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 at 604-855-8197 and leave a message.

TIPS FOR PARENTS AND STAFF:

1. Set up an appointment so that concerns can be heard without distractions.
2. Everyone should be informed, in advance, of who will attend a meeting.
3. Be specific about the concern. Making notes may help clarify your thoughts.
4. Keep focused on what is best for the student. Both parents and staff are interested in the child’s success.
5. Stay calm and be polite. Listen to everyone. Try to see the issue from the other person’s perspective.
6. Be prepared to explore various solutions.
7. Confidentiality is important.
8. Keep a record of actions taken.
9. Give each step a chance to address the concern before proceeding to the next step.
10. 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
Julie MacRae:    Superintendent of Schools
Steve Carlton:   Deputy Superintendent (Acting)
Judy Chapman, Angus MacKay:    Assistant Superintendents (Acting)
Kevin Godden:   Secretary-Treasurer (Acting)

School Trustees            Phone
Uultsje DeJong               604-897-0416
Joanne Field                  604-614-9203
Korky Neufeld,Vice-Chair 604-309-0952
Preet Rai                       604-897-0499
Cindy Schafer, Chair       604-807-8405
John Sutherland             604-866-7702
Shirley Wilson                604-897-4491

Abbotsford District Parent Advisory Council
604-855-8197 (Leave a message)
e-mail: dpac.sd34@gmail.com
Rhonda Pauls, 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 School District No. 34 (Abbotsford).

You can also download a brochure version for printing here (pdf).

Revised July 21, 2010