|
|
|
CAPACITY
CAFÉ
|
|
|
CAPACITY CAFÉ
WEDNESDAY APRIL 25, 2007 6:30 PM; 3RD FLOOR
STAFFROOM DINNER & DISCUSSION
Do you want to know what the kids think and feel?
Many parents at the workshops we held this year talked about the changes
their teens were experiencing and their concerns about the many issues their
adolescents face in high school. Some parents find it easy to talk to their
teens, but many feel a little more disconnected and want to understand more
about the teen culture today.
The Capacity Café will offer parents an opportunity to talk and listen to
teens in high school. Five or six youth will join us to answer questions that
parents have in a safe supportive atmosphere. The purpose is to help parents
and teens understand each other a little better. We did this at Tupper school
with teachers and students and it was an incredibly valuable experience for
everyone.
Dinner at @ 6:30; Capacity Café to follow. Please register.
JOIN US!
QUESTIONS? PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL OR EMAIL scarros@telus.net or 604
732 1287
|
|
SACY
PARENT COMMITTEE MEETING
|
|
|
SACY PARENT
COMMITTEE MEETING 7:00 PM
WEDNESDAY APRIL 11, 2007
3RD FLOOR STAFFROOM
The purpose of this meeting is to firm up plans for the remainder of this
year as well as confirm parent committees to activate parent engagement in
the 2007/2008 school year. We also would like to bring new parents to this meeting
and continue discussion about helping and supporting Kitsilano
youth. We will also get input from parents as to questions they would like to
ask youth at the Capacity Café on April 25th. (see below)
Come and enjoy dessert and the company of other parents!!
Please register scarros@telus.net or Stephanie at 604 732 1287.
|
|
S.A.C.Y.
NEWS
|
|
|
As parents,
we all can identify how it feels when our teens enter high school and they
decide that it is either embarrassing or unnecessary for us to attend school
functions, drop them off at the front door of school, or partake in the
normal activities that we did in the elementary years. Sometimes, teachers
inadvertently send us the same message and parents begin the process of
allowing their teens to be more independent and responsible for their own
decisions and actions. This is good in part; our teens do need to learn new
skills and we, as parents do need to start “letting go” encouraging them to
try new things, establish their own values, and accept the consequences of
their choices.
Grade 8’s and 9’s, like their parents, are also ambivalent about this
transition to adulthood. They want to fit in with their peers and be
controlled less, and they also want and need the support and acceptance of
their parents and family as much as ever. Some come into high school feeling
ready, confident, and secure. Others are overwhelmed, scared, and less
prepared. None of them are ready to make all their own decisions without the
guidance and involvement of caring and thoughtful adults in their lives.
Boundaries provide safety for them and for you.
Research tells us that one way parents can help their teens is to be engaged
with their school. Supporting events, activities, and their teachers as well
as getting involved in school decision-making not only help parents keep in
touch with the lives of young people but models community responsibility.
It’s true that your teens may be private and even secretive about their lives
so we, as parents, need to find new ways to stay aware, connected, and informed.
The more parents that get involved, the less likely your teens will feel your
presence restrictive. Parents and adult primary caregivers continue to be the
most influential persons and mentors in a young person’s life. High School is
a vulnerable time for all teens. They are growing in everyway more rapidly
than at any other time in their lives. It is definitely not the time to
disengage from them.
S.A.CY is an alcohol and other drugs prevention program but we know that
prevention is hardly ever just about the alcohol and drugs. Prevention is
about connection, relationship-building, engagement, education, and good
communication skills. We can’t control the behavior of others but there is a
lot we can do to influence safer choices.
The S.A.C.Y. parent committee has been meeting regularly to brainstorm ways
that will help parents feel more connected to the Kitsilano
School Community. We feel that one place to start is to welcome and engage
the grade 8 parents in September. Some ideas the parents have are:
* In the first week of school, during Grade 8 Days, we offer coffee drop-ins
for Grade 8 parents. (perhaps 1 in the morning and another in the evening)
These would be information and support – related. It would also provide an
opportunity for parents to ask questions and offer suggestions about their
concerns. The PAC would engage parents to get involved in volunteering.
* A volunteer parent committee would be available by (phone or email) to act
as mentors and support to new parents.
* Another parent committee might volunteer to visit the feeder school PAC’S
to stress the importance of staying engaged with our kids and their school in
the high school years.
Other recommendations are to continue parent workshops throughout the year
and the valuable work the PAC has initiated over the last few years. The
email newsletter has helped to keep everyone in the loop and turnout for
guest speakers over the years have been really successful. Parents are
involved in safe grad and many of the school activities.
We all live in very busy times and a very dedicated, small group of parents
have worked really hard. We would like to enhance and grow this network.
Parents are such valuable resources. There are 2 S.A.C.Y. events coming
that may be of interest to you.
If you would like to attend you need to register scarros@telus.net or
Stephanie at 604 732 1287.
|
|
PAC's
Grocery Certificates
|
|
|
At absolutely no extra cost to you, you can
easily help our Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) raise money for the
school by using gift certificates/ cards from a large variety of merchants to
do your everyday shopping.
PAC purchases paper certificates and plastic cards from large, well known retailers
at a discount. PAC resells the certificates and cards to you at face
value and the PAC keeps the difference as a fundraiser.
The more families participate, the more money gets raised.
Deadline is the first Monday of every month. Download the order form
from the Kits school website: http://kitsilano.vsb. bc.ca
Click on “Parents” on the left hand side. Then click on Kits
grocery certificates.
For questions, please contact Elene at
evanderpas@telus.net
|
|
Fund Raiser
available at Parent/Teacher Conferences Apr 4
|
|
|
For a
limited time we will be selling Starbuck’s Cards in denominations of $10
each.
If you are beginning to think about those “wee giftees”
as a token of thanks to all those volunteer coaches and teachers of our
kids in June, why not bring along either cash or a cheque
to Parent / Teacher Conference on April 4?
You can pick up some Starbuck’s Cards and make that “thank you” gift search
simpler this year.
|
|
Proud
Parent - T-Shirt at the PAC Meeting
|
|
|
For our
upcoming PAC meeting on Wednesday 18 April, parents can have a T-Shirt made,
with the slogan:
Proud Parent of a KITSILANO Secondary Student These can be worn as
soon as they are made.
He will also have the lights set up, so parents can see what we can shoot in
our studio!
The first 10 to confirm their attendance get a shirt
! – email KitsPAC@hotmail.com
|
