Dear parents,

Remember that post from last Friday about the Argyle rebuild process?  You don’t?  Really?  Big weekend huh?  That’s ok….we’ve all been there.

Basically, the future of Argyle is being determined as we speak.  The school board’s plans for a comprehensive rebuild of Argyle rely on the proceeds from the sale of surplus land near Braemar.  Without these funds, the board will either need to scale down the design plans (ie cut back on some much needed and desired aspects of the new school) OR find funding from another source to make up the shortfall.  The latter is not going to be easy, and the former is definitely not desirable.  If this concerns you, then please follow this link and sign the petition.  And do it quickly, (please) because the District of North Vancouver Council is meeting imminently to make their zoning decision around Argyle.  If you’re in favor of the petition, send the link to friends and family and ask them to sign as well.

There is a Facebook page set up by concerned Lynn Valley parents as well –  with other ways to make a difference and stay on top of the latest developments.

Thanks

Hey you!  Yes, you – the Ross Road parent!  You’re looking great!  Did you get a haircut?  New glasses?  Whatever it is, it’s totally working for you.

There are two very important things to discuss today (well, three actually – but I’m no longer allowed mention olive stuffing in PAC posts)

1. Is high school important to you and your kids? (ps:  the correct answer to that question is “yes” – even if your child wants to run away and join the circus.  Even clowns need calculus)   If so, then please, please, please get up to speed on the current discussion around the seismic upgrade/total rebuild situation at Argyle High School.  We’re at a critical point in a multi-year process and the powers that be are about to decide what Argyle will look like for the next 50 years and what facilities it will contain.  There is much community discussion around the sale of a parcel of land near Braemar and it’s impact on an Argyle rebuild and you owe it to your family to understand what’s going on as it WILL have a direct impact on you if you’re planning on sending your kids to Argyle. So, here’s some information for you….
   1. This PDF is from School District 44 gives some background.
   2. This is the school district’s blog page. The latest entry includes the full presentation given by John Lewis, Superintendent of Schools, including an overview of the history of the Argyle Capital Project; funding the “gap”; building and site enhancements; timelines; and the next steps.
   3. This is the Facebook site set up by concerned Lynn Valley parents to show their support for a full rebuild of Argyle.

I’ve asked Jessica Stanley, who is a school trustee and a parent at Ross Road about the confusion around the issue, and this is what she said.

The key source of alternative interpretations is the information about the Braemar land development and whether or not the Argyle rebuild is dependent on development of that land. The full rebuild of Argyle is not dependent on the sale of that land parcel but that is our current funding plan for the enhanced design. We could seek alternative funding sources (which wouldn’t be the easy option) and/or we could choose to scale down the design (e.g., change the theatre).

2.  On a more fluffier issue – I saw a movie once where a bunch of kids banded together to save Christmas.  Not sure why Christmas needed saving, or what they did to save it, but I remember it had a young Keanu Reeves in it and it was awesome.  Unfortunately, Keanu isn’t a parent at Ross Road, which is sad for so many reasons, not least of which is that Christmas at Ross Road needs saving!

Every year, we have an event that brings in thousands of dollars in fundraising.  But more importantly, it’s a ton of community fun (literally, we weighed it last year and that’s how much fun it was).  We need someone, or a group of someones to step up and organise Christmas at Ross Road this year.  It doesn’t have to be a fair….it could be something completely different (a concert perhaps?)   It’s also the sort of thing that a few people could take on as a group.

Here’s the direct appeal –  will YOU (yes, you….) please consider helping out the school and taking charge of a Christmas event. Say yes and here’s my solemn promise to you.  Do this, and you can ignore every single other volunteer appeal for the rest of the year.  (unless, of course, you love volunteering…in which case, we should totally talk).

Please get in touch with Tamrah (corbenst@telus.net) if you are prepared to be Ross Road’s Keanu Reeves.

Thanks and have a good weekend.

Hi all,

The last email said the AGM started at 7.30pm, when in fact it starts at 7pm.  If you arrive at 7.30pm, you’ll still be very welcome, but just be aware that we may have spent the previous 30 minutes talking about you.  If there’s an awkward silence when you turn up, you’ll know why.

Oh, and if you want to bring your kids, we can arrange to have a babysitter for you….but please let Tamrah know (corbenst@telus.net) ASAP.

And, as one final tidbit of what’s to come….one thing we’re planning on voting on is to approve the purchase of 14 new laptop batteries.  “Apparently”, that’s more important to the kids then a hot-tub.  Whatevs.

Thanks!  See you Wednesday.

Dear parents,

Here’s a bunch of good reasons why you should be coming to the PAC AGM in the school library at 7.30pm this Wednesday night.

1.  It’s a chance to hear from Principal Carla Orr and School Trustee Barry Forward about issues affecting our school and community AND you get to ask them questions.  You’ll also get to hear how the PAC would like to spend the money that you’ve raised and find out about some upcoming school-wide programs.
2. We’re going for a record for the number of parents we can stuff into an elementary school library.  Guinness Book of World Record staff will be in attendance to verify numbers.  This might be the only chance many of us get to see our names in the Guinness Book of World Records (apparently stuffing olives in your ears isn’t an achievable record anymore)  You don’t want to let down your fellow parents do you?*
3. There’s a reality series being shot in the neighborhood at the moment (you might have noticed the production vehicles parked on the soccer field).  We weren’t able to say anything till now, but they’re actually shooting a new series called The Real PAC Parents of North Vancouver.  Come and be a part of the action!*

Here’s the agenda….

* Some of these statements may not be true.

Dear parents,

1.  Don’t forget that ordering for Food Days closes on Friday at 6pm.  Miss the cut-off and you’ll have to make lunch every day between now and March 2016!  Click here to find out more and order.
2. Did you sign up for a family photo?  If you did, now’s the time to pay.  You can leave a cheque (made out to Ross Road PAC) in the PAC box under the stairs, give Caroline $20 on Thursday morning in person or pay online here.  Please pay no later then Friday at 6pm.

Thanks!

Dear parents,

1.  On November 18th, Safeteen will come to Ross Road to give our grade 6 and 7 students a three-hour workshop in non-violent conflict resolution. The program empowers pre-teens with skills to deal with all forms of violence safely and effectively and provides them with strategies to stand up for themselves and what they believe in without violence. In other words, it’s a great positive assertiveness and empowerment program! We ran this outstanding program two years ago and are proud to be able to present it again to a new group of grade 6-7 students.  This year’s program would not have been possible without a generous donation from Polygon Homes.  Thank you, Polygon! We truly appreciate your help!  While the Safeteen workshop is only for grade 6-7 students, we welcome all Ross Road parents to attend the Parent Night on November 17th!  Details to come.  For more info on safeteen, please see safeteen.ca (select ‘Programs’ in dropdown menu, then ‘Elementary’).
2. The ever-popular Card Project is back this year.  This is a popular fundraiser at the school, with 25% of total sales going directly to the PAC.  To give back to the local community, the PAC will also donate a portion of the proceeds to North Shore Search and Rescue this year.  On November 6 your child’s free sample card will be delivered to their classroom and sent home with ordering information. Orders received by the due date will be delivered in early December. There is an exciting product range to select from including cards, prints and notebooks or simply order a high quality digital file.  For more information click here.
3.  If you hurry, (like really hurry cause it’s happening right now), then you can meet Sarah Dennis in the schoolyard and help her and others do some essential gardening.  Don’t worry if you missed it this week, cause she might be back next week as well.  Stay tuned.
4. Family Photos:  All slots are filled.  If you signed up for this, it’s time to pay up!  There will be a separate email coming out about this.  Exciting!
5. Food Days: Now open!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Enough said.  Click here to find out more. Deadline for ordering is 6pm, Friday October 2.
6. The AGM is on October 21.  There’s free babysitting, so maybe take advantage of it and make it a cheap date night!  Cause nothing says ‘new way to keep romance alive’ like a PAC AGM.

The annual and very popular Family Photo day is back!  Here’s all the details!

When: Sunday Oct 4th between 10-4pm and Monday Oct 5th between 5-9pm

Follow this link to sign up:

Click here to book a slot!

Where: Ross Road Elementary gym

Miscellaneous: Feel free to bring the family pet or any other fun props you’d like in your photo. OR, just bring your family and make a nice family photo for Christmas cards perhaps?

There will be a table set up for information, sign up and payment outside the front lobby doors on the following days, 

• Thursday Sept 24 from 8:30-9am
• Thursday Oct 1 from 8.30-9am

Payment of $20 can be paid by cash or cheque and dropped into the PAC box under the ‘down’ stairs in the lobby. Please make cheques payable to Ross Road PAC.  The entire $20 will go to the PAC and you get an amazing 8×10 photo of your family to cherish for years.

Dear parents,

Hope you’re staying dry this weekend….

• Food days are open!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for the excessive number of exclamation marks, but my wife and I have three children at Ross Road, and the thought of not preparing lunches once a month makes us giddy. Want to sign up or find out more? Head on over to this page on the PAC website.

• October 21st is the day the Doc sent Marty McFly thirty years into the future in Back to the Future II. Assuming you’re not out celebrating this momentous occasion or time traveling yourself, please come to the first PAC GM for the school year. Babysitting is available upon request and if there’s enough interest, we may see if we can build our very own flux capacitor using materials found in the library.

• Looking for a low-key volunteer job where you can work on your tan and help kids play? Starting September 18 after school, Sarah Dennis is heading up a working party to trim the school bushes and stop them poking kids in the eye. No need to sign up, just turn up and bring something to cut with.

• Finally, It’s FAMILY PHOTOS TIME. This is a great fundraiser for the PAC that always sells out.   It will be happening from 10am to 4pm on Sunday October 4 and from 5pm to 9pm on Monday, October 5. Just $20 for a 15 minute sitting. You get awesome family photos (hopefully better than these ones) and all the money goes to the PAC. Watch this space.  An online booking email will come out later this week.

Have a great week.