September 6, 2022
Dear North Vancouver School District Community,
Welcome back!
On behalf of the North Vancouver School District and Board of
Education, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the 2022/2023 school
year.
I
have always looked forward to the start of the school year. From the
Kindergarten student walking into their school for the first time, the
Grade 8 student walking through the halls of their new school, to the
Grade 12 student, anticipating what their last year of school will be
and what lies ahead, the year brings with it a spirit of new beginnings
and possibility.
I
am filled with optimism for this new school year, and I look forward to
sharing with you the many excellent examples of the teaching and
learning that will take place—from arts and music festivals, athletics,
and outdoor learning at Cheakamus Centre, to the professional learning
opportunities staff regularly engage in to strengthen their craft, and
so much more.
I
also acknowledge that while there will be many more opportunities for
students, staff and families to experience and share in the teaching and
learning that happen at the North Vancouver School District, we are
mindful that we must all continue to follow the health and safety
guidance provided through the Provincial Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 School Settings, including:
The
last two years have shown how much we can accomplish together, despite
challenging circumstances, by practicing behaviours that demonstrate
care for each another. I am therefore confident we will continue to
collectively work to provide safe and healthy teaching and learning
environments, where all feel welcome, safe, included and respected, and
where the focus is on excellence in teaching, learning, and community
building.
Before I close, I would like to share a few additional updates:
Safe and Active Travel
Students and families are encouraged to get to and from school in safe
and active ways. To learn about the benefits and how to support students
getting to and from school safely, we are pleased to share with you a
new video,
made in partnership with the North Vancouver RCMP, ICBC, the City of
North Vancouver and District of North Vancouver. Additional tips and
resources are available on our updated Safe and Active Travel web page.
School District Permission Forms
Each year, parents/guardians are asked to complete school district permission forms online using our SchoolCash Online system. Instructions on how to complete the following forms have been sent to families via email:
- Impromptu Walking Field Trip Informed Consent
- Personal Information Consent for School District Publications
- Student Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement
Please
complete these forms online (ideally, before the end of this first week
of school). All other permission forms are paper based, and you will
receive them directly from your child’s school. Should you have any
questions about form completion or require assistance, please contact
your child’s school.
Upcoming Communications
At the North Vancouver School District, we strive to provide you with
open and transparent communications. You can therefore expect to hear
(in addition to communications sent to you from your child’s school)
from the school district on a regular basis through the monthly
Superintendent’s Report (copies will be posted to the Superintendent’s Updates section of our website) and monthly Board of Education Standing Committee and Public Board Meetings. Your participation in these meetings is always welcome and encouraged.
In
closing, it remains an honour and a privilege to work and learn
alongside staff, educate and support students, and share with you the
many ways in which the North Vancouver School District really is a place
where we can all learn, share, grow and thrive.
Have a wonderful start to the 2022/2023 school year.
With appreciation,
Dr. Pius Ryan
Superintendent of Schools
