Parents have the strongest voice in advocating for their children

The following is the text of an email message sent earlier today:

Dear PAC Chairs and DPAC Reps,

Please forward this message to your parent communities.

 

The role of NVPAC is to represent parents in the North Vancouver School District.  In addition, we have a duty to assist parents in informing themselves regarding educational issues.  In light of the current labour dispute affecting our schools, we hope to ensure that all parents in our school district have access to information that will assist them in advocating for their children.

 

The following are links to a number of sources, together with a link to the key group that represents parents:

• BC Ministry of Education Newsroom http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/ministries/education/
• BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) http://www.bcpsea.bc.ca/
• BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) http://www.bctf.ca/
• British Columbia Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) http://www.bccpac.bc.ca/ 

While the Executive of the NVPAC recognizes that there is no clear consensus amongst parents in our district as to the best way to resolve the current situation, we have heard a strong message from parents that their children need better supports in place to assist teachers in educating the diverse needs in our classrooms.

 

Parents are the primary advocates for their children.  It is important for parents to recognize that their opinions matter.  The NVPAC Executive believes that the individual voices of many parents are needed to make a difference in this dispute, and we urge you to make your opinion heard by contacting:

• Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education Minister.Educ@gov.bc.ca
• Mr Jim Iker, President, BC Teachers’ Federation presidentsoffice@bctf.ca
• Mr Michael Marchbank, Public Administrator, BC Public School Employers Association contact.us@bcpsea.bc.ca
• The Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia premier@gov.bc.ca
• Mr Ralph Sultan, MLA West Vancouver—Capilano ralph.sultan.mla@leg.bc.ca
• Ms Jane Thornthwaite, MLA North Vancouver—Seymour jane.thornthwaite.mla@leg.bc.ca
• Honourable Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Small Business, MLA North Vancouver—Lonsdale naomi.yamamoto.mla@leg.bc.ca
• Ms Nicole Makohoniuk, President, BCCPAC nicolemakohoniuk@bccpac.bc.ca 

Parents who are unsure who their MLA is may find the MLA Finder helpful. 

Regards, 

The Executive of North Vancouver Parent Advisory Council

 

Jane Lagden Holborne, Chair                                    Susanne Till, Member-at-Large

Karen Nordquist, Vice-Chair                                      Mike Sexsmith, Member-at-Large

David Whitehead, Secretary                                      Deborah Johnstone, Member-at-Large

Debra Dennehy, Registrar                                         Amanda Nichol, Member-at-Large

                                                                                   Heather Skuse, Member-at-Large

http://www.northvanpac.org/