We are excited to announce that we are participating in the Created by Kids school fundraiser again this year! Recently this fundraiser has raised over $3000 to support DPAC initiatives! Students have been hard at work creating art in their classes. They will be bringing home completed art with the option to order their masterpiece on different items e.g. mugs, t-shirts, puzzles, cards, etc.

What is next:

– students will bring home their art by Monday October 19th.

– if desired, you can order items on the Created by Kids website – instructions are on the artwork piece.

– return the unfolded art by Wednesday October 28th to their teacher – no extensions.

– ordered art projects will be delivered the week of November 16th to the school and sent home with students – please email DPAC if you’d rather the items be held in the office.

Thank you for your fundraising support. Please direct any questions to dpac.doncaster@gmail.com

At DPAC’s next general meeting on Wednesday, October 14 at 6:45 p.m. in the school library, parents will vote on a proposal to fund a new audio-visual (AV) system for the school gym. We encourage you to attend, ask questions, share your thoughts, and cast your vote.

Why is this needed?
The current gym AV system is outdated, unreliable, and requires staff to set up a projector and run cords across the floor for every assembly or event. This creates both logistical challenges and safety concerns. The proposal originated from school administration and has strong support from staff.

What would the upgrade include?

• New projector and motorized, larger screen
• Wireless microphone and Apple TV
• Built-in AV equipment rack
• Repositioning and rewiring of existing speakers with possible addition of a third speaker.

The new system would be wireless, easier to use, and available for assemblies, concerts, PE classes, student presentations, school events, and PAC activities such as movie nights and guest speakers.

What do Doncaster staff think?
All 14 staff members who responded to a survey said the upgrade would be useful, with 57% saying it would make a significant difference and 43% saying it would be nice to have. Staff highlighted improved educational opportunities, better event experiences, and increased safety by removing cords from the gym floor.

What does it cost?
The total estimated cost is $22,000 including supply and installation. (Updated estimate anticipated prior to Oct 14th meeting.) The district requires this work to be sourced through them so we cannot get additional quotes for other vendors/suppliers. 

How would it be funded?

• $10,000 has already been approved in the DPAC Special Projects budget. (See DPAC’s 2026-27 Approved Budget here)
• The remaining $12,000 would be transferred from existing DPAC funds through a budget amendment.

No additional fundraising is required to proceed, although DPAC hopes to recover some of the cost through future fundraising efforts. 

Why fund it now instead of fundraising first?
This project was first proposed by school administration in February and received positive feedback at our March DPAC meeting. The quote of $21,071.78 was only valid for 30 days, and we weren’t ready to bring a plan to the wider school community, so we tabled it. While we hope to recover some of the cost through future fundraising, the school district requires funds to be approved and available before they can schedule the installation. By using existing DPAC funds now, we can move the project forward and allow students, staff, and families to benefit from the upgraded system sooner, rather than delaying the project until fundraising goals are met. Any future fundraising would help replenish DPAC reserves for upcoming projects and initiatives.

What will DPAC members vote on?

1. A budget amendment transferring $12,000 into Special Projects.
2. Approval of up to $22,000 from Special Projects for the gym AV upgrade.

Who can vote?
All parents and guardians of students attending Doncaster are voting members of DPAC, per our bylaws.

If you cannot attend but would like to share your feedback or ask questions, please email dpac.doncaster@gmail.com and we will ensure your comments are shared at the meeting.

Thank you for your continued support of our school community.

Sincerely,
DPAC Executive

Come out and join your pals, old and new, on our school’s back field for live music and fun at Doncaster’s Welcome Back Picnic next Thursday, September 24, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The picnic directly follows Meet the Teacher from 4:00 – 5:00 pm in your child(ren)’s classroom.

Vinyl Wave will be playing family favourites, and the CandyTime truck will be on site selling treats like snow cones, popcorn, and lemonade. Please bring your own picnic dinner. Meals will not be available on site.

See you next week!

This year our PAC has preloaded school supply shopping lists onto the Staples website. Just type in Doncaster in the search and you’ll see the different grade options pop up. https://www.staples.ca/a/content/schooltools-parents You can adjust the grade-specific shopping list however you like. Please be sure to double check against the Doncaster’s 2026/27 suggested items list in case of variation: https://doncaster.sd61.bc.ca/student-info/supplies-2/

Delivery options: Staples store of your choice or home.

(The above is not a fundraiser. It’s just one option to hopefully make gathering supplies for September simple for families.)

Doncaster’s PAC has a Mabel’s Labels fundraiser set up: https://mabelslabels.ca/en-CA/fundraising/support (Type Doncaster and we’ll pop up.) 

Every personal item in Elementary school needs labeling with the student’s name. This is one option to make it quick and fun.

Here is a coupon code: SCHOOL15 for 15% off.

Calling all current and incoming Doncaster families & staff!

Our huge year end celebration is around the corner: Doncaster’s End of School Year Family BBQ and Bounce is Thursday June 18th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm in the back field of our school. It is SUCH a good time!

Pre-order dinner and treats by Friday, June 12 at 11:59 pm by clicking here. Online orders are discounted, and they help us plan. Some food will be available for purchase at the event, but pre-orders are strongly encouraged to avoid disappointment. (https://doncaster.hotlunches.net/admin/)

Pre-order notes:

• Payment is due within 6 hours of placing your order, or it will be cancelled.
• No pre-orders will be accepted after June 12.
• Food tickets for pre-orders will be delivered to your eldest child’s classroom a few days before the BBQ. Bring them to the event to redeem for your food.
• New to the HotLunches site? You can create a profile to get started. Questions? Email dpac.doncaster@gmail.com

Many volunteers are needed to make this celebration a big success. Please sign up here if you can spare 30 minutes to help during the event. There are 40+ short shifts still to fill. Without enough bouncy castle supervisors, we would have to cancel the inflatables which would be so sad. THANK YOU!

SpiritWear! We’ll be selling any remaining inventory of t-shirts and hoodies at the BBQ. After June, none will be available for purchase online or in-person until a group order next winter. To avoid disappointment, don’t wait for the BBQ to get your SpiritWear!  See Get your Doncaster SpiritWear Before It’s Gone for details on how to order today for quickest pick-up. 

June is your LAST CHANCE to pick up Doncaster Dragons SpiritWear until next winter. Get your items while you can! We have a ton of inventory on site at school and want your kids to enjoy wearing it this summer. 

DPAC’s online Doncaster SpiritWear store is closing permanently on June 30th. And, our PAC’s on-site inventory will only be available for the next three weeks (until June 25). After that, the next opportunity to purchase SpiritWear (including next year’s Grade 5 “grad” hoodies) won’t be until an annual group order we’re planning in Nov/Dec 2026. That’s several months away, so now is the time!

Two Ways to Buy
Option 1: Shop DPAC’s on-site inventory quickest turnaround
We have a selection of items available for purchase directly through DPAC’s inventory (see full list of items at the end of this message). Just email dpac.doncaster@gmail.com with the specific item(s) you’d like including colour and size. We’ll write you back to confirm and send you etransfer payment instructions for our DPAC treasurer. As soon as we receive your etransfer, your order will be ready for pick-up at the school office within a day or two.

Option 2: Order online for the full product range
If you’re looking for a specific size, colour, or the current year’s Grade 5 grad hoodie, visit our online store at adambartosik.com/product-category/doncaster-spirit-wear/ before June 30th. Note that online orders have a 2-3 week turnaround and pick-up/delivery is coordinated through the site.

ON-SITE INVENTORY & PRICE LIST (while supplies last)
• T-Shirt $20 (various youth sizes and colours plus a couple of adult sizes and designs)
• Hoodie $45 (various youth sizes and colours plus a couple of adult sizes and designs)
• Ballcap (black) $20
• Red Drawstring Bag $15
• Vinyl Laminated Sticker $3/each
• White Plastic Water Bottle ($10)

Spiritwear — Available Inventory

(All youth sizes unless otherwise specified)

FYI: Any remaining on-site inventory will be available for cash or card purchase at our End-of-Year Family BBQ & Bounce event on Thursday, June 18th at 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm in the school’s back field.

A new piece of Doncaster gear is a fun way for kids to celebrate the end of a great school year. Email dpac.doncaster@gmail.com ASAP if you’d like any of the items above. Thank you for your support of Doncaster PAC and celebrating our dragon spirit! 

Something for your calendar of wholesome and helpful family weekend activities: Garden Work Party next Saturday April 11 at 10 am – 12 pm.

Ms. Bigam really needs our hands to prep the school garden for Spring planting. All Doncaster divisions learn from and enjoy this delightful, productive space. 

If you can join, please RSVP to abigam@sd61.bc.ca so she knows she’ll have enough helpers for the job.

Saturday May 23rd 10-2pm

Ecole Doncaster Elementary School, 1525 Rowan St.

Families can reserve a table or two, to sell your treasures!

1 table – $20

2 tables – $30

3 tables – $40

Tables can be purchased here: https://doncaster.hotlunches.net

Treat truck, Family fun! Rain or Shine

Interested in Volunteering? Email dpac.doncaster@gmail.com

All $ raised from table rentals goes to support student and school initiatives through DPAC.

All sales by family vendors, is kept by family vendors.

• Order online between now and Thursday February 26th, 2026
• Anticipated pick-up date: Friday March 13 (guaranteed by Tues March 17th)
• Pick-up location options: Doncaster school (timing TBA) or volunteer coordinator’s home in Cedar Hill for those who prefer a sneakier option!

At the last PAC meeting we reviewed the Purposes of DPAC. Here is a link to an updated version of the Draft Constitution and Bylaws. At our next PAC meeting we will be discussing the different Executive roles on PAC. Please join us for this discussion, or if you have any feedback please email ocfurlong@gmail.com