Superintendent's Update to the Board on activities happening in the Vancouver School District.

1. Report to Board [June 4, 2012]
School visits:
• Dickens Elementary
• Dickens Annex
News items
• Strachan Hartley Legacy Foundation has awarded $9,000 to Take
a Hike Program and $11,000 to StreetFront Alternate.
• Ministry details on $1,054,540 VSB allocation – to be used to
support K-3 reading for teacher inquiry projects, release time etc.
• Premier announced ERASE: Bullying strategy – Expect respect
and a Safe Education – five-year training program.
http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2012/06/premier-announces-erase-bullying-strategy.html
• Ministry has announced (1) Collaborative Action Research
grants $5,000 (school level) and $10,000 (district level) to
support research and collaborative inquiry in the area of
personalized learning; (2) Innovation through an invitation to
think differently – Expression of Interest for interim change of a
policy/order/regulation with a purpose of clearing the way for
innovative practice.
May 22: Joint meeting of the VSB and VPL senior staff – topics included
the sectoral review and the notion of co-locating services as part of our
asset sustainability considerations, potential for common but parallel
approaches to library services, shared visioning from the larger
community perspectives.
May 23: Aboriginal Focus school discussions
May 24: Val Overgaard nominated for the YWCA Women of Distinction
award: http://www.ywcawomenofdistinction.org/
May 24: Launched the MODO car sharing program- Kirthi Roberts and
staff. I have now registered to be a driver!
May 25: Adult Education graduation ceremony:
Surayya Jan: $40K UBC scholarship

2. May 29: Scholarships presented to four deserving alternate education
students to cover tuition, books and transportation - three at Spectrum
and one at Tupper Young Mum’s Program:
CKNW Orphan Fund Scholarship
• Awarded to a student graduating (Dogwood) from a VBE
Alternative Program but unable to pursue a post-secondary course
of study that would enable le them to attain the career path of
their choice due to financial need
• They do not usually qualify for scholarships awarded for high
academic performance
• Student has demonstrated leadership to overcome obstacles and
social/emotional challenges
• Student would have to have a have overcome adversity, such as
being street entrenched, be in care, or live in a family with an
income below the poverty line
• Their parents/guardians are not in a position to support them
financially, and part-time jobs will not support them adequately.
• Scholarship funds are available to cover the costs of tuition, books,
and other course related materials
Awarded to Spectrum Students:
• Cianna Barker: ($5,000) Honour Roll student; highly talented artist,
Peer Tutor and Community Service Student. Cianna wants to be
teacher. Planning on attending Langara in the University Transfer
program and then off to university to become a teacher.
• Lorissa Campbell: ($5,000) Top English student, Honour Roll,
Community Service. Is hoping to attend Langara in the Early
Childhood Education program.
• Elizabeth Jenkins: ($5,000) Valedictorian for the Spectrum
Graduation Ceremony this year, Honour Roll student, Peer Tutor
and Community Service Student . Elizabeth plans on attending
Langara Colleage in the University Transfer program – eventual goal
is to become a dentist.

3. Tupper Young Parents Program:
Chalaine Ang: ($6,500) To cover costs of childcare and
transportation (Chalaine also won a STAND Foundation
Scholarship of $5000 to cover her tuition costs). Chalaine has
applied to Capilano College for the Legal Admin Assistant Program.
May 29: Blessing for the Pendleton blanket in the reception area.
We are proud of this display that honors the Aboriginal communities
and compliments the yellow cedar Whorl created by Musqueam artist,
Susan Point, to celebrate the Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement.
The Pendleton Blanket features Raven and the Box of Knowledge with
artwork inspired by Tlingit artist, Preston Singletary. A portion of the
proceeds from the purchase of this blanket has been donated to the
American Indian College Fund to help support tribal colleges.
May 30: Joint VSAA retirement function where we honoured retired and
retiring VSAA and DMT members.
May 31: Special Parents’ Forum for the parents/guardians of Grade 7 –
12 ESL/ELL students at Churchill and Van Tech.
Each of the two evening events will enable parents to
• Learn how the district is supporting success for each ESL/ELL
student in our schools
• Better understand how the BC education system works
(Graduation requirements, Pathway to Graduation, Equivalency
credits and Post-secondary opportunities)
• Learn how they can help students to get the maximum benefit
from their time in high school
• Ask questions and offer suggestions regarding the future of
ESL/ELL in Vancouver
Provide feedback to Senior Management regarding recommendations
to consider should the district consider any adjustments to ESL/ELL
services.
May 7: Aboriginal Achievement celebration at Templeton.