WHAT’S UP @MCKECHNIE | Issue 20-05 1

What’s up @McKechnie

January

15th, 2021

Whether you celebrate in the tradition of Indigenous populations with the observation of trees crackling in the cold temperatures or in Japanese culture of prayers for renewal of hearts, good health and prosperity or marking the start of the year 4719 in Buddhist tradition, may the new year bring hope, health and happiness!

We look forward to welcoming back some Learning from Home students on January 19!

In the pursuit of making school wide activities accessible to both students learning in-person and those learning at home, the staff has been busy brainstorming possibilities!

For Literacy Week, we have planned a school Spelling Bee! Each class will conduct their own “Bee” and the top 3 spellers will advance to the semi-final round. There will be a semi-final round for both primary and intermediate grades.

The semi-final rounds will be broadcast via Teams. The top few spellers (maximum of 5 students) will advance to the finals. The winner of the Primary finals will be given the opportunity to participate in the Intermediate final!

We are all looking forward to an exciting Literacy Week January 25 – 29, with guest readers, guest authors and the Spelling Bee! The theme for this year is “Taking Action”.

The students and staff of Dr. R. E. McKechnie Elementary School acknowledge that we work, live and learn on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and T’sleil Wathuth Coast Salish peoples.

Pitching in Please help us keep our school clean by using the garbage, compost and recycling bins. Every little effort helps our school and the environment.

Happy New Year

WHAT’S UP @MCKECHNIE | Issue 20-05 2

Student Learning Survey Each year, the Ministry of Education collects data from students, parents, staff and administrators. This information is made available to administrators and helps to plan for school goals, instructional practices and highlights areas of strength and opportunities for stretches.

The Grade 4 & 7 students will be completing this survey during school time. Grade 4 & 7 students Learning from Home, can access the survey via the link below. Students must log-on using their 9 digit PEN number. If you have a child Learning from Home, you would have received this information at the beginning of the school year.

Parents, the survey can be accessed via the link below and DOES NOT require a log-in process. Please choose the “Direct Access” option to the right, select “39- Vancouver” for the school district and select “Dr. R. E. McKechnie Elementary School” from the drop down menu. The survey is available in English, French and 16 additional languages.

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sat_survey/access.htm

Registration for Choice Programs Grades 1- 7 *Deadline approaching – January 31, 2021* Registration for the following District Programs is open for registration between November 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021

• Early French Immersion • Late French Immersion (Grade 6) • Intensive French (Grade 6) • Montessori Program (Grades 1-7) • Fine Arts Program (Grades 1-7) • Early Mandarin Bilingual (Grades 1, Grades 4 – 6) • Mandarin Bilingual (Grade 4, Grades 5 – 6) • Indigenous Focus (Grades 1-7)

Please visit the McKechnie website for more information.

Kindergarten Choice Programs Kindergarten choice program registration is from January 11 until February 3, 2021 at 4 pm.

• Indigenous Focus School • Early French Immersion: K – 7 • Early Mandarin Bilingual • Montessori • Nootka Fine Arts

Please visit the VSB Kindergarten Choice Programs webpage for more information.

Pro D Day

Monday Jan 18

No

School for

Students

PAC 7 pm Tues, Jan 26 Click here to join.

WHAT’S UP @MCKECHNIE | Issue 20-05 3

January 8, 2021

Dear Vancouver School District families,

We would like to wish all of you a happy 2021! With a new year comes hope and optimism, and 2021 is no exception. As we begin a new year and classes resume this week, we are able to reflect on 2020, and all of the challenges we have faced.

As the Board of Education, we thank our educators, school-based and District staff for continually adapting and continually supporting our students and school communities. We would also like to extend our deepest appreciation to you, for supporting your child’s education throughout the past year.

At the final Board meeting of 2020, the year-end report by the Chair was shared. It highlights how the work we do, as a Board, affects schools and your children's education. We wish to thank trustee Fraser for her service as Board chair; we

appreciate her ongoing commitment and dedication to student success.

Trustees elected us as the 2021 Chair and Vice-Chair. We feel honoured to be taking on these roles. We know that all trustees are committed to their work and are proud to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on education for the students of Vancouver.

Thank you to those who took part in community engagement processes, such as the Building for Modern Learning engagement. In that process, we heard from a wide variety of voices to learn about ways we can use District buildings across the city for the learning needs of students today and in the future. Our priorities are to create modern learning spaces and ensure all students are in seismically safe schools. We appreciate your input which helps guide the decisions we make to enhance Vancouver's public education system.

Please follow the District on Twitter, Facebook

and instagram for updates, and visit the District website for information about our schools and your children's learning. We believe it is important to communicate in a transparent, timely manner. All of our committee meetings and our public board meetings are live streamed on YouTube which allows you to stay informed and follow the work of the Board.

We are committed to providing the highest quality learning experience for all students and helping them reach their intellectual, social, and physical potential in a safe and inclusive environment.

We wish you all the best in 2021!

Carmen Cho – Board Chair

Estrellita Gonzalez – Board Vice-Chair

WHAT’S UP @MCKECHNIE | Issue 20-05 4

Outdoor Classroom The work for the outdoor classroom started on January 11, early in the morning! The VSB crew removed the existing metal and wood benches around the 3 large trees, prepared the area and leveled it with a type of pea gravel. They also went the extra step and removed the stump that was in the middle section, allowing for a level place to put a portable whiteboard!

The outdoor classroom is made possible by funding from the federal government. A custom canopy was also purchased with federal funds. The PAC, through the Direct Drive is supporting the purchase of a portable whiteboard and cushions for the stone benches.

Thank you to the VSB Grounds crew for preparing the area for our outdoor classroom. Thank you to Northwest Landscape and Stone Supply for the stone benches and teaching podium!

We can’t wait to use the new outdoor classroom!

Current PHO restrictions extended until Feb 5, 2021 Together, We Can Do It!

WHAT’S UP @MCKECHNIE | Issue 20-05 5

Important Dates

What’s Up @McKechnie

mckechnie.vsb.bc.ca

7455 Maple Street Vancouver, BC V6P 5P8

Principal: Ankie Carswell 604-713-4952

Administrative Assistant: Sharmila Patel

Director of Instruction: Richard Zerbe 604-713-4594

VSB Trustee Liaison: Allan Wong

Safe Arrival @McKechnie 604-713-5159 Ext 54 Please call before 9 am

Vancouver School Board 604-713-5000

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday January 18

Professional Development Day

No School for Students

19 20 21 22 23

24 25

26 PAC meeting

7 pm Click here to join

27

28 29 Progress Reports to

go home

30

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday February 1 2 3

4

5

6

7 8 9 10

11

12 Professional

Development Day No School for

Students

13

14 15 Family Day

Statutory Holiday Schools not in

session

16 17

18

19

20

21 22 23 24 Anti-Bullying Pink

Shirt Day

25

26

27