​Dear Community!
 
It has been wonderful getting to know the community. The staff is working really hard working with our students to build positive school learning environments. Please connect with your child’s teacher at any time to discuss educational programming and follow this link to view all Norgate staff and find their contact information https://www.sd44.ca/school/norgate/StaffInfo/Pages/default.aspx (watch for our front community board to showcase the faces in our school).

Tristan and I have had a lot of fun participating in great activities with our students, staff and community. Thank you to the intermediate students who invited us to play basketball and thank you to the grade 4 and grade 5 student for sharing their knowledge and culture. It was a great honour to play Slahal. Also, we appreciate the many kind conversations we are having with parents, guardians and community members.
 
It has been a positive first week in new classes. After school at Norgate is filled with lively energy as our grade 6/7 After-School Program has begun through Capilano Community Services Society. Stay tuned for more after-school programs to begin soon.
 
Have a very nice weekend with your families.  
 
Huy Chexw a
Rob and Tristan
 
 
Monday
Regular day
 
Tuesday
Regular day
 
Wednesday
Regular day
 
Thursday
Free Youth drop in Program:  Grade 6-7 Out trip 3:00 – 6:30pm Swimming – 13 spots available on the bus, first come first serve (please sign up with Ms. Fran)
 
Friday
Terry Fox Run – 2:20pm all welcome
 
Red Fox will begin October 6th.
 
----------Important Calendar Changes and Updates------------
 
Reconciliation Walk: Sunday September 24, 2017:
Join Norgate’s 2017 Walk for Reconciliation Team! The Walk for Reconciliation is a positive movement held in Vancouver, to build better relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. This bold vision calls on everyone of all ages, all backgrounds, all cultures and all faiths to come together as communities and as individuals.

We are proud to be strengthening relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The act of walking and sharing stories joins us in showing a commitment to create a new way forward for reconciliation.
 
How do you join the Norgate team?
Meet at North Vancouver Sea Bus @ 8:15 am - as we will be travelling to Cambie and Georgia Street Vancouver
 
Details:
School Wide Reconciliation Learning Activity
Date TBD (prior to walk)
School Wide Reconciliation Extension to Learning “Rock Art Project”
Date TBD (prior to walk)
Walk for Reconciliation Namwayut – “We are all one” Sunday, September 24, 2017
            Bring a sign if you like… “Norgate Supports Truth and Reconciliation”
 
Please follow the link for more information: http://reconciliationcanada.ca/walk-for-reconciliation-2017/
    
Walk for Reconciliation  reconciliationcanada.ca
 
Welcome Back BBQ – Now set for Tuesday, September 26 5:00pm
We have moved our BBQ to combine with The Welcome Back BBQ hosted by the Squamish Nation and The North Vancouver School District. We are proud to be the host site and we are honoured to be working with the Squamish Nation and Brad Baker, District Principal of Aboriginal Education to celebrate the beginning of the year together.
 
Please meet the Norgate Staff in the gym for an opening activity at 5:00 pm with the BBQ to follow at 5:30. Please rsvp Brad Baker at bbaker@sd44.ca by Friday, September 22.
 
Food Access
This year the North Vancouver School District is replacing the Healthy Harvest Program with a Food Access Program. The Food Access program is in addition to the lunch and snacks parents provide. Starting last Monday, September 11, healthy food items will be provided every day for all students and students will help determine the positive selection of foods and will learn about waste reduction. Norgate is proud to offer this for our students and we recognize that students enjoy the flexibility of eating when hungry.

Rob Smyth
Principal
Norgate Community Elementary - Xwemélch’stn
604-903-3680

I would like to thank the Coast Salish people whose traditional territory North Vancouver School District resides on. I express my gratitude to the Squamish Nation and Tsleil Waututh Nation for the opportunity to learn together on this traditional territory. I would also like to acknowledge with pride, that Norgate Community Elementary shares the traditional name Xwemélch’stn with the local Village.