This newsletter is shared monthly and includes a variety of initiatives and opportunities open to families of the NVSD.
News
Celebrating Heather Korlak: BC's Art Educator of the Year — Elementary Level
On Friday, October 24, the BC Art Teachers’ Association recognized Highlands Elementary teacher Heather Korlak with the Art Educator of the Year – Elementary Level award, honouring her remarkable contributions to arts education and her steadfast belief in the power of creativity to transform learning. Read the full story to discover how Ms. Korlak is championing art education within the school district.
Learn more about what is happening in classrooms and beyond by visiting the Learn, Share and Grow blog.
Events
Standing Committee Meeting – November 4
A Board of Education Standing Committee Meeting took place on Tuesday, November 4 at 7 p.m. The focus of the meeting was Truth, Healing and Reconciliation. The North Vancouver Board of Education welcomes student and family participation in Standing Committee Meetings. Visit the Public Meetings webpage for information on how you can participate and to review the meeting agenda, which is posted the Thursday afternoon preceding the public meeting.
Public Board Meeting – November 18
A Board of Education Public Board Meeting takes place on Tuesday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. Visit the Public Meetings webpage for information on how you can participate and to review the meeting agenda and board package, which is posted the Thursday afternoon preceding the public meeting.
Future Readiness Fair – November 19
The Future Readiness Fair is an evening of information and connection to help students with disabilities and diverse abilities and their families plan for life after high school. Meet community organizations, post-secondary programs, and service providers who support youth in their transition to adulthood, including employment, education, and independent living. This event takes place on Wednesday, November 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the fifth floor of the Education Services Centre.
Keeping Kids Safe Online – December 3
Foundry North Shore and the North Vancouver School District invite families to a free workshop with keynote speaker Tatyana Davies from PLEA’s Children of the Street Program. Learn how to keep kids safe online through app literacy, practical conversations, and an overview of online exploitation. This presentation takes place on Wednesday, December 3 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Sutherland Secondary’s theatre. Please register in advance.
Registrations
North Vancouver Online Learning – Online registration open
North Vancouver Online Learning (NVOL) provides engaging, accessible and interactive learning experiences for students in Grades 8 through 12 in both English and French. Students can enrol any time during the school year and have one calendar year to complete their course. Students may 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 learn more.
Artists for Kids – After School Art registration opens November 27
Led by BC-certified art specialist teachers and assisted by secondary art students, After School Art classes provide the opportunity to build skills and foster creative growth within the visual arts. Students will have the opportunity to expand their artistic abilities in a multitude of different mediums, including painting, felting, printmaking, and sculpting. Classes vary in duration, price, and medium. All art materials are included in the price of the program. Visit the After School Art webpage to view winter 2026 classes and to register.
2026/27 Kindergarten — Online registration closes December 12
Online registration for 2026/27 Kindergarten (for children born in 2021) is open until Friday, December 12, 2025 at Midnight. Visit the Kindergarten Registration webpage for detailed information regarding the registration process for the upcoming school year.
Additional information and opportunities
Exploring Neurodivergence: Pathways to Diagnosis — November 7
Offered by Hollyburn Family Services, this online workshop will outline the characteristics of ADHD and Autism, what they look like at different ages, steps to diagnosis, and resources and supports that are available. Additional time will be reserved for parent questions. Join facilitator and family counsellor Sabrina Trotter (BSc Psych, MSW) on Thursday, November 7 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. To sign up, please email strotter@hollyburn.ca.
Traumatic grief and loss support gathering — November 9
This free community event on Sunday, November 9 invites those affected by the Lapu-Lapu Festival tragedy to gather for reflection, healing, and connection through candle lighting, guided reflection, creative expression, and music. Facilitated by Christina Atkinson, RCC, and Jovyl Lizaso-Kumar, the gathering runs from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church in North Vancouver. Space is limited, please register by November 7 by emailing christinaatkinsoncounselling@gmail.com.
The Summit at IDS: Winter Market — November 14
The Summit at Intellectual Disabilities Society (IDS) invites you to The Summit’s Winter Market on Friday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This annual event is an inclusive celebration of creativity, community, and talent that provides individuals who identify as having a disability or neurodiversity the opportunity to showcase their talents and sell their creations.
Coming up at the Gordon Smith Gallery
Explore and Create art program – Saturdays until December 13
Families with children ages 5-12 are invited to visit the Gordon Smith Gallery on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for free, family-friendly drop-in art activities inspired by works in the Gordon Smith Gallery’s current exhibition, From The Ground. To view the fall schedule, visit the Smith Foundation website.
New Models on Commercial Galleries – November 15
In the second installment of the Collection and Collections speaker series, panellists Amy Kazymerchyk (Pale Fire Projects), Wil Aballe (WAAP), and Sarah Macaulay (Macaulay + Co. Fine Art) will lead a thought-provoking discussion on how commercial galleries adapt to shifting markets, changing collector behaviour, and new modes of engagement. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., and the talk begins at 1 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, please visit the Smith Foundation website.
Looking Again: Michael Audain in Conversation – November 27
The third and final installment of the Collection and Collections speaker series will be an extraordinary evening celebrating art, philanthropy, and the legacy of collecting in British Columbia. The talk will feature a conversation with Michael Audain, followed by an incredible announcement of a significant matching gift from the Audain Foundation, made in recognition of the late artist Ann Kipling’s estate gift. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the talk begins at 7 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, please visit the Smith Foundation website.
Coming up at the North Vancouver District Public Library
Family Puzzle and Game Night — November 20, Parkgate Library
Celebrate National Game and Puzzle Week at Parkgate Library! Join us for a fun and cozy evening of puzzles and games. Children are welcome to come on their own, bring a friend, or bring the whole family! We'll provide the puzzles and games to choose from. This program is geared towards children and their caregivers. Children attending on their own should be 10+ years. Younger kids are welcome with a guardian. Families encouraged! Registration is required. Learn more.
Meet the Author: Richard Van Camp – November 27, online
Join us for a storytelling event with best-selling author Richard Van Camp, a proud member of the Tłįchǫ Dene First Nation from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. He will share insights about the vital role that storytelling plays in Indigenous cultures, as well as highlight Indigenous ways of knowing and communicating knowledge. This virtual author visit is geared towards children ages 8-12. Registration required. Learn more.
Koala Koders: 3D Environment Design Workshop (Grades 6-7) — December 1, Parkgate Library
Join Koala Koders for an exciting program of coding and fun this December! Explore how 3D design influences our environment with Koala Koders. In this workshop, participants will use TinkerCAD to create computer-aided design models and express their creativity while discovering how engineers draw inspiration from nature. Registration is required. Learn more.
Vancouver Education & Career Fair — November 25
The Education & Career Fair (ECF) is B.C.’s Largest Career Development Fair. This includes secondary students planning for higher education and exploring career options; young adults looking to transfer their work experience & skills to a different industry; and new immigrants seeking employment and further training to settle in Canada. To learn more and register, visit ECF’s website.
SFU School for the Contemporary Arts Open House — November 26
Simon Fraser University's School for the Contemporary Arts (SCA) is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, November 26 from 5:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W. Hastings St., Vancouver. Learn about SCA programs and have a look at studios, performance spaces, and amenities, including a presentation of SCA student projects, demos, and performances. Prospective students, parents, guardians, teachers, and staff are all welcome. Please register in advance.
BC AdventureSmart — Know before you SNOW
Know Before You SNOW is back! AdventureSmart is sharing simple, consistent winter tips—from parking lots to chairlifts—to help everyone plan smarter and reduce preventable search and rescue calls. Check the three T’s (Trip Plan, Training, Take the Essentials) before you go. Learn more about snow safety on the AdventureSmart website.
BC Children's Hospital — Mental health resources for families
When it comes to your child’s mental health, you are not alone. New videos and information are available by mental health experts at BC Children’s Hospital who share your culture and language. Resources are available in many languages to support diverse families, including Arabic, Cantonese, English, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Ukrainian, and for Black communities. Topics include anxiety, substance use, family transitions, and more.
