We all know how daunting and exciting at the same time it can be coming to a new school for some students as well as for new parents. We want to make sure you feel welcome and get some of your questions answered.

The EMJS PAC is a wonderful resource at our school. The PAC is a very important advisory body, empowered through the School Act and Board Policy. We meet at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month throughout the school year. The Principal and Vice Principal are also in attendance to advise the administration and support the school in offering various programs. All parents and guardians are voting members of the PAC so we encouraged you to join us at these important meetings.

There are many active volunteers helping in classrooms, with sporting events, drama and music, fundraising, whole school events, policy committees, special projects, etc. Parent volunteer commitments vary from a short one time event to regular long term volunteer positions. To become involved with our school community contact any EMJS PAC executive member, your Parent Rep or your child's teacher.

Meet other parents -it is not all work - we have fun, too! By attending our PAC meetings you will learn so much more about what's happening within the school community. Come and ask questions and join in the discussions about your child's experience and educational issues. Contact any chairperson or any executive member if you have specific questions or comments.

About PAC - Executive members and the Chairperson are elected at the May Annual General Meeting (AGM). Special committees are created as required and dissolved when their work is completed. Representatives coordinate a variety of activities such as: Archives, Call Back Program, Head Lice Prevention Program, Pizza Days, Fall Dance, Spring Fair, Library Volunteers, Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (VCPAC), and Canadian Parents for French (CPF) to name a few things. Active participation by parents is welcome in all council activities. Please forward comments and ideas to the PAC blog (click PAC logo at the right sidebar)

We are looking forward to seeing many new faces at our monthly meetings which are outlined on the school calendar. We gratefully welcome any new ideas or suggestions you may have. Our wish as parents is to provide, in cooperation with the school staff, a healthy, happy environment for our children.

Please feel free to contact us with any question at all; big or small. We would like to make your transition to our school seamless. To get a hold of any member of the PAC Executive, send an email to the PAC Executive. If you are looking specifically to reach Krista de Goede, our PAC Chair, you can send an email to chair at emjspac.ca.

As a French Immersion school, EMJS is associated with the Canadian Parents for French (CPF). Your French Reprensentative at EMJS is Marnie Hare.

A national organization with a local chapter, this group seeks to support parents and educators of French Immersion students. It is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French second language learning opportunities for young Canadians. CPF works with teachers, principals, administrators, trustees, and other community leaders to maintain and strengthen French second language programs in Canadian schools.

• Across Canada:

CPF National works with the federal government and national organizations involved in education to create an environment supportive of French second language education. CPF provides volunteer training and development. CPF provides information and resources about French second language learning.

• In BC:

CPF works with Ministries or Departments of Education, teacher organizations and other groups concerned about education to ensure that there is support for French second language education. CPF organizes French language activities for students from across the province

• In Victoria:

CPF Chapters organizes in-school activities such as winter carnivals, performances by French speaking artists and a myriad of activities that support and enhance learning French. CPF sponsors out-of-school programs such as winter and summer camps, exchanges, educational visits and weekend workshops for all students learning French. CPF fundraises to support these activities and to provide materials.