A. B. DIXON PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL   WHO WE ARE AND HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED!   Every parent or guardian at Dixon is a member of the PAC.  PAC stands for Parent Advisory Council.  Dixon's PAC gives parents an opportunity to support their children and their school.  The PAC, enabled under the School Act, provides an avenue for parents to become involved in their children's education in a meaningful and relelvant manner.   The administration team and educators at Dixon value the parental voice.  It is a great way to make a difference and learn more about our education system.  Parents have important insights and understandings that can enhance decision-making in schools. Parents that get involved find out what is happening in their school and are able to provide input to ensure that the school meets the needs of all students.  We post the agenda of the upcoming meeting a week before the meeting on the PAC bulletin board "brick wall" outside the office.  Meeting minutes are sent home with every student and are posted on the school website.  If there is a topic you would like discussed, please contact Kristy McLeod, or Ravi Saulnier our PAC co-chairs at kristy.mcleod@telus.net or saulnier@telus.net, or leave a message with the office. Elected Positions On The PAC Chairperson: Vice Chairperson: Treasurer: Secretary: Volunteer Positions: Canadian Parents For French (CPF): Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is the national network of volunteers which values French as an integral part of  Canada and which is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French-second-language learning opportunities for  young Canadians.  A Dixon representative attends monthly meetings to keep our school up to date on French  Immersion in BC. Dragonflies:  This committee is concerned with the beautification of Dixon, including building planters, planting and weeding in the Friendship Garden, watering, attending Sustainability Meetings and a myriad of other activities all concerned with helping our children understand the importance of being in touch with nature.  Students and teachers are also members of the committee. Dragon Wear: A coordinator(s) to select, order and distribute Dixon Dragon Wear Clothing Early Warning: A coordinator(s) to organize volunteers who daily keep track of students attendance at the beginning  of the school day and after lunch to ensure all students are accounted for.   Check the Early Warning  message machine to gather messages indicating which children will be late or sick. Emergency Preparedness:  Every year, a group of volunteers ensures that each classroom has all the supplies it needs in case of  emergency.   Remove and refill containers with food/beverage/medical items. Food Day: Select, collect money, order and distribute food/popcorn on selected day each month Fundraising: Select fundraising activities, prepare fundraising plan, organize volunteers and oversee activities. Guest Speakers: Choose interesting guest speakers to present to PAC and families. Richmond District Parents Association (RDPA):  The RDPA is the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) for The Richmond School  District.   The purpose is to help support parental involvement in education.  Our  Dixon representative will attend monthly meetings and report back to PAC to keep up  to date on items of interest relating to richmond schools, school board and PAC's. School Planning Council (SPC): Volunteers to meet approximately 4 times with administration to create a plan to track student  learning, performance and success, which is submitted to the schoolboard.  The SPC is an advisory body.   Its major responsibility is to involve the school community in developing, monitoring and reviewing school plans for  improving student achievement. Social Responsibility: A group of volunteers promoting social responsibility at school and in the community. Teachers luncheon:    Coordinate volunteers to cook, bake or donate other food items for a wonderful "pot luck" style buffet  lunch for our teachers - an event they always look forward to!   Other Ways Parents Can Be Involved: Help with counting food day and dragon wear orders, be an early warning volunteer to check attendance once per week, help with fundraising activities as they arise, help distribute dragon wear, donate used clothing for our Clothing drive. Attend parent-teacher conferences and other school activities, donate a food item for the "teacher appreciation lunch", drive on field trips, help out in the classroom as needed, volunteer with our health-related activities after school such as the health hustle or the run for fun club, volunteer for lunch hour activities, volunteer in the library, participate in fundraising events.  There is always somewhere you can help! Even if you are unable to volunteer, please come out and join our PAC discussions.  We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm, for a lively meeting, great desserts and a 50/50 draw.   Child-minding is provided.