VSB is delaying kindergarten intake draws at full schools to await direction from the province about the outcome of talks regarding the Supreme Court of Canada decision to restore class size and composition language.

The schools this affects are: Carnarvon, Emily Carr, Cavell, Dickens, Dickens Annex, Elsie Roy, False Creek, Fraser, Gordon, Hudson, Livingstone, Nelson, Norma Rose Point, Strathcona, Roberts, Roberts Annex, Weir and McBride Annex. 

The outcome of the talks between the province and the BC Teachers Federation will affect how many students each school in the district can accommodate in 2017-18, including the number of kindergarten students. The district currently anticipates that kindergarten placement draws will take place in April.

VSB is working to maximize the number of classrooms available in each school so it can accept the maximum number of kindergarten students at their preferred school.

The number of spaces available in each school varies across the district and the exact number will not become clear until more information is available from the provincial talks. All kindergarten registrants will have a space in a VSB school next year. The district is working to identify schools able to accommodate any students and families placed on a waitlist for their catchment school.

VSB will be confirming enrolment now for children with sibling priority, as outlined in board regulations. In addition, initial offers for kindergarten choice programs will proceed as this will allow the district to clarify the number of students requiring placement in their catchment school.

We understand the delay creates additional uncertainty for parents and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.