UNIVERSITY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5395 Chancellor Boulevard, , BC V6T 1E2 Telephone: 604-713-5350 Fax: 604-713-5353

Principal: Kathy Pickford; Vice-Principal: Ankie Carswell; Co-PAC Chairs: Tim Dow, Denise Lauritano Director of Instruction: Rob Schindel; School Liaison Trustee: Allan Wong

December 3, 2012

REMEMBRANCE DAY

This year our Remembrance Day Assembly was held on Thursday, November 8 th . Many classes contributed to this important recognition of those who have helped to maintain peace in the world. Our students are to be commended for their awareness and understanding of the importance of those who fought for us and of the concepts and values that have been maintained because of their efforts. Special thanks to Joe Mergens and Clara Lam, who organized and led the assembly, and to those classes who performed so beautifully. Additional thanks go to the entire student body who showed through their behavior and attention during the assembly that they understood the concepts and realized the solemnity of the occasion. Your behaviour was exemplary and represented the school so very well. We were also very happy to see so many parents attend the assembly and participate in the program.

LET IT SNOW

Rarely are Vancouver schools closed due to heavy snowfall. However, in the event of heavy snowfall, information regarding school closures will be provided to the following radio and television stations by 6:00 a.m. on the morning of the closure: CKNW(980AM), CBC(690AM, 105.7 FM), CKWX(NEWS 1130AM), FAIRCHILD Radio (CJVB AM 1470/CHKG FM 96.1); BCTV/Global–( cable channel 11) or CITY TV – (cable channel 13) http://www.vsb.bc.ca Please do not call media outlets to find out if schools are closed. A clear announcement will be given to these radio and TV stations by 6:00 am on the morning of any school closures.

In addition, information on snow closures will be available on line at www.vsb.bc.ca.

In the event of a significant snowfall, please check about school closure (radio announcement, telephone the school and listen for message on voice mail), before bringing your child to school.

Also, as a matter of safety, please remind your children that we do not allow throwing “snowballs” of any sort on our school grounds. ARE YOU LEAVING?

If you are moving away or will not be returning to University Hill Elementary after the winter break, please let the office know that you are leaving . We have a very long wait list and as a courtesy, we like to let incoming families know as soon as possible of upcoming space. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

REGISTRATION FOR 2013/14

Just a reminder that registration for the 2013/14 school year has already begun. Registration is necessary for any child starting school in September 2013. If your child was born in , please come to the school to register. If your child was not born in Canada, you must register at the District Reception and Placement Center (DRPC). Please phone the DRPC (604-713-5999) for more information, or pick up an information pamphlet at the school. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES FOR VANCOUVER SCHOOLS Applications for all Kindergarten programs (including regular English, French Immersion, Montessori and Fine Arts) and for Grade 1-7 for the 2013/14 school year will be received between Nov. 1, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013. If at January 31, there are more applications received than space available in any program or school, a lottery will be held to select the students who are accepted. Students not selected from the draw will be added to a waitlist maintained by the school. All families who submit an application prior to January 31, 2013 will be given notification of the school their child will be attending by March 31, 2013 This includes waitlisted students who were unable to secure a spot during the lottery process.

Applications received after January 31 will not be considered until all in-catchment students who submitted an application prior to January 31 have been placed. Late applicants, including siblings of in-catchment students already enrolled in the school, will be added to the end of the school’s waitlist. Late in-catchment sibling applicants will have priority consideration over other late in-catchment applicants. This process replaces the first-come, first-served procedure and eliminates the need for families to arrive early on the first day of registration. A family can register their child(ren) for Kindergarten if the student will reach the age of five years on or before December 31 of the calendar year. For the 2013/14 school year the child must be born in 2008.

VOLLEYBALL

As the term ends and students prepare for the holiday break, another exciting volleyball season comes to a close. All of our teams had wonderful seasons.

Both teams learned and developed their skills and built strong squads. They improved immensely over the course of the season as they nearly challenged for a spot in the zone finals. Their coaches are very proud of the teamwork and sportsmanship shown by all players.

Much thanks to coaches: Susan, Keri, and Joe for their time and patience.

SCHOOL BUS

Getting to and from school safely is very important to all of us. As the weather gets worse, please keep in mind the following safety rules when busing to and from school!

• Please walk with your child to the bus stop in the morning. • When waiting for the bus, please stand well back (at least 2 steps) from the curb • Do not cross the road until the bus has left. Cars cannot see you. • Hold your parent’s hand and look both ways when crossing the road – even if the bus is parked, cars are still moving. • Be on time . Our buses are on a strict time schedule and running after the bus is not safe. • No food or drink on the bus . This can be messy and some children may have allergies. • Name and ID are always good to keep in a backpack in case of emergency Please pick your child up on time ! All children must have someone waiting for them.

Thank you in advance for your help and consideration in keeping our busing program a safe and viable opportunity for the students at University Hill Elementary.

HELMETS PLEASE – IT’S THE LAW

Thanks to all of you who are encouraging your children to walk or ride bikes, skateboards, scooters or other ‘wheeled’ devices to school. Unfortunately, we have noticed that many children are not wearing helmets and have had a number of reports of very unsafe behavior while children are riding to or from school. PLEASE encourage your child(ren) to wear a helmet while traveling on a bike, a scooter, a skateboard or any other form of transportation with wheels. It’s common sense, it’s the safe thing to do, and it’s the law.

PICK UP AND DROP OFF

Just a reminder to all parents that in order to ensure the safety of students we recommend that you arrange to pick up and drop off your children at a point near the school – perhaps on Acadia Road. Be sure not to drop off children at the red light, rather pull over at a convenient spot and let your child out of the car. It is also important to avoid the bus stop area..

If children must be picked up in front of the school, please respect the “No Stopping” and “No Parking” zones as posted. For the safety of all students, pedestrians and other drivers, please pull into the loop to pick up and drop off children and do not leave your car while waiting. Also, please be reminded that the school parking lot is for VSB Staff use only and may not be used for student pick up or drop off. Because of the frequent comings and goings of district staff and the parking needs of school based staff, this is not a safe or appropriate area for non VSB employees.

DECEMBER REMINDERS

Tuesday, December 18 th ...... Winter Sing Along !!!!! Thursday, December 20 th ...... Holiday Concert Matinee and Evening Friday, December 21 st ...... Dismissal for Christmas Break

LOST AND FOUND

Once again, this year, we have a great deal of lost and very little found!! There are many items on the lost and found bench located across from the main office. Please have your child(ren) check for coats, hats, sweaters, runners, etc. Any items not claimed by December 21st will be given to charity.

PAC UPDATE

Congratulations go to Mr. Tim Dow, Ms. Denise Lauritano and Ms. Stephanie Dong who have been elected as our new School Planning Council. We look forward to a very productive year of planning and support for the school plan.

A reminder to all parents that there will be no PAC meeting in December. The next PAC meeting is to be held on Monday, January 14 th at 9:00 am in the school Staff Room. We look forward to seeing you there.

CANADA SAFETY COUNCIL’S SEVEN TRAFFIC SAFETY RULES

1. Look ALL WAYS before you cross the street. 2. Keep away from PARKED CARS . 3. Ride your bike SAFELY – obey signs and signals. 4. Play in a SAFE PLACE away from the street. 5. WALK when you cross the street. 6. Where there is no sidewalk, walk on the left, FACING THE TRAFFIC . 7. Always wear your SEATBELT in the car.

FOOD BANK DONATIONS

The boxes for the food drive will be arriving soon. University Hill Elementary School is collecting canned and dry food items for the Vancouver Food Bank’s 2012 Christmas Food Drive Campaign. This year food will be collected by each House Team. All donations received by the 18 th will be picked up by the Food Bank. Any donations received after this date will be held for January collection.

Thanks in advance for your kindness at this time of year.

EVER WANTED TO NAME A SCHOOL? HERE’S YOUR CHANCE!!

We are looking for a permanent name for our new school (currently known as Acadia Road) which is under construction in the UBC Community. This new school will be complete and ready for students and staff in September 2014.

To learn more or submit a suggestion for a school name please visit www.vsb.bc.ca/name-that-school. The deadline to submit a name is 4:00 pm on Friday January 18, 2013.