Parents of the new Sun Peaks school are taking another step toward creating the resort municipality's educational community.

The newest addition to the Kamloops-Thompson School District will soon have its own parent advisory council (PAC).

During tonight's school board meeting in Logan Lake, trustees will receive a letter from Sun Peaks parents asking for guidelines and advice on building a PAC.

According to letter writer Tarrah Clements, she and three other mothers are getting involved in the initial stages.

And although there are far fewer parents to choose from than many other larger schools in B.C., the PAC is expected to attract plenty of involvement.

"There are many parents eager to help out in any way possible," she wrote.

Clements said the PAC already has a solid base thanks to the Sun Peaks Education Society, which was established two years ago as a centre for online course delivery.

With students up to Grade 6 now enjoying the traditional classroom model, it deepens the sense of community.

"Everyone's close knit up here," said Clements.

It's a misconception that the families are the affluent segment of the resort's population.

"I'd say 95 per cent of the kids up here are year round," said Clements. "It's frustrating because when I talk to people in town they think that it's a private school with rich kids, and we're far from that.

"It's hotel employees, my husband works for the mine, I'm a stay-at-home mom. I don't ski full time. I ski occasionally."

The unique school calendar, which prolongs school days by one hour while creating a "flex day" on Friday, gives kids and parents alike the flexibility to enjoy time together and on the slopes.

For a fee, students can get involved in Friday's ski program or take the time to catch up on work if they have learning challenges. It also accommodates schedules that are specific to service oriented communities, said Clements.

"It's a nice day for the family because since (many parents) do work for the resort, they work weekends so they choose to take Fridays off."