:30am
• Offers basic first aid and caregiving skills for youth 11-15 years old. Participants learn how to provide care to children in a variety of age groups, and how to prevent and respond to emergencies. The course also offers youth the skills to promote themselves as babysitters to prospective families.
• TAKE-HOME MATERIALS:  Babysitter’s Manual 
• Cost: $72

• Stay Safe Course

• Minimum 9 years of age (or completion of Grade 3)
• Duration: 5-6 hours. Starts at 9am
• Offers basic first aid and safety skills for youth 9-13 years old. Participants learn about being safe when they are without the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or trusted adult, both at home and in their communities.
• TAKE-HOME MATERIALS: Stay Safe! Workbook
• Cost: $72

 

• Register for either class at this link.   
• There is a maximum of 30 students per course and registration will be first come, first served.
• To guarantee registration, payment will be required. 
• We do require 12 students minimum for each class, so please book by October 10th to ensure we can run them!

Looking forward to having more babysitters in the neighbourhood!

Charles Dickens PAC 

Hot Lunch Program!

This optional lunch program offers our children fun lunch options and gives you a break from packing lunches once a week!  We'll once again be teaming with Bittersweet Kitchen and the Munch-a-Lunch online ordering platform. 

We're aiming to offer healthy lunch options throughout the school year. All proceeds from this program will benefit student programs and activities at the main & annex schools. 

Thank you in advance for your support! We hope you will enjoy the delicious and healthy lunches provided by Bittersweet Kitchen.  

Very Important Notes:

• The deadline to order is every Wednesday at 11:59pm for the following week’s lunch service. For example: For our first lunch delivery this year on Thursday, October 5th, your order will need to be placed by Wednesday, September 27h at 11:59pm. The site is open and ready to accept orders for the 2023-24 school year.

• Refer to the additional info and instructions here

• Go to our Munch-a-Lunch ordering website at https://munchalunch.com/schools/charlesdickens/

• Be sure to supply re-usable cutlery to your child(ren) as it is not provided by the school or food vendor

Our hot lunch program has always been well-received, and we thank you in advance for your continued support!  Please feel free to email any comments or suggestions to the Hot Lunch Coordinator at dickenspac.hotlunch@gmail.com 

Thank You!

Sincerely,

Dickens PAC

Welcome back to school!

We hope you and your children will enjoy the new school year!

Hot Lunches at the Main & Annex Schools

We have a NEW vendor for our Hot Lunch Fundraiser! 

This optional program gives our children fun lunch options and gives you a break from packing lunches once a week.  

Beginning Thursday, March 30th, we will be teaming with Bittersweet Kitchen, and switching to the Munch-a-Lunch online ordering platform. 

 
We aim to offer healthy lunch options throughout the school year. All proceeds from this program will benefit classroom and student programs at the main & annex schools. Thank you for your support and we hope you enjoy the delicious and healthy lunches provided by Bittersweet Kitchen!  

The deadline to order is every Wednesday at 11:59pm for the following week’s lunch service.
E.g. for our first lunch delivery with Bittersweet Kitchen on Thursday, March 30th, your order will need to be placed by Wednesday, March 22 at 11:59pm. The site is now open and ready to accept orders.

To create a MunchaLunch account and to place an order with BitterSweet Kitchen:

• Refer to the additional info and instructions here and 
• Go to our Munch-a-Lunch website at https://munchalunch.com/schools/charlesdickens/

NOTE, re: Foodie Kids Orders 

Foodie Kids and its Foodeaze ordering site will provide lunch delivery up to and including March 9th, 2023.  For parents/guardians who have pre-ordered meals for future dates after Spring Break, your orders will be cancelled and a refund will be provided by this vendor.

Our hot lunch program has been well received and we thank you for your continued support!  Please feel free to email any comments or suggestions to the Hot Lunch Coordinator at dickenspac.hotlunch@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Dickens PAC

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

Red Cross Courses for Students on October 21 (Pro-D Day)

There are still 4 spots available on the Baby Sitter Course and 5 spots on the Stay Safe course! 

Dickens PAC is excited to announce a new fundraiser! We’ve partnered with the Red Cross to offer their Babysitter & Stay Safe Courses. 

Partial proceeds from all registrations will be directed back to the PAC. Details on both courses are below: 

In-person Red Cross Courses will be held at Dickens on October 21, 2022 a Pro-D Day, with a maximum of 20 students per course.

Babysitter Course

• Minimum Age 11 years old (or completion of Grade 5)
• Duration: 7-8 hours (8:30am - 3:30pm)
• Offers basic first aid and caregiving skills for youth 11-15 years old. 
• Participants will learn how to provide care to children in a variety of age groups, and how to prevent and respond to emergencies. The course also offers youth the skills to promote themselves as babysitters to prospective families.
• TAKE-HOME MATERIALS: Babysitter’s Manual 
• Cost: $65 

Stay Safe Course

• Minimum 9 years of age (or completion of Grade 3)
• Duration: 5-6 hours
• Offers basic first aid and safety skills for youth 9-13 years old. 
• Participants learn about being safe when they are without the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or trusted adult, both at home and in their communities.
• TAKE-HOME MATERIALS: Stay Safe! Workbook
• Cost: $65

Register here for the Babysitter and Stay Safe Courses 

There is a maximum of 20 students per class and registration will be first come/first served.

To guarantee registration, payment will be required once you've been contacted by email.

We're looking forward to having more babysitters in our neighbourhood!

Charles Dickens PAC

Grade 3 Program: Girls to the Power of Math

Girls to the Power of Math is 100% free for students:

Meet & Greet Events and First PAC Meeting

Our warmest welcome to all new and returning Dickens Families! 

We're hoping for an absolutely wonderful 2022-23 school year!

Together with Dickens Staff, we'll be hosting a Meet & Greet on

Thursday, September 22 from 6-7pm 

Multipurpose Room, Dickens Main School    

Our Principal, Julie Weatherall, has sent email invitations 

to Parents/Guardians with details for the evening. 

Dickens Annex Parents/Guardians have been invited to a Meet & Greet 

by Vice Principal, Atsuko Ishihara on

Thursday, September 22 from 2:45-3:45pm

Dickens Annex School

Both Main & Annex School Parents/Guardians are invited to our first 

Dickens PAC Meeting for the year

Thursday, September 22 at 7:30pm

Library, Dickens Main School

{Childcare provided}  

Our Out-going PAC Chairs have sent an email invitation 

to Parents/Guardians with some info about Dickens PAC.

 

Singing Club—one of many PAC-sponsored activities

Singing Club is a vibrant, thriving extra-curricular activity sponsored by Dickens PAC, and is one example of many activities that runs throughout the year for which we raise funds. 

After the Vancouver School Board gave the go-ahead for school clubs to be cautiously re-established in September 2021, numerous Grade 3 to 7 students joined the singing sessions in the main school gym during Tuesdays' lunch breaks.  

The brainchild of Dickens' parent, Eve-Lyn de la Haye, Singing Club began five years ago in 2017 with 18 students. The numbers gradually increased over time, reaching a total of over 50 participants this school year. 

Affectionately called, "Evie" by her students, she is passionate about working with children to reach their full singing potential. As she teaches, she builds their personal presentation skills, which in turn boosts their self-confidence and their ability to communicate. 

 

Students sang at the virtual Remembrance Day Assembly in November 2021 and presented a brief Winter Concert after school in the Red Courtyard. 

However, due to pandemic measures, singers were unable to participate in the Vancouver School District’s Elementary Choral Festival, hosted annually at John Oliver Secondary. When Singing Club first participated in the music festival in 2018, custom royal blue Dickens' T-shirts were produced by Jackson’s General Store that could be reused again in consequent years but sadly they were not used over the past two years, due to the cancellation of larger gatherings.  

In February 2022, students were treated to a field trip to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's "Carnival of the Animals" at The Orpheum in Downtown Vancouver, BC. Group-discounted tickets were enjoyed by 48 students and 12 parent/guardian volunteers. Students were exposed to different musical instruments, genres and styles of music.  

Singing Club ended on a high note with three beautifully presented songs at the two, in-person Spring Concerts on June 9. Here's a sample of one of the songs, A Million Dreams, sung by Evie from which the students learned the song.  It was written for the musical drama film, "The Greatest Showman", and was sung by Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams and Ziv Zaifman.

In conclusion, students not only blossom in their ability to perform but participating in Singing Club also helps them to establish a stronger sense of community, belonging and connectivity at Dickens.  

Some Notes: 

1) If your Grade 3-7 child(ren) would like to join Singing Club in the 2022-23 school year, they can join in September 2022 once registration opens – announcements will be made accordingly. 

2) Look out for more info here on our PAC Blog, in the fall, to learn how you can initiate / kickstart or restart a Parent-led, Teacher and PAC-sponsored Club at Dickens.

For more info and/or questions about Singing Club contact us at dickens.pac@gmail.com

Top Left: Students sing at the Vancouver School District’s Annual Elementary Choral Festival in 2019.  Top Right: Singing Club presents at the virtual Remembrance Day Assembly in November 2021.  Below: The VSO performed the Carnival of the Animals, at The Orpheum, in February 2022.

Welcome to our Visitors on June 1 (main school) and June 2 (annex)!

A warm welcome to our visiting 2022-23 Kindergarten Families!

Here's how you can get to know more about the Charles Dickens PAC (Parent Advisory Council) at the main and annex schools!

These are our channels of communication with you *:

PAC Blog: Find out Who is Dickens PAC? and What do we do? Bookmark our blog at dickenspac.blogspot.com             

Newsletters: Receive our monthly PAC news! Click on the “Subscribe” button on the right side of the blog. Alternatively, click here and fill in your details!

Facebook: We're at Facebook.com/dickenspac  Please add us to "Your Shortcuts" and "Like" our page!

Instagram: “Follow” us at Dickens SPRING FLING - Instagram.com/dickensspringfling  Browse through photos and videos from previous years to find out more about our main annual community & fundraising event.

Thank You! We’re excited you’re joining our Dickens Community. Wishing you a wonderful summer, and we look forward to meeting you in the new school year!

* Please share this info with as many new & current Dickens Families as possible - Thank You!

Sincerely, 

Sara Getz, Jessie Mok and Kate Shapiro (2021-22 Co-chairs) 

and the PAC Executive Team 

© Charles Dickens PAC

Helping kids cope with media coverage of war and other traumatic events

The intense media coverage that accompanies traumatic events, such as war, violence in schools, acts of terrorism and natural disasters, can be very disturbing for children and teens. 

Certain young people may be particularly vulnerable, and more sensitive children can be seriously distressed simply by watching TV, YouTube or TikTok replays of current events that have made recent headlines.

Parents, educators, health practitioners and others who work with kids can help lessen anxieties arising from the coverage of these challenging events by using the following tips prepared by MediaSmarts and Dr. Arlette Lefebvre, Staff Psychiatrist, Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, ON.

Website: Mediasmarts.ca/helping-kids-cope-media-coverage-war-and-traumatic-events

The same info can be downloaded here as a PDF

Our Kids' Neurodiversity - recording available!

  

PAC Parent Evening Discussion 

OUR KIDS' NEURODIVERSITY

This event was hosted on Tuesday, May 10 

at the Charles Dickens Main School Library and via Zoom

If you'd like to receive a copy of the recording, 

please send a request to dickens.pac@gmail.com

by Friday, May 27 2022

Thank You!

Resources from the discussion can be found here.

Resources from "Our Kids' Neurodiversity" Discussion on Tuesday, May 10 2022

AdditudeMag.com - a fabulous ADHD resource; can subscribe digitally and/or receive the print magazine, a wealth of info with weekly emails with short but really helpful articles. A go to for ADHD info and ‘support’.

TEDx Talk (US) titled, "ADHD sucks, but not really" by Psychologist, Dr. Salif Mahamane. 

Kelty Mental Health at BC Children's Hospital - provides resources and information about Mental Health & ADHD.

Autism Community Training (ACT) - resources about Autism, including assessment process, supports and webinars.

AutismBC.ca 

FindSupportBC.com - Connecting families of persons with disabilities with resources available to them. This tool will help you navigate through the various items to consider at different stages of life. Click here for the Transitions Timeline.

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Paediatrics Team - resources to support Fine and Gross Motor Skills, Sensory Processing and Speech & Language. 

Neurodivergent Narwhals - infographics from NeurodiversityLibrary.org

2nd Annual Charles Dickens Family Scavenger Hunt - See our photos! 😁

Reminder: New Charles Dickens Cheer Gear!

😊 Order your Cheer Gear if you haven't already! Ordering date has been extended to Monday, May 9 😊

Contact Bianca at dickens.pac@gmail.com if you have any questions. 

Earthquake Bin at Dickens Main :: A Work of Art!

2nd Annual Charles Dickens Family Scavenger Hunt

Congratulations to our Scavenger Hunt Winners!

James L, Sitka L, Mareya G, Sebastien M, as well as winners Soledad J, Max and Violet! 

Enjoy wearing your Cheer Gear with pride!

And a big thank you to all of the Dickens families who participated in this year's Scavenger Hunt!  We hope you had fun exploring our neighborhood while looking for clues to solve the 10-letter mystery word below.