NEWSLETTERS :: March 2010

DEAR PARENTS:

As we complete Parent Teacher Conferences this week and start Spring Break, it is becoming very obvious that this school year has just “flown by”! It seems only yesterday, we were welcoming our new Kindergarten students and now we are starting to plan for the next school year.

Last week, we hosted 40 UBC students for our TREK event–and what a success it was! Thanks to all the parents, etc who joined us for the “Closing Ceremony” event. We will be putting photos of the event around the school and will post some on our Website soon.

A few reminders: This Friday, March 5th is a short day. Students will be dismissed at noon. Spring Break will take place from Monday March 8th until Friday March l2th. School will resume on Monday March l5th. Our next PAC meeting will be held on Tuesday March l6.

We will be hosting a guest speaker who will do a workshop on How to Support Your Child's Learning. We will also have a Cantonese Interpreter who will translate for our parents who speak Cantonese. There is always free babysitting, treats and a free raffle. Come out and support your children.

After Spring Break, we will be very involved in our School Growth Plan , and the many other activities that take place monthly at Beaconsfield School . New After School programs will be offered, Gymnastics and Dance will continue, Inter Mural sports will take place, and we will start to plan for our Welcome to Kindergarten Program, Grade 7 Graduation, the completion of our new Computer lab, and many other interesting activities. I thought at this time, with so much happening and so much to look forward to, it might be the right time to inform the Beaconsfield community that after much serious deliberation and thought, I have made the difficult decision to retire this June, 2010, after a 44 year association with the Vancouver School Board 37 of those years in active duty. I have been so fortunate to have been able to spend my last few years, working in a school that is so wonderful! Many of you know that I taught Kindergarten here twenty-five years ago, and I have come back to complete my career here–full circle!! After I retire, I intend to volunteer at Beaconsfield school, carrying on the Dance Program that I have started and perhaps start a Roots of Empathy program. I am so pleased that in two years, we have been able to construct two beautiful new playgrounds, start a School Garden , initiate several new Clubs, create a new Computer lab, and build upon our already positive School Spirit. I must give credit to the wonderful staff, the exceptional students and the hard working parents who have always supported us! Without them (all of them!) we could not have accomplished so much!

This term will be a busy one. Hopefully the weather will allow us to work in our Garden and perhaps start to paint our Cement Wall Mural. I'd like to wish everyone a restful Spring Break. I hope our students will have time to rest and rejuvenate, and hopefully have a little fun.

REMINDERS:

Vancouver Girls Ice Hockey
Hey girls, if you are between the ages of 5 and 10 and you'd like to try ice hockey, come to the Kitsilano Community Centre Arena, 2690 Larch St, on March 21st, form 12:30 - 2:00pm. Vancouver 's only all-girl's hockey league, the Vancouver Angels , needs new members. Just wear a long sleeved shirt and leggings. You can bring your own hockey skates, if you have them, but all equipment, including skates, is supplied. Certified coaches will be there for on and off-ice clinics, some crafts and snacks. No experience or skating ability is required, just bring your parent or guardian, join the fun and discover why girls your age love Canada's sport. If you would like to attend, email your name and age to info@vancouvergirlshockey.com . Information will also be available at the rink for girls aged 11 and up.

A Message from our PAC:
The next PAC meeting is on Tuesday, March 16th. We are happy to welcome a speaker form the BC Teacher's Federation, with a presentation called ‘Supporting Your Child's Learning'. Learn how you can help and encourage your child at school. A Cantonese translator will be available at the meeting.

We will also be getting started with planning for the Spring Carnival . If you'd like to help, we'd be happy to see you at the meeting!

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey. Based on your feedback we are going to:

•  try to have translators at PAC events
•  look into scheduling PAC meetings on different days during the year
•  make it possible for parents to have the option to make a tax-deductible donation

To improve communication to parents about school and class events, we are collecting email addresses. If you'd like to receive PAC information by email, please complete one of the forms sent home with the students.

Thanks, and hope you have a great Spring Break!

The PAC Exec

HAVE A WONDERFUL SPRING BREAK!