Overwhelmed?

Don’t know where to turn?

Do you feel that your child’s individual education needs are not being met and that you are not being heard?

You can turn to your School PAC or DPAC Leaders for help.

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is the act of speaking up in support of yourself and others. Parents are natural advocates for their children and parent leaders can help parents work to solve a problem in a child’s best interest.

Leaders can help you

• identify the problem
• understand the school system and the problem-solving process within the district
• find and understand information
• prepare for meetings
• stay on track
• understand the decision made with respect to your child, and
• contact the provincial advocates if necessary

They are parents like you who are willing and able to assist you in resolving school issues in the best interests of your child. Contact your PAC President or the DPAC office @ 604-534-7891 loc 238 for assistance.

Resources:
BCCPAC

• Speaking UP! A parent guide to advocating for students in public schools
  Newly updated and expanded! This 44-page guide, developed by the BCCPAC Advocacy Project, helps parents navigate the public school system and solve problems their children are having in BC public schools. It explains how the school system works, outlines parents' and students' rights and responsibilities, provides strategies for advocating for children and supporting student self-advocacy. 44 pages.
• Self Help Guide to Solving Problems
• Meeting Survival Guide

Langley School District

• The Langley School District has a pamphlet available online that outlines steps parents can take in voicing concerns about school issues and includes contact information for key personnel in the school district. The flyer can be downloaded at:
  Communicating with your Schools