North Vancouver School District #44

Notes from the desk of John Lewis, Superintendent of Schools

North Vancouver School District #44

18th Annual RCMP Youth Academy Camp

Posted by  on Tuesday, April 16th 2013     

Students at the graduation ceremony of the RCMP Youth Academy at Camp Stillwood in Chilliwack

Over the course of eight days at the end of March, eight of our Secondary students took part in a “mini-depot” training process that simulates the six-month training program offered to new RCMP recruits.

The students, all of whom have an interest in law enforcement careers, participate in afternoon and night-time crime scenarios. Classroom work includes learning about the broader responsibilities of the RCMP in the legal and criminal justice system, and its role in peacekeeping.

With 50 students from five school districts coming together to work and learn, teamwork is a constant value in this life-changing program. This connection with the RCMP Youth Academy is facilitated by our Work Experience Program which introduces students to a wide range of career pathways and opportunities.

“The RCMP Youth Academy was a very challenging and educational experience,” says Stephen, a student at Seycove Secondary. “When we first arrived I don’t think anyone knew what to expect. The first couple of days were very grueling but once we got into the rhythm of things we bonded as a group and truly embraced this awesome experience. I strongly recommend that future candidates follow up on the application for this academy as it’s a very fun and rewarding experience. If you are thinking about a career in policing do not miss out on this opportunity to get a taste of what the RCMP is all about.”

category: Community Connections, Program Diversity

VSO/Honour String Orchestra and Honour Band Concert

Posted by  on Friday, April 12th 2013     

April 12, 2013

The annual performance tradition continues! This year, our Elementary Honour Band and Honour Strings students will perform in a concert with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on April 22nd. Every year, preparing for the concert provides students in our Band & Strings program with a rare opportunity to learn from local, professional musicians.

The pinnacle performance is always a not-to-be-missed event on our calendar. Tickets are available through VSO Customer Service at 604.876.3434.

category: Program Diversity, Sharing & Celebrating Success

Carson Graham students

Posted by  on Tuesday, April 9th 2013     

Students visiting the Dominican Republic collect garbage for resale with Haitian workers

I recently had the privilege of reviewing a selection of photographs documenting the Spring Break working holiday taken by a delegation of Carson Graham students and their chaperones to the Dominican Republic. While they were there, the students built a house and an extension to a medical clinic. Each student also worked a half-day in the local garbage dump, collecting recyclable plastic to sell to a Chinese company that will process it into fuel. A typical “shift” in the garbage dump might earn a Haitian about $2 (U.S.) a day. It is the only work in this area for Haitian refugees since the local sugar plantation closed in the 1990s.

This photograph stood out for me, as a dramatic illustration of the service these students performed during their Spring Break. According to Rob Olson, Carson Graham’s Global Initiatives and Leadership Teacher, there’s even more going on in this picture than first meets the eye. One student described the experience afterwards as everything she learned in her IB Geography class come to life. Students were able to use their French skills to communicate with the Haitian workers, who speak mainly Creole. Wearing sturdy footwear, thick protective gloves, long sleeves and pants (despite the intense heat), the students worked alongside local children (one as young as seven) to fill their bags. One man told them that picking garbage in the Dominican Republic was better than living in a country with no work at all. A 17-year-old youth said that he had started working in the dump when he was seven, and had never been to school.

Now back home in North Vancouver, the students have pledged to continue to fundraise for the community, and try to find ways for these children to attend school and break the cycle of poverty that has marked their young lives.

 

category: Community Connections

2013 Elementary Volleyball Tournament

Posted by  on Friday, April 5th 2013     

 

 

Student players from Boundary Elementary with student coaches from Argyle Secondary at the 2013 District-wide Elementary Volleyball Tournament

Prior to spring break, the grand finale of the 2013 Elementary volleyball season was played out in a tournament that brought together 720 student athletes and volunteers. The tournament gives students an event to work towards and an exciting opportunity to meet other students with an interest in volleyball. We thank Sutherland Secondary teacher and tournament organizer Dan Huzar for his leadership in bringing this event together; as well as the BC Olympic Volleyball Club for their support with coordination and officiating.

category: Integrated Communities, Sharing & Celebrating Success

Steve Dotto talks tech with North Vancouver parents and students

Posted by  on Wednesday, April 3rd 2013     

Steve Dotto

A full house of parents and students greeted local technology and new media expert Steve Dotto when he took to the stage at Centennial Theatre on March 13. As part of our Education Week in North Vancouver, Dotto offered a candid presentation on why parents should engage in social media, what students need to prepare for in the new world of e-commerce, and how to talk to children about online safety (without getting tuned out). Recognized for his ability to demystify a variety of media and help everyone “join the conversation”, Dotto’s humour and thought-provoking insights were resoundly applauded by the end of the evening.

We thank the North Vancouver Parent Advisory Council for their co-sponsorship and support of this event.

category: Community Connections, Information & Communication Technology

Sutherland Music hosts Soshin Girls Wind Orchestra

Posted by  on Monday, March 18th 2013     

Sutherland Secondary School has a rich history of music and cultural exchanges with bands from Japan.  This tradition continues with Sutherland hosting the Soshin Girls Wind Orchestra during the spring break.  On behalf of Michelle Workman and the organizing committee, I am pleased to extend to you and your family an invitation to attend this FREE concert at Centennial Theatre at 2 pm on Sunday, March 24.  You will most certainly enjoy the performance!

 

category: Community Connections, Program Diversity

Land, Learning and Livability Community Engagement Update – Keith Lynn

Posted by  on Friday, March 15th 2013     

The Board of Education has now completed its final review of the proposals for the Keith Lynn facility and site and has identified North Shore Studios Ltd. as the lead proponent for the redevelopment of the Keith Lynn site.   The Board will now engage in discussions with North Shore Studios Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Bosa Development Corporation) to develop the terms and conditions of an agreement for the consideration of the Board of Education.

The Board of Education also expresses its sincere appreciation to the Transformation Education Society and the Gulf Islands School District for their interest in the potential re-use of the Keith Lynn site to support the continued operation of the Windsor House Program in North Vancouver.  The Board will consult with the Gulf Islands School District to facilitate a short-term extension to their current lease at the Lucas Centre.

As the proposal of the North Shore Studios Ltd. involves the redevelopment of the Keith Lynn site, a public information meeting will be arranged for neighbouring residents. Community input and consultation will also occur through the established Municipal process in the coming months.

category: Communications

District Student Leadership Forum

Posted by  on Thursday, March 14th 2013     

The District Student Leadership Council (DSLC) is a group of student representatives from all Secondary schools in the district that meets once each month to discuss relevant issues, ideas, possibilities and concerns regarding their education. Members of the DSLC also attend over 20 District Committees and Public Board meetings to represent the voice of students in the decision making process.

Student Leadership Students at the Education Services Centre

There was a buzz of positive energy at the Education Services Centre on Tuesday during Education Week. Over 100 Secondary students from across our school district participated in a student organized and facilitated conference called “Love is Louder,” to talk about the issue of bullying.  This annual conference, under the leadership of President Gabriella Rivera, and Vice President Marc Caruth, is organized by the DSLC Executive and provides the opportunity for students to connect, collaborate on and discuss matters concerning their education with their peers.

The students were engaged in a fishbowl activity with Mr. Jeremy Church, Principal of Mountainside Secondary. Mr. Church presented thought provoking questions to the students who then responded in an interactive conversation with students moving in and out of the fishbowl.

During structured breakout sessions Gabriella presented students with three questions; What is bullying – How has it changed? What is the role of students, parents, teachers, administration, and society in bullying? What can we do to prevent and stop bullying? As students were talking in their table groups they were simultaneously tweeting out their responses @NVSDDSLC. The data collected throughout the conference will be collated and presented to our NVSD Executive Council, the Board of Trustees, and the Minister of Education.

We are very proud of our students and congratulate them on sharing their voice.

 

category: Integrated Communities

Artists for Kids – After School Art Programs

Posted by  on Wednesday, March 13th 2013     

Daylen Luchsinger, AFK Program Facilitator with young AFK Artist, Jasmine

Monday evening, March 11 was a celebration of the winter after school art program.  Approximately 250 people dropped by to enjoy the student exhibition hung amidst the Artists for Kids Permanent Teaching Collection. For some students this was their first foray into the life of an exhibiting young artist while for many of the students this show is a part of their regular exhibition cycle as Artist for Kids After School Art Veterans.

The celebrated Artists for Kids Program is an incredibly rich visual arts education program made possible through the generous support of the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists (a registered charity) and through the sale of prints to the public provided through partnerships with our artist patrons.  The AFK Program and the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art are unique community treasures of North Vancouver!

category: Program Diversity, Sharing & Celebrating Success

District Band and Strings Festival

Posted by  on Tuesday, March 12th 2013     

This year’s District Elementary Band and Strings Festival took place on March 7th and 8th at the Lucas Centre. In all, 26 elementary schools participated in this annual celebration of music. School groups performed for each other over the two days and enjoyed the opportunity to share, learn and listen. Thursday night’s concert featuring the 2013 District Honour Band and Honour Strings performers drew a crowd of over 500 students and parents, and was standing room only! Two professional groups conducted workshops with the band and strings groups prior to their concerts – the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Infinitus Strings.

The Band and Strings Program is one of the exceptional features of the North Vancouver School District made possible through the tremendous efforts of our teachers, our parents, and our partner groups.  ‘Instrumental’ in providing leadership to this event has been teacher Lasse Leslie who organized over 1,000 student participants with the strong support of our District’s Band & Strings teachers.  Thank you for making this event a great success!

category: Program Diversity, Sharing & Celebrating Success
Page 2 of 18:« 1 2 3 4 5 »Last »