Kitsilano PAC | February 2023 Newsletter

Main Items


  • Message from the Chair
  • Why join PAC Executive
  • Upcoming PAC Events
  • What's Next
  • Parent Social
  • The Sports Page
  • Kits Senior Volleyball Purdy's fundraiser
  • Kits Prom Committee
  • Vancouver District PAC
  • Community Events and Resources
Message from the Chair

Semester Two Has Begun!


With the start of Semester 2, we are now officially half way through the school year!


We need you! The Kits PAC Executive will be loosing a number of members at the end of this school year. To transition well and to remain able to keep up the work and funding that we do, we need new members. Find out more in the next section of this newsletter and check out the position descriptions on the Kits PAC website here.


PAC is getting social! Our next PAC social event is Throwback Thursday on March 9 at Glitch Arcade & Games Room. See details and the link to buy tickets in Parent's Social section of this newsletter.


Since the start of the school year, the What's Next Committee has provided guest speakers from BC colleges, universities, and other organizations to support families in considering their choices after graduation. If you missed the presentations, videos and materials from the What's Next events, these are available on the Kits PAC website. See the What's Next section of this newsletter to find out more.


All parents are welcome and encouraged to come to PAC meetings. You will learn more about what is happening at the school and hear updates from the Principal, Ms Kwon, teacher representatives and student council as well as Kits PAC committees and activities.


This month the focus will be on the review and approval of a second round of teacher funding requests for extra-curricular activities and supplies.


Agendas for the upcoming meeting are posted on the PAC website at PAC Meetings - Meeting Dates. The minutes from previous PAC meetings are posted at PAC Meetings - Minutes.


We look forward to you joining us and finding your way to get involved.


Please join us for the PAC meeting

Tuesday, Feb. 28

from 7 to 9 PM.

Register for the online meeting here.


For more information about Kits PAC, visit our PAC website and subscribe to our newsletter here.


Why Join PAC Executive?

Did you know that all parents and guardians of Kitsilano Secondary students are automatically voting members of PAC? As a voting member, you have a voice on budgets and activities that directly impact our students. The PAC at Kits enthusiastically brings to life the school plan.


Being part of the PAC Executive is another way to support the principal, teachers, and school staff. You feel more connected to the school and, by attending PAC Executive meetings and regular PAC meetings, you get to know more parents, teachers and the principal in an informal setting. PAC Executives often end up being the first to know about events, decisions, and ideas coming from the principal and School Board. You learn a lot about what is happening at Kits High!


One of PAC's major activities is administering a substantial annual budget funded through direct donations and a BC Gaming grant, that helps to fund clubs, sports, classroom enhancements, student services, and many extra-curricular activities at Kitsilano Secondary.


Did you know that each year PAC is eligible to receive a BC Gaming Grant that usually totals close to $30,000? To receive and manage the BC Gaming Grant we need to have our key PAC executive officer positions filled (eg. Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, etc).


We are coming to the end of the school year and will loose some executive members as their students graduate. The Vice-Chair position has been vacant all year and the Chair needs to transition to Past-Chair before they graduate out with their student in June. We need you!


When you get involved in PAC you role model to your child how to get involved in a community and make a difference.


Share your skills and interests and make a difference for the school community by joining the Kits PAC Executive!


Get more information about PAC Executive positions on the Kits PAC website here.


Upcoming PAC Events

Tuesday, February 28


7:00 to 9:00 PM


Online. Register HERE

PAC Meeting

Online!

The February PAC meeting will be held online this month.


Full agenda and the minutes from the January 24, 2023 meeting will be on the PAC website HERE.

Tuesday, March 9


7:00 to 9:00 PM

Throwback Thursday

Parent social


Glitch Arcade & Games Room


Broadway & Vine

Come join us for an evening of pinball, video games and socializing.


Come for a burger and beer or join us for socializing and showing off your pinball skills.


We have different options for you on the ticketing page.

What's Next


Past Presentations on the PAC Website


PAC has a dedicated webpage to past presentations and speakers from BC Post-Secondary institutions and other organizations providing resources and information to help families explore their choices. Included on this page are the speakers who joined us in the past few months.


The link is HERE


Education Planner BC

Our September 21 session with EducationPlanner BC is on the Kits PAC website at the link above. Education Planner BC provides information and access to applications for most public post-secondary institutions in BC. The link to this recording expires May 23, so check it out soon! 


Vancouver Community College

On Tuesday, January 11, we welcomed Danielle Gannon, Student Recruitment Specialist at Vancouver Community College, to speak to the wide variety of vocational, certificate and university transfer programs available at VCC’s three campuses. Danielle invites anyone interested in learning more to check out the VCC website at https://www.vcc.ca/, or to contact her at recruiting@vcc.ca.


A recording of the presentation and question and answer session is posted on the Kits PAC YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9J0Ets-yqA


BCIT

Sukhey Platson, Program Advisor in the Registrar’s Office at BCIT, spoke on Tuesday, February 8 to Kitsilano parents and students about the diverse programs in trades, technology, health sciences, applied sciences, engineering and business available at BCIT. While we did not record her virtual presentation, Sukhey kindly provided us with a link to a video focused on BCIT’s application process. Please take a look at: BCIT 101 – Preparing Your Application – YouTube


What technical fields will present the most employment opportunities in the coming years? See this BCIT report:


BCIT Pandemic-Resilient Jobs Report identifies most in-demand jobs for 2021 and beyond. For information on VSB programs for students interested in pursuing careers in the trades, many of which involve partnerships with BCIT, please scroll down this page to the Vancouver School Board Career Programs section, or visit careerprograms.vsb.bc.ca


Parent Social at Glitch Arcade & Games Room

The Kitsilano PAC invites you to our very first Throwback Thursday celebrating an iconic decade.

When: March 9th from 7 - 10 pm.


Come join us for an evening of pinball, video games and socializing. 


Where: Glitch Arcade & Games Room at Broadway and Vine.


Come for a burger and beer or join us for socializing and showing off your pinball skills. We have different options for you on the ticketing page.


As this is a licensed venue, minors are not able to attend this event.


Please note: all games at Glitch are cash only. So bring that stash of loonies and toonies with you or exchange your bills for loonies at their change machine.

The Sports Page

Instagram has updates on all the sports at Kits Secondary, follow @kitsathletics


For all the updates on the Kits Senior Boys Hockey Team,

follow @kitsilanohockeyassociation

#fillthebarn


Congrats to the Senior Boys Basketball team. City Champions!

Kits Senior Volleyball

The Kits Senior Boys Volleyball Team are running a Purdy's Easter chocolate fundraiser to support their 7th Place Win at the Provincials this December.


This team is the first Senior Boys Vollebyall team at Kits in 8 years! So show your support!


  1. Order online at:  https://fundraising.purdys.com/1707263-104013 (click the link, input your email and order lots of chocolates!)
  2. Pick up will be in the Kits Atrium April 5. (Special Arrangements can be made for large orders


Kits Prom 2023


The student run Kitsilano Prom Committee is organizing a non-school sanctioned event to

celebrate graduation, a significant milestone for our grade 12s.

The committee is looking for parent volunteers. 


They need help with the execution of fundraising ideas so they can reduce the ticket price.

They would like their event to be accessible to all who wish to attend; the ticket price should not be a barrier.


The Prom Committee is looking for parent volunteers on the evening of their

event (in June) and are starting to compile a list. They are also seeking donations

of items like gift cards and gift baskets that will be used as raffle prizes.


The Prom Committee can be reached at kitsprom2023@gmail.com.

Vancouver District PAC

Link to the Vancouver DPAC Newsletter February 2023 can be found

on the DPAC website HERE


This includes information on the DPAC Committees and Working Groups, which are open to parents who would like to join them. The newsletter also contains a multitude of helpful resources for parents, guardians and caregivers. It's definitely worth checking out!


You can subscribe to the Vancouver DPAC newsletter HERE

Community Events and Resources


Kitsilano Neighbourhood House

  • The in-person Youth Drop-in is back. It happens every Friday from 4:30-7:00 pm.
  • This is a program for the youth, aged 13-17, to have a space to socialize with peers within the community and have fun on Friday afternoons. Snacks and games are provided and it is completely free. We will also host different monthly events (previous events included holiday celebrations, cooking classes, movies night, and workshops). 
  • The monthly Movie Night will be on Friday, February 24th, from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm. This will be a free event and snacks will be provided.  In addition, we will also provide pizza for a $5 fee, please pay cash at the door. Subsidies for the cost of pizza are available if you need one.
  • G&F Financial Group will be hosting another financial workshop for all ages on Saturday, February 18th. The location will be G&F West Broadway Branch. The workshop will be about different registered savings plans and how you can use them to Power your possible and shape your financial future. Please see the poster below for more detail. 
  • Please sign up for the movie night and workshops by sending an email to chrisy@kitshouse.org. Space is limited.
  • Kitshouse is collaborating with Langara College to host our first group Expressive Art Therapy for youth on February 17th from 5-7:00 pm
  • Follow our Instagram @ kitshouse.org/youth-drop-in
  • Subscribe to the Kits Neighbourhood House Youth Program Newsletter.


Vancouver Minor Softball

  • Vancouver Minor Softball registration is open for all current and future softball players for the spring 2023 season.
  • To register go to www.VMSA.ca.
  • The VMSA offers a fun and safe softball experience for players of all ages, abilities, and experience from April to June. Softball offers an excellent opportunity for physical activity and the chance to be part of a team. Register now to ensure a place on a team with your friends!


Vancouver United FC

  • Registration open for 2023/24 soccer season. Did you know there are no evaluations or tryouts to play Div 3 soccer? It's all about camaraderie, fun and exercise. The format is one practice/week and one game/week. More information here.


Alliance Francaise

  • Spring Break camps and French cultural and social events for teens. Link is here.


Hullabaloo

  • Hullabaloo's coming back in-person in 2023 from April 19 to 22!
  • Featuring the BC high school poetry slam championship, a Videopoem Festival and the return of the ALL STAR SLAM, Hullabaloo 2023 is guaranteed to be great!
  • Got students who can't wait to get involved? Registration for new teams opens February 15th!
  • Registered schools send a team of 3-to-6 poets to compete in Hullabaloo's poetry slam tournament, and can submit work for Hullabaloo's online Videopoem Festival. Participating teams also get free ALL STAR SLAM tickets, sweet swag, priority registration for Adventure in Poetryland workshops, festival passes for the entire Verses Festival of Words, and the opportunity to book a free 2-hour pre-festival workshop with a WordPlay Poets facilitator!
  • Want to know more? contact Hullabaloo Director Johnny MacRae at hullabaloo@vancouverpoetryhouse.com with your questions today!
Please visit our PAC website for news, updates and events.

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