With reference to the ongoing labour conflict between the teachers and the government, the Ross Road PAC will publish information and resources that it feels parents in our community may find interesting.

From time to time, the PAC posts items that we think are relevant to a large number of Ross Road parents. This is one such time.

Once again, the BC teachers are involved in a job action conflict with the BC Government and once again, this is a difficult time for everyone. As a parent group, our mandate is to support students and teachers at our school. While we may or may not agree with teachers’ job action and the current strike action, we can see the effects of budget cuts over the last several years. As a middle-of-the-road PAC, our resources are being stretched thinner and thinner as we try to provide the things that in the past were a part of the government’s budget for schools. Examples from Ross Road include: library books, laptops, iPads, projectors for classrooms, art supplies and gym equipment.

As we all know, the strength and health of our society depends to no small degree on the investment we place in public education. If we do not prepare for the future through quality education for all today, we will not be able to maintain our standard and quality of living tomorrow, when today’s students will be responsible for society as leaders, workers, teachers, thinkers and health care workers. What sort of society do we want our children to grow up in? What sort of society to we want to grow old in? That is the central issue!

Here are some helpful email and web address links:

Ms. Jane Thornthwaite, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour
Email: jane.thornthwaite.mla@leg.bc.ca
Web page: http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/40thParl/thornthwaite-Jane.htm

Ms. Naomi Yamamoto, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale
Email: naomi.yamamoto.mla@leg.bc.ca
Web page: http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/40thParl/yamamoto-Naomi.htm

Hon. Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education
Email: peter.fassbender.mla@leg.bc.ca
Web page: http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/40thparl/fassbender-Peter.htm

Hon. Christy Clark, Premier
Email: premier@gov.bc.ca
Web page: http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/40thparl/clark-Christy.html

A Facebook group has been set up by a concerned North Vancouver parent to gather and disseminate information about the conflict.

https://www.facebook.com/NVparents

We would appreciate input and insight from all concerned parents and citizens. Please feel free to email the Advocacy Ross Road group with any comments or suggestions:  advocacyrossroad@gmail.com

Or use this form to contact the Advocacy Group:

Thank you!

– Advocacy Ross Road Group