We will be holding a virtual May PAC Meeting. 

When:  Monday May 25th, 7:05pm (to give time for the appreciation salute to Essential Services workers)

Where: Your sitting room
(The meeting will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. Please click on the link that will be emailed out on Monday and join through your child's account.)

Dear Tennyson Families,

Here are a few updates regarding this week and some of the planning underway for the weeks to come.  We hope you are all well, and that you have a fantastic weekend!

Doug & Kateryna
Tennyson Admin Team

New Building Anticipated Move Update 
We want to let all families know that we have a confirmed update regarding the seismic completion and move.  Please see this letter linked to our website which explains the change in anticipated timeframe (you may need to copy and paste):

https://www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/lord-tennyson/About-Us/Publications/Documents/Seismic%20Update%20Tennyson%20May%2022%202020.pdf

Update from Vancouver Coastal Health
VCH has addressed a letter to all school staff, parents/guardians, and students regarding safety in the school environment during optional in-class instruction.  Here is the link (you may need to copy and paste):

https://www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/lord-tennyson/About-Us/Publications/Documents/COVID%20VCH%20Schools%20May%2021%202020-translationbox[1].pdf

Continuity of Learning Update
A big thank you to our families for completing the Return to In-Class Instruction Surveys.  Schools are in the process of analyzing the results of these surveys, and the results will help us to determine what days students will be receiving in-class instruction.  We are also working hard to ensure that Health and Safety of staff and students is the priority, by looking at aspects of our building such as flow of people (and where), what spaces can and cannot be used, physical distancing in common spaces, classrooms, and outside etc.  With a number of students returning to in-class instruction, teachers will need a bit of time to prepare for this, both in terms of the physical classroom layout, and in transitioning of materials and lesson formats.  So, please know that the online classroom environment may look different in the latter portion of the week.  As always we appreciate your support and patience as we continue to work with district staff on these various things.  We will provide further updates to families next week.

In case you did not have a chance to look, the VSB FAQ regarding optional return to in-class instruction has a lot of helpful information.  Here is the link to the document (you may need to copy and paste):

https://www.vsb.bc.ca/News/Documents/20200519_FAQ_InClassResumes.pdf

Essential Services Workers and Daycare:
The School District has posted this information for parents of ESWs who are/were accessing childcare up to June 1st:

https://www.vsb.bc.ca/News/Documents/sbfile/200522/Update-Child%20care_2.pdf

Dear Tennyson Families,

Thank you in advance for completing the district gradual return to in-class instruction survey, which helps schools/our district to guide planning.  We wanted to let you know of some information that is now posted to the VSB Website that you might find helpful and informative.  The FAQ may answer some questions that you might have.

FAQ for Families: In-Class Instruction:
https://www.vsb.bc.ca/News/Documents/20200519_FAQ_InClassResumes.pdf

Superintendent’s Video – Preparing for the voluntary, part-time return to in-class instruction:
https://www.vsb.bc.ca/news/_layouts/15/ci/post.aspx?oaid=a063d89b-8ef7-4d4c-b47b-224f84a97220&oact=20001

​Superintendent’s Letter to parents (emailed directly from District Communications already):
https://www.vsb.bc.ca/News/Documents/20200519_Letter_Families.pdf

Have a great day, and as always, we continue to provide you with regular Continuity of Learning updates.

The Vancouver International Children's Festival is thrilled to announce their first ever online Kids Fest Pop Up! From Tuesday, May 26 to Sunday, May 31, parents, children and teachers will be able to take part in daily online events that will delight, engage, and entertain. And it’s all free!

You can find more information here and all the showtimes and details on our schedule page.

For the past few years, the BC School Fruit & Vegetable Nutritional Program has brought a variety of fruits and vegetables into schools to distribute to students. You may have noticed the "big day" each month noted on the school calendar, or recalled the consent form you signed all the way back in September. Or maybe you didn't clock it at all. Either way, it's a great program designed to put a little extra nutrition into out kiddos and is run by a few terrific parents. Due to the current health emergency, the produce had no where to go. BUT, Shana, mother of 2 Tenny Tigers, was able to facilitate a donation this week of Tennyson mini cukes to Outreach Care Society, and we just wanted to shout about it!! Thank you Shana! 

Shana, with the generosity of her bootcamp participants - including many Tennyson families, has also helped raised over $7,000 for Backpack Buddies. Bootcamps by donation run Wednesday and Sunday mornings.

Dear Tennyson Families,

I hope this update message finds you well, ahead of a long weekend.  I also hope that you all have a chance to relax a bit and have fun together over the next three days.  Here are a few updates:


Continuity of Learning Update
It was a busy week with teachers and support staff connecting and working with students in a variety of ways.  I enjoyed being in a number of the classes and see the learning happening.  As always, a big thank you to both our parents/guardians and our staff for working through the “learning-at-home” context.

You likely know that there was a provincial press conference today regarding planning for in-school learning on a part-time basis.  I know that this may bring up a number of questions from our families.  Our district staff team is working, alongside our stakeholder partners, on the local VSB plans for schools.  As always, I will communicate updates to families as plans develop.  You may wish to follow VSB twitter @VSB39 for district updates and new on a variety of things.  We continue to work with our four guiding principles being the focus during this time: 

• Health and Safety of students, staff, parents, community
• Communication
• Connections & Community
• Continuity of Learning

Thank you to all of our families for your continued tremendous support, patience, and understanding!


Indigenous Education Focus Pro-D

Today’s Provincial Indigenous Education Focus Professional Development day was an excellent learning opportunity for our staff!  Teachers and support staff engaged (virtually) in collabroative learning from Indigenous Educators, elders, and storytellers.  We had the opportunity to explore many things, including:

• indigenous curriculum and learning concepts
• have conversations about, and planning around, reconciliation, indigenous knowledge and ways being and learning
• cultural/historical awareness and teaching

Tennyson e-Library 
I wanted to again provide the login and password for for the Tennyson/VSB e-library.  Here it is:
Weblink (copy and paste as needed): https://www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/lord-tennyson/Teaching-and-Learning/Learning-Commons-or-Library/Pages/default.aspx
See the May 15th email from the Tennyson Administration for the login details.  ​

Have a great weekend!
Doug Roch
Principal

Dear families:

As May starts, I want to recognize that the physical distancing of recent weeks has been hard on families with school-aged children.   Our worlds have contracted and our immediate families and neighbours now play an increasingly prominent roles in our lives.  The many casual interactions that nourish our school communities must now be deliberate and planned.  

Given the need for planning and organization, the leadership role of the PAC is now more important than ever.  

Although the time spent by parents and children on the playground and other activities cannot easily be replaced, PACs have always had a role in building connections.  For example, many schools have engaged their parents in online PAC meetings very successfully using software like Zoom Meeting.  Other PACs are using online tools to determine what supports they might be able to provide vulnerable members of their school community.  Whether you create virtual events or simply open up lines of communication for families to connect to one another, we encourage you to find ways to continue to support your school and your families.

Similarly, DPAC will continue our work to support and bring school communities together.  Our April online townhall meeting (link to Q&A) was well attended.  We are now taking questions for our next townhall, tentatively scheduled for May 21st – submit questions here.  

As part of ensuring continuity of service to PACs, we are looking for interested parents to join the DPAC executive for the coming school year.  Our executive members participate on VSB committees and organize informational events such as our townhalls.  Our nomination form is here.  If you have questions about DPAC, please feel free to contact us.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and be kind.
​
Shaun Kalley, 2019-2020 chair Upcoming DPAC Events

• Thursday, May 14, 7pm – DPAC Executive Meeting Online.
• TBC Thursday, May 21, 7pm – DPAC Town Hall Online. Will include Q&A session with Superintendent Suzanne Hoffman. Submit questions/comments before Wednesday, May 20.
• Thursday, May 28, 7pm – DPAC General Meeting Online. 

DPAC Seeking Input

• DPAC childcare committee – Do you have concerns about school-age care and ideas about how to increase the availability of spaces in the district?  Would you like to help DPAC encourage the VSB to explore innovative ways to address the current shortage?   If so, please consider joining our childcare committee.  Contact committee chair Alan Patola Moosmann at alan.patola.moosmann@vancouverdpac.org for more details.

Mental Health WeekThe Canadian Mental Health Association's (CMHA) annual Mental Health Week is May 4 to 10, 2020.  The theme of this year's Mental Health Week is social connection.  Connecting with other people and our communities is essential for our mental health -- and right now, we need each other more than ever. 

Unprecedented obligations are being placed on us as parents of school aged children in a time of physical distancing.  Let’s have real conversations with our friends and neighbours about how we’re all really doing.  Genuine, heartfelt dialog can bring us together, even when we must be apart.  Visit www.mentalhealthweek.ca for information and tools about CMHA Mental Health Week.
 Education resources

• Jack Talks: In 2019, Jack.org presented nearly 450 ‘Jack Talks’ across every province and territory in Canada. Jack Talks are mental health presentations delivered by young people, for young people. Jack.org is now offering Virtual Jack Talks in a digital format, for both educators and parents looking to deliver mental health education to young people, aged 15-24. Virtual Jack Talks include a professionally-recorded Jack Talk, discussion guides, prompts, quizzes and more. Virtual Jack Talks can be used by educators as a valuable mental health week exercise for students, and are available in shorter format for the general public. Digital Jack Talks for Educators can be found here.  A shorter version for the general public can be found here.
• The Psychology Foundation of Canada (PFC) is a not-for-profit foundation offering several free educational resources around stress management (infants, children, youth, adults), including webinars posted on their YouTube channel. The recent webinar "Calming the Commotion" was on coping skills for families staying at home for extended periods during the pandemic.
• 13 ways to ease concerns about school during COVID-19 (Kids Help Phone)

Resources for Children & Youth

• Kids Help Phone has registered clinical counsellors available for free, 24 hours a day by webchat or telephone -- 1-800-668-6868
• Kelty Mental Health, located at BC Children’s Hospital
  • Online resources for youth and parents on a variety of topics
  • Youth-in residence peer support line 1-800-665-1822 or (604)875-2084
  • Parent-in-residence support line 1-800-665-1822 or (604)875-2084 
• Foundry BC is now offering virtual drop-in counselling for young people ages 12-24 and their families. To access this service, call 1-833-FØUNDRY (yes, that’s FØUNDRY with a zero! or 1-833-308-6379) to book an appointment. Sessions available through chat, voice-only calls or video calls.
• Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) supports Indigenous Youth in multiple ways, employing philosophies of two-eyed seeing, culture as therapy, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and person-centred care in their services.
• QMunity – provides support for LGBTQ youth and their allies through publications, multimedia materials, one-on-one consultations, and interactive workshops.

Resources for Youth & Adults

• The BC Psychological Association in partnership with the University of British Columbia is offering BCPA COVID-19 Psychological First Aid Service to help any BC resident aged 19+ who is experiencing stress, anxiety, or uncertainty due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological First Aid is a brief (up to 30 minute) telephone consultation to provide you with information and strategies to help you cope with the stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is designed to help people who usually cope with daily life pretty well, but who might be feeling overwhelmed during this very stressful time. 
• Crisis Centre of BC – offers trained volunteers available to chat online (Youth and Adult services) or answer your call, 24/7. This is a suicide crisis  hotline. 1-800-784-2433 or 1-800-SUICIDE.  They are also expanding their mindfulness-based programs  online to provide adults and youth tools to manage stress, burnout, uncertainty and change. More information.  
• Vancouver Coastal Health Crisis Line: 604-872-3311 /  604-872-0113 TTY (1-866-661-3311 / 1-866-872-0113 TTY)

Important Dates

• Month of May – Asian Heritage Month (ExplorAsian: Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Festival); Speech and Hearing Awareness Month (Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists); & Vision Health Month (Canadian Association of Optomotrists)
• Saturday, May 2, 9:30am – BCCPAC AGM
• Week of May 3-9 – Drinking Water Week (BC Water & Waste Association); & Emergency Preparedness Week (Emergency Preparedness Canada) (PreparedBC)
• Week of May 4-10 – Mental Health Week (Canadian Mental Health Association)
• Wednesday, May 6, 5pm – VSB Facilities Planning Committee 
• Thursday, May 7 – National Child & Youth Mental Health Day; (FamilySmart)
• Sunday, May 10 – Mother's Day
• Wednesday, May 13, 6:30pm – VSB Finance Committee (Draft 2020-21 Budget to be presented)
• Thursday, May 14, 7pm – DPAC Executive Meeting 
• Friday, May 15 – District Pro-D Day; International Day of Families (UN)
• Sunday, May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia)
• Monday, May 18 – Victoria Day
• Wednesday, May 20 – VSB Committee of the Whole (Budget 2020-21)
• Thursday, May 21 – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (UNESCO Canada)
• Thursday, May 21, 7pm – DPAC Town Hall (TBC)
• Monday, May 25 – International Missing Children's Day (Missing Children Society of Canada)
• Monday, May 25, 7pm – VSB Board Meeting
• Thursday, May 28, 7pm – DPAC General Meeting 

Useful Information & ResourcesArts & Music Online

• Andrew Lloyd Webber is streaming his musicals for free. Each week a different musical will be available for 48 hours from Friday at 7pm BST on "The Shows Must Go On" YouTube channel
• For some fun. listen to Wes Tank rap Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
• The English National Ballet in the UK has performances and ballet classes online
• Watch Alicia Keys' world premiere of ‘Good Job,’ a song with a message of gratitude and thanks for essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic
• Watch Buffy Sainte-Marie deliver a powerful message to take heart and take care during the Stronger Together benefit
• This Architecture Studio Released A Series Of Templates Children Can Use To Create Paper Cities During Lockdown (Demilked) British architecture studio Foster + Partners released a series of paper building templates that kids can print out, color and use to build their own paper cities
• 21 Virtual Tours and Live Streams to Enjoy While You're Stuck at Home (SmarterTravel)
• 50 Online Art and Music Resources to Help Kids Learn and Create from Home (BoredTeachers)

Childcare

• All temporary emergency childcare for essential workers spots in Vancouver (VSB and City of Vancouver sites) are being allocated by Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre (WCCRC). No spots are allocated by VSB principals or staff. Go to WCCRC for all questions and the registration form.

COVID-19 Supports

• WeGotchu.ca Links to resources compiled by SFU
• Online access for families in need - TELUS Internet for Good
• COVID-19: Food educators, chefs pumping out thousands of meals for people in need
  Thousands of meals per week are being served to Vancouver's hungry and isolated (Vancouver Sun)
• Schools and community groups scramble to feed students as pandemic leads to surge in demand (CBC)

Diverse Learners

• See Section 3 of the Ministry's FAQ page: Support for Students with Disabilities and Diverse (Special) Needs. 
• Thursday, May 7, 12pm – Mission impossible? Remote Learning for Children with ADHD. Register or sign up to receive the recording only below! Cost: FREE, suggested donation $10 (CADDAC)
• Wednesday, May 20, 9am – ADHD Education Day for Parents by the Provincial ADHD Clinic. This a free education day, providing parents/caregivers with information on how ADHD is diagnosed, evidence based treatment for ADHD, tips on parenting a child with ADHD and how to help a child with ADHD at school.  BC Children's Hospital at the Chan Auditorium. Click link for more information and to register.
• BC Parents of Complex Kids, FSIBC, Inclusion BC and BCEdAccess collaborated to conduct a survey from April 23rd to 25th. 1055 parents/guardians of children with disabilities responded. Results.
• Vancouver school board to reopen select programs for students with high learning needs (CBC)

Education

• COVID-19 Updates for K-12 Education in April (from BCCPAC)
  • April 29 Update (Facebook post)
  • April 26 Update (Facebook post)
  • April 24 Statements in media from Minister Fleming
  • April 23 Launch of Good News in Education site with info about how we are working together
  • April 21 Ministry Media Release re ensuring students get meals/food
  • April 20 Ministry Media Release re Educational Assistants
  • April 18 Ministry Media Release with Quote from President Sinclair - re technology access
  • April 17 MoE Parent FAQ Updated
  • April 15 Joint Statement from MoE and MCFD
  • April 14 OpEd from Minister Fleming
  • April 7 MoE FAQ document updated - also in French, in Chinese, in Punjabi, in Arabic, in Farsi, in Korean, in Tagalog
  • April 3 Caring for Children during COVID from PHO
  • April 3 Minister Fleming Interview Q&A on Global TV
  • April 2 Assurance re Zoom as tool for educators/students
  • April 1 Minister Fleming Interview Q&A on CTV News
  • April 1 Update MoE FAQ Document - also in Chinese, in Punjabi, in Arabic, in Farsi, in Korean, in Tagalog.
• By the numbers: Kindergarten to Grade 12 during COVID-19 (Thr Province)

Expand/Embrace Your Indigenous Knowledges

• Friday, May 1, 4pm – Indigenous Storyteller in Residence at VPL, Nova Weipert, leads a virtual talking circle to promote healing & understanding. Come share your thoughts and feelings during these uncertain times. via Zoom
• Anishinaabe woodsman takes his outdoor survival classes online (CBC News)

Online Learning Resources

• Ministry of Education's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Continuity of Learning Helpful new FAQ document re continuity of learning during COVID-19 for parents/guardians.
• Open School BC – Government page with suggestions for parents and caregivers to keep their children learning at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes educational resources, includes for French Immersion; suggestions for learning at home; everyday learning activities (reading, cooking, playing cards, ...); and keeping healthy.
• VSB's Continuity of Learning resource page
• SFU Science has added a ton of K-12 activities & teacher's resources to their website. Subjects include physics, geology, astronomy, health & more. 
• Fresh Roots tutorials on youtube
• Stream of Dreams and Wildcoast Ecological (@wildcoastecological) have teamed up to bring a Fish & Flowers Youtube channel featuring curriculum-linked activities and lessons for school-aged children, parents and teachers to learn about life sciences around their neighbourhoods. 

Parenting During Covid

• Wednesday, May 6, 1:30-1:50pm – LIVE Mindfulness Session for Parents & Caregivers a collaboration by the BC Children's Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre and the BC Children's Centre for Mindfulness "We know that parents and caregivers might be feeling additional stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, as we all navigate disrupted routines and changes to home, school, and work life. We get this, and would like to invite you to take 20 minutes for yourself to care for any anxious nerves, and nourish your capacity for wellness and resilience in the midst of crisis."
• Wednesday, May 20, 7pm – Staying Sane at Home with Kids by Dr. Deborah MacNamara (free online event)
• Westcoast Family Centres has a page dedicated to resources for parents at home with children during COVID-19, including some online workshops and groups
• A Vancouver parent has created the website: Vancouver Virtual Families with lots of resources and ways to connect (virtually) with other families.
• Learning From Home: Resources for Parents and Students - Government House 
• Canadian Mental Health Association's tips for Caring for children in the COVID-19 crisis
• Parent Support Services is offering the following services during this health emergency (poster here)
  • Online Parenting Support Circles – provide a Safe and Confidential space for parents and grandparents and others raising a relative’s child. It is a chance to share challenges, concerns, questions and offer the support you need during COVID 19. We have Circles happening throughout the day. To register or find out more, connect with the regional program staff in your area or call our toll free number 1-877-345-9777. Check website for dates and times.
  • BC Parenting Support Line – Need to talk? Are you juggling home, work, homeschooling and childcare? Are the new changes stressful and taking a toll on your emotional and mental health? Talk to a skilled support worker. Call our provincial parent support line 1-877-345-9777. Open Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm.
  • Grandparents Raising Grandchildren/Kinship Care Support Line – If you’re a grandparent or other relative raising a family member’s child, you can get information and advice from the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Support Line at grgline (at) parentsupportbc.ca or 604-558-4740 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10am to 2pm.

Pride

• Virtual meet-ups available for LGBTQ students to connect (CBC)

Sustainability

• Killarney Secondary's Environment Club's "Remedy for Plastic Bag Waste" ... Reducing and recycling Styrofoam, and all plastic bags, fast food/snack bags (poster). Note: The Environment Club was just starting this initiative and since the CoVID crisis, have not been able to implement it. Please do not bring your plastics to the school yet....until there is a solid plan in place. Just collect what you have in separate bags for now.

Welcome to K 2020

• VSB's Welcome to Kindergarten Event scheduled for this spring will be postponed until September. Schools will be in touch with incoming K families as soon as there is more information.
• Check out the Welcome to Kindergarten website.  There is a wonderful app for children and lots of ideas for learning and getting ready for school. 
• Looking to virtually connect with other incoming K families? Check out Kindergarten Connections website created by some Vancouver parents.

DPAC Resources

• Vancouver DPAC Constitution and Bylaws revised June 2019
• Vancouver DPAC's 2019/20 Budget
• 2019/20 Meeting Calendar
• PAC Liaisons
• DPAC Executive Nomination form
• Check out our resource page for presentation slide decks.

BCCPAC Updates

• Good News in Education – Launch of Good News in Education site with info about how we are working together. 
• Graduation Assessments Info – All info/docs re Literacy & Numeracy assessments in one place incl how to access/download your child's results. 
• Canadian Centre for Child Protection – CCCP have developed a list of resources for parents/guardians to use in the home. 

Important Dates

• May 2 – Online AGM. Registration links were sent to registered PAC executives.
• June 30 – Gaming Grant Applications due. Can apply as early as April 1.

  Funderland Children Centre, at  1708 W 16th Avenue, is within a 10-minute walk of Tennyson.  Funderland   offers the following  package to meet your after school child-care needs:

• "free pick-up" service.
• Everyday classes from school dismissal till 5:30 pm 
• Drop-In sessions 
• Pro-D day camps 
• Winter and spring break camps
• Summer Camps

Funderland is a game-based program with a focus on developing life skills through fun indoor and outdoor group games and other activities. For more information about their program, costs and reservation please visit www.funderland.ca  email info@funderland.ca  or call 604 345 6259.

Azi, the owner of Funderland, has created an audio/video storybook recommended by WHO, to share with Tennyson parent to play for their children. This story is specifically written for this time of Covid-19 pandemic. Over 1,700 children, parents, caregivers and teacher from around the world helped a group of
psychologists to develop this project for children around the world affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is in video format and children can play it as many time as they like.