Message from the Vice-Principal
The end of the school year is quickly approaching and we will be receiving our preliminary staffing and school organization numbers next week. At this time, there has been no change in the school numbers for next year, we still have 30 students registered – 12 in grade 1, and 6 in each of the grades 2, 3, and 4. As soon as we get our staffing allotment on May 4th, I will meet with the teachers here and then I will meet with the PAC executive at the beginning of the following week, May 7th. We will keep the community up to date on the classroom organization and the staffing as it unfolds the first week of May.
Donna Emeno,
Acting Vice-Principal
Important Dates
May 3 Big One at 2:00
May 9 Bike to School Day
May 15 Clean up Your Act
May 16 PAC Meeting 6pm
May 18 School Not in Session No School
May 21 Victoria Day No School
May 22-25 Keep Vancouver Spectacular
May 30 Volunteer Tea
June 1 Sports Day
Emergency Preparedness
On Thursday, May 3rd at 2 pm our students will be participating in the annual Emergency Preparedness Earthquake Simulation Drill. At Garibaldi, we have a school emergency plan, which all staff participate in and all students are aware of. This year we will be incorporating the “Student Reunification” or student release component of our emergency evacuation. We need volunteers! We are asking parents or emergency designates to come down to the school at 2:15 to pick up their children and take them home or off the school grounds as part of the afternoon drill. If you can and are able to come down to participate, please let Rita Conte know. A form needs to be filled out so that we can use it on that day. Parents will pick up their child by going through the west playground opening on Napier Street. A table will be set up where you check in and we will bring your child to you at which time you will take them home or exit the school grounds until the drill is over, approximately 2:45. Please consider taking part in the Big One at 2 as it will help us refine release procedures so that in the event of a real emergency we could be more efficient.
2018-19 General School Fees
The 2017-18 School Fees notice sent home in May of last year stated that this school year would be the final year that school supplies would be purchased for a set fee by the school district and that starting in September 2018, parents would need to purchase items on their own.
Please note that the general school supplies fee will still be charged for the upcoming 2018-19 school year.
The Vancouver School Board will continue its service of purchasing basic school supplies in bulk at wholesale prices and passing the cost savings on to families. The School Supply Fee for 2018-2019 will remain at $25.00 per student.
This fee covers basic consumable school supplies used for students’ personal use such as paper, writing tools, glue sticks, erasers, exercise books and art supplies. Supplies are provided for the full year.
Bike or Walk to School Day
Strap on your helmets, raise your kickstands, and join the thousands of students, families, community partners, and elected officials all around the country who will be participating in this year’s Bike to School Day on May 9. It’s great fun and great exercise too! It also fits in to our Earth day pledges, to be kinder to the earth not on just one day but 365 days a year, that we made April 20th here at the school.
Thank You
Thank you to all parents who came out to help at our Earth Day Celebration.
Thank you to Aileen Lindsay for organizing!
As well, a big thank you to Rachelle Siemens who organized the SPEC Garden lessons for the students.
And a big thank you to the PAC who continue to work tirelessly supporting the school and programs for students. We’re looking forward to the Dance instruction in May and June.
Volunteer Tea
The Volunteer Appreciation Tea is on Wednesday, May 30th. Invitations will be sent out to parents who have generously donated their time throughout the year. A thank you tea will take place in the Library from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Fruits and Vegetables
Nugget potatoes, leafy lettuce, radishes, green onions, and tender spinach are the first vegetables produced by BC farmers. They should be available soon in a store or farmers’ market near you. Watch for them and enjoy the taste of spring. Springtime is also time to plant a seed for good health. A great way to introduce children to nutrient and fibre rich vegetables is to involve them in planning and caring for a family garden.
No space for a backyard garden—try a simple windowsill garden or gardening in pots on the balcony or patio. One pot could hold a variety of greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, parsley, chard) for salads and sandwiches.
- Pick local fruits and vegetables
- Wash fresh fruits and vegetables before eating
- Enjoy the taste of local fruits and vegetables
- This program uses BC produce whenever possible
Why Buy Locally Grown Food?
- Food tastes better because it has not lost flavor in getting here from far away and long term storage
- Food is more nutritious because it hasn’t lost nutrients during transportation
- Local farms preserve genetic diversity because farmers grow large varieties of food
- Consuming local food helps support farmers which keeps families doing the work they love
- Local foods builds communities, relationships develop with food producers when people seek out local goods, support farmers’ markets, community gardens and other food projects.
- When farmers can make a living from their land it is less likely to be sold off for development.
- Local food supports a clean environment and benefits wildlife. Farmers are stewards of the land
- Local farmers ensure the farm will be there to produce nourishing, flavourful food in the future.
PAC
The next PAC Meeting will be on Wednesday, May 16th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.
If you would like to receive email notifications of Garibaldi PAC Blog postings regarding upcoming events and happenings, please sign up at http://www.garibaldipac.wordpress.com and BE INFORMED!!
Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found bin at the front door is beginning to overflow. Please come down and check to see if you recognize any of your child’s items. We’ll also walk the children by to see if any items can be claimed.
See the whole newsletter at this link: Newsletter May 2018
Garibaldi Annex PAC 