The Superintendent's Report is available in Microsoft Sway and text copy (below).
Updates from the Superintendent, including the monthly Superintendent’s Report, are available for review in the Superintendent’s Updates section of the website.
A Message from the Superintendent
Dear North Vancouver School District Community,
As we approach the end of the 2024 calendar year, I want to express our ongoing appreciation for educators and students who have worked hard this fall in striving for excellence. I would also like to acknowledge and thank families and community partners for their continued support of all students throughout the school year. You may have noted in the Globe and Mail that North Vancouver was recently recognized as “Canada’s Most Livable City”. One of the key reasons cited was how we foster a strong sense of belonging throughout the community. In today’s world, educators and the public school system play a foundational role in creating and sustaining a society where everyone feels seen, valued, and has the opportunity to contribute. Being an educator is not only a noble vocation but also an essential role in shaping and supporting the development of a thriving community.
As evident in this month’s report, there is no shortage of initiatives, events and programming designed to foster the relationships that cultivate a sense of belonging; from student athletic endeavours and musical performances, to opportunities for families to explore enhanced programs, academies, and post-secondary pathways. Public schooling is a busy endeavour in a rapidly evolving world!
I hope you get the opportunity to express appreciation for your children’s educators. On behalf of the North Vancouver Board of Education and the School District’s Senior Leadership Team, I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy winter break. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year.
Respectfully,
Dr. Pius Ryan
Superintendent of Schools
superintendent@sd44.ca
In this Issue
Good News from the NVSD
Announcements
- Winter Break — Education Services Centre hours
- 2024 Fall Portfolio available for acquisition
NVSD Events
- Parents as Education and Career Coaches – January 7
- Secondary Enhanced Programs & Academies Night — January 15
- IB Diploma Programme — Key dates in January/February
- Public Board Meeting – January 21
- Late French Immersion information session — January 22
- Trade Information Night – January 23
- Standing Committee Meeting – February 4
NVSD Registrations
- Academies — Application period opens January 16
- New registration and transfer requests begin January 6
- 2025/26 Kindergarten – Initial registration ends January 6
- Elementary Band and Strings – Registration opens January 13
- Artists for Kids After School Art and After School Theatre – Registration open
- Artists for Kids Spring Break Day Camps — Registration opens December 4
- North Vancouver Online Learning – Online registration open
Visit our Learn, Share & Grow blog and News & Announcements to read about the good work happening throughout the school district.
For the stories with images that are included below, please click on the caption for a link to the blog post or article.
Announcements
Winter Break — Education Services Centre hours
Schools will be closed for Winter Break (December 23, 2024, to January 3, 2025) and will re-open on Monday, January 6.
The Education Services Centre (2121 Lonsdale Avenue) will be closed to the public between December 23-26, 2024, and January 1-2, 2025; however, it will be open to the public on December 27, 30, 31, and January 3.
2024 Fall Portfolio available for acquisition
The Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art has released five limited edition prints in inaugural Artists for Kids’ 2024 Fall Portfolio launch. This launch brings together four Canadian artists who have worked directly with children and youth through Artists for Kids (AFK). The spectacular editions by artists Anna Binta Diallo, Samuel Roy-Bois, Sandeep Johal and Sara Khan are available for acquisition.
After 35 years, the AFK Limited Edition program continues to bring to the community the ability to acquire work from acclaimed artists across Canada, while funding educational programs, artist residencies, art camps, scholarships, bursaries, and future acquisitions for the AFK and the Gordon Smith Gallery Permanent Collection.
By purchasing one or more prints from the AFK Limited Edition program, you qualify for the Collector’s Program and will receive a discounted price for subsequent purchases.
Please connect with the Artists for Kids office through phone 604-903-3798, or email afkinfo@sd44.ca, if you have any questions or to acquire an edition. Sign up for the Gordon Smith Gallery newsletter to receive exclusive updates.
NVSD Events
Parents as Education and Career Coaches – January 7
EducationPlannerBC and the North Vancouver School District invite families with students in Grades 10-12 to join the virtual workshop on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Learn how you can support your student in planning for their future. The session will cover topics such as B.C.’s post-secondary education landscape, including institutions and credentials, program and admission requirements, application dates, and costs and options for financial aid. Participants will be walked through EducationPlannerBC.ca including their resources for career exploration, comparing programs and how to apply for admission through EducationPlannerBC.ca. RSVP online.
For more information or if you have questions, please contact support@educationplannerbc.ca or Jennifer Kinakin (jkinakin@sd44.ca), District Careers Coordinator.
Secondary Enhanced Programs & Academies Night — January 15
Families with students in Grades 7 to 11 are invited to learn about the various enhanced programs and academies offered at secondary schools throughout the school district. The event will take place on Wednesday, January 15, 6:30 to 8:20 p.m., at Carson Graham Secondary (2145 Jones Avenue). While optional, we would appreciate your RSVP using this link.
IB Diploma Programme — Key dates in January/February
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:
- Wednesday, January 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. DP coordinators Q&A at the Secondary Enhanced Programs & Academies Night at Carson Graham Secondary.
- Tuesday, February 4, 6:30 p.m. IB Diploma Programme information session, Carson Graham library.
- Wednesday, February 5. Deadline for current Grade 10 students to RSVP by email to Liz Thornhill to attend DP for a Day, where students will experience the program firsthand.
The deadline to apply for the September 2025 intake is Tuesday, February 18. Visit the Carson Graham IB Diploma Programme web page for application and fee information, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Public Board Meeting – January 21
A Board of Education Public Board Meeting takes place on Tuesday, January 21, at 6:30 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.
Late French Immersion information session — January 22
An information session for Grade 5 students and their families interested in learning about the Late French Immersion (LFI) program (entry into the LFI program in Grade 6 in Sept 2025) will be held on January 22, 6 to 7 p.m. at the Education Services Centre (2121 Lonsdale Ave) on the 5th Floor (Mountainview Room). Grade 5 students and their families are welcome to attend. Please register online in advance. For more information, visit our Late French Immersion web page.
Please note transfer requests take place between January 6 to March 7, 2025.
Please contact Tracy Langer, District French Facilitator, (tlanger@sd44.ca) if you have any questions.
Trade Information Night – January 23
This popular information night invites students and their families to explore various trade opportunities available to students in Grades 10-12. Learn from local businesses, SkilledTradesBC, post-secondary representatives and NVSD career program educators. Register online by January 20, 2025.
Standing Committee Meeting – February 4
A Board of Education Standing Committee Meeting takes place on Tuesday, February 4 at 7 p.m. The focus of the meeting will be budget development. 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.
NVSD Registrations
Academies — Application period opens January 16
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 2025/26 school year:
AFK Studio Art | Basketball | Dance | Digital Media | Digital Media Lite | Field Hockey | Hockey Skills | Robotics | Rowing | Soccer | Volleyball
The application period for academies begins on Thursday, January 16, and the initial placement offer deadline is Thursday, March 6. Applications received after March 6 may be placed on a waitlist. Final academy offerings are subject to sufficient enrolment.
For more information, please visit our Academies web page and plan on attending the Secondary Enhanced Programs & Academies Night on Wednesday, January 15, at Carson Graham Secondary.
New registration and transfer requests begin January 6
Initial registration for students new to the school district, and initial transfer requests for existing NVSD students in Grades 1-12 begin on Monday, January 6 and end on Friday, March 7. Registrations and transfer requests received after March 7 will be placed in schools based on catchments where space is available. Visit the Student Registration web page for detailed information.
2025/26 Kindergarten – Initial registration ends January 6
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.
Elementary Band and Strings – Registration opens January 13
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 2025/26 school year begins on Monday, January 13 and continues until Friday, February 28.
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 28. Visit the Elementary Band and Strings web page for information, including program fees.
Artists for Kids After School Art and After School Theatre – Registration open
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.
Artists for Kids is excited to launch a new After School Theatre class for students in grades 6 to 9. This course is for young aspiring performing artists to playfully explore theatre together. Students will play drama games, do improvisation activities, and create short scenes for performance. Visit the Artists for Kids website for more information and to register
Artists for Kids Spring Break Day Camps - Registration open
Artists for Kids is pleased to offer two weeks of Spring Break Day Camps! Campers will experiment with drawing, painting, collage, printmaking and more. Registration will open on December 4 at 12:00 pm (noon). Visit the Artists for Kids website for more information and to register.
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.
Missed and 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.
