VCPAC PARENT FORUM

Parent Forum for VCPAC called Parents Speak (www.vcpac.ca/forum). It is a place where parents/guardians can ask questions, share ideas and post to a community calendar.  There are also two sections, one for PACs and one for SPCs, where promising practices can be shared andinformation exchanged.

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VOLUNTEER VICTORIA YOUTH VOLUNTEER CONNECTIONS
This program helps youth ages 15-29 to find and participate in personalized volunteer placements in local non-profit organizations. Our program is especially suited for supporting marginalized or isolated youth in accessing volunteer placements. Whether youth are passionate about a community cause and want to get involved, or require volunteer hours to complete their graduation portfolio, YVCP staff are here to help. For more information about the Youth Volunteer Connections Program please contact Chelsea Peddle, Youth Program Coordinator, at 386-2269 or youth.connections@volunteervictoria.bc.ca

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FREE ONLINE TUTORING & MORE
LearnNowBC’s free, online tutoring is now available to any British Columbia student who has a valid Personal Education Number and is enrolled in Essentials of Math 10, Principals of Math 10, Science 10 or Social Studies 11: www.learnnowbc.gov.bc.ca/services/

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YOUTH CANADA PROGRAMS
Youth Canada Programs (http://youthcanada.ca/programs.php) is a site offering a comprehensive list of programs available for high school students. If your son or daughter is interested in meeting students from across Canada by participating in exciting youth programs, you should visit this site to find out about the variety of programs available. The Youth Canada Programs site is also listed on the Useful Internet Links page of BC Awards Online (www.bcawardsonline.sd61.bc.ca) along with a number of other sites with information on topics such as Youth Resources, Student Loans, and other information to help students plan their post -secondary education.

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THE BC COUNCIL ON ADMISSIONS AND TRANSFER WEB RESOURCES
(www.bccat.bc.ca), has variety of tools to help students find publications and resources about the BC Transfer System.
The Education Planner (www.educationplanner.bc.ca), allows users to search almost 1,600 undergraduate programs offered at 28 post-secondary institutions across BC.
The Career Developer (www.educationplanner.bc.ca/careerdeveloper) provides list of hundreds of free Web-based resources to assist with education and career planning.

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LIVING AND LEARNING THROUGH LOSS PROGRAM
Living and Learning Through Loss, a Grief and Loss Program for Youth, is a program of weekly group sessions for 13 – 19 year olds who have experienced a loss (it doesn’t have to be a recent loss) which is impacting their current functioning. For further information contact Candy at 356-2751 or by e-mail candyjw@uvic.ca, or refer to the website (www.teenloss.com).

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HELPING YOUR ANXIOUS CHILD OR TEEN
Anxiety Disorders Association of BC has a new website for parents and helping professionals. It includes practical strategies and tools to help manage children’s anxiety as well as videos describing the different types of anxiety disorders. http://www.anxietybc.com/parent/index.php

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SAFE AND HEALTHY SCHOOLS LINKS
Healthy Schools: www.healthyschools.sd61.bc.ca

BC Healthy Schools Network: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/health/The BC Healthy Schools Network is a new initiative established to address academic, social and emotional concerns of students through a comprehensive school health approach. This partnership between the Ministries of Education and Health will enhance the ability of the two sectors to work more effectively to promote health through the school setting.

The Institute for Safe Schools of BC has more than 1,200 items in their Resource Library. Some topics include:  Positive Learning Environments, Classroom Management, Social Camp; Emotional Development, Inclusive Education, Bullying Crime And Violence, Sexual Exploitation, Social Responsibility, Connectedness Camp; Engagement, Diversity, Relationship, Gender Camp; communications and more. The ISS Library is located at University College of the Fraser Valley . To request items, register as a user, or for more information call: 1-888-224-7233 or email Centres.Librarian@ucfv.ca.

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MORE HEALTH LINKS:
Drinkling Facts: The Canadian Public Health Association las launched a web resource that provides factual information about the harms associated with high risk drinking. Youth played a key role in the development of this resource: www.drinkingfacts.ca

Here to Help: Quality information on mental health, mental disorders and substance use problems and disorders. From the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information:www.heretohelp.bc.ca

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NUTRITION LINKS
My Food Guide: My Food Guide is an interactive website that helps individuals to personalize the information found in Canada’s New Food Guide. By entering age, gender, and selecting various foods and types of physical activity you can create a tool that is customized to your specific needs and preferences.

Virtual Grocery Store: Dietitians of Canada and the Canadian Diabetes Association have created a Virtual Grocery Store www.healthyeatingisinstore.ca that teaches students how to read nutrition labels.

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INTERNET SAFETY RESOURCE
Internet 101 contains presentations, cue cards, a handbook, safety tips and testimonials from youth on cyberbullying, online gaming and webcams. The presentation is designed for small and large audiences of youth or parents. To download the materials visit www.internet101.ca

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SPECIAL EDUCATION NEWS
The Ministry has updated the Special Education Manual of Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, which provides a single reference point to help schools develop programs and services that enable special needs students to meet their education goals. To view or download the revised manual visit http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/ppandg.htm. To view the Ministry’s revised list of related resource documents visit www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/sped_res_docs.htm.

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PROVINCIAL FAS OUTREACH PROGRAM
The new Provincial Outreach Program for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, created earlier this year, has launched its website to help increase understanding of FASD and facilitate sharing of ideas, strategies and resources to build capacity for students with the disorder. For more information, visit: www.fasdoutreach.ca/index.php

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THE VIC HIGH NEIGHBOURHOOD CHOIR
welcomes current and former students, staff, faculty, families, friends and neighbours of western Canada’s oldest high school to participate in a non-auditioned a capella vocal ensemble, supporting program development at Victoria High School through participation in school events, fundraising activities, and outreach in the community. The Vic High Neighbourhood Choir is a model for community development and educational innovation in other schools and communities on Vancouver Island.

When: Monday evenings (except holidays), 6:45-9:15pm
Where: Wallace Auditorium, Victoria High School (Grant St. entrance)