PAC Weekly Update for October 31- November 4, 2016

Hello Parents - Arrrrrr you ready?
Please visit the RCMP site for information on staying safe while having fun this Halloween at http://bc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=2087&languageId=1&contentId=48649 and in the flyer below.

Monday, October 31 
Halloween Parade at school! Ms. Howick sent all parents a mini-newletter with all the details for the day including reminders for "school-friendly" costumes that kids can safely handle on their own...

Wednesday, November 2 & Thursday, November 3 5-9pm Family Photos! Spots still available for this photographically fun fundraiser! See below for sign up details - 

Please jump to the Canyon Heights School Website for the school calendar and updates at http://www.sd44.ca/school/canyonheights/Pages/default.aspx

Upcoming Events
November 6, 2016 - Daylight Savings Time Ends (clocks go from 2:00 am to 1:00am)

Save the Date! Next PAC meeting is Thursday, November 17, from 8.50 - 10.15am in the multipurpose room. Mr. Cunliffe is taking time to share "Maker Space", one of the innovative projects happening in our school.  We'll also be sharing the results of the Walk and Roll survey; and as always, it's a great way to learn what's happening in our school community. Oh, and coffee! There's coffee... So we're hoping to see you there!

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Safety Message from the RCMP for Halloween

North Vancouver RCMP will have extra patrol officers on the streets throughout the Halloween evening to help ensure the evening stays fun and problem free, said Cpl. Richard De Jong of the North Vancouver RCMP. Police also remind the public of the bylaws regarding firecrackers and fireworks in the City and District of North Vancouver.

The following safety tips will help keep youngsters safe this Halloween:

Firecrackers:

All firecrackers are prohibited in both the City and District of North Vancouver. Fines for setting off firecrackers in the City range from $500 in the City and $200 in the District.

Fireworks:

City of North Vancouver prohibits the purchase, possession, or discharge of fireworks within the City limits. Fines for contraventions range from $100 - $500.

District of North Vancouver allows possession and discharge of fireworks under the following conditions:

• You must obtain either a permit from the vendor or the District 
• You must be at least 18 years old 
• You may not discharge fireworks on public property 
• Fireworks can only be discharged on October 31 after 6:00 p.m. and only on private property 

Children:

• Never let children trick-or-treat alone. Have them walk with an adult or a group of friends.
• Make sure they can be seen. Dress them in reflective, bright color costumes, or fasten reflective tape to their costume or bag. Avoid masks that restrict their vision.
• Don't allow them to enter a house for treats, always have them wait outside.
• Don't let them eat any treats an adult has not inspected.
• Ensure safe crossings of roads and intersections.

Motorists:

• On Halloween night there will be more children on the streets. Drivers need to use extra caution. With the excitement Halloween brings children may forget basic pedestrian safety rules.
• Drive slowly in residential areas where children are more likely to be trick-or-treating. Reduce your speed and stay alert.

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Family Photo Night at Canyon Heights!
Wednesday, November 2nd and Thursday, November 3rd 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Lifetouch will be taking family portraits at our school. Bring the whole family, dress however you like, bring props and have fun!
Sign up to have a family portrait taken easily and conveniently at the school by Lifetouch. The entire sitting fee is given back to our school. Each family will have the opportunity to have a minimum of eight different poses taken. The photographers will be using both traditional and contemporary backgrounds and props.
For just $20, your family will receive one sitting and an 8 x 10 portrait from the preview of your choice. Your proofs will be available online after the photo session and you may order additional photos if you choose.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Our school is limited to the above dates, so sittings will be booked on a first come, first serve basis. Sign up today!
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Yes, our family would like to book a portrait sitting.

__________________________ Family Name
__________________________ Telephone Number
__________________________ Email address
1. Please select your preferred date:
 _____ Wednesday, November 2nd OR  ____ Thursday, November 3rd 

__________________________ Student Name
___________ Grade 
___________ Division 

2. Please select a first and second choice for sitting time:

_____ 5:00 – 6:00 pm _____ 7:00 – 8:00 pm _____ 6:00 – 7:00 pm _____ 8:00 – 9:00 pm
Please attach payment and return this form and payment to the PAC mailbox in the main office. Cheques may be made payable to the Canyon Heights PAC. We will contact you with your sitting date and time. 

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Canyon Heights PAC will be offering a Noon Hour Activities – 

Art Mania Xmas Project for the Fall Session 2016! 

Registration opens on Monday October 31^st, 2016 and ends on Monday November 7^th, 2016. The classes will run from Thursday November 10^th, 2016 to Thursday December 8^th, 2016. Registration will be online via this link on their website http://www.artmaniabc.ca/art-classes/ and open to students in Grade 1 to Grade 7.

It is on a first come first serve basis and all payments must be paid when registering. There is a maximum of 30 students.

Please find attached a flyer with more details for you regarding projects, cost and registration information.

For all inquiries, please contact Noon Hour Coordinator - Kulvir – kulvir@shaw.ca

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From our PAC Chair, Kathryn Orde's attendance at the Curriculum Panel:

This week a few parents attended a panel discussion held at the North Van Pac about the redesigned curriculum.  The redesigned curriculum is being implemented for K - 9 this year across B.C.  The Panel consisted of teachers and administration from across North Vancouver. 

Why the need for change? 

As we hurtle through the 21st century, the skills needed by our children to deal with the technological and societal changes are different from those needed a few decades ago.   

What are the key changes? 

Much was discussed, but in summary the key messages we took away were: 

• The implementation of the curriculum is a transformational journey and much of the change has already been happening and will evolve over the coming years.  This is important for us as parents because not everything is changing overnight - the implementation of the curriculum is not a ‘switch’.    What’s been working well will continue to happen in the classroom especially around the basics of literacy and numeracy.  

• Concepts of The Big Idea with core and curricular competencies will be taught alongside literacy and numeracy foundations, essential content and concepts.    The core competencies are  communication, creative thinking, critical thinking, positive personal & social identity, personal awareness & responsibility and social responsibility.    Again, much of this is already being done by teachers.   

• Report Cards will have familiar information this year (letter grades, performance standards, ways to support your child) but may look different.    Pilots are being carried out in other schools in the district to trial different report cards.

• Increased emphasis is put on inquiry based learning in the redesigned curriculum. 

• The curriculum provides a greater opportunity for personalised learning.  

What did the panel suggest we can do as parents? 

• Become familiar with the key points of the new curriculum at

https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca and incorporate some of those inquiry based learning techniques at home and as part of your end of day / dinner conversations.  

• Engage with your child’s teachers

Look out for another information evening coming soon which will be put on by the Handsworth family of schools.