What Is the PAC? A Welcome Guide for New Families

If you're new to Canada — or new to this school — you may be hearing the term "PAC" for the first time and wondering what it actually means for you and your child. Here's a simple guide.

What does PAC stand for?

PAC stands for Parent Advisory Council. It's a group made up of parents and guardians at the school who volunteer their time to support students, teachers, and the school community. Every public school in British Columbia has one, and every parent or guardian is automatically a member — there's no fee and no application. If you have a child at the school, you're already part of the PAC.

The PAC isn't run by the school or the school district. It's an independent, volunteer-led group that works alongside the school to make it a better place for kids.

What does the PAC actually do?

Two of the most visible things the PAC runs are the hot lunch program and fundraising — both explained below.

Hot Lunch Program

The PAC organizes hot lunch for students through an online platform called Munch a Lunch. Here's how it works:

Orders are placed online, every two weeks (biweekly)
You create a free account, choose your child's meals for the upcoming cycle, and pay through the site
Meals are delivered to the school and handed out to students on the scheduled day

It's optional — no child is required to participate — but it's a convenient way to make sure your child has a hot meal on busy days, and it's entirely run by parent volunteers, not the school cafeteria.

Fundraising

Throughout the year, the PAC runs fundraising events and campaigns. The money raised goes directly back into your child's school experience, including:

Playground and school equipment — things the school district budget doesn't always cover
Classroom supplies — extra materials for teachers to use with students
Field trips — helping keep trips affordable (or free) for all families

Every dollar raised stays at this school and is spent on students here — it does not go to a school district or outside organization.

Why does this matter for your family?

You don't need perfect English, a car, or extra money to be part of the PAC. Even small things help — ordering hot lunch, showing up to one event a year, or simply reading the PAC updates on this website keeps you connected to what's happening at your child's school.

How to get involved

Just want updates? Subscribe to PAC emails on this website — no meetings required.
Curious about meetings? Check the Meeting Minutes page to see what's been discussed, even if you've never attended.
Want to volunteer? Any amount of time helps, from an hour at one event to joining the executive team.

The PAC exists because of families like yours. You don't have to do everything — just being informed and showing up when you can already makes a difference.