I wanted to post a sample of the Numeracy exam, as I know it will be on student minds once finals are done.

Just a reminder that the date each student will write their Numeracy exam will be in the hallway soon (if it's already not by the time you read this). These dates are not changeable, except for a very good reason (leaving the country, etc.)

This assessment is not tied directly to any course (including Math). Each test will be given a mark out of 4 (rubric based). It will appear on their transcripts. Currently, no post-secondary institution has commented on if they'll use this benchmark for admission. I'll be on the watch out for it.

Give the sample a try! And check in with your Math teachers.

If there was ever a time to dig deal and work on your Math! Now is it :) Here's the schedule to take the kids to the end (or one week shy of it, anyhow).

Are you a student who could benefit from an incredible Tech Ed experience this summer?
 
John Oliver is once again offering a Skills Exploration course – 4 credits and grade level will be related to the Grade the student is going into. Ailin Wong will be teaching the course.  Students will do full days for 3 weeks and will receive a sampling of the following trades:  auto, metal, carpentry, electrical as well as an overview of the trades training system and further opportunities for youth.

This is an awesome way to decide if you'd be interested in going to trades after high school.

​Send completed forms back to Mr. Van in person or email (nvaniersel@vsb.bc.ca) and I'll get them to Wendy Gilmour.

Summer School is launching next Monday, bright and early. I strongly recommend using the website at https;//summer.vsb.bc.ca but you can also go in person (at the board office by Granville and Broadway).

Here are my top 3 reminders/suggestions/things to consider:

• There are three types of courses:
  • Completion (July 3 - August 7). Full version of the course and gives graduation credit. 4 hours a day.
  • Preview (July 8 - August 2). Goes over key parts of a course for the upcoming school year. 2 hours a day.
  • Remedial (July 8 - August 2). Helps students who received 40-50% in a course get a passing mark. 2 hours a day.
• Even though all of the courses aren't available until April 29th, you can still see and plan for all of it now on the website.
• Completion courses (especially Math and Science) fill exceptionally fast. Physics 11 "sold out" of six blocks across the district in the first hour last year.

Here are some other really helpful things to know:

• There is no cost to summer school, but there is usually a $100 textbook deposit. Please contact your grade counsellor (likely me, if you're reading this) if you need financial support with that. It's a confidential process.
• If you change your mind about taking a class, Summer School usually charges $30.
• Don't wait too long to sign up for any type of class, as they normally close ones that aren't filling by early June.
• ELL students should not sign up for completion courses in English or Social Studies, unless they have already completed transitional level ELL this year. ELL students going in to Transitional would do really well to take a Preview English course. ELL students below that level should consider taking the ELL summer school. You want to keep those levels up over the summer!

Well, I probably sound a little like a proud father here, but I'm really happy to say that one of our fantastic Tech students (Amanda Payne) has been part of creating a Youth Mental Health Conference for this upcoming Pro-D day. It will be open to students all over our district and in to the private world of schooling too. Do consider registering. All free too :) Great speakers and mini-sessions I'm told!

New schedule. Same awesome times :)

We've had a group called Live Different come in and present to our students today. We thought it would be a great idea to pass along this one page sheet if you want to do any follow up with them at home. I'm a huge believer in the core ideas of their presentation and vision. We're raising citizens after all :)

SOYL is a great program that happens at Van Tech during the summer. It comes with credit for Environmental Studies (a senior level elective course) and tons of volunteer opportunities and hours. Check out the picture below and consider signing up if you'd like a more active summer program.

This is a really powerful workshop, and now it's being offered in multi-language support. Great! Sign up if you're interested using the information below.

Summer school is now available online to check out. No signups yet, but you can plan for what you or your son/daughter would like to take. Below I've attached a sneak peak as to what's generally writing that I got last week.

And if you want to look at all the info (including where each course will be run) head over to http://summer.vsb.bc.ca/