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

Proposed 2022 BC School Food Guidelines

K-12 Consultation on Proposed 2022 BC School Food Guidelines

The Ministries of Health and Education are requesting BCCPAC member DPACs and PACs feedback on proposed changes to the 2013 Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in B.C. Schools.

The first set of Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools were published by the Ministries of Education and Health in 2005. These were updated in 2008, 2011 and 2013. With the release of Canada’s food guide in 2019, the Ministry of Health has drafted proposed 2022 Guidelines that reflect current national and provincial nutrition recommendations. They also reflect the findings of the 2020 school administrator survey on implementation challenges with the 2013 Guidelines.

We are inviting you to provide feedback and your input in any of the following ways AFTER a full review of the Proposed 2022 Guidelines and discussion paper outlining the Ministry’s rationale for the proposed 2022 Guidelines:

1. Register for the PAC/DPAC Webinar on Tuesday, April 5 to hear an overview of the proposed changes, ask questions and provide your feedback. Registration closes April 1.
2. Complete the BC School Food Guidelines Feedback Survey online by April 30.

The Ministry of Health and BCCPAC thanks you in advance for your participation in this consultation process!

Andrea Sinclair 

BCCPAC President

Reminder: Invitation to Help Revision Multi-Age Cluster Classes (MACC)

It's not too late! Teachers, VSB Parents/Guardians & Students can have their say in revisioning the MACC program: Click here or on the image to share your ideas! The survey closes February 8, 2022.

Invitation to help revision Multi-Age Cluster Classes (MACC)

 Click on the image for more details on how you can participate! 

Help shape the new VSB Education Plan!

Dear Families,

The Vancouver School Board (VSB) has completed round one of the knowledge gathering phase to help the Board develop its Education Plan 2026 - the 5-year strategic plan. 

During this phase, we received input from students, staff, families, and the Vancouver public. I am grateful for the time that many of you took to support this work by completing the online survey.

We are on to the next round of the engagement process and once again we are seeking participation from Parents/Guardians: 

Round two of the knowledge gathering phase will involve a series of focus groups moderated by Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group. The purpose of the focus groups is to develop a deeper understanding of Parents’/Guardians’ perspectives on how well the VSB is preparing students for the future. 

Parents/Guardians are invited to register for a 90-minute virtual focus group at one of the times indicated below:

• Sat, Oct 30: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
• Mon, Nov 1: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
• Tues, Nov 2: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
• Wed, Nov 3: 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

To ensure each voice is heard, the focus group sessions will be limited to a small group of participants. If you are interested in taking part, please indicate your preference for one session. 

If there is more interest by Parents/Guardians than can be accommodated, Directions will select a small group of Parents/Guardians randomly from among those indicating their interest for each group. Only those randomly selected for participation will be notified. 

The audio for each session will be recorded to ensure that everyone’s contributions will be captured. No names will be attached to comments made during the focus group.

If you are interested in taking part in one of the focus group sessions, please visit our registration page. 

Thank you.

Warm regards,

Carmen Cho

VSB Chair

Survey for New VSB Education Plan

Help shape the new VSB Education Plan!

The Vancouver School Board (VSB) is asking for your input - see the note below:

Dear Families,

We are developing an education plan to guide the Board of Education’s work for the next five years – and invite you to join us in this work.

The education plan establishes the Board’s vision and sets the direction for the District. Identifying goals and objectives that the VSB will work to achieve is a first step in the process. It is important to have community input in the development of the plan. 

We have created two opportunities for gathering the views of students, families, staff and the public.

The first opportunity is a survey about the values and goals that the Board should consider in developing its education plan. You can also make comments and submit documents you think the VSB should consider as we form this roadmap - that will lead the District to improve outcomes for students.

Based on input from the survey, a set of draft goals and objectives will be formed. In a second opportunity for input later in the year, you will be able to share your thoughts about those draft goals for the Board’s consideration.

The initial survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous. Please visit edplan2026.vsb.bc.ca to share your expectations and aspirations for Vancouver schools.

The survey is open until October 11, 2021.

Thank you for your help as we embark on this important work.

Warmest Wishes, 
Carmen Cho 
VSB Chair

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.

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

BC Education Budget 2018 Update and Follow Up Info on Playgrounds, SMP, and Early Learning

Budget 2018 Update and Follow Up Info on Playgrounds, SMP, and Early Learning

On February 20, the BCCPAC participated in the Budget 2018 Lock Up, represented by President, Jen Mezei, and 2^nd Vice President, Andrea Sinclair.

The budget included three announcements that could have significant impact on the K-12 Education system:

• $1 billion toward universal childcare and inclusive early learning over three years
• Commitment to reducing portables and expediting the Seismic Mitigation Program (SMP)
• $15 million dollars for an ongoing $5 million Playground Equipment Program

The full update can be reviewed at this link.

Webinar — What does the New Curriculum mean for your Children?

As part of Vancouver DPAC's General Meeting on Thursday, February 22 at 7pm, there will be a presentation for Parents & Guardians on the new curriculum titled: "Educational Transformation: What does the new curriculum mean for your children?"

This presentation will be co-presented by:

• Jan Unwin - Superintendent of Graduation and Transitions, Ministry of Education
• Suzanne Hoffman - Superintendent, Vancouver School Board, former Superintendent of Learning, Ministry of Education

This event will also be broadcast for those parents/guardians and other interested parties unable to attend in person, at no cost. 

The link to join the webinar is here.

To test if your device is ready, you may click here.

During this session, the presenters will be using an audience participation tool called Slido: http://www.sli.do 

You may test if your device will work by simply clicking the link and entering E035 in the # box and click Join. You may answer the Olympic medal poll, or you may enter a question for the presenters to consider prior or during the presentation.

Contact us at 
info@bccpac.bc.ca
604-474-0524

Lobby for Prioritizing Public Education in BC

BUDGET DAY IS IN 2 WEEKS — 

Have you got a minute to tell Premier John Horgan to prioritize Public Education? 

It's fast, it's easy, and it's important!

All you have to do is email the letter at this link: 
http://facebc.ca/newyear/

Please also share this link with as many Parents & Guardians in BC as possible. Your opinions do count!!! Thank You!

Special Education: Navigating Inclusive Education

All VSB Parents/Guardians are welcome to attend!

Navigating Inclusive Education in the public school system will be presented and discussed at the next DPAC (District PAC) General Meeting.

Time: Thursday, January 25 at 7pm 
Location: Room 180, Vancouver School Board, 1580 West Broadway 

More info at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/special-education-navigating-inclusive-education-tickets-42033239551?ref=estw

Thank you,

Shaun Kalley

Vice-Chair Vancouver DPAC and Executive Member Dickens PAC
dickens.pac@gmail.com

BC Public Education: Keeping the covenant with future generations?

A week ahead of BC Family Day, join the Public Education Network Society (PENS) for an open dialogue among professionals, parents, and concerned citizens on the purposes of public education, the strengths and weaknesses of the status quo, historical precedents for renewing education, and what committed individuals can do now.

Dickens Parent, Maggie Milne Martens will be representing the Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) as a panelist. More details on the panel can be seen at at this link.

Time:

Monday - February 6, 2017 from 7:00-8:30pm

Venue:

Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre 
Goldcorp Centre for the Arts

149 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC

Co-presented by:
SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement and the Public Education Network Society

Partners for Inclusive Education (P.I.E.)

Of potential interest to Dickens Parents: 

Partners for Inclusive Education (P.I.E.)

This is a really interesting group which some parents at Dickens could benefit from interacting with.

http://www.gordonelementary.ca/PIE

Co-Chairs: Denise Edwards and Erika Cedillo

PIE is a group from General Gordon Elementary that offers an opportunity to share ideas, learn, grow, and show support for each person in our school community with open collaboration and communication on topics related to inclusive education.

Everyone is welcome to attend any of our events and join the conversation. To receive the reminders and updates, you can join our e-mailing list by sending a message to:

partnersforinclusiveeducation@gmail.com

Meetings are from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at General Gordon’s Library

Coffees are from 9:15 am to 11:00 Calhoun’s on Broadway

Dates for 2016-2017

• Sep Wed 21 PIE meeting Useful tips for IEPs
• Oct Mon 17 PIE coffee
• Nov Wed 16 PIE meeting  
• Dec Mon 12 PIE coffee
• Jan Wed 18 PIE meeting
• Feb Wed 15 PIE meeting
• Mar Mon 6 PIE coffee 
• Apr Wed 5 PIE meeting
• May Mon 8 PIE coffee 
• Jun Wed 7 PIE meeting (year review and planning session) 

Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) for Public Education needs your help!

PAN made a Presentation to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services on September 19 this year. During the presentation we were asked a number of questions. 

Due to time constraints, two questions were "takeaway" items for us and we NEED YOUR HELP! It's the data from these questions which will help show how much parents, and not the BC government, are funding our schools. 

Please take a few minutes to answer three questions on our web form - SEE: http://www.panvancouver.ca/news/request-for-information-questions-from-the-select-standing-committee-presentation

We hope you can help share this link to the questions through your BC parent networks and on social media. The more data we have, the stronger the argument.

Thank you.

panvancouver.ca facebook.com/panvancouver twitter.com/pan_vancouver

Who is PAN?

The Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) is a grassroots group of parents representing schools across Vancouver who share a deep commitment to public education and are extremely concerned for its future. Founding members include parents from Dickens. We see an urgent need for schools to connect with one another through advocacy groups to share info and to support one another, so that we can lobby for increases in education funding. 

Together we can share research and info about public education and current policies that impact our schools. Each year, we host a number of advocacy initiatives. In this way we see ourselves as supporting and complementing existing groups such as FACE, PENS, DPAC, and BCCPAC in the work they are doing.

If you are interested in learning more about PAN, email us at:
parentadvocacynetwork@gmail.com

Focusing on BC's Public Education

According to Alex Hemingway's latest analysis, public funding for elementary and high school education in BC fell by 25% as a share of the province's economic pie between 2001 and 2016. BC has the second-lowest level of public education funding in Canada – nearly $1,000 per student below the national average.

Hear Alex Hemingway, Public Finance Analyst at CCPA (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives), speak on BC's Public Education crisis and how you can take action! 

Also check out his analysis to learn more at:

What's the real story behind BC's Education Crisis?

Brief Update on New BC Curriculum

Parents/Guardians,

If you were able to attend our last PAC General Meeting on Apr 27, we touched a bit on the curriculum. The takeaway was that, within Dickens, the shift to the redesigned curriculum is a minor one vs other schools where the change may be more dramatic. 

Why? Because we are very fortunate to have a different methodology at Dickens than other schools and our staff are already doing several of the things that are now part of the new upcoming BC curriculum.

On behalf of parents, both Carol Duffy and I attended, together with Anna Maria Niccoli-Mullett, Nik Chiu and Erin Gibbs, the official VSB session regarding the redesigned curriculum last week Tuesday.

I wanted to share some info with you and a PDF presented at the meeting, and to draw your attention to a few key points - see the PDF link at: https://goo.gl/7VIKUI

This is the first time the province has involved teaching professionals and parents in the redesign of the curriculum - much feedback has been incorporated and has helped shape many areas.

• Slide #3 - Purpose of the revised curriculum - some good points here.
• Slide #5 - Concept based - important to understand its foundation.
• Slide #6 - Some good principles to follow which are guiding principles for this curriculum.
• Slide #7 - The Education Citizen - my favorite in the deck.
• Slide #8 - timeline for developement & implementation across K-10.
• Slide #9 - www.curriculum.gov.bc.ca - the key place for info to parents - review the "What's New" and "What's the Same" tabs - info here is updated regularly.
• Slide #13 - Core Competencies - key to understanding the curriculum.
• Slide #15 - Know, Do and Understand (KDU) - another key element to understanding.

Last but not least, PACs can invite the VSB participants conversant in the curriculum to speak at more hands on sessions to larger parent & guardian communities, e.g. at a PAC General Meeting in the fall, if you are interested. We'll keep you posted with updates here on the blog.

Sincerely,
Andrea Sinclair
Dickens PAC Chair

Sign Here to Support PAN's Statement re: Adequate Education Funding

Good Day All,
Members of PAN this week crafted an official PAN statement to the BC Government regarding the VSB budget. We believe in addition to all the parent letters/emails to Education Minister, Mr Mike Bernier and MLAs, that we need to send an official statement.

Our goal is simple!

• To get as many parent/guardian/Vancouverite "signatures" on our statement.
• To submit the statement with signatories by email on Tuesday, May 10.

Here's what to do! If you believe, as we do, that the BC Government should fund public education adequately, we ask you to "sign" our statement letter.

The statement and the place to affix your name/email is in this shared Google Excel Doc at https://goo.gl/9Y7m70 (See the 2 sheets in the doc).
Please sign as yourself, on behalf of your School PAC or as a citizen concerned for public education. 

It doesn't matter if you are a PAN member or not - it only matters that you believe in what the letter has to say and you feel you can stand with PAN in pushing back to the Minister of Education.

Please share the link with your parent/guardian networks at any Vancouver public schools and we will submit the letter, with as many signatories as we can gather between Friday, May 6 and end of day Monday, May 9.

Thank you!
Andrea Sinclair 
Dickens PAC Chair, on behalf of PAN

panvancouver.ca facebook.com/panvancouver twitter.com/pan_vancouver

#BCEDINRED Campaign

Join FACE (Families Against Cuts to Education) and PAN (Parent Advocacy Network) and Spread the Word: BC Education is in the Black but Education is in the Red! #BCEDINRED

Chronic provincial underfunding of public education means that many, if not most, of the 60 school districts in BC are facing shortfalls as they prepare their budgets for 2016-17. By law, the districts must balance their budgets, so this means cuts are being planned throughout the province: Programs, services and entire schools are on the chopping block. As of April 27, 2016) there are 27 districts with a combined $77.17 million shortfall and this list is growing daily! 

Email facebc.vancouver@gmail.com with shortfall information about your district so we can keep track of all shortfalls - Thanks.

We encourage you to SHARE and SPREAD the word with the images below to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and any other social media network you're on. Include the hashtag #BCEDINRED - encourage your friends, parents, school communities to share as well. We are also using this hashtag to spread the word about wearing red on the day the budget is voted on in the BC Legislature (exact date is unknown; we will update you).

 More You Can Do:

1. Use the FACE quick and easy email tool to write to your MLA and the Minister of Education about these shortfalls.
2. Tweet about these shortfalls and the shortfall in your district using the hashtag #BCEDINRED
3. Wear RED on the day the budget is voted on in the BC Legislature (exact date is unknown; we will update you).
4. Make Public Education Funding an issue in the 2017 Provincial Elections. Ask all the candidates in your riding what they will do to address the underfunding of public education. 
5. Push all the parties to make education a priority again. Click here for some questions you can ask.

Youth in BC - What are they facing? 

The Tyee is doing a series, and needs parent/guardian input:

Katie Hyslop, a journalist with The Tyee, is looking for parents' & guardians' thoughts on what issues their youth (age range 10-24) will be facing as they grow up in BC and how they feel about those issues. For example: Are they concerned about the cost of tuition? The environment? The future of education? Whether they can afford a house? How does this impact their plans for the rest of their lives? Their immediate futures? 

She is looking to capture what youth today are concerned with, in regards to the future of our province. She would love to hear from you all! You can choose to be on record or off the record. Contact Katie Hyslop at khyslop@thetyee.ca

panvancouver.ca facebook.com/panvancouver twitter.com/pan_vancouver

Vancouver School Board (VSB) is seeking Parent/Guardian Feedback

VSB SEEKING INPUT re: STRATEGIC PLAN & LONG RANGE FACILITIES PLAN

They are asking for input and its critical for all our kids, especially in the current budget deficit environment, that we all provide feedback either in person or via online surveys.

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

1) Feedback and data helps them push back to the Ministry of Education - it's powerful info from parents/guardians, teaching staff and all concerned citizens. 

2) Parent/Guardian input across regional, cultural, community and socioeconomic perspectives helps the VSB make smart, strategic decisions for all our kids - they don't know what they don't know, until we tell them!

Strategic Plan (VSB 2021)

From January to March 2016, over 1000 people participated in Phase 1, titled "Exploring the Issues", the process to update the Strategic Plan.  Phase 2, titled “Setting Direction, Making Choices”, is now underway. It will create the core content of the new plan.

Four “key themes” have been drafted, along with a set of “directional statements” to ensure action on each - these are for your discussion and comment until May 6th. 

There are 2 ways to provide your input:

1) Online Survey

Available online ​until May 1. This short survey covers the same draft content (“key themes and directional statements”) as the guides offered above but does not go into deep discussion. Take the survey here (English, Chinese simplified & traditional available).

2) Workshop

​VSB is hosting a discussion-based workshop at Templeton Secondary School on Thursday, April 21 from 7 to 8:30 pm. Small-group discussions on the same “key themes and directional statements” will start promptly at 7:15 - don’t be late! See the workshop agenda here.

Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP)

It's time to share your thoughts on the VSB Engagement Survey regarding the Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) which includes all things such as enrollment numbers, seismic upgrades, 95% capacity and school closures. Given the Provincial Budget and 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 next 6 years through to 2021 - it's all connected!

There are 2 ways to provide your input:

1) Online Survey
Take the survey here.

2) Open House/Workshops

There are two Open House/Workshops left to attend: Apr 24 River District Centre and April 30 at SFU World Art Centre - both are afternoon sessions. 

The Open House component will be one more opportunity for participants to drill down and share their thoughts. The Workshop will be 90 minutes, and will offer a chance to share detailed feedback in a group setting. There will be a briefing portion, questionS & answers followed by facilitated group discussions/listening sessions on seismic upgrades, temporary accommodation, closures, repurposing surplus spaces and new schools. You need only attend one of these sessions and it doesn't have to be the one closest to your school. 

The final event on May 8 is an Open House where the VSB will be sharing the report based on all input during March & April.