Garibaldi Fundraiser Sunday June 8th

Come gather with your Garibaldi family and friends to have fun and support the PAC.
Sunday June 8th, 1:30-4:30pm
at Hastings Racecourse Marquee Area
Tickets are $5 and kids are welcome.
See you there.

VSB Letter re Teacher Job Action

Dear Parents and Guardians,
RE: Teacher Job Action
As you are aware, the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) and the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) are negotiating a new contract and, stemming from these negotiations, the BCTF began job action at the end of April. This has now escalated to a district-by-district second phase with a series of rotating strikes involving a full withdrawal of service that commenced in Vancouver on Monday, May 26. You are also no doubt aware that the provincial government through its bargaining agent, the BC Public School Employers’ Association has initiated a responsive partial lockout of teachers and a subsequent 10% reduction in teachers’ pay. The lockout may have created some confusion for parents.
For more information about the job action, and lockout from the Ministry of Education:
http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/05/teacher-bargaining---what-does-it-mean-for-bc-parents.html Parents might also wish to review information posted on the BCTF website at: http://www.bctf.ca. Parents might also wish to review information posted on the local teachers’ union websites at: http://vesta.ca/ and http://vsta.ca/).
Parents might also wish to review information posted on the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) websites at: http://www.bcpsea.bc.ca.
We also encourage parents to keep up to date by checking our district website at: http://www.vsb.bc.ca.
At this point, we are not aware of other days when Vancouver public schools will be placed behind picket lines. However, we understand that this rotating strike action might occur again. We will continue to keep you informed as additional information becomes available.
If you have more specific questions about school-related matters during the strike and lockout, please contact your school principal directly.
I am proud of the hard work and support provided by all staff in this complex school district. It is my hope that the labour dispute is resolved quickly at the bargaining table and that our school district can soon return to normal operations. Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Steve Cardwell
Superintendent of Schools
c. Vancouver Board of Education.

1 day $10 tree sale

The last of the trees from this year's Treekeeper program will be available for a big one-day sale on Saturday June 7th from 10 AM to noon at the South Vancouver Works Yard at 1250 East 45th Avenue (at Inverness). You'll be able to buy figs, apples and a few assorted other trees on a first-come first-serve basis. 
These trees are $10 each.

PAC Meeting - This Wednesday May 14th - 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; Angela Wong-Moon, 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 Updates; Angela Wong-Moon (10 min)
1. Movie Night
2. Fundraising
• Hastings Track Day
• Bike Rally Grant
3. Garden
4. Other
6. Financial Update and Budget; Caroline LaPointe (15 min)
1. Fund requests
7. New Business/ PAC Activities
8. Next PAC meeting May 14th @6:00pm
9. Adjournment at 7:30 pm

Minutes of Garibaldi PAC Meeting – April 9th, 2014

Minutes of Garibaldi PAC Meeting – April 9th, 2014

Attendance:
Lorraine Baker
PAC Board (3)
General PAC Members (3)

Agenda:

1. Welcome Members; Julie, 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
• Garden
• Other
• Financial Update and Budget; Angela Wong-Moon (15 min); Fund requests
• New Business/ PAC Activities
• Next PAC meeting May 14th @6:00pm
• Adjournment at 7:30 pm

1. Welcome and Adoption of Minutes:

The Co-Chair opened the meeting. March meeting minutes approved, motion by Julie, seconded by Sandra.

      3. VP Updates:

• Norovirus still present, even after Spring Break
• 1st day back after Spring Break, one of the servers crashed. The whole VSB system was affected. The side effect was that some information was sent but didn’t get through.
• Invitation from McQuinna School for big student concert – April 15th in the afternoon
• Earthquake drill – parents can be present to pick up kids as part of drill.
• Transition to Grade 5. Grade 4’s to have an opportunity to visit their new school. Most kids are going to Lord Nelson, some to AR Lord and McQuinna.
• Home Learners – transition going well. Schools are welcoming the students into their programs
• School Fee schedule will be less next year due to decreased Agenda cost ($7 instead of $10)
• VSB Budget:
• “Snapshot” and full document available on website
• In a nutshell: $13 million shortfall
• Good news – no teacher layoffs, but VSB legally obligated to balance budget – need to cut $13 million in order to balance

- End of VP Updates

4. VSB Sibling and Boundary Review:

• Joel learned from VSB rep that there will be no change this coming year for sibling catchment rules.
• How to address? You can attend the VSB Open House Discussions on Catchment:
• Parents welcome to attend
• Mon April 14 7:00-8:30pm, Nelson Elementary
• Tues April 22 3:30-5:00pm, Secord Elementary

5. Committees

Movie Night Committee:

• Next movie night April 23rd: Frozen

Garden Committee:

• Manure sale March 8th – raised $1400-1500.00. Joel will confirm the exact number when it’s available.

Fundraising:

• “Hastings Day at the Track” fundraiser, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, June 8th.
• $5000 grant split between Garibaldi and Hastings Schools
• The grant also provides a small catering budget.
• Additional fundraising is under planning – eg. Ticket sales for food and raffle for gift baskets.
• “Bike Rally” scheduled for May 21st in lieu of Movie Night
• Will be organized by Pedalheads or Endless Biking; kids will be divided into skills groups, and event will include bike decorating, a bike swap and tune-up station.
• Proposal for “Community Garage Sale” raised by one of kindergarten parents
• Timing and details to be confirmed

6. Financial Update

• Totals from Treasurer:
• $1477.36 chequing
• $4157.37 saving
• $5634.73 total
• March 7th - $250 deposit for tennis lessons
• Monthly fees - $3.75 per account
• To be confirmed – totals to be deposited from hot lunch (approx. $240) and manure sale; “Sexplainer” expense will be confirmed

Meeting Adjourned

Next meeting: May 14th 6pm

Vancouver DPAC E-Bulletin - May 2014

Link to Full May DPAC Newsletter

Food and Drinks that Fit
Wednesday, June 11, 2014 - 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
This free, interactive workshop is designed for lunch coordinators and parents involved in food and drink sales to students at all Vancouver schools. Kathy Romses and Vanessa Lam, Public Health Dietitians, will facilitate this workshop about the Provincial "Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools", food safety and school fund-raising with healthy foods. Seating is limited.  Please share this with any of your parents that are involved with serving food for students at your school through any events involving students. Register Here!

Parenting with Compassion
CDVL 1064 Parenting with Compassion May 30 evening and 31st, 2014 all day - at Langara College
Instructor: Raj Gill
Do you want to achieve a deeper level of understanding and cooperation when caring for children? Through practical exercises and role-playing, learn how to prevent power struggles and have needs met peacefully. Based on Marshall Rosenberg's book, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. For more info - cnvc.org

Simon Fraser University Summer Camps
It is never to early to start planning summer activities for kids.  SFU asked if we would share their Program for parents in our District.  We have agreed to share the link to their catalogue of programs.  Click here for the full schedule of summer camps for kids up to age 16.

Community Day at Playland - May 10

Good Morning Local Schools!

Reminder to your school, students and families that this Saturday May 10 is Community Day at Playland. This is our third year hosting and the money will go to support the local Hastings Little League. We are proud to say we have raised over 55,000 for the organization who will be hosting the 2016 Little League Canadian National Tournament. Feel free to pass this along to students families and friends as $10 from each purchased ticket will go to the Little League. Between 10 and noon on Saturday we will have some little leaguers out front in uniform to thank guests for coming.

 

Hastings Little League Day at Playland

MAY 10, 2014
PLAYLAND
10am – 6pm

Enjoy a day at Playland & support our local Hastings Little League!

$10 from each ticket redeemed on May 10 will go to support the Hastings Little League in hosting the 2016 Little League Canadian National Tournament. * Purchase tickets online or at the Gates.
*Excluding Season Ticket Holders, Complimentary Passes & Guardian Passes. Up to a maximum of $25,000

 

Hastings Elementary School Spring Fair - this Thrusday 2:30-5:30