Principal’s Message
Good Afternoon,
There’s lots of information and initiatives coming down the pipe which will be rolling out into schools in the coming weeks. Today, I would just like to share a brief list of these initiatives so that they are on your radar for the coming weeks. Many of these issues are district-wide and not specific to Maple Grove. However, there are trickle-down effects that will undoubtedly affect us in a yet-to-be-determined way.
At a glance:
FSA- currently being completed at the school… may be changing for next year. No details available at this time.
VSB Audit- this process is ongoing. Schools have submitted their data to the Ministry and will hear back when they arrive at their findings. Not all student files are being audited. Only about 433 special education files district-wide. Enough to be a sample size.
VSB Strategic Plan- this is a new initiative that’s being rolled out presently (watch for special blog information on this topic). It’s essentially a giant survey or “needs assessment project” that is trying to chart a significant and purposeful district plan by sampling our district students, parents, citizens and staff for their input. Watch your emails for more information. The program is branded VSB2021.
Long Range Facilities Plan- this has been in the news lately due to the link to seismic upgrading. It has to do with re-purposing some schools; swing space; it’s adjusted annually and is a road map for the district in terms of short and medium range planning.
New Curriculum Planning- Many teachers in the district attended a very informative day last week with Ministry staff regarding the New Curriculum. Maple Grove has a planning team who will be meeting on Feb 17th to plan for our curriculum planning days (March 4 and April 15)
Satisfaction Surveys- details coming after the FSA tests are completed.
Please join us in recognizing Anti-Bullying and Acceptance by wearing PINK. Each year, schools around the world recognize amazing acts of Acceptance in standing up for children who have been bullied. Of course we strive to have social responsibility as one of our core values on a daily basis, but we join other schools across the country in February by celebrating a true act of acceptance that happened in Nova Scotia.Come support Maple Grove staff, students and families as we celebrate tolerance and acceptance of others. T-shirts are available for everyone. They are $10/per shirt. child and Adult sizes available. Order through the school office.
“On February 24, 2016 we encourage everyone to practice kindness, and wear a PINK shirt to symbolize that you do not tolerate bullying. PINK Shirt Day has its roots in Nova Scotia, where it was started by two incredible high school students. Essentially, there was a bullying incident where a student who was wearing a pink shirt was bullied for wearing something pink. David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school. ‘I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,’ says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’ These two students sent a powerful message to the school community, and later the world, that there is no place for bullying. When the grade 9 student, who was originally bullied for wearing the pink shirt came to school, saw all the boys in the school wearing pink, his face spoke volumes. “It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,” Travis Price recalled. The bullies were never heard from again.”
Pink Shirts Available for Pink Day February 24th
Orders must be returned to the office by Wednesday, February 3rd. $10.00 per shirt. Sizes: Youth XS, S, M, L and XL – Adult S, M, L and XL.
Sporting Events at Magee
Neighbourhood families are always welcome to attend. Parents can go to this link: or type “esportsdesk Vancouver” in a google search and the link will be the first option.
Once on the website, it is pretty easy to use. You pick the sport on the right and then click schedule on the left.
Bake Sale
The Global Citizenship Club would like to thank everyone who participated in the bake sales this week. We raised $633 dollars thanks to your generosity. The money will be donated to the Free the Children Adopt-a-Village campaign. Our school is raising money for a healthcare centre in the Amazon region of Ecuador. Having a medical facility that will be accessible to a number of villages will enable more children in Ecuador to grow up healthy.
We would like to recognize the efforts of all of the Maple Grove families who donated baked goods. Thank you very much!
PAC News
Dear Parents, Please know that we are continuing with our Friday morning coffee group. This is a fun-filled, informative social time where we get together in library each Friday morning to socialize and get caught up on community and school events. It’s completely social. There is no structure or speeches. It’s a great way to connect with other parents in the school and to make new friends. Staff are often on hand between 8:40 and 9:00. Ms. Sleep and Mr. Evans usually stop by between 9:00-9:30. Please join us. Don’t miss out on the baked goodies (hehehe)
Upcoming Events:
February 3- Play Day- recognition in some classrooms of play-based learning
February 4- Dragon Dance 9:00 AM. Parents welcome to watch (gym)
February 8 – Lunar New Year and Family Day Holiday – no school
February 9 – Professional Development Day – no school for students
February 12- Spelling Bee (1-3) gym (parents welcome)
February 17 – PAC Meeting (Montessori Parent Ed)
Maple Grove Elementary School 
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