Vancouver Board of Education

The Vancouver Board of Education (VBE) is currently considering the school calendar for 2011-12. The proposed calendar will be similar to this year with 5 district closure days, a 2 week spring break and a 45 minute lunch break to make up the instructional time. Trustees will vote on the proposed calendar at a public meeting on May 11. The district calendar committee will continue to explore the concept of a balanced calendar.

The draft VSB budget for 2011-12 has been made available on-line. Public feedback is welcome – please see the VSB website for details about feedback meetings over the next couple of weeks. The budget for 2011-12 will be voted on by trustees on May 5.

DARLAA - Lord's Alumni Association

The Dr. A. R. Lord Alumni Association has continued to meet and have fundraising events in support of our school. Recently, members of the executive came to Lord to find out what art and P.E. supplies they could help with. They left with a list of wishes – everything from glitter glue to soccer balls - from teachers that they intend to get for our students’ use soon.

It is very generous of these young adults to take such an interest in our school in such a tangible way. What amazing role models for our students and what great help to our school community.

PAC Nominations

The PAC's next meeting, Tuesday May 10th, is a very important one! We will be voting for next year's PAC Executive - Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary.

These volunteers will be helping guide fundraising and event decisions for our school for 2011-2012. All parents are welcome to come and vote!! Free child minding is available.

For more information please contact the PAC or with a letter through the school's Main Office.

Little Building Update

Parents and staff from Dr. A. R. Lord have formed a committee and had an initial meeting to discuss details regarding the transition process for the co-location of the alternative programs on site at Lord elementary. They are working with the staff of the alternative programs to determine designated play spaces and behaviour expectations so that we will co-exist on the site in harmony.

Also, you may have already noticed that the boards are off the little building and workers are in and out getting the building prepared for the secondary students to begin in September. All questions and suggestions from elementary parents or staff are to be directed to Mrs. Gray in the office both through the spring and during the 2011-12 school year.

If you would like to participate in the committee working on the transition, you are more than welcome to join - please talk to Mrs. Gray.

Earthquake Preparedness

Every year in May, all VSB schools undergo an earthquake/disaster exercise simultaneously. Ensuring the safety and comfort of all students in our care during an emergency is always our first priority. School emergency preparedness plans are reviewed and updated annually, under the direction of the administrator and according to VSB procedures and guidelines. This includes but is not limited to: inspection of the emergency supply container and ensuring adequate provisions (water, some food, light sticks, etc.) are in supply, establishing roles of current staff to take on during a disaster (command post, first aid, utilities team, student release team, radio communications with VBE etc.)

In the event of an emergency, we expect that parents, guardians or other adults authorized by parents would come to the school to pick up the children. Students who are not picked up would be looked after by school staff. Students will be released to a parent or designate once specific information is recorded: who is picking up the child and where you are taking the child. Only those authorized will be able to take a child off site. In the event of a real earthquake, other family members might come to the school after you have already picked up your child. Thus, the information provided about the child’s next destination is very important.

In addition to this district wide drill that contributes to our preparedness as a larger community, we also hold our own drills at Lord throughout the year. These include: fire drills, earthquake drills, code red drills and code yellow drills. We always follow VSB emergency procedures for all of our drills.

For more information please contact the School Office at 604-713-4620.

Easter Bunny Visit

The Easter Bunny was here at Lord school on Wednesday April 20th!! All of our students, along with about 40 little ones from Hastings Preschool, enjoyed some Easter activities – crafts, an egg hunt and receiving an edible prize, thanks to the Easter Bunny and assistants - Kathy Mar and her team of grade 7 helpers. The excitement of having a visit from the Easter bunny is contagious!

Track and Field

Track and Field season is here! Ms. O’Neill and Mrs. Burke are the lead coaches and organizers for this year’s team. Track is open to all grade 4, 5, 6 and 7 students. The practice schedule is being decided and students will have a chance to learn, participate and improve in the areas of running, relays, shot put, and long jump. If you have time and skill to offer to assist with coaching, please let Mrs. Burke, Mrs. O’Neill or Mrs. Gray know when you are available and what track activity you can help coach. With thanks! Good luck to all track team members!

Senior Badminton Team

Mrs. Wong and Division 1 students have been learning and practicing badminton over the past couple of months. Students were invited to participate in tournaments after school. Sportsmanship was emphasized in many ways, including a creative solution to a limited number of spots being open at each tournament - students rotated, taking turns going to the tournaments so that everyone interested in competing with other schools could have a chance to play. Great idea, div. 1! The final meet was Thursday, April 21 at Tupper Secondary, an afternoon mini festival with students from all over the city. Thanks to Mrs. Wong for making this team possible and to the students for their commitment to this fun sport!

Division 7

The kindergarten and grade 1 students are doing a lot of reading! Magic Treehouse is a favourite series of these young readers. The salmon study continues and students created self portraits and “I am special” messages – please enjoy the work posted in the upper hall.

Division 5

Students are doing science experiments to learn about solids, liquids and gases. They have also been working on educational websites, learning about keyboarding and other skills both in the computer lab and with the Smart Board. These are just a couple of the interesting things going on with the grade 2 & 3 students.

Mother's Day Breakfast

Friday, May 6th
8 - 9am
Gymnasium

All families are invited to a special breakfast to celebrate our moms!

Hot tasty pancakes, sausages and fresh fruit, with juice, coffee or tea will be served.

Minimum $2 donation.

Please let the PAC know if you are planning to attend by emailing arlordpac@gmail.com.

PAC Meeting Minutes 04-12-2011

View or download the PAC Meeting Minutes from April 12, 2011.

Any questions or concerns, please contact the PAC Executive for clarification or copies.

Vice Principal's Letter

Dear Families,

As we get set to spend Easter weekend with family and friends, it is heartwarming to know that our school has, yet again, come together for some very important and valuable school events including the Jump Rope for Heart fundraising and awareness campaign. This year’s theme was, “What I Am Doing For My Heart.” Not only were the students actively involved in the skipping to get their hearts pumping and fundraising to support heart and stroke research, they also had time to think about their own personal commitment to heart health, write about it and learn about why it is important and how they can each be pro-active in the prevention of heart disease. There are few families not touched by this often silent but devastating disease. Our hope is to educate and promote heart health from a young age with our students.

We are working as a school in many ways to encourage health and nutrition whenever possible as it is one of our school goals. Thank you to Ms Young-Eng for organizing this year’s Jump Rope for Heart event and to our students and staff for putting forth their best effort. Thanks to our grade 7 mascots – ‘Healthy Heart’ and ‘Super Heart Hero’ for so enthusiastically leading us at the kick off assembly earlier this month.

Happy Easter everyone! See you back at school on Tuesday, April 26.
Sincerely,

Sarah Gray
Vice-Principal

NO SCHOOL

A reminder to all families that this coming

FRIDAY, APRIL 22nd
and
MONDAY, APRIL 25th

are days off from school for all students. There will be no regular classes during school hours and no after school activities.

If there are any questions or concerns, please phone the school office at 604-713-4620 during regular school hours.