Professional Day on Wednesday September 28th - No School

There will be no school in session for Dr. A.R. Lord Elementary students on Wednesday September 28th.  Staff will be participating in a Professional Day and upgrading skills related to the new school curriculum. Professional days provide teachers ongoing development: 

• to foster effective, learner-centered, high quality educational programs in a rapidly changing environment 
• to encourage the personal growth of individual staff members 
• to plan for continuous school and organizational growth 
• to implement new curricula developed by the Ministry of Education

Non-Instructional Days - Friday April 15 and Monday April 18

British Columbia’s curriculum for K-12 is being redesigned to respond to the demanding world our students are entering.  Transformation in curriculum will help teachers create learning environments that are both engaging and personalized for students. At the heart of British Columbia’s redesigned curriculum are core competencies, essential learning and literacy and numeracy foundations. This work has been years in the making with teachers, administrators and the Ministry of Education involved in its development and rollout and implementation of the new curriculum is underway.

 

Friday April 15th is the second day this year that has been designated for curriculum implementation time. This time has been set aside to provide for teachers to continue to familiarize themselves with the new curriculum and to plan for its full implementation in the coming years. This will enable our teachers to serve children better for the transition to the new curriculum. Schools will not be in session for students on Friday April 15th.

More details on the new curriculum can be found at: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/home

 

Monday April 18th is also a regular district wide professional day. School will be back in session on Tuesday April 19th.

Important VSB Announcement - 2 Additional Pro D Days

For Parents,

As you may know, a new comprehensive curriculum for the K-12 system is being developed in BC. This work has been years in the making with teachers, administrators and the Ministry of Education involved in its development. At the present time, the curriculum for students in Grades K-9 is being piloted throughout the province. New curriculum for students in Grades 10-12 will be available for piloting in September 2016.

Earlier this fall the Ministry of Education and the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) announced a plan to support the ongoing implementation of the new curriculum. As part of this plan, districts have been asked to add  two days of curriculum implementation time during the 2015-2016 school year. This time will be provided for teachers to continue to familiarize themselves with the new curriculum and to plan for its full implementation in the coming years.

In Vancouver, the following two days have been selected as our local non-instructional days for curriculum implementation:

Friday, March 4 and Friday April 15

Schools will not be in session for students on these two days.  

We are pleased that teachers have been given this additional time to spend on this important work to serve your children better as we transition to the new curriculum.

Please contact your principal if you have any questions.

Nancy Brennan Associate Superintendent Vancouver School District 1580 West Broadway, Vancouver BC V6J 5K8 e: nbrennan@vsb.bc.ca

No School Friday Oct 23rd

Modification to 2015-16 School Calendar

The professional day in September has been changed to to Tuesday, September 29, 2015.  (from Monday, September 28/15). 

Updated School Calendar Link

With a school focus on numeracy for the year ahead, teachers will have the opportunity to join another school and have a day with Carol Fullerton – a well-respected math expert instructor. 

Mathematical Thinking: Carol Fullerton

Puzzle of the Week runs till April 30th!

Get in you entry for the Earth Day Trivia.

Don't forget that Monday April 27th is: Teacher's Professional Development Day.
No School in Session!

Reminders: Garden Work Party, Pro-D and Coffee

A few reminders for this long long weekend!

• Thursday Oct 23:  school Garden Work party with Environmental Youth Alliance.  Help put in fresh soil.  Bring your shovel.  3:30 pm 
• Friday Oct 24:  Professional Day - No School in session
• Monday Oct 27:  Professional Day - No School in session
• Wednesday Oct 29th:  Cafe Etico Coffee/Tea orders due (pick up your order form at the front office desk and drop off your completed form and payment in the PAC mailbox)

Vancouver School Board - Preview the 2014-15 School Calendar

See the full school calendar that has been approved district wide for elementary schools click:  VSB 2014-15 School Calendar Dates

Additional Professional Development Days specific to Dr. A.R. Lord School will be added once confirmed.

Note that additional changes may be made if the school opening is impacted by the current labour dispute/BCTF strike.