SCHOOL STORY

J.W. Sexsmith Elementary School is located near the Fraser River on the south side of 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).

The school property runs adjacent to the Langara Trail where students often walk and we often use the nearby green space, Winona Park where students take part in diverse, land based learning activities. The view to the south, seen from our second floor windows, includes YVR and students learn about nearby bike routes, as well as the Punjabi Market to the east. Sexsmith School is situated near the Sunset Community Centre and Gateway Skytrain Station.

There are 436 students at Sexsmith Elementary; a diverse group of kindergarten to grade 7 learners, from various socio-economic backgrounds and with a broad range of strengths and stretches that make up our student body. Learners are enthusiastic about their diverse cultural backgrounds and about celebrating each others’ cultures at school. There are more than 21 language groups at Sexsmith, and many learners are new to Canada.

The school program involves learners working with Sexsmith staff to meet their personal learning goals through the Core Competencies, and following the BC Curriculum. We follow the VSB district calendar and offer a variety of programs to make the school the best it can be for students and over 45 regular staff members. We have many options for learners including athletics teams and a year-round Intramural program, as well as a growing music program at Sexsmith. Students participate in service and volunteer roles, leadership training, student council, lunch clubs for chess, gardening, and other interests. Each term we work with community partners to offer a few recreational programs for students to register for, including areas such as STEM and coding, yoga and mindfulness, Punjabi Heritage Language classes, dance and music.

At Sexsmith, we strive to focus on individual student learning needs, especially with literacy and numeracy skills. To enhance curriculum offerings, and to meet the social emotional learning needs of all students, we provide project-based learning opportunities that focus on creating a strong sense of belonging. We share and connect with the community through annual events stemming from staff passions and expertise including athletics, science celebrations, Heritage fair events, sustainability (TEGS - Think and Eat Green School) programs, and Indigenous Principles of Learning. Staff create a learning environment focused on collaboration, including buddy and partnership classes and the use of technology for communication and representation. We engage in programs and activities that celebrate student achievement, physical and mental well-being, belonging, equity and Reconciliation.

The Sexsmith parent/guardian community is strong and supportive. Caring volunteers provide an annual calendar of cultural events at Sexsmith, including many former parents and caregivers who come back each year to support the extracurricular engagement at the school. The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) hosts fundraisers to enhance the learning program, especially working to develop funds for technology, fieldtrips and extracurricular activities. There is a long tradition at Sexsmith of PAC working with the Arbutus Rotary Club as well as community volunteers to host events for Diwali, Christmas, Lunar New Year, and Philipino Festival each year. Students of every culture get involved with learning traditional dances and ceremony for performance and genuine appreciation. Parent volunteers created a weekly hot

lunch program and we strive to ensure each class has representation on the Sexsmith PAC. We work closely with Sunset Community Centre, Marpole Neighbourhood House and the Churchill Family of Schools to provide support for families and opportunities for extracurricular involvement.