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Local PACs get gaming grant funds for extracurriculars
Community Gaming Grants funding is going to more than 1,300 B.C. school advisory councils for extracurricular activities, including 26 in the East Kootenay.
In total, nearly $11 million in Community Gaming Grants is supporting parent advisory councils (PACs) and district parent advisory councils (DPACs) in the 2021-22 school year. Schools in British Columbia receive funding each year through PACs and DPACs for activities that benefit students’ social, cultural and physical health.
“We’ve been through so much over these past couple of years, and parents have been champions in our schools, working hard to keep kids connected with safe and rewarding extracurricular activities,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Activities like these provide tremendous benefits for children’s health and well-being, and they help keep students active and engaged in learning.”
“Extracurricular activities are so important for students so they can connect with their friends and maintain their physical, social and mental health,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “Through Community Gaming Grants, PACs and DPACs across the province provide a wide range of extracurricular activities for students, allowing them to build new friendships, develop life skills and share more experiences together.”
Schools offer many extracurricular experiences for K-12 students, including sports and playground activities, drama, writing and music programs, and graduation ceremonies with support from Community Gaming Grant funding. PAC groups use the funds to put on music, dance and theatre performances, purchase computers for extracurricular activities such as robotics, yearbook and photography clubs, and holding social gatherings such as movie nights.
“The ongoing pandemic has severely limited the ability of parent advisory councils to raise funds in support of numerous school programs,” said Andrea Sinclair, president, BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils. “Parents are grateful that Community Gaming Grants will be distributed to PACs throughout the province, thereby ensuring that the students’ experience at their school will continue to be enhanced while reducing the burden on families.”
Regional school DPAC/PACs receiving funds
Cranbrook
Gordon Terrace Parent Advisory Council $5,440
Highlands District PAC $4,340
Kootenay Orchards Elementary School PAC $4,340
Laurie Middle School P.A.C. $6,920
Mount Baker Secondary School PAC $13,960
Parkland Middle School PAC $8,500
Pinewood Elementary PAC $2,460
St. Mary’s Catholic Independent School Parent Support Group $1,860
Steeples Elementary School PAC $3,440
T.M. Roberts Elementary School PAC $6,820.
Edgewater
Edgewater Elementary School PAC $2,640.
Elkford
Elkford Secondary School Parent Advisory Council $3,720
Rocky Mountain Elementary PAC $4,960.
Fernie
Association des parents d’eleves Ecole Sophie-Morigeau $1,020
Fernie Secondary School PAC $7,540
Isabella Dicken Elementary School Parent Advisory Council $9,500.
Invermere
David Thompson Secondary School P.A.C. $8,500
Eileen Madson P.A.C. $4,260
J Alfred Laird Elementary School PAC $4,580.
Jaffray
Jaffray School P.A.C. $4,360.
Kimberley
Lindsay Park Elementary P.A.C. $3,260
McKim Middle School PAC $8,280
Selkirk Secondary School PAC $9,500.
Sparwood
Frank J. Mitchell School P.A.C. $7,180.
Windermere
Windermere Elementary School PAC $2,640.
Lead image: Elkford Secondary School. e-KNOW file photos
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