PAC Activities/Events

Ross Road PAC: BrainSTEM

/ Ross Road PAC / Leave a comment

After a successful demo a few weeks ago, BrainSTEM is offering a 5 week session starting on Wednesday May 25th.

BrainSTEM Learning Canada Corp. is an extracurricular education provider focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) systems.  Unique programs are designed by working engineers for learners aged 4 to 14. Through fun, creative, and innovative science experimentation students explore their creativity. By planning, building, testing, and modifying their design, reengineering the process expands their working knowledge of the world around them. BrainSTEM holds camps (summer, spring, winter, pro-d day), 6 week workshops (daytime, after school, evening, weekends), and events (birthday parties). For more information, please visit brainstemlearning.ca.

First option is for the 5-6 year olds: 1 hr class 6 weeks ($135/student) called an Introduction to Robotics class:

The Robotics is the science or study of the technology associated with the design, fabrication, programming, and application of robots. Robots are exciting for the little kids. They always are curious to know how they work, how they are designed and how they may be used.

A robotics engineer is responsible for design, creating, and programming robots. Robotic systems that are able to perform duties that humans are either unable or prefer not to complete. Robots help to make jobs safer, easier, and more efficient, particularly in the manufacturing industry.

The little brains will discover what is behind a robot, a number of possible designs, the materials, what software is, and the programming using the LEGO® WeDo materials. Computers will also be used to built their robotic animals and toys. This will be under the guidance of our leaders and assistants under the STEM education programs,

Second option is for 7-12 year olds: Aerospace Astronautical Engineering class is as follow: 1.5 hr classes 6 weeks $160/student

The aerospace industry is one of the most fascinated things for children. Since we were kids we have been figuring out a way to reach the sky, designing wings, machines, and devices that help us with this.

Aerospace engineering involves the design and construction of planes and space shuttles. Aeronautical engineering covers crafts that stay inside the Earth’s atmosphere (such as commercial planes) while astronautical engineering covers craft that leave the Earth’s atmosphere (theory and practice of navigation beyond Earth’s atmosphere, such as space shuttles)

In this program the specialist and managers will learn about the fundamentals of astronautical industry discovering about aerodynamics; gravity; velocity; acceleration; forces to lift, drag and thrust objects; aerodynamics like Bernoulli principle; and space environment characteristics. They will use math to improve their results; will discover about the importance of the materials in this engineering branch; and use his or her creativity and curiosity to design, build and test their own prototypes at the same time they have fun.

Contact: Sarah Baldwin @ sarah.baldwin@brainstemlearning.ca, 604-379-2767

Link to registration: http://www.brainstemlearning.ca/contact/registration/

Special Newsletter: Spring Fair

/ Ross Road PAC

Dear parents,

The date for the Spring Carnival is approaching fast! The carnival will happen on Friday, June 20, 2014 from 5-8 pm, and as always, all Ross Road families are invited to join in for one of the grandest nights of the school year. This year’s carnival will have a distinctive, old-time country fair theme. Among other highlights, the professional country band Steel Toe Boots will perform from start to finish and outdoor games reminiscent of another era will be staged.

And bring your appetite! We are very grateful and excited that Lynn Valley Lions will be catering all the food for this year’s event.

Inside Scoop

Here’s what you need to know to get the most out of our carnival.

  • Tickets will be available for purchase the week of the Spring Carnival as well as the day of the event. So instead of waiting in line when you first arrive, why not purchase your tickets in advance and join in the fun right away?
  • This year’s Spring Carnival brings the chance once again to win a very special raffle basket. This is the way it works: You receive a popsicle stick for each booth you visit and for each activity you try. When you’ve collected five sticks, you can redeem them for a raffle ticket.  So the more popsicle sticks and raffle tickets you collect―the better your chances are of winning a fantastic raffle basket.
  • The popular mystery bags will be offered in two openings at 5:30 and then again at 6:30. Half the bags will be distributed during each time slot. In order to insure that every child gets at least one, we will be stamping children’s’ hands when they receive their bags. No double dipping, please!

Help Wanted Section.

  • Raffle Gift Basket Leader. Skills and experience required: Prize fighter with an artsy touch. The Carnival requires a volunteer to manage the Gift Basket Raffle. With plenty of support from others, this volunteer will ensure that the Raffle Gift Baskets contain attractive and desirable items and that the raffle proceeds smoothly.
  • First Aid Attendants. The Carnival needs at least two volunteers to act as First Aid attendants during the event.  Please volunteer your practical skills to help keep everyone safe.  Ideally, two individuals will each cover half the event from start to finish.

Please contact the Spring Carnival Director, Tamrah Corben at corbenst@telus.net to volunteer.

Thanks!  Have a great week!

 

Friday Newsletter: There’s lots going on!

/ Ross Road PAC

Dear parents,

  • Don’t forget there is early dismissal (at 1.50pm) next Wednesday.  Want to keep up to date on all the official school events like this?  Click here to be taken to the Ross Road school calendar.
  • Next week is Bike to School week!  Bushnell Place will be closed at Ross Road, and there will be no valet!    K to Grade 5 will be doing their thing on Monday, so don’t forget a bike and helmet.  Grade 6 & 7 trail rides are on Tuesday.  For your child to participate in these rides, you must have signed and returned the waivers and consent forms.  And they’ll obviously  need a bike and helmet too :)  There’s lots of other things happening as well.  Check out the email that was sent to all classes earlier this week for complete information.
  • We still need volunteers for various PAC positions…..like a valet coordinator.  If you use the valet system, please consider volunteering for this very important job.  (No coordinator means no valet).  We also need someone to co-chair the PAC with Sarah Dennis.  If you’re interested in either position…or something else, please let Sarah know.
  • A big thank you to retiring members of the PAC executive….like Julie Dunsterville (co-chair) and Gillian Gorton (Environment Club).  And as always, a big thank you to all volunteers on the PAC executive and within the PAC itself.
  • Don’t forget the Spring Fair is on Friday June 20.  Mark your calendars!
  • In fundraising news, the KM club raised $147 and the Jump Rope for Heart raised over $8000! (of which 10% came back to the school to buy fitness equipment!)  Nice work!

Enjoy your weekend!

Your PAC Executive

Special Newsletter: PAC AGM agenda

/ Ross Road PAC

Dear parents,

Just a reminder that the PAC AGM is on Wednesday night, starting at 7pm.   Babysitting is available!  If you’re interested in making your school a better place, please come along and contribute.

Here’s the agenda…

Refreshments & mingle 6:45pm

Meeting starts 7pm

1)     Approval of minutes from General Meeting dated Feb 5, 2014

2)     Business Arising from the minutes

  1. Library funds update
  2. Bingo Night

3)     Brief updates

  1. Spring Carnival
  2. Valet
  3. Lice 911
  4. Enviro Club
  5. Emergency Prep- defribrillator

 

4)     Principal’s report

5)     Treasurer’s report

  1. Budget Proposal – motion to approve proposed 2014/2015 operating budget
  2. Motion to approve the following expenditures:

i.     Up to $28,000 for installation & mounting of projectors & speakers in 23 divisions

ii.     Up to $5500 for Science/Math programs

iii.     $5,000 contribution towards IT Fund

6)     Elections for PAC Exec 2014-1015

7)     Election for School Planning Council

8)     Other

 

See you there!

 

Your PAC Executive

Friday Newsletter: PAC AGM is on Wednesday! | Spring Fair | Volunteer thank you

/ Ross Road PAC

Dear parents,

  • Did you know that through your efforts, the PAC has raised nearly $40,000?  Yes, seriously!  How awesome is that?  Give yourself a big pat on the back.  And now, with all that hard work done, it’s time for the fun part.  Let’s spend it!  Next Wednesday, at the PAC AGM (starting at 7pm), we’ll vote on using this money to pay for projectors for all the classrooms, as well as making a contribution to the IT fund and bringing in a cool extra-curricular math/science program for all grades.  Please come along and make your voice heard.  (Babysitting is available if needed.  Please get in touch with Sarah Dennis if needed)
  • Want to help make your school a better place?  Want to have a larger say in how we raise money and spend it?   How about volunteering for the PAC?  There are plenty of roles available….and some just require a few hours work every month.  If you *might* be interested, please come to the AGM to find out more.
  • There are dozens of incredible parent-volunteers who do amazing work for the school in all sorts of areas, but we wanted to take a moment to give particular thanks to Barb Woznow.  For 7 years, Barb has been the person in charge of Emergency Preparedness at Ross Road.      She and her team have made sure that should there ever be a natural disaster, our kids will have food, shelter and basic comforts to get them through.  In fact, her efforts have been recognized across the north shore and other schools are following her example.  With her son moving onto high school, Barb’s association with Ross Road is coming to and end, so we just wanted to thank her for everything that she’s done.
  • Don’t forget the Spring Fair is on June 20!  Stay tuned for more information, but for now, the organizers are looking for donations for the silent auction. Do you have a business or know someone that does, that could donate a gift card, gift basket or an item we could auction off at our silent auction? Or perhaps you are an artist or a craft person that could donate some of your work (and get some advertising as well!). Or perhaps you have another idea?  If you can help, please let Dana Kovanda know by calling/texting her on 604 808 0725.
  • The Spring Fair organizers are also looking for someone to help with Raffle Baskets….someone who can collect donations, purchase items and assemble the baskets.  Please get in touch with Tamrah Corben (778 836 9849)  if you can help.

Thanks and see you next Wednesday for the AGM (starting at 7pm)

Your PAC Executive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Newsletter: Staff Appreciation Lunch | KM Club | Childhood Anxiety

/ Ross Road PAC

Dear parents,

  • The Annual Staff Appreciation Lunch is next Wednesday April 9th.  This is a great opportunity for us to thank the Teachers and Staff at Ross Road for all that they do for our children.  We are still in need of help in a few areas. Firstly, we need volunteers to help supervise on the playground so all of the staff can enjoy the lunch, plus we could use a few more helpers to help at the lunch itself. We are also in need of some more donations of lunch items (Main Dishes are needed: ie. casseroles or sandwiches). We also need to ask for a few more donations of small gifts for the teachers – we need approximately 15-20 more. Typically gifts are approximately $10 each and suggestions might be a bottle of wine, gift certificate to a coffee place or garden shop, soaps, tea…feel free to get creative. Please email Frances Carmichael carmichael@telus.net or go on to the google doc below to sign up for volunteer shifts, food or gifts (Note the different tabs at the bottom of the document). Gifts can be dropped off at the office anytime before Tuesday morning and will be kept safely in a Tupperware bin there. Food items can be dropped off anytime on Wednesday morning until 11am in the staff kitchen. Please make sure any heating instructions are attached and that your utensils for serving and also your bowls etc are clearly marked. THANK YOU!    Click here to go to the Google Doc.
  • Our annual Ross Road Kilometer Club is back.  This year, the club will start next Monday April 7th. All K-7 students, parents and siblings are invited to come and participate in this event.  It is a great opportunity to increase your fitness level, challenge yourself to reach a certain Km goal, and for parents to ensure their children are getting some DPA (daily physical activity).  Running takes place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 20 minutes from 8:05 (warm up for 5 minutes) to 8:35 on the field for a total of 15 running days (end mid/end of May).  For more information, please see the attachment.
  • PAC Parent Night on Childhood Anxiety:  Come join us in the library on Wednesday, April 9, from 7 to 9pm for an educational evening with Christine Yu, M.A., R.C.C., who will talk to us about childhood anxiety and offer advice on how to manage it.  (parents only please)  Christine has worked extensively in the field of anxiety, both as a researcher and a practitioner.  She is currently working as a Registered Clinical Counsellor in private practice to help empower children and families to learn skills to deal the challenges and struggles they face.  In addition to child and family therapy, Christine collaborates with AnxietyBC to increase awareness and promote education in the community.  She offers workshops and presentations for schools and parent-groups around the Lower Mainland.
  • At the risk of sounding repetitive (and stealing from old newsletters),  the PAC still needs your energy and input.  There’s a variety of positions open, and it’s not a massive commitment. In particular, if you have any sort of book-keeping or accounting experience, we’d love to hear from you. But we’d also love to hear from anyone who’d like play a part in the PAC.    To find out more, please get in touch with Sarah Dennis

Thanks!

Your PAC Executive

Friday newsletter | BINGO TIME!

/ Ross Road PAC

Dear Parents,

The Ross Road Tropical Family Bingo night will be held on Friday, February 21st from 5.30pm to 8.00pm.

Put on your best warm weather vacation gear and come out for some fun!

Entry is by donation and you can pre-order Subway sandwiches via  MunchaLunch.com.  Just click on the fundraising tab, let us know how many in your group and order your dinner.  Please order food by February 15.

Munchies, soda and water will also be sold on the evening and there will be complimentary tea and coffee.

If you would like to give some time to help with set-up, food service or clean-up, please sign up via Munchalunch or get in touch with Janice at asardari@shaw.ca

Your PAC Executive

New MunchaLunch session now open! Ordering closes December 20!

/ Ross Road PAC

Dear parents,

Food day ordering is now open for Session 2.  There will be 7 food days between January 10 and March 14 and this session includes Flying Wedge Pizza, Booster Juice Smoothies with Magic Lunch Box Wraps, Subway Sandwiches, Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt, Sushi, Magic Lunch Box homemade meals.

If you want to take a break from making lunches, you must get your orders in by noon on Friday December 20.  (the last day of school)

Click here to go to the MunchaLunch website.

Or click here to find out more about the program. (including the link to register if you’re a new user)

Friday Newsletter: Christmas Craft Fair | SnowPass | Young Actor’s Project | Valet Volunteers

/ Ross Road PAC

Dear parents,

  • Christmas Craft Fair:   This year’s Fair is shaping up to be awesome, but organizers still need your help.  Please don’t forget to volunteer your time, as well as making contributions to the class raffle baskets, bake sale, Holiday Show and Wrap Market, and mystery bags.  It may sound like a lot, but the results are worth it.  It’s a wonderful community-building event and a great fundraiser that directly benefits all our kids.  Click here to find out more, and contact the coordinators at rossroadcraftfair@gmail.com, to find out how you can help.
  • SnowPass:  Did you know that if you have a child in Grades 3 or 4, you can buy a pass for $29.95 that lets your child ski or ride three times at participating resorts all over Canada.  Click here for more details.
  • Young Actors Workshop:   Have your kids been talking to you about drama activities, masks and improv lately? If so, this is thanks to the fantastic work that Mike, Jody and Robert from the Young Actors’ Project (YAP) have done with all divisions.  At the AGM in May, the PAC voted to bring the YAP to Ross Road and the program went extremely well, with students  learning hands-on about drama, masks, focus and the power of body language. A big thank you to the instructors from YAP and to the Ross Road teachers who welcomed them into their classrooms!  Click here to find out more about YAP.
  • Valet:   A volunteer is still needed for Thursdays and new volunteers are needed for next year.  If you benefit from this service, perhaps you might consider giving up 25 minutes once a week for one month to help out.  Please contact Nancy Barton at nancybinbc@hotmail.com.

Have a great weekend,

Your PAC executive

Friday Newsletter: Environment Club | Card Project | Christmas Market | Safeteen

/ Ross Road PAC

Dear parents,

  • Environment Club:  Have you seen the incredible mural on the west-facing wall near the edible garden?  With thanks to talented artist and Ross Road parent, Shula Klinger, this Environment Club initiative was paid for by proceeds from a TD Friends of the Environment grant.   Click here for more information about the Environment Club and keep your eye out for more amazing projects happening at the school.
  • Card Project:  Have you ordered yours yet?  You must order by midnight Friday to guarantee delivery in the first week of December.  (cards ordered after this time will be delivered on December 16)  Click here for more details.
  • Christmas Market:  The Market will be held on Friday, December 6 from 5pm to 8pm, and here are some important things to note;
  1. If you want to order dinner, you must do so via the MunchaLunch website by 5pm on Monday, November 18.
  2. The organizers are  in desperate need of men’s ties and glass baby food jars.  If you have any, please leave them under the ‘down’ stairs by the PAC box in the lobby.
  3. As per the notices from the class reps, the Market also needs your time!  Please consider volunteering 45 mins on the evening to help make the event a success.  See the sign-up sheets on your classroom doors or get in touch with your class rep to find out how you can help.
  4. If you have any ‘treasures’ that you can donate to the “Holiday Shop and Wrap Market” please drop them in the box under the “down” stairs in the lobby (not in the AV room as previously mentioned.) These are new items such as that gift you bought for someone and then forgot you had it, or the picture frame you loved and bought, but never found the right wall to hang it on.  There is no need to buy anything, it’s just a chance for you to pass on treasures that you have never had the chance to use.
  • 9781896095998_p0_v1_s260x420Safeteen:  This week, the Safe Teen experts came to Ross Road to hold 3-hour workshops with all the grade 6 and 7 students. The Safe Teen program introduced the students to bullying and harassment prevention strategies and non-violent conflict resolution in a powerful and engaging, gender-separate workshop format.  Many thanks to Family Services of the North Shore, who generously funded the student workshops!  Also many thanks to those parents who came out for the very exciting parent night on Tuesday!  For those of you who are interested in continuing the conversation with their 6th or 7th graders or who want to learn more, Anita Roberts has published a book about the Safe Teen philosophy (available at the Lynn Valley library).

Have a great weekend!

Your PAC Executive