Update on community discussion about food at school

Today's community meeting about foods was a very positive event.
Ms. Baker took on the role of facilitator for our Information Gathering Circle. She is trained and experienced in restorative justice facilitation and is a real contribution in sensitive discussions such as this one.
Besides Ms. Baker, representing our administration, there were participants from the teaching staff, parents and PAC executive.
The Talking Piece made two rounds around the table:
On the first round, each participant could choose to pass or to talk about their particular concern and what they hope will come out of this discussion about foods at school.
During the second round, each participant was given a chance to ask a question, which was not to be answered immediately, but for which they would hope to hear/find an answer eventually.

What happens next?
We would like to hear from as many parents as possible. You can submit your responses to the questions

"What I hope comes out of this conversation" or
"What I hope does not happen as a result of this conversation" 

until December 15 by either using our PAC box at the school office (put Att: Food and Health committee on your message) or by e-mailing your response to the chair of the committee at jana.ronne@gmail.com.

There will also be another community meeting opportunity scheduled for just-before-pick up time for those who cannot come before school. We will notify you of the date as soon as it is set.

Based on what was heard today, what written responses we get and what will be heard at the next  meeting(s), a draft motion will be created and brought to PAC.

Kids Culture Film Series - On The Sly

Rio Theatre.  “On The Sly” 2 p.m.  Sunday November 18th.

Tickets available at the door and at www.riotheatre.ca .

Our first Sunday Children’s Movie Matinee was a great success when we screened “Kooky” (a Czech children’s movie).  This Sunday is our second installment in the Kids Culture Film Series.  We will be screening a French movie (in English language) called “On The Sly”, a story of a girl who tests her theory that she is invisible to her parents.  If you have a parent group that is looking for children’s entertainment outside of the usual Hollywood fare this is a great event.  Attached is a poster and a short description of the film.  If you think appropriate for your community please pass this on to your parents.

For the trailer see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu0Tf9kx9tE

All net proceeds for this movie will be going to Queen Victoria’s playground fund.

Promo Email

Food community forum Friday 8-9am

Come and help us figure out what do we agree on and what are we hoping for in regards to foods at school.
We will be meeting tomorrow 8-9am at the school library. You are welcome to bring your children along - they can play and read while we listen to each other.
If you cannot come but want to be heard, please e-mail jana.ronne@gmail.com or drop a message att: to the Food and Health committee into the PAC box by the school office.

Bulb planting today!

Stay with us for few minutes after school and help us plant our bulbs. What a beautiful day to do it!

2012/13 Garibaldi PAC Meeting Dates

2012/13 Garibaldi PAC Meeting Dates

PAC Meetings will be held the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM

December 12, 2012
January 9, 2013
February 13, 2013
March 13, 2013
April 10, 2013
May 8, 2013
June 12. 2013
September 11, 2013

BCCPAC Newsbytes Volume 13 Issue 2

         BCCPAC Membership 2012-13. – Join us as we work to keep the parent voice vibrant and strong in BC!

·         Healthy Schools: Dry Grad Guidebook for BC

·         WITS – Show us your WITS (Contest for schools)

·         Snowpass: Opportunity for grades 4/5 students 

To read these and other articles click on the hyperlink below.

NewsBytes - Volume 13, Issue 2 – November 7, 2012

http://www.bccpac.bc.ca/news-blog/newsbytes-november-7-2012

Reminder: PAC Meeting Tonight November 7th, 6:30pm

School Library 6:30-8:00 pm (free child care available in the gym)

Review of BC’s school food and beverage sales guidelines

From BCCPAC

On behalf of the Directorate of Agencies for School Health BC and Dietitians of Canada, BC Region, we are inviting you, as a parent, to join us in the review of BC’s school food and beverage sales guidelines. Time is limited, so please respond to this email immediately if you are interested in joining one of our three conference calls. The Ministries of Health and Education are revising the Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools (Guidelines), to ensure that it reflects the most up-to-date scientific (i.e., life sciences – food/nutrition) evidence, and the current market place (i.e., what and how foods and beverages are sold).  In 2011, health and education stakeholders (specifically groups that use the Guidelines on a regular basis such as BCCPAC members) were engaged in stage 1 of a consultation process to review and provide input into the current Guidelines (2010). The Ministry of Health has revised and updated the 2010 Guidelines based on stage 1 input. Stage 2 of the consultation process is now in progress. The objectives are to meet with stakeholders to ensure their feedback is adequately reflected in the proposed Guidelines revision, and to gain input (i.e., comments or feedback) on resources required to implement the Guidelines.  Three opportunities for you to provide feedback have been scheduled.

RSVP BCCPAC by November 9 to confirm your involvement in one of the following teleconferences by emailing info@bccpac.bc.ca with your school district number added to the subject line text box, and your choice of date in the email body.  The available dates and times are:
November 19 7:00-8:00 pm
November 22 12:00-1:00 pm
November 27 1:30-2:30 pm

Prior to the meeting, participants will receive an email containing information to review before the teleconference call. We hope to hear from you soon!

Help us plant some bulbs this Thursday after school!

The fabulous Sandra Larson has some pretty bulbs for our school yard and garden that really need to go into the ground! So we are hoping to have you stay for a few minutes longer after school on Thursday and find the inner squirrel in you and help us plant these beauties:)
Let's dig dirt!

November 16th, 8-9am, a talk about food in the school setting

Come and help us formulate what Garibaldi parents and teachers expect with regards to food at school!

The Food and Health committee is hoping to see you at our next meeting on Friday, November 16, 8-9am at the school library.

We are hoping to come up with a plan for series of “open houses” where all of Garibaldi community, including teachers, administration and parents, will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on a particular topic such as “What are the pros and cons of litter-less lunches?” You need to help us select the questions that are in the greatest need of addressing!

The open houses would be run once per month in the spirit of “talking stick” meetings, where a speaking token is being passed around the circle and each participant gets to hold it for a minute, during which they get an uninterrupted opportunity to speak. The speaking token is passed around the circle until there is no longer a need to respond to what was heard. This should allow us all to learn about each others challenges with regards to foods. Understanding will help us all to respect one another.

The Food and Health committee is also hoping to arrange for some guest speakers that would help us all learn more about topics of interest – to be identified during our November meeting and the subsequent open houses.