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Information
Framework for Enhancing Student Learning
The Framework for Enhancing Student Learning combines accountability with evidence informed decision making to support a system-wide program of continuous improvement. It formalizes the planning and reporting expectations for all school districts with a focus on improving equity of learning outcomes and enhancing the intellectual, social, and career development of all students in the K-12 public system. We encourage you to review the school district’s Enhancing Student Learning Report (September 2024); past versions are available on the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning web page.
Celebrating Halloween Safely
Halloween is a time of celebration for many in our community. Each year, we look forward to seeing students enjoy various Halloween activities. Please refer to my annual Halloween message, which provides guidance on how families can help students celebrate Halloween in a fun and safe manner.
Canadian Dental Care Plan
Did you know that poor oral health causes more than two million missed school days per year? In Canada, 57% of children 6 to 11 years of age have had a cavity, while tooth decay accounts for one-third of all day surgeries performed in hospitals for kids between the ages of 1 and 5.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) helps cover the cost of several oral health care services that can help keep your children’s teeth and gums healthy. This includes services such as examinations, cleanings, fluoride application and sealants, and restorative work (fillings).
Applications for the CDCP are now open for children under 18—find out if your child is eligible and apply today at Canada.ca/dental.
Staying safe in darker, wetter, weather
The school district encourages students to get to and from school in safe and active ways, including through the rainy months. Here are some safety tips to review with your children:
- Be seen by wearing reflective materials or bright clothes and using lights, even during the day.
- Cross streets only at intersections or marked crosswalks.
- Make eye contact with drivers, ensure drivers have stopped their vehicle before crossing, and keep looking for approaching vehicles while crossing.
- Walk, roll or cycle to and from school with a sibling or a buddy.
- Be aware of your surroundings, do not speak to strangers, and report anything of concern.
If you do drive your children to school in wet and dark weather, we encourage you to refer to your school’s Best Routes to School map to identify a Drive to Five location. Please take care in school zones and at intersections as your ability to see pedestrians and cyclists may be limited. Focus on the road, slow down, and travel at or below the speed limit.
Links to Best Routes to School maps and additional information and resources to support safe and active travel are available on our Safe and Active Travel web page.
Severe weather information
As winter weather approaches, we would like to issue a reminder about our winter weather procedures. All NVSD schools will remain OPEN during winter weather, including snowfalls, if possible. Any school district-wide closure will be decided by 6:30 a.m. (at the latest) and announced through media and school district and school websites, shared with families via SchoolMessenger (email and/or text message), and shared with staff via email. For more information, please visit our Winter Weather web page.
SMS text messaging via SchoolMessenger
Families who would like to receive SMS text messages when there is an emergency during school or non-school hours (e.g., severe weather or power outage) need to opt in for this service.
Typically, you will receive a SchoolMessenger text message when you register your child for school and registration is complete. The message is similar to this example: "North Vancouver School District 44 messages. Reply Y to confirm, HELP 4 info. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. schoolmessenger.com/smsca". You can also opt in to receive SMS text messages anytime by texting "Y" or "Yes" to 978338. Note: Standard message and data rates may apply.
NVSD Events
Standing Committee Meeting – November 5
A Board of Education Standing Committee Meeting takes place on Tuesday, November 5 at 7 p.m. The focus of the meeting will be truth, healing and reconciliation. 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.
Public Board Meeting – November 19
A Board of Education Public Board Meeting takes place on Tuesday, November 19, at 7 p.m. Visit the Public Meetings web page for information on how you can participate and to review the meeting agenda and board package, which are posted the Thursday afternoon preceding the public meeting.
NVSD Registrations
Advanced Placement Exams — Register by November 1
Handsworth and Sutherland are offering a range of AP exams for self-study students in May 2025. The deadline to register and remit payment is Friday, November 1. Visit the Advanced Placement web page for more information.
2025/26 Kindergarten – Registration open
Initial registration for 2025/26 Kindergarten (children born in 2020) is open, and continues until Monday, January 6, 2025. Applications submitted within this time frame are processed equally and placed according to initial placement category groups. Information regarding the registration process, including how to book an appointment to register your child, is available on the Kindergarten Registration web page.
North Vancouver Online Learning – Online registration open
North Vancouver Online Learning (NVOL) 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(s). Students can also choose to engage in their NVOL course(s) entirely remotely online or in a blended model of online and in-person interactions at our NVOL Centre.
Visit the NVOL website to see the 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.
Community Events and Opportunities
Dyslexia Demystified: Effective Support for Your Child — October 24
Join the North Vancouver District Public Library online on October 24 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for an informative workshop on dyslexia, designed and presented by the LDS Society. This workshop is to help parents better understand, support, and advocate for children with this learning difference. Register online to receive a link to the online event.
Howl-o-ween at The Shipyards featuring The SuperDogs — October 26
Join the City of North Vancouver on Saturday, October 26, from 1 to 5 p.m., for Howl-o-ween at The Shipyards. The event will consist of afternoon shows from the SuperDogs, canine costume contest, live music, workshops by Vancouver Circus School, a zombie flash mob and more! Bring the whole family to enjoy a spooky afternoon filled with excitement and entertainment for all ages. Find out more cnv.org/TheShipyards.
Safe and Active Travel Program Mini-Grants — Apply by December 20
The City of North Vancouver (CNV) is now accepting applications for the Safe and Active School Travel Program (SASTP) Mini-Grant Program for the 2024/25 school year. These mini-grants support grassroots programming by schools to help realize the SASTP’s vision of making active transportation and transit the preferred way to get to and from school.
The mini-grants can help fund a variety of educational and engagement activities such as hosting events like Walk and Roll to School Days, organizing safety workshops, creating campaigns to promote active transportation and transit use, or street closures for School Streets days.
Applications are welcomed from all schools in the CNV, including elementary and secondary. Each school in the CNV can apply for mini-grant funding of up to $1,000 per school for the 2024/25 school year.
The deadline to apply is December 20, 2024. Find out more cnv.org/MiniGrants.
Missed an issue?
Updates from the Superintendent, including the monthly Superintendent’s Report, are available for review.
The North Vancouver School District is situated upon the unceded traditional territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. We would like to thank the Coast Salish people and value the opportunity to learn, share and grow on this traditional territory.
