Dear parents,

Unfortunately, the PAC has had to make the tough decision to cancel the Spring Fair.  Even though there still is a chance that the strike may be averted, the uncertainty around it means that we can’t continue to plan the event, book outside vendors or generally prepare without the certainty of knowing it will definitely go ahead.  Please know that the PAC hasn’t taken this decision lightly, and many parents have been working hard to try to avoid this outcome.

A BIG thank you to the the members of the Spring Fair Committee, who’ve put in countless hours of preparation and planning for the Fair.  Thank you to all of them for doing this.  We’re hoping it won’t all be in vain, and there will be a chance in the next school year to still hold a big event.

Even though the Fair has been cancelled, there has been a suggestion that we still get together for an end-of-year event for the school community….a BYO picnic next Friday in Princess Park.  Could you please answer the simple poll below, so we can gauge if there’s enough interest to go ahead and book the park.

Dear parents,

• Please take a moment to fill out this anonymous survey that covers parent perception of North Vancouver school district schools.  How do you feel about your school environment, personalized learning, parent engagement, student engagement, school communication and the overall education your children receive. This information will help NVPAC provide better feedback to North Vancouver School District and thereby ensure our schools continue to meet the needs of students and their families district-wide.   The survey is open till Sunday, June 8.  The results of the survey will be posted to blog.northvanpac.org.
• The Grade 7 farewell is still on and details will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
• Just a reminder that in this current labour conflict, parents do have a voice and can make their feelings known by contacting their elected representatives.   Please visit the Ross Road Advocacy page for contact details.
• Don’t forget that the Spring Fair is still on Friday, June 20 from 5pm to 8pm.  Click here for the most recent update from the planning committee.    We’ll advise as soon as we can if it will be impacted by the job action.

Have a great weekend,

Ross Road News Extraordinaire

Volume No. 1, Issue No. 2

Today’s Top Stories

The 2014 Spring Carnival is around the corner, Friday, June 20, 2014 from 5-8 pm, and it’s sure to be a great Ross Road family event. With an old-time country fair theme and performance by the professional country band, Steel Toe Boots (http://www.thesteeltoeboots.com/), this year’s carnival is sure to get you dancing.  Come hungry for our classic Cook Shack favourites brought to us by the Lynn Valley Lions: burgers, hotdogs, fries, onion rings, and much more. And what’s a carnival without popcorn, cotton candy, and new this year, SLUSHIES!  Community is a big part of this year’s carnival and we want to encourage parents to participate in some friendly competition. Pair up with your children or go solo and enjoy our sack races, Tug of War and three-legged races. Why not give line dancing a try under the big-top following the lead of our fair’s “expert” dance caller/dancers?

Inside Scoop

• Each class is assigned a station. Class reps will be sending more information on how to sign up for a quick 30 minute shift. Stay tuned!
• Silent Auction items will be on display during the event. Stop by to see what amazing things you can bid on.
• The top stations are back: Crazy Hair, Calk Walk, Face Painting, Pony Rides, Bouncy Castle. And new this year, a Dunk Tank. They’re lots of fun and lots of chances to win an awesome raffle basket.

Recap from last week

• Tickets are only $1 each and will be available for purchase the week of the Spring Carnival starting Monday, June 16^th as well as on the day of the event.
• Raffle Baskets are again this year’s big prizes as a reward from your hard work at the each station. When you try an activity and receive a popsicle stick—more sticks means more chances to win a Raffle Basket. When you’ve collected five sticks, redeem them for a raffle ticket. This means that the more fun you have at the fair, the better your chances are of winning a fantastic raffle basket.
• Mystery Bags station has two openings, 5:30 and 6:30. Come by with your tickets and purchase these popular bags, one per child. Get a fun stamp to help give others a chance to receive a bag and spread the love around.

Help Wanted

• We need DONATIONS. Please help us make this another huge success. One way to do this is to donate items to our Mystery Bags, Raffle Baskets, Silent Auction, Calk Walk. Financial donations are also welcome!
• Dads the Cook Shack needs your help setting up, manning BBQs, serving food and tear down. We need 7 people to sign up.

Please contact the Spring Carnival Coordinator, Tamrah Corben at corbenst@telus.net to volunteer, donate and for any questions.

Dear parents,

As the labour conflict continues, the PAC will continue to provide you with information that you may find relevant.

• Last week’s meet-up at the offices of MLA Jane Thornthwaite was a huge success.    Dozens of concerned parents gathered in the rain to talk about the issues, and hear a perspective from a number of Ross Road teachers.
• With strike action planned for tomorrow, many parents are meeting up again at 2pm in Lynn Valley Village square to review and discuss questions to ask Ms Thornthwaite.  Please come along and make your voice heard.  A number of parents are currently seeking a meeting with Ms Thornthwaite.  If you’d like to know more, and make your voice heard, this gathering tomorrow is a good place to start.
• Ms Thornthwaite is also having one of her regular “Join Jane” drop-in events at Lynn Valley Main Library on Thursday, June 19 from 10-11am.  Further details can be found here.
• A Facebook group has been set up for concerned parents on the North Shore –  https://www.facebook.com/NVparents

And, just an additional reminder, that tomorrow’s track meet at Swangard is definitely ON.  Click here for more info.

Dear parents,

Further to the communication from the District on Friday afternoon, 60 Minutes Kids Club (www.60minkidsclub.org) will be hosting the athletic event at Swangard Stadium on Tuesday, June 3rd.  A group of dedicated parent volunteers is working with 60 Minute Kids Club to deliver the event as planned by the teachers.  We are not the hero’s or heroines – the kids are the champions of this day. The teachers have spent hours coaching and preparing the kids for this finale, they too are champions and we look forward to seeing them perform.  Kids first!

The day will be run as close as possible to the typical annual event.  Hopefully you received the order of events from your school teacher last week – that is the order we will be following on Tuesday.  Athletes are asked to arrive at 8:15 am, sit in their school’s designated section in the stands at Swangard and prepare for the parade at 8:45 am.  Track and field events start at 9:15 am.

A few key points about the event:

• we have a signed contract with Swangard and insurance is in place for the day
• only those athletes that qualified at their Zone qualification meet are invited to participate.  We do not have the capacity to safely include other athletes.  Spares and volunteers previously designated by their school track teacher are welcome to continue with their planned role.
• all participants and fans MUST sign a waiver.  The waiver is attached.  Arriving at Swangard with a signed waiver is preferred, but waivers will be available from volunteers at the drop off areas at Swangard as well.  Please either arrange with your child’s car pool driver to sign on your child’s behalf, or send a signed waiver with your child.
• there will be no concession so please send your child with food and hydration for the day.  Remember that the weather forecast is for sun on Tuesday, so sunscreen and hats are also required.
• parent volunteers will be wearing white shirts.  If you have any questions during the day, please ask one of the volunteers.  I

• If possible, athletes should wear their school team jerseys.  If not, please wear a t-shirt in your school color.  (Desiree is working on getting the Ross Road banner and jerseys).
• We would also like to see the school banners in the parade and posted on Swangard’s fence, so see if you can borrow the banner from the school.

What else can you do?

School spirit is alive and well among the North Van elementary schools! Please spread the word of this event to other athletes that qualified.  Thank you for your assistance.

(Ross Road School or the North Vancouver School District will likely follow up on their communication on Friday and send out this information as well sometime Monday, but  we are trying to give parents a heads-up as early as possible)

Swangard Waiver