PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

 Dear Maple Grove Families,

Maple Grove Wildcats have been waiting for spring to arrive.  Hopefully sunny weather is just around the corner.  There are a number of things going on around the school these days.  Here’s a brief rundown:

1. School Plan:  The staff have been looking into school plans and are getting close to publishing our Year 1-2-3 plan.  It looks like we will be looking at the re-designed BC curriculum core competencies and how the work staff presently do relates to the competencies.  Additionally, it looks as if we will be looking at reporting data and student self assessments as a means for measuring student engagement and success.
2. Artelicious: This is a school-wide culture building project that is based on visual arts.  It’s a K-7 project that works on celebrating Maple Grove and who we are.  It’s about enculturation and exposing all of our students to the joy of art and celebration.  We are thrilled that Ms. Smith has agreed to be our Artist in Residence.  Ms. Smith, apart from being our Vice Principal, has been Canadian Art Teacher of the Year, Canadian Secondary Teacher of the Year, had a film made about her, taught at Emily Carr University and is a Art Therapist in Vancouver.  The focus of this project is on the children and enriching their art experiences.  We’re planning for a Gala Art Show on May 31st 4:00-6:00 pm.  Please plan on joining us for all the fun and festivities with a mini Art Show featuring all the students of Maple Grove.
3. School Organization:  Maple Grove will be full next year.  All schools in Vancouver are planning for September.  We’re working with numbers (graduating students, Kindergarten intakes, transfer ins and transfer outs).  We are also working with staff to determine what their plans are for next year.  Once we have more information from HR as to whether or not they agree with our projections and organization we will provide that information to you.  We are just letting the dust settle and will be publishing a DRAFT school organization in the coming weeks.
4. Class Placement Requests:  We do not accept teacher requests.  We have a strict set of criteria that we publish annually.  Class placement requests must be made in writing and are sent directly to the Principal and must adhere to the criteria.  A written request does not guarantee that your request will be granted:
   

   CRITERIA FOR CASTING

   A. Objectives of Class placement:

   1. To organize classes so that each student is in a positive learning situation
   2. To ensure that each teacher has a manageable teaching assignment that conforms to MOE + the collective agreement.

    B. Instructional Criteria:

   1. Ability Distribution: there should be a range
   2. Work Habits: there should be a range
   3. Teaching/Learning Styles: should be considered.

   C. Positive Social Grouping:

   1. Friendships
   2. Peer conflict
   3. Boy/ Girl ratio
   4. Positive leaders

   D.  Criteria:

   1. Previous Experience: Previous class assignment of teachers & students is considered.
   2. Teacher Recommendations
   3. Parental Input
   4. Resource Team Input

    

   E.  Attention to Each Child:

   1. Each child’s academic needs
   2. Each child’s social needs
   3. Class group dynamics
   4. Gender balance
   5. Equitable distribution of students