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September 6, 2012
Welcome to a new school year at Southlands! As a parent or guardian of a child at Southlands, you are automatically a member of the Parent Advisory Council (PAC). Our role is to enhance the educational experience of our children at Southlands. This welcome letter is from the PAC Executive and will describe the role of the PAC, give a general overview of our activities, and ask you how you would like to help out during this school year.
We are pleased to let you know that due to the hard work of the parents and guardians (you!), through fundraising and with support from a BC government grant, we have been able to order the second half of the playground equipment that was chosen by the children 2 years ago. This will be installed sometime this fall of 2012. Another change you’ll notice this year is that the PAC (you!) has donated a new portable sound system for the gym so that the children (and parents!) will be able to hear each other when classes perform at the monthly assemblies. The PAC is further making a one-time fund available this year to upgrade some of the school’s computer resources, based on teachers’ recommendations.
One of the greatest strengths of our diverse community is the willingness of Southlands families to contribute their time and talents to activities and programs that benefit our children. Every Southlands family has different circumstances, different skills, and different interests. Since most parents contribute to the school through some combination of time, talent and/or money, the result is a supportive and involved network that is able to fund a wide range of extracurricular activities and programs to Southlands students. Coming together to work on shared projects or to resolve issues that affect our school community sends a powerful message to our kids that we care about the quality of their educational experience. It also models the community building that we expect of Southland’s children. We depend on new faces to step in and learn the ropes, or redefine them, and for long-time families to continue their involvement. So take a look at what’s on offer and let us know how you’d like to help. Or, feel free to make new suggestions – this is after all, your school. Your participation is the key to making the school year a success.
Please review the enclosed material in white, which explains the activities and organization of the PAC. Four forms have also been distributed (in pink) which need to be returned to the school.
We look forward to a great year,Your PAC Co-Chairs,Michelle Kokan &Andrea Bishop
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Southlands PAC Purpose and Activities
The purpose of the PAC is to: advise and consult with the staff on parental views about school programs, policies and activities
and to provide materials and volunteers to enhance the programs offered promote cooperation between home and school and advocate on behalf of parents and students organize PAC activities and events including fundraising and contribute to the effectiveness of the
school by promoting the involvement of parents and other community members.
We put on community and social events: Back to school welcome potluck (Sept) School directory with children’s contact info (Sept/Oct) Winter concert (Dec) or Spring Fling social Social Dinner and Dance for Parents (February) Sports day (June) Yearbook (June) Support the Grade 7’s with their grad ceremony
We fund school-wide educational and extra-curricular activities: Phys-ed; roller blading, t-shirt ‘uniforms’ for sports teams, and sports equipment to use at recess
and gym time Arts; performances, knitting club, and art supplies Literacy and Computers Science and Health workshops and composting program) New playground and upkeep of the gardens International Baccalaureate (IB) education and classroom resources
We support classroom activities: Provide funds to teachers for classroom resources Provide funds to teachers to augment field trips
We also generate the funds to support these activities:Typically the PAC raises between $20,000 - $35,000 annually, which is about $150 -$250 per child at the school. We believe that this is a significant proportion of the overall expenditures at the school. Last year almost $40,000 was raised, which has allowed us to make a few additional upgrades at the school. Fundraising activities may change each year but often include:
Hotdog and Pizza Days (weekly on Fridays) Hot Lunch Day (weekly on Wednesdays) Grocery Voucher Program (monthly) Subway lunch days (monthly) Purdy’s Chocolate sale (Christmas and Easter) Winter Bake Sale Read-a-thon (spring) Silent Auctions are held either at the Winter Social or Spring Fling Direct appeal for those families who would prefer to contribute by writing a cheque; submit by
mid-December to yield a tax receipt for 2012 but welcome at any time in the school year.
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The following descriptions provide information on the current activities proposed for the upcoming school year. What we can do depends on our collective volunteer power. Volunteers leave the school each year as their children graduate so new volunteers are always welcome and appreciated (as are continuing volunteers!).
Please feel free to contact the names below if you are interested in helping out, or fill out the form below and return it to the school. Where the contact is listed as TBA, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator (Averill Groeneveld-Meijer, [email protected]) or the PAC Chairs. Don’t worry: we won’t make you chair anything if you don’t want to!
Class ParentsContact: Andrea Bishop, [email protected] parents are one or more parents from a class who act as coordinators and communicators for the teacher and parents. They might help the classroom teacher organize and communicate information about class events such as field trips. They often organize coffee mornings for parents to get to know each other.
Cross CountryContact: Paula Heal, 604-266-1046 [email protected] needed ASAP. The Cross Country season is short (mid-Sept to end of Oct) and the team usually has two early morning practice runs per week. The program cannot run unless there a least 6 committed adults to supervise the kids on their runs through the trails. We also need parent volunteers to drive to after-school meets.
Fruit & Vegetable Snack ProgramContact: Katja DeBock 604-565-2271 [email protected] by the Ministries of Health, Education, Agriculture and Tourism, Sport and the Arts, this FREE program delivers fruit or vegetable snacks to school twice a week, every second week. The program typically starts in late September. The time commitment is from ~8:45am -9:45am, 4-5 times per month (generally on Tuesdays and Thursdays).
Fundraising Committee Contact: Heidi Maclean 604-733-1819 [email protected] committee organizes and facilitates sales and events that raise funds for valuable educational programs and resources for the school. Many events are designed to give Southlands families a chance to connect and celebrate the Southlands community. New ideas and energy are always welcome.
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Southlands Elementary School2012-2013 Volunteer Programs & Committees
Grade 7 Parent CommitteeContact: TBAGrade 7 parents are needed to organize fundraising activities and special events related to the Grade 7 year-end leaving ceremony and celebration. This committee is usually formed after an initial information meeting with all Grade 7 parents. In the past parents from other grades have generously helped out so the parents of kids leaving the school can attend the ceremonies.
Greening CommitteeContact: Averill Groeneveld-Meijer 604-222-4629 [email protected] Southlands Greening Committee looks after the flowerbeds and planters on the school grounds. Volunteers meet roughly three times per year to weed, prune and plant. If possible they help out with watering the gardens during the summer. If you like to get dirty and want to volunteer without having to go to meetings or do paperwork, this is the committee for you! No experience necessary.
Grocery VouchersContacts: Michelle Kokan 604-739-8006 [email protected] Atherton [email protected] you need groceries and gas, participating in this program allows you to raise money for the school without any cost to you. In this program, you purchase grocery gift cards that can be used at select local merchants. The participating retailers then give back 5-10% for every $100 spent on gift cards. The blue sign up forms are enclosed with this Start Up Package. Forms must be returned the office on or before September 23 to receive your first set of gift cards in October.
Head Lice Patrol Contact: Michelle Kokan [email protected] lice are a common nuisance in schools and while we’ve had great success avoiding and controlling outbreaks at Southlands, this is due in part to the commendable efforts of this group of parents. Checking for nits is not exactly a glamourous job but it is a great service to the whole school community (and not nearly as bad as you might think!). Time commitment is about 90 minutes, 3-4 times per year.
Hot Dog & Pizza FridaysContact: Sofia Sandover 604-267-1572 [email protected] fundraising program generates a significant amount of money for the school while providing a service to both students and their parents. Volunteers are needed to help with the preparation (hot dogs) and distribution (hot dogs and pizza) each Friday. The more people involved, the less work any one person has to do and we all get a break from making lunches on Fridays. The blue volunteer sign up and order forms are enclosed with this Start Up Package.
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Southlands Elementary School2012-2013 Volunteer Programs & Committees Cont’d
Hot Lunch WednesdaysContact: Mio Kiyooka, [email protected] will be available for online ordering from Bread Garden, and will be delivered to the school on Wednesdays only, starting in October. Southlands School earns a portion of the sales for our fundraising programs. Volunteers are needed to help collate the orders and hand out the lunches on Wednesdays. Information on ordering will be available within the next few weeks.
Library CommitteeContact: TBAPast activities have included updating library furnishings and bulletin board materials. The main event organized by this Committee will be the 6th Annual Read-a-thon which is a popular event at the school, historically held in February. Other activities include identifying needed resources and sourcing ways to augment the library collection.
Sign UpdaterContact: TBAVolunteers on this Committee take on the responsibility for updating the large sign at the front of the school on a weekly or as needed basis.
Traffic & Safety PatrolContact: Coordinator needed to schedule parent patrollers.Camosun Street was newly paved this summer and more than ever we are concerned about the speed at which parents and neighbourhood traffic drive in front of the school. Parent patrollers supervise for approximately 20 minutes before and/or after school to ensure safe driving, parking and walking practices within the school zone and help the student crossing guards as necessary. This program is strongly supported by the Vancouver City Police Department and is critical to our children’s safety.
Southlands School DirectoryContact: TBAParents on this Committee help collect class list data for the school’s telephone directory. Once the data is complied and printed, there isi usually no further work for this committee for the remainder of the school year.
Yearbook CommitteeContact: TBAParent volunteers work with the students to create this wonderful memento of the school year in conjunction with the current yearbook company. Responsibilities include: organizing photo taking of school events, collecting student art work and creating the overall layout of the publication. A detailed sample file with a description of the duties and time-line has been prepared. Bonus: front row seats at concerts and events for yearbook photographers.
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Southlands Elementary School2012-2013 Volunteer Programs & Committees Cont’d
PAC Meetings: Parent Advisory Council meetings are for the benefit of all parents and guardians of Southlands children. You are encouraged to attend. PAC meetings are held in the School Library, from 7pm – 8:00pm on the first Tuesday of every month starting in October (except for January or April due to holidays). Child-minding is usually available.
Meeting dates this year are:Tuesday, October 2, 2012Tuesday, November 6, 2012Tuesday, December 4, 2012Tuesday, February 5, 2013Tuesday, March 5. 2012Tuesday, May 7, 2013Tuesday, June 4, 2013 (AGM)
PAC Communications: PAC Bulletin Board- the PAC monthly meeting minutes are posted (close to the South door
downstairs). PAC News- in the VSB online bi-weekly school newsletter. PAC Blog – updates are provided on our blog, as well as a calendar of events, such as dates for
Subway lunches, for example. http://southlands-pac.blogspot.com/ Contact Us – you can contact the PAC Executive co-chairs directly - both Michelle and Andrea are
available to you by phone or email. We’re really very happy to talk to you and answer any questions or explore any ideas you have. The Southlands PAC also has an email (which is checked infrequently about every other week) that can be used for less urgent items ([email protected]).
Mandarin Translation: This year we are pleased to have a Mandarin Parent Liaison working with the PAC to help families who speak Mandarin with any questions or concerns they may have. Liping Wu has been a Southlands parent for many years, and is available to communicate with Mandarin-speaking families. Please feel free to contact Liping: 604-568-5803 or [email protected]
PAC Executive for 2012/2013 (voted in at the AGM in June of 2012)Co-Chairs Andrea Bishop 604-737-0124 [email protected]
Michelle Kokan 604-739-8006 [email protected] Chairs Heidi Maclean 604-733-1819 [email protected] Amalia Cook [email protected]/Secretary Averill Sadleir [email protected] Dawn Olinek [email protected]
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PAC Meetings and Organization
