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November 18, 2013 - Superintendent's update to the Board
The superintendent provided updates on recent school visits made to various elementary and secondary schools. Upcoming events were also noted including a United Way pancake breakfast, storytelling events in partnership with Rain City Chronicles titled "Tales From Public School" at Strathcona and Templeton secondary schools on November 21st and 22nd, Windermere's annual climate change conference on November 25th, and a Hobbit banquet at Vancouver Technical Secondary on November 27th. Future school visits were also mentioned.
November 18, 2013 - Superintendent's update to the Board
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- 4. Queen Alex ArtWall
- 5. School Visits toWolfe Elementary
- 6. School Visit toWolfe Elementary
- 7. School Visits toSelkirk Elementary
- 8. School Visit toSelkirk Annex
- 9. School Visit toHamber Secondary
- 10. School Visit toWindermere
- 11. School Visit toWindermere
- 12. School Visit toWindermere
- 13. School Visit toJamieson Elementary
- 14. Mount Pleasant andNightingale Creek Stewards
- 15. Remembrance Day atKingsford-Smith
- 16. It’s My Future– student forum at Gladstone
- 17. Alternate Education: First AnnualBowling Tournament
- 18. Adult Education Centrevisits to Hastings, South Hill and Main Street
- 19. Children’s Book ArtistsVisit Fleming
- 20. Macdonald Aboriginal ArtCelebration
- 21. Upcoming events Vancouver SchoolBoard hosts two evenings of public school story telling titled Tales From Public School. The events are in partnership with Vancouver storytelling society Rain City Chronicles. Pencils & Playgrounds: The Elementary Years at Strathcona on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 pm Chalk and Lockers: The High School Years at Templeton on Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 pm
- 22. Upcoming events • November20 – United Way Pancake Breakfast • November 21 and 22 – Rain City Chronicles: “Tales from Public School” (at Strathcona and Templeton) • November 25 – annual Windermere C3 Conference (Climate Change Conference) • November 27 – Van Tech Hobbit Banquet • Upcoming visits – Fleming Elementary VLN
Editor's Notes
- #4 Halloween was a verrrry spooky time for staff and students across the district. There were many Halloween dances and other events along with thousands of unique costumes. On the screen, we have highlighted just a few examples of our creatively dressed students and staff.
- #5 Last week, Queen Alexandra students worked with professional artists, George Littlechild and Linda Frimer in the creation of a 7 X 30 foot canvas mural project. The theme of the project was Your Story, My Story, Our Story - Together We Create Community. Students were guided through a process where they identified, drew, and painted a symbol that represented something from their culture onto the sheets of canvas.
- #6 I recently enjoyed a wonderful visit to Wolfe Elementary where I met with many great students and was serenaded by some talented young ukulele students and their teacher.
- #7 While visiting Wolfe Elementary, I had the opportunity to talk with teacher-librarian, Wendy Cameron – she is doing extraordinary work in mentoring her new teacher-librarian colleagues at other schools. She worked with the principal of McDonald, Vonnie Hutchingson to organize the District Aboriginal Collection She is part of Teacher Librarian Inquiry group that mentors new TL's in the district She facilitated the transformation of a portable on site at Norma Rose Point into a Library that will be used by Vancouver schools going through seismic upgrades
- #8 I recently enjoyed a wonderful visit to Selkirk Elementary. I met students in many classes - this group of Kindergarten students sang me a lovely song.
- #9 During my recent visit to Selkirk Annex, I had the pleasure of speaking with many students – many were busily preparing for Remembrance Day. I met some terrific young Kindergarten artists –they even let me pick up some crayons and help them with their colouring work – my best days are when I am in schools with our students.
- #10 I recently visited a Tech Ed 8 class at Hamber Secondary – the students were making and flying model rockets. I wanted to stay there all day.
- #11 During my recent visit to Windermere Secondary, I had the opportunity and pleasure of joining some students in a music lesson – I played my favourite instrument – the tamborine (the one I was given when my own high school played concerts). I also got to practice a little cha cha dancing. We had a great old time, but I had to rest up afterwards.
- #12 While visiting Windermere Secondary, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sophie Yamauchi. Her essay won her school a MacBook mobile computer lab. Her essay described the creative green initiatives taking place at Windermere including the C3 (Climate Change Conference), the school's participation in Commercial Drive's Earth Day Parade and other school recycling initiatives. Sophie is pictured here with her teacher, Mr. Vagner Castilho.
- #13 While visiting Windermere Secondary, I had the pleasure of again visiting the Culinary Arts Program – probably one of the best such programs in the province.
- #14 I recently visited Jamieson Elementary and had the pleasure of speaking with many students including some talented bilingual Mandarin students. Here I am admiring some of the students’ work with Principal Susan Reardon.
- #15 On November 5, Mount Pleasant and Nightingale Elementary students gathered off Kingsway for a Creek Stewards “forum” where they debated and discussed community environmental concerns. In spite of the rainy day, there was a great turnout for the forum.
- #16 During a very special Remembrance Day ceremony, students from Kingsford-Smith Elementary gave a variety of solemn and powerful musical performances , including a senior choir rendition of K'naan's "Wavin' Flag.” The ceremony took place in the school gym, which was adorned with silhouettes and poppies commemorating the special day.
- #17 Along with Chairperson Patti Bacchus, Trustee Ken Denike and student trustee, Nick Milum, I attended a national student forum sponsored by “The Learning Partnership” and hosted by the VSB and held at Gladstone Secondary. This event was one of about 8 such sessions for students from across Canada. We had about 60 students representing 10 school districts. The students focussed on questions about the future of their education system.
- #18 Its My Future
- #19 Last week, over 150 students from ten different alternative programs from across Vancouver headed out to Rev’s Bowling Centre in Burnaby to compete in the First Annual Alternative Schools Bowling Tournament. Despite fierce competition, StreetFront Alternative program managed to come out on top, winning the “Ron Bergeron” trophy to take back with them to their program located near Britannia Secondary.
- #20 Last Thursday, I visited South Hill, Hastings and Main Street Adult Education Centres. It was a great opportunity for me to speak directly with students and staff about how we can continue to improve our service offerings and support our adult students as part of our Board’s commitment to life long learning.
- #21 Recently, Fleming Elementary grade one students had the privilege of spending the morning with author Loris Lesynski and illustrator Michael Martchenko who created the award-winning and popular picture book, Boy Soup. The pair answered questions and gave great advice to the young students.
- #22 Last Thursday night I joined Chairperson Patti Bacchus and Trustees Ken Clement and Ken Denike for a great Artists Recognition Ceremony to honour and acknowledge all the Artists who enhanced and contributed their inspiring Art work at Macdonald Elementary School. The community came together to thank Aboriginal artists in person who had contributed some amazing pieces of art for the halls and front entrance of the school. The evening included great food and some wonderful Aboriginal and Metis dancing. Principal Vonnie Hutchingson informed me that another celebration event involving the students at the school is being planned for later in the school year.
- #23 Pencils & Playgrounds: The Elementary Years is presented in the historical auditorium at Strathcona Elementary. Thursday, November 21 at 6 pm Chalk and Lockers: The High School Years is presented in the beautiful auditorium at Templeton Secondary. Friday, November 22 at 6 pm.