School District 57 DPAC

The Public Health Office and Ministry of Education announced today that all K-12 Schools in BC are now in Stage 2 which has been changed to mean all students attend full-time (all day, Mon-Fri) and will be assigned to Learning Groups. Limits on these groups or cohorts are 60 for Elementary and Middle Schools, and 120 for Secondary Schools.

Please take some time to read the Ministry of Education website here.
1. There is a section where you can better understand Stage 2.
2. A section that explains Learning Groups.
3. A section with timelines for specific plans from the Districts. This includes Distance Learning registration for those who need it.
4. An important section about Health & Safety Guidelines from the BC Centre for Disease Control.
There is even a virtual assistant where you can ask questions.

This document provides health guidance for schools including Control Measures and Personal Protocols that can be taken.

The BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) has a LOUD voice on the Steering Committee of various partner groups. They are doing a great job at translating this information for parents. Check out their website here including today’s Facebook post here.

We all know there are still many questions to be answered and concerns that will be expressed. DPAC Executives are available via email at exec@sd57dpac.ca if you need support. We encourage you to read and evaluate the education and health information and advice, talk to your children, and make plans for September.

How did it go? Thoughts on what went well and what could be improved with the continuity of learning (online schooling) during the pandemic? Do you have expectations of how September should go? Tell the Ministry of Education! Here is an excerpt from the latest post from BCCPAC. Full post is here.

Survey on Experiences for Your Input

The Ministry of Education is interested in learning more about parents’/guardians’ experiences during the COVID-19 in-class learning disruption between March and June 2020. Please take 10 minutes to complete this survey to help inform policy development and planning for schools.

The Ministry and BCCPAC will provide updates throughout the summer and an announcement is scheduled in August, in time to prepare for the start of school in September.

Take the Survey Now

Survey for Gr 10-12 Families

Do you know any families with Grade 10-12 students? The Ministry wants to hear from Gr 10-12 students about the impact of COVID-19 on their learning. Please share this student survey link so we can get more input from more students about their perspectives on the educational impact of COVID-19. The survey will be open throughout July and we encourage you to provide feedback. 

Take the Grade 10-12 Survey

Anytime you have specific concerns or suggestions for SD57, email COVID-19Questions@sd57.bc.ca and include exec@sd57dpac.ca and we will do our best to advocate for families during this time.

Safer Schools Together (SST) works closely with BC School Districts to understand risk, minimize threats in schools, and educate staff and student on school safety. They are reaching out to Parents to give some understanding about online safety. Here is the info from the email. Click on the times (blue) as a link to the registration website.

On JUNE 29th, 2020, you are invited to attend a Remote Parent Learning Session providing valuable resources regarding online safety.

Our Safer Schools Together (SST) Parent Presentation will focus on increasing your understanding and awareness of safety in the remote learning world. Being social is such an important part of your child’s growth and that has become much more difficult with physical distancing in effect. This remote learning session will better equip you for your digital parenting strategy, and give you a snapshot of current video conferencing platforms, trends and concerning apps. At this age, your child will encounter situations that will challenge their independence, including cyberbullying (and more commonly – cyberexclusion), the dangers of anonymity, privacy, sharing intimate images, and inappropriate websites. You need to be there to provide support and guidance during this critical period. This session is being offered twice on June 29, 2020. Reserve your spot today! TICKETS $25
3pm – 5pm PST 6pm – 8pm PST

We look forward to having you join us and encourage you to share this opportunity!
If you have any questions, or difficulties registering, call us toll-free at 1 (855) 677-3720 or email info@saferschoolstogether.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Northern Health is identifying “Grand Challenges” for Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Abuse issues in Northern BC. If you identify with any of the following, you are eligible to complete the survey.

The Survey Monkey link is here.

If you have any questions or further input, contact Kathy Buhler with FamilySmart in Prince George at kathy.buhler@familysmart.ca.

There are many great organizations and individuals in our community who support families and children’s well being. In support of Child and Youth Mental Health Day in BC recently, FamilySmart held a series of webinars and posted videos and resources on their media platforms. Here is a great example:

Kathy Buhler with FamilySmart in Prince George is hosting an online version of “In the Know” about this very topic with Victoria and Liz (featured in the video). Wednesday June 17 at 2pm. Contact her for more information at kathy.buhler@familysmart.ca.

Eventbrite link is here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-the-know-online-discussion-june-2020-tickets-106972002138

Linda Campbell is a local school counsellor who does a remarkable job with pulling together resources for parents. Her mandate is: social emotional and mental health resources for students, families and staff. Contact her for more information at lindacampbellsel@gmail.com.

Check out her newsletters here: https://www.smore.com/u/53473253d61a88fcfb777e8f

Join SD57 PACs (public Facebook group) for regular updates from these ladies and the District regarding important information for Parents and PACs to share.

Anytime you see websites or information that would be great resources for parents and families, please forward to us at DPAC@sd57learn.com. Thanks!

New information regarding on-site learning at our school buildings starting tomorrow June 1. Please review this information from the SD57 website that was also emailed out to families.

Website updates including Letter to Parents and PowerPoint slides here.

Please review the flowchart with your child(ren) as to what to expect before, during, and after school so they understand the processes and protocols. We expect that it will be a positive, safe transition!

Letter from Rob Fleming, Minister of Education and Andrea Sinclair, President, BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Schools:

If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other District matters, please attend our last monthly DPAC meeting Monday June 1 at 6:30pm. The zoom info will be posted on our website.

PACs and DPACs are uncertain about changes to the BC Community Gaming Grant in light of COVID-19. Will funds be restricted? What does reporting look like? Is there a cap on the funds able to be rolled over?

The British Columbia Association for Charitable Gaming (BCACG) supports non-profits and charities with questions like this. Take a look at their website here.

BCACG offers webinars about gaming grant applications. Both classes sold out quickly in May. The next one is June 10 and will fill up fast too. If interested register here: https://bcacg.silkstart.com/events/webinar-community-gaming-grant-w-covid-19-related-info-2

Marvene is a great support here in Prince George with the Northern Interior Communities Association. Give her a call with questions or how to access resources for your PAC. Her contact info is below.

Marvene Layte, Coordinator

Northern Interior Communities Association
#214-1600 Third Ave.(2nd floor of PGNFC)
Prince George, BC, V2L 3G6

Home Office: 250-970-0357
Cellphone: 250.612.2031 Office: 250.562.2553
Email: coordinator@northernica.org 
Website: www.northernica.org

Hours: Mon-Thursday 10:00am to 4:30pm
(any other time please call or send me a text)

Please take 5 minutes to listen to this video address from Superintendent Anita Richardson.

The following document is an explanation of the 5 Stage Plan from the Ministry of Education as well as specific safety protocols being implemented in all SD57 schools. Please READ and follow the links provided.

Access the most up-to-date information is found on the SD57 website here: https://www.sd57.bc.ca/Pages/COVID19Updates.aspx#/=

We recommend the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) website and facebook page for updates interpreted for parents. Visit this site frequently: https://bccpac.bc.ca/index.php/resources/21-advocacy/861-c19-updates

Finally, the BC Center for Disease Control (BC CDC) has released a SURVEY for all residents of BC to gather feedback on the COVID-19 pandemic and Restart Plans. Read more here: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/covid-19-survey