Information for Parents and Staff
Partners in Learning
To build a positive relationship with your school ….
- meet the staff early in the school year;
- be informed about your child’s class and school activities;
- send a note or make a call to recognize a job well done;
- be involved in your school’s PAC;
- be willing to listen and learn;
- remember that both you and school staff are interested in your child’s success.
Problems and concerns can be resolved through communication
SUGGESTIONS FOR STAFF:
- At the start of the school year, inform parents how best to communicate with you; e.g. making appointments, use of school planners, time of day.
- Provide a copy of this brochure to the individual.
- Discuss with the parent how and when the concern will be explored.
- Provide a timeline. (I will get back to you today / in a week / on …)
- Bring closure. A parent should be informed whether or not further action will be taken.
SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTS
Step 1: Start with the person whose action has given rise to the concerns or problem. This is the person who can best address your concern.
Step 2: If you need further assistance with your concern, your principal / vice-principal is there to help.
Step 3: If you feel your concerns are not resolved, contact an Assistant Superintendent at 604-859-4891
Step 4: If a decision of a District Administrator significantly affects the education, health or safety of a student, the student and/or parent may appeal in writing to the Board of Education.
| If a concern is not addressed in a timely manner, or if the parent/ guardian is not satisfied with the handling of the concern, the parent/guardian may proceed to the next step. |
Help with this process is available by calling the BCCPAC at 1-888-351-9834
or contact the Abbotsford District PAC Chair.
TIPS FOR PARENTS AND STAFF:
- Set up an appointment so that concerns can be heard without distractions.
- Everyone should be informed, in advance, of who will attend a meeting.
- Be specific about the concern. Making notes may help clarify your thoughts.
- Keep focused on what is best for the student. Both parents and staff are interested in the child’s success.
- Stay calm and be polite. Listen to everyone. Try to see the issue from the other person’s perspective.
- Be prepared to explore various solutions.
- Confidentiality is important.
- Keep a record of actions taken.
- Give each step a chance to address the concern before proceeding to the next step.
- Confirm that everyone understands the decision reached and any timeline involved
Contacts:
Abbotsford School District (#34) www.sd34.bc.ca
Phone: 604-859-4891
Administration
Kevin Godden: Superintendent of Schools
Steve Carlton: Assistant Superintendent
Angus MacKay: Assistant Superintendent
Mary-Anne Smirle: Assistant Superintendent
Ray Velestuk: Secretary-Treasurer
School Trustees Phone
(For December 2011 to December 2014)
| Korky Neufeld |
604-309-0952 |
| Rhonda Pauls |
604.217.7640 |
| Stan Petersen |
778.878.3613 |
| Preet Rai |
604-897-4586 |
| Cindy Schafer |
604-807-8405 |
| John Sutherland |
604-866-7702 |
| Shirley Wilson |
604-897-4491 |
Abbotsford District Parent Advisory Council
e-mail: dpac.sd34@gmail.com
Bud Loewen, Chair
Abbotsford District Teachers’ Association
Phone: 604-854-1946
Jeff Dunton, President
Doug Smuland, Vice-President
This information is a collaborative project of District Parent Advisory Council, Abbotsford District Teachers’ Association, and the Abbotsford School District (No. 34).
You can also download a brochure version for printing here (pdf).
Revised March 19, 2012