Vancouver police chief, school trustees launch ‘Be a Fan’ public school campaign
School trustees are hosting a community conversation about why Vancouver public schools matter. A grey day Vancouver didn’t dampen the spirits of Police Chief Jim Chu who joined Vancouver school trustees to talk about his experience in the Vancouver public school system.
Chu joined Vancouver School Board (VSB) chair Patti Bacchus to invite the community to use Facebook and Twitter to share stories about the role that Vancouver public schools have played in their lives. The campaign is called Be a Fan of Vancouver Public Schools.
Join the conversation
A 30-year veteran with the Vancouver Police Department, Chu is a graduate of Sir Charles Tupper Secondary school in Vancouver. He is also a father of four children. The VSB Website offers Chu’s questions and answers on why he is a fan of Vancouver schools.
Leanne Toderian, secretary-treasurer of CUPE 15, which represents staff in the Vancouver school district, says that it is great to see a creative and cost-effective way to reach out to the community, especially young people. Toderian also appreciates the positive approach despite many serious issues facing public schools. “It is really important to celebrate the fact that someone like Jim Chu is a product of our public school system.”
As someone who works on the front lines, Miriam Pulsifer, CUPE 15 first vice-president and a youth and family worker at Waverly Elementary, says that she hopes the provincial government will become a fan and step up support for public schools. “I work in special remedial programs and see a lot of services being shut down. I hope that in reaching out to parents, the community and the kids, we can build more understanding of the impact public schools make.”
According to Vancouver trustee Mike Lombardi, future Vancouver public school fans will include Frank Iacobucci-former Justice, Supreme Court of Canada and graduate of Britannia Secondary School, Kim Campbell-former Prime Minister of Canada and graduate of Prince of Wales Secondary School, and Jim Pattison-Jim Pattison Group, and graduate of John Oliver Secondary School.