GORDON HAPPENINGS
February is a month that highlights the importance of acceptance and allowing people to be free to be their authentic self. Our counsellor last year spoke to our PAC and created a parent guide that talks about the difference between Peer Conflict, Mean Behaviour and Bullying. The vast majority of behaviour we see at school is either peer conflict or mean behaviour. Please take a moment to read through this document (click on the link above or visit our Gordon website) and have a discussion with your child. You can either talk about or draw different scenarios and what type of behaviour they think it is.
Looking forward to seeing families for our Student Led Conferences on Wednesday, February 7 & 8. You would have received an invite from your child’s classroom teacher to sign-up for a time slot. Please remember that those days are also early dismissal days at 2:00 PM.
We also have a Professional Development Day on February 16 and Family Day is February 19. School is not in session for students on those days.
Lastly, I would like to wish everyone who celebrates Lunar New Year a prosperous new year. May this year bring you good health and good fortune! Below are just two of many activities classes did to honour Lunar New Year.
MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL LIBRARIAN
First, I’d like to introduce myself and tell you how much I enjoy working with the kids and staff at Gordon. My name is Ms. Kathryn Zdriluk and I’m a retired teacher-librarian who is currently working in the library while Ms. Macdonald is on leave.
I’m happy to announce that we are going to host a Scholastic Book Fair in the library during conference days on Wed. Feb 7 and Thurs Feb 8. I used to host a fair twice a year during conferences and always had a great turnout. My goal is to have a fun community event in the library and to raise funds to buy new books for the collection.
If anyone could spare time, I am looking for volunteers. We will need help to set up, sell and pack up the fair. My plan is to keep the book fair open right through until the end of conferences to make it easy for families to visit. If you are interested in volunteering, you could email me at kzdriluk@vsb.bc.ca or drop by the library if you are in the school.
The library budget is limited, so I really appreciate the books I was able to take from the Holiday Bazaar. There were so many books that were current, popular and in perfect condition which is why I’d like to have a series/author book donation drive to replace some of the popular books that are looking ‘a little worse for wear’ due to high readership.
If you have any of the following books that are in great condition and you no longer need them, I’d love to add them to the library collection.
*Any new looking, popular, current books are also welcome.
LIST OF BOOKS/ DONATIONS SOUGHT
Raina Telgemeier graphic novels (Drama, Smile etc)
Mo Willems Books (Elephant and Piggie, Pigeon)
Dogman by Dav Pilkey
Garfield
Acorn readers
National Geographic books for kids
*Any new looking, popular, current books are also welcome.
VANCOUVER HAWKS FIELD HOCKEY
Thank you to Ms. Harmel for organizing the Hawks field hockey team who did an amazing job this week teaching skills to the entire school. If your child is interested in playing Field Hockey outside of school, the Vancouver Hawks have an extensive Junior program for boys and girls (U5-U18). All levels are welcome to join at any age. The main season runs in the Spring, April to June. Spring 2024 registration is open until February 15th. Please visit our website:www.vancouverhawks.com for all the details.
BOOK DONATION DRIVE
Have you got kids books stored somewhere? Not using them anymore? Would you like to pass them along? 
Our School is having a used book donation drive, and we hope you will help by giving gently used ‘books for babies and children up to age 5. These will go to the School District’s Early Learning Drop in program and be given as gifts to families who need them.
We are co-operating with the Rotary Club of Vancouver Arbutus whose members collect, sort, clean, prepare and deliver the books. Their bright yellow bins will be in the school starting FEBRUARY 20, 2024, and ending 2 weeks later MARCH 1. Rotary Volunteers pick up the books weekly.
We would love to see the yellow bins brimming with your generous book donations each week in our school library!
Please take a look at your bookshelves and bring any gently used books to our book drive starting FEBRUARY 20, 2024, and share the dates with friends and grandparents. It’s amazing how many people have a stash of books that they would love to give away.
Many parents cannot afford books. Through your generosity, children will be able to have their own books for story time at home. It is a precious gift.
CELLPHONE USE AT SCHOOL
Provincial government announced restrictions on cell phones in schools for September 2024.
On Friday, January 26, the provincial government announced measures to improve student safety online. This included information about restricting cell phones in schools to be put in place by the next school year.
Currently, in the VSB, several measures are in place to guide appropriate use of cell phones and other devices. These including the District Student Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use of Technology administrative procedures. Staff will work with the Ministry of Education and Child Care to ensure that any necessary changes are implemented ahead of September 2024. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
Our regular practises around cell phone use will continue this year. Students are to have their cell phone and watches turned off during class time and either in their backpack or some teachers have a box that they are kept in in the classroom. Students are only allowed to use their devices at specific times under teacher supervision.
Learn more about the provincial government’s announcement.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, February 28 is Pink Shirt Day. Our SOGI Club is having a bake sale on February 22. Every item will be $2 and will be sold at lunchtime. There are a number of activities teachers will be doing in class and we will have a school wide assembly on diversity and inclusion.
PAC NEWS
Make sure you stay up to date on all that is happening with Gordon PAC. Please visit their website- gordonpac.com for all the news including Hot Lunch, PAC meetings and to sign up for their newsletter.