Questions About Your Child’s Education?
Education is a shared process between home and school, and good communication is an excellent starting point for resolving issues that may arise. School staff welcome the opportunity to talk with you about your child’s education. If you have a concern or question about your child’s education, the following steps will help ensure an effective line of communication.
Step 1: Teacher
The first person to talk with is the classroom teacher. They know your child well and most concerns can be addressed at this level of communication. Please set up an appointment by contacting the teacher or the school so that your concern can be heard without distractions.
Step 2: Principal
If you need extra assistance with your concern or question, your school principal is there to help you.
Step 3: District Staff
If you have questions that you feel were not resolved at your child’s school, contact the School District Office at 604.792.1321 and ask for the District Supervisor responsible for the school. The receptionist can provide the name of this contact person. If not resolved at this level, your questions will proceed to the Superintendent.
There are lots of opportunities to form a relationship with your child's teacher and the school:
Meet the teacher nights, parent/teacher conferences and student-led or student-involved conferences are excellent ways to get to know your child’s teacher(s). Some questions your childs teacher can address during a Parent/Teacher Conference:
- Is my child performing up to their ability in the subject?
- If not, what alternative strategies can be taken to help them at school?
- Are there any special school supports or programs that might help my child?
- What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?
- Does my child get along with other students?
- How are my child’s work habits?
- What is the best way to contact you during the year about my child’s progress?
During the conference you may wish to share important things about your child. Let the teacher know about your child’s interests and about anything that might affect their learning at school.
Parent Advisory Committees (PACs)
Parents and guardians who are informed about and committed to their children’s education make a positive difference in their children’s quality of learning. All parents and guardians are automatically PAC members at their children’s school(s). Some things your PAC does:
- Work to enhance communication and cooperation among students, school, home and community.
- Advise on local school decisions.
- Assist in setting school policies.
- Sponsor programs and forums.
- Volunteer in the schools.
- Coordinate school events, hot lunches and fundraising.
District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC)
The Chilliwack School District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) is a legislated organization recognized within the BC School Act to contribute to the betterment of education through its advisory role.
DPAC’s role as an advocate for parent involvement in the education system is to advise the Board on matters relating to education in the School District through the collective views of those PACs that are members of DPAC.
Contact information for the DPAC Executive can be found on the School District website at: www.sd33.bc.ca/parents-students/dpac.