Overview
This section of our website provides students and families with important information regarding communicating student learning in the North Vancouver School District (NVSD). On the side navigation panel, information is available regarding our school district's vision and principles in relation to reporting, the core competencies, and the performance standards and grading. Below is information relating to 'Learning Updates' (report cards). For the 2023/24 school year, the Ministry of Education and Childcare updated their policies on reporting. This fall, we will be implementing all of the changes and intend to communicate with the public as much as possible so that everyone can be informed of what is changing.
Communicating student learning is a vital component of the learning process and fundamental to student success. This is an ongoing process throughout the school year that involves the teacher, the student and the parent/guardian. In the past, 'communicating student learning' has been referred to as 'reporting.'
The assessment information and feedback communicated to students and families includes information about what the student is doing well, suggestions on how to improve student learning, and how learning can be supported outside of school. This communication can occur in a number of ways, from a traditional report card (now called Learning Update), to conferencing, to informal verbal updates and electronic communications.
The NVSD continually reviews and enhances communication of student learning with learners and their families. To that end, we are pleased to share with you a number of items designed to provide and enhance meaningful communication this school year.
Reporting Dates 2023-2024:
Elementary:
Term 1
| Start: September 5, 2023 End: November 27, 2023
| December 5-15, 2023
|
Term 2
| Start: November 28, 2023 End: February 23, 2024
| Week of March 11-15 2024
|
Term 3
| Start: February 26, 2024 End: June 19, 2024
| Final Summary of Learning: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
|
Secondary:
All Secondary Schools: (except Carson Graham and North Vancouver Online Learning)
All NVSD secondary schools are operating on the same Semester System model for the 2023/24 school year except Carson Graham and North Vancouver Online Learning which are Linear. Each semester lasts half of the school year and is split into two halves (or Quarters) for the purpose of Communicating Student Learning to homes. Students will take four courses for the duration of each semester, for a total of 8 courses in the school year. Student schedules may also include out of timetable or “X-Block” classes.
Semester 1 - 1st Half
| Start: September 6, 2023 End: November 9, 2023
| Mid-Semester Learning Update (Report card) Published Monday, November 20, 2023
|
Semester 1 - 2nd Half
| Start: November 10, 2023 End: January 26, 2024 Review and Completion Days January 29 & 30, and Turnaround Day January 31, 2024
| Semester 1 Final Summary of Learning (Report card) Published Tuesday, February 6, 2024
|
Semester 2 - 1st Half | Start: February 1, 2024 End: April 15, 2024 | Mid-Semester Learning Update (Report card) Monday, April 22, 2024 |
Semester 2 - 2nd Half | Start: April 16, 2024 End: June 21, 2024 Review and Completion Days June 24 & 25, 2024
| 2023/24 School Year Final Summary of Learning Wednesday, June 26, 2024 |
Carson Graham:
Carson Graham will use a Linear timetable with all 8 courses occurring through the entire year and rotating on a “Day 1-Day 2” model. Carson Graham students will take four of their courses on Day 1, and their other four courses on Day 2. Day 1 and Day 2 will alternate all year in a district pre-determined pattern.
Term 1 | Start: September 6, 2023 End: November 30, 2023 | Friday, December 8, 2023 |
Term 2 | Start: December 1, 2023 End: March 15, 2024 | Friday, March 8, 2024 |
Term 3 | Start: April 2, 2024 End: June 19, 2024 | Final Summary of Learning (Report Card: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
|
Please note: Carson Graham will have Parent Teacher Learning Conferences on November 16, 2023 and April 18, 2024
Please see individual school calendars for the unique schedule including the communication of student learning dates.
North Vancouver Online Learning:
North Vancouver Online Learning is a continuous entry school. Students can begin or complete courses at any time throughout the school year.
Friday, December 8, 2023
| Interim Learning Update or Summary of Learning (depending on the individual learner)
|
Friday, March 8, 2024
| Interim Learning Update or Summary of Learning (depending on the individual learner) |
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
| Interim Learning Update or Summary of Learning (depending on the individual learner) |
Communication of Learning on written Learning Updates (Report Cards):
To indicate the student’s level of
performance in relation to the curriculum, proficiencies will be used in Grades K-9 and
percentages with letter grades will be used in Grades 10-12.
Descriptive feedback (comments) will be provided by the student's teacher(s) to comment on student learning as well as behaviour. Descriptive feedback will start with what the student
knows (content), can do (curricular competencies), and understands (transfer
of big ideas and concepts). Further feedback will be provided on areas for further growth and student habits of learning in the classroom.
Elementary:
Although there are three distinct report cards
throughout the year for elementary students, grading for students is cumulative with each reporting period reflecting your child’s growth in
the subject over the course of the year, from September to the reporting date.
Grades from September to June are not averaged, but do provide a snapshot of
where the student is with their learning at the reporting time.
Secondary:
Informal communications regarding student learning can occur throughout the year at the discretion of the student’s teacher and upon family request. A Learning conference (Parent Teacher Interview) will occur each semester.
A Learning Update will occur mid-semester and will provide a 'snapshot' of where the student is with their learning at the reporting time. The written update will include a Proficiency mark for students in grades 8 and 9, a Percentage and Letter Grade for students in Grades 10-12, as well as Descriptive Feedback in each of the courses the student is enrolled in.
A written Summary of Learning (final report card) and a Graduation update will be
provided at the end of each semester. The final Grade or Mark is cumulative throughout the course reflecting your child’s growth in the subject over the semester. Grades and marks in the "two halves" of the semester are not averaged.
Report Card Online Access:
- Parents/guardians log into
MyEducation BC to access report cards. If families wish a printed copy of
the Learning Update (report card) – a PDF document can be printed or saved from the 'Parent Portal' access to the MyEd student information system.
- Prior to the end of each reporting
period, an email will be sent from the school informing parents/guardians
when the written Learning Update will be published online.
- Parents/guardians are required to
reset their password every three months as per the regulations set out by
the Ministry of Education and FOIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection
of Privacy Act).
- Instructions on how to reset
passwords and other information pertaining to report cards can be found on the MyEducation BC Tips & Resources web page.
- All parents/guardians new to the
NVSD will receive an email with their
MyEducation BC Portal account information (login and temporary
password).
Graduation Assessments:
- The Grade 10 Numeracy Assessment,
Grade 10 Literacy Assessment and Grade 12 Literacy Assessment are
graduation assessments. Exam sittings are offered at schools a few times
each year as per the Ministry of Education calendar. Please see your home school
calendar or contact your school for further information.
- Students will receive a
performance indicator for the Graduation Assessments.
- Each assessment will display on
the student’s Ministry of Educational Transcript. This can be accessed
through their Student Transcript Services Account here.
- Click here for more information on the new
graduation assessments.
Self-Assessment of the Core Competencies:
- Students work on self-assessment
of the Core Competencies throughout the year. These competencies are
integrated into lessons on a daily basis and are embedded in the big ideas
in all curricular areas.
- On the self-assessment, students
describe themselves in relation to the Core Competencies and set goals, to
gain ownership of their learning. Students describe who they are as
learners, document their progress, and share their accomplishments.
Self-assessment of the Core Competencies brings together learning in a way
that profiles the uniqueness and individuality of each learner.
- At each written learning update, information will be provided by the school as to how students completed a
self-assessment of the Core Competencies.
- We encourage families to review
the self-assessment with their child, focusing on their accomplishments
and future goals
- A similar process will occur with students setting goals. Each school will complete this requirement in a slightly different manner and will communicate with families how families can be informed of the Student goal setting.
Parent-Teacher-Student Learning Conferences and Dialogue Opportunities:
- Parent-Teacher-Student Learning Conferences or Dialogue Opportunities provide an excellent chance to
share examples of student learning, reflect on areas of strength and
identify areas for further growth. Teachers share their insights and
observations of the student’s progress and discuss how best to support the
student’s learning. The North Vancouver School District believes that effective and timely
communication is central to student success and supports the ability for
families to discuss student progress with their teachers outside
of the formal reporting structure.
Elementary:
Currently, parents and guardians have two opportunities in the school year to connect with their child’s teacher. Student-Teacher-Family Conferences, Student-led Conferences, and Teacher-Parent conferences are some examples of possible formats offered. Please check the school website for further information. For the
2023/24 school year, Parent-Teacher meeting opportunities will be unique to each school. Each school will send out the details of their conferences.
Secondary:
Secondary
schools will each update their opportunities for Parent-Teacher-Student Learning
Conferences/Dialogues in the 2023-2024 school year.
If there are more immediate learning concerns or updates needed, families are encouraged to contact teachers directly to arrange an opportunity to
discuss their child’s progress outside of the formal reporting structures. Electronic communication is usually the most efficient manner of contacting teachers.
Questions?
For questions related to:
- technical issues accessing your child's report card;
- the content of your child's written Learning Update, please contact your child's teacher(s) first
For more information about the Core Competencies:
curriculum.gov.bc.ca/competencies
Additional information about the new BC curriculum and assessment framework can be found at:
curriculum.gov.bc.ca
Additional information with regards to the Ministry of Education and Childcare's new 'Reporting Order' can be found in the links below: