Staff in our schools are eager to address your questions or concerns. Education is shared between the home and the school, and good communication is an excellent starting point for resolving an issue.

Build a Positive Relationship with Your School

 Be Involved:

• Support and work with your child’s teacher(s)

• Participate in your school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC)

• Attend school events and activities

• Offer to help in the classroom

• Support your child’s learning at home
• Stay informed of your child’s progress in school

Communicate:

• Take opportunities to get to know the people who work with your child(ren)

• Ask your child about their school day

• Keep the school informed about issues that may affect your child. Don’t wait for a small problem to become a large concern

• See what social media options are available to keep up-to-date on school activities

Resolving Issues and Concerns

• Arrange a phone appointment or in-person meeting so that your concerns can be heard without distraction (emailing to arrange a date and time works well).

• Organize your thoughts before the meeting. The BCCPAC Meeting Survival and Problem-Solving guides included in this pamphlet are provided by DPAC for your consideration.

• Keep focused on the issue. Remember, we are all here to ensure the success of your child.

• Treat others with dignity and respect, and expect that in return.

• Try to look at both sides of the issue and listen to everyone.
• Work with people at each step in the process to try and address your issue or concern before proceeding to the next step.

Parents and guardians are urged to contact the school if they are unsure of a message, or have questions about an activity or issue.  It is usually best to begin with the classroom or subject teacher.  The vast majority of issues or concerns are resolved at this stage.  If you are not satisfied, then you may wish to contact the principal or counsellor to request assistance in dealing with the matter.  A child’s problem is best solved when the people closest to the problem work together to find a solution.

Issues or concerns that cannot be resolved through the school should be referred to the district office.  The District is divided into two areas of responsibility, Zone One and Zone Two, with each zone overseen by an Assistant Superintendent.  In addition, there are a variety of specialized staff at the district level with responsibility for areas such as special education, student services and transportation.  Your issue or concern may be best dealt with by one of these people.  Please see the list of “Key Contacts” on the back page.

Other sources of support and guidance are your Parent Advisory Council (PAC) or the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC).  Your school office can provide you with the names of your school’s PAC executive.  Contact the School Board Office or visit www.langleydpac.ca for DPAC contact information and other useful links, including the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Council’s “Speaking Up! – A Parent Guide to Advocating for Students in Public Schools”.

Parents are always welcome to bring an advocate with them when meeting with school and/or district staff.  PAC or DPAC members, other family members or even friends can be advocates when dealing with an issue or concern.  The DPAC website contains further information on “Advocacy” and links to other resources to help with problem-solving.

Guidelines for Parents to Follow

   when there is an Issue or Concern

Step 1:

Start with the person whose action has given rise to the issue or concern.

Step 2:

If the issue is not resolved, contact the school’s principal, vice-principal or counsellor.  Principals work hard to provide a learning environment where your child’s needs and the needs of other students are met.

Step 3:

If the issue is still not resolved, contact the School Board Office and speak with an Assistant Superintendent or District Principal.

Step 4:

If after working through the steps above you have not received a decision or you disagree with the decision, depending upon the nature of the issue you may be able to appeal to the Board of Education.  Section 11 of the School Act gives parents and/or students the right to ask the Board of Education to review decisions that school employees make, or fail to make, that “significantly affects the education, health or safety of a student.”  A copy of the District’s Appeal Policy can be found on our website at www.sd35.bc.ca under the “Board” tab.  Copies are also available at the School Board Office and your school.

District Contacts

Mal Gill, Superintendent of Schools             604-726-3546
(Clare Pereira, Executive Assistant)

Woody Bradford, Deputy Superintendent                      778-726-3546
(Clare Pereira, Executive Assistant)

Lisa Lainchbury, Assistant Superintendent
778-726-3542
(Ruth Castillo, Executive Assistant)

Marcello Moino, Assistant Superintendent
778-726-3542
(Ruth Castillo, Executive Assistant)

Michael Morgan, Director – Learning Support Services         604-534-7891
(Em Rogness, Executive Assistant)
– Contact for Learning Support Services, Elementary Counselling and Behaviour Program Inquiries

Magdy Ghobrial, District Principal – Wellness and Diversity   604-534-7891
– Contact for Student/Staff Wellness and Middle/Secondary Counselling Inquiries

Lisa Lainchbury, Assistant Superintendent                                                 604-534-7891
– Contact for Early Learning Inquiries

Mark Leiper  –  District Principal – International Student Program      604-534-7891
– Contact for International Student Program Inquiries

Joanne Neveux, District Principal                                                   604-534-7891
– Contact for English Language Learner / Settlement Workers in Schools Inquiries

Mike Pue, District Principal                                                             604-534-7891
– Contact for Aboriginal Education Inquiries

Tim Andronyk, Supervisor – Manager of Transportation & Grounds      778-736-0792
– Contact for Transportation/Busing Inquiries