News

<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">May 6 - 7PM (Registration link has been distributed via School Messenger)</strong></b></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CELLPHONES: WHAT’S HEALTHY, WHAT’S NOT, AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Many of our kids are anxious and glued to their phones, seeking endless distraction and feeling isolated and disconnected. Aggressive outbursts have become common and yet others seem to have stopped talking altogether. As parents and caregivers, we are increasingly alarmed. We entice, cajole, bribe, encourage, shout, but nothing seems to work long term.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Is technology bad? Absolutely not—it’s wonderful and has brought us so many gifts. But the invention of devices that travel with kids has also greatly shifted childhood and adolescence, affecting their learning, relationships, and emotional health.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Is change impossible? No ... in fact we are seeing a groundswell of change percolating across the world! Although we may personally not be able to change the culture at large, there is much we can do to shift our family and school cultures so that we can support our kids to truly discover their best selves. Small changes can have big effects.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Join Hannah for a warm and conversational workshop exploring practical strategies we can use to help our children and youth when it comes to managing devices. This conversation has never been more important as we look at how we can support our children and youth to grow, learn, develop, and reach their fullest potential.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Geared to:</strong></b></i><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Parents and caregivers of children and youth of all ages</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Note: Helpful for families who have not yet given their children a device and are trying to make some decisions regarding if, when, and how they do this!</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">** This event is only open to families, caregivers, and staff of SD23. &nbsp;</strong></b></p><h5 class="editor-heading-h5" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Hannah Beach is an award-winning educator, author, emotional health consultant, and keynote speaker who speaks about the power of relationship and play worldwide</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. She is the co-author of the best-selling book Reclaiming Our Students: Why Children Are More Anxious, Aggressive, and Shut-Down than Ever—and What We Can Do About It, with Tamara Neufeld Strijack, which has been adopted by school boards across Canada. She was recognized by the Canadian Human Rights Commission in 2017 as one of five featured changemakers in Canada. Her bestselling I Can Dance book series, won a 2017 Gold International Moonbeam Children’s Book Award. Hannah delivers professional development services across the globe, provides emotional health consulting to schools and community based programs, and speaks at conferences about the power of relationship and play. Hannah is an emotional health and play-based learning consultant for Britannica Education, where she develops courses which are facilitated by the Britannica Education team.</span></h5>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">COPAC General Meetings take place on the first Monday of every month of the school year - September through June. If the first Monday is a holiday, the meeting will take place on the following Monday. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If your PAC President or COPAC Rep is not receiving COPAC meeting invites, please email COPAC President. </span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Help us stay in contact with your PAC by sharing your updated executive contact details for 2026/2027. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/gqiJR17dGP" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2026/2027&nbsp; President and COPAC Rep Contact Information – Fill out form</span></a></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">FREE: PARENT EDUCATION EVENT</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">FAMILIES AS PARTNERS IN LEARNING: PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR FAMILIES AND PACS</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28, 9-3PM </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(1040 Hollywood Road S, Hollywood Road Educational Services) </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="https://forms.office.com/r/RBBet4emQL" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Families as Partners in Learning 2026 COPAC Parent &amp; Caregiver Conference – Waitlist</span></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Parents and PAC leaders are invited to a one-day, in-person Parent Education &amp; PAC Leadership</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Day on Saturday, February 28 at the Hollywood Road Education Learning Centre.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This free event will offer practical, relevant learning sessions led by district staff and community</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">partners, with opportunities to connect with other parents across schools. Participants will rotate</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">through breakout sessions in the morning and afternoon, with time for discussion, collaboration,</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and shared learning.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Topics include digital literacy &amp; AI, anti-racism and cultural safety, Indigenous learning,</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">youth health and safety, and PAC leadership essentials.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><u><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-underline" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Morning Parent Education Breakouts</strong></b></u></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Participants will choose sessions focused on current issues impacting students and families:</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">AI &amp; Digital Literacy</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- Learn how AI is showing up in education, what families should know, and</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">how to support students in a rapidly changing digital world.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Anti-Racism, Cultural Safety, and Micro-aggressions</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> -A practical session focused on building</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">inclusive school communities and understanding how everyday actions and language affect</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">belonging.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Local Syilx Okanagan History and Indigenization of the Curriculum</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> -Learn about the local</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">context, why indigenization matters, and how this learning is being reflected in classrooms.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Vaping and Youth</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Information on current trends, local realities, and how families</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">can support prevention and safety.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Safer Schools </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- Learn about programs in place in SD23 schools to support our youth through</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">mental health and wellness.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><u><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-underline" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Afternoon PAC-Focused Breakouts for PAC and PAC Curious Families</strong></b></u></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Skill-building sessions designed to support PACs and parent leaders:</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">PAC 101</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> - The basics of PACs, why parent engagement matters, and how PACs fit within the</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">BC education system.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Treasurer 101 </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- Support for PAC treasurers and executive teams, including financial</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">responsibilities, best practices, and common questions.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Food &amp; Nutrition with an Interior Health Dietitian</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Interested in hot lunch programs? Join</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">the discussion on food safety, nutrition guidelines, and inclusive food planning in schools.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="https://copac.sd23.bc.ca/documents/58a0d1e8-4e0e-4bc4-abcd-c399143b59fd/COPAC-Parent-Conference-Feb-28_5.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20260210185055" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Click for more details</span></a></p>