September Bulletin

The PAC essentially serves as (1) a two-way communication and advisory link between parents and the teachers / staff, and (2) organizers of certain regular UHill events. All parents & guardians of students attending University Hill Secondary School are voting members of the PAC, and everyone is encouraged to participate by volunteering either in the executive or to participate in individual events.

This year (2008-2009) may well be the most important year in the history of our school because this is when planning for a new high school is being carried out. We are no longer trying to get a new school – detail plans for modifying the NSERC Building on UBC’s South Campus are currently (September 2008) being developed, and all stake holders will be involved in this crucial stage. Once construction begins it will be too late to have much influence on what is finally produced. We do not know exactly when this planning ends, but we are looking forward to hearing some news from our new Principle, Mark Pearmain, before mid September. The current PAC executive will do what they can to keep parents informed.

Because of this important time, the focus for this year’s PAC activities will be facilitating two way communication between the school and parents. We hope to have regular meetings open to everyone, perhaps two or three per term. Our initial thoughts are that these meetings should each involve three parts:

1. a chance for teachers / staff to inform parents about new school developments, and/or about what currently happening at school (in response to questions posed at a previous meeting – see item (2));
2. an opportunity for parents to ask questions and identify issues they would like addressed in some detail at the following meeting. Example are (a) provincial requirements at a particular grade level, (b) details about how learned of a particular subject is done in the school (eg math), (c) pros and cons of the AP Science options, and so on;
3. discussion time.

This is currently just an idea, but it is in response to suggestions that “parent education” might be less important in this year of change at our school.

Finally, a special note to parents of grade 8 and grade 9 students: Yours are the children who will actually experience the new school. Most of the PAC are parents of senior students who will never get to benefit from the new facilities. Therefore it is important for you to participate in the process. Join the PAC now, either in an official position, or as a member-at-large. All parents of U Hill students have the right to participate in PAC meetings whether or not you are a member of the executive. So, at the very least, please try to do your best to come and participate in the upcoming meetings.