KERRISDALE HAPPENINGS
I am thrilled to introduce myself as a new member of the Kerrisdale Elementary School community. As an alumnus of this very school and a past resident of this wonderful neighbourhood, I am incredibly excited to be back and to contribute to the community that played such a significant role in my upbringing.
I have been in education for 30 years, beginning my career with the Vancouver School Board (VSB) as a Student Support Worker (SSW) for special needs students. I spent 16 years as a teacher, followed by 4 years as a Vice-Principal, including 3 years at Kerrisdale Annex. Most recently, I served as Principal at Gordon Elementary for 4 years.
My focus has always been on putting students first and supporting them through a strength-based lens. My office is always open to students, and I have enjoyed getting to know them over the past few days. Many have introduced themselves and said “hi” in the hallways, which has been wonderful.
I believe in maintaining an open-door policy, which means I am always happy to chat with you without an appointment. However, if you have a lengthy or complicated matter to discuss, I kindly ask that you schedule an appointment directly with me via email (ssteele@vsb.bc.ca) or through our Office Administrator, Adrianna Lopezzamudio. This will allow me to allocate the appropriate amount of time to address your concerns effectively.
My philosophy has always been to work with families as partners in education and to build a strong, supportive community. To achieve this, I insist that everyone treats each other with respect and seeks to understand different perspectives as we work towards mutual solutions.
Thank you once again for your warm welcome. I am eager to embark on this journey with you and to make a positive impact on our school community. Feel free to pop by and say hello.
Reminder that Wednesday, January 22 is a Pro-D day so there is no school for students.
BASKETBALL
We are excited for the upcoming extra-curricular Basketball season for Grade 7 starting on January 14. Permission forms were handed out before the break. Hand in permission forms to the box outside the office. Extra forms are available until January 14, 2025. Schedules with team practices and games can be found on the permission form sent home or extra copies are available outside the office.
KERRISDALE SCIENCE CELEBRATION
This is a community event and parents and family members are welcome to join us in the gym to view projects from participating classes in the school. Please see your child’s classroom teacher for more information.
Families are welcome to join us anytime between 3-6pm in the gym on January 29, 2025.
Students will be presenting to other classes on Friday, January 30, 2025.
GRADE 7 INFORMATION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL
Applications for Secondary school will be sent home shortly with deadlines to have applications back to your child’s classroom teacher. This is for catchment schools only. We collect these applications on your behalf and forward them to your catchment Secondary school (this is for both English and French Secondary schools). If you are planning on applying cross-boundary to a Secondary school, families are responsible for following the cross-boundary application process themselves. More information on the cross-boundary application process for Secondary can be found HERE. Please note that cross boundary applications opens February 3, 2025.
stəywəte:ń Point Grey Secondary Grade 7 Student/Parent Info Night: January 22, 2025 in the Auditorium
7:00 to 8:30 pm
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Priority registration for next years Kindergarten students ends on Friday, January 31, 2025 for children attending kindergarten for the following September (Frequently Asked Questions). If your child will be attending our English program, you must register at our Annex.
Kindergarten District Choice Program
Parents/Guardians must first register at their neighbourhood English catchment school (between November 1 and the end of January) before applying for a Kindergarten District Choice Program.
Please visit the Kindergarten District Choice Program page for more information.
The District will be hosting parent information nights for District Choice Programs. The Early French Immersion Program night will be on January 14, 2025 from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm online. You can find more information on the VSB website: Information Sessions.
REMINDERS ABOUT DROP OFF & PICK UP
As part our class-wide initiative to foster a Safe, Fair and Kind community at Kerrisdale, two students would like to share the following message with parents and caregivers:
“Hi Kerrisdale parents, did you know that many students walk to school? However 50 % of the students said that they have seen unsafe driving at school. Students have seen parents drop off their children in the middle of the road, increasing the chances of a care accident or a student getting hurt. At Kerrisdale we would like to make sure that everyone is being safe, fair and kind. We ask you to drop your children off where there are not many cars, and it is safe for your child to get out of the car. make sure you are not distracted when driving in the school zone.”
Thank you for this reminder Vivi and Maya and for wanting to keep everyone at Kerrisdale safe.
I would also like to remind parents that the staff parking lot is reserved for VSB employees only. Please refrain from using this area for dropping off or picking up your child. We appreciate your cooperation.
STREAM OF DREAMS
Exciting News: Streams of Dreams Program Coming This Spring!
Our school is thrilled to participate in Streams of Dreams, an award-winning environmental education and community art program! This engaging program teaches students and their communities about local watersheds, streams, rivers, and the ocean. It inspires conservation and empowers youth to make positive environmental impacts, all while creating a beautiful community art legacy. Every student at Kerrisdale will paint a fish, which will be installed on the school fence as a lasting legacy project. It’s science, it’s art, and it’s fun!
Program Dates: Tuesday, April 8th to Friday, April 11th
Volunteer Opportunity: We need 8 parent volunteers to help install the fish on Monday, April 14th (4–6 hours). If you can assist, please fill out this form by April 4, 2025 – https://forms.office.com/r/Gyg3acXebZ.
Learn more about this inspiring program at www.streamofdreams.org.
VSB PROCEDURES FOR SEVERE WEATHER
SEVERE WEATHER
VSB has procedures in place when forecasts call for severe weather, like heavy snowfall or extremely high winds. District staff monitor forecasts and conditions to assess potential impacts on school operations. They also work with the city and other school districts to inform decisions.
During severe weather events, all schools in the Vancouver School District will remain open, if possible. If a District-wide closure is necessary, that will be decided and publicized by 6:30 a.m.
Details about District-wide school closures will be announced through the media, the District website and school websites, as well as the District’s social media channels.
Learn more about how decisions are made when inclement weather is forecasted.
Follow VSB on social media for updates:
Facebook: Vancouver School Board
Instagram: @vsb39
X: @VSB39
VSB website: vsb.bc.ca
When poor weather is forecasted, please plan ahead and allow more time to safely travel to school.
UPCOMING EVENTS
February is Black History Month. Each year, the Vancouver School District marks Black History Month through a number of events and school-based activities. This year, teachers and students will be participating in activities that honour and celebrate Canada’s Black History and how all of us can make a conscious effort through our thoughts and actions to make this a
community and world where everyone feels accepted and valued.
Wednesday, February 26 is Pink Shirt Day. We ask that all staff and students wear something pink to show their school spirit and continue to cultivate a community of kindness.
KERRISDALE PAC
Make sure you stay up to date on all that is happening with Kerrisdale PAC. Please visit their website https://sites.google.com/kerrisdaleschoolpac.ca/kspac/home for all the news! Our next PAC General Meeting is February 6 from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in the library at the main school.