North Vancouver School District #44

Notes from the desk of John Lewis, Superintendent of Schools

North Vancouver School District #44

BC’s Education Plan

Posted by  on Thursday, November 24th 2011     

BC’s Education Plan is the blueprint for an improved education system in our province.  The Plan is being made available online in such a way that parents, students, teachers – in fact everyone interested in education – can get involved in shaping its implementation.  Citizens are invited to share their thoughts and to get involved in conversations relating to education.

The Goals identified within our 10-Year Strategic Plan closely align with the five key elements identified within BC’s Education Plan.    

Through the implementation of our 10-Year Strategic Plan we will articulate the alignment between our six major goals and the five key elements of the BC Education Plan.  While demonstrating close alignment between our goals and the education plan’s key elements, we have maintained our focus on leadership in environmental education and sustainability practices, while this is presently absent, or ‘hidden’ within the BC Education Plan as presented. 

category: Communications

Remembrance Day Assemblies

Posted by  on Tuesday, November 22nd 2011     

I was honoured to attend the Argyle Secondary Remembrance Day Service on Thursday, November 10.  Along with 1500 students and nearly 100 guests, the program developed by staff and students was truly memorable and inspirational. 

Mr. Chad Smith directing the Argyle Concert Band

The thoughtful words, music, dance, and touching moments all contributed to a worthy tribute to our veterans, their families, and to our country.     

Assemblies throughout the North Vancouver School District continue to reinforce the importance of Remembrance Day throughout our community.  I know that I speak for many when I express sincere gratitude to the staff and students in each of our schools for their contribution towards these important events. 

“Lest we forget”

category: Community Connections

First Snow & Reminder to Vote – November 19

Posted by  on Friday, November 18th 2011     

Thanks to Marilyn McVey for sharing this November 16th photo of Lynn Valley Elementary students enjoying the first snowfall of the year at Outdoor School.

 

“Snow at Outdoor School heightens everyone’s excitement and it makes the experience even more memorable.  It also means that it’s just about “eagle time” here with a few already showing up to feed upon the spawning Chum salmon”,  Victor Elderton reporting on the first snow of the season. 

As winter weather is now upon us, I would like to remind parents/guardians, students, and staff about the North Vancouver School District’s winter weather procedures and announcements.   Click here for a print copy of this information.

Municipal Elections in British Columbia are held every three years.  The 2011 Municipal Election for mayors, councillors, and school board trustees will be held on Saturday, November 19th.  Candidates are voted in for a three-year term.  

The right to vote is a fundamental democratic right that is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  In 2008, voter turnout in the City of North Vancouver was 18% and 17% in the District.  Let’s make a difference on November 19, 2011.  Please exercise your democratic right and vote!

category: Communications

Building connections and partnerships

Posted by  on Wednesday, November 16th 2011     

One of the six high-level goals in our 10-Year Strategic Plan is: Expand the availability of best instructional practices and enriched curriculum.  A key objective in supporting this goal is: Build connections and partnerships with other educational organizations to support and strengthen our own instructional practice and to stay current with educational research.   

A current example of this initiative is a recent partnership that we are developing with Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia.  We are hosting four pre-service (student) teachers who are working on their teaching degree. 

David and Kendra with Chloe and Krystal

Two of the pre-service teachers (Chloe Mitchell and Krystal Holzer) are being hosted at Capilano Elementary by Kendra Smith and David Andrews, while a second pair (Courtney Lennox and Jessie Sunderland) are being hosted at Ridgeway Elementary by Michelle Pratt and Brad Sharp.

Michelle and Brad with Courtney and Jessie

 

An important aspect of this partnership is the sharing of instructional practices.  Professors from Deakin University, Dr. Leicha Bragg and Australian Catholic University, Professor Doug Clarke, Anne Roche and Rose Knight provided in-service sessions for our staff in the area of mathematics instruction.  

Partnerships with Universities and other educational organizations provide opportunities of mutual benefit to support and strengthen our instructional practices.  We look forward to further developing our partnership with Deakin University. 

 

category: Instructional Practice

Canada invests in Culture: Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation

Posted by  on Monday, November 14th 2011     

As a Member of the Smith Foundation, I was delighted to witness the announcement by James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, of the Government of Canada investments of nearly $3.8 million for 77 cultural projects.  

Canada Heritage and Cultural Grant Announcement

Among the organizations across British Columbia receiving support are the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists, the Denman Island Recreation Committee, the Dance Victoria Society, the Burnaby Art Gallery, and the Société francophone de Victoria.

“By supporting these activities, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, heritage, and official languages,” said Minister Moore.

Minister Moore flanked by Mauro Vescera (Smith Foundation) and MP Andrew Saxton

“We are ecstatic with this news,” said Bill MacDonald, Executive Director of the Smith Foundation and Curator of the Artists For Kids collection. “Having the federal government as a supporting partner means much to the emergence of this new cultural institution for Metro Vancouver. The acclaimed Artists For Kids permanent collection will finally be shared with the local community. This new public art gallery tailored to young audiences will also celebrate Canadian culture by providing fitting inspiration to the next generation of great Canadian artists.”

The Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art is scheduled for completion Spring 2012. 

 

category: Sharing & Celebrating Success

North Shore Credit Union Environmental Learning Centre taking shape!

Posted by  on Thursday, November 10th 2011     

As we enter into our 41st year of continuous operation of the North Vancouver Outdoor School, we are currently involved in an exciting campus revitalization that will ensure the best in environmental education and facilities for future generations.  At a late October weekend planning session of the Environmental Learning Centre Advisory Committee, we were thrilled to tour the ‘centre-piece’ of the campus revitalization, currently under construction. 

Ian Abercrombie, Director of Facilities and Planning leads Advisory Members on a tour of the ELC

The North Shore Credit Union Environmental Learning Centre, targeting LEED platinum sustainability status, marks a new chapter in the 40-plus year history of the North Vancouver Outdoor School. With a budget of $5.8 million, the design features “built in” values of environmental stewardship as a model of sustainable building and a world-class centre of environmental education.

“The gift from the Credit Union of $1 million dollars, in 2007, was visionary and allows us to go beyond our mandate to help provide the most enriched programs we can offer our students,” said Franci Stratton, chairperson of the North Vancouver Board of Education at the official groundbreaking in April, 2011.

 More than forty years ago, when green was just a colour, our School District made a commitment to providing environmental education to students that was ahead of its time. The first Earth Day wasn’t celebrated until 1970. Greenpeace had yet to be formed. The movement to combine the study of nature with conservation was in its infancy. By the time the United Nations declared that environmental education must be applied as a tool to address environmental problems, in 1972, Outdoor School was already three years old.  (J. Lewis comments at groundbreaking)

North Shore Credit Union ELC 'tree house' view from the dining area

This exciting project is on track for a February 2012 completion date.  Click here for more information.

category: Facilities Revitalization

Showing “Global Initiative” in curriculum creation

Posted by  on Tuesday, November 8th 2011     

As part of our commitment to providing relevant and engaging learning opportunities for students, every year, the Board of Education invites our educators to create unique Board Authority Authorized (BAA) courses that respond to the diverse interests and concerns of our students.

A Global Initiatives student (left) on a 2011 Spring Break Hero Holiday to the Dominican Republic

Introduced in 2008 at Seycove Secondary and Carson Graham Secondary, the Global Initiatives course is one such example of a BAA course unique in our school district.  Developed by teachers Rob Olson and Andrea Yeo, Global Initiatives appeals to students who want to make a difference in the world.

World VisionCanadarepresentative Linda Ly was so inspired by a recent visit to the Global Initatives class at Carson Graham that she shared her experience with a nation-wide audience. Find Linda’s post here on World Vision’s World Class blog for teachers across the country.

 

category: Program Diversity

First Nations Family Night

Posted by  on Friday, November 4th 2011     

The Squamish Nation’s Department of Education and the North Vancouver School District jointly sponsored a First Nations Family Night for all students of aboriginal ancestry and their families from across the School district. 

This event was held at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre on October 19 and was a great success with more than 250 people in attendance.    

 

Wolf Dance at Family Night

 

Following dinner, a number of our First Nations Support Workers and Aboriginal Support Teachers shared a variety of ‘success stories’ that featured our students, using video and storytelling. 

We are very grateful for the continued support of our community to join together and celebrate our student successes, our families, and our cultures.  The good food, talk, stories, songs, drumming, and dancing were enjoyed by all!

 Huy Chexw a

 

category: Community Connections, Sharing & Celebrating Success

Student Voice meets Minister of Education George Abbott

Posted by  on Wednesday, November 2nd 2011     

Four student representatives of North Vancouver’s District Student Leadership Council had an opportunity to join with other student leaders from around the province at a Leadership Conference Oct 28 and 29.  The conference is BC Student Voice and is sponsored by the BC Principals and Vice-Principals Association. BC Student Voice “is designed to have students leading with one voice in co-operation with educators through mutual respect and support”. 

Anna, Lisa, Minister Abbott, and Matt - Sterling was also with the North Vancouver group.

The Agenda for the 2 days included a Media Announcement from the Minister of Education, George Abbott regarding BC’s Education Plan. Our students sat as the Minister’s table for lunch, had an opportunity to ask the Minister questions and provided feedback to various media representatives.

North Vancouver was also well represented with Nancy Roberts, a teacher/counselor at Seycove, presenting information on Post Secondary opportunities and scholarships plus Hilary Smith, a Windsor grad and now a University of Victoria grad, working with the students through a creative writing exercise.

The students have come back to North Vancouver with ideas and contacts to assist them with planning and organizing their own student forum. The March 6 Student Forum will include students from each of North Vancouver’s high schools and the theme will be around the topic of what skills and attributes describe a successful person. 

We are very proud of the continued leadership demonstrated by the members of our Student Leadership Council!

category: Communications, Instructional Practice

Introducing the Three-Year Operating Plan

Posted by  on Monday, October 31st 2011     

I am delighted to share with you the Three-Year Operating Plan for 2011-2014. This Plan provides the strategies identified for the achievement of specific objectives within each Goal Area identified within the Board’s 2011-2021 Strategic Plan. 

Please consider the Three-Year Operating plan as a ‘companion’ document to the 10-Year Strategic Plan.  Together, these serve as reference points for the future direction of our School District. 

The Operating Plan provides for a degree of flexibility in the implementation of strategies.  Some will be addressed immediately, while others may be addressed in the second or third year.  As well, the current measures identified within each goal area may be modified, or replaced, as other more meaningful measures are identified, or introduced. 

Ongoing monitoring and progress reports will be provided throughout the year through the School District website, the Superintendent’s Blog, and more formal communication channels.  A formal progress report will be provided each spring, through our Annual Community Report, with further progress reports being provided at the end of each school year. 

On behalf of the Executive Committee, I thank our partner groups for their input toward the development of these plans. We look forward to everyone’s engagement in the process.

category: Communications
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