October Newsletter

October 1, 2021 gordon Newsletter 0

GORDON HAPPENINGS

Students and Staff have settled into their new classes and are enjoying their new learning environments.  I want to take this opportunity to introduce some new staff members to Gordon.  Welcome to our new permanent teachers, Lisa Wilson (Grade 1) and Iryna Lacroix (Grade 2/3) and welcome back to Jan Dyson (Grade 6/7), Deni Mori (Resource) and Sanja Juric (Teacher Librarian) who are covering for teachers on parental leaves.  Also, welcome to Kristen Robinet (Grade 7 LFI) who is also covering a parental leave.  We also have two new Student and Support Staff workers, Aaron Houlihan and Amanda Cantillon.  Lastly, I would like to welcome Jennifer Campbell who is our new Supervision Aid.  The staff are working on a slideshow that we will be sharing with the Gordon community shortly so you can put faces to these names.  Stay tuned!

You would have received an email from Carmen Cho, the chair of the VSB School trustees about the new mask requirements for students in K to grade 3.  With teacher encouragement, we have seen a high uptake of mask wearing in our school already but this means that we will be requiring all students to now wear masks while indoors. Teachers, administrators and support staff will continue to support student mask wearing through positive and inclusive approaches. We will work with students to foster proper mask usage including how to wear, take off and store masks.  Please ensure that your child has a clean mask with them every day.

As always, students will not be required to wear a mask if they do not tolerate it for health or behavioural reasons. A full list of exemptions can be found here.

We look forward to seeing you virtually at our Goal Setting Conferences on Oct. 6th & 7th.   Reminder that it is early dismissal on these days.  Students are to be picked up at 2:00 PM.  Thank you for your patience as we try the new booking system though Microsoft Bookings.  Parents and Guardians will need to have access to their child’s Microsoft Teams account.  Please contact your child’s classroom teacher if you need support with this.

NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

We hope that families took the opportunity on September 30th to reflect on what you can do to acknowledge and work towards Truth and Reconciliation while honouring the lives lost to residential schools in Canada.  Below is one resource that parents might find helpful –

Seven Sacred Laws: Niizhwaaswi manito inaaakonigewinun

In partnership with the Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness in Sagkeeng First Nation and IG Wealth Management, Manitoba 150 is honoured to present a series of short animated films on the Seven Sacred Laws. The short films are meant to educate the public on a set of traditional teachings through the voices of Indigenous peoples.

Videos can be viewed at:

http://www.turtlelodge.org/the-seven-sacred-

laws/ and https://manitoba150.com/en/programs/the-seven-sacred-laws-animated-web-series/#top.

TERRY FOX RUN

We will be holding our annual Terry Fox Run on Wednesday, October 6th.  We ask that parents do not come out to watch as we do not want large crowds spectating.  Thank you for respecting this request.  We ask that students come dressed for the weather but if it is very rainy then we will postpone the run.  If you wish to make a donation on behalf of Gordon Elementary please click on this link.  You will receive a tax receipt from the Terry Fox Foundation. We really appreciate your support.

PICTURE DAY

Individual photo day is on October 12th and retakes will be taken on November 2th.  We will be using Artona again this year.  They have updated their website and have provided more options and backgrounds for parents to choice from.  All orders are done online and delivered to the school if ordered within the time frame.  More information will be communicated home shortly.

TRAFFIC CONCERNS

The traffic around Gordon is a significant concern to school staff, parents and the larger community.  Please take careful note of the no-stopping areas in and around the school.  We strongly encourage parents/guardians to drop off their children away from the school and walk a block or two to school or else leave the car at home and walk as a family.  This will allow the students to create independence by walking to school themselves and healthy habits.

When school is in session, a 30 km/h school zone speed limit is in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every school day, unless otherwise posted.  Also, remember that vehicles approaching from both directions must stop for school buses when their lights are flashing.

HERE ARE A FEW REMINDERS:

  1. Plan ahead and be alert. Driving routes with less traffic in the summer may now face congestion, so give yourself extra time to get to your destination.  Take your time and don’t rush – especially through intersections.  Look for children especially near or around crosswalks and intersections.
  2. The staff parking lot is for staff only, there is no dropping-off or picking-up of students.
  3. Always yield to pedestrians (it’s the law).
  4. Never make a U-Turn or back-up in the lane or in driveways, this is very dangerous and could lead to someone getting seriously hurt. Drive around the block instead.
  5. When dropping off children in a School Zone, stop and allow them to exit onto the sidewalk side of the car. Never allow a child to cross mid-block.
  6. If a vehicle is stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, they may be yielding for a pedestrian, so be prepared to stop.
  7. Always watch for pedestrians when you’re backing up. Before you get into your vehicle, make it a habit to walk around your vehicle to ensure no small children are behind it.  And remember, children will notice your driving behaviour, so set an example and drive smart.

Parents and guardians dropping-off and picking-up their children are very often seen committing a number of traffic offences.  Please be advised that the City of Vancouver parking enforcement and VPD traffic authority regularly visits the streets around Gordon Elementary to issue tickets and fines.

School Zones

As Vancouver’s school population grows, so do the traffic and parking problems around schools. For the safety of children, and to avoid traffic congestion, motorists dropping off or picking up students should pay attention to the following restrictions.

All the following rules are enforced under Street and Traffic Bylaw 2849.  Please visit the City of Vancouver website for more information.

No Parking

  • Effective from 8:00am to 5:00pm on school days
  • For use by motorists dropping off and picking up students
  • Limit of 5 minutes

No Stopping

  • Effective from 8:00am to 5:00pm. on school days
  • For students to safely get in, and out of school
  • Zone must be clear of vehicles

Vehicles parked in No Parking and No Stopping zones in a school area can be ticketed and towed under section 17.1 of the bylaw.

Vehicles that block pedestrians and motorists

Vehicles blocking pedestrians and motorists in school zones, and elsewhere, will be ticketed under Street and Traffic Bylaw 2849 as follows:

  • Sections 17.5 (b) and (c): Parked or stopped too close to a corner
  • Sections 17.4 (a) and (b): Stopped on, or within 6 m of a crosswalk
  • Section 18.1 (b): Parked in the wrong direction
  • Section 18.1 (c): Double parked

POLITELY REMIND OTHERS IF THEY ARE ILLEGALLY STOPPING OR DROPPING OFF STUDENTS.

LET’S KEEP GORDON SAFE FOR ALL STUDENTS.

PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC)

Our school Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) welcomes all parents and guardians.  You are automatically a member of PAC when you register your child at the school.  The purpose of the PAC is to assume an advisory role and to consult with the school staff and administration on views about school policies, programs and activities.  PAC also provides volunteers and materials to support teachers and enhance the educational experience for all students.  Please visit our website for more information at gordonpac.ca or you can reach the PAC by email at gordonpac@ymail.com.

Sign-up for the PAC Email List and stay informed.  Your information is kept confidential and not used beyond the PAC’s work.

The next PAC meeting on Zoom is Monday October 18 – please visit the website to register.

VSB EDUCATION PLAN

The VSB is seeking parental input about their Education Plan.  Please visit the website here to learn more and to access the survey.