Monday - Kids back to School. Agreement Ratified!

Educational Resource Acquisition Consortium Provides Free Temporary Access During Strike

An online tool to assist BC Students and Families is temporarily available at no cost during the current teacher's strike.  ERAC has online resources that are normally available to members, public and private schools.

See Link:  Access to ERAC website

Additional Child Care Day Camps during Strike

Kiwassa Strike Camp:
Kiwassa Neighbourhood House is able to offer programming from 9am-3pm during the teacher job action.  Cost is $30 per day and children can be dropped off between 8:30am and 9:00am for an additional $2/day.  Out trips included.  Nutritious breakfast provided.  For more info:  Sophia Montero @ 604-254-5401

Resources for Families - Supported Learning at Home

There is no substitute to our children learning in the school class room with qualified teachers and amongst their peers, but here are some links to provide advice and support at home during the current teacher's strike:

BC Education Math
BC Education Reading
BC Education Writing
BC Education Healthy Living

Patti Bacchus Visits Dr. A.R. Lord Teachers on the Front Line

Vancouver School Board Trustee and Chair, Ms. Patti Bacchus visited picketing teachers at Dr. A.R. Lord Elementary last week.

She discussed academic concerns in the case of a prolonged strike and whether time could be made up with calendar changes.

Register for Temporary Support Payments during the Strike

Parents of Dr. A.R. Lord Elementary School can apply for Temporary Support Payments  to assist in learning and supervision during the current labour dispute.  Please note that Student's Personal Education Number (PEN#) listed on the online website is not required to apply.  Specifically this number can only be obtained at the school and in person. 

For full details on the application and support payments:    http://bcparentinfo.ca/

No School Start on Tuesday Sep 2nd

Please be advised that Dr. A.R. Lord Elementary School will not start on Tuesday September 2nd as originally scheduled due to the ongoing labour dispute.  School administrators ask that parents do not send their children to school as adequate supervision and staffing is not in place.  See the full letter from the Superintendent of the Vancouver School Board at the LINK:  SEPT 1 2014 VSB

Hastings Community Centre Daycamp Registration

Hastings Community Centre has opened up September Daycamp Registration in anticipation of the ongoing teachers' strike.  See Link  for more details.

Need or Offering Child Care in case of Teacher's Strike beyond Sept 2nd

In anticipation of the potential for an ongoing labour dispute that may go into Sept 2nd and beyond, we would like to facilitate and create a "virtual" child care board where you can either Request or Offer child care options with other AR Lord Elementary Families.  We recognize the whole situation is very fluid and uncertain but ideally we can help you connect with others from our school community as a possible solution in addition to the other options that are out there (eg. day camps offered by community centre, hiring babysitters, etc).  You may also know of older siblings, grandparents, friends etc. who can offer child care.

If you can OFFER child care or NEED child care in anticipation of the potential delay in school start, please email arlordpac@gmail.com and we will distribute a list to interested parties.  Please indicate dates/times, numbers/ages of children and a contact mode (email or telephone number).  Note that we will be providing your contact info (email or telephone number) to the other families via email who are seeking/offering so please ensure that you are comfortable in providing that information publicly through a group email. 

Also note that we will simply provide information exchange to assist you in matching up need and offer, but ultimately interested parties can decide/negotiate directly on who/what/when/rates/etc. that they exchange with.  We are in no way qualifying, endorsing or approving any specific caregivers etc.

Letter from VSB: Update on Strike and School Opening Options

Please see the letter dated August 20th, 2014 from Superintendent for the Vancouver School Board with information on the current labour dispute and potential options for school opening.  A final decision will likely not be made on the school start until August 29th to allow maximum time to reach a settlement.   

For the full letter please click on the following: LINK TO VSB LETTER

For additional information and updates, visit:  www.vsb.bc.ca

Tentative September Daycamps at Hastings CC

With the  uncertainty related to the ongoing labour dispute between the BCTF and BC Provincial government, the Hastings Community Centre is tentatively planning September day camps if no resolution is met by the start of the school year.
Hastings Community centre is located directly beside Dr. A.R. Lord Elementary and parents will be able to register by day.  Check back for any future updates.