ANNUAL EVENTS
Every year, the South Park Family School PAC holds a variety of events that celebrate and build community. All of these events are run by parent volunteers, and some events are also important fundraisers. If you have an idea for another event, we would love to hear it!
A well loved South Park tradition celebrating over 30 years! Our children spend many dedicated hours throughout the year creating wonderful pieces of art and the art show is a means to celebrate this creativity. Parents spend time with each student supporting them to choose 2-3 pieces of their favourite art that are then carefully labeled and mounted for display. The gym is transformed into an art gallery as parents diligently hang and display each piece of art. The "gallery" is open all week long and parents and families are invited to come explore. The Art Show also overlaps our Auction Gala and provides an amazing background/decoration to our annual fundraising gala.
Volunteer tasks: Help needed to assist children in choosing their art pieces, label and mount art pieces onto construction paper, and to help set up and take down. Tasks are primarily during school hours, but mounting could be done at home if discussed with teacher.
On this night in May the community comes together to have fun! The Auction Gala is a ticketed ($10), adult-only event, with amazing hor d'oeuvres, live music, and a cash bar.
Parents solicit donations from the community, or donate goods or services of their own, which provides a wonderful array of live and silent auction items to bid on! It is one of the most enjoyable nights of the year!
The Auction Gala is the PAC's biggest fundraiser of the year. We fund the majority of our PAC budge each year thanks to the dedication of the parents who organize, donate, attend and bid on all the amazing items on offer.
You can check out the auction Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SouthParkAuctionEvent for more details on the event and on donations.
Volunteer tasks: The auction provides ample opportunities to volunteer outside of school hours. Soliciting donations can be done in person, by phone, or via email. Help is always needed for set up and take down on the day of the event, along with opportunities to help the evening run smoothly (bartending, selling tickets, etc).
The emporium is a magical tradition at South Park. Every December the PAC transforms the school gym into a "gift shop" where the children select the most creative of holiday gifts for their selected family and friends for $1. They bring these home wrapped in beautiful wrapping handmade by students.
South Park families donate gently used household items, toys, and gifts to the school and the Emporium committee works tirelessly to prepare a magical day for the kids. Students prepare a list of people to buy for (max 5 during class shopping time) and their gift tags. Primary students are helped by their big buddies.
Once the children have finished shopping for the day, the doors are opened to families who can get great deals on leftover items!
Donations accepted: household items, clean and operational toys, jewellery, hobby and entertainment materials, baskets - almost anything. PLEASE DO NOT SEND: clothing, broken or incomplete toys/puzzles, opened or unsealed toiletries, perfumes, etc., or anything that requires cleaning or fixing! Grouping items in advance helps the emporium committee sort and organize donations in a timely fashion.
Volunteer tasks: Set-up the gym and display gifts, help on the day of the event with wrapping and assisting the children, clean up gym after event and donate any leftover goods.
Plant Sale
ORGANIZER: TBC
Join in the fun in late January as the PAC hosts a free family movie in the gym! A poll of family friendly movie options is shared with families in the weeks before the movie and the top choice is screened. Drinks and popcorn are available for a small fee.
Volunteer tasks: any help with set up and clean up is always appreciated!
Each autumn and spring the PAC collects gently used clothes from our families, organizes them, and sets up our very own thrift store! Price range from $0.50-1.00 an item, or $5.00 for a whole bag!
Donations accepted: gently used and washed clothing for all ages. Please only send items that you would want to purchase yourself. PLEASE DO NOT SEND: dirty, over-worn, stained or damaged clothing.
Volunteer tasks: Many hours go into sorting clothes by age, gender, and type. Any time you can offer to help sort is greatly appreciated. You can also help by grouping and labelling your clothes into mens, women’s and children's before bringing them in. Help is needed with set up and take down on the day. And volunteers are needed to transport leftover clothes to various donation locations post sale.
Once a year we invite Russell Books into the school library for a week long Book Fair. An amazing selection of books is always available and it's a great way to get books at a reduced cost and start your holiday shopping! Teachers often select books they wish to have for their class and parents can purchase these to donate to the class. Proceeds from the Book Fair are donated to the library fund. Shopping is open before and after school, along with one evening session.
Volunteer tasks: Parents are needed for set up and take down, and for various shifts throughout the week to manage the cash box.
The Spring Fling is a community-wide event held every second year (opposite years to the Whole School Production). It is typically held on a weekend and in the past it was parent-hosted (e.g., cake walk, raffle, etc). In recent years it has evolved to involve more vendors.
The Spring Fling features games on the field and family/student stage performances, which are a true family favourite.
Volunteer tasks: Volunteers are needed to help set up, take down, and run concession, etc during the event.
This is truly one of the finest events at South Park. Every June parents come together to show our appreciation to the teachers and staff for all their hard work and dedication to our kids.
The PAC sets up a beautiful potluck and dining area for the staff and food is provided by the parents of each division. Parents serve the staff and much fun is had!
Volunteer tasks: Volunteers from each Div will be solicited by their Class Coordinator to bring a side/salad, main, and drink/dessert. Volunteers are also needed to supervise the children during lunch so the staff can enjoy their feast. Help with set up and take down is also needed.
This is a great event for refreshing your bookshelves! Families donate their gently used books and the gym gets transformed into a book store heaven! For every two books your child brings in, they will get a ticket for one free book (up to 10). Shopping opens after school for parents and staff!
Please watch for when to bring in your donations.
Volunteer tasks: Volunteers are needed to sort books and for set up and take down. Help is also needed to transport left over books to be sold or donated.
We celebrate Valentine's with a fun family event, our one and only dance of the year! Come join us for some fun on the dance floor - complete with DJ, music, and lights!
Families are encouraged to bring a potluck snack to aide in the festivities. PLEASE NOTE: due to anaphylactic allergies in the school community, we kindly ask that you do not bring dishes that contain nuts or fish. Thank you!
Volunteer tasks: Parents are needed for set up and take down.
Since 2018, South Park Family School has participated in Window Wanderland, a community-wide celebration. Businesses and homes make creative and beautiful window displays that are illuminated for two evenings. With the support of our amazing parents, the whole school comes together students to create a stunning display in our gorgeous library. To see it lit up at night is truly a wonder.
Volunteer tasks: Parents are needed to help choose a theme, design the display, and work with each division to create a collective masterpiece.