Monday April 30 is a Pro D Day. No school
Opportunities for parent input on school district issues:
1) French Immersion program review
The VSB French Immersion working group is holding a parent focus group to seek input prior to making recommendations to the board on delivery models (single and dual track schools, early and late FI programs, etc.) and how best to distribute FI programs throughout the district to provide greater equity of access and make best use of the district’s resources. They issued an invitation through DPAC on Wednesday for parents to participate and are hoping for one or two parents from each school offering French Immersion programs. The focus group will meet next Monday, April 30, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Room 108 of the VSB offices at 1580 West Broadway.
This comes to our attention on very short notice and takes place a bit early in the day for many parents to be able to consider participating, However, you are a Hudson parent or guardian who is interested in attending or finding out more, please contact Alan, our PAC’s rep to DPAC, as soon as possible – apatola@telus.net, 778-998-8596. He can provide you with a summary of the group`s work to date and a draft agenda for the focus group meeting, and connect you with the DPAC secretary if you wish to RSVP.
2) BC Hydro proposal for underground substation in Nelson Park
Of particular interest to West End families who live near this site, BC Hydro has revived its proposal from last year to provide funding for a new elementary school in Coal Harbour and a rebuilt school at the Lord Roberts Annex site in Nelson Park in exchange for constructing a new underground substation below the park. BC Hydro is offering several opportunities for questions and public input through the month of May; for details please see https://www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/projects/west-end-substation.html?WT.mc_id=rd_westendsub. DPAC will also be having a discussion about this proposal, along with an update on the current VSB catchment review process, at its May 24 general meeting. The VSB’s press release on this issue is available at http://www.vsb.bc.ca/district-news/bc-hydro-and-vancouver-school-board-revisit-plans-underground-substation-west-end.
3) 2018-2019 Budget Review
The VSB has extended the budget review and are accepting feedback via this page. The current controversy with the budget is that it has hidden cuts to non-enrolling positions including teacher-librarians. In addition, there is no mention of the promised reinstatement of the Elementary Band and Strings program. Please do the survey found on this page:
https://www.vsb.bc.ca/district-news/budget-process-2018-2019-highlights-greater-collaboration