Volume 1 issue 2 of the School Council's excellent newsletter is out!
See it at http://uhill-sec.vsb.bc.ca/newspaper/
ALSO please read the previous post about the annual PAC-sponsored International Lunch fund raising event, happening at the school May 13th.
P.A.C.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
International Lunch May 13th
This annual event is a fund raiser for our School, organized by the PAC.
What: We provide an interesting and healthy lunch for students and staff with inexpensive menu items from around the world. Parents either cook or purchase the food, and organize the event as well as serve and collect money on the day.
Date / place: May 13th at school (portable 8) during the regular lunch-time break.
Volunteers: Success depends on parent volunteers. We will need:
Contact: For more information contact a PAC executive via the emails in this Blog's right panel.
What: We provide an interesting and healthy lunch for students and staff with inexpensive menu items from around the world. Parents either cook or purchase the food, and organize the event as well as serve and collect money on the day.
Date / place: May 13th at school (portable 8) during the regular lunch-time break.
Volunteers: Success depends on parent volunteers. We will need:
- Food: At roughly 60 x10 serving (550 students and 50 teachers)
- Volunteers on the day: at least 20
Contact: For more information contact a PAC executive via the emails in this Blog's right panel.
Monday, April 19, 2010
To the Ministry and School Board ...
The following was sent today to trustees and ministry people, as a letter of protest regarding proposed cuts to public education funding.
Dear Vancouver School Board Trustees, Gordon Campbell, and Margaret MacDiarmid:
The PAC executive for University Hill Secondary School met recently to consider how the proposed dramatic cuts might affect the future of our children's education for the 2010-2011 academic year and into the future. As representatives of all families at our school, we feel recent proposed cuts seriously threaten the ability of our school and it's dedicated staff to continue providing the remarkably effective secondary school experience our kids have been fortunate to have at UHill Secondary.
Over the last few years, University Hill has managed, with difficulty, to accommodate the continuous pattern of reduced funding each year. However this year’s proposed cuts, which are much more significant than before, will have a fundamentally adverse on each child’s quality of education. We, the parents, have not heard a rational basis for such a huge changes, that is consistent with maintaining our education system, from either the Ministry or the School Board. For us, the public education system in BC has been a source of pride, but these cuts suggest the Province has shifted its priorities away from this fundamental aspect of our society.
All of the proposed reductions in the school system for next year are alarming. However, in particular, we are devastated to find that the small community of University Hill may lose seven teachers next year, including some of its newest, most enthusiastic and energetic teachers. This change in itself will be a huge blow to the programs, education and community at the school. In addition, reductions to the already stretched administrative and counselling resources are hugely counter-productive, especially given University Hill’s unique circumstances and opportunities. For example, our principal and his staff will need to devote significant energy to working on the school building projects over the next year.
We hope that the Ministry will reflect seriously on the relative cost effectiveness of properly funding public education. University Hill has had significant success at producing highly qualified personnel to the BC workforce despite the cut-backs in the past, but with these cuts the quality of outcomes will suffer – we think un-necessarily.
Thank you for your attention and help at resolving this challenge,
Sincerely,
PAC co-chairs:
Francis Jones
Tom Hutton
Dear Vancouver School Board Trustees, Gordon Campbell, and Margaret MacDiarmid:
The PAC executive for University Hill Secondary School met recently to consider how the proposed dramatic cuts might affect the future of our children's education for the 2010-2011 academic year and into the future. As representatives of all families at our school, we feel recent proposed cuts seriously threaten the ability of our school and it's dedicated staff to continue providing the remarkably effective secondary school experience our kids have been fortunate to have at UHill Secondary.
Over the last few years, University Hill has managed, with difficulty, to accommodate the continuous pattern of reduced funding each year. However this year’s proposed cuts, which are much more significant than before, will have a fundamentally adverse on each child’s quality of education. We, the parents, have not heard a rational basis for such a huge changes, that is consistent with maintaining our education system, from either the Ministry or the School Board. For us, the public education system in BC has been a source of pride, but these cuts suggest the Province has shifted its priorities away from this fundamental aspect of our society.
All of the proposed reductions in the school system for next year are alarming. However, in particular, we are devastated to find that the small community of University Hill may lose seven teachers next year, including some of its newest, most enthusiastic and energetic teachers. This change in itself will be a huge blow to the programs, education and community at the school. In addition, reductions to the already stretched administrative and counselling resources are hugely counter-productive, especially given University Hill’s unique circumstances and opportunities. For example, our principal and his staff will need to devote significant energy to working on the school building projects over the next year.
We hope that the Ministry will reflect seriously on the relative cost effectiveness of properly funding public education. University Hill has had significant success at producing highly qualified personnel to the BC workforce despite the cut-backs in the past, but with these cuts the quality of outcomes will suffer – we think un-necessarily.
Thank you for your attention and help at resolving this challenge,
Sincerely,
PAC co-chairs:
Francis Jones
Tom Hutton
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
International Award for Math Teaching at UHill !
We would like to congratulate Paula Aaronson, Senior Mathematics, Department Teacher Leader for being awarded the Edyth May Sliffe Award, which recognizes outstanding teachers for their efforts in developing the mathematical talents of high school students.
Ms. Aaronson is one of 22 teachers selected from the United States and Canada to receive the honour from the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). The award is based on nominations from students, in this case Yuqi Zhu, Junghoo Kim and Lisha Qin.
Ms. Aaronson is one of 22 teachers selected from the United States and Canada to receive the honour from the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). The award is based on nominations from students, in this case Yuqi Zhu, Junghoo Kim and Lisha Qin.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
PAC News, March 2010 - Impacts of the changing school budget for 2010-2011
The Provincial budget of March 2010 has resulted in the Vancouver School Board making changes to the budget for the education for our children.
All parents are invited to learn how this will affect students and families at an open PAC meeting Thursday April 8th, in the school library at 7:00pm.
Agenda
The Provincial budget of March 2010 has resulted in the Vancouver School Board making changes to the budget for the education for our children.
All parents are invited to learn how this will affect students and families at an open PAC meeting Thursday April 8th, in the school library at 7:00pm.
Agenda
- The principal of UHill Secondary will outline VSB budget plans and highlight the likely impact on our school, the students, their education and our community.
- Questions, answers and discussions.
- If desired, draft and agree on any statements we (as parents) want to make to the school and/or the Board. Example: does it mean "mini" might be dropped?
- The role of PAC: present and discuss new plans for ways that the Parent Advisory Council can help families, students and the community during the next school year.
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