december 6, 2019 - vsb.bc.ca

5488 Ortona Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1S2 Phone: 604.713.5950, Fax: 604-713-5952

Email: [email protected] Twitter: @NormaRosePoint

December 6, 2019

Administrator’s Message

Dear Parents,

As we move closer to the Winter Break some updates are in order. The school and the PAC Traffic Committee have met with UBC and VSB Planning and Facilities to discuss ongoing traffic concerns around our school and general pedestrian safety for our students as they move throughout campus to and from our school. The safety challenges of traffic and commuting to school will become more complicated as the UBC population increases. Of immediate concern are the number of vehicles parking in the round about at the front entrance. The area is clearly marked as a no parking area and parked vehicles block emergency vehicle access.

In reviewing school blueprints we have discovered that the forested area directly adjacent to our large gravel field all the way to the first marked gravel path belongs to the school. Classes have already been using the area for lessons and the grade 7 community has been planting cedar saplings. The area presents a great opportunity for varied learning activities.

Efforts to provide a variety of extra curricular activities continues and we are pleased to share that for term 2 more have been arranged. The clubs and different activities are made possible through private rentals, the VSB Community Schools Team and school staff. Some term two activities so far include Debate Club, Dance Team, Coding Club, Knitting, Escape Room, Improv Art and Sport Ball, we are hoping to add more activities in the next few weeks.

As we move closer to the end of term 1, several communities have planned Celebrations Of Learning. Please make an effort to attend; it is a fantastic way of seeing what your child has been working on and provides the student an opportunity to lead a very important conversation. Written communication about student learning will be issued on January 30th.

Kindergarten registration is well under way and numbers are similar to last year, we again anticipate the need to have a Kindergarten lottery. As the Winter Break seems to be a common time for students to change schools, please remember to contact the office if you are moving. Please be reminded the school does not provide student reference letters for independent school applications or mini school programs.



Attached to this newsletter you will find several flyers advertising a variety of free parent education workshops on several different topics.

Parent Information Evenings

Please find attached to this newsletter several flyers with information about upcoming parent/ guardian evening events that may be of interest to you:

• Anxiety in Children & Youth (Jan. 16, 2020) • Responding to Challenging Behaviour (April 2, 2020) • Raising Digitally Responsible Youth (Jan. 30, 2020) • SACY workshops (see dates in flyers)

If you have a concern that you would like to address at the school

Please speak with your child, then the classroom teacher. If you are not satisfied with the result, please contact admin. For your reference, we have attached the flow chart for problem solving provided in your child’s agenda.

Parent/Adult Behaviour in School

Increasingly we are noticing that there are adults outside on the playground taking photos and videos of students. We have asked many to delete these images off their devices. They are parents and/or relatives of students; however, you may not take any images of students without parental consent. Please respect this simple rule as you would not want another adult taking images of your child without your consent.

We are also noticing more parents wandering through the communities during instructional time. We are thrilled to see parents join us for morning reading in the primary grades and to volunteer in the numerous activities we have. We know that when parents are picking up early and students are not ready we will occasionally ask you to get them. However, for the safety of our students, you are required to check in at the main office and not be in the communities during instructional time.

Finally, under no circumstances are adults to be addressing specific students about conflicts and/or issues that involve their own children. This is intimidating and unnecessary while escalating the situation. If there is a concern, please discuss with school staff and we will come to a mutually acceptable resolution.



Phones

We have told all students that personal phones are to be turned off and in lockers or backpacks during the school day from the time they arrive until the time they leave, unless they are under direct supervision of a staff member. If they are seen with their phones they will be taken until the end of the day and parents may be called to pick up the phone.

The office is an exceptionally busy place at the end of the school day. The office phone will be used to call home at 3:15 if students have not been picked up and for a variety of emergencies that may arise. Phones will not be used to arrange last minute playdates.

Toys at School

Increasingly we have many students enjoying BeyBlades while out at recess and lunch. As a result many pieces have gone missing, damaged, and there are many conflicts arising. If students bring these toys to school, we will not be responsible for them. Please talk to your children about this.

Wet Weather

As we move into the wetter and colder months, students need to be dressed for the weather. All students are to be outside during the recess and lunch breaks. Many of the primary students keep dry clothes in their communities including “indoor” footwear. The lost and found is currently filled with winter clothing, umbrellas and hats. If you are missing any items, please come by and check the lost and found. All items will be donated on December 20th.

Dufflebag Theatre Performance

The primary grades were recently treated to a wonderful performance of Peter Pan. Much to everyone’s surprise, the theatre group enlisted the talents of some of our students and 2 staff members. The primary students thoroughly enjoyed the hour- long show and had excellent audience skills.

Communicating Student Learning

This year, all Vancouver schools are moving to the CSL way to speak with families of their learning journey. At NRP, we have a long tradition of this method. Parents will be receiving a minimum of 5 contacts with their child’s teacher to discuss their areas of strength, stretches, and ways to support learning. 2 of these will be in written form, end of January and June. As we approach the written communication in January please note:



• This form is no more important than the other forms of communication. • We strongly encourage you to view the following information PRIOR to the report so

you understand how to read the report: https://www.vsb.bc.ca/site/csl/k7/Pages/Parent-Information.aspx

• The student competency scale is slightly different from what NRP has used in the past. This scale is now the same as all other Vancouver schools and we are required to use it.

• If you do have questions about the rubric, please contact their homeroom teacher to ensure the most accurate information.

• Below are some English examples of the scales. There are translated versions available at: https://www.vsb.bc.ca/site/csl/k7/Pages/Student-Competency-Scale.aspx



Supervision Before and After School

Just a reminder that supervision begins at 8:45 -9:00 before school and from 3-3:15 after school. If your child has not been picked up, they are to come inside and we will call home.

Snow Closure InformationIn the event that schools are closed due to snow or any other reason, by 6:00 am, the VSB will post information about snow closures on its website at www.vsb.bc.ca and will inform local media stations, including:

• CKNW (980 AM) • CBC (690 AM, 105.7 FM) • CJVB (1470 AM) • CFHG (96.1 FM) • CKWX (1130 AM) • BCTV/Global (Cable channel 11) • CITY TV (Cable channel 13)

As soon as school staff are aware an app notification will be posted. Please do not call the school. We will get messaging out to you.



Grade 7 Girls Volleyball – Some photos

Planting Cedars in Khatsahlano



Happy Holidays

On behalf of the entire NRP school staff we wish you and your families and very safe and wonderful Winter Break. We hope that you have some time to connect and enjoy some winter activities together. We are looking forward to seeing you all on January 6th, 2020.

Ian Cannon and Teena Smith

december 6, 2019 - vsb.bc.ca

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