November 2023
In this PAC newsletter, we will cover the following:
Message from PAC Co-Chair
Minutes from Oct 2023 PAC Meeting
What is a PAC?
Join the PAC Executive for 2023-24
New Ways to Stay In Touch with PAC - WhatsApp
Resources for parents and caregivers
Co-Chair's Message
Hello, parents and guardians of Hamber students.
This is Jackie Lee, the Co-chairperson of Hamber PAC.I hope this newsletter finds you all well and healthy. As we approach the end of the year, I would like to share some updates and highlights from our PAC activities and events.
First of all, I would like to thank all of you for your continued support and involvement in our PAC. Your contributions make a difference in our school community and enhance the learning experience of our students. I would also like to acknowledge and appreciate our principal, Marea Jensen, and the school staff for their hard work and dedication in providing a safe and positive environment for our students.
In October, we had a successful PAC meeting where we discussed various topics, such as the progress of the new Hamber site, the budget report, and the fundraising initiatives.
I would like to invite you to attend the upcoming PAC meeting at the school staff room on November 21st, 2023 at 6.30pm. This meeting is an opportunity for you to learn more about the school's activities, programs, and initiatives, as well as to share your ideas and feedback with the PAC and the school administration.
If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, you can join us online via Zoom. Link would be provided before meeting. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcOGppjguH9D9Lmlp_0stwdYySMdeCxXh
As we look ahead, we are trying to arrange a parents meet with exciting guest speakers and activities planned for our PAC in early December, see below.
We are also excited to announce the creation of a new WhatsApp chat group exclusively for parents with children in different grades at Eric Hamber Secondary School. This chat group aims to foster communication, share valuable information, and build a strong sense of community among our diverse parent body.
Why Join the WhatsApp Chat Group?
Stay Informed: Get updates on school events, important dates, and announcements.
Connect with Other Parents: Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share experiences with fellow parents.
Grade-Specific Channels: Each grade will have its own channel within the group, allowing you to connect with parents who have children in the same grade.
How to Join?
Install WhatsApp: If you haven’t already, download WhatsApp from your app store.
Click the Invite Link: We’ve created an invite link for easy access. Simply copy and paste the following URL to your web browser (click may not work) https://chat.whatsapp.com/I2tFrsVvIc7HyuTOcHjhuB or scan the QR code to join the Hamber Parents Chat Group.
Introduce Yourself: Once you’re in the group, introduce yourself and let us know which grade your child is in.
We hope to see you at the meeting and hear your voice. Your participation and support are greatly appreciated. Thank you for being part of our Hamber community.
Sincerely,
Jackie Lee
Co-chairperson of Hamber PAC
You are Invited to our PAC November 2023 meeting
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rdeuuqD0uHNXMqNw5s4WuXYbabbBjmehh
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Any Parent/guardian of a Hamber student(s) may attend.
Should you have questions about the agenda or you wish to add items for discussion, you must email those to us in advance to chair@hamberpac.ca so that we can try to adjust the agenda to accommodate the requested changes within the scheduled meeting time.
Agenda for November 21st 2023 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Welcome and approval of Agenda and approval of October PAC meeting minutes
Principal's Report, Q&A
Chair Report
Treasurer Report
Other Business
Parents Meet
Potential Parents Meet Day
Monday December 4th, 2023 evening
Venue to be booked via school admins
Potential guest speakers:
School Trustee Alfred Chien, MLA Michael Lee
Potential topics to be suggested by parents, Q&As
Mandarin language programs Parents Meet with other schools
- Elementary schools - Norquay & Trudeau
- High schools - Windermere & Eric Hamber.
Date: Dec. 8th 2023, 19:30
Venue: to be determined
Please sign up via chair@hamberpac.ca
If you have any questions/suggestions please text/whatsapp 604-773-3824.
What is a PAC?
The School Act gives parents the right, through Parent Advisory Councils (PACs), to provide feedback in their school. PAC is the officially recognized collective voice of parents of their school. A PAC, through its elected officers, may advise the school board, the principal and staff of the school respecting any matter relating to the education of the students and the school.
PACs are forums within each school community to discuss matters affecting your school and the education of your children. Parents’ voices are a tremendous value to their school. They offer a wealth of ideas and support in the challenges that face all public schools. PACs strive to represent the diversity within their communities and contribute to the benefit of all students by:
providing opportunities to educate and inform parents about the school;
involving parents in volunteer activities; and
openly discussing parents’ concerns and aspirations for their schools.
Who Can Become a Member of PAC?
All parents and guardians of students registered in the school are able to participate and are members of the PAC.
What Governs A PAC?
As an autonomous body, the PAC must abide by its Constitution and Bylaws and the School Act. PACs are NOT required to register as a non-profit or under the BC Societies Act.
How Does A PAC Work?
Through their elected executives from parents in the school, PACs communicate with their parent community gathering and discussing issues of importance regarding their school in order to adequately advise those that influence their school. In addition to PAC meetings communication may also be done through, newsletters, telephone, email, and websites so that all parents have the opportunity for input. PACs, with strong participation from parents, have an important influence on life at the school and the feelings the community has toward the school and education. There is strong evidence that increased parent involvement in the school results in increased student achievement, accomplishment, satisfaction, and bonding all of which result in decreased dropout rates and better citizen.
Purposes of a PAC
To advise the school principal and staff on parents’ views and feedback about school programs, policies, plans and activities.
To organize PAC activities and events and endeavour to provide parent education.
To encourage parent involvement in the school, and to support programs that promote parent involvement.
To communicate with parents, and to promote co-operation between the home and the school in providing support for the education of children.
To assist parents in accessing the system and to advocate on behalf of parents and students.
To provide financial support for the goals of the PAC, as determined by its membership.
To advise and participate in the activities of the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) and the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC).
The business of the PAC shall be unbiased in respect of race, colour, religion, politics, family status, gender, sexual orientation or physical or mental ability. The PAC is not a forum for the discussion of individual school personnel, parents, or other individual members of the school community.
We are looking for parents and guardians to join the PAC Executive for the 2023-24 school year! Secretary position is still available! For more information, please email us at chair@Hamberpac.ca
Stay In Touch with Hamber PAC!
You may now stay in touch through email, Facebook,and WhatsApp Notice Board
Also join us on Facebook:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1305402419632328/
Email: chair@hamberpac.ca
Resources for Parents and Caregivers
These resources are provided for your reference, the PAC does not endorse any service, just offering parents/guardians a link to further pursue.
Click on the images above to review 2 videos on where to get mental health help for my child from BC Children's Hospital
B.C. launches free app to connect youth to mental health support - info and video here.
MyHEARTSMAP is a digital tool that will help families, children and youth self-assess their mental health needs. Once the self-assessment is completed, the tool will recommend appropriate resources. This tool has been found to be highly reliable and can provide options for seeking care.
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre at BC Children's Hospital Kelty helps families across the province navigate the mental health system, connect with peer support, and access resources and tools to support wellbeing.
Anxiety and Me Video - Identifying Anxiety
Anxiety - What is it? - How to identify and seek support
Foundry
Foundry BC offers young people ages 12-24 health and wellness resources, services and supports – online and through integrated service centres in communities across BC.Covid-19 Resources
One-to-one Tutoring with Certified BC Teachers: Teachers’ Tutoring Service helps you find the best tutors available. Tutors are qualified to teach in BC, have tutoring experience and a good knowledge of the curriculum. https://tutor.bc.ca/
Thank you. It is our pleasure to serve our Hamber parent community.
Link to our current PAC Bylaws: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51a77f4be4b07edcf51508f6/t/56ba8900e32140e862875e03/1455065344419/Hamber-PAC-Bylaws-20160203-signed.pdf
Our Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1305402419632328/members
Acknowledging that we live, work, and learn on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish Coast Salish Peoples.
Hamber PAC meetings for 2023/24 meetings on Tuesdays starting at 6:30pm-8:30pm,
in person in the staff room at Hamber. We will also offer virtual attendance. Meet other parents, the Principal and other guests.
September 19, 2023 AGM
October 17, 2023
November 21, 2023
January 16, 2024
February 20, 2024
April 18, 2024
May 21, 2024
There are no PAC meetings in December or March.
For more information please contact: chair@hamberpac.ca