{"id":483,"date":"2022-10-03T14:08:40","date_gmt":"2022-10-03T21:08:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/gordon\/?p=483"},"modified":"2022-10-03T14:12:11","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T21:12:11","slug":"october-newsletter-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vsb.bc.ca\/gordon\/2022\/10\/03\/october-newsletter-2\/","title":{"rendered":"October Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

GORDON HAPPENINGS<\/span><\/h1>\n

Students and Staff have settled into their new classes and are enjoying their new learning environments.\u00a0 It was great to see everyone at our Meet the Teacher<\/em> night. I would like to invite all NEW families to Gordon to the school on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 5:00 pm for a chance to hear about some of the things that happen throughout the year as well as ask any burning questions you might have. We will meet in the library.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I want to take this opportunity to introduce some new staff members to Gordon.\u00a0 Welcome to our new teacher, Taylor McPherson (Kindergarten) and Kerri Smith (Counsellor) and welcome back to Kyla MacDonald (Teacher Librarian), and Adrian Prime (SSA) .\u00a0 Lastly, I would like to welcome Alda Munro who as our new Supervision Aid.<\/p>\n

Though we are excited that things are starting to return to our “new normal” we are continuing some of the same health and safety protocals. We are continuing to stagger our entrance and exit of the students (especially in our stairways) and hand washing throughout the day has become a regular routine now. We continue to be a mask friendly school and it is the choice of staff and students to wear a mask or not. We also want to thank families for keeping their child at home if they are sick. We will continue to call home and ask a family member to come pick up their child if they develop symptons during the day. If you would like to review the VSB Communicable Disease Plan – please visit the VSB website or click on the link here: VSB Communicable Disease Plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We are thrilled that school sports are in full swing this year, starting with Cross Country. We have a great turn-out with students as well as some parent volunteers. Please note the dates and times below for the meets:<\/p>\n

All meets will be at Camosun Park (16th<\/sup> and Camosun) starting at 3:30 with Grade 7 boys followed by Grade 7 Girls, then Kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2 and so on.<\/em><\/p>\n

Tuesday Oct. 4 \u2013 Intermediate Grades 4-7<\/p>\n

Thursday Oct. 6 \u2013 Primary K-3<\/p>\n

Wednesday Oct. 12 \u2013 All Grades K-7<\/p>\n

Thursday Oct. 20 Finals at Trout Lake Park 1pm-4pm. All grades.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"We look forward to seeing you at our Goal Setting Conferences<\/em><\/strong> this week on Oct. 5th & 6th. <\/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 You would have received an email from your child’s teacher to book an appointment\u00a0 \u00a0through Microsoft Bookings<\/em>.\u00a0 Please contact your child’s classroom teacher if you need support with this.<\/p>\n

NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION<\/span><\/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 parents might find helpful:<\/p>\n

\n

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<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"Thank you to those parents who volunteered to help during our Terry Fox Run and a HUGE appreciate to all the families that donated to the Terry Fox Foundation. As a school we raised over $3500<\/strong>. Amazing Gordon spirit! Thank you!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

INDIVIDUAL PICTURE DAY<\/span><\/h2>\n

Individual photo day is on October 11th<\/strong> and retakes will be taken on November 1st<\/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

REGULAR CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION CLINIC<\/span><\/h2>\n

Our school immunization clinic is on Friday, October 14<\/strong>. Families would have received a letter from our school nurse indicating if your child needs their regular childhood immunizations as well as a permission form. Please make sure that this form is returned to the school.<\/p>\n

PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC)<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"Our school Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) welcomes all parents and guardians.\u00a0\u00a0You are automatically a member of PAC when you register your child at the school.\u00a0\u00a0The 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.\u00a0 PAC also provides volunteers and materials to support teachers and enhance the educational experience for all students.\u00a0 Please visit our website for more information at\u00a0gordonpac.ca<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or you can reach the PAC by email at\u00a0gordonpac@ymail.com<\/a><\/strong>. Some of the projects that we are thrilled to have just been installed is our Outdoor Classroom and our Sensory Pathway. These could not have been possible without the support of our PAC!<\/p>\n

Sign-up for the\u00a0PAC Email List <\/a><\/strong>(click on the link) and stay informed.\u00a0 Your information is kept confidential and not used beyond the PAC’s work.<\/p>\n

The PAC meeting on Zoom is tonight<\/strong> – Monday, October 3 at 7:00 pm<\/strong>– please visit the website to register.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

<\/h2>\n

SAFE ARRIVAL<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"Hopefully everyone received a new magnet in their package for easy reference. When your child will be late or away for the day, please call the office at (604) 713-5403<\/strong> and press 1<\/strong> to reach the voicemail system to leave a message.\u00a0 When leaving your message please speak slowly and clearly <\/strong>as we will be writing all the information down.\u00a0 The details we require are your child\u2019s full name, their teacher\u2019s name and their division and how long they will be absent<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If the school has not received a message from you by 9:15 am<\/strong> then we will begin calling parents or guardians on the child’s emergency contact list.\u00a0 Please ensure that the phone numbers you have provided us will reach a person who will answer the phone.\u00a0 If this information changes at any point in the school year, p<\/span>lease contact the office.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As this is a voice mail system please call at any hour as soon as you are aware of the absence or lateness as the system takes calls on a 24 hour basis.<\/p>\n

ARRIVE ON TIME, LEAVE ON TIME<\/span><\/h2>\n

Teachers will continue to pick up students outside at designated spots on the school grounds each morning and dismiss them from there.\u00a0 It is very important for students to arrive at school on time and to start the day together as a class.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Warning Bell:<\/strong> 8:55 AM<\/p>\n

Welcoming Bell:<\/strong> 9:00 AM<\/p>\n

Recess: <\/strong>10:30 AM – 10:50 AM<\/span><\/p>\n

Lunch:<\/strong> 12:05 PM – 12:52 PM<\/p>\n

Dismissal Bell:<\/strong> 3:03 PM<\/p>\n

PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF OF STUDENTS<\/span><\/h2>\n

Students are never to leave the school property without a permitted adult<\/u>.\u00a0 Only designated adults that are indicated on your child\u2019s emergency contact form will be allowed to pick up your child.\u00a0 If you need to pick up your child early or take them out of school, please call the office and we will arrange for you to pick up your child.<\/p>\n

If you are late arriving at school, come to the doors by the office (north side) and ask your child to sign in at the office.<\/p>\n

All students must be picked up at 3:03 PM.\u00a0 If you are running late, please call the office and let Ms. Heidi know.<\/p>\n

TRAFFIC CONCERNS<\/span><\/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 build some 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\u00a0<\/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<\/strong>, 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<\/span><\/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<\/span>\"\"<\/h2>\n