School Closure & Non-Instructional Days

School will be closed on Friday, February 3rd & Monday, February 6th. In addition, Friday, February 17th is a Non-Instructional day. STUDENTS DO NOT ATTEND ANY OF THESE DAYS

February Parent Advisory Committee Meeting

Our next Parent Advisory Committee will  . . . → Read More: Newsletter, Jan. 30, 2012]]>

 January 30, 2012                                                              Number 6

School Closure & Non-Instructional Days

School will be closed on Friday, February 3^rd  & Monday, February 6^th.  In addition, Friday, February 17^th is a Non-Instructional day.  STUDENTS DO NOT ATTEND ANY OF THESE DAYS

February Parent Advisory Committee Meeting

Our next Parent Advisory Committee will be held on Tuesday, February 7^th at 7:00 p.m.   Baby sitting provided.   In addition to our regular agenda items, we will have a parent discussion about the current teachers job action

February Popcorn Sale at Recess

Christmas Hamper Drive

Thank you Livingstone families.  We had over 200 bags of food that were donated to the Tupper Community Hamper Drive.  We were able to help over 12090 families.

January PAC Meeting Tuesday, January 10th

Our January PAC meeting will be on Tuesday, January 10th at 7:00 pm (babysitting provided). Our discussion topic this month should be very interesting.

“Playing God in a Gray World”

A discussion with parents of the ethical and  . . . → Read More: ]]>

January 5, 2012                                                                              Number 5

January PAC Meeting Tuesday, January 10^th

Our January PAC meeting will be on Tuesday, January 10^th at 7:00 pm (babysitting provided).  Our discussion topic this month should be very interesting.

“Playing God in a Gray World”

A discussion with parents of the ethical and moral decisions school teachers and administrators are required to make on a daily basis.

 In addition to our regular business, the following items will be on the agenda:

- Spirit Wear (school branded clothing +

- Multi-Cultural Night Planning)

Popcorn Sale

Our January PAC POPCORN SALE will be on Thursday, January 19^th at recess.  Cost is $1.00 or Pre-purchased Popcorn card.  All proceeds go to PAC sponsored field trips and technology support at Livingstone.

Whole School Book Exchange

Our FIFTH annual Book Exchange will take place March 8^th.  Students can begin to sort through their books and in  February we will announce the dates to bring them in.  On the day of the exchange, students will get a token for each book brought in.  This can be used to get another book on  Book Exchange Day.

Next Non-Instructional Day

Our next Non-Instructional Day will be on Wednesday, January 18^th.   Students do not attend all day.  Livingstone will be hosting a Student to Student Tech Conference for the Tupper Family of Schools.

Our Future

The Vancouver School Board is embarking on an exciting new project to determine the future of our schools. The VSB has a wide-range of services, programs and educational resources available across our district.   Now it’s time to take stock of what we offer and  determine what programs

and opportunities should be prioritized now and into the future in order to create the best possible learning environment.

It’s a big task and a major part of the process is our new website called Our Future. The site is located at: http://ourfuture.vsb.bc.ca and has three sections: Your Schools, Your Community and Your Voice.

We have designed it to help you understand what we offer in neighborhoods and schools across the district. You’ll discover a wide range of information about your schools, the programs they offer, their demographics, facility information, staffing levels, catchment statistics and other community resources.

Once you have explored the Our Future website, you’ll be able to add your voice to the discussion of the future of our district at http://ourfuture.vsb.bc.ca/voice.aspx. The survey is short and won’t take you more than 5 minutes to complete.

We are hoping that you will join us in this exciting consultation project. With your participation, this survey will help us guide the coming discussion around the district’s future.

Literacy Circle and Intermediate Club at Livingstone Elementary School

Improve reading and writing skills.  Interact in fun and creative way.  Make new friends!

All in a supportive and fun learning environment, plus we provide a small nutritious snack each session.

Program Dates & Times: (3:00pm – 5:00pm in the school library)

Term 2:   January 10 – March 16, 2012

Literacy Circle (grades 1-3):   Tues. and Thurs.

Intermediate Club (grades 4-7):   Wed. and Fri.

Fees:

$35/term

Cheques are payable to “Little Mountain Neighbourhood House”

*subsidies may be available – please inquire

Registration:

   Spaces are limited.   Registration will be on a first come first served basis.

To register, contact: Jasica Grewal Little Mountain Neighbourhood House              604-879-7104 ext. 310

]]> http://liv-online.vsb.bc.ca/blog/newsletter/630/feed/ 0 http://liv-online.vsb.bc.ca/blog/newsletter/newsletter-nov-23-2011/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=newsletter-nov-23-2011 http://liv-online.vsb.bc.ca/blog/newsletter/newsletter-nov-23-2011/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:09:35 +0000 smccarthy http://liv-online.vsb.bc.ca/?p=611 November 23, 2011 Number 4

Non-Instructional/Professional Day

Parents are reminded that there is a Non-Instructional Day on Friday, November 25th. Students do not attend. Staff will be attending a number of workshops and/or researching their various technology related topics.

Food Hamper Drive

Every year Livingstone School collects food for the needy. This  . . . → Read More: Newsletter Nov. 23, 2011]]>

November 23, 2011                                                                           Number 4

Non-Instructional/Professional Day

Parents are reminded that there is a Non-Instructional Day on Friday, November 25^th.  Students do not attend.  Staff will be attending a number of workshops and/or researching their various technology related topics.

Food Hamper Drive

Every year Livingstone School collects food for the needy.  This year our food donations will again go to the Riley Park / Little Mountain Food Hamper drive organized by the Tupper Community Link Team. Hampers go to families in need who live within our schools’ community.  As we did last year, we will be sending home brown bags (donated by Whole Foods).   Please put in non-perishable food.  We will stack them in the main hall under the long David Livingstone sign.  It would be wonderful if everyone brought in one bag with one or more items.  Donations must be in by Friday, December 9^th.

Popcorn Sale

Our fourth PAC sponsored POPCORN sale of the year will be on Friday, December 9^h at recess.  Most students have purchased a popcorn card but if they haven’t the cost is $1.00.

Christmas Concert:  All Students to Perform

All our students are presently preparing for this special concert on Thursday, December 15^th  IN THE AFTERNOON 1:15.  (Because of the teachers’ job action, there will not be an evening performance this year.)  Our music teacher, Mrs. Presley is working with all classes, our band, and our choir to prepare a variety of  musical numbers.  We will also have an afternoon “Dress Rehearsal” concert at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14^th, – all students will watch and participate.  There will be a limited number of seats at the back for parents unable to come Thursday afternoon.   As we are not sure of the numbers attending, we will continue to have festival seating.  Only a very limited number of chairs and benches (for those unable to sit on the floor) will be set up around the outside of the gym.  We will set out our gym mats at the back of the gym, however, if you want to sit near the front, parents are asked to bring a pillow to sit on.  The concert is expected to be just over one hour in length.

Battery Recycling

We have a new battery recycling program.  You can drop old batteries into the brown bins outside the office.

Snow Closure Procedure *IMPORTANT REMINDER*

*  In the event of snow, please do not call the school!!    Staff need to keep our phone lines free to handle emergencies and staff will not be available to answer calls.

* A CLEAR ANNOUNCEMENT regarding school closures will be provided to most local radio stations by 6:00 a.m.  

* The quickest and best way to determine if schools are closed is to check the VSB website www.vsb.bc.ca.

Christmas Luncheon

On Wednesday, December 14^th,   we will be having our annual Christmas luncheon.  All students may participate.  Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, juice, mandarin orange and a candy cane will be served.  Any student that is not normally part of the regular lunch program can choose to attend this special event by sending $4.00 to the office by Monday, December 5th.

Recycling Drive & Request

We have had a good steady start in recycling from students this year.  Please support our school and your child by sending in all your recycling. Remember all the money collected goes toward special projects, especially field trips for all students.

Student Photos and the Livingstone Web Page

Livingstone School is updating their web page,  liv.vsb.bc.ca..  We plan to post pictures of school events, field trips,  dances, etc.  Students names will not be given.  In addition, student teachers, working with our staff, often take pictures of the students for their assignments.  If, for any reason, you do not want your child’s picture on the website or used by student teachers,  please send a note to the school office by Monday, December 5^th or contact Mr. Brook.

Kindergarten Registration

Please tell you neighbours that kindergarten registration for next year has already started.  After January 31^st, we will be accepting Cross Boundary applications and it is very likely that we will fill up.

Mad Science

Mad Science will be coming to David Livingstone Elementary this Winter with their NEW exciting 8-week after school program!  Classes will be offered on Wednesday’s and run from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm.  The program will be offered once per week for 8-weeks.  The classes will run from January 25, 2012 to March 28, 2012 (no classes March 14 & 21).  Eight weeks of exciting hands-on science based activities.  Watch fascinating demonstrations, join in inquiry-based discussions, participate in individual and group experiments and make amazing take-homes.  Mad Science will spark the curiosity and imagination of children with fun science activities that will help them understand the science around them.  Take an exciting look behind aerodynamics while creating your own air pockets, glide high with the Wright Brothers while you learn about flight, take a tour on the electron freeway with a stop in circuit city, experience the awesome forces of gravity and inertia, and so much more…  Cost is $112 (HST included) for the eight weeks including all materials & themed weekly take-homes!  Registration forms will be sent home with every student in grades K to 7 on November 30^th.  Come one…Come all!  Register for the after school program early as space is limited.  Please drop off completed forms and payment to the school office to ensure you child’s seat in the program.  We hope to see you there!  If you have any questions about our program please do not contact the school office, but contact Mad Science directly. www.madscience.org/vancouve   Phone:  604-591-9115.

Literacy Circle and Intermediate Club at Livingstone Elementary School

Improve reading and writing skills.  Interact in fun and creative ways.  Make new friends! All in a supportive and fun learning environment, plus they provide a small nutritious snack each session                       
Program Dates & Times: 3:00pm – 5:00 pm in the school library
Literacy Circle (grades 1-3): Mon and Wed
Intermediate Club (grades 4-7): Tues and ThursFees:
$35/term
*subsidies may be available – please inquire
Registration: Look for the notice in December or early January.
Spaces are limited. Registration will be on a first-come first-served basis                      

STUDENTS DO NOT ATTEND ALL DAY Tuesday, February 7 Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) 7:00 p.m. – in the staffroom (babysitting provided) Wednesday, February 8- Tuesday, February 14 Candygram Sale in the  . . . → Read More: Important Dates]]>

IMPORTANT DATES

STUDENTS DO NOT ATTEND ALL DAY Tuesday, February 7  Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) 7:00 p.m. – in the  staffroom (babysitting provided) Wednesday, February 8- Tuesday, February 14 Candygram Sale in the main hall Wednesday, February 8 Grade 6/7 Sea to Sky Parent Meeting 7:00 library Friday, February 17 Non-Instructional Day – STUDENTS DO NOT ATTEND ALL DAY    

SCHOOL NEWS

PAC Popcorn Sale

Our second PAC LOONIE POPCORN SALE for the year will be held on Wednesday, October 26th at recess. Popcorn will be on sale in the main hall. Most students have purchased the prepaid popcorn card but for those who have not the cost  . . . → Read More: Newsletter Oct. 25, 2011]]>

October 25, 2011                                                                           Number 3

Applications received after January 31 will not be considered until all in-catchment students who submitted an application prior to January 31 have been placed. Late applicants, including siblings of in-catchment students already enrolled in the school, will be added to the end of the schools waitlist. Late in-catchment sibling applicants will have priority consideration over other late in-catchment applicants.

A family can register their child(ren) for Kindergarten if the student will reach the age of five years on or before December 31 of the calendar year.  For the 2012-13 school year the child must be born in 2007.  Cross Boundary applications will be accepted on February 15, 2011.  For more information, please see www.vsb.bc.ca

Livingstone Preschool Club

Do you have or know any 3, 4, 5, year olds in your neighborhood?  This year we were able to start our very successful FREE PRESCHOOL CLUB in September.  Children and their parents can attend every Friday morning from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.   Call the school office (713-4985 ) if you need more details.

Tupper Mini School &  Mini School Deadlines

As many of our more capable students (A – B average) apply to Tupper Mini, we would like to suggest interested parents attend a Mini School Parent Information Night on Tuesday, November 15^th  at 7:00 p.m. at Tupper. Please note that all students applying to any mini school must register on-line for the District Alternate Program Test between Nov. 22 – Dec. 4, 2011.  The test will be administered on Monday. Dec. 12^th.  The application deadline for each individual alternate program is Thursday, December 15^th.  A copy of the  OPTIONS 2011 information brochure, which outlines all the alternative programs available in the Vancouver School District, can be picked up from Mrs. Cassie’s room.

Advance Notice – December Dates

If the present Teacher Job Action is not settled before Christmas, our Annual Christmas Concert will only be held in the afternoon.  Our revised plan is to have a Dress Rehearsal (all students attend) on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 14^th and the Family Performance on Thursday, December 15^th at 1:00 p.m.  Please mark this date on your calendar.

If you don’t know  . . . → Read More: Vote for Livingstone Green!]]>

You will find Livingstone Green under the categories Gardening and Recycling. The coolest part is that you can vote as many times as you want. The catch is that you need your postal code.

If you don’t know your own postal code you can use the school’s: V5V 1X6. Happy Voting!

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper with Laurie Cassie and Rebecca Robins / Le très honorable Stephen Harper avec Laurie Cassie et Rebecca Robins. Photo courtesy of the Prime Minister's Office.

Mrs. Cassie and Ms. Robin’s  . . . → Read More: Congratulations to Mrs. Cassie and Ms. Robins, Certificate of Excellence Recipients of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence]]> Congratulations to Mrs. Cassie and Ms. Robins, Certificate of Excellence Recipients of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper with Laurie Cassie and Rebecca Robins / Le très honorable Stephen Harper avec Laurie Cassie et Rebecca Robins. Photo courtesy of the Prime Minister's Office.

Mrs. Cassie and Ms. Robin’s Profile on the Prime Minister’s Awards

Press Release from the Prime Minister’s Awards:

The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, today announced the recipients of the 2010–11 Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education. Award recipients were honoured at a ceremony in Ottawa, fittingly held on World Teachers’ Day. The event also marked the launch of the nomination process for the 2011–12 Prime Minister’s Awards.

“Great teachers inspire great minds to be their best,” said Minister Van Loan. “Today, we celebrate outstanding educators who are igniting the curiosity of their students and making Canada a better place, one child at a time.”

This year, 84 Prime Minister’s Awards were presented to teachers and early childhood educators, either individually or to teams, from across Canada. The Awards include 26 national Certificates of Excellence and 58 regional Certificates of Achievement for educational excellence at all levels, from preschool to secondary school. All award recipients were recognized as exceptionally innovative leaders who help students excel and young children get the best possible start in life.

All winners receive a certificate, a pin and a letter from the Prime Minister. Certificates of Excellence are each worth $5,000 and are shared equally between the winners and their schools or childcare institutions. Certificates of Achievement are each worth $1,000 and are given directly to recipients… [Full Release on the Prime Minister's Award]

Laurie Cassie and Rebecca Robins with the Honourable Peter Van Loan / Laurie Cassie et Rebecca Robins avec l'honorable Peter Van Loan

From SMART Technologies | EDCompass:

Two SMART Exemplary Educators, Laurie Cassie and Rebecca Robins from David Livingstone Elementary School in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, are Certificate of Excellence Recipients of the 2010-2011 Prime Ministers Awards for Teaching Excellence (PMATE).

The awards recognize outstanding and innovative educators in Canada who help students excel and young children get the best possible start in life. This tech-savvy duo was honoured for their exceptional use of SMART Board interactive whiteboards, video and other technologies to make learning relevant for every student, along with their mentorship of other teachers… [Full Article on the EDCompass]

From The Vancouver Sun:

Besides, Ablett, the other teachers to get national-level certificates of excellence were Laurie Cassie and Rebecca Robbins of Vancouver’s David Livingstone elementary school; Arlene Anderson, West Vancouver’s Rockridge secondary school’s teacher-librarian; William Eaton from Similkameen elementary school in Keremeos; Christine Marin from Alfred B. Dixon elementary school in Richmond, and Harold Wardrop of Brentwood College School in Mill Bay… [Full Article on the Vancouver Sun]

Thank you very much to everyone who has made ‘Livingstone Green’ such a huge success. On Saturday Sept 17th approximately thirty people from our Community came together to plant ten fruit tress, seven fruit shrubs and build ten garden beds.

There have been many inquiries regarding the specific logistics about the  . . . → Read More: Livingstone Green Saturday Party a Success!]]>  Hello Livingstone Community,

Thank you very much to everyone who has made ‘Livingstone Green’ such a huge success. On Saturday Sept 17th approximately thirty people from our Community came together to plant ten fruit tress, seven fruit shrubs and build ten garden beds.

There have been many inquiries regarding the specific logistics about the gardens future: What are we going to plant? Who is on the gardening club? What’s next?

To address a few of those questions:

• Soil for the garden beds will arrive on Tuesday Sept 20.
• We plan on planting a ‘cover crop’ produce such as rye or red clover until the spring months.
• Our present ‘Livingstone Green’ team that consists of seven amazing grade 6 students will expand into a ‘Gardening Club.’ Any student who is interested can join the gardening club.
• We are still waiting for our compost centre to be built and fencing to go up.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and for your generous donations. This could not have been a success without you.

Our team has been invited by the Vancouver Foundation on Thursday October 27th, 5-7pm at Van Dusen Garden, to celebrate our success. You are all invited and rumour has it that the mayor will be there to celebrate with us.

I would like to acknowledge the amazing donations from UBC Botanical Garden, J&J Bean, The Home Depot, A1Tool, Rocky Mountain Flatbread. Also a thank you to the moms who came together to bake goodies like ginger cake.  Lastly, we cant forget the ‘Vancouver Foundation’ because without their generous $12,500 grant this would not be possible.

Cheers,
Jennifer Fischer

School Garden and Shovel Day

We had a wonderful and productive work day on Saturday with over 30 people coming out to build our garden beds and plant 10 fruit trees. On, Tuesday, September 20th the earth for our new garden beds was delivered. The students were all involved  . . . → Read More: September 20, 2011 Newsletter]]> September 20, 2011
Number 2

School Garden and Shovel Day

We had a wonderful and productive work day on Saturday with over 30 people coming out to build our garden beds and plant 10 fruit trees.  On, Tuesday, September 20^th the earth for our new garden beds was delivered.  The students were all involved in filling the beds.  Next is planning for the fence that will be built around the beds and two compose bins.

We would like to acknowledge the amazing donations from UBC Garden, J&J Bean, Home Depot, A1Tool & Rocky Mountain Flatbread.

Reminders

• Meet the Teacher Night originally planned for this week has been cancelled due to teacher job action.
• Little Mountain Neighbourhood House is again offering the Primary Literacy Circle (Mon. &  Wed.) and the Intermediate  Club (Tues. & Thurs.) in the Livingstone Library.  There are a limited number of spaces, so please register in the library on September 22^nd & 23^rd between 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• Please return all funds and forms to the school office IN THE ENVELOPES PROVIDED (not to the classroom teacher).  During Teacher Job Action, Mr. Brook is required to process all these funds, so having them in a common format with names attached is very important (cheques or cash – no change can be given).

Parent Advisory Committee: Tuesday, October 4th

Our first Parent Advisory Committee meeting of the year will be on Tuesday, October 4^th at 7:00 pm in the school staffroom on the main floor.  We would love to have a parent from each family attend the meetings.  There are many issues to discuss including, our new Greening Project, a new School Planning Council, the use of the Gaming Funds, our School Plan, our Fruit & Vegetable program, and a Teacher Job Action update.  Babysitting by grade 7 students will be provided.

Media Consent Forms

The Vancouver School Board “Media Consent Form” will be sent home with this newsletter.  Every year we regularly have visitors and the media coming to the school to learn about our SMART Board / Technology project.  It makes it much easier for us if we have the permission form signed.  We would appreciate it if parents signed the form and gave us the permission as outlined. RETURN TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE.

School Photos

Individual student photos will be taken on Monday, October 17^th.   Please return the “Chose Your Pose & Colour” form directly to the office.

Non-Instructional Days & School Closure Day

• There are two Non-Instructional Days planned in the next 5 weeks.  The first is on Monday, September 26^th and the second is Friday, October 21st.   Staff  attend a variety of workshops with their provincial  colleagues. STUDENTS DO NOT ATTEND SCHOOL ON THIS DAY.
• Parents are reminded that there is a SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY Friday, October 7^th. Students will have a four day long Thanksgiving weekend.

Recycling – The Challenge Begins

WE ARE OFF TO A GOOD START!!  Last year we made over $3000 from recycling and came in second in the province.  We hope to beat our record this year.  Students can begin to bring in their containers NOW.  We are trying to collect 5,000 containers in October.  Large drop off’s can be made directly in the RECYCLING TRANSFER ROOM at the bottom of the stairs near the gym.  On Saturday, September 24th between 10:30 – 12:00 pm, we are having a special community recycle drop-off right at our outside container.  Parents are invited to drop off your drink containers and, if you like, help in the sorting.

Who: You!! What: We are going to build a school garden together as a community! Where: Prince Edward Park/ Livingstone’s school garden. 22nd Ave between Prince Edward street and Sophia  . . . → Read More: Community Garden Party]]>  Livingstone Green Team, family and friends of the Livingstone Community, I would like to invite you to Livingstone’s first garden community party.

Who: You!!
What: We are going to build a school garden together as a community!
Where: Prince Edward Park/ Livingstone’s school garden. 22^nd Ave between Prince Edward street and Sophia street.
When: Saturday, September 17^th at 11am- when we are done
Why:  Because you are passionate about the environment and about our community. You are interested in working as a team to plant fruit trees and to build ten garden beds
How: Children, adults and friends come out in your boots and dirty work gear to volunteer for the afternoon.

We would like to know if any parents would like to help with the tough building of the garden beds. Also if any parents have any extra tools they would be okay lending out for the day: hammers, measuring tape, shovels and lunch.

Media coverage will be attending this event. The Vancouver Foundation that awarded our ‘Green Team’ with $12,500 will be sending a fellow who is interested in making a video of our community at work.

If you are interested in being apart of our garden fun filled day please email me at jfischer@vsb.bc.ca or write a note with who is coming and how you might want to help.

Please also note that ‘Livingstone Green’ now has its own blog. I’ve just got started and would love the kids input.

Thank you,
Jennifer Fischer