Schools & Students News

On Jan. 31st, 2012, over 230 secondary students from across the entire Vancouver School District will come together at the Roundhouse House Community to discuss how they learn best and what current learning opportunities are available in the Vancouver school system. 

In recent years a growing number of Yaletown residents seem to be sticking around longer in the downtown core, even after having children. At least that’s what the demographics are telling the VSB facilities staff. This trend has gradually increased pressure on the neighbourhood’s schools.

On January 20th, Renfrew Elementary School celebrated Lunar New Year with a special assembly, which featured a recorder song, arts and crafts and even a dragon dance.

Churchill’s drinking water situation is about to get a whole lot better. A new initiative spearheaded by a Youth4Tap, a group of 30 to 40 students from all grades, is aiming to replace the schools old and awkward water fountains with several new state-of-the-art refillable water stations.

Hidden away in a pair of joined portables on the cusp of Britannia Secondary's property is one of the Vancouver School Board's most dynamic and inspiring programs.The Streetfront program is an active alternative program that puts a strong physical aspect to the curriculum; running three times a week, regular gym sessions, swimming and weight training, along with hiking, camping, canoeing, and Nordic skiing. In addition, Streetfront instructors teach their students how to run marathons.

Public/Private Partnerships aren’t new in many parts of the public sector. But in education, they tend to be incredibly rare. That’s why Brian Lee, the Director of Student Services at St. George’s School and Tamara Maxim, a teacher in Windermere’s Life Skills class, are particularly excited about a very special program they’ve developed together. This program connects St. George’s students with developmentally challenged students from Windermere’s Life Skills program. 

This December wasn’t just a time for presents, it was also an exciting time for auditions. This winter, 65 enthusiastic and creative immigrant students from Lord Byng, Britannia, Kitsilano, Point Grey, Prince of Wales, University Hill and Magee and friends from Adult Education Center, Capilano and Langara College strutted their “acting stuff” in two drama auditions held at Lord Byng Secondary School and at Kerrisdale Community Center.

Nestled away in the east wing of John Oliver Secondary are a dozen small offices surrounding a large open-concept office space flanked by a flat screen TV and several small break-out rooms. Don’t let its non-descript nature and lack of classrooms fool you. Within this small area, educators are hard at work guiding an average of 7,000 Grade 8 – 12 students from across the province of BC through course work every year.