DPAC Newsletter

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 [email protected] 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.