Updates from a new PAC Chair

Hello Redfish Families,

Although I have been writing this message in my head for a couple weeks now, I am just finally getting it down as I sit here with a coffee beside me and my family still asleep. It is amazing how quickly our Autumn mornings become darker and darker.

Throughout the year, I am hoping to keep you informed regarding the Parent Advisory Committee activities, plans, and ideas through this blog, as well as, items from the District PAC.

Currently, for Redfish, our PAC's AGM was at the beginning of October, and there were some changes in the executive. I am PAC Chair, Jason Ashley is Vice Chair, Tyler Rice is Treasurer, and Christy Reed is Secretary. We currently don't have a District PAC Representative - as I have stepped down to be Chair of Redfish - so please let us know if you are interested. We are not a full executive without that position.

Meanwhile, the Family Fun Night Silent Auction was a great success! Thank you so much for participating. I also want to thank the team that created the energy and excitement that brought all those wonderful prizes, organized them, and displayed them - fantastic! The next fundraiser - grocery cards - will be coming soon. This cycle of cards will focused on supporting literacy at Redfish. This means library books, reading programs, etc. Please remember to ask your neighbours and family members, this type of fundraiser is more successful when the larger community is involved.

Important: The District PAC's AGM is this Wednesday night (Oct. 25th) at 6pm. The entire executive is stepping down, so it is in need of people to come in. If you are interested in the bigger picture, parent engagement, parent education, or advocacy, then this is a great place for you. Or, if you know of someone at another school with these interests or skills, please encourage her/him to join.

The regular DPAC meeting agenda, also on Wednesday night, includes a guest speaker: Gail Higgenbottom - District Principal of Aboriginal Education. Also, discussion regarding how the restored language is impacting School District 8.

Input needed: Draft policy field testing: #307 Physical Restraints and Seclusion in Schools. #743 Anti-Idling of School Vehicles. Please provide feedback to the district regarding these policies by November 28th. You can also find these policies on the SD8 website (sd8.bc.ca - go under "Board of Education" and then "Board Policy", and then "Draft Policy"). Finally, the Policy Committee would like to know if there should be a district-wide open door policy at each school. This would mean that students can be in the building (in determined spaces) before, during, and after school, including during recess and lunch. Currently, schools decide at each site. This came forward from parents who were concerned that some students did not have proper attire, but were required to be outside. Please email me your thoughts.

Yay! You made it to the end. I will attempt to write shorter pieces, but for now, thank you for reading. See you around Redfish!