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Covid 19 Related Questions and Concerns for PAC’s

Langley DPAC Covid-19 FAQ for PACs

Letter to all PAC’s

April 6, 2020 

RE: Langley DPAC COVID-19 Response 

Dear Langley School District Parent Advisory Councils: 

This is an unprecedented and challenging time, with school districts and families alike reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

As the Langley community comes together to respond to students and families in a thoughtful and meaningful way, the focus on the health and wellness of students is first and foremost in all we do. 

At DPAC, we want to let you know that we are moving forward with the business we have been entrusted to do, albeit in a new and different way. As a PAC, you may be forging ahead in your usual vibrant and strong way. Or, you may be taking the time to pause, while the families in your community adjust to this new way of living. Let us assure you, both are appropriate and responsive reactions – you know what your school community needs most during this time. 

We want you to know that we continue to be a resource for you and your PAC, should you need us. We are hosting our April 16th DPAC General meeting via Zoom video conference. While, it will be a bit different than our usual meetings, we are hopeful that it will be a good platform for us to continue to serve you as we move through this time. 

What can you and your PAC expect from us? 

  • Virtual DPAC General meetings, until we are able to come together in person (note; meetings are open to all parents in the district) 
  • Advice on common PAC questions during this time (watch for an FAQ to be delivered to your inbox along with the April 16th agenda and Zoom call details). 
  • Continued communication through our social media Facebook page (@LangleyDPAC) 
  • Sharing of important information from the Ministry of Education, Langley School District 35 and BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Council as it is received 
  • Continued advocacy for the needs of parents and families 
  • If you are looking for a way to support financially, please contact the Langley School District Foundation. They are currently coordinating supports for students. 
  • Via Private Message on Facebook OR via email to president@langleydpac.ca we are happy to assist families with linking up with other community agencies offering services and support to Langley children and families on an as needed basis. Support including, but not limited to: Food security, housing support, technology needs, mental health and connection etc. 

As always, please reach out if there is anything we can do for your PAC or parents. 

Take care of yourselves, 

Alicia Rempel President/Chair C; 604.617.5140 www.langleydpac.ca 

Further Information regarding the Youth TRAIN in Trades Program

“My kid wants to work in the Trades. What does that mean?” If you’re the parent of a child that adamantly does not want to go to college or university there are a plethora of other options. If you’re not sure what those options are, you aren’t alone. To quote “Mike Rowe” there is, and will continue to be, a shortage of workers in various Trades. Until we actively encourage students to pursue Trades with the same zeal that we promote College and University educations, the situation will only grow worse. Langley School District has an excellent Trades program and is constantly looking for ways to improve and expand on the Trades offered. There are tours coming up next week. Check out this link for more information. https://www.sd35.bc.ca/programs-initiat…/career-education/…/

Also, they’re looking to create a focus group in the next few weeks to research why kids aren’t enrolling in the various programs when tuition is free, the trades are in demand, and a job is almost guaranteed at the end, and the credits earned count towards graduation.

What more information could you provide on the platform?  

The platform would be a focus group ideally. Some background information that may be helpful is that the enrollment in our Youth TRAIN in Trades programs (https://www.sd35.bc.ca/programs-initiatives/career-education/youthtrain/) formerly known as ACE-IT or Accelerated Credit Enrollment In Industry Training) have been declining steadily for a decade. Districts across the lower mainland are seeing a similar drop. This is despite the “bottoming out” of funding and enrollment decline that have hampered efforts to get students into these programs. Langley previously operated over over a dozen of these programs and there are now seven. I’ve attached program information for our seven programs. The reason why we’re doing this research is were kind of stumped that more students aren’t enrolling in these programs as these trades are in demand, hands on, offer free tuition that would otherwise cost thousands of dollars after high school, lead to good paying jobs that are certified provincially or nationally, and grant elective credits that count towards graduation. The goal of the focus group is to determine and understand parent perception of the programs, their involvement in helping their child choose one of these programs, awareness and general insight that will help us get more kids into these programs. We want to ensure the programs are fully subscribed and eventually grow offerings and know we must increase awareness and how we promote these programs to parents. The results of the focus group will tell us how to go about making these changes.

Would you be interested in coming to a DPAC meeting and doing a short presentation? 

The Career Department and/or the BCIT team (comprised of marketing students who are doing the research for us) could meet to let you know more. One consideration is the team is looking to wrap up their focus groups by the middle of March (spring break) so they can analyze their results and write up a report with recommendations. Do you think it’s possible to arrange a presentation and the focus groups prior to that?

Do you have a specific target group you wish to garner information from? 

Parents of students in grades 8-12

More Information

Youth TRAIN in Trades Program Schedule 2018-2020

Youth TRAIN in Trades Program Brochure

SD #35 – Draft Strategic Plan Feedback Requested

Dear Parents,

At our monthly DPAC meeting in January 2019, Gord Stewart – Superintendent of SD #35 presented the 2018-2022 Draft Strategic Plan to your DPAC representatives. The School District and Trustee’s are looking for your feedback.

We encourage all parents to review the attached Strategic Plan 2018-2022 – Consultation Draft and provide feedback to info@langleydpac.ca by Feb. 8, 2019.

With our combined voices along with our chosen leadership at the District we can ensure the continued educational success of our children.

Best Regards,

Your DPAC Executive

SD35 Notice of Motion: 7200 – Student Harassment

Please be advised that the Langley School District has issued a

Notice of Motion for Policy No. 7200 – Student Harassment

All information on this Policy is provided on the links below.

If the community has any comments regarding this proposed policy amendment they can be sent to the School District care of Laurie Mason at lmason@sd35.bc.ca.

This proposed policy amendment will return to the Board table at the October 28, 2014 Reular Board meeting. Feed back will be received by the School District from community and partner groups until Oct 21, 2014.

SR_Reg_Policy 7200 Student Harassment_2014June17

Reg_Policy 7200 Student Harassment_2014June17

SAMPLE Policy 7200_Copy w edits removed_2014June17

 

June 12 General Meeting

Don’t forget tomorrow night’s meeting will begin at 7pm.

Topics on the agenda include:

Fundraising
PAC Treasury
Update on Strike Situation