Our Story
The founders of BCSPE emerged from Vancouver’s Save Our Schools Parent Network in 2005. We wanted to continue advocacy and research activities to help strengthen public education.
History of Save Our Schools Parent Network
The Save Our Schools (SOS) Parent Network was formed by (mostly) PAC Chairs and representatives in 2002 in response to a $25 million Vancouver School Board budget shortfall that year. The SOS group was very active from 2002 – 2005.
We engaged in advocacy activities including the following.
- Organized a letter-writing campaign that collected 15,000 letters to the Minister of Education in a two week period
- Organized a rally at the VSB featuring local celebrities and a rewritten version of ABBA’s song SOS
- Organized other media events
- Engaged the media and provided spokespeople for interviews and comment on VSB budget issues
- Produced an advocacy video Growing the Future – Parent Voices for Public Education that was distributed to MLAs and then later more broadly across BC and Canada
- Wrote letters to the editor
- Developed principles to guide our activities and relationship with stakeholder groups
- Developed a Statement of School Needs to unite parents around a common understanding of what every school needs
- Presented at budget consultation meetings (VSB)
- Presented written and oral submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance (Ministry of Finance)
Features of SOS activities:
- Parent-led
- Inclusive of all parents (i.e.: not just PAC reps). Parents from across the district participated which promoted awareness and understanding between schools and across areas
- Non-partisan
- Worked to improve funding for system and avoided competing for specific interests (i.e.: special education, mini schools, individual programs etc)
- Focused on common ground with stakeholder groups
- Set-up working groups on specific activities (letter-writing, events, communications, video, etc)
Save Our Schools Principles:
These principles were developed by a broad group of parents to guide the activities of the parent network.
1. To promote the principle that public education is the right of every child, and a cornerstone of a democratic society.
2. To promote the principle that a high quality public education system, at all levels, is an investment in the social, and economic future of our society.
3. To promote the principle that government is responsible for providing adequate and equitable public school funding, recognizing the differing needs and circumstances of children in all parts of society.
4. To promote the principle that all partners in the public school system – parents, teachers, administrators, support workers, trustees, provincial government members and local communities – have a responsibility to work cooperatively in the interests of all children.
Save Our Schools Statement of School Needs
This Statement of School Needs was developed by a broad parent network and still provides a solid foundation for advocacy; a statement that can help to unite parents and citizens around a common vision.
Every Public School Needs:
- a principal
- well-educated and supported teachers
- a secretary
- an open library and a teacher-librarian
- access to music, art, language and physical education teachers
- up-to-date learning resources for every student
- adequate classroom supplies and equipment
- timely testing and appropriate services for children with special and gifted needs
- access to ESL programs and supports
- manageable class sizes that take into account the subject and age of students
- appropriate supports for children in inner city schools
- no waiting list for admission into local school
- adequate supervision of students while on school property
- a sufficient number and variety of both core and elective courses in every high school
- equipped playgrounds for every elementary school
- facilities that are clean, safe and in good repair
