{"id":265,"date":"2021-10-01T16:57:49","date_gmt":"2021-10-01T23:57:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/gordon\/?p=265"},"modified":"2021-10-01T17:02:36","modified_gmt":"2021-10-02T00:02:36","slug":"october-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/gordon\/2021\/10\/01\/october-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"October Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

GORDON HAPPENINGS<\/h1>\n

Students and Staff have settled into their new classes and are enjoying their new learning environments.\u00a0 I want to take this opportunity to introduce some new staff members to Gordon.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Also, welcome to Kristen Robinet (Grade 7 LFI) who is also covering a parental leave.\u00a0 We also have two new Student and Support Staff workers, Aaron Houlihan and Amanda Cantillon.\u00a0 Lastly, I would like to welcome Jennifer Campbell who is our new Supervision Aid.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Stay tuned!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Please ensure that your child has a clean mask with them every day.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"We look forward to seeing you virtually at our Goal Setting Conferences<\/em><\/strong> on Oct. 6th & 7th. <\/strong>\u00a0 Reminder that it is early dismissal on these days.\u00a0 Students are to be picked up at 2:00 PM.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Thank you for your patience as we try the new booking system though Microsoft Bookings<\/em>.\u00a0 Parents and Guardians will need to have access to their child’s Microsoft Teams<\/em> account.\u00a0 Please contact your child’s classroom teacher if you need support with this.<\/p>\n

NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION<\/h2>\n

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.\u00a0 Below is one resource that parents might find helpful –<\/p>\n

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Seven Sacred Laws:\u00a0Niizhwaaswi manito inaaakonigewinun<\/h3>\n

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 <\/span>Seven Sacred Laws<\/em><\/strong>. The s<\/span>hort films are meant to educate the public on a set of traditional teachings through the voices of Indigenous peoples.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Videos can be viewed at:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.turtlelodge.org\/the-seven-sacred-<\/a><\/p>\n

laws\/<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/manitoba150.com\/en\/programs\/the-seven-sacred-laws-animated-web-series\/#top<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

TERRY FOX RUN<\/h2>\n

\"\"We will be holding our annual Terry Fox Run on Wednesday, October 6th.\u00a0 We ask that parents do not come out to watch as we do not want large crowds spectating.\u00a0 Thank you for respecting this request.\u00a0 We ask that students come dressed for the weather but if it is very rainy then we will postpone the run.\u00a0 If you wish to make a donation on behalf of Gordon Elementary please click on this link<\/a>.\u00a0 You will receive a tax receipt from the Terry Fox Foundation. We really appreciate your support.<\/p>\n

PICTURE DAY<\/h2>\n

Individual photo day is on October 12th<\/strong> and retakes will be taken on November 2th<\/strong>.\u00a0 We will be using Artona<\/a><\/strong><\/em> again this year.\u00a0 They have updated their website and have provided more options and backgrounds for parents to choice from.\u00a0 All orders are done online and delivered to the school if ordered within the time frame.\u00a0 More information will be communicated home shortly.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

TRAFFIC CONCERNS<\/h2>\n

\"\"The traffic around Gordon is a significant concern to school staff, parents and the larger community.\u00a0 Please take careful note of the no-stopping areas in and around the school.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 This will allow the students to create independence by walking to school themselves and healthy habits.<\/p>\n

When school is in session, a 30 km\/h school zone speed limit<\/strong> is in effect<\/span>\u00a0from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every school day<\/strong>, unless otherwise posted.\u00a0 Also, remember that vehicles approaching from both directions must stop for school bu<\/span>ses when their lights are flashing.<\/span><\/p>\n

HERE ARE A FEW REMINDERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  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.\u00a0 Take your time and don\u2019t rush \u2013 especially through intersections.\u00a0 Look for children especially near or around crosswalks and intersections.<\/li>\n
  2. The staff parking lot is for staff only, there is no dropping-off or picking-up of students.<\/li>\n
  3. Always yield to pedestrians (it\u2019s the law).<\/li>\n
  4. Never<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n
  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<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  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.<\/li>\n
  7. Always watch for pedestrians when you\u2019re 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.\u00a0 And remember, children will notice your driving behaviour, so set an example and drive smart.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Parents and guardians dropping-off and picking-up their children are very often seen committing a number of traffic offences.\u00a0 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    School Zones<\/h2>\n
    \n

    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.<\/p>\n

    All the following rules are enforced under Street and Traffic Bylaw 2849.\u00a0 Please visit the City of Vancouver website<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

    No Parking\"\"<\/h2>\n