Zero Heroes at Bruce!

Dear Graham Bruce Families,

We hope you enjoyed the student parent teacher conferences on October 25th and 26th, and found the experience meaningful. As you know, our teachers and staff are always available if you have a question and need more information about your child's performance at school. Our first Leaning Updates (formerly known as report cards) will go home on December 1st.

Kindergarten registration for children born in 2019 begins on November 1.

All kindergarten applicants are required to submit an application to their English catchment elementary school. This includes families who wish to apply for District programs (Early French Immersion, Montessori, Indigenous Focus School, Early Mandarin Bilingual, Nootka Fine Arts) and/ or make a cross boundary application to attend a non-catchment school.

The priority registration period for kindergarten opens on November 1 and closes on January 31. Students who submit an application within this priority period will be accommodated before late applicants.  

Applying for kindergarten is a 2-step process:

Step 1: Online Application (ApplyNow)

• Completion of an online application form (https://applynow.vsb.bc.ca/) for the school year 2024-25

Step 2: Verification of documentation

• Contact your English catchment school office to set up an appointment to bring your supporting documentation
• Bring supporting documentation to your English catchment school office during your scheduled appointment

Supporting Documents Needed:

1. Proof of residence in Vancouver 
2. Child’s birth certificate
3. Immigration documentation (if applicable)
4. Immunization records
5. Court orders/documents (if applicable)

If you want to apply for a Choice Program or cross-boundary, you must first apply to your English catchment elementary school. Choice Programs and Cross Boundary applications will begin to be accepted in early 2024.

Registering at the Annex or the Main School

Graham Bruce Elementary School and Collingwood Neighbourhood Annex share one common catchment area. Students who reside within this catchment area (in-catchment registrants) will receive priority for enrolment at one of the two school sites based upon available space*. When completing a registration form, parents will be asked if they prefer the annex or the main school. The District will attempt to accommodate parental preferences for placement, once available space has been determined. At some sites there may be more in-catchment applicants than available space. *In these instances, the following process will be used to prioritize enrolment:

Kindergarten Applications Received Between November 1 and January 31

1. In-catchment kindergarten registrants who have a sibling who is currently attending and who will continue to attend (School Names) next year will be enrolled first at their preferred location.
2. The names of all other in-catchment registrants will be entered into a random draw for the remaining kindergarten spaces. Students will be registered at their preferred location as space permits.
3. Students who cannot be accommodated at their preferred location will be accommodated at the location that has space and placed on waitlist for their preferred location in the order in which their name is drawn. 
4. Between January 31^st and the second Friday in June (when school organizations are finalized), students on the ordered waitlist will be offered spaces at their preferred location as space becomes available. This waitlist will remain active until September 15, 2024.

Kindergarten Registrations Received AFTER January 31

All in-catchment kindergarten applications received after January 31 will be registered at their preferred location, if there is space, or added to the bottom of the existing waitlist for their preferred location and registered at the location that has space to accommodate them. 

Please note: There will be no priority given to registrants with siblings already attending Graham Bruce Elementary School and Collingwood Neighbourhood Annex, if they register after January 31.

* Available space includes physical capacity, resources, staffing, or educational programs available or planned for a school as defined by the District (Administrative Procedures 300).

For more information on kindergarten registration visit: https://www.vsb.bc.ca/page/5190/student-registration-kindergarten-to-grade-12

Zero Heroes @Bruce 

We are pleased that our students had a chance to participate in a high energy presentation by the DreamRider Production. Through story, music and live theatre, the team was able to create an inclusive, meaningful and fun experience for our students that instilled positive environmental values in their hearts and minds. We know that our students felt energized, happy, and eager to put into practice what they learned! You can learn more about the 'Zero Heroes' presentation offered by the DreamRider Production here.

Halloween @Bruce

Please check our October 13th e-News here to learn more about the expectations for Halloween at Bruce on Tuesday, October 31st. 

Please check Tips and Treaks for Halloween Safety here.

Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, October 31: Halloween @Bruce!

Monday, November 13: In lieu of Remembrance Day - School closed

Wednesday, November 15: Grade 6 Immunization Clinic

Friday, November 17: Photo Retake Day

Friday, November 24: Professional Development Day - School closed for students

Please do not hesitate to contact me at school with any questions.

Have a safe and restful weekend!

Sincerely,

Armin Samiei | Principal

Graham Bruce Elementary School 

We are honoured to be working and learning together on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xwməθkwəyə̓ m | Musqueam, Sḵwxwú7mesh | Squamish & səlilwətaɬ | Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Graham Bruce Elementary acknowledges the history of our community and neighbourhood.