PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
A dedication:
Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable time with family and friends. The gratitude we feel for being privileged to teach your children cannot be expressed in mere words. When we reflect on the opportunity we get everyday to work with your children, it’s truly humbling.
This week, we had reason to go back into some archives and ponder Maple Grove in its early years. Maple Grove was commissioned in 1920, and opened in 1924. That means that by the time we move into a new Maple Grove, the school could be about 97-100 years old. Walking the halls and being in classrooms today, I cannot help but wonder what those early teachers and students would say, knowing there will be a new Maple Grove. Student and staff safety is paramount, and I am happy that a new school will be built to ensure everyone will be as safe as possible. Standing here today, so much has changed over the years. Classes have been added, gyms built and additions piecemealed onto the original structure (take a look at the old pic of the original building). From our early small classes to a bustling school of 500; our core purpose remains the same – providing students with a quality, thorough and comprehensive education so that they are fully engaged in their teaching and learning experience.
The Spirit weeks, grade 7 dances, grad, PAC events and Spring Fairs have all been part of the Maple Grove experience. Pajama days and skirts (4.25 inches above the knee) and camp have all been fond memories for many of our staff and students. Soon, we’ll be looking back thinking those were the days! But no matter what our memories are; it’s the people who really can’t be replaced. So whether it was Gordon Tartan or bobby-socks, hoodies or blades, Maple Grove has found its way into each of our hearts. The teachers are fantastic, caring conscientious individuals who work tirelessly to ensure each student has a positive, successful and engaging education. Thank you Maple Grove for bringing this amazing community together and for providing so many rich and wonderful opportunities for teachers and students to thrive. Thank you for bringing together this amazing community and opening the doors to so many opportunities!
ROAD WORK ON CYPRESS STREET
We have been informed that the road work on Cypress St is likely to continue for another week or so. The CoV apologizes for the delay and inconvenience to parents trying to drop off/ pick up students.
SEISMIC NEWS…
Check out the following link for the lastest VSB news on the Maple Grove seismic project. Essentially it announces that we’ve been approved for a $24.4 million replacement school that will be seismically safe. The provincial government has approved funding for the Maple Grove Elementary school project includes replacing the existing school with a fully accessible state-of-the-art building on the same site, with enough space to welcome up to 500 students.
Official Trustee Dianne Turner joined Education Minister Mike Bernier, MLA Andrew Wilkinson, VSB Director Ellen Roberts, Associate Superintendent David Nelson and Director of Facilities Jim Meschino and senior district staff at Maple Grove this week. One group of grades 4, 5, and 6 students sang the Maple Grove school song. Another kindergarten group sang a song to welcome spring.
Student leaders Kate Koo and Braydon Newman also spoke about the excitement of Maple Grove students in hearing they will have a new school in a few years.
The new Maple Grove Elementary will be built alongside the existing school. The school population will be able to stay together in the current building during the construction, which should begin in spring of 2019. They will all move into the building once construction of the replacement school is completed, likely in 2020.
This seismic upgrade is being undertaken through the Seismic Mitigation Program, with funding from the Province of British Columbia that helps school districts ensure our schools will keep students and staff safe in an earthquake or other emergency.
THE LINK: http://www.vsb.bc.ca/district-news/maple-grove-elementary-get-seismic-replacement-new-school
I just wanted to provide a brief outline as to some of the seismic meetings that are taking place in the next month. Mainly to give you an idea of the collaboration and consultation that’s going on as the architects try to involve all stakeholders in the visioning process for the school.
| April 13 | 8:00 am | VSB Project Office meeting with school staff |
| April 13 | 3:00-6:00 pm | Open House for all parents and community (in the library). This is a chance for the public to share ideas, thoughts, concerns with planning staff |
| May 5 | 9:00 am -12:00 pm | Architects and Project Office meet with school staff. Later in the month a parent cohort group will meet with the planning team and discuss visions for the school. |
| May TBA | 9:00 am -12:00 pm | Architects and Project staff workshop with students on design elements and focal points in architecture. Students will then have a contest to suggest what their ideal school will look like. |
OPEN HOUSE- April 13th 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the library
Please see below for details about our Open House afternoon/ evening on April 13th from 3-6pm in our school library. This open house is your chance to provide ideas, suggestions and feedback to senior VSB staff, school admin, Project office staff and the architects. This Open House is open for all members of the public to attend.
September 2017
We are working hard on our numbers for the next school year. Please let us know if your plans have changed and will not be returning in September.
PHOTO DAY
Class group and Panorama Photographs will be taken on
April 6, 2017 – beginning at 9:00 am
PAC INFORMATION/ UPDATES
Click here for the:
Maple Grove Pac Website
SUMMER SCHOOL INFORMATION
FAMILY EVENT- April 1 at UBC
Here is a great opportunity for families regarding First Nations reconciliation at UBC. No registration necessary. (click the link)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
April 14 – Good Friday Holiday
April 17 – Easter Monday Holiday
May 5th – Pro D Day
Link to Maple Grove District calendar or click the following pdf link to see our monthly school calendar. Please note the district calendar has been revised for next year.
Maple Grove Elementary School 
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