Welcome back! We hope everyone had a wonderful summer break, and hope you share our excitement as we launch into our new school year. On behalf of Capilano’s staff we would like to welcome back returning students and extend a special welcome to students and families new to our school this year. We are happy to have you as part of our Capilano Elementary community! Looking ahead to our upcoming 2016-­‐17 school year, please see below for important information: School opening: On Tuesday, September 6th, school will be in session from 8:50 – 10:50. Our entrance bell will ring at 8:45. Upon entrance, students should proceed to their last year’s classrooms. New students should report to the Library. Wednesday, September 7th is our first full day. Please remember, however, that as it is a Wednesday we dismiss at 2:08 p.m. When students enter at 8:45 a.m. they should report to rooms as follows: 2016-­‐17 Grade Report to… Kindergarten Classrooms specified on letter sent home Grade 1 Library Grades 2 -­‐ 7 Classrooms you were in yesterday We ask that students have at school on Wednesday all school supplies, snacks, a lunch, water bottle and appropriate clothing for the weather. Our school supply lists are attached for your reference. You can no longer order through EduPac, so please make sure you get all items listed at a supplier of your choice. These lists have been sent to Staples for your shopping convenience. Changes for the 2016-­‐17 school year: Staff Changes: • Congratulations to Mrs. Hicks (formerly Ms. Kim Smith) who got married over the summer! • Ms. Sidhu has officially become Mrs. Crouch. She married last summer and has now changed her name. • We welcome Ms. Laura Eastwood who is joining us as a Grade 5 teacher during Mrs. Pringle’s maternity leave. • At Grade 7 we have ___ joining Mme. Todd and Mrs. Farrell. • Ms. Waterman has returned from leave to our Kindergarten team. • Mrs. Langston has joined our staff team as a supervision aide. New Curriculum: We are implementing British Columbia’s new curriculum this school year. Our teaching staff has already been working with the new curriculum, and teachers have re-­‐worked many units of inquiry to suit the new curriculum. NVSD Elementary Assessment & Reporting Pilot: Capilano is one of five North Vancouver elementary schools involved in an assessment and reporting pilot. Last year we made the move to using consistent reporting language K – 7. A letter will be sent home in September detailing changes to our reporting model. Reminders for the upcoming school year: Health matters! We encourage families to walk or roll to and from school as often as possible. In addition to its physical benefits, being active outdoors prior to school helps children be alert and prepared to learn. Fewer students arriving by car also improves air quality around the school. For further information on active and safe routes to school please click here. Please ensure children come to school with healthy snacks, drinks and lunches. Having balanced food selections to choose from throughout the day helps children maintain energy and focus throughout the school day. We also ask that parents send your children to school with a water bottle so they can stay adequately hydrated throughout the day. Thank you for considering the environment when packing snacks and lunches by aiming for litter-­‐
free containers as often as possible. While many are excited to start a new school year, getting back into school routines can be challenging for children (and adults!) of all ages. Establishing and practising routines at home prior to school opening will help your children transition more smoothly to school. Suggested routines include: reading before bed, consistent bedtime and helping pack lunches and bags. Settling in to the new school year will take some time as students adjust to new classmates, classrooms and teachers. Every day is an outside day at Capilano! Please ensure children have at school clothing to keep them comfortable throughout the school day. We suggest children layer clothes so they can take a sweater/jacket off if too warm, and put one on if cold. Raincoats, rubber boots and umbrellas are also recommended given our often-­‐wet weather. Having a small bag of extra clothing at school is a good idea too. For more in-­‐depth health-­‐related information, please visit Vancouver Coastal Health’s School Health Manual. Traffic On days you are not able to walk or roll to school please do your best to keep traffic as sane as possible around the school. Please abide by all driving laws and posted signage. When dropping off/picking up children to ease traffic congestion ideally park a block or two away from the school and walk the remaining distance to/from the school. If choosing to use our pick-­‐up/drop-­‐off zone please travel west on 20th street, follow volunteer traffic marshals’ signals, and do not use this zone as a place to park. Before & After School Supervision Parents are responsible for supervising children on school grounds before and after school unless a staff member has taken responsibility for supervision (ex. tutorials, extra-­‐
curricular activities). Please do not leave children on school grounds without direct the supervision of a responsible adult. Please refer to our school website for further information about our school. We look forward to another fantastic year of learning and growing at Capilano! Sincerely, Doug Beveridge & Glenda Robertson Principal Vice-­‐Principal