March 2023

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

March 2023   Message from the Chair Dear Vancouver Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers, This continues to be a busy school year for VSB and its stakeholders and rights holders. DPAC has been included in stakeholder meetings during the current budget draft process. We met with other stakeholders, students, and VSB staff in February at VSB to begin discussions regarding priorities for the upcoming budget. While this is the earliest the VSB has included stakeholders in the budget process, the engagement was on the structural deficit reduction motion that was passed in October by the outgoing board, and it was not actually about the new budget since no financials were shown. As always, DPAC also sees room for improvement in these processes. Specifically, the VSB needs to improve its budget planning process, starting with accurately forecasting their top-line "revenue," which is based on the enrollment forecast. There is a massive difference between the VSB's projection of 5,000 fewer students and the Ministry of Education and Child Care's forecast of 10,000 more students in the same period. This discrepancy could have serious implications for funding of education program availability. It is essential to have an accurate forecast of enrollment to ensure that resources are allocated appropriately and that students receive the best education possible.  Enrollment and the budget also affect the VSB long-range facilities plan, which exists to ensure that all students have access to high-quality education in appropriate facilities. It is crucial to get the enrollment forecast correct, and Ministry documents even state to incorporate "housing development data" into the enrollment forecast. This would do well for Vancouver, which definitely needs to align housing policy with school space planning through a social infrastructure strategy. The recent petition filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia by the Queen Elizabeth Annex (QEA) Parents' Society over the VSB's decision-making process regarding the proposed disposal of the QEA site highlights the need for transparency and collaboration in facilities planning. The legal action will impact all school communities in Vancouver and the province, and it is essential to consider the implications of such decisions carefully. We urge the VSB to address these issues with urgency and transparency. Our primary goal at DPAC is to ensure that all students have access to quality education in safe and appropriate facilities, and that resources are allocated appropriately. As a community, we must work together to urge transparency and collaboration in decision-making processes. Let us advocate for the education and well-being of our children and future generations. Get involved with your PAC, or if interested, talk to one of us on DPAC about running as an executive-at-large. DPAC also has several working groups that represent a range of issues crucial to families; any parent of caregiver can volunteer. You can give as little or as much time as you have, and you don't need to commit for the long term. See below for opportunities. Best Regards, Vik Khanna, Chair 2022-2023 Further Reading: Crowdsourced OpEd Final: Holistic Approach to Social Infrastructure Planning - Google Docs Message from Chair: QEA Society vs. VSB - Google Docs Upcoming DPAC Meetings Thursday, March 9, 7 pm — March Executive Meeting 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) 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.   If you need assistance accessing the Student Family and Affordability Fund Support, please contact Sandra Bell or Karen Tsang. Important Dates   March is: National Francophonie Month March 6 - 7 – Purim Monday, March 6, 4:30pm – VSB Personnel Committee Meeting (CANCELLED) Wednesday, March 8, 5pm – VSB Policy and Governance Committee Meeting Wednesday, March 8 –  International Women's Day, 2023 theme: #EmbraceEquity Thursday, March 9, 7pm – DPAC March Executive Meeting Monday, March 13 – Friday, March 24 – Spring Break (no school) Tuesday, March 14 – Pi Day Wednesday, March 15 – International Long COVID Awareness Day Friday, March 17 – St. Patrick's Day, World Sleep Day Monday, March 20 – Vernal (Spring) Equinox, first day of Spring, French Language Day Tuesday, March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Fight Racism, World Down Syndrome Day: With Us Not For Us  Friday, March 24 — Right to Truth Day Saturday, March 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Wednesday, March 29, 6:30pm — VSB Student Learning and Wellbeing Committee Meeting 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: VSB Students In the News PAC and DPAC News VSB/MECC Budget  Water Quality in School Buildings Food in Schools Anti-Racism Advocacy Inclusive Education: Neurodiversity, Disability and Diverse Need SARS2 COVID19 News, Information and Resources Sustainability 2022/23 Student Learning Survey (SLS)   News from: BCCPAC VSB Ministry of Education  Resources Photo Credit   VSB Students in the News Two former Eric Hamber Secondary student journalists who drafted legislation protecting the rights of student journalists are being honoured as the 2023 Champions of Free Expression — CBC Radio   PAC and DPAC News On the agenda for the March Executive, March 9 at 7pm we will be discussing rental charges at VSB schools for PACs and non-profits (ie. music choral program). Anyone with experiences in this areas or concerns, please consider attending or send your information to Kyenta Martins. Britannia Secondary PAC has hosted the first meeting in a reading / discussion series, Transforming School Safety Reading Group, to examine the issues around student safety and police in schools. Vancouver DPAC will host a discussion about the same first reading, Beyond the Bad Apple: Analytical and theoretical perspectives on the development of restorative processes in schools, Please register to attend on March 7 from 7:30 - 9pm, PACs also welcome to use materials to host their own discussion group.   VSB / MECC Budget VSB Budget 2023/24 Timeline   March 15 — Ministry of Education & Child Care (MECC) releases 2023/24 Preliminary Operating Grant Information to Districts (will be found here). At this time we will know if there are any increases to the base or supplemental funding rates. April 3 — VSB to release preliminary budget. This will be followed by several opportunities for public input including Committee(s) of the Whole and written submissions. May 1 — VSB Board to vote on budget June 30 — deadline for VSB to submit budget to MECC   Media Release: Provincial Budget Doesn’t Address the Needs of K-12 Students — BCSTA   New School Monies Mostly to Cover Current Cost Pressures — Institute for Public Education BC Water Quality in Schools VSB has posted an (incomplete) list of the results of testing that was completed last year for lead in water in school buildings built before 1990. Check here to see the results of testing at your kid's school. Foods in Schools Check out the video from last month's DPAC presentation, Cultivating Nourishing Foods At Schools. Great ready to CRUNCH! On March 9 is the Virtual #GreatBigCrunch happens at 10am PST, when people all across Canada will be biting into local produce to celebrate and make noise for healthy food in schools!   Antiracism Advocacy Last month was Black History Month. But every month is a great time to learn about our collective history. DPAC authored some quizzes at the suggestion of educator, Sadie Kuehn, and we want to make sure more people learn alongside of us. The quiz topics were Early Industrialists of African Descent, Black Women Who Made their Mark, People of African Descent in Education. All quizzes are about BC history.   New course teaches Black history to high school students in Surrey, BC — CBC   An organization called Parents of Black Children, currently with chapters in the United States and in Ontario offers a blueprint for advocacy that deserves attention and could be implemented here to find safety for Black students.   Parental Guidance: parenting Black kids — CBC Early Edition   Inclusive Education: Neurodiversity, Disability and Diverse Needs Does your child need a private autism or psych educational assessment? If one is not forthcoming through the VSB assessments program, you might qualify for assistance. United Way provides a variety of supports for kids, including money for a more timely assessment to attain a diagnosis and then an IEP. Apply here.   BC's autism assessment process is slow and expensive. For students seeking accommodations, that's a problem — The Ubyssey   Toxic Social Skills Training Goals: "Be Yourself, But Not Like That" — Therapist Neurodiversity Collective   Why autistic people like me feel lonely — The Independent   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 offers several workshops that are repeated throughout the month. Learn more about the sessions and register online.   SARS2 COVID19 News, Information and Resources Protect Our Province BC looks into Paxlovid, a therapeutic drug to lessen the effects of a COVID infection that appears to be available for most people everywhere except in BC (and Australia) where it has extremely limited availability. Watch the background video on Paxlovid with Dr. Lyne Filiatrault  and the panel discussion "Why Should You Care?", held live last week.   Indoor Air Quality in Schools: Inexpensive Protection of the Health of Students, Staff & Visitors — Dr. David Keegan, MD CCFP (EM) FCFP   Don’t believe those who claim science proves masks don’t work — The Guardian   The Best Way to Boost Your Immune System (With Science) — Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell (An animated busting of the false narrative of immunity through infection)   Vaccine maker Novavax, despite concerns for its future, to maintain partnership with Ottawa — Global News   Victoria Jung, BC Safe Schools Coalition, joins @PeteUK7 (United Kingdom) and Amanda Hu (Alberta) to discuss COVID clean air and disease mitigation advocacy. Listen to that conversation, held on twitter, and a more recent conversation featuring  author and health reporter Dana Parish and ASHRAE fellow and lecturer, Robert Bean on Long COVID, Lyme disease and all things clean air.   Mental Health In the news recently are a couple of warnings about teens experiencing online harassment in the form of "sexploitation" in large and small communities alike. In Delta, a youth died by suicide after being caught in a situation, and within the article, teacher and anti-oppression activist, Annie Ohana is featured on video discussing the situation and how parents, caregivers and other adults can better support youth today.   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.   FamilySmart presents For Families: A Conversation for Families About Digital Wellbeing and Mental Health, on Mar 6, 16, 22, 28 and 30. Times vary, please refer to the website.   Sustainability Martyrs Won't Save The World: People Will — OK Doomer Education for Human Flourishing—A New Conceptual Framework for Promoting Ecosystemic Wellbeing in Schools — MDPI   On May 28, For Our Kids' JEDI Accelerator Committee (JEDI. stands for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) will hold a virtual book club meeting to discuss the book, Braiding Sweetgrass, written by Potawatomi Nation member and author, Robin Wall Kimmermer. Kimmermer is a mother, scientist, professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Later in the year, For Our Kids will meet and discuss the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC's) Calls to Action with the goal of familiarizing participants with the actions and to serve as a springboard for discussion on how we can better integrate TRC actions in our own lives and work. In the fall, For Our Kids plans to partner with Moms Against Racism to co-host the workshop How to Raise an Anti-Racist Child.   The very last option should be demolition': Little yellow 110-year-old schoolhouse in Kitsilano may get new lease on life — Vancouver Is Awesome   2022/23 Student Learning Survey (SLS) The 2022/23 Student Learning Survey is open and available until April 28. The survey is open for students in Grades 4, 7, 10, and 12, as well as parents, staff, principals and vice-principals. 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. 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. Parent Education Conference and AGM, May 5 & 6 Register before April 13 to secure early bird pricing VSB  News Renfrew students design and build their own cardboard arcade Black History Month at the VSB Video: Musician Khari Wendell McClelland celebrates Black History Month with students Students conduct inquiry-based learning to tackle the criminal justice system  Pink Shirt Day: Taking a stand against bullying and encouraging acts of kindness Happy International Mother Language Day! VSB’s 2023-2024 Budget Engagement World Day of Social Justice: Students organize fundraisers to support children and youth in Ukraine Keeping the beat: Queen Mary students celebrate Black history and excellence with the Drum Café Recognizing Elementary School Volunteer CoachesWorld Hijab Day: What does the hijab mean to you? Updates from February Committee & Board Meetings Highlights: Public Board Meeting – February 27, 2023 Highlights: Finance Committee – February 22, 2023 Highlights: Policy and Governance Committee – February 8, 2023 Ministry of Education and Childcare (MECC) News Premier’s, minister’s statement on Pink Shirt Day More children will be supported with inclusive child care 2023 ChildCareBC Awards of Excellence nominations now open Joint statement on Black History Month News from other Ministries Premier’s, ministers’ statement about Government of Canada’s funding for health care More cost-of-living support coming for people this spring Province boosts funding for communities to help tackle climate challenge B.C. introduces new measures on old growth, innovation, forest stewardship Joint statement on the Women’s Memorial March B.C. will formally recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation B.C. throne speech outlines plans to build a stronger, more secure future   Budget 2023 Announcement included dedicated new funding to support sustainable school food programs across BC. Budget 2023 documents Stakeholder concerns are covered in the "Concerns" section 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: Amanda Hillis, East Vancouver, 2023

Copyright © 2023 Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list