Handsworth 101 - Parent Glossary

A parent's A-Z guide to everything Handsworth

Athletic Council – chaired by the Athletic Coordinator, includes two staff coaches, a member of the PE department, one administrative officer, two students, and two parent representatives (elected by the HPAC). The council provides advice and consultation to the athletic coordinator and school administration about extra-curricular athletics budgets, uniforms, coaches and teams. The council will monitor and influence the direction of athletics at Handsworth. (Source: Athletic Handbook 2018).  Athletic Handbook and Policies

Athletic Coordinator – staff person at Handsworth responsible for coordinating the extra-curricular athletic program at the school. Handsworth Staff Information

Athletic Leadership – grade 11/12 elective credit course which provides students the opportunity to take a leadership role in the school athletics and intramural programs.

Blue/Gold – school colours, also used to denote beginning and advanced levels in music and sport teams, especially at grade eight level.

Choices – The Choices program supports Handsworth students with social/emotional and/or behavioural circumstances that may act as a barrier to school success. Students work with grade counsellors and the Choices team to recognize learning barriers, understand the genesis of the barriers, and strategize on possible solutions.

Course Programming Meetings – in February, counselors make in-class visits with students and hold information evenings for parents to provide information and advice on course planning for the following academic year.  Courses and Programs

Clubs – vary from year to year depending on interests of students. Each club must have a teacher sponsor and be approved by the Student Council. Student Clubs

Foundry - Support, Counselling and connection to other Foundry services.

​​​Foundry North Shore North & West Vancouver

Go Card/ID Card – the name for the student photo identification card, supplied by the school after photo day. The Go Card allows students to purchase bus passes and tickets at concession rates.

Grad Council – grade 12 student group with teacher sponsor that organizes school-sanctioned grad events and fundraisers.

Handsworth Newsletter – Royal News is the electronic school newsletter sent to parents via email each month.  Handsworth Newsletters - Royal News

Homeroom – each student is assigned a “homeroom” teacher and classroom at the start of the year. Students assemble in this class on the first day of school to receive paperwork for parents and then return on various occasions throughout the year for other documents or important information.

Heritage Fair –showcase of individual and group grade 10 social studies projects featuring aspects of Canadian History, held each year.

Interim Reports – issued throughout the year at teachers’ discretion to keep students/parents informed on student progress.

Grade Eight Parents’ Night – Each September grade 8 parents have the opportunity meet their children’s teachers as they tour the school following a condensed version of their students’ timetables. Hospitality is sponsored by the HPAC.  Grade 7 to 8 Transition
​

Parent Teacher Interviews – held in Term 1 and Term 2. Interview requests are made via an online system School Appointments On-Line​.

Parent Volunteers – parents are involved in the school in many capacities. Parent Advisory Councils are the legislated (BC School Act) as the parent voice at the school level. At HPAC meetings we have parent representatives from the Handsworth Music Parents Association, the Athletic Council, and Canadian Parents for French. We receive Drama news from Drama parent volunteers and regularly invite sports team parent volunteers to share their news at our meetings. NVSD Volunteers in Schools policy  Parent Volunteers

Passport to Education - Ministry of Education program, phased-out 2015, that recognized academic achievement in grades 10-12 meeting specific criteria.  Passport “stamps” were awarded to students which could be redeemed for specific $ amounts towards post-secondary tuition.  Please visit the BC Ministry of Education Provincial Scholarships, and the Handsworth Student Scholarship pages for more information.

Peak Performance  - North Vancouver School district enhanced program that affords students who are high level athletes or performers the opportunity to balance their academic schedule with the demands of competition and training.   Peak Performance

Peer Tutoring – academic support available for junior students provided at lunch and after school (and sometimes in the Learning Centre) by trained senior students.

Peer Tutoring 12 and Teacher Assistant 12 – elective credit course designed for grade 12s to volunteer as peer tutors to grade 8 and 9 students.

Photo Day – professional school photographers come to the school to take photos of all students. Parents may order photo packages. All students will receive a Handsworth photo identification card, known as a Go Card.  Student portraits may be ordered through ARTONA Handsworth School Photos.

Pink Shirt Day – student-led anti-bullying initiative with national connections.  Pink Shirt Day

Planning 10/12 – required courses for graduation. Goal of Planning 10 is to enable students to develop responsible decision-making skills in the area of education/career, health and finances. Planning 12 further supports students in education and career planning and in Graduation Transition requirements.

Royals Gear – Handsworth logo wear and accessories marketed by senior business students.  Royals Gear

Royals Athletic Hot Lunch – the Handsworth Royals Athletic Hot Lunch Program runs three days per week by a parent volunteer group to raise funds for athletic programs.  Orders for the lunch program may be placed through Munch-A-Lunch.

Royal Recognition assemblies held in May/June, for students receiving special student and/or school nominated awards.

Santa’s Breakfast – student council led event for Grade 8s and Handsworth Family of Schools, admission by donation of food item for Christmas Hamper.

Safe Grad – organized by parents, this “dry after grad” is not an official school event.

Scholarships – many opportunities exist for students seeking financial support for post-secondary pursuits.  Financial Assistance

and Scholarships

School Nurse – Vancouver Coastal Health supports a Comprehensive School Health framework. A public health nurse is assigned to Handsworth and is available to students by contacting the Nurse On-Call at 604-983-6754.  The Nurse can provide support, education and referral as required on issues of healthy living, sexual health, mental health, anxiety, and disordered eating.  School Nurse

School Plan – each year the School prepares a plan that develops, monitors, and reviews, the school’s goals for improving student achievement. The substance of the school plan reflects the goals of the North Vancouver school district while respecting the unique circumstances of the school.   Handsworth School Plan

Senior Formal – formal dinner dance for grade 11 and 12 students held in late January each year, this is not an official school event.

Service Hours – refers to (i) the 30 hours of paid or volunteer work experience that are a part of the “Graduation Transitions” requirement for graduation. Students may start accumulating (and documenting) these hours in grade 10 (ii) volunteer hours accumulated by grade 8-12 students in service to the school.

Sports Team Parent Volunteers – the extra-curricular athletic program at Handsworth appreciates and values the support of volunteer parent groups. Parent volunteers are involved in such activities as team management, transportation, concessions and fundraising. Terms of reference for these groups may be found in the Athletic Handbook on the Handsworth School Site.  Volunteers

Strachan Hartley Run - charity run held each fall at Handsworth in memory of Handsworth alumnus Strachan Hartley who died from cancer at age 30. The run raises funds for the Strachan Hartley Legacy Foundation which provides youth with opportunities to achieve their full potential through sports and education.  Strachan Hartley Foundation

Student Council – the council is formed of two representatives from grades 8 to 10, one each from grades 11 and 12, and an executive council and members-at-large made up of grade 11 and 12 students. The council’s purpose is to unite the student body, promote school spirit, and support student needs. It organizes events, approves new clubs, and undertakes special projects. Elections are held near the end of the year, with the exception of the grade 8 reps that are elected in the fall.  Student Council

Student Leadership Council – council formed of representatives from each secondary school in the North Vancouver School District.  District Student Leadership Council

Take our Kids to Work Day – Grade 9 Take Our Kids to Work is an annual program in which Grade 9 students are hosted by parents, friends, relatives and volunteers at workplaces across the country every November. The program supports career development by helping students connect school, the world of work, and their own futures.  Take Our Kids to Work

Volunteers in Schools – The North Vancouver board of Education believes "the active involvement of parents in a volunteer role has the potential to provide considerable benefit to the intellectual and social development of students".   North Vancouver School District Volunteer Policy

Youth Awards (DNV) – the District of North Vancouver has designated a number of awards to recognize the contributions of Youth to our community and to commend those who support and develop youth.  District of North Vancouver Civic Youth Awards

Youth Outreach Workers – provide one to one support and advocacy for teens. Youth workers hold office hours at Handsworth and can be reached after school too. More information

Youth Week – celebrated the first week of May to promote and raise awareness of the positive contributions of youth in our community. More information