This section of the website is specifically for District parents and will grow over time as more content is added. Continue down the page or use the quick menu on the left side of this page.

First, here are some abbreviations and what they stand for:
PAC: Parents Advisory Council
DPAC: District Parents Advisory Council
BCCPAC: BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils

(excerpt from BCCPAC Leadership Manual for School & District Parent Advisory Councils Section 2):

The purpose or role of a DPAC reflects the purposes of its member PACs, namely:

• To promote the interests of public education by fostering Co-operation and communication among parents, students, educators and school district representatives
• To advise the school board on parental view about the school district’s programs and policies
• To communicate with parents about school district policies, programs and activities
• To assist parents and PACs in accessing the system
• To assist its members in obtaining information about school, district and provincial programs and policies and in communicating with district representatives
• To liaise with the partner groups and community organizations
• To promote a positive image of the public school system within the district

DPAC Annual Tasks

Most of the Annual Tasks of the DPAC are similar to those of the PACS and may be briefly summarized as follows (please see the BCCPAC Leadership Manual for School & District Parent Advisory Councils Section 1 for details):

• AGM and annual election of executive (preferably in the beginning of the new school year in order to include any new families)
• Annual review of the (D)PAC Constitution and by-laws
• Annual planning and prioritizing of goals for upcoming school year, to include a review of existing practices, especially as they may pertain to the inclusion of and communication with the parents of the children attending the school: possible issues for review and/or questions to ask – how are parents new to the school made to feel welcome, and are all parents invited and encouraged to attend meetings? Are meeting dates and times planned and announced in advance? Is energy given to imagining creative and/or alternative ways in which individuals might be able to participate? Parents do not need to be involved in their school PAC, but they should be welcome and know that the resource is available to them.
• Annual year end review of plan and goals

(As per the Gulf Islands DPAC constitution currently under review):

The aims and objectives of Gulf Islands District Parent Advisory Council shall be:

1. to provide a link between parents, educators, administrators, the Board of Trustees, the Ministry of Education and community organizations with an interest in education
2. to have a voice in the development of new and revised educational programs within school District # 64
3. to provide leadership in developing and understanding the rights and responsibilities of parents within the educational system
4. to help parents become more familiar with the facilities and services of School District # 64 thereby ensuring their children’s maximum usage of the school system
5. to provide leadership in initiating, maintaining, encouraging, and further developing Parent Advisory Councils at the individual school level within School District No. 64

DPAC Meetings

THE DPAC generally meets on the Third Wednesday of Each Month from 1:00pm to 3:00 pm at the School Board Office on Salt Spring Island. Free water taxi arrangements can normally be made for parents from any of the other islands by contacting Dawne Fennell at least 48 hours ahead of time. Remote access is also available to parents through Elluminate Live! (details to come) online conference software (also free), or telephone conference.

Reporting to Parents

Grades One through Eight Report Cards
Student Achievement in SD64: Reporting using BC Performance Standards

Parent Retreat

Review of 08/09 Retreat

BCCPAC

From the Speaking Up series (PDFs):

1. A parent guide to advocating for students in public schools
2. Problem Solving
3. Meeting Survival

District Forms

1. Application for Transportation Assistance
2. Application for Boarding Assistance