Kitsilano PAC | June 2023 Newsletter

Congratulations Graduates! and Happy Summer Holidays!

Monday, June 26 is the graduation ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for this year's grade 12 students - an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and recognize this significant milestone. PAC will be there, contributing to the reception afterward and presenting the two Kits PAC scholarships that recognize service to the school community. Congratulations to all of this year's graduates!

Thank you to all of the staff, teachers, and administrators for their support of our students over this school year - a year that saw the return of most extra-curricular activities and field trips for students. To show our appreciation for all that the teachers and staff have done this year, PAC is hosting a Staff Appreciation Lunch pot-luck on Friday, June 23. Please sign-up to contribute a dish or volunteer your time. Details are available at this link: Staff Appreciation Lunch

This month is also the 'graduation' of many of the PAC executive, 4 of 9 members. I am deeply appreciative of the members of this year's Kits PAC executive who contributed their time and talents throughout the school year to:

• liaise with school representatives in arts, athletics, administration and other areas to facilitate communication between parents and the school
• organize What's Next and other parent education speakers
• organize PAC social events
• look after the PAC finances and grant application and reporting
• keep our meeting minutes and coordinate our records
• coordinate with the school to participate in school community events
• and much more...

I am one of the graduating executive members. Serving on the PAC executive is something I never thought I would do and have found incredibly rewarding. I have been inspired by the dedicated teachers and staff. I have met families that I would not otherwise have met. I encourage you to find your way to be involved and meet others at the school.

Looking forward, Kits PAC has started planning for the return to school in September.

• The Kits PAC AGM is currently scheduled for Tuesday, September 26 - please save the date.
• If you are interested in getting involved with PAC, you will find more information in the Volunteering With PAC section of this newsletter.



We wish you all a very Happy Summer!!

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

Tuesday, June 20

6:00 to 8:00 PM

The Painted Ship

PAC School Social

Surf into Summer at the Painted Ship (2884 West Broadway)

Friday, June 23

Staff Appreciation Lunch

An opportunity to show our appreciation for the work of the teachers and staff at Kits. Click here to sign-up to bring a dish or to volunteer.

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

1) 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! 

2) 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

3) 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

How are school sports organized and governed?

The Vancouver Secondary Schools Athletic Association (VSSAA) is the local sport organizing body responsible for governing all secondary school extra-curricular leagues and activities for the 18 Vancouver School Board secondary schools. Its responsibilities include competition scheduling, championship coordination, policy and rules governance for all activities conducted at the local secondary school level. It also provides support and leadership for zone qualifications for provincial championships governed by BC School Sports (BCSS).

BCSS is the provincial body which is responsible for the governance of secondary school sport in British Columbia. Our 18 VSB secondary schools are members of BCSS and must adhere to all BCSS policies and guidelines. More information can be found here.



Dear parents of the graduating class,

The PAC grad committee thanks you for your very generous response to our "Feed the Grads" donation campaign.  You have donated an additional $2695, which is more than is needed to provide a snack to fortify each of the grads as they are gathering at the theatre before the ceremony begins. We would like to use any remaining funds to otherwise enhance the grad reception to make it an enjoyable experience and create good memories for all. If you have any concerns or questions about this, please contact Alan, the committee lead, at apatola@telus.net.

We look forward to celebrating with you and your grad on the 26th!

Link to the Vancouver DPAC Newsletter 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!

DPAC has a twitter account @VanDPAC

The DPAC Representative on the VSB Standing Committee for Facilities Planning

has a twitter account: @vikkhanna

You can subscribe to the Vancouver DPAC newsletter HERE

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House

• The in-person Youth Drop-in happens every Friday from 5:00-7:00 pm.
• There will be no youth programming during July & August.
• Please join us Friday June 30th for an extra special summer-hurrah night! Food will be provided and we'll have a fun time hanging out one last time till fall.
• We are also excited to announce that the lunch program is starting again at Kitsilano Secondary every Thursday from 11:25-12:15 pm (during lunch time) in room 104/105. Please come by to enjoy snacks, games and hang out with friends. 
• There is a brand new tutoring program called EDventure! EDventure is a tutoring program hosted by youth volunteers for grades 5-9 looking for free tutoring assistance and any educational help. The volunteers will be hosting the session at the Kitshouse on Thursday from 3:15-6:00 pm and there will be FREE FOOD TOO! Sign up Online or email: edventure4youth@hotmail.com. See you soon at EDventure!
• Follow our Instagram @ kitshouse.org/youth-drop-in
• Subscribe to the Kits Neighbourhood House Youth Program Newsletter.

English Conversation Circles 

• Join an English Conversation Circle for the opportunity to meet with other adult newcomers who have moved to Vancouver. Each week we will engage in conversations about things that interest everyone – food, family, what you like to do, growing up, and our wonderful city of Vancouver. You will participate in real conversations, as if you were having coffee with a friend.
• Starts Thursday, April 20, 2023. 11:00-12:30. 10 weeks. $35 + membership
• Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, 2305 West 7th Avenue.
• Register at www.kitshouse.org

Alliance Francaise de Vancouver

• Summer French classes for kids and teens
• More information here.

Neighbourhood Small Grants

• The Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program helps residents of any age, experience, or background take part in building community. Some ideas include sharing a skill or hosting a block party. Small grants of up to $500 are available. Funded by the Vancouver Foundation. 
• Your home address determines the neighbourhood you should apply to. For more information and to apply https://neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca/ 

Kitsilano Community Fridges & Pantries

• Free fresh and non-perishable food is available near our school, on Vine at 7th next to Kitsilano Neighbourhood House and in the lane behind 3066 West 13th Avenue.
• These community-led projects to combat food insecurity operate with a "Take what you need, leave what you can" approach. For more locations see https://www.kitshouse.org/westside-food-collaborative/

Westside Food Collaborative

• A Neighbourhood Food Network of organizations working towards building just and sustainable food systems
• Follow on instagram: @community.food.westside
• Link to extensive resources (at the bottom of the page there is a category called: Resources with a link to "A free and low-cost resource guide": Free and Low-cost Community Food Resources Westside