September 23, 2008.

To view a PDF version of this newsletter please click here.

Tuesday,Sept. 23, 2008.

Dear Parents,
As you are probably already wondering, the newsletter is a couple of days early. This is due to the fact that Wednesday and Thursday are important days for our students. Wednesday, Sept. 24 is our Meet the Teacher evening followed by our Multicultural dinner organized by our PAC.

Please make a point of coming at 5:30 to an opening assembly in the small gym, followed by visits to your children’s classrooms and then at 6:30 join us in the big gym for the multicultural dinner.

This past week, I was able to spend an afternoon at the grade 7 camp at Evans Lake. Students and staff had probably the best weather ever for their outdoor activities including swimming in the lake. I would like to thank all of the staff and grade 11 students from Van Tech who did an incredible job of organizing the student events, thus providing an educational program as well as leadership training. The students had a chance to make new friends. Students were placed in heterogeneous groups from all three programs. We had three new students that have just started at Laura Secord and chose to start their career at Secord by attending the camp. When I visited the students were participating in an Eco-Challenge. They were challenged in using many varied skills as well as having fun.

This week is a very busy one. It includes a PAC meeting on Tuesday evening, September 23 starting at 6:30 pm.

Meet the Teacher Night is Wednesday, September 24 starting at 5:30 .

Thursday, September 25 is a Professional development day for teachers, students do not attend school.

School routines
It is important to set school routines from the beginning of the year. We are working on making sure that our school is a safe and healthy environment. Supervision by staff begins at 8:25 in the morning and ends fifteen minutes after the 3:00 p.m. bell. Please do not leave your children in the playground unsupervised before 8:25 a.m.
Students are to stay outside until the bell rings in the morning. They also have been instructed to stay outside during the recess and lunch. It is important for children to have time to run and play in the fresh air. The Ministry of Education mandates 30 minutes of physical activity per day and these time periods help to meet this goal. We will be having special rainy day activities in various locations in the school to accommodate student needs on days where it is raining heavily.
We have noticed that some students are still outside waiting long after school is over for the day. We are always concerned for the safety of our students especially when they are waiting on their own outside, therefore we have added a bell at 3:15 and 12:15 (Fridays). The students have been instructed by their teachers that when they hear this second bell, they must come into the school office to call home and wait for their parent or guardian to arrive.

Other reminders:

We promote good nutrition in the school and encourage students to bring good nutritious snacks and lunches.
Please don’t forget about our school fees, $25.00 per student at the grade K-7 levels and $12.50 for Half day Kindergarten.
Please make sure that you call the school at 604-713-4996 if your child is going to be absent.
Parking is very limited around the school, therefore, please read the parking signs carefully as there will be officers
Students are to walk their bikes on school grounds. We ask this due to safety concerns about the number of students on the grounds and the increased possibility of an accident.
Dogs are not to be on school grounds between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. We need to respect that many of our students are extremely nervous around dogs.

Vancouver School Board Commitment to Learning
Overwhelmingly students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members told the VSB during the district learning inquiries that learning takes place when the following conditions are in place:
L LEARNING - diverse styles of learning are recognized and supported
E ENGAGING, EXPERIENTIAL - engaging experiential learning opportunities within and beyond the classroom are routine
A ACTIVE,PASSIONATE TEACHING - active learning experiences are created by teachers passionate about their work
R RELATIONSHIPS - relationships are respectful, supportive, and purposeful
N NEED FOR FLEXIBILITY AND CHOICE - Flexibility and choice in the classroom, school and system is accommodated
S A safe and supportive environment exits

Monday, October 6 Picture Day
Parents will receive a pose and colour selection flyer to complete and return on or before picture day. Should you not return it a default pose and colour will be chosen. The proof order form will arrive approximately 14 days after picture day. Orders must be returned by the due date and late orders must be sent directly to the Vancouver office of Lifetouch, #2-1610 Ingleton Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5C 5R9.
Picture packages from orders received by the due date will arrive approximately 21 days after the due date. Upon receipt of your proof, if a retake is required, you must check the retake box on the proof order form and return it to the school on retake photo day.
Nay questions regarding proofs or orders should be directed to the Lifetouch Vancouver customer service line at 1-866-443-9650.

BELL SCHEDULE - 2008-2009 with new after school warning bells
(Monday - Thursday)
8:43 Warning Bell
8:45 Half Day Morning Kindergarten begins
8:48 Instruction for KF to grade 7 begins
10:20 - 10:35 Primary Recess
10:35 - 10:50 Intermediate Recess
11:24 Half Day Kindergarten Dismissal
12:00 Half Day Afternoon Kindergarten begins
12:00 - 12:40 Lunch for KF to Grade 7
12:40 Warning Bell
12:45 Instruction Begins
3:00 Dismissal
3:15 Bell alerting students not already picked up to report to the office

Fridays
8:43 Warning Bell
8:45 8:45 Half Day Morning Kindergarten begins
8:48 8:48 Instruction for KF to grade 7 begins
10:20 - 10:35 Primary Recess
10:35 - 10:50 Intermediate Recess
11:24 Half Day Kindergarten Dismissal
12:00 No Half Day Afternoon Kindergarten
12:00 Lunch dismissal for KF to Grade 7
12:15 Bell alerting students not already picked up to report to the office


Upcoming Dates To Remember

Sept. 24 5:30 Meet the Teacher and Multicultural Dinner at 6:30
Oct. 3 Photo Day (see info above)
Oct. 14 - 17 French Immersion Book Fair
Oct. 24 Pro-D day, students do not come to school
Nov. 3 Photo re-takes at 1:00 pm
Nov. 10 Pro-D day, students do not come to school
Nov. 11 Remembrance Day, school is closed