North Vancouver School District
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Superintendent's Update — September 2, 2021

September 02, 2021

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September 2, 2021

Dear Parents/Guardians of Grade 11 and 12 Students:

Re: Labour Day long weekend activities

This year marks the start of our grade 11 and 12 students’ most exciting and, undoubtedly, defining year of secondary school. Staff throughout the North Vancouver School District look forward to supporting students as they pursue their passions and continue on a path of personal growth. We hope to inspire success for every student and in turn, be inspired by their achievements.

With the final long weekend of summer approaching, I would like to share an important safety advisory for parents and guardians of our senior students. The Labour Day long weekend has typically been a time when some youth, and particularly those entering their grad year, participate in unauthorized social gatherings that quite often involve alcohol, drugs and vandalism.

These types of social gatherings are disruptive to neighbourhoods and the community. They are also harmful to the young people involved for several reasons:

Underage drinking and drug use can negatively impact thoughts, mood and judgment.

Alcohol and drugs can create a sense of invincibility and immunity that serves as a prelude to other risk-taking behaviours.

If these events are captured on cellphones and later shared on social media, there is the potential for such images to resurface and negatively impact a student’s future (e.g. post-secondary application, career opportunity).

As we have done in the past, we will continue to support local law enforcement in its work to keep our community safe. The RCMP has expressed a proactive approach to enforcement of liquor, traffic and local bylaw violations over the Labour Day long weekend. Please click HERE for an update from the North Vancouver RCMP.

Grade 11 and 12 students are role models and community leaders younger students look up to. We anticipate this year’s senior students will continue to help set an encouraging, welcoming and inclusive tone for their schools, but we also realize there is a lot of excitement surrounding the graduating year. While we all look for the right balance between the need for social connection and responsible behaviour, we ask students to consider the impact their choices will have both on their school year and on others in the community.

Thank you for your attention to this important safety message. I hope it sparks a healthy dialogue with members of your family about youth social responsibility and safe celebrations.

We look forward to welcoming students back to school next week!

Sincerely,
Mark Pearmain
Superintendent of School

Superintendent Message_Labour Day Activities_20210902.pdf