We-Recommend Monthly Updates

Family Skate, Purdy’s, Poinsettias, next Fun Lunches, and new PAC info

CORRECTION: poinsettia pick up is TODAY, December 1! Apologies for the error.

Another November, another torrential rainfall. And SNOW??? Well, if you need something exciting to do while you’re inside, TAKE THE RIDGEWAY PAC SURVEY!

If you haven’t done the survey yet, please do it now. Currently about 14% of Ridgeway parents have completed the survey, but we know a lot more than that contribute to PAC funding through Fun Lunches, Photo Nights, Spring Fair tickets, etc…

If you have ever put money towards any PAC-sponsored events (or even if you haven’t), this is your opportunity to have a say in how PAC funding is directed within the school. You can find the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GPGL9FC, or via the link on the home page of ridgewaypac.org, until the end of this term.

Check our site in January for a summary of survey results!

PAC Events coming your way:

Recess snack sale on Wednesday December 3 – yummy frozen yoghurt for $2.00. (Kids don’t care about the weather when it comes to frozen yoghurt!)

Family Skate with Mrs. Claus on Monday December 8, at Harry Jerome Arena. This fun event is hosted by PAC, so admission is free to all Ridgeway students and their families. Children must be supervised by an accompanying adult. Note that helmets are mandatory for children 12 and under. Skate ($2.85) and helmet ($0.90) rental tickets can be purchased in advance at the Harry Jerome Rec Centre front desk. Primary skate from 5:30 – 6:15, Intermediate skate from 6:35 – 7:30 (ice clean 6:15 – 6:30). Bring a donation of canned goods for the Harvest Project if you can.

Purdy’s Chocolate pick-up, for those who ordered, will be available at school on Monday, December 8 from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m., or 2:45 – 3:15 p.m. For alternate arrangements contact Tanis at thuckell@gmail.com.

The PAC Winter Social will be held on Monday December 15, in lieu of a regular PAC meeting. You are welcome to come and meet the newly-elected PAC executive, as well as regular PAC members, and a few teachers and administrators in a casual social environment. Pot-luck style – bring your favourite appetizer or dessert if you wish. Hosted at Christine Grundy’s home, 424 WEST 15th Street, North Vancouver, starting at 7:00 p.m.

The order period for the next term of PAC Fun Lunches will be open from Monday December 1 to Wednesday December 17. During this time, you can order your Fun Lunches for the January – March term. Please note that all orders for the January – March term must be placed and paid for by Wednesday December 17, and that once placed, all orders are final. We will be unable to accept any late orders for this upcoming term. Click here for more info and details on how to order.

Note that if you ordered poinsettias through the Grade 7 Fundraiser, they will be ready for pick-up on Monday December 1, downstairs in Heritage Hall, from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Side doors (near the gym) will be open for entry during this time. The weather is expected to be cold and wet that day, so if possible please pick up your poinsettias in a vehicle rather than walking (just this once!).

If you haven’t been to our site in a while, check out some of the new content:

We now have a Parent Resources Page that is updated regularly with great resources specific to our school, area, and/or kids. Currently featuring new Mother Goose classes at Queen Mary, and Homework Help sessions for Grades 5 and up at the CNV Library.

Also new, you can sign up for PAC committees right on the website. We know not everyone is into Monday night PAC meetings (even though they are totally fascinating, and if you had been at the last one you would now know what the “PEP” in PEP Room stands for…), but you can still participate by joining a committee – a wide range of skills are needed, and no regular PAC meetings are required (unless you decide to be the Chair)! Now is the time – don’t wait.

In case you missed it, the most recent PAC meeting was our Annual General Meeting, held on Monday November 17. The members present elected the 2014/15 PAC executive. For a list of the new executive and to see the draft minutes, visit the PAC Meetings Etc. page of our site.

Last but definitely not least, remind your friends that they too can receive these handy updates directly, just by clicking “follow” on the bottom of ridgewaypac.org.

We-Recommend Monthly Updates

PAC Survey, Fit-a-Thon, Photos, Food Skills, and NVPAC

With the school year now fully underway, it’s time to get the Ridgeway PAC process up and running officially for another year. Some key PAC points of interest:

  1. SURVEY!!! If you don’t participate in any other way this year (although we hope you will), please provide your input by taking the Ridgeway PAC survey. It will take about 15 minutes of your time, but, well, you’re worth it (and so are your kids).
  2. Regular PAC meeting Monday October 20, 7:00 p.m. in the school library. All PAC positions are up for election at the AGM in November, so come and announce your candidacy, or check out the others who are doing so. Agenda posted soon on the PAC Meetings page.
  3. PAC AGM and elections on Monday November 17, same time, same place. All Ridgeway parents are PAC members and can vote (or run) in PAC elections. It’s that, or Steelers vs. Titans. Come on.

Reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday October 15 is the Ridgeway PAC Fit-a-Thon. If you need a new pledge sheet, you can find it here: PAC Fit-a-Thon pledge sheet.

Reminder also, to sign up for your $20 ten-minute family photo sitting. Truly the most economical and least painful way to get a jump-start on Christmas cards / in-law gifts / photo-wall-updating. Or just to get a great family photo. Approximately six spots remaining on Monday and Tuesday nights, October 20 & 21. Email photos@ridgewaypac.org by this Friday October 17 to reserve your spot.

Food Skills for Families – a special opportunity for parents of Ridgeway, Queen Mary, and Westview, presented by North Shore Neighbourhood House. This FREE six-session program involves learning and hands-on cooking. Spaces are very limited so sign up quickly! More information here: Food Skills for Families Oct 2014

North Vancouver Parent Advisory Council – NVPAC – is the District Parent Advisory Council for the North Vancouver School District.

  1. Anyone can go to their meetings, but Ridgeway PAC specifically needs one or two reps to attend NVPAC meetings on behalf of Ridgeway PAC. Interested? Come to the Oct 20 PAC meeting, or email us.
  2. See info about their upcoming meetings on our site, but special note that upcoming meetings will feature a presentation about the NV District’s Assessment Handbook; a presentation on Outdoor School; and an all-candidates meeting for School Trustee candidates.

Last thing – please do the survey! Do it now!

That’s all, thanks for reading. If you like getting these updates, let your fellow Ridgeway parents in on the secret – tell them to follow us at ridgewaypac.org. Cheers until next time!