DPAC is hosting a West Coast Seeds fundraiser from January 19–February 2 to support our school garden. 

Our goal is to raise $500, with funds going directly toward improving our school garden—such as buying materials to build a grape arbor and purchasing shovels and seeds for student planting projects.

How it works:

• Orders can be placed through the West Coast Seeds fundraising website by searching for Doncaster PAC under “Organizations” or by using the QR code below
• Remember to include the student’s name and classroom for easy distribution
• The entire West Coast Seeds catalog is available—buy whatever you like!
• 40% of all sales comes back to DPAC
• QR code can be shared with local family and friends

Important Details:

• Orders must be placed through our link or QR code to support the fundraiser. 
• Seeds will be shipped to the school
• Orders will be distributed from the school near the end of February. 

Every purchase helps our students learn, grow, and connect with nature. Thank you for supporting our school community! 

DPAC is updating its Constitution and Bylaws. A copy of the draft is here. As a part of this update we will discuss Section 2 (Purposes of the Council) and the Sections 5 and 6 (Executive Roles and Responsibilities) at our January and February PAC meetings.

It’s time again for our famous Doncaster Christmas Craft Fair! This beloved annual event will take place at Doncaster Elementary School (1525 Rowan Street) from 10am to 3pm on Saturday November 22, 2025. Featuring locally handmade cards, jewelry, knititng, woodwork, baked goods, ornaments, toys and much more. See you there!

Please see the attached flyer detailing a one-day parenting workshop about EFFT – Emotion-Focused Family Therapy – at Fairfield Psychology on Saturday November 22, 2025.

The Doncaster PAC is calling a brief, open Special Meeting to be held via Zoom on Tuesday, October 21 at 8:00 PM.

All parents and guardians of current Doncaster students are voting PAC members. We need at least ten members to attend to meet quorum, so your participation matters.

The purpose of the Special Meeting is to hold a vote concerning how to allocate funds from the $6,000 “Special Projects” line in the approved 2025–26 DPAC budget, potentially toward updated Doncaster sports jerseys. Specifically, we will decide whether to allocate “Special Projects” funds to cover all, most, or none of the cost of 200 replacement jerseys worn by Doncaster’s intermediate students who participate in school athletics such as cross-country running, basketball, and track.

Students borrow these jerseys for the school year and return them for use by future students. The current jerseys are outdated, mismatched, and worn. The new jerseys display the updated dragon logo and are expected to last for several years.

The options for consideration are:

1. Option 1: DPAC covers the full invoice amount of $5,148.43, ensuring jerseys arrive before the next sporting event.
2. Option 2: DPAC contributes $4,148.43, and Doncaster’s Athletics Department contributes $1,000, ensuring jerseys arrive before the next sporting event.
3. Option 3: DPAC contributes no funds at this time, and the PAC and/or Doncaster’s Athletics Department fundraises to cover the full cost. Our students will receive the new jerseys once enough funds have been raised. 

Please join us on Zoom to cast your vote. The Zoom link with meeting ID and password can be found in your email.

To all Doncaster Families and Staff:   You’re invited! 

Start planning your costumes and dig out those dancing shoes — the annual Doncaster Halloween Howl Family Dance is coming up early this year on Thursday, October 23rd!
(The day before the Pro-D Day — so many can enjoy a slower morning after. )

 New this year (by parent request):
The free-entry dance opens at 5:30 pm with a special Gentle Time (5:30–6:00 pm) — lights on and music low — ideal for those who prefer a reduced-stimulation experience or an earlier start.

 From 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, the DJ will have the gym rocking with songs requested by Doncaster families!
→ Submit your song requests on the list outside the office next week or email dpac.doncaster@gmail.com

 Food & Treats  — bring your appetites (and your cash!) :

• Pizza and drinks sold (cash only) at the back of the gym
• Hot Dog & Frozen Treats concession (cash only) in the servery — a Grade 5-led fundraiser toward their year-end celebration 
• “Candy Corner” outside the office — chips & chocolates plus Doncaster Spirit Wear sales, and the candy jar count

 Snap a photo with your friends and family at the photo booth near the entrance, and show off your family-friendly costumes!

 Volunteers needed:
It takes many hands to make the Howl happen! We’re looking to fill 41 volunteer shifts (30–75 minutes each) to help with prep, running the event, and clean-up.
 Click here to sign up to volunteer!

Greetings Doncaster Families! The forecast is perfect for a crisp, sun-filled walk to school led by Ms. Fawcett and Ms. Cox, our principal and vice-principal.

Over the next three days, they will leave from a different Doncaster neighbourhood meeting spot, starting tomorrow from King’s Pond. Meet up with other local families and learn your 1 km best walking route to school. (Children must be accompanied by their own responsible adult.)

Meeting spots & times:

• Wed, Sept 24: King’s Pond – leaving shortly after 8:15 am from King’s Pond parking lot
• Thurs, Sept 25: Wetherby Park – leaving shortly after 8:15 am from this tiny park
• Fri, Sept 26: Browning Park – leaving shortly after 8:15 am from the north-central side of the park

See you on the path! 

Wednesday Sept 24 Route from King’s Pond. Students & adults meet at King’s Pond parking lot.

Thursday September 25th Route from Wetherby Park.  Students & adults meet in Wetherby Park. (It’s tiny!)

Friday Sept 26th Route from Browning Park.  Students & adults meet in Browning Park near the area indicated on the map. (North-ish central end.)

We’re back! We hope you all had a good summer and are excited for another school year!

One way that Doncaster’s PAC supports our school community is by connecting classroom families. To opt-in to your child(ren)’s class contact list, please fill out this form. SD61 policy requires family consent to opt-in every year, even if you signed up previously.

The first DPAC meeting of the year will take place in the school library on Tuesday September 9 at 7pm (with a pre-meeting social at 6:30pm).