February 2023

This newsletter is published on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. View this email in your browser

February 2023   Message from the Chair Dear Parents, Caregivers and VSB families, Greetings and Happy Year of the Rabbit and Cat! This month is Black History Month, and we celebrate alongside of all families of African Descent the many accomplishments and contributions of Black community members despite systemic inequities and deliberate ongoing erasure. We celebrate not only your long history as peoples of BC, but also our shared and collective future. Vancouver DPAC is concerned about a lack of consultation and collaboration with stakeholders by the Vancouver School Board (VSB) in recent years. Parents, students and community members have been denied the opportunity to provide valuable feedback or input on VSB policy due to repeated decisions that limit our ability to do so. This has led to suboptimal decision-making and poor student outcomes, with examples including the Student Support Worker shortage, surprise changes to the University Transition Program and inadequate engagement with stakeholders on the Student and Family Affordability Fund. The VSB's lack of engagement with stakeholders is undermining trust in the VSB and further entrenching a pattern of inadequate decision-making. The VSB's commitment to transparent and accountable public engagement and stakeholder feedback is stated on its website, but in practice, the VSB focuses more on placating stakeholders than having productive discussions. DPAC is calling on the VSB to fulfill its promise of transparent engagement and to increase consultation and collaboration with stakeholders in order to improve student outcomes. The rules around delegations must be transparent and fair; all voices must be heard and public meetings must happen for all land dispositions. Vik Khanna 2022/23 DPAC Chair Upcoming DPAC Meetings Thursday, February 9, 7 pm — February Executive Meeting Thursday, February 23, 7 pm — February General Meeting: Cultivating Nourishing Foods at Schools Subscribe to our meeting calendar DPAC Committees and Working Groups Call Out for Interested Volunteers Vancouver DPAC is starting a Health and Safety Working Group, specifically in relation to ventilation and virus mitigation in VSB schools.   We have been working with VSB to try to improve ventilation in schools and communicate with parents and caregivers on this topic. We have made some inroads, but at this time we need more people to push this work forward. A working group with parents expressing the need for more action on cleaning the air will give strength to our position, and will widen the pool of people willing to put time into letter writing and reaching out to people who can provide support and increase DPAC's capacity for the work.   Here are things we would like to do soon: send out an email to VSB clarifying parents' concerns regarding ventilation continue to advocate to VSB through in-person meetings advocate at the provincial level to the Ministry and working with BCCPAC identify a ventilation expert who would be willing to join an offered meeting with Dr Lysyshyn and VSB.   If you would like to be part of the Vancouver DPAC Health & Safety working group, reach out directly at Kyenta Martins.  If you are interested in doing specific work under the umbrella of DPAC, please consider joining these committees and working groups who meet regularly (or semi regularly) to shadow the work of the VSB and/or to advise DPAC as we advise VSB. We are open to suggestions as needs arise.   Health & Safety Working Group (Kyenta Martins) Food Framework Working Group (Celena Benndorf) Active Transportation Safe Routes (ATSR) Working Group (Mike Lang) Inclusive Education Working Group (advocating for students with Disabilities, Neurodivergence, Compromised Immunity, +) (Sandra Bell / Karen Tsang) Sustainability Working Group (Skye Richards) Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression Slack Group (Karen Tsang) Black and Indigenous Working Group (Black and Indigenous Working Group) Student Family and Affordability Fund Support (Sandra Bell / Karen Tsang) Music Working Group (Robert Ford) Facilities Committee (Vik Khanna) Childcare Committee (Alan Patola Moosmann)   PACS - Please promote these committees and groups to your parents in your regular communications. Any VSB Parent or Caregiver can Volunteer; Reach out today. Important Dates   February is Black History Month and Inclusion Month. Week of Feb 1-7 – Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2022 Thursday, Feb 2 – Groundhog Day Monday, Feb 6, 4:30pm – VSB Personnel Committee Meeting (cancelled) Wednesday, Feb 8, 7pm – VSB Policy and Governance Committee Meeting Thursday, Feb 9, 6:30 - 7:30pm  – African Descent History in BC (online) Thursday, Feb 9, 7pm – DPAC February Executive Meeting Week of Feb 12-18 – Real Acts of Caring (RAC) Week Monday, Feb 13 – DPAC Facilities Committee Tuesday, Feb 14 – Valentine's Day Wednesday, Feb 15, 5pm – VSB Facilities Committee Meeting Wednesday, Feb 15, 7pm  – VSB Finance Committee Meeting Monday, Feb 20 – Family Day (no school), Louis Riel Day Tuesday, Feb 21 – Out Of The Sun: On Black History And Storytelling (online) Wednesday, Feb 22, 5pm – VSB Public Delegation Board Meeting, Apply to be delegation* Wednesday, Feb 22 – Pink Shirt Day, an anti-bullying event Thursday, Feb 23, 7pm – DPAC February General: Cultivating Nourishing Food at Schools Monday, Feb 27, 7pm – VSB Board Meeting (submit a question, live during meeting) Friday & Saturday, Mar 3-4, 10:30am – Hoobiyee: Nisga'a New Year, hosted by Nisga'a Ts'amiks Van Society *please advise DPAC if you apply as a delegation and are refused   2015 - 2024 — International 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.   2022 - 2032 — International Decade of Indigenous Languages   In February 2022, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the period between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, to draw global attention on the critical situation of many Indigenous languages and to mobilize stakeholders and resources for their preservation, revitalization and promotion. News and Information Check out our resource page for presentation slide decks In this Issue: Black History and Futures Month Food in Schools PAC News: Openhouse Event Increase your Indigenous Understanding SLOs / Police in Schools Anti-Racism and Student Safety Inclusive Education Neurodiversity, Disability and Resources SARS2 COVID19 News, Information and Resources Sustainability Kindergarten Registration News from: BCCPAC VSB Ministry of Education  Resources photo credit   Black History and Futures Month BC Black History Society, based in Victoria, offers events being held both in person and online. They also feature a fulsome digital learning centre that is well worth browsing.   Harry Jerome was a Canadian track and field sprinter and physical education teacher who won a bronze medal at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, participated in two more Olympic Games, and set a total of seven world records over the course of his career. He also taught at Templeton, a VSB high school, before going to Ottawa to create the Ministry of Sports. Vancouver DPAC is joining community in advocating that a photo of Jerome be hung in the hallways of the school in which he taught, as was done in Richmond, where he also taught. This ensures Black students see themselves reflected on the walls of the school.   Without offering a reason, Vancouver City Hall has canceled a Black History Month event that is a City Hall tradition. Instead, we offer Ten Black History Month events to check out In Metro Vancouver, as featured in the Daily Hive.   Watch Vancouver DPAC's social media this month — Facebook and Twitter — for a few quizzes that will allow you to test your knowledge of the long and rich history of People of African Descent in this city and province. Thanks to former VSB Trustee, Sadie Kuehn, for being a steady advocate for all students in VSB, and for fomenting the idea of quizzes (who doesn't love those!) and providing great topics and content to explore.   Food in Schools Join DPAC's February General as we present: Cultivating Nourishing Food at Schools, following a short formal meeting. We have invited a panel of speakers who will discuss the VSB’s new Food Framework, the challenges and opportunities in providing nutritious food to students, as well as discuss different lunch programs and how community partners can help to advance school food goals.   The workshop will provide PACs with insights on the state of school food in Vancouver, and help DPAC and parents and caregivers to better advocate on school food issues. Speakers include Celena Benndorf, DPAC Food Committee; Shehzad Somji, VSB; Helen Yeung, VCH; Alexa Pitoulis, Coalition for Healthy School Food and Fresh Roots; Meryn Corkery, Farm to School BC; and Brent Mansfield and Chef TJ of LunchLAB.    In 2020 the BC government mandated ministers to create more school food programs for BC students and federally there is support and momentum as well. This is an opportune moment to root this dialogue and envision what can be grown.   PAC News: Openhouse Event Join other parents and caregivers at John Oliver's Tech Education open house and check out their wood working, metalwork, auto and robotics shops. Event scheduled tonight, Wednesday, Feb 1 from 7-9pm at John Oliver Secondary, 530 East 41st. See site map below.   Increase your Indigenous Understanding Sue Deranger: Stories of Resilience — Join in virtually for an afternoon of storytelling, as Sue Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation) speaks of of her experiences, wisdom and reflections on the work to advance human rights and what younger generations need to strengthen our impact. Sue Deranger has been a strong voice for environmental, social justice, and the upholding of Indigenous and Treaty rights for many years and has worked nationally, provincially, locally, and internationally in these areas. Organized by Righting Relations: Adult Education for Social Change. Friday, Feb 10, 12pm PST (1.5 hrs).   SLOs / Police in Schools Vancouver DPAC stands in solidarity with all students who are put at higher risk by police being in schools. VPD, including School Liaison Officers are governed by the Police Act and not the School Act, and, contrary to their claims, are not trained to work with youth in an educational setting, as confirmed through an FOI granted to Tyee reporter, Katie Hyslop. BC Human Rights Commissioner's Letter to BC School Trustees, the BC Teacher's Federation and the Vancouver chapters of the teacher's union (VEAES and VSTA) have all been clear that they also do not welcome the return of the SLO program. Instead, appropriate funding must be made available to hire sufficient counsellors, mental health workers, teachers, SAs, and other support staff to ensure all students experience a safe learning environment and that the VSB is in alignment with its own VSB Equity Statement.  Education and the carceral state — Rabble.ca  Here are some of the stories that have come out this month about policing in Vancouver:   Ahead of inquest, family of Vancouver cop who died by suicide makes new allegations — Globalnews.ca   Note: According to this story, Nicole Chan's "first sexual relationship with a VPD employee began when she was just 17 years old.". He was a recruitment officer who either was, or later became an SLO. Because she was older than the "age of consent — 16", he was not charged. The fact that he was in a position of power over here could have been a reason to bring forward charges, but no charges were laid.   Indigenous boy with autism should not have been handcuffed at Vancouver hospital, says mother — CBC News   Mother started filming incident when one of the officers put knee on 12-year-old's back.   Jeff Shantz: Canadians know too little about deaths involving police — The Vancouver Sun   Many Canadians might be surprised to find out that there were at least 117 police-involved deaths in Canada in 2022, the most I have recorded since I began tracking and documenting these deaths almost a decade ago. There were at least 104 police-involved deaths in 2021.   Ian Mulgrew: It's time to rein in the VPD — The Vancouver Sun   Anti-Racism and Student Safety Podcast: Black Celebs vs “Jewish Media” — Canadaland    Unlearn Antisemitism is a resource hub designed for educators and parents to learn about, identify, and take action to address antisemitism in our society.   People for Education have produced A Progress Report on Anti-Racism Policy across Canada, which finds gaps and inconsistencies in implementation of anti-racism and equity strategies across Canada. They identify Manitoba’s ‘Creating Racism-Free Schools through Critical/Courageous Conversations on Race’ as an excellent resource created to encourage school communities to engage in conversations about racism. Inclusive Education At our January General Meeting, Vancouver DPAC hosted BCEdAccess and Levonne Abshire, as she presented "Unlearning Ableism", a discussion about inclusion, anti-oppression, learning to recognize our unconscious biases that affect disabled students. The video of the presentation can be viewed on DPAC's Youtube channel. A must watch for educators, parents, caregivers and administrators alike.   Dyslexia is an often misunderstood neurodivergent way of being that affects students success in learning by hampering their ability to read or interpret written information including numbers. While dyslexia makes it challenging to learn to read, write and spell, memorize facts and complete work at the pace of neurotypical people, those with dyslexia are known to be more skilled than average at visualizing, communicating, connecting, imagining, reasoning and exploring. Being identified as dyslexic can help students discover their potential and the value of being dyslexic. More needs to be done to provide equitable educational programming for dyslexic students in VSB to ensure these students have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Learn more about dyslexia at:   Made By Dyslexia   International Dyslexia Association   The Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) supports families who have a family member with a disability by connecting them to trained volunteers referred to as “Resource Parents/Peers” (RPs). FSI is offering a four-part education series, starting with a learning session on navigating the education system, learning about designations and funding, and how to have effective communication, with areas being covered including Building your Team, IEPs, Problem Solving, and Story sharing. Learn more about the sessions, which run on Feb 7 & 21, Mar 7 and Apr 4, at 6:30 pm, and register here (held on Zoom).   Neurodiversity, Disability and Diverse Needs Autistic children grow up to be autistic adults. As children are being recognized as existing on the autism spectrum, family members (this writer included) are benefiting from better understanding their own neurodivergence. The experience can be both painful and life affirming, as one takes stock of how the lack of space for neurodiverse humans has permeated our realities, both as children and now as adults continuing to pass in a world build for people we call "neurotypical". Reframing Autism is a site out of Australia that explores autism from this lens and offers articles, research and insight as to how to navigate workplaces. This can help adults and students alike as we venture into workspaces not made for us. But a reminder: Autism is a spectrum that some visualize as more of a galaxy. What works for one group of autistic people might not work for others.   A Concern About "Asperger's" Terminology — Pyschology Today   From ADDitude: “Invisible” Disabilities at Work: How to Foster Neurodivergent Advocacy and Acceptance, Thursday, Feb 23, 10am   SARS2 COVID19 News, Information and Resources We Need a Revolution on Clean Indoor Air — The Tyee   Vancouver DPAC continues to advocate for clean air for students and staff in schools, following the release of our letter, Good Air Means Everything. Not only is there an ever growing body of work to demonstrate that COVID transmission is airborne (think cigarette smoke lingering), it is also understood that SARS1 in 2003 was only subdued through the use of N95+ respirators. Further, there is a general agreement that ensuring clean air creates a better environment for learning. See the top of this section for an invite to those interested in supporting our advocacy for clean air in schools.   Is it Flu, COVID or RSV? — NYT     Doctors and researchers are expressing ongoing concern about COVID19 and immune dysfunction, following infection. These are 12 papers exploring this concern in compiled tweets on Threadreader, as compiled by Andrew Ewing, a nano/neuro chemistry, echem and chemical imaging researcher. You can also read the thread on his original tweet thread.   It has been noted that there is a high degree of "manufactured consent" around the abandonment of mask wearing (find original twitter thread here) that might concern some people, and Alberta teacher and parent, Brent McConnell, has compiled an interesting collection of stories that looks at the road (back) to understanding SARS2 COVID transmission as airborne (original twitter thread here). And reporter Justin Ling does a deep dive into McKinsey, an international firm advising governments and private industry and interfering in COVID response in ways that draw questions.   Masks4EastVan is a group of grassroots organizers who have been providing quality masks for people in East Vancouver who need but can't afford them. Based upon a culture of community care, they redistribute donated masks, RAT tests and hand sanitizer at events and sometimes to the doors of those who need them but can't afford the cost.   These are 150+ Resources on COVID to Share with Everyone You Know — OK Doomer Substack   Mental Health The Black Youth Helpline (BYH) offers professional, culturally relevant perspectives to understanding and addressing the root causes of challenges faced by children, youth and families. Programs include Stay in School initiatives, Parent and Family Support, and Systems Navigation Assistance. BYH can be reached by email at info@blackyouth.ca or toll free at 1-833-294-8650.   Establishing Respectful Relationships and Consent in Our Communities (ERASE)– Student and Parent/Caregiver sessions are on offer that explore the topic of consent, and the dynamics of gender-based violence and the current state of gender relations in both the physical and digital landscape will be discussed, as well as the potential for exploitation within these relationships. Register for a workshop on Feb 2, 7 or 27 from  6:30 – 8pm.   FamilySmart presents For Families: A Conversation About Eating Disorders, on Feb 2, 6, 7, 15, and 27. See website for times.   Sustainability Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) is an Indigenous-led organization guided by a diverse group of Indigenous knowledge keepers, water protectors and land defenders from communities and regions across the country, who believe that Indigenous Peoples’ rights and knowledge systems are critical to developing solutions to the climate crisis and achieving climate justice. This is a the Phase 2 report of ICA's Decolonizing Climate Policy Project.   A Climate Action rally is being planned outside Vancouver City Hall on Feb 10, 2:30pm to call on elected officials to take the climate emergency seriously. Parent groups will be in attendance and if climate impacts on health is important to you please join in support of the action.   Parents, teachers, students want more climate change education, poll shows — National Observer   Profiles of resilience: The Climate Disaster Project is The Fraser Valley Current's collection of 10 eyewitness narratives created in commemoration of the devastation wrought by last year’s atmospheric rivers.   Kindergarten Registration Some parents and caregivers of younger children may find attending a "Come Read With Me" workshop useful to gain knowledge, strategies, and inspiration needed to get reading with your kids. Workshops offered by the One to One Literary Society, are scheduled for February 7, 15, 23 and March 1 at 6:30 pm.   The deadline for applying to kindergarten district choice program is February 3, 2023. Families who wish to apply for their child to attend a cross boundary school must complete the cross boundary process, which happens in this month.   Ready, Set, Learn is a VSB program designed to prepare children for entering into Kindergarten. Contact your local neighbourhood school for event dates.  BCCPAC Events and Deadlines Each year at the Annual General Meeting, BCCPAC presents awards to individuals who have been nominated by their peers for the dedication and work they have achieved. Board members are elected, and resolutions are presented, debated and voted upon. Awards Nomination, due Feb 28. Board Nomination, due Feb 28. Submit Resolutions as early as possible to allow the Resolution Committee time to review them and provide feedback before they are due. This Resolutions Guide was created to help assist PACs and DPACs in writing resolutions. VSB    News How three educators are marking Black History Month Smokehouse in the City: sharing traditional teachings, caring for the community Podcast Episode 5: Not-so-new redesigned BC curriculum Learning and remembering: Students and teachers dive deep to prepare for International Holocaust Remembrance Day We’re hiring – Make your next career move and join our VSB! Celebrating Lunar New Year at Trafalgar Elementary Students learn about environmental restoration in Tupper rain gardens A Gathering with Elders Black Excellence Day at Norquay Elementary Semester model to continue at all VSB secondary school Updates from January Committee & Board Meetings Information Bulletin: Vancouver School Board approves catchment boundary changes Highlights: Finance Committee Meeting – January 18, 2023 Highlights: Facilities Planning Committee – January 18, 2023 Highlights: Student Learning and Well-Being Committee – January 11, 2023 Ministry of Education  News Premier, minister commit to maintaining individualized autism funding, engaging in deeper consultation for a new funding and service model for children and youth with support needs B.C. launches anti-racism action plan for K-12 students Premier’s, parliamentary secretary’s, minister’s joint statement on Black Excellence Day News from other Ministries First rent supplements begin for youth from care in B.C. Province seeks input on social work oversight New regenerative agriculture project underway in Fraser River estuary Increased funding for Human Rights Tribunal will make justice more accessible Help with costs arrives for British Columbians B.C. renews use of emergency operation centres to support patients, hospitals Resources Check out our PAC 101 presentation delivered to all PACs in October, and Treasury 101 presentation, which took place in November. Find our presentation decks for PAC 101 and Treasury 101 on our website.   Our Family Resources document for the various ways students and their families can find support during the years they are in schools. Topics include Indigenous Family Support and TRC information, antiracism materials, SOGI resources, further education (including college, university and scholarship links) info, youth mental health resources and community-supported free-of-charge tutoring services. Photo credit: karen tsang, Pacific Spirit Park, 2022

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