For Thursday, May 29, 2014

Tomorrow, North Vancouver schools will be closed. In case you missed it, I am sharing the letter that went home to parents from the North Vancouver Superintendent.

Please refer to the North Vancouver School District web site (www4.nvsd44.bc.ca) for the latest information regarding school openings.

Thanks and take care

 

May 29, 2014 – BCTF Rotating Strike Action

Schools are not in session on Thursday, May 29th due to BCTF Rotating Strike Action – Letter to all North Vancouver School District Parents and Guardians on May 20, 2014:

As you may be aware, the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation announced this morning a series of rotating, one-day strikes to occur throughout the province next week. The BCTF’s decision reflects an escalation in their job action related to teacher contract bargaining.

The Teachers’ Federation has directed its members in our school district to conduct their one-day strike activity in North Vancouver on Thursday, May 29th.

While both parties will continue to negotiate between now and May 29th, we are advising all parents and guardians to fully expect that school will not be in session on May 29th. Please plan to make alternate arrangements for your child/children on that day. Should there be any changes to this plan for closure, we will communicate them to you as soon as they are confirmed.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause you and your family and continue to hope for a positive resolution between the Province and the BCTF to the current situation.

Sincerely,

John Lewis
Superintendent of Schools

New K’s Today

Today is a special day.

The first day of school for about 65 kindergarten students.

It will be quite fun.

The new students will be visiting us for a short time (30 minutes) and will spend time in either an English K classroom or a French K classroom. Their parents will be busy with myself and a number of other people, discussing getting ready for Kindergarten.

First times are interesting to watch. Some new K’s will be so excited to be here. “Bye mom,” one might hear. We may also hear, “Don’t leave me!”

Our K teachers are quite skilled at getting the children comfortable the first morning and have planned activities to get to know the children.

I look forward to meeting our new kindergarten students this morning, and meeting their parents as well.

Take care

Walk to School

As you walk along Eldon Road (or drive) in the mornings, you may have noticed some new signs. Thanks to Hy’s mother (Hy is one of our Kindergarten students), “Cleveland Walks” is more visible.

We are pleased to see so many students walking or riding to school. For students, we ask that they remember to be safe, wear helmets if riding (bikes, scooters or skateboards) and be mindful of cars. For everyone, please use crosswalks and model good behaviours for our students.

For drivers, please slow down when you see children on the roads. The extra speed is very dangerous.

Slow down. We’ll still be here.

Take care

 

The Father Daughter Dance

Tonight, the school is filled with the sounds of music, laughter and many giggles. it is the night of our annual Father/Daughter Dance.

Once again, this is a wonderful evening for the many fathers and daughters who were able to attend. The music is loud, and every once in a while, I hear a girls voice scream out, “Daddy! I know this song! Come dance!”

There are many mothers here as well, making sure everyone is well fed and has plenty of fluids to keep going until 9:30.

What an incredible evening. I am sure the Mother/Son event will be awesome too.

Take care

A Lonely Hoodie

The once was a small hoodie, named Hoodie, and he loved a child. The child would wear Hoodie to keep warm on those cool spring mornings, or use as a jacket on rainy days. Every day the child brought Hoodie to school and then home again. Hoodie loved coming to school, where he learned all sorts of interesting things.

Some days, when the weather was warm, the child would remove Hoodie at recess and put him aside with other hoodies. Together, the hoodies would watch the children run and play all over the school yard. Hoodie waited patiently, knowing that when the bell rang, his child would come and collect him. They would return to class and the learning would begin anew.

One day, things changed. The recess bell rang and Hoodie waited for his child. The playground emptied, and there were no children. Off in the distance, Hoodie could see other sweatshirts forgotten on the ground. He tried to call out to the last adult on the playground, but his cries could not be heard over the calls of the crows.

Hoodie started to get anxious that he would be forgotten. He waited, practicing the breathing techniques he overheard a teacher telling a child in class one day. That helped calm him a bit. He waited. And waited.

Suddenly, he heard a noise. Children were coming outside again. “It must be lunch time,” thought Hoodie. “Surely I will be picked up now.”

Alas, it was another hot day, and no one picked him up. Hoodie never saw his child, and when the final lunch bell rang, and every child went inside, Hoodie was alone again. Hoodie was now quite upset. He was all alone, and worried. He cried 🙁

Time went by, the school emptied out, and still no one came for Hoodie. The playground became quiet. Even the crows were gone. Hoodie fell asleep.

The next thing Hoodie knew, he was being carried around the playground by the school principal. He, along with five or six other sweatshirts (and a chair) had been picked up by the principal. The principal brought all the lost clothing (and the chair) inside and they joined a whole bunch of other hoodies, jackets and shirts in the lost and found.

Hoodie was now with friends, but he was still lonely. Where was his child? Where?

If you know Hoodie’s child, or a child who may may have left something behind, please come by the school and check out our lost and found. Please help Hoodie find his child.

Thanks

Take care