Kitsilano PAC | October 2023 Newsletter

Happy Fall!

Hallowe'en is almost here and so is our second PAC meeting of the year. Please join us on Tuesday, October 24 at 7 PM in the Theatre at the school.

Over 50 clubs participated in Clubs Day at the end of September and Fall sports are underway. It is a busy and exciting time at the school!

On behalf of PAC, thank you to all of the teachers who sponsor clubs, coach teams, and support the many activities and events at school. 

Students can find a list of clubs on Teams or the school website HERE. If you want to keep track of what is happening with the school sports you can find information on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/kitsathletics/?hl=en

Thank you to the parents that have volunteered to join the PAC Executive this year. Below is a list of our current PAC and positions that we are still looking to fill. If you are interested in serving on the PAC Executive or as a Member at Large, please contact us or complete the form on the PAC website HERE.

Kitsilano PAC Executive 2023-2024

• Executives:
• Chair – vacant
• Vice-Chair – Philip Coldrey
• Secretary – Sheila Kirkby
• Co-Treasurer – Tina Pfiefer
• Co-Treasurer – Maureen Campbell
• DPAC Representative – Ishi Dinim
• Members at Large:
• Newsletter – Maureen Prentice
• Newsletter – Elena Yelizarov
• Arts Liaison – Kim Thé
• Website – Ray Miya
• Athletics Liaison – vacant
• Grad Liaison (Grade 12 Parent) – vacant
• What’s Next Coordinator – vacant
• Parent Education Co-ordinator - vacant
• Social organizer for PAC events for parents - vacant

Our next PAC meeting is on Tuesday, October 24 at 7 PM.  

The full agenda will be posted on the PAC website before the meeting and will include updates from the school principal, a teacher representative, and student council. We will also be reviewing the PAC Budget for 2022-23. 



This year's PAC Executive would like to thank the graduated PAC Executive members for all of their many contributions to PAC and to Kitsilano Secondary over the past years:

• Charlotte French - outgoing Chair
• Alan Moosmann - What's Next and Grad Liaison
• Corrina Hammond - What's Next and Arts Liaison
• Kristin McDougall - Sports Liaison

If you are a new parent at the school and received this newsletter as a friend forwarded it to you, please subscribe to the PAC Newsletter here.



Tuesday, October 24

7:00 to 8:30 PM

in person

PAC AGM

Please join us at Kits High, in the Theatre.

PAC’s support of teacher sponsored activities, including classroom learning enhancements and extra curricular programs, adds tremendously to our students’ learning and school experience.

In anticipation of the annual financial requests from teachers to support delivering clubs, athletic teams, and enhancements for learning such as field trips and equipment, we ask parents to contribute $50 per child through SchoolCash Online. If affordable for your family, please donate as much as you can to help offset those who can’t.

Through SchoolCash Online you will receive a tax receipt immediately when you make a donation of $20 or more.

1. Go to SchoolCash Online or find the Donation link on the Kits PAC website
2. Select the size of your donation.
3. For Fund Destination, select from the drop-down menu: S-Kitsilano PAC
4. Click: Add To Cart
5. On the next screen click Continue, then Select your Payment Method, and Complete Your Order.

Thank you for supporting your student's school experience through Kits PAC.

EDUCATION PLANNER BC

We had a fabulous turnout of 220!

If you missed the presentation (Oct 4), there is a link to a recording on our website HERE

Learn how you can help support your student in planning for their future. All parents and supporters of high school students are welcome, but the presentation is especially helpful for those with students in Grades 10-12. Sessions are engaging and informative, and include a website tour followed by a Q&A.

Topics include:

B.C.’s post-secondary education landscape, including institutions & credentials

Program and admission requirements & key application dates

Costs of post-secondary and options for financial aid

Career exploration resources

Using new tools such as My List to save and compare programs

Navigating resources and the application process through 

our website www.EducationPlannerBC.ca

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Discover UVic

If you're considering undergraduate studies at UVic, join us for an online Discover UVic event and learn what it means to be a UVic student. Each live hour-long presentation is led by a UVic recruitment officer, so you'll have an opportunity to get answers to your questions.

Register for Discover UVic to learn about

• what makes UVic unique
• campus life
• living in Victoria, Canada
• experiential learning opportunities like co-op, international exchange, and field schools
• on-campus and off-campus housing
• student supports
• academics and choosing the program that's right for you

Schedule

Events are scheduled in Pacific Time. Registration closes two hours in advance.

• November 8, 4:00PM | Register
• December 12, 5:00PM | Register
• January 18, 6:00PM | Register

More information here

UVic also has this unique feature: you can visit the campus virtually here

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Past Presentations from What's Next 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

How do I keep up to date on Kits Athletics?

You can follow @kitsathletics on Instagram to keep up to date with all the goings on.

More information at Vancouver School Sports website

Our October retailer spotlight is on Stongs, a local grocery store.

When you shop at Stongs Online for groceries, you can designate Kitsilano Secondary School as your community group. Kits PAC will receive a donation equal to 4% of your purchase.

Stong’s believes in being a good neighbour. Their support of local Vancouver communities and charities dates back to the first store opened by Carson Stong in 1931. Mr. Stong’s generosity and leadership have served as the foundation of Stong’s commitment to the community. That involvement has earned Stongs a reputation of being more than just the local Vancouver grocer.

PAC would like to thank Stongs for their support of Kits Secondary!

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 an X account @VanDPAC

The DPAC Representative on the VSB Standing Committee for Facilities Planning

has an X account: @vikkhanna

You can subscribe to the Vancouver DPAC newsletter HERE

COMMUNITY CLEANUP - Call for Volunteers!

• Saturday October 21, 2023 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm
• Do you have a passion for the environment and keeping your neighbourhood clean?
• Through the City of Vancouver Adopt a Block program, Kitsilano Neighbourhood House has adopted the Connaught Park area (next to Kitsilano Secondary & Kitsilano Community Centre) to clean regularly.
• A monthly Saturday afternoon schedule is set for this program.
• The Community Cleanups try to go rain or shine - but sometimes have to be rescheduled if the weather is bad.
• Dress comfortably, and dress for the weather!
• Meet up with the team leaders out in front of Kits House (2305 West 7th Avenue, at Vine), Claire will have the equipment needed for the cleanup.
• After the cleanup participants often enjoy a slice of complimentary pizza donated from a local pizza shop!
• Email Faith Greer, Community Services Coordinator to let her know you plan to come.faithg@kitshouse.org

Alliance Francaise de Vancouver

• French language classes & exams
• Social and cultural events
• More information here.

Howl-o-ween Kids and Pets Trick or Treat

• October 28, 1 pm - 4 pm
• Put on by the Broadway Business Association, an organisation representing the business community in and around Broadway.
• Follow them on insta for more events in the community @kitsonbroadway

Go By Bike Week

• Go By Bike Week is a celebration of cycling, where Metro Vancouver is encouraged to give cycling a try or motivate those who already do to keep riding.
• This season we’re celebrating for two weeks from October 16th-29th.
• @kitsonbroadway (insta account) has a code for a free 30 day pass for Mobi Bikes
• Check out ten tips for cycling in Fall & Winter here.

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/