Good News from the NVSD​

Information 

Emergency Preparedness at the NVSD  

Did you know that the North Vancouver School District has built a comprehensive emergency management plan? The Plan places the safety of students and staff as the highest priority. Each year our schools practice a series of emergency drills. This ensures staff and students understand the processes and would therefore be better able to respond during a real emergency. Rehearsing emergency procedures builds confidence and helps to give staff, students, and families a level of familiarity with each of these important drills. 

Families also play a valuable role in the success of a school's ability to respond to an emergency. To learn more about emergency preparedness at the school district, visit the Emergency Preparedness web page. These pages cover information regarding emergency drills at schools, our all-hazard response approach, student release procedures, emergency preparedness at home and about the role families play in the success of a school’s ability to respond to an emergency.

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 2024. 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.

Heading to the Capilano River with your family? 

The Capilano River is downstream from the Cleveland Dam, which holds one of three drinking water reservoirs for the region. Each spring, the dams begin storing water into their respective reservoirs to prepare for the region’s increased water demand during the spring and summer months. During the winter months, water from the reservoirs spills naturally into the rivers below. 

The volume of water in the river and how it navigates the steep, winding curves of the river can make it unsafe. With little notice, the river can rise more than 5 metres at various points and move faster than 21 km/hour.

For your safety, stay on the designated trails in Capilano River Regional Park and around the river and be aware of your surroundings. Under normal conditions, the trails are a safe distance from the river’s edge. Download the Alertable app to stay aware and informed of Capilano River and Cleveland Dam emergencies. Metro Vancouver has installed an alarm system along the Capilano River to alert visitors in the rare event that a large, unscheduled amount of water is being released from the dam. 

Visit Metro Vancouver’s website for more river safety tips.

NVSD Events

Lynnmour X̱á7elcha Elementary 50th Birthday Open House — June 6

Happy 50th Birthday to Lynnmour X̱á7elcha Elementary! Current and former students, families, and staff are invited to join in the festivities on June 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. Visit the school you attended, taught at or had your children attend. This little school with a big heart has been home to many students over the years and continues to be a wonderful space for new learners!

Public Board Meeting – June 18

A Board of Education Public Board Meeting takes place on Tuesday, June 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, which are posted on the Thursday afternoon preceding the public meeting.

Prevailing Landscapes — Exhibition open until June 22

The Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art presents a seminal exhibition that brings together works by eight contemporary Canadian artists of international acclaim. On display from April 12 until June 22, 2024, Prevailing Landscapes features artists Kim Dorland, Stan Douglas, Tim Gardner, Cameron Kerr, Krystle Silverfox, Ian Wallace, Jin-me Yoon, and Karen Zalamea. Spanning painting, drawing, photography, video, and sculpture, among other media, the collection of over 35 works presents a critical look at historically romanticized perspectives of the Great Canadian Wilderness. For more information visit The Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation website.  

NVSD Registrations

Summer Learning — Registration closes June 21

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 2024 course offerings provide students opportunities to further their learning and/or earn credits toward graduation:

• Full Credit Academic Grade 10-12 Courses (including options to meet the Indigenous-focused graduation requirement) 
  
• 7/8 Transition into Secondary School
  
• English Language Learning (ELL)
  
• Eslha7an Secondary Review & Completion
  
• Numeracy 8/9 Foundations
  
• Literacy 8/9 Foundations 
  

Registration is open to students within and beyond the NVSD. Registration closes on Friday, June 21 at 12 noon.

Academies – Spaces remain for some programs

Spaces remain for some specialized academies and interested students entering Grade 8 -12 are encouraged to apply. Should any program reach capacity, applicants will be placed on a waitlist. For more information about the Academies program, please visit the Academies web page. 

AFK Summer Day Camps – Registration open

Artists for Kids is pleased to offer 3 weeks of Summer Day Camps! Taught by art specialist teachers, campers will have the opportunity to experiment with drawing, painting, collage, printmaking and more. With indoor studio time and outdoor recreation time, campers will enjoy a fun-filled week of artmaking and creativity! Visit the Artists for Kids website for more information and to register.

Elementary Band and Strings – Late Registration open 

Elementary Band and Strings is open to students in Grades 5 – 7 for Band and Grades 4 – 7 for Strings. Our unique instrumental music program complements the Arts Education curriculum and provides school-based instrumental instruction in a supportive and fun learning environment. Visit the Elementary Band and Strings web page for information, including program fees.

North Vancouver Online Learning – Online registration open 

NVOL, a Provincial Online Learning School, 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. Students can engage in their NVOL courses entirely remotely online or in a blended model of online and in-person interactions at the NVOL Centre.

Course snapshot: Français langue seconde Immersion 12

Français langue seconde Immersion 12 allows students to earn the Grade 12 French credits required for the Diplôme de fin d'études secondaires en Colombie-Britannique. This course is designed to be flexible, engaging, and tailored to students’ learning needs. Teacher Madame Adam supports learners strengthening language proficiency and deepening cultural understanding through online or in-person meetings. 

Français langue seconde Immersion 12 at NVOL is more than language acquisition; it’s an exploration of identity, critical thinking, and effective communication in a global context. Through engaging lessons, diverse texts, and multiple interactive experiences, students explore the richness of the Francophone world and Indigenous perspectives.  Foster plurilingual excellence and prepare for a future enriched by linguistic and cultural diversity. Elevate your Grade 12 year with the art of language at North Vancouver Online Learning! View the course description on the NVOL website.

Visit the NVOL website to see the full suite of courses from Grades 8 through 12 in both English and French.

Paradise Valley Summer School of Visual Art – Registration open

Young artists ages 8 - 15 will explore their surroundings with artist Samuel Roy-Bois in the beautiful setting of Paradise Valley. From July 8 to 12 (5 days and 4 nights), campers will receive in-depth instruction in collage, drawing, painting and printmaking, and explore concepts of form and colour. Working in small studio groups, teachers emphasize individual skill development and artistic style. This week-long studio program is well balanced with outdoor recreation and studio time. Visit the Artists for Kids website for more information and to register.

Community Initiatives

Foundry North Shore: Youth and Vaping — June 12

Foundry North Shore invites parents and guardians to a free community conversation on Youth and Vaping – Information, Considerations and Impacts. Tobacco and vapour reduction coordinators, Lauren Wilkinson and Lindsay MacDonald from Vancouver Coastal Health will cover youth vaping rates, stats, products, industry influence, health impacts including addiction, communication with your young person, and local supports for youth. The event takes place on June 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Rockridge Secondary School. RSVP required through Eventbrite.