VCPAC Weekly Announcements

Next Meeting: January 10 7:00 pm on Zoom

MEETINGS

January 9 - SD61 Education Policy and Directions Committee Meeting 7:00 pm.

The Public now has two options to partake in Standing Committee meetings:

They can VIEW on YouTube https://bit.ly/3czx8bA
They can PARTICIPATE by sending an email to kgorman@sd61.bc.ca or call 250-475-4117. I will then provide them with the Zoom link for the meeting along with instructions for how to ask questions live during the meeting.

On the Agenda:

PRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMITTEE

Oak Bay High School - Griffin Foster
Late French Immersion – Amy Teucher

NEW BUSINESS

Elementary Strings – Trustee Mahbobi
Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL) Review Memo – Deputy Superintendent Caldwell
Presentation

Literacy Framework and K-12 Plan – District Principals Hovis, Renyard and Acting District Principal Shortt
Board Authority Authorized Courses Memo – Associate Superintendent Aerts
Parent Education Fund 2021-2022 Update – Superintendent Whitten
Late French Immersion – District Principal Powell
VCPAC EA Standards of Practice – Trustee Kwan
VCPAC Communication Protocol – Trustee Duncan

January 10 - VCPAC General Meeting 7:00 pm on Zoom. A link will be sent with the agenda to PACs. If you don't receive yours, please email info@vcpac.ca

SD61 District News

Cedar Hill Seismic Replacement School Design

The Board approved the design for a low-carbon, seismic replacement school for Cedar Hill Middle. The new school will be the greenest building in the School District, providing a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions versus a baseline school model. To learn more about school design features and project timelines, visit: https://www.sd61.bc.ca/news-events/news/title/planning-begins-for-new-seismically-safe-cedar-hill-middle-school/

Custodian Hours

The Board directed the Superintendent to identify options and provide recommendations for increasing custodial levels in schools after receiving a staff report on current custodial hours and budget allocations. The Board expressed interest in using funding from revised budget allocations to cover costs associated with custodial staffing.

Gender Language in Bylaws

In 2019, Board policies and regulations were updated to include gender-neutral language. The Board has now passed a motion to ensure all Bylaws of the Board also include gender-neutral expressions.

EVENTS

FamilySmart

The Boys and Girls Club (BGC)

BGC is offering a series of online programs helping parents of teens, pre-teens, and children gain confidence, discover practical tips and resources, and find support from other parents.

Parents Together Tuesdays-Ongoing- For Parents with Kids age 13-25 - 12-1:30 PM or 6:30-8PM
Parents in the Know Wednesdays For Parents with Kids age 13-18 - 6:30-8PM - 10-12 weeks
Parenting Without Power Struggles Thursdays For Parents with Kids age 9-12 - 6:30-8PM -10-12 weeks

Cost: Free
Register: referrals@bgcsvi.org

New Digital Therapeutics for ADHD in Children.

Video Replay: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/neurotechnology-options-adhd-treatment-children/

Dozens of new tools — variously referred to as digital therapeutics, neurotechnologies, and digital medicine — are now being developed and marketed. But what do we know about how they work, who they help, and whether they are effective?

Brain Training for ADHD: What Is It? Does It Work?

Additude Magazine https://bit.ly/3vE9dmQ

PAC EMAIL MAILING LISTS

VCPAC has a mailing list service, free of charge, available to all PACs. If your PAC would like to have a subscription-based email list, which parents can automatically opt in and out of, contact info@vcpac.ca

CONTACT AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Article ideas and submissions can be sent via e-mail to info@vcpac.ca . Submissions should be sent to us no later than Friday, 9 PM prior to the day of distribution. Communications retains the right to edit all submissions for clarity.