Frequently Asked Questions

There has traditionally been a huge turnout for the carnival on the last day of school.  The last year-end "carnival" was held in 2019.  At the time, the "Cave" (old gym space), Area 300 chapel and computer lab were still available for PaC to use for activities.  These spaces have since been renovated to become the new gymnatorium, running track, equipment rooms, kitchenette, new classrooms and offices.  We also now have more students and their families who may attend the year-end event.  

Overcrowding will be an issue if we try to run the same carnival-type event indoors, as we have less space for inflatables, games, workshops, presentations, food and people now.  The parking capacity to hold a single event that can serve the entire school population (ELC, JS, MS & SS) and their families is also very limited during the day.

In order to better accommodate the increased number of families at PCA, an evening event can provide more parking spaces for attendees because businesses nearby are then willing to allow PCA to use their lots after their offices are closed.

This event will proceed "rain or shine".  However, PaC will monitor the weather forecast.  Eating areas and food stations will be set up indoors in classrooms, as needed.  Families are also welcome to drop by to pick up their prepaid food as takeout to eat at home instead. 

While the Night Market would be a great outreach opportunity for non-PCA families to come and check out our school, resources and capacity are limited.  Having extra attendees may cause longer wait times for food.  Hence, the fundraising event is intended only for current PCA families to socialize before the summer break.  This will only the third time that PaC is organizing this event.  Depending on this year's turnout, we may consider the option to open it up to PCA family friends in the future as well.

Taking prepaid orders in advance helps vendors with their planning and improves the speed of service to customers.  Prepaid orders can eliminate the need for customers to bring cash or for the food servers to handle both food and money at the same time.  In addition, many vendors will only agree to travel to a customer's location and provide their services, if a minimum spend is met.

If you do not submit a pre-order beforehand, you will have to line up at the event to buy food tickets first before getting food.  Vendors will have some servings available for walk-in orders but the variety and quantity of menu items will be limited, and prices may be higher.

Unfortunately, we are not able to process a pre-order after the deadline.  We have to provide the order quantities to our vendors in advance, so they may prepare.  If we keep changing the numbers that the vendors are working with, there can be lots of confusion and errors in the orders and accounting. PaC must also prepare orders for ticket distribution.

Instead, there will be an opportunity for you to buy tickets at the event from the PaC Information and Ticket Booth.  The variety and quantity of food will be limited though, as it depends on the vendor supplying extra portions for walk-in sales.  We suggest submitting a pre-order before 11:59 p.m. on May 30, 2025, if you can.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide a refund for food at the last minute, as we may have committed to paying a vendor a certain price for their services, which includes the cost for staff, travel, equipment and food ingredients.

If possible, we suggest arranging for someone to go to the event on your behalf, to pick up your food as takeout to eat at home.  Just make sure to give them your food tickets, along with some containers with lids for easier transport.  

Unfortunately, we are not able to re-issue food tickets to replace lost or forgotten tickets.  Each ticket allows a customer to redeem a single, pre-paid food or beverage item.  Tickets are produced based on the exact quantities that were pre-ordered and any extra portions that the vendors have informed PaC about.  

For accurate accounting and inventory purposes, we cannot create more tickets.  If lost tickets are later found and redeemed, after a new set of tickets are issued, either another customer, the school or the vendor will suffer financial loss because unpaid food was taken.

Please consider ways to ensure that you have your tickets with you at the event.

Because of the complexity of placing food and drink orders that have many options to choose from and the flexibility required by the Parents Committee for processing and coordinating orders, the SCO platform is not able to meet PaC's requirements at this time.  

This is not a drop-off event.  Food stations and activities are primarily outdoors and are not contained within the building.  PCA is also not able to guarantee that strangers may not come onto the school's private property unannounced, who may be curious about the event.

Parents are expected to make arrangements for someone to supervise their child during the event, in case of an emergency such as an injury or sudden illness. 

Organizers and volunteers at the event will be occupied with other responsibilities and cannot monitor your child. 

Please know where your child is at all times.  If younger children get separated from their parents, they can go to any PaC station for assistance. 

The Night Market is an outdoor event.  The classrooms and gym areas are closed for use to reduce the need for additional custodial services.  Guests may only enter the school building to access the washrooms and pick up food from the cafeteria. 

If the situation changes, PaC will inform families about which indoor areas are open for use (e.g. rain, extreme heat)

The Night Market is an outdoor event.  Guests may only enter the school building to access the washrooms and pick up food from the cafeteria.  Other indoor spaces may open up for use, depending on the weather forecast or other circumstances. 

Adults must only use the staff washrooms as restrooms and changing facilities.  Student washrooms and change rooms are intended for children only.  Signs will be posted as a reminder.

No one should be entering the gyms, classrooms or offices without permission, during the Night Market event.  Access to the upper running track and Early Learning Centre are also out of bounds.  

For safety reasons, children should not be playing "hide-in-seek" in the school, running in the hallways, playing with water in the washrooms or at the drinking fountains.  

In general, any rules that apply to students during regular school hours, will still apply anytime they are on school property.  Please remind your children of this, so we can prevent any injuries or property damage from happening.

Feel free to bring some simple activities and card games to keep your children entertained outdoors, as you eat and socialize with others. (e.g. bubbles, chalk)  However, please keep in mind that there will be lots of other people around and there may be heating appliances set up at food stations nearby.  Any toys or activities you bring should not have the potential to inadvertently disrupt food services or cause issues or harm to other guests. (e.g. throwing objects around, balls bouncing onto tables, running into guests carrying food)  

Children will have the option to play together at the playground, under parental supervision.

** This year, PaC is offering a $3 game pass that will allow children to play some carnival-type games at the Night Market.  They can also go to the Balloon Bliss station and get a balloon sculpture made by our volunteers for $2 **

We know that families love their pets and see them as members of their family.  Your dog may be comfortable and calm around your family but it may feel very different around people and other pets, in a crowded situation.  

Do not bring your dog or any other pets to the event.  PCA is a private property.  There will be lots of young children around that can cause your dog to become overexcited.  As well, some people are afraid of dogs from past negative experiences, may have allergies or do not know how to safely interact with a dog.

Let's focus on creating a relaxing, pleasant atmosphere where children and parents can build relationships and have fellowship together.