All Categories - Mr. Van's Website

The Return to Schooling in June - What You Should Know

5/26/2020

In working with administration and staff, we have created a video for all students and families to help understand what June will look like, what to prepare for, and to answer what we assume is a lot of questions. While the video is 12 minutes long, there is a ton of information.

Thanks for taking the time to watch it. We miss you, and look forward to seeing many of you soon.
- Van.

return_to_school_-_june_1st__from_tech_admin_.pdf
File Size:	104 kb
File Type:	pdf

Two Very Important Resources

4/7/2020

Hi everyone,
To start... I've had the incredible job of contacting and checking in with many families and students over the last couple weeks and I just want to say I've been floored by the strength, resiliency, and determination of our families. It's really quite cool. Please reach out to me though if we haven't spoken and there is a technology or food need in your family.

I'm passing along two GREAT documents for everyone. These are the two I'd most suggest keeping bookmarked / printed / downloaded in a good spot on your computer.They are:

1. Logging into Office 365 and all things Teams. This one is for students.

2. An extensive VSB created list of supports for students and families. This has many clickable and awesome links.

Copies and downloadable files of both are linked below.
Much love, Van.

vsb_students_logging_into_office_365.pdf
File Size:	1333 kb
File Type:	pdf

contacts_for_supports_for_students_and_families.pdf
File Size:	726 kb
File Type:	pdf

New Central Hub for Van Tech Students

3/26/2020

As we go into a period of online school connection instead of face to face, we've decided as a school we need to have a central place for students to get timely information and be able to connect with people and resources they need and want! This is where Microsoft Teams comes in. Microsoft Teams, for those who haven't heard of it, is a software platform part of the Office set that lets people in an organization connect and share. It's similar to Slack, if you know that. All students and staff in VSB have access to it the same way that we have access to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. Please note that parents don't access/an account, so they need to work along side your child.

Working with my admin, I've created a Microsoft Team that we can use. It's starting basic, but we'll build to it quickly over the coming weeks. Students are now encouraged to come join and give feedback on what the space can and should look like.

Here's how you get on:
1. Click the link for the school's Microsoft Team HERE.
- This works on a desktop, laptop, or phone).
2. Choose between app, desktop downloadable program, or web version.
3. Enter in your VSB student details:
- Login: ######@learn.vsb.bc.ca (###### = your student number)
- Password: Whatever password you use to log on to the school computers/wifi
- Note: The login and password info have NOTHING to do with MyEd.
4. A request will be made to myself and school admin and we will accept your request as quickly as possible.
5. Start using!

Some Ways Microsoft Teams will be helpful:
1. One central location where students can get current information and ask questions.
2. A place for students to be able to video/audio conference with school counsellors.
3. A place for students to connect and communicate with each other (each grade has it's own channel, which is monitored by school staff).

Optional Next Steps:
1. You can download the Microsoft Teams app from the Apple Store or The Google Play Store.
2. You can customize your notifications (a good idea). Click HERE for a link on that.
3. Watch some helpful video tutorials and overviews HERE.

COVID-19 Supports List

3/22/2020

As many people now know there are a lot of supports being made available now or soon as a result of the current COVID-19 situation. Here's a good list that was shared to me of most/all (?) of them as of a couple days ago.

Using Google you can quickly find the key sites for signups on a few of them. Hope they help!

COVID Update - What to Expect!?

3/18/2020

I know there's nothing I can share that will really change the horrible situation that everyone is in, but I thought yesterday's announcement and then the following attached document sheds some light on what to expect and that might help curb some anxiety and give some sense of where we're going. I'd expect some model of distributed learning/online platform. I imagine there will be teacher training required when school is "back" after 2 weeks, but more will come out later.

Like everyone else, I'm here over spring break, so don't be afraid to reach out.

Also, I've attached the Self Assessment Tool for COVID from the BC Ministry of Health:
https://covid19.thrive.health/

218690-covid-letter[1].pdf
File Size:	215 kb
File Type:	pdf

District's Message on COVID19

3/11/2020

I know some families have had questions. The district has shared a briefing that I wanted to pass along. It sounds like this will be shared more generally to families as well.

UPDATE: Vancouver Coastal Health has shared information as well, so I've updated that in as well.

Info for Summer School Signups April 27th

2/29/2020

There isn't much information out for summer school yet, but they do have this on http://summer.vsb.bc.ca and I thought it was worth sharing. The signup date is there and it likely opens at 6 AM, like it did last year. Some of the Math and Science courses sell out in an hour or two, so it's good to be on top of things!

How to use Summer School to help your University chances:
1. DON'T take a new tough class in summer school because even if you take it in grade 12, post-secondaries will see your final mark and use it.
2. DO take a course a second time as only your best mark will show up on your transcript. Because post-secondaries don't pull information until you apply the information as to how often you took something is hidden.
3. DO take a course that you feel confident you'll do well in to help boost your "Academic five" courses for applications.

Marks come out the Thursday before spring break, so it's a great time to start thinking about summer school decisions.

Capacity Cafe is Back - Can't say enough good things!

1/29/2020

Capacity Cafe is an event put on by the School Aged Child & Youth (CYMH) wing of Vancouver Coastal Health. They do a fantastic event where students from other schools act like a panel giving perspectives on issues that relate to your children. All of the parents listen in silence while the facilitators ask the questions and the students respond.

This is a fantastic empathy building experience that I did myself a couple years ago. Space will definitely be limited so act fast!

Youth Skills Program from Frog Hollow

1/16/2020

One of our best community partners, Frog Hollow, has let me know they're looking for another round of fantastic future leaders. This program has been wonderful with so many of our school's students in the past. Definitely recommend. Great for building a scholarship resume too! Here's what they had to say about it (from my email).

We are currently recruiting Gr. 9 – 11 students for our Youth Skills Program we’ve been running in partnership at Van Tech for more than 10 years. It is a 10 week program where youth learn transferable skills to build their confidence at volunteer / work placements.

In past cohorts, we had 15-20 Van Tech students who received their first aid or food safe certification, enjoyed learning more about themselves and each other, and volunteered a minimum of 40+ hours at local organizations. Youth Skills runs after school at the BASE Space on Wednesdays – and there is free food (e.g. pizza, sushi, etc) and bus tickets!

We are hoping you might know Grade 11 students who'd be interested to participate in Youth Skills. Our program starts soon, and we’re hoping to reach out to a few more folx. Could you refer students to us and/or send a short blurb through an email list?

Interested: Contact Nelli Agbulos at nelli@froghollow.bc.ca

Post-Secondary Planning Event for grade 8s to 11s

1/9/2020

One of Van Tech's former superstar grads (Aydin Quach) who now has a really great and active role in Frog Hollow is hosting an event on exploring post-secondary options (from the perspective of all sorts of different options - universities, colleges, trades, gap years, employment, etc.). Time is also spent on resume building, application process, and much more!

Here are the details and how you sign up! I definitely recommend Aydin and all the work he does with Frog Hollow. Please note that this is a Saturday, not a school day :)