IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
- Sunday March 12 – Daylight Savings Time – Clocks AHEAD 1 hour
- Sunday March 12 – SD63 Naming Survey Deadline
- Monday March 20 thru Friday March 31: Spring Break – School NOT in Session
- Friday April 7: Good Friday – School NOT in Session
- Monday April 10: Easter Monday – School NOT in Session
- Friday April 14: Hot Lunch Orders Due
- Sunday April 16: Bottle Drive
- Thursday April 20: Parent Appreciation Event, more details TBA
- Friday April 21: Subway Hot Lunch
CARNAVAL VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to Carolyn Ensing, Jenni Bateman, Kailyn Sherk, Lindsay Davis, Mel Adams, Paula Hesje, Angela Formosa-Gray, Elan Fritz, Erin Egan, Krista Barnabe, Mariann S., and Rebecka Ibbotson for volunteering at Carnaval!
HOT LUNCH
The MunchaLunch system has the remaining hot lunch dates available for ordering (March thru June). The hot lunch program is meant to be a fun opportunity for the students. If this poses a financial hardship for your family, please contact us.
PAWS PICKS CLUB USED BOOK SALE
Spring Cleaning? We would love your books!
The PAWS Picks Club is collecting used books after Spring Break for our Annual Used Book Sale. We will be collecting all Children's Books: Early Readers, Board Books, Picture Books and Chapter Books (please note, we are not collecting adult books this year). We appreciate anything you are willing to donate. This is a highlight for students as every child will go home with a book and it allows the students to expand their personal library (for a very reasonable price!) and to support our school library.
Please drop off any children’s book donations to the office or send with your child to school after Spring Break.
BOTTLE DRIVE
On Sunday April 16th, we are having a bottle drive and we need your help! If you're able to donate a few hours of your time, volunteer sign up is now available (first come, first serve for time choices!). We also encourage you to save your empty beverage containers (milk, non-alcoholic and alcoholic). Please share this message with your family, friends and colleagues and ask if they would save their empties too! We thank you in advance for your support! All funds raised go back to our students and providing them with educational enrichment.
CHILD CARE NAMING SURVEY
The Saanich School District is excited to share that, in partnership with Beacon Community Services, we are opening a nature-based childcare centre on Veyaness Road in Saanichton. The program is opening on the site where South Saanich School once operated between 1873 and 1913, following the donation of this site by the Turgoose family “to be held and used for public school purposes". The committee supports the use of a SENĆOŦEN name supported by the W̱SÁNEĆ community.
Survey: Naming Survey | Saanich Schools
Please complete the consultation survey by March 12, 2023, with your feedback. We appreciate your participation.
COPACS NEWS
1. COPACS IS LOOKING FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT HELP
The COPACS website needs an update!
At the last COPACS meeting a committee was formed to build a new website, however, volunteers are needed to help! Do you have any experience with planning, designing, or building a website? Do you consider yourself a "techie"? Are you a creative person looking for a new challenge? Are you looking for a way to give back to your school community?
Contact COPACS at copacssd63@gmail.com if you are interested in being part of the COPACS Website Committee!
2. FIRST CELEBTRATION OF EXCELLENCE & ACHIEVEMENT FOR STUDENTS IN ACB COMMUNITIES (AKA BLACK GRAD)
As part of the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD), Binkadi Wellness Society received an IDPAD youth grant from the City of Victoria to establish the first celebration of excellence and achievement for students in ACB communities (a.k.a. Black Grad). If you know a child who is transitioning into elementary, middle or high school, or graduating from high school, college, or university we want to honour them!
The inaugural COEA is a familial and community celebration to honour K-12 and post-secondary students of African descent who have achieved a significant milestone in their academic journey. The June 2023 ceremony and reception include various ceremonial traditions, food, gifts, student speakers, music, and fun. This will be held in Victoria, BC.
Also, due to the unprecedented impact that COVID-19 had on our communities, if the person graduated from secondary, college, or university in 2020 or 2021, we want to honor them as well.
Finally, if you are (or know) an elder who never got the opportunity to graduate please e-mail us and let us know.
This is a free event in June (TBD), please complete this form and return it by Saturday, March 11th by midnight.
https://forms.gle/BKXq6puFL6eaEXka8
- Dr. Lisa M. Gunderson
HOST FAMILIES WANTED FOR SEPTEMBER 2023
Do you have a spare room? Are you interested in welcoming an international student to your family?
Saanich International Student Program (SISP) is looking for host families to open their hearts and homes to international students joining our district in September 2023. Create life-long friendships, share the beauty of your community, and receive a monthly honorarium of $1150 per student for costs incurred.
If you would like to learn more about this exciting opportunity, please take some time to read the SISP Homestay Brochure and contact the SISP Homestay Team!
Visit: studyinsaanich.ca/homestay
Email: homestay@saanichschools.ca
Phone: 250-655-2720
UPCOMING PARENT & FAMILY WORKSHOPS
In the Know “Connect and Learn”
Every month FamilySmart hosts events for families along with our regular support and mental health system navigation.
Monthly "In the Know" - We watch a video together and share experiences and strategies that may be helpful to your family.
March "In the Know"
A Conversation for Families About Digital Wellbeing & Mental Health - As parents It's not easy to know how much time on technology is too much and how to set boundaries that don't create conflict. Join us for a conversation with a digital wellbeing expert to learn some practical solutions to our everyday concerns and challenges around our kids' use of screens and their mental health. Come together with other families to watch this 30-minute video presentation followed by a facilitated discussion by a FamilySmart Parent Peer Support Worker.
Dates:
- Thursday March 16, 2023 - 9:30-11:00am
- Wednesday March 22, 2023 - 12:00-1:30pm
- Tuesday March 28, 2023 - 6:30-8:00pm
- Thursday March 30, 2023 - 5:00-6:30pm
Cost: Free of Charge Registration required: www.familysmart.ca/events
Help For the Hard Times Workshop - for parents and caregivers whose children have been at the ER or have had a hospital stay for mental health or substance use issues.
Details for 1-hour Workshops:
- Session 1: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 1)
- Session 2: How to support a safety plan at home (Part 2)
- Session 3: How to take care of yourself and your family after a crisis
- Session 4: How to find the resources you need
Cost: Free of Charge
Dates & Times: March 13, 15 - 12:00 - 1:00pm
For more information and registration please visit: www.familysmart.ca/workshops
BCCPAC PARENT EDUCATION CONFERENCE & AGM
The annual BCCPAC Parent Education Conference and AGM is taking place on May 5 thru 7 at the Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver Airport, in Richmond BC. If you are interested in attending, detailed information, including registration, can be found on the BCCPAC Website.
YEAR-ROUND FUNDRAISERS
Please help us raise funds for our children and school with these ongoing fundraisers:
- Please save your receipts from Country Grocer. Place them in the bucket on top of the wooden PAC mailbox beside Mrs. Blackwell’s desk.
- If you shop at Peninsula Co-op or buy gas at Save on Gas, please quote membership number #79184
Please make sure to thank these local businesses for the support they provide our school.
CONNECT WITH US
Please feel free to connect with us at any time: prospectlakepac@gmail.com
Don’t forget to check our PLES PAC website regularly for up-to-date fundraisers, current news, important dates, and much more: Course: Prospect Lake Elementary School PAC (sd63.bc.ca)
Sign up for the PAC Forum Subscriptions - found on our webpage!