SCHOOL STORY

Elsie Roy Elementary School is located in Yaletown, a densely populated community of multi-unit high-rise buildings in downtown Vancouver. With deep gratitude and respect, we are honoured to be learning and unlearning on the ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) & səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). Elsie Roy acknowledges the history of our community and neighborhood. The school operates at capacity with approximately 445 students. Elsie Roy is considered a full school with some catchment students on our waitlist and consequently attending neighboring schools. Our community is diverse. Our families speak more than 20 languages.

Elsie Roy’s Code of Conduct, Vision and Mission were developed by staff, students, and parents/guardians. As ORCAS, all members of our community strive to demonstrate Ownership, Respect, Compassion, Achievement and Safety. Elsie Roy’s Vision is to be compassionate, courageous, ethical people who sustain that which is good and who innovate and create a better world. Elsie Roy’s Mission is to honour and educate kind, inquiring, global citizens who are leaders in creating a harmonious and sustainable world. We do this with integrity and in the spirit of deep respect, curiosity, and joy.

In partnership with King George Secondary and Lord Roberts Elementary, Elsie Roy has an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP). The program begins in Grade 6 and continues through to Grade 10. Elsie Roy is also part of the VSB Early Literacy Initiative – we have Reading Recovery and Levelled Literacy Interventions to support learners in the primary grades. We support inclusionary practices and follow a tiered RTI (Response to Intervention) model. We are committed to using technology to enhance student learning and are equipped with laptop and iPad carts. Our Learning Commons is designed to support the integration of technology with learning. Collaboration time is built into our Teacher Librarian’s schedule to foster shared learning and opportunities for student inquiries. In addition to our Teacher Librarian, we are fortunate to have a Music Specialist and a Physical and Health Education Specialist on staff.

During the 2022-2023 school year, the following extracurricular activities were offered: Social Justice Alliance, Crossing Guard, Choir, Volleyball, Basketball, Chess, Track and Field, Intramural Volleyball, Badminton and Fitness and Conditioning.

Elsie Roy Elementary School benefits from strong family and community support. The proximity of the Roundhouse Community Centre, Dorothy Lam Children’s Centre, Vancouver Public Library, Science World,

Stanley Park, Chinatown, Vancouver Symphony, and Vancouver Art Gallery broadens learning opportunities for students. The Roundhouse Community Centre offers a variety of programs for our students at lunch time and after school. The Dorothy Lam Children’s Centre operates an on-site before and after school care program for school-aged children.

Some of the ways that we celebrate our community and learning include school-wide themes and celebrations, displays of student learning, school-wide events, activities and assemblies, newsletters, PAC meetings, PAC socials and student-led conferences and celebrations of learning.