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DPAC
Vancouver School District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC)
Vancouver School District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC)
The Vancouver School District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) has many working groups that parents can get involved in if they would like to see change in an area they care about. One of these working groups is the Inclusive Education Working Group.
The IEWG has recently completed a report on the inclusion of students with disabilities in Vancouver schools. The 2023–2024 school year saw resource teacher shortages and reduced educational assistant support, prompting data collection and parent surveys.
The report’s findings show a decline in support and barriers to inclusion, leading to exclusions from learning and activities. The report calls for urgent action to restore meaningful inclusion.
You can read the report here: https://www.vancouverdpac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IEWG-report-Advocating-for-Equity-Final-January-23-2025.pdf
You can watch a video with the highlights of the report here: Inclusive Education Report - Presentation (January 2025)
If your child has experienced exclusion at school, please complete the BC Ombudsperson’s survey here.
For Parent/Caregiver Peer Support, please email: info@familysmart.ca, or call: 1 (855) 887 8004.
Your child does not need an official diagnosis for the caregiver to receive emotional support here.
For more information on any of the above, please email: iewg@vancouverdpac.org
Budgeting for Inclusion: Advocacy Update
Budgeting for Inclusion: Advocacy Update
Vancouver DPAC continues to advocate for increased funding and meaningful supports for students with disabilities and diverse learning needs. Last month, we launched our strongest budget campaign to date: “Budgeting for Inclusion.”
Our campaign included the following actions:
1. Inclusive Education Working Group Report Advocating for Equity: A Caregiver-led Examination of Inclusive Education in Vancouver Public Schools Read the full report here: https://www.vancouverdpac.org/inclusive-education-report/
2. Budget Submission Video Watch our video submission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dIDEq_nOuQ
3. Parent Delegations Hear powerful testimonies from parents sharing their lived experiences (starts at the 50-minute mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JCMPfbV85I
We express our sincere appreciation to all of these amazing parents for sharing their important stories to demonstrate how educational policies have an impact on families.
4. Email Writing Campaign Over 270 emails were sent by parents and caregivers to VSB Trustees and senior staff, calling for transparency and improved funding for inclusive education.
We believe that every child deserves equitable access to education and the supports necessary to thrive.
Unfortunately, our advocacy has recently been met with resistance. A VSB trustee publicly referred to parent emails as “spam” in a social media post. This dismissive response was deeply hurtful to families and concerning for public dialogue.
Read the full story in CTV News: Vancouver School Board trustee faces backlash after post referring to parents’ concerns as spam https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/vancouver-school-board-trustee-faces-backlash-after-post-referring-to-parents-concerns-as-spam/
Despite these challenges, we remain steadfast. Parents across Vancouver are demanding greater transparency on how inclusive education funds are used—and we will continue to advocate for those funds to go directly toward supporting students.
We encourage all PACs and caregivers to stay engaged. Stay informed. Speak up. Together, we can enhance accountability.
Melanie Cheng Chair, Vancouver DPAC
The Schools We Need
The Schools We Need
Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Location: Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre (Moberly Park)
7646 Prince Albert Street, Vancouver (In person only)
Join us for “The Schools We Need” – a public townhall focused on the future of public education.
Vancouver DPAC’s Working Groups will be presenting at this event: – Inclusive Education – Health & Safety – Food Framework
Learn more about what’s happening in our schools and how families and communities can advocate for stronger, safer, and more inclusive public education.
This is a free, in-person event open to all. Bring your questions, ideas, and voice. We want to hear from you. All views are welcome.
Vancouver DPAC's 2025 AGM
Vancouver DPAC's 2025 AGM
Location: Vancouver School Board Education Centre
1580 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Date & Time: Thursday, June 19, 2025,
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
(Doors open at 6:30 pm, meeting starts at 7:00 pm)
Register by Tuesday, June 4, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Pre-registration is required. Click here for registration.
Late registration will be permitted only if space allows.
*Important notes: This event is in person only. Room capacity is limited. Priority registration will be given to voting members (PAC Chairs and DPAC Representatives).
Non-voting parents or caregivers of students registered at public schools in the VSB can attend if space permits.
Every PAC is asked to send one voting member. No proxy votes are permitted by PACs at the Vancouver DPAC AGM. The responsibility is up to each PAC to ensure their voting member is duly authorized under their bylaws and the School Act to represent their PAC at the time of registration for this event. Please register early to ensure your spot.
Child Care: Available for children 5 to 12 years old (Pre-registration is required.)
Refreshments: Light refreshments will be served
Agenda: The meeting agenda will be linked here once it is available. At our AGM, we present our reports to our members and hold an election for Executives for the upcoming year.
To learn about Nominations for Executives, please click here.
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