About the PAC
Being active with the Parent Advisory Council is one of the easiest ways a parent can be a part of their child’s school community. Parent participation within the school community makes sure that the events and activities that make the school year more fun will continue to be available for our children.
Every parent with a child in our school is a member of our PAC!
No special requirements, just come out to a meeting, and join in where you can! Contribute to making our school a fun place to be and meet some new friends!
WHAT is a PAC?
The Parent Advisory Council is where every parent/guardian of a child in our school has the opportunity to come out and participate.
We are more than fundraising! The PAC has many roles in the school community, we can:
- advise
- monitor
- support
- advocate
It is vital to have input from as many voices as possible in our school, so that we may accurately represent the cares and concerns of all to the school administration and staff. We also have the opportunity to be a strong parental voice in addressing student concerns, goals and plans beyond the local the school staff and administration, but also to the School Board and Ministry of Education.
WHO is the PAC?
Within every PAC there is an executive board elected every year. They take care of the logistics of organizing the details, running the general meetings, and liasing between the parents and the school administration and staff. The most important part of the PAC, the biggest thing that makes a PAC effective in a school is PARENT PARTICIPATION.
It is up to every parent to choose to what degree you want to get involved in, but it is essential to have parent volunteers to help with everything from fundraising to the development of goals, policies and what services should be provided for our children in our school. As parents, we need to take full advantage of this opportunity to help shape and support the goals of our public education system.
WHY participate?
Many of the activities that happen at Parkside Centennial during the year would not be possible without the parent volunteers that help out. Some of the things our PAC has been involved with organizing in the past couple of years include:
- the Welcome Bar-B-Q on Meet-The-Teacher night,
- Hot Lunch days,
- Movie Nights,
- Breakfast with Santa,
- Primary and Intermediate Movie Nights,
- the Family Fun Carnival.
PAC FAQs
Trying to dispel some of the myths about school PACs
Q: What exactly is a PAC? What is for?
A: PAC stands for Parent Advisory Council – It is a way for the parents to have a collective voice in the school and at the district level with DPAC.
Q: Is it like a club? How do I become a member?
A: Every parent or guardian of a student registered at Parkside is considered a voting member of the PAC. Membership is automatic, nothing to sign, nothing to commit to, just show up at the monthly general meetings and be informed about what is happening at our school.
Q: I don’t have a lot of spare time, being part of the PAC is a huge commitment isn’t it?
A: You chose how much time you can offer up to volunteering for PAC activities. The time commitment varies from helping out for an hour here and there at PAC sponsored school activities to volunteering to serve as an elected member of the PAC executive. You choose the level on activity that fits comfortably into your family’s schedule.
Q: Why should I come to a meeting?
A: The monthly PAC general meetings are great chance to find out what is happening at the school on many levels. School/student needs, projects and events are discussed; fundraising options are offered. The Principal or Vice Principal shares a report of news and information from the administration and district level. It’s a great way to get the inside scoop, and to meet and network with other parents.
