Engagement Opportunities
Student Learning Survey
The Student Learning Survey (SLS), administered annually by the Ministry of Education and Child Care, is open to students in Grades 4, 7, 10 and 12, their parents/guardians, and staff and administrators in B.C. public schools. The survey covers a range of topics, providing a comprehensive picture of the educational experience in B.C. public schools and valuable insight for addressing current needs and trends.
Parents/guardians are invited to participate in the survey, available in English, French and additional languages, until Saturday, April 29. Information about the survey, including a survey link is available on the Student Learning Survey web page.
Events
Climate-Conscious Lunch Challenge – April 13
As part of the NVSD’s 2023 Climate Action and Sustainability Week, the school district is hosting a district-wide Climate-Conscious Lunch Challenge on Thursday, April 13. The challenge will draw attention to the connection between the food we eat and climate action. Students and staff can participate in the challenge by sharing their local, low-waste or plant-based lunch on social media using the hashtag #ClimateConsciousCuisine. Information about the week is available on the Climate Action and Sustainability Week website.
Endless Summer – Exhibition opens April 15
Endless Summer is an exhibition and series of public programs that features the collaborative works of artists Katie Kozak and Lucien Durey, which contemplate lineage, ancestry, queerness, sustainability, and healing within a context of reimagining place-based relations that serve the social and cultural landscape of their shared communities. The exhibition opens on Saturday, April 15, 2 to 4 p.m. For information about this exhibition hosted at the Gordon Smith Gallery, visit the exhibition web page.
Public Board Meeting – April 18
A Board of Education Public Board Meeting takes place on Tuesday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. Visit our Public Meetings web page for information on how you can participate and to review the meeting agenda and board package (the latter is posted on the Thursday afternoon preceding the public meeting).
Dissolve, an evening performance – April 19
Presented by the North Vancouver and West Vancouver School Districts and Family Services of the North Shore, Dissolve is a performance designed to both raise awareness and dialogue around drink spiking and consent, and challenge our thinking and behaviour on these topics. The 45-minute performance, plus talkback that follows, takes place on Wednesday, April 19 at 7 p.m. at Rockridge Secondary School (West Vancouver). Tickets are free, but RSVP is required through eventbrite. Note: This performance is best suited for mature adolescents and their accompanying caregivers due to sensitive content and strong language.
The Shipyards through the Lens of Secondary Students – April 19
Artwork created by senior secondary students from the North Vancouver and West Vancouver school districts is currently displayed at the North Vancouver Shipyards. On Wednesday, April 19 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., join students and Karen Zalamea, the artist-in-residence who supported students in their work, on a tour of their artwork. Visit the Capture Photo Fest website for more information.
All about Consent Information Night – April 25
Facilitated by Tiana Sharifi of the Exploitation Education Institute, this information night guides family members of secondary students through the education students have been receiving on concepts such as how to provide consent, current harmful social media influencers, and relevant legislation. The session takes places on Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Windsor Secondary School. More information is available HERE (RSVP optional).
Standing Committee Meeting – May 2
A Board of Education Standing Committee Meeting takes place on Tuesday, May 2 at 7 p.m. 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.
Cheakamus Centre Open House – May 7
The 54th annual Cheakamus Centre Open House takes place on Sunday, May 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join Cheakamus Centre staff for a fun, family day of nature exploration and discovery. Visit the Coast Salish longhouse, salmon hatchery, farm animals, and nature trails. More information is available on the Open House web page. If you are interested in volunteering at the event, please email volunteers@cheakamuscentre.ca.
Outdoor Safety & Emergency Preparedness Open House – May 13
The school district is pleased to host the 2nd Outdoor Safety & Emergency Preparedness Open House on Saturday, May 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Argyle Secondary.
This family-friendly community event will showcase the expertise of local emergency management bodies and first responders and aims to build your awareness and resilience around outdoor safety and emergency preparedness. The event consists of an outdoor trade show and information sessions hosted by participating organizations. Speak with local experts and get up close to emergency vehicles and equipment used in real-life rescues.
This FREE event also includes a complimentary bike valet service and food truck options where you can purchase food and refreshments. Visit the event website for more information.
Ready, Set, Learn – Events running until May 24
Ready, Set, Learn is an initiative aimed at encouraging and supporting children’s early language and literacy skills. Intended for families and their children (ages 3 to 5 years), Ready, Set, Learn is designed to foster positive connections among families, schools and early learning community partners and support children as they prepare for their transition to Kindergarten. Ready, Set, Learn events will be hosted at multiple locations throughout the school district until May 24 and are free to attend. Event details are available on the Ready, Set, Learn web page.
Registrations
Summer Learning – Registration opens May 1
North Vancouver Summer Learning provides a platform for students to explore and extend learning opportunities while fulfilling their educational requirements through a variety of opportunities in the month of July.
The Summer Learning 2023 course offerings provide students opportunities to further their learning and/or earn credits toward graduation:
Registration is open to students within and beyond the NVSD. Registration opens on Monday, May 1 at 8:30 a.m. for NVSD students (and on Tuesday, May 9 for everyone else). Registration closes on Friday, June 23 at 12 noon.
Elementary Band and Strings – Late Registration period open
Elementary Band and Strings is a unique instrumental music program that complements the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s Arts Education curriculum and provides school-based instrumental instruction to students in Grades 5 – 7 for Band and Grades 4 – 7 for Strings. Visit the Elementary Band and Strings web page for more information, including program fees.
AFK Woodworking & Engineering Camp – Registration open
Students will be introduced to the magic and value of woodworking and engineering in this hands-on, dynamic summer camp. Over four days, students will learn safe work habits while building cool projects, participating in engineering challenges, and having fun. Their day will be split evenly between the two disciplines where students will enjoy a mix of skill-building and interactive activities. Visit Artists for Kids’ Spring & Summer Day Camps web page for more information and to register.
AFK After School Art – Registration open
Taught by art specialist teachers and assisted by secondary art students, After School Art classes provide students the opportunity to further their artistic ability and foster positive attitudes towards the visual arts. Visit Artists for Kids’ After School Art web page for more information and to register.
AFK Summer Day Camps – Registration open
Students will enjoy a week of studio art activities including drawing, painting and printmaking taught by an art specialist teacher. Each week will be unique with expert art teachers guiding students to experiment with many art materials and techniques. All materials are provided. Visit Artists for Kids’ Spring & Summer Day Camps web page for more information and to register.
North Vancouver Online Learning – Online registration open
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. Students can also 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 see our 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.
Reminder: NVOL is now a Provincial Online Learning School.
Additional Information and Opportunities
Health Care Career Open House – April 24
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), in partnership with local post-secondary schools, invites students in Grades 10 – 12 to learn more about careers and programs in health care. On Monday, April 24, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Paetzold Health Education Centre (VGH), students will hear from health care professionals, tour a simulation lab, and meet program representatives. Information is available on this flyer and location map.
Homestay families needed
Each year, the North Vancouver School District welcomes students from around the world to live and study in our vibrant community. We strive to place secondary school international students with families who live close to school to support each student's integration into the school and wider community.
There are secondary school international students in need of a homestay placement for the school term beginning September 2023. If you are interested in hosting an international student, please reach out to our International Education program office at international@sd44.ca. More information about the homestay program is available on the International Education section of the school district website.
Supporting students and families in the community
Through the Student and Family Affordability Fund (SFAF), the school district is supporting students and their families who are feeling financially challenged due to the rising costs of living. To request financial support at any time throughout the 2022-2023 school year, please complete the form(s) available on the Student and Family Affordability Fund web page and submit the form(s) in confidence to either your child’s teacher, principal, school counsellor or front office staff. A listing of eligible expenses, and answers to common questions can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions web page.
