PAC Parent initiates changes to the conclusion of parent improvement projects for parents
Schools in the entire school district of Central Okanagan are confronted with persistent challenges in securing the approval and implementation of the initiated and financed parent council for the parents' board of directors, one parent.
Cadre Simpson appeared in front of the Central Okanagan Board of Education at the beginning of this month to make her frustrations about delays in the school improvement project, especially outdoors outdoors, including playgrounds that generate the support of PAC financing support and then take a standstill.
“We are responsible for honoring fundraising of school communities in honor and project goals,” said Simpson in a report that was presented to the trustees.
“These are voluntary and community-based fundraising dollars who, according to faithful and faith, with the expectation to improve learning how outdoors and natural-based gaming experiences for our students.
“Money, in many cases that are currently not used.”
Simpson, a long -time volunteer with a professional background in the landscape architecture, told the trustees that the importance of learning rooms outdoors could easily be measured by the students.
“Outdoor and natural -based game are critical components of learning and growth in our children. Obesity in children, inactivity, increased screen time as well as the need for understanding and the appreciation of the natural world are essential reasons for the quick work to improve the school outdoors,” she said.
She said research determined the advantages of the outdoor game: better physical, cognitive and social-emotional growth; Encourage cooperative game, emotional resilience and creativity; Focus on focus, reduce stress and improve the learning results. And support environmental awareness and general spiritual and physical well -being.
Simpson emphasized two specific projects at various schools that were supported by parents and who continue to linger without reaching completion.
One was an outdoor learning room for Casorso Elementary.
In 2020, Simpson was part of a committee of parents, teachers, administration and the indigenous connection of the school, which came together to design and develop a area of learning and meeting for pupils and employees.
“We were involved in surveys, open houses and donations with the parents and the student community. We have set up donations from local companies,” said Simpson.
“We have applied for a national grant that, above all, was no longer approved.”
Simpson said she was voluntary parents at Casorso for 11 years, and four of these years they actively worked on this project.
Last year, the school had about 40,000 US dollars of unused funds, but the project remains incomplete.
“A fleeting survey below half a dozen school report with over 140,000 US dollars in saved money and unused. Imagine what it looks like in 45 schools?”
The second project she spoke about was a suggestion to improve the tennis courts at the Middle School toilet.
The parents' volunteers contacted the city of Kelowna, and the city's employees showed the interest in a partnership with the school district about the project, but was informed by the school district that all the grants provided would not be used at short notice, which would ultimately prevent the project continued.
“Government levels should work together to improve the public area and to do both students and the broader community,” she said.
Simpson calls for a reduction in bureaucratic bureaucracy, which hinders some of these school upgrade projects through parents from the procedure and donations in the floating.
She asks school loyalty, administrative staff of the district and Cup representative, to examine some process -related revisions for the provision of projects that are initiated and financed by the school class's shoulder tenant.
Creative solutions, they said, should use transparency for the process and clarity for outstanding projects. revised approval models and project partnerships; Use the expertise of the community, the donations and the support of volunteers to see projects completed; And an engagement for the timely execution of outstanding projects.
She also proposed to further exploit external contractors and voluntary work sources and further cooperation with communities.