Message from Vancouver DPAC Chair

• I hope everyone had a fun Hallowe’en!Thank you to those who attended our trustee forum at the beginning of the month and our general meeting on SOGI 123 last week. There were high levels of engagement at both events and we hope that those who attended came away with new information.  I was particularly pleased to be approached by a group of parents following the SOGI 123 discussion who said that they were unsure about SOGI 123 prior to the meeting and were leaving feeling reassured. While it is important to continue having conversation on topics like SOGI 123 where there is misconception and lack of agreement, we all have to be aware that the content is a reflection of human rights law and Ministry of Education directive. The Vancouver School Board recently reaffirmed its support for SOGI 123 and DPAC will be doing the same.Now that the election has passed we would again like to extend our congratulationsto the newly-elected trustees.  With a 4-year mandate the board will hopefully be able to work with district staff on longer-term projects to the benefit of all our children.  We need clarity on policies around catchment reviews and seismic projects and DPAC will be working to ensure that there is strong and effective consultation so that parents’ voices are heard.

  We need to increase the capacity of the DPAC executive, meaning that we need more parents to come forward to be executives. Gord Lau (Trafalgar) was ratified at our executive meeting on October 11th and Allison Tredwell (Cavell) will be ratified at our meeting tonight (November 1st), but we have only received one additional nomination for our remaining five positions. Ideally we would like representation from all parts of the district on our executive and to have a balance between parents with kids in elementary and secondary. Please contact chair@vancouverdpac.org if you are interested in serving parents at the district level.

  We would like to invite all interested parents and guardians to attend a special presentation ADHD in Schools:What Parents Need to Know on November 15th and to our next general meeting on November 22nd where we will be engaging speakers on the new curriculum. In the past we have been allowing interested community members to attend our meetings but, due to extenuating circumstances, we are currently forced to limit attendance to only VSB parents and guardians and those permitted under the School Act. We’re sorry for the inconvenience this might have caused people we asked to leave our SOGI 123 presentation last week, and we will send notifications if and when we can relax this restriction.
  -Shaun Kalley, 2018/19 DPAC Chair

Upcoming DPAC Events

• Thursday, Nov 1, 7-9pm – DPAC Executive Meeting (Note: this meeting is on the 1st Thursday as National Aboriginal Veterans Day is on Nov 8) Rm 120, Vancouver Education Centre 1580 W. Broadway
• Thursday Nov 15, 7-9pm – DPAC’s ADHD in Schools: What Parents Need to Know workshop presented by Provincial ADHD Clinic. Rm 180, Vancouver Education Centre 1580 W. Broadway
• Thursday, Nov 22, 7-9pm – DPAC General Meeting: Curriculum Focus Rm 180, Vancouver Education Centre 1580 W. Broadway
• NOTE: DPAC meeting are open to all parents and guardians of children in VSB schools. Voting is limited to DPAC executives at executive meetings and PAC reps at general meetings, but all attendees may otherwise participate in the meetings.

Upcoming PAC Events that the wider community is invited to join

• Laurier Elementary PAC will be hosting their 2018 Winter/Christmas Craft & Bake Sale on Wednesday Nov 28 3-6 pm in the school gym.  Come support their creative and entrepreneurial students and get into the holiday spirit. 7350 Laurel Street
• Laura Secord Elementary School & Quebec Exchange Fundraising Group present: Education and the Brain Speakers Series. First talk Wednesday Nov 21 6:30-7:30 pm – After this talk your brain will not be the same: Adventures in Neuroplasticity. This talk is geared to parents and teachers who are interested in learning how education changes the brain. It will provide information on what behaviours improve brain health and promote learning. Vancouver Technical Secondary’s auditorium (2600 E. Broadway) Tickets $10.