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Public Input Opportunities

The community is invited to provide input and feedback in the areas highlighted below.

Proposed 2024/25 School Calendar – Feedback deadline of February 13
School district community members are invited to provide feedback on the proposed calendar for the 2024/25 school year. Feedback will be collected online until Tuesday, February 13, 11:59 p.m.

Budget Priorities 2024/25 – Feedback deadline of February 29
School district community members are invited to provide input and feedback on budget priorities that fall under the Operating Budget and align with the school district’s strategic priorities. There are several ways to provide feedback, including through participation in Standing Committee Meetings (February 6 and March 7); and for the month of February, through online survey, email, traditional mail and voice message. For more information, please visit the Budget Priorities: Public Input web page.

Student Learning Survey – Feedback deadline of May 3
The Student Learning Survey (SLS), which is administered annually by the Ministry of Education and Child Care, is open to students in Grades 4, 7, 10 and 12, their families, and staff and administrators in B.C. public schools. The survey covers a range of topics, providing a comprehensive picture of the educational experience in B.C. public schools and valuable insight for addressing current needs and trends.

Families are invited to participate in the survey, available in English, French and additional languages, until May 3. Information about the survey, including a survey link, is available on the Student Learning Survey web page.

Secondary School Schedule 2024/25 update
Information regarding the format of the secondary school schedule for the 2024/25 school year (i.e., semester vs. linear) will be shared with secondary students, staff and families by the end of February. In lieu of a secondary schedule survey, the school district is in the process of gathering and reviewing information and feedback from a variety of key sources, including specialized staff who work directly with secondary students, teaching staff, and of course, students and parents.

NVSD Events

IB Diploma Programme – Key dates (February 5 and 16)

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a challenging two-year university preparatory curriculum that leads to a qualification widely recognized by the world's leading universities. It is offered at Carson Graham Secondary.

Grade 10 students and their families are invited to learn more about the IB Diploma Programme, through one or all of the following:

• Monday, February 5. Deadline for current Grade 10 students to RSVP by email to Cora Pross to attend DP for a Day, where students will experience the program firsthand. 

• Friday, February 16. Deadline to apply for the September 2024 intake.

Visit the Carson Graham IB Diploma Programme web page for application and fee information, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Standing Committee Meeting – February 6

A Board of Education Standing Committee Meeting takes place on Tuesday, February 6 at 7 p.m. During the meeting, there will be a staff presentation and discussion of issues and opportunities related to the development of the 2024/25 Preliminary Budget. Visit our Public Meetings web page for information on how you can participate and to review the meeting agenda, which is posted on the Thursday afternoon preceding the public meeting.

Careers in the Arts – February 7

Students and their families are invited to meet with local arts-based businesses, organizations and post-secondary institutions and explore diverse visual, music, dance and theatre career opportunities. The career fair takes place on Wednesday, February 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Gordon Smith Gallery (2121 Lonsdale Avenue). RSVP (optional) using this link.

Digital Media Academy Info – February 15

The Digital Media Academy and Digital Media Academy LITE will offer an information night on Thursday, February 15, at 7 p.m. in the Argyle Secondary School Library (1131 Frederick Road). Meet Murray Bulger and Chris Miller, DMA teachers, industry experts and students who will share details about the academies and highlight current projects. In addition, DMA classrooms and studio film flexspace will be open for viewing.

Monitoring, Filtering & Tools for Parents/Caregivers – February 22

North Vancouver PAC invites families to an online presentation delivered by The White Hatter on Thursday, February 22, 7 to 8:15 p.m. The White Hatter will share information and recommendations on monitoring and filtering resources, apps, private family conversations, due diligence and more. Register for this online session by February 20.

Public Board Meeting – February 27

A Board of Education Public Board Meeting takes place on Tuesday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m. Visit our Public Meetings web page for information on how you can participate and to review the meeting agenda and board package, which are posted on the Thursday afternoon preceding the public meeting.

The Art of Conversation – Exhibition ends February 29

The Gordon Smith Gallery and Artists for Kids invite you to experience The Art of Conversation. The exhibition features artwork by over 20 Canadian artists who explore the role of art as a platform for communication. The Art of Conversation draws conventional threads between the works in the gallery and highlights arts’ potential to facilitate and provoke dialogue. The perspectives and artistic conversations of elementary and secondary school students are featured through original writing and art. Visit Artists for Kids for more information.

Explore & Create Saturday Art Program – Open

Families with children ages 5-12 are invited to visit the Gordon Smith Gallery for Explore & Create, a by-donation, drop-in art program inspired by works in the current exhibition, The Art of Conversation. Explore & Create takes place on Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. (no session on February 10).

NVSD Registrations

Academies – Application period open

Our highly specialized academies are designed to enhance the overall student experience by providing learning environments that concentrate on a focal skill set. Students in Grades 8 to 12 work towards graduation while accelerating their knowledge and skill development in an area of interest that can form a foundation for successful post-graduation pursuits.

The following academies will be offered during the 2024/25 school year:
AFK Studio Art | Basketball | Business of Gaming and Entrepreneurship | Dance | Digital Media | Digital Media Lite | Field Hockey | Hockey Skills | Robotics | Rowing | Soccer | Volleyball

The application period is open, and the initial placement offer deadline is Thursday, February 29. Applications received after February 29 may be placed on a waitlist. Final academy offerings are subject to sufficient enrolment. For more information about our Academies programs, please visit our Academies web page.

AFK Spring After School Art – Registration opens February 15

Taught by art specialist teachers and assisted by secondary art students, Artists for Kids’ After School Art classes provide students the opportunity to further their artistic ability and foster positive attitudes towards the visual arts. Visit the Artists for Kids website for more information and to register.

AFK Spring Break Day Camps – Registration open

Artists for Kids is pleased to offer both full day and half day Spring Break Day Camps. Taught by art specialist teachers, day campers will have the opportunity to experiment with drawing, painting, collage, printmaking and more. Visit the Artists for Kids website for more information and to register.

Elementary Band and Strings – Registration open

Elementary Band and Strings is open to students in Grades 5 – 7 for Band and Grades 4 – 7 for Strings. Our unique instrumental music program complements the Arts Education curriculum and provides school-based instrumental instruction in a supportive and fun learning environment. Registration for the 2024/25 school year continues until Thursday, February 29.

While there is a Late Registration period, this is subject to program availability and class size at your child’s school site and is dependent on sufficient registrations received by February 29. Visit the Elementary Band and Strings web page for information, including program fees. 

Late French Immersion – Application period open

Applications to the Late French Immersion program (Grade 6 entry) will be accepted until Friday, March 8. For more information, visit the Late French Immersion web page.

New registration and transfer requests 

Initial registration for students new to the school district, and initial transfer requests for existing NVSD students in Grades 1-12 have begun and will continue until Friday, March 8. Registrations and transfer requests received after March 8 will be placed in schools based on catchments where space is available. Visit the ⁠Student Registration web page for detailed information.

North Vancouver Online Learning – Online registration open

NVOL, a Provincial Online Learning School, provides engaging, accessible and interactive learning experiences for students. Students can enrol any time during the school year and have one calendar year to complete their course. Students can also choose to engage in their NVOL courses entirely remotely online or in a blended model of online and in-person interactions at our NVOL Centre.

Visit the NVOL website to see our full suite of courses from Grades 8 through 12 in both English and French. The French Immersion online course offerings allow students the opportunity to meet the requirements of their Diplôme de fin d'études secondaires en Colombie-Britannique online through L' École Virtuelle de Vancouver nord.

Paradise Valley Summer School of Visual Art – Registration open

Young artists ages 8 - 15 will explore their surroundings with artist Samuel Roy-Bois in the beautiful setting of Paradise Valley. From July 8 to 12 (5 days and 4 nights), campers will receive in-depth instruction in collage, drawing, painting and printmaking, and explore concepts of form and colour. Working in small studio groups, teachers emphasize individual skill development and artistic style. This week-long studio program is well balanced with outdoor recreation and studio time. Visit the Artists for Kids website for more information and to register.

Additional Information and Opportunities

Aspiring Musicians Performance Series – The next performance is February 6

North Vancouver Recreation & Culture (NVRC) is hosting AMPS Tuesdays at Centennial Theatre. Spanning multiple music genres, the series is designed to build a sense of community among North Vancouver musicians by providing a stage for local talent to perform. One of the target audiences for this series is secondary students, primarily those interested in pursuing music. For information, including schedule and ticket purchase, visit North Vancouver Recreation & Culture.

Establishing Safe, Caring & Respectful Digital Communities – Sessions remain

Recommended for families and youth aged 10 and up as a way to facilitate the conversation of safe and caring use of technology at home and in the community, this 60-minute session covers all things digital, from how to be a good digital citizen, the criminal consequences of cyberbullying, and how to report and receive support in cases of sexting/sextortion. Reserve your spot for one of the session dates (February 7 and 28).

Grade 4 & 5 SnowPass program – Application period open

The Canadian Ski Council, along with many ski resorts across Canada, are eager to welcome students in Grades 4 and 5 to the slopes for the 2023/24 season. For $29.99, Grade 4 and 5 students can ski or snowboard twice at participating ski areas. Applications will be accepted until the end of March 2024. For more information and to apply, visit the SnowPass website.