DPAC May Update
The District Parent Advisory Council’s May Executive Meeting (key items):
- VSB is no longer reporting a budget shortfall for 2021-2022. DPAC continues to advocate for stable funding
- The VSB Board voted on April 26 to discontinue the Student Liaison Officer programme. DPAC supports this decision. Patti Bacchus wrote a column about redirecting City of Vancouver funds that used to support the SLO programme directly to the VSB for the recreational and mental health activities that the SLO programme used to support. See here.
- DPAC noted the departure of Suzanne Hoffman, VSB Superintendant
- A delegation from Queen Alexandra Annex spoke to the group about adopting a resolution asking the VSB to halt all discussion of school closures until the COVID pandemic is over, until the Vancouver Plan is finished and we have a better understanding of the projected demographics of the city and until the Long-range Facilities Plan has been finalized
- Pedro da Silva introduced the new process for VSB’s “Education Plan”, a strategic planning process that will take place over the next year. Pedro will be the VSB staff member leading the process and the VSB has hired Charles Ungerleider as the consultant for the plan. Participants reminded Pedro of the importance of a clear, honest and transparent consultation process with stakeholders including parents, and that trust had been damaged in the past through poor consultation by VSB
- The application process for BC Gaming Grants is open. PACs can now pay for their membership in BCCPAC ($75) out of the Gaming Grant instead of from general funds
Upcoming meetings:
- Thursday, May 20, 7pm – BCCPAC presents: Parent Advocacy: Understanding the Appeal Process: Join Vancouver DPAC at this workshop, at which BCCPAC will provide us with knowledge and tools to handle situations that negatively impact a child’s education, & learn to navigate school district Appeals Process (Sec 11 of School Act). May 20, 7 pm. Register here
- Thursday, May 27, 7pm – DPAC General: Asian Heritage Month — Challenging Racist BC: Join @VanDPAC in marking Asian Heritage Month with the presentation: Challenging Racist BC — 150 Years and Counting — with the project’s authors and a member of BCTF Anti-Oppression Educators Collective. Speakers include proj1907, Carmel Tanaka (Cross Cultural Walking Tours & Elimin8Hate), Halimah Beaulieu (Elimin8Hate), Authors – Christine O’Bonsawin, Fran Morrison, Maryka Omatsu, John Price & Educators – Carmen Rodriguez & Karine Ng. Thurs. May 27, 7 pm. Regitster here
