January 2022

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January 2022 Message from the Chair Parents and Caregivers: Happy New Year! I hope this New Year finds your families healthy and rested. I expect the coming year to be like the last.  There is more work to do for our school communities; there will be challenges; and progress will be made by working together. One ongoing challenge is our struggle with COVID.  The start of school has been delayed due to increasing COVID case counts.  More information about how our schools will look will be shared by the VSB as it becomes available.  DPAC continues to advocate for measures that will make our schools safer.  We encourage parents to have their families vaccinated as they become eligible. Beyond COVID, DPAC will continue to be the parent voice at the VSB table and will continue to provide education for PAC communities.  Some activities: Presentations on sustainability and reconciliation Providing feedback on the VSB Budget and Ed Plan Lastly, organizing presentations and participating in the work of the VSB requires many parent volunteers.  With a number of our executive stepping down from their roles at the end of this school year, including myself (chair) and Alan Patola Moosman (treasurer), it is important for volunteers to come forward for our DPAC to fulfill their mission.  If you are interested in our work, please consider stepping forward.  If you have questions, please contact chair@vancouverdpac.org  Happy New Year Gord Lau 2021/22 DPAC Chair   DPAC is here for Parents & PACs throughout the School Year DPAC is continuing to share access to Zoom meetings with PACs. Please contact your schools DPAC liaison or DPAC secretary (secretary@vancouverDPAC.org) to book a meeting. Upcoming DPAC Events Thursday, January 13, 7pm – January DPAC Executive Meeting Thursday, January 27, 7pm – January DPAC General Meeting Subscribe to our meeting calendar Student Engagement There is a call for students from grades 7 through 12 to participate, or to nominate a student to participate in the Youth Dialogue Series on Social Justice, an opportunity to meet to offer input and lived experiences to the Minister of Education, Jennifer Whiteside in a series of workshops, and to receive training from Equitas and partners. Parent Engagement The provincial government is offering parents an opportunity to offer feedback regarding Early Learning and Childcare. Deadline to respond to this self-paced survey is February 15, 2022   DPAC Committees and Working Groups Childcare Committee The committee is focused on encouraging increased access and wider options for school-age care.  Interested parents please contact committee lead Alan at alan.patola.moosmann@vancouverdpac.org Facilities Planning Committee The committee works on Long Range Facilities Planning, Seismic Planning and will be shadowing the VSB Facilities Planning Committee providing feedback to the DPAC Executive. The DPAC Facilities Committee will meet on Monday, November 15th at 7pm.  Contact DPAC vice chair at vik.khanna@vancouverdpac.org. Anti-Racism Collective and Working Group The Anti-Racism Collective is a group of parents, caregivers and community members seeking to ensure that VSB antiracism efforts are successful. From within, a smaller working group is engaged in formal advocacy work to advise VSB in matters concerning racism, hate and harassment. The Collective works in support of this group. Interested people please contact Karen at karen.tsang@vancouverdpac.org Important Dates 2015 - 2024 -- The Decade for People of African Descent In December 2014, the UN General Assembly, in its Resolution 68/237, proclaimed the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024). Under the theme "Recognition, Justice and Development”, the Decade provides an operational framework to encourage States to eradicate social injustices inherited from history and to fight against racism, prejudice and racial discrimination to which people of African descent are still subjected. January is Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Saturday, Jan 1 – Final Day of Kwanzaa; New Year's Day (Gregorian calendar) Sunday, Jan 2 – World Introvert Day Tuesday, Jan 4 — World Braille Day Friday, Jan 7 –  Orthodox Christmas (Julian calendar) January 9th – 16th – Universal Letter Writing Week Monday, Jan 10 – VSB First Day Back to School Wednesday, Jan 12, 5pm – VSB Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday, Jan 12, 6:30pm — VSB Facilities Planning Committee Meeting Thursday, Jan 13, 7pm – January DPAC Executive Meeting (Zoom) Friday, Jan 14 – World Logic Day Monday, Jan 17 – Pro D Day (No School) Tuesday, Jan 18 – International Martin Luther King Day Wednesday, Jan 19, 5pm – VSB Student Learning and Well-Being Committee Meeting Monday, Jan 24 – World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture Monday, Jan 24 — International Day of Education: Changing Course, Transforming Education Monday, Jan 24, 5pm — Special Board / Committee of the Whole Meeting (presentations from delegations) Tuesday, Jan 25 – Robbie Burns Day Thursday, Jan 27, 1:30pm – Family Literacy Day: Learning in the Great Outdoors, Clay Illustration Workshop with author Barbara Reid (free of charge, registration required) Thursday, Jan 28, 7pm – January DPAC General Meeting (Zoom) Monday, Jan 31, 7 pm – VSB Board Meeting News and Information Check out our resource page for presentation slide decks Changes at VSB As of January 1, 2022, Vancouver DPAC executive are pleased to welcome our new Superintendent, Helen McGregor to VSB. We have high expectations of the work that will be done while she is in this role and look forward to working with her in meaningful ways to ensure that kids enjoy a safe and fulsome childhood of learning during her tenure at the VSB. COVID Update BC is delaying the return to school for most students until January 10, save for children of front line workers and those who require extra supports. Parents of students needing extra support before Jan. 10 are encouraged to contact their school principals.   Here is the VSB Communicable Disease Prevention Plan   How Citizens Should Respond to Omicron — The Tyee   What is Mild COVID Anyway? — CHEK news   This is a comprehensive scientific comparison of cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95 equivalent respirators (masks)   Here is an interesting MedWiki examination of the brief history of masks and COVID in BC   This is an exploration by Wired of the "droplet vs. airborne" thing — The 60-Year-Old Scientific Screwup That Helped Covid Kill   In the United States, the Women's Institute for Independent Social Enquiry has created a data tracking project called The COVKID project to to monitor and compile epidemiologic surveillance data on COVID-19 in children and teens in the United States. While this is not a comprehensive overview of COVID and kids in Canada, some believe it important to be aware of, and follow the work being done around the world in tracking COVID19.   Exploring Long COVID Some people who've had COVID are experiencing symptoms and unwellness after the acute phase of the disease has passed. This has become known as longterm COVID. People who've been able to be tested and receive a positive PCR test result are able to access after care, but others are left to languish. Long COVID Canada is a group that seeks to represent those who are experiencing longer term issues (estimated to be between 10 and 30% of all who've had COVID, even those who were asymptomatic).   What Doctors Wish Patients Knew about Long COVID — AMA Focus on Inclusive Education In 2021, VSB announced the end of the MACC program, a Special Education program for students with a Gifted designation from the Ministry of Education. MACC (Multi-age Cluster Class), was founded at VSB in 1994 as an equity project, and is the VSB’s only full-time program for gifted-designated students. It operates under the VSB’s Special Education (“Learning Services”) umbrella, along with programs including Autism Resources, Learning Assistance and Life Skills. (No other Special Education programs are being targeted for cuts.) MACC provides unique social-emotional support necessary for those students who also experience deficits that make regular classroom experiences difficult and, potentially, harmful. For many students, MACC is essential to succeeding at school and in life.    Check out this VSB story from 2019 about the Osler Elementary MACC program, or watch a segment about the same school, from CityTV.   VSB has announced plans to replace MACC with “Enrichment Centres,” a program that appears to be designed to serve a different, mixed population. According to the VSB’s statements, any student can apply to attend an Enrichment Centre. Programs will run for 6 weeks instead of a full year, and will tentatively be theme-based instead of MACC’s holistic curriculum.   Last spring, the VSB promised publicly that it would hold a full consultation with stakeholders in Fall 2021 to determine whether or not to end the current program. The district did not hold that event, and, in fact, has announced the replacement program without consulting former students, parents, or academic or medical experts with specific knowledge of the value and importance of gifted education to students who qualify. Consultation about the new program is already underway. Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards Vancouver School Board's list of scholarships, bursaries and awards available to VSB students   The Ultimate List of Scholarships for Women and Girls includes information about scholarships and other financial awards available to Canadian women and girls, and for Canadian universities   BC provincial government information about training grants, scholarships and bursaries   BC Scholarships and Education Planner BC also have listings including  BC Excellence Scholarships Pathway to Teacher Education Scholarships Beedie Luminaries Scholarships BC School Trustees Association Scholarships   Students and their families can also find scholarship and bursary information through counsellors at school Expand your Indigenous Understanding Local nations have long been asking the Vancouver Parks Board (and others) to add hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ to signage, particularly to mark places that already had names, pre-colonization. Until now no progress has been made in this regard. A few weeks ago, Vancouver Parks added a new sign at that site, and labeled it "Barge Chilling Park". While it is amusing to many of us, from a different angle (and in the spirit of reconciliation) it is hurtful: This quick witty choice demonstrates how easy it could have been for Parks to ensure that Indigenous place names and knowledge be included in our understanding of place. Stō:lo/St’át'imc/Nlaka'pamux artist and activist, Ronnie Dean Harris (aka Ostwelve) posted this on social media in response to seeing the sign: "''Barge Chilling Beach' already has a name. "Í7iy̓el̓shn - spelling from Squamish Atlas "ʔə́y̓lxən - good underfoot in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ "Andy Paull described it in 1932 as: 'Little English Bay, literally, ‘another soft under foot’ place, a small sandy beach which was formerly running along from about Broughton and Nicola streets.' "Now that this dumb barge got a sign...you CANNOT tell me it's that hard to get some traditional place name signs around the cities." Adding insult to injury is the common historical knowledge that Vancouver "officials" removed Squamish people using barges from the beaches that they wanted to access for their leisure, both at Kits Point and at Stanley Park. While it is easy to criticize someone who makes note of something they experience as harmful, please consider that had Parks have been genuinely responsive in a timely fashion to erecting place names at the requests of the nations who Parks regularly mention in land acknowledgements, we could have all experienced amusement at this silly sign.   This is a map of hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ place names for reference, and here is the Musqueam culture and language website   This is the Squamish Atlas, with place names   Province introduces legislation to uphold Indigenous rights Antiracism in Education An engagement report: Stronger Together: Anti-Racism and Non-Discrimination Engagement 2021 – What We Heard Report was presented at the Policy and Governance meeting held December 1 by the consulting firm of Urban Matters. Feedback received through the engagement process will be used to inform the development of a District anti-racism and non-discrimination framework. This work will be guided by an advisory committee and working group and is part of the District’s ongoing commitment to ensure that all of the District’s learning places and work sites are safe, welcoming and inclusive environments.   "You can't do that! Stories have to be about white people" is an interesting story out of the UK about an English teacher who was instructing a diverse group of younger kids creative writing. He noticed an interesting assumption the kids brought into the classroom about who they should write about in their stories. When asked to write from their own experiences, students' stories became richer and more interesting. Sustainability Many gardeners start to dream and lay out their plans in January, as they rest up to respond to the earth's growing season. In this region, seedlings are started in February, and tilling the soils begins in March.   In Detroit, Michigan, several acres of unused city land have been turned into an agrihood by Michigan Urban Farming Initiative, upon which there is food production and community connections being created by and for local people. While this is a larger scale project that aims to grow food where people live, smaller sensory gardens are being created for children and adults to enjoy across North America. Some are designed with a specific target group, such as kids with sensory processing issues, Others are cultivating spaces for any kid, with the activation of senses in mind.   Here is the VSB Sustainability Plan   This is a calendar of events that are focused on Earth-friendly happenings Education Equity and STEM These Vancouver high school students noticed a gap in coding education. So, they filled it — CBC News Music Education At the final VSB Board meeting of the year, attendees (most virtual) enjoyed a presentation of the various schools that enjoy music programs. This video and past ones can be viewed at the Celebration of Music Festival VSB Youtube Channel. Congratulations to all who enjoy the opportunity to learn music in our schools, you all performed beautifully! Opportunities for Youth WorkBC is hosting online workshops for teens and their parents to facilitate career conversations. Two dates remain: January 11th and 20th, 2022.  Student Wellness FamilySmart Presents Help for the Hard Times Workshop: For Vancouver, Richmond and North Shore families with an in-patient experience at BC Children's Hospital including P1, P2, CAPE and Provincial Eating Disorders or Repeated ER Visits. January 17, 19, 24, 26 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm Session 4: How to find the resources you need Session 3: How to take care of yourself and family after a crisis Session 1 & 2: How to support a safety plan at home   BCCPAC Important Dates and Deadlines Proposed Special Resolutions for consideration at the AGM must be received by January 31, 2022. Nominations for BCCPAC awards for parents and a scholarship for a student are due by February 28, 2022. The closing date for nominations for BCCPAC Board of Directors positions is nearing. Completed nomination forms must be received by email by midnight February 28, 2022. VSB  News Kindergarten registration begins in November and ends on January 31, 2022 December – a month of abundant celebrations! VSB engagement process gathers input on Education Plan VSB Winter Celebration of Music Festival Online Celebrating administrators throughout the District International Volunteer Day: Raising awareness on issues that matter District creates mental health videos for students Updates from December Committee & Board Meetings Highlights: Policy and Governance Committee Meeting of December 1, 2021 Highlights: Board Meeting of December 13, 2021 Upcoming Committee Meetings (see all) Ministry of Education News K-12 Student Progress Reporting Report — December 2021 Students teaming up with BC Lions to end racism in schools Enhanced safety measures, delayed return to school to support safe, in-person learning News from other Ministries Province extends support for projects tackling racism, discrimination New affordable rental homes on the way in Kitsilano Family camping, recreation opportunities acquired for Tribune Bay Provincial Park Olivia leads top B.C. baby names for 2021 Enhanced safety measures, delayed return to school to support safe, in-person learning Land returned to shíshálh another step supporting reconciliation Teachings, history explored through renamed park Province introduces legislation to uphold Indigenous rights Resources Check out our resource page for presentation slide decks COVID-19 & Crowdsourced Information Parents, caregivers and communities have been sending notifications into BC School COVID Tracker to collectively share information about school exposures. School exposure reports can be submitted by ccing or bccing bcschoolcovid@protonmail.com when notifying your child's school by email after receiving a positive test result. Vancouver DPAC and other groups call on the government to mandate health authorities provide consistent, detailed information that parents can use to make informed decisions for their families.   A grassroots group of physicians, nurses, health scientists, health policy specialists and community advocates have formed Protect Our Province (PoP), and are working to help people in BC stay safe by sharing accurate information about the COVID-19 pandemic in the province,, and advocating for evidence-based policies, with a stated goal to end this pandemic. They are holding weekly press conferences every Wednesday afternoon.   An app has been launched for families to easily know what schools in BC have experienced an exposure to COVID. Exposure Watch allows you to sign up for notifications according to the schools you select. Currently it appears Coastal Health is not accurately reporting exposures in our schools, so this app may not reflect accurately exposures in Vancouver schools. & Tests Based on Science: What is the best type of COVID-19 test to get? -- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine & Immunizations As of October 30, 2021, 3,940,563 people from British Columbia are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, having received both required doses. Read more. According to the Government of BC's website, the population of BC as of April of 2021 is 5,185,990 people. & Mental Health Kelty Mental Health together with FamilySmart parent peer support workers have created a new digital tool, Ask Kelty Mental Health, which offers answers to common questions families have about accessing mental health supports and services.  & Masks Kids and masks list by accredited academics Canadian manufacturers have created re-usable N-95 quality respirator masks with non-disposable filters. Here is one example available on order N95 masks are also being made in Canada by companies such as Vitacore, and offer a variety of styles and sizes including some for children For your reference, Children and Masks by the World Health Organization (WHO) & Culturally Specific Resouces First Nations Health Authority's Mental Health and Cultural Supports during COVID19 COVID19 resources for individuals and families, to aid in creating opportunities for constructive interactions with children during COVID19 times from the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) Resources for supporting  & Further Resources BCCPAC's COVID Resource page Provincial COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines for K-12 Settings Information for School Districts & Independent Schools (last updated October 1, 2021) Truth and Reconciliation Resources For those who have been affected by the residential school systems and other acts of genocide, we have compiled the following resources: Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society, locally you can call 1-604-985-4464 or Toll Free, 1-800-721-0066   Lu'ma Medical Centre, run by Lu'ma Native Housing Society provides comprehensive physical and mental health care to Indigenous People in Vancouver   The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides First Nations and Indigenous-specific support and can be reached toll-free 24/7 at 1-800-588-8717   The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line, 1-866-925-4419, is available to support former residential school children and their family members   Tsow-Tun-Le-Lum Society substance abuse and treatment centre's toll free number is 1-888-403-3123   Indigenous Peoples face unique forms of discrimination and are under-represented in human rights complaints. This 3-part series of videos by BC Human Rights Clinic explains the BC Human Rights Code with regards to employment, tenancy (housing) and access to services, explores examples of discrimination and offers information about what you can do if you or someone you care about experiences discrimination. First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) has suggested the following actions for PACs looking to be more inclusive and welcoming for Indigenous Families: Listen and learn   Join or form an anti-Racism committee at your school's PAC. Here is the Hastings Elementary anti-racism group   Seek to create space in your school community for a First Nations Parents Club   Invite parents and caregivers of Indigenous ancestry into your PAC, and be curious about the possibility that adjusting meeting practices in consultation with the FN Parents Club or Indigenous members of your PAC   Share authentic Indigenous Peoples' resources   Raise awareness about teaching materials created by Indigenous educators. These can be added to schools and school libraries, and read them for personal learning   Advocate, at the provincial level, for the adoption of a mandatory Indigenous Peoples history course or bundled curriculum for high school students from grades 10 to 12, as a requirement for graduation   Support the use of First People's content across the K-12 curriculum. Examples of PACs doing this include their funding speakers, workshops and performances to come into schools, by supporting field trips, and by supporting the cultivating of Indigenous medicine plant gardens guided by local knowledge keepers.   VSB has commenced its Indigenous Education Council (IEC). The first meeting was held in September. Our representative at these meetings is Leona Brown.   Continue to educate yourself and your children about Indigenous Peoples' histories and cultures, as well as the history of colonial interference   Read the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples   Read the many reports written over the years, now held by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Calls to action from the TRC: Numbers 5 through 12 are specific to education   Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Further Education Transcripts The Student Transcripts Service lets people view, order, and send transcripts and or graduation certificates online Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards Vancouver School Board's list of scholarships, bursaries and awards available to VSB students The Ultimate List of Scholarships for Women and Girls includes information about scholarships and other financial awards available to Canadian women and girls, and for Canadian universities BC provincial government information about training grants, scholarships and bursaries Higher Education If your teen is interested in pursuing a college or university education, now is the time to register to attend open houses and info sessions taking place online and at campuses. Here are some local options:   The University of British Columbia offers several ways for teens and their families to familiarize themselves with programs and the campus, including tours, both virtual and in person, fairs, information sessions, student experience events and school visits. Individual departments also offer specific open house opportunities. UBC Engineering, for example, is holding an online open house on November 6, and an on-campus event on November 20th.    The University of Victoria offers several dates in November and January to prospective students to "Discover UVIC". They also offer parent nights, faculty open houses, faculty events, education fairs, and Registration 101 for interested students.   Up the hill (and downtown Vancouver and Surrey), Simon Fraser University is offering several webinars for those considering attending Simon Fraser University. A student experience page offers an overview of student life at SFU's three campuses. They also offer webinars including virtual campus tours, information about living in residence, assistance in better understanding fees, scholarships, and financial aid.   Some young students benefit from smaller campuses or are looking to learn a trade. Here are some more higher education opportunities to consider: Langara's admissions page offers comprehensive guidance. Their art department features an online introduction on November 2. Capilano College's Information Open House (November 20) Douglas College's online and in-person info sessions (multiple dates) Vancouver Community College's online information sessions (including trades) (starting in November) register for Kwantlen (KPU) Virtual Tours learn. about the programs at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)   We spoke with an higher education student advisor (not affiliated with above schools) and learned this: students as young as grade nine can benefit from attending if they, themselves, express interest in attending colleges and universities have the duty to accommodate students with disabilities.  This UBC document explains academic accommodation. The advisor strongly suggested a student requiring accommodation inform student services of their situation and needs as early as possible, and gave three months in advance as best practice.   Students and parents can find a comprehensive overview of post-secondary education options in BC (programs, admission requirements, registration processes and dates, fees, financial assistance) at https://www.educationplannerbc.ca.   SOGI Everyone has a sexual orientation and gender identity. In recognition of this, DPAC has compiled this list of information and resources. Everyone is equally deserving of human rights Woke Read Alouds: It Feels Good to Be Yourself is a video made for kids and their parents and families by Woke Kindergarten. The video discusses at a level for young children the topic of gender identity and acceptance. Trans Care BC is an education team developing resources with community members, care teams, as well as health and human services to increase health literacy for clients and knowledge, competency, and cultural safety for care teams, to ensure gender-affirming care is practiced across British Columbia Support information for gender creative children and trans youth, and their parents and caregivers Learn More about Trans and Non-Binary Identities & Holistic Trans Body Poster Trans Rights are Human Rights -- BC Human Rights Commission Why Accepting your LGBTQ2s+ Child Matters, and How To Start -- Option B Org SOGI 123 in BC Education -- On sexual orientation and gender identity Youth Mental Health Experiencing racism, both systemic and random, is harmful to a person's health and wellness. An organization in the States has created a website containing resources specifically tailored to People of African Ancestry that has relevance to Canadians as well.   Jack.org offers mental health presentations for students in grades 9 to 12. The talks are delivered by trained and certified young people with lived experience and an understanding of the practice of maintaining mental wellness to their peers. Their Virtual Jack Talk is available online   Check out resources that focus on youth at TeenMentalHealth.org   Kids Help Phone is a 24/7 national service offering professional counselling, information, referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support for young people in English and French   Here to Help is an online guide to navigating mental health struggles and crises, as well as substance use information   Help for the Hard Times offers online workshops for families of kids and teens who have been a patient in a psychiatric unit   Free mental health program for teens - YMCA   Self-care workshops for youth are being offered online via the Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC and can be booked through their website. They are fully booked for October and are taking bookings for November and December. Tutoring Edu Beyond offers free tutoring for K-12 students whose families don't have the resources, using student volunteers for subjects including science, social studies, English and French, and math. See above section for more information about EDU Beyond, and sign up here   Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland have a free Study Buddy weekly mentoring program for female identifying youth ages 7-17. Big Brothers of Vancouver also offer similar free-of-charge mentoring programs for male-identifying youth

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