KERRISDALE HAPPENINGS
February has been a wonderfully busy and celebratory month here at Kerrisdale, filled with joyful learning, community events, and meaningful conversations. Thank you to all the families who supported our PAC by purchasing pink shirts—your involvement continues to strengthen our sense of belonging and it was so wonderful to see everyone wearing pink at our Pink Shirt Day assembly. It was inspiring to see so many students and staff come together to reinforce the message that Kerrisdale is a safe, welcoming space for everyone, no matter who we choose to be. Thank you to our Student Council and SOGI Club for their leadership in organizing this event, supported by Mme Toula, M. Kershaw, and M. Oli. Their thoughtful work helped share a powerful message of kindness and acceptance.
This month, we marked several important celebrations. Our students enjoyed reaching the exciting milestone of the 100th day of school, with many classes engaging in creative math, writing, and themed activities to reflect on how much we’ve grown.
We also recognized Black History Month through stories, classroom learning, and school wide discussions that honour the contributions, achievements, and histories of Black Canadians and the global Black community. These conversations support our ongoing commitment to inclusion and equity at Kerrisdale.
Students have also been learning about Ramadan, exploring its traditions and meanings, and creating beautiful art to celebrate—just like Mme Isabelle’s Kindergarten class, who made lanterns for both Ramadan and the Lunar New Year.
Our school was filled with colour and excitement as we celebrated the Lunar New Year, welcoming the Year of the Dragon. We were treated to a wonderful assembly featuring a traditional Lion Dance and a Bian Lian (face‑changing) performance. Bian Lian is a captivating traditional art form from Sichuan opera in which performers rapidly change masks to reveal different characters and expressions. Students were mesmerized by the show and especially enjoyed the interactive elements of the performance. Classes also learned about Lunar New Year traditions from different cultures and took part in activities and decorations that highlighted the richness of our diverse community. A huge thank you to the PAC and the Lunar New Year Committee for organizing such an incredible learning opportunity for our school. We are truly appreciative of all your efforts!
As we move forward into the rest of the school year, we want to extend our heartfelt wishes of luck, good health, and well‑being to every member of our Kerrisdale community. May the months ahead bring joyful learning, meaningful connections, and many moments of celebration. We are grateful for the continued support, care, and partnership of our families, and we hope this season brings peace, happiness, and good fortune to all.
It’s hard to believe that Spring Break is just around the corner. This year, Spring Break runs from Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 27, with students returning to school on Monday, March 30. Right after Spring Break, we move into Easter Break, with Good Friday on April 3 and Easter Monday on April 6. If your child will be away before these dates or returning later than scheduled, please remember to call the Safe Arrival Line and leave a message.
SECOND TERM LEARNING UPDATES
Our Second term learning updates will be going home Tuesday, March 10. They will be sent the same way our first term ones were. SpacesEDU has fixed some bugs so hopefully it will be a smooth process. You will receive two emails after 3:00 pm saying the reports are ready to view. Sometimes the system takes a while to send out all the emails so don’t expect it to be in your inbox at 3:01 pm. The first email will tell you that the reporting space is visible. The second email will allow you to download the report as a pdf. It is important that you download the report for your records before April 1, 2026.
NOTICE OF RETURN FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR
We are currently working to confirm our registration numbers for the 2026 – 2027 school year. To assist us, we ask that you please complete the form below by Friday, March 6, 2026.
Please fill out one form for EACH CHILD you have attending Kerrisdale Elementary (if you have several children, you will need to fill out a new form for each child.)
If you have already moved or know that you will moving out of our catchment area (English only) before September 2026 and are planning to attend another school in the fall, please indicate this on the form. If you are unsure of your future plans, or if your situation changes before the end of the school year, please contact the office directly via email to let us know.
Grade 7 students moving on to Secondary school do NOT need to complete this form.
Please submit one form per child –
Link for the form is here: Kerrisdale Elementary – Will You Be Returning in September?
SCHOOL GROUNDS MAINTENANCE UPDATE
You may have noticed recent changes to the greenery around our school. The Vancouver School Board gardeners working on our grounds are certified horticulturists, and the work being done is part of regular and necessary maintenance to keep our outdoor areas healthy, safe, and accessible.
As part of this upkeep, the gardeners removed invasive plants, including blackberry bushes, which can spread quickly and damage other vegetation. Some bushes and plants also needed trimming to allow access for removal and to maintain clear sightlines around the school for the safety of students and staff.
We understand that some students may feel disappointed about losing a few of their favourite hiding spots. However, these spaces will grow back, and the refreshed areas will soon become even better places to play and explore. With proper maintenance, our school grounds will continue to thrive and remain a safe, welcoming environment for all students. We are SO lucky to have such an amazing playground!
We appreciate your understanding and support as this important work is carried out.
TRAFFIC SAFETY REMINDERS
We would like to remind all parents and guardians to please follow the posted traffic signs around the school, especially at the corner of West 40th Avenue and Carnarvon Street. This intersection is marked with a No Stopping sign due to the fire hydrant located there, and vehicles must not stop or park in this area at any time.
For everyone’s safety, please use the designated crosswalks when crossing the street and avoid crossing in the middle of the road. These measures help keep students, families, and staff safe during our busy drop‑off and pick‑up times. Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe by driving and walking with care and attention.
I want to extend a sincere thank‑you to all the families who are choosing to walk to school or park a block or two away and have their children walk the rest of the way. Your efforts make a meaningful difference each day. By reducing traffic during drop‑off and pick‑up, you are helping us create a safer, calmer, and more welcoming environment for all students. We truly appreciate your support of our ongoing initiative to decrease vehicle congestion around the school and promote active, healthy travel.
Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our students’ safety and well‑being and for supporting safe and active travel.
KERRISDALE PAC NEWS
Make sure you stay up to date on all that is happening with Kerrisdale PAC. Please visit their website for all the news and to sign up for their fabulous revamped newsletter! It includes important information about their upcoming events as well as fundraising initiatives like Purdy’s Chocolates and West Coast Seeds.