NEW PARENT/CAREGIVER INFORMATION
In PIE, parents/caregivers, referred to as 'Home Faciliatators' are taking leadership in facilitating the planning and delivery of the BC curriculum, in collaboration with their learner’s assigned teacher(s). This is an amazing opportunity to tailor learning to fit each learner's abilities and interests, but comes with the responsibilities described below.
Home facilitators:
- Meet regularly with their learner's teacher to collaborate on the learning plan, for assessments, and learning updates
- Attend assessment conferences with their learner for the above purposes in September, December, March and June
- Provide work samples of their learner's progress in their required areas of study which will be assessed and reported on three times a year
Assessment
PIE provides two learning updates and one summary of learning per school year based on student-parent-teacher conferences either online or in-person in Term 1 - late fall (November or December), Term 2 - late winter (February or March), and Term 3 - late spring (May or June). Teachers meet with their families online, in the community, or in regional buildings, and the conferences last for approximately one hour per PIE student. This is a great opportunity to discuss all of the wonderful things students have been working on, and for teachers to assess and/or collect samples of student work.
Capital Items
When we purchase items like a printer or computer, they are considered capital items. This means that the school district owns the capital item(s) until they have depreciated enough that they are of no use to the district (typically three years from date of borrowing, but can vary depending on the item). So, if you decide to leave the program, you would need to either pay the depreciated amount of the item (this amount depends on how long it's been since the item was purchased) or give it back. If you end up staying with PIE for three years (or so), ownership can be transferred to the student.
Cross-enrolled Students in Grades 8-12
Resource funding is available on a per/course basis for materials/resources that help students meet the learning standards for the course, e.g., lessons, necessary supplies, etc. New cross-enrolled students must also enrol in PIE - see link to website below.
Full time Students in Grades K-12
The first step is to go the Enrolment Website and follow the online enrolment instructions.
Initial Work Samples
Initial work samples are required for Learning Resource Funds to be made available. We are looking for the following:
- Math – SNAP Math Assessment (implementation beginning in Sept 2026) or Diagnostic Math Assessment (DMA)
- Reading – DIBELS assessment for K-3 students (implementation began with K students in Sept 2025 and expanding up to Grade 3 in 2026). Teacher/IET administered Jerry Johns Reading Inventory for Gr. 4 to 9. If informal assessment is not possible, one written response/reaction to a book the student has read or perhaps a book that has been read to them (depending on developmental level) and a picture they’ve drawn and/or a video of the student reading that can be assessed using the BC Performance Standards. Home facilitators/students can check with their PIE teacher for more clarification on the the required reading sample
- Writing – one piece of writing (description of the best thing that happened this summer or what people should know or appreciate about where they live, etc.) check the PIE website for ideas: PIE Resources: General
After initial work samples are handed in for Grades K-9, subsequent work for each term - including worksheets, projects, reports, art samples, etc. - will be submitted during assessment conferences, conducted each term, or sent to the teacher digitally or physically in the form of a portfolio of student work.
Learning Resource Funds
We must purchase resources for you. We cannot reimburse you if you choose to purchase items yourself. Most of our orders are done online and will come in the mail directly to your home. In order for PIE to purchase resources they must meet current grade learning standards. Our provincial standards are fairly flexible and allow us to purchase a wide range of hands-on or pencil-and-paper options for your child(ren)'s needs. As a public school, we are not able to purchase religious materials. Please check with your family’s teacher for information on how to request resources.
Miscellaneous
For PIE families living in the qathet Region (in or near the city of Powell River), the PR Complex is free on school days during school hours.
Optional Events
- Initial get-togethers
- In-person Opportunities
- Winter Showcase
- Winter Wonderland
- Camp Imadene
- End of year celebrations
Student Learning Plans
After enrolment information has been submitted, each learner will need their own student learning plan (SLP). This is an initial plan for the year outlining the resources and strategies that will be used to help learners meet the learning standards for their grade. These resources are selected in consultation with the PIE teacher(s). The teachers will have recommendations and resources to offer, but are also flexible in finding alternate resources and strategies that can meet the required learning standards.