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Sunday, April 27, 2014

Come and get seeds this Friday at pick up time! + Treekeepers reminder

Do you want to try your green thumb this spring?
Come and get some vegetable and flower seeds this Friday, May 2 at pick up time.

Look for our seed table in the under cover area. If you have surplus seeds you want to share, please bring them along:)
If you would like to grow some of our Garibaldi raspberries, mint, fennel, lupins, calendula, or comfrey, we can help you dig some up from the garden. Just ask!

Treekepers program reminder: The city of Vancouver sells $10 fruit and ornamental trees through its Treekepers grant project. Just go to the website below, select the trees you want and a convenient pick up time/location ( There will be a pick up at Britannia CC on Sat, May 10) and pay and the tree(s) is(are ) yours. If you have questions about the varieties available (only 4 are left!), see me during the seed event on Friday and I can give you some information.

Treekepers - get a tree!

Protect Public Education Now

Protect Public Education Now (PPEN) is a new public education advocacy group. Here is there initial message to parents.

You may have heard in the news about the 2014-2015 Proposed Budget for the next school year. In order to balance the budget, many vital programs are facing either complete removal or, at the very least, drastic cuts in service.

We would like to inform you of these cuts - and what you can do, as they will greatly affect your child(ren), many students, and also those with the most need in the schools.

What you should know:

Many cuts have been proposed including eliminating/reducing support for:

Gifted Consultant Position - (pg. 50)
Area Counselor support (pg. 53)
School Psychologists - (pg. 54)
English Language Learner Consultant - (p. 64)
Athletic Coordinator - elimination (pg. 67)

In addition to the cuts, an additional 3 non-instructional days are recommended for the 2014-2015 School Calendar meaning clases for yoru kids would not be offered on November 12, 13, and 14. (see pg. 68)

You'll find the full list in the budget with details starting on page 22.

Here is the link for the 2014-2015 Proposed Budget: http://www.vsb.bc.ca/sites/default/files/2014-2015%20Preliminary%20Budget%20Proposals%20Report%20%28April%208%202014%29.pdf

What you can do to voice your concerns about the proposed VSB Budget Cuts:

Sign the DPAC (District Parent Advisory Council) page and sign the petition to stop these cuts at: http://vsbdpac.ca/petition-for-public-education-funding/

Complete the survey below and share with as many other parents as possible. Input from all parents in the district will help our DPAC to represent all views of parents regarding the proposed budget.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DPACSURVEY2014

Show your support via the NEW parent/citizen advocacy group called “Protect Public Education Now” (PPEN), which includes all the information listed above:

Visit the website at www.ppen.ca and share it with as many other parents as possible.
Like the Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ProtectEducationPPEN.

Attend the next Public Hearing on April 28th at 7:00 pm at the Education Centre.

E-mail the VSB Board of Trustees Chair, Patti Bacchus at patti.bacchus@vsb.bc.ca

Contact the Provincial government know how you feel about the impact of their funding decisions on the VSB, and in turn the students. DPAC (District PAC) have created a funding request letter template for your use if needed.

Here are some email addresses (consider posting any letters or emails you write on the PPEN facebook page):

Christy Clarke, Premier: premier@gov.bc.ca

Peter Fassbender, Education Minister: peter.fassbender.mla@leg.bc.ca

Adrian Dix, MLA Vancouver- Kingsway: adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca

Contact for your local MLA can be found at: http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm

Stay connected:
Here are ways you can stay tuned on the latest news via the DPAC updates:

DPAC Website - e-newsletter signup available: http://vsbdpac.ca/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VanDPAC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VSBDPAC

If you have any questions or concerns with regards to this proposed budget, please feel free to contact PPEN via our facebook page: (https://www.facebook.com/ProtectEducationPPEN)

Thank you for your time, continued support, and attention the above matter.

Sincerely yours,
Members of PPEN

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Hastings Elementary clothing sale this Thursday evening


What? Hastings PAC Children's Clothing Sale


When? Thursday, April 24th  7pm-9pm

Where? Hastings Elementary School (2625 Franklin St) in the Multipurpose Room

Why?  Fundraiser in support of Earth Week and the theme of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - for just $10, fill a bag with any items as you choose

We have lots of items donated so make sure to share this with your friends and come out and support our fundraiser!! And you can check out our book sale at the same time!!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Soaring Eagle Nature school summer camps

*NEW* Overnight Wilderness Adventure Camp (Gambier Island)

Our first overnight summer camp! Take the water taxi over to Gambier Island for a wilder setting with access to the ocean, forest, campfires and totally new and exciting territory! Staff are very excited for this camp. Don't miss out! Ages: 10 to 15 years. Cost: $560 - $660. Dates: August 11-15. Register now!
 

Forest Camp

A full day of wander, adventure and exploration in the forest. Ages: 6 to 12 years. Cost: $215. Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.


Ninja Camp / Advanced Camp

For previous participants of our five-day camp. Heighten your senses and learn to move like a ninja through the forest. Ages: 9 to 14 years. Cost: $215. Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.


Ocean and Forest Camp

Explore both the ocean shores and the forests in this awesome, full-day adventure camp. Ages: 6 to 12 years. Cost: $215. Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.


Young Sprouts Camp

For little ones who love adventure and getting dirty, but aren't quite ready for a full day.
Ages: 4 to 6 years. Cost: $165. Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
  • June 30 - July 4, Pacific Spirit Park, Forest Camp Register now!
  • August 18-22, Acadia Park, Ocean and Forest Camp Register now!


Teen Camp

Learn to survive and thrive in the forests of BC's coastal forests with skills such as: friction fire, shelter building, navigation, shelter building, knife skills and what to do if you loose your backpack! Ages: 14 and up. Cost: $215. Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

 

Why should kids have all the fun?

 

Hey adults! Want to challenge yourself, learn some amazing skills and live in the wild? This five-day course set in the Elaho Valley (Squamish) with expert facilitators is just for you. Register today!

Friday, April 11, 2014

This Wednesday: The Sexplainer

On Wednesday, April 16th from 7:00-8:45pm at the Hastings Library private room, the Garibaldi PAC is pleased to be hosting Marnie Goldenberg, The Sexplainer.  

This is an evening for parents to listen to how you can ensure having sexually intelligent children.  Marnie will speak for just over an hour and then take any questions parents have.  This is a paragraph from Marnie's website which gives you a brief summary of her background.  If you want more information about her and what she will speak on, visit her website:  www.sexplainer.com and go to Sexplainer Services and then Salons and Workshops for Parents.

"I was raised by sex-positive parents and it has served me well. Though I trained as a lawyer, I’ve always preferred to use my skills for house buying and arguing for fun. I worked as a sexual health educator for Planned Parenthood of Toronto for several years, and since then, when not working in senior leadership roles in the voluntary sector, I take every opportunity to talk about sex to anyone who will listen.  I was trained by Options for Sexual Health in their comprehensive Sexual Health Educators Certification Program."
Please join us and feel free to bring a friend!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Minutes of Garibaldi PAC Meeting – February 26th, 2014

Minutes of Garibaldi PAC Meeting – February 26th, 2014

Attendance:
Lorraine Baker
PAC Board (3)
General PAC Members (3) including 1 Home Learner Parent

1.     Update from our school VP;
  • Gymnastics a huge hit with the kids, thanks to Lord Nelson for the loan of the mats
  • Pink Day and trip to VSO a success
  • Home Learners raised $127 for the SPCA from their cupcake sale  
  • “Ready, Set, Learn” pre-school introduction spearheaded by Laura Moino, connects kids to Garibaldi community
  • Literacy Event was really positive, but not well-attended. Lorraine would like to invite her back, perhaps for an evening session
  • District/ministry-wide updates:
  • new piece of curriculum mandated to be in place next year, regarding food and sale of food in schools (Lisa will research website to find out what this entails, re: food safety and implications)
  • Curriculum changes – move away from ‘content’ to ‘concepts’ – lends itself to more project-based learning

Questions
  • Question about kindergarten registration – approx. 15-16 registered, taking crossboundary applications for waitlist

2.     Committee Update

Movie Night Committee:
  • Dance instead of movie in February
  • Raised $261.85
  • Great time for everyone. HUGE thanks to Wade, Joanna and everyone who helped out for making it a success.
Garden Committee:
  • Manure sale March 8th
  • Garden signs will be coordinated with the tree planting – to be announced when the ground warms up.
  • Hanging basket sale – notice and flyers will be distributed (Canceled)
Fundraising
  • Selected for $2500 Hastings Track fundraiser grant along with Hastings Elementary. Thanks Julie for applying. Details to be sorted out. Julie will update us with more information as it becomes available
  • Fundraising committee will help brainstorm ideas of how to raise additional money at the event
  • Hot lunch coming March 6th! (Hopefully will host 2 or 3 more by the end of the year)

3.     Financial Update and Budget
  • Updates: PAC - Savings $4414.87; Gaming - $1484.86
  • Cameras purchased - $650 spent for 9 cameras ($709.33 with tax)
  • Both accounts charged monthly fee of $3.75 on Feb. 3rd.
  • $25 taken out of petty cash for PAC meeting babysitter
  • No other issues to be approved.

4.     New Business/ PAC Activities
Question about time allowed for kids to eat lunch. How does it work?
    • Lorraine Baker – children allowed to eat outside when weather permits (eg. Early Fall/Spring)
    • K/1’s get 30 minutes to eat. Other grades get 25 minutes to eat. Usually kids are outside by 12:30. Kids who haven’t finished our encouraged to sit on the benches to finish
    • Lorraine will give an update in the newsletter so parents know how to encourage their kids to eat on the bench if they are having a challenge eating their lunches during the allotted time.
Home Learner Update – Eventful couple of weeks. Joanna and Lilia really appreciated the support from parents. Home Learners parents and children expressed mixed feelings about the move.
    • Joanna raised the concern that since the Home Learners saved Garibaldi, this might impact Garibaldi’s future. But Joanna heard from the VSB representative Scott Robinson that this is not on the agenda and he has had no discussions on closing Garibaldi.
    • Decision from Home Learner parents: “Let’s just do what’s best for everyone”
Class photos – When should class photos be taken? Can they be taken with the individual photos at the beginning of the year? Need to follow-up so we can have someone come back in September when we are booking photographers for this year.

5.     Next PAC meeting

April 9th, 2014 at 6pm

Monday, April 7, 2014

PAC Meeting Wed April 9th @6pm



Garibaldi Annex Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

6 pm  - Staff Room (free child care available in the gym)

  1. Welcome Members; Joel Ronne, PAC Co-Chair (5 min)
  2. Agenda Additions/ Adopt previous minutes (5 min)
  3. Update from our school VP; Lorraine Baker (15 min)
  4. VSB/Sibling and Boundary Review; Joel (5 min)
  5. Committee Update; Joel Ronne (10 min)
    1. Movie Night
    2. Fundraising
      • Hastings Track Day
      • Bike Rally Grant
    3. Garden
    4. Other
  6. Financial Update and Budget; Angela Wong-Moon (15 min)
    1. Fund requests
  7. New Business/ PAC Activities
  8. Next PAC meeting May 14th @6:00pm
  9. Adjournment at 7:30 pm

Thursday, April 3, 2014

VSB Open House for School Catchment Consultations

VSB staff will be hosting OPEN HOUSES to consult with school communities regarding School Attendance Patterns and their impact on school catchments.

OPEN HOUSES are scheduled for:

Monday, April 14, between 7:00-8:30 pm at Nelson Elementary School 
Tuesday, April 22, between 3:30-5:00 pm at Secord Elementary School

School Consultations regarding Enrollment patterns and Catchment alignment

The Vancouver Board of Education would like input from school communities as they review catchment areas for schools located in the North East** sector of Vancouver.

One recommendation of the VSB Sectorial Review (2012) is to align school boundaries with the enrollment choices that families are already making. This review examines where students attend school relative to where they reside. After looking at these patterns and receiving input from the school communities, adjustments to school catchments may be made to reflect the enrollment patterns that already exist. Any changes that may occur would not affect families already enrolled. These families would remain at their chosen school.

**School catchments that may be impacted include:

Elementary: Begbie, Britannia, Garibaldi, Grandview, Hastings, Lord, MacDonald, Nelson, Secord, Queen Victoria

Secondary: Britannia and Templeton