This is where you will find information on PAC meetings, fundraising, events, contacts, volunteer opportunities, and parent resources.
BYNG ARTS PARENTS
*New* BA Parents meeting - Tues. Oct 8, 2024 5:30-6:30
Please join fellow BA parents and guardians in the Byng Library for an informal with Mr. Hartley-Folz about how the parent community can best strengthen and support the program. Please RSVP here.
Two ways to stay connected & get involved:
Join the Byng Arts Parents Group: Parents and Guardians of current Byng Arts students are invited to join the Byng Arts Parents Group. The goal of the group is to create community among BA families. Please add your contact information using this Google Form. We also invite you to join the BA WhatsApp groups using the links at the bottom of this page. Please email byngartsparents(at)gmail.com if you have any questions.
The email list and WhatsApp groups (links below) are a great way to stay up to date on Byng Arts events and activities and also to meet other Byng Arts families. You may even figure out carpooling options!
Join the PAC Byng Arts Subcommittee: The PAC is looking for a few parents to lead the Byng Arts Subcommittee. This group will liaise with Byng Administration to help safeguard the future of Byng Arts. Please come to the September 17 PAC meeting if you are interested in joining the committee, or reach out to PAC via lordbyngschoolpac@gmail.com.
Socials & WhatsApp links
Instagram: Byng.Arts.Parents
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/872347420864618
WhatsApp - please join the "All Parents" and the subgroup you belong to
All Parents https://chat.whatsapp.com/LebbGtqRocv31UU1OA0w38
Visual Arts Parents https://chat.whatsapp.com/Irc4auIRn238DonAkWzqLU
Band Parents https://chat.whatsapp.com/KHa9BUQOmKv3djMLs3HOh3
Media Arts Parents https://chat.whatsapp.com/LV6cMkq6SenLHI6JMazsjS
Choir Parents https://chat.whatsapp.com/EclJHI5xcgL4hGeeV69Qa6
Drama Parents https://chat.whatsapp.com/I9YbhJsJcNx6ZCdhpw6Uj0
Strings Parents https://chat.whatsapp.com/LvDHdvPDunh21uLp1wMjIF
What's going on with Byng Arts?
Long story short(er), in spring of 2024, the Byng Admin cut all Byng Arts core academic classes from grades 10-12. After significant pushback from Byng Arts students and parents, Admin reinstated Byng Arts English 10, but all other Byng Arts cohort classes in grades 10-12 were removed. These changes were done without any consultation and were announced to students at their course planning assembly in February 2024.
Byng Admin promised a restructuring of FIT time for 2024-2025 and a Byng Arts enriched version of Career Education but as of fall 2025, Byng Arts parents/students have heard nothing about these promised changes.
Given ten years of ongoing cuts to Byng Arts, Byng Arts students and parents are understandably concerned about the future of this program. All questions to the VSB staff and trustees about the future of Byng Arts have largely gone unanswered. VSB did say that "no cuts have been made to the program" and "the number of blocks allocated to Byng Arts has not changed". All we can do is shrug at these statements. EDIT: Sept 2024 - please see the details page for updates.
If you want to read the gory details of last spring's events, please see this page.