Role of Heritage Christian Online School Parent Advisory Council in the funding ecosystem
The Heritage Christian Online School Parent Advisory Council (HCOS PAC) is an organized group of parents, recognized under the British Columbia School Act, whose children are enrolled with Heritage Christian Online School. Beyond its advisory role, the PAC serves as a grassroots funding body that stewards BC government gaming grant funds on behalf of the HCOS community. Its primary responsibility is to distribute these funds, through a structured application process, to support extracurricular activities that benefit groups of HCOS students across the province.
HCOS PAC allocates government grant funds to subsidize both school‑led and parent‑led events. These subsidies are intended to reduce participation costs for activities such as educational seminars, field trips, museum visits, arts and music events, student clubs and societies, and community‑building events that strengthen Christian homeschooling in British Columbia. The council also manages reimbursement processes, ensuring that approved costs are repaid to organizers once events have taken place and proof of payment is provided.
General funding themes and eligible activities
The PAC focuses on non‑curricular, extracurricular initiatives that have broad student impact. Application guidelines describe a range of commonly supported activities, including:
- School spirit and family engagement events, such as carnivals, movie nights or welcome weeks.
- Student publications, yearbooks and newsletters.
- Student societies and clubs in areas like drama, music, writing, art, chess or robotics.
- Field trips within British Columbia to museums, cultural events and science centres.
- Arts and music activities, performances and productions.
- Educational seminars and student conferences of limited duration.
- Student ceremonies such as graduations and dry grad events.
- Group equipment for extracurricular use, which becomes PAC property and is shared through a controlled access process.
Grant funds typically cover up to a stated maximum portion of eligible costs, with caps for certain categories such as student competitions or group equipment. The PAC does not pay fees up front; instead, local coordinators arrange activities, pay vendors and then seek reimbursement in line with the guidelines.
Application process and governance
HCOS PAC uses an application‑based model. Parents and teachers are encouraged to speak with their Regional Representatives to confirm local fund availability and to shape proposals so that they serve as many students as possible. After submitting an online request form, applicants receive confirmation and, if approved, can later submit reimbursement forms with receipts to the Treasurer.
The PAC is led by an executive committee—including Chairpersons, a Secretary and a Treasurer—and supported by regional representatives, a school liaison and a teacher representative. This structure promotes accountability, regional balance and alignment with both HCOS priorities and provincial grant rules. The council maintains policies, eligibility lists for supported and non‑supported expenses, and clear contact points for process and financial questions, helping families and teachers access grants transparently and responsibly.
Publics served and overall impact
By redistributing government grant funds to parent and teacher initiatives, HCOS PAC enhances community life, student engagement and enrichment opportunities for online learners across British Columbia. Its funding programs are designed to foster fellowship, leadership and experiential learning while respecting the regulatory constraints of BC gaming grants and focusing resources on activities that directly benefit students.