John Norquay Elementary School
4710 Slocan Street, Vancouver, BC V5R 2A1
Telephone: 713-4666    Fax: 713-4668

Date: September 2, 2003   Newsletter #1
Area Superintendent - Mr. Tom Grant  604 713-4590
Principal - Ms. Gail Wynston
Vice-Principal - Ms. Kim Nemeth
Liaison Trustee - Mr. John Cheng
School Consultative Committee Chairperson: Mrs. Anne Miller
Visit Norquay School on the Web at norquay.vsb.bc.ca

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the 2003-2004 school year at John Norquay.  We hope your family’s summer has been a good one and that you and your children are looking forward to a great school year.  We, the staff, are returning to school refreshed and enthusiastic about working with your children.  Norquay is an exceptional school because of the commitment of its staff and the support of its parents.   It is a pleasure for us to teach such respectful and hard-working students.  We’re pleased to welcome several new students to our school this year and are confident that they will find Norquay an interesting and enjoyable place to learn.
                                                    Ms. G. Wynston
                                                    Principal

STAFF CHANGES
We warmly welcome some new staff members.  Ms. Nemeth is our new Vice-Principal.   Our new teachers are Mrs. Campbell, Ms. Zucko, Ms. Affleck, Ms. Fraser, and Ms. H. Paris.   Mr. Polsom is a new Student Support Worker.  We welcome back from maternity leave Mrs. Kitamura and Ms. M. Paris.  

OPENING PLANS
Students will be returning to their last year’s classroom for the first few days again this year.  This will allow us to make the changes necessary to our organization and have them approved by the school board before moving children into their new classrooms.

LUNCH
Most of our students are able to eat independently, but some of the younger ones require help from an adult.  In order to have a more comfortable and orderly lunch time for our younger students, we are setting aside special tables for those whose parents or grandparents come to school to help those in Kindergarten to Grade 2 eat.  Children in Grade 3 and up are expected to be able to eat on their own.  If you come to school to help your child eat lunch, please do this at the tables marked “K - 2 Children with Helpers”.  This will keep adults from crowding the children eating by themselves.

PARKING/TRAFFIC SAFETY
Please do not drive into the staff parking lot to drop off or pick up your child, as this is dangerous for your child and blocks teachers’ access.  The area on Slocan Street in front of the school is a NO STOPPING zone.  Please use the crosswalk, obeying the School Safety Patrol, when crossing Slocan with your child.  Your cooperation teaches children the importance of good citizenship and safe behaviour.

SCHOOL SCHEDULE

8:40 a.m.               Supervision begins
8:55 a.m.               Bell for student entry
9:00 a.m.               Classes begin
10:25 - 10:40           Recess
12:00 - 12:55           Lunch
1:00 p.m.               Classes begin
3:00 p.m.               Dismissal
3:20                    Supervision ends

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUPPLIES FEES
The Vancouver School Board offers the service to parents to purchase basic school supplies in bulk at wholesale prices and to pass the cost savings on to families.  The School Supply Fee for 2002/03 is $25.00/student and $12.50/half day Kindergarten student.  This covers the cost of basic school supplies used for students’ personal use such as paper, writing tools, rulers, scissors, glue sticks, erasers, paint sets and exercise books.  Supplies are provided for the full year except where excessive loss and replacement becomes unreasonable.  The advantages for families of the Board providing student supplies are: (1) convenience (2) cost savings and (3) standardization of supplies used in the classroom.

As a reminder, the Vancouver School Board will not deny a child access to the school supplies required for his or her educational program because of financial hardship.  Parents and Guardians who would like to request to postpone payment of the supplies fee or require the supplies fee to be waived for the current school year must speak with Ms. Wynston.

Please do not send school fees until the students are with their new class and teacher.
 

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
The Vancouver District Parents Advisory Council, at their meeting of 2002 May 09, recommended that Industrial Alliance Pacific Life Insurance Company be the provider of 2002/03 Student Accident Insurance plan, IAP Kids Plus, for the Vancouver School district for September 2002.

This insurance is voluntary on the part of parents.  Some of the features of the IAP Kids Plus accident insurance coverage may be beneficial to families
    as a supplement to provincial or private health coverage;
    who do not have coverage for dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic, etc.;
    who have not been resident in B.C. long enough to qualify for medical coverage. 
The forms for insurance will be sent home with students this week.  The forms are to be sent directly to IAP, not returned to the school.

MENINGOCOCCAL C IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM FOR GRADE 6 STUDENTS
New this year, Vancouver community Health is offering an additional free immunization for Grade 6 students ONLY.  Along with Hepatitis B (two doses), we will offer meningococcal C (one dose) vaccine in the school program.  Meningococcal C vaccine protects against meningitis caused by meningococcal C bacteria.  Two consent forms will be sent home with your Grade 6 child with more information about each vaccine.  Please sign and return the consent forms as soon as possible to the school.  With your permission, the community health nurse will give the students TWO shots in opposite arms- Hep B #1 and Men C- at the first school clinic, and ONE shot HEP B#2 in the spring.  If you have any further questions, please call your local community health nurse at 604- 707-3603.  

VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY
Evening Immunization Clinics (4-6 years old)
Evergreen Community Health Centre, 3425 Crowley Drive, Vancouver, BC
Call for an appointment: 604 872-2511
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Wednesday, October 22, 2003 5-7:00 pm
Please Bring Your Child’s Immunization Records with you to your appointment.  

COMMUNITY NEWS
In our newsletters we include information about activities from non-profit organizations only.   The bulletin board in the front hall is available for advertisements from tutors and for-profit organizations.  Please be advised that we provide this space only as a service to our families.  We do not endorse nor do we take responsibility for any of the programs or teachers advertised on the board.

1. Chinese Language Classes at Norquay School: The FIRST TERM starts from September 8 to the end of January, on Mondays from 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.  (There will be no classes during school holidays.)  Registration is in the basement of the school at 3:15 p.m. on Monday September 8.

Please refrain from making inquiries at the office.  For more information, please call 604-322-3388.

2. Vancouver Westside German School, Tuesdays 4:00 - 6:15 p.m., Carnarvon School, Balaclava at 16th.  All levels, beginner to advanced, are welcomed.  604-736-5955.

3. Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival: Saturday Sept. 13.
        5:00 p.m.       Harvest Fair at Slocan Park
        7:00 p.m.       Lantern parade from Slocan Park to Renfrew Park
        8:00 p.m.       Festivities inside and outside the Renfrew Park Community Centre

For more information or to volunteer to help call 604-257-8388.

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Fri. Sept. 19 - Professional Day (No school for students.)
Fri. Oct. 3 - Professional Day (No school for students.)
Mon. Oct. 13 - Thanksgiving Day (School closed.)
Fri. Oct. 24 - Professional Day (No school for students.)
Tues. Nov. 11 -  Remembrance Day (School closed.)
Wed. Dec. 3 &  Thurs. Dec. 4 - Report Card Conferences (Students dismissed at 2:00 p.m.)
Dec. 22 - Jan. 02 - Winter Vacation
Mon. Jan. 19 - Professional Day (No school for students.)
Wed. Feb. 25 -  Professional Day (No school for students.)
Wed. Mar. 10 &  Thurs. Mar. 11 - Report Card Conferences (Students dismissed at 2:00 p.m.)
Mar. 15 - 19 - Spring Vacation
Fri. Apr. 9 - Good Friday (School closed.)
Mon. Apr. 12 -  Easter Monday (School closed.)
Mon. May 24 - Victoria Day (School closed.)
Tues. June 8 -  Professional Day (No school for students.)
Tues. June 29 - Last day for students.