Hey everyone,

If you go do one thing to further develop your parenting this year, this would be my pick. Granted, I haven't seen him do it online, but he is powerful and so helpful when I've see Darren in person.

This presentation has EVERYTHING you'll want to know about your kid's devices and give a lot of valuable information for how to manage navigating a whole different world for many of you, I know. Check out his website here: https://thewhitehatter.ca/
​
Here are the details for the event:
​Weds April 26th - Digital Literacy and Internet Safety for Caregivers  6:30pm - 8:30pm
LINK: https://app.sli.do/event/vvJNBrv2KW65KzQCRCX2cD
PASSWORD: 4456

The immunization clinic will take place at the school on Weds. Nov 30th. Please return your child’s immunization consent form to the school in the main office ASAP, or by Nov 10th at the very latest.  If you have any questions, you can contact the Public Health Nurse, Bianca, at 604 786 2223 or bianca.lindner@vch.ca.
 
This school year, we will be running our usual immunization clinics for our Grade 9’s (and students who have missed their immunizations) at the school.
 
There will be two clinics this year:

• Nov 30th, 2022
• June 8th, 2023

Consent packages come home this past week on Thursday November 3. Due to time constraints this fall term, there will be no follow up phone calls if consents are not returned. Students will only be immunized with parental consent.
 
If your child does not receive a consent form, it is because:
·         they are already complete for their age OR
·         they are already in progress getting vaccines elsewhere
 
Please read the pink form and the consent form very carefully. Please return the consent forms to the main office ASAP.  These forms are due by Wednesday, November 10th.
 
If you are consenting to vaccines, please ensure you have ticked the box for the vaccines you want given, signed, dated the form and indicated that you are the parent or guardian.

 
On the day of the clinic, November 30th, students will be called down via the PA in alpha order to the cafeteria for the clinic. Please ensure that your child wears a short sleeved shirt and has breakfast/ snack on the day of the clinic. 

Take Our Kids to Work (TOKW) Day is back for 2022! We're encouraging all of our Grade 9s to go with a family member or family friend to their workplace. Please make sure to read the information document and complete the form required. This gets returned to Mr Van in the Counselling Suite before or on Monday, October 25th.

I have paper copies for students to grab as well, if they prefer.

​Please send any questions to me (Mr Van) at nvaniersel@vsb.bc.ca

The email box is filling up with questions that this video will help with :) Parents, please watch and make sure your kids watch! :) Useful for 9s but also for other grades. Cheers, Mr Van.

Thanks to everyone who came last night! It was great seeing people, new faces and known faces :) I think we hit about 110 people or so, so fantastic.

I've had a number of people ask about getting the slides both who were there and those who weren't.

Here is the link to access it:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1IRPn2ttRh1vD17eeYTuRMHUrvlRt480F/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114998978834073663988&rtpof=true&sd=true

And, please remember three things when working with your kid:
1. Communication.
2. Compassion.
3. Partnership.

Here to help. Many thanks, Nick Van.

Sharing this exactly as I wrote it to the students on May 24th. Students should sign up quick!

I'm excited to say that I'm in the final stages, working alongside some awesome people, of preparing a Health Fair for all of you for Thursday, June 2nd in the afternoon. This will be an afternoon where all Grade 8s will get a chance to engage in fun and healthy activities, check out what is available in the community, and meet with me in the auditorium.

I've made a video for you to see outlining what is happening and what you need to do to pick your two choice sessions.

• Overview video link: https://youtu.be/F4Oiw6AIx1I
• Signup link: https://forms.office.com/r/yKTYt7q4BA (first come, first serve)
  
  

Students will also be set into groups for the afternoon based on last name.
•Group 1 – Last names from A to E
•Group 2 – Last names from F to Li
•Group 3 – Last names from Lim to Q
•Group 4 – Last names from R to Z
​
Please let me know if you have questions in the comments, email, or in person. Go signup!
Cheers, Mr Van.
Grad2026a Grad2026b Grad2026c Grad2026d

Hey everyone,

I've been putting off a parent night I wanted to have since the start of 2022 because of omicron, then fatigue and the challenges that kids are feeling constantly at both Tech and around the globe. Now feels like a great time to bring parents and caregivers together with us at schools because we're slowly losing the war for our kids. Students can come, but this is catered for all grades. Please signup below (just so we have a sense of numbers) and target demographics.​

Title: Parenting in Another World - COVID, Behaviour, Social Media, & Disconnection
Topics: See video below for details.
Signup here: forms.office.com/r/dxjWXfebNX
​

First off. Let me just say this will be a digital Zoom event.

Hey everyone,

​There are lots of workshops out there for supporting kids and teens and many have value. Sometimes I know it's hard to decide what to go for. This one is one I definitely recommend and any time you can get a psychiatrist and clinical therapist, go for it :)

It's totally free. Just have to register. Here is their blurb.


​What To Say to Kids ( and Teens) When Nothing Seems to Work
We will watch a video with Dr. Ashley Miller who will share quick and effective strategies to help your child and you weather difficult moments in a way that strengthens resilience and relationships. 
Dr. Ashley Miller is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Family Therapist and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia.  The video will be followed by a discussion facilitated by a FamilySmart  Parent Peer Support Worker. 
 
Sessions will be held:
Wednesday June 1 at 6:30 PM
Tuesday June 7 at 5:00 PM
Thursday June 9 at 12:00 PM
Monday June 13 at 6:30 PM
Thursday June 16 at 5:00 PM

Register for free. <--- Link.

Hi everyone,
​
Summer school signup time is coming. Students can already preview the courses on the website here; https://summerreg.vsb.bc.ca/
You can check out the courses that are going to be available for signup there now. This will let you see what site and time each course is being offered. No teacher information will be provided.


Signup dates and times are....
May 9th at 8 AM until June 10th.


Two things to remember...

1. Let Mr Van know if your signup(s) affect your courses for next year so we can adjust your requests.
2. If you want a preview course, be on the morning of the first day. They fill fast.

As Gradre 8s, you can only sign up for remedial (if you failed one this year) or preview (if you want a sneak peak at grade 9). There are no completion courses for you this one summer.
​
Check out the attached PDF with all the course offerings as well.

Cheers, Mr Van

Hey everyone,

​This is a pretty crazy time to be alive, but I'm really happy to be getting to work with you all during it and want you to know that me and all of Van Tech are here for your families. Please don't be shy to reach out.

There's been a lot of information shared from our awesome school leadership team lately and I wanted to pass along some of the key things for Grade 8 students and families:

1. If you have any COVID symptoms, stay home and follow all public health orders & recommendations. This one should be a no brainer by this far into the pandemic :) I've attached the public health daily check at the bottom here.
2. Schools across the province will be open provided there are enough staff to run the school safely. There aren't set numbers or cutoffs that we are aware of that cause a "Functional Closure", but it's currently determined school by school and notice can be quite short, unfortunately. In such a case, the school would go to online/remote learning for the duration of days we can't be open in person.
3. Students and staff must wear three ply masks. Cloth masks will not suffice. See the office if you need one. The black ones with the little Canadian symbol given out in September do count.
3. There will not be any FIT for the next two weeks. We'll bring back Student Choice fit for the last week of the semester.
4. Students who are away because of COVID or isolating will be given opportunities to make up missed work. Ms Kauldher (our Grade 8 VP) and myself will work with teachers and students to make sure opportunities are available, even after Jan 31st (semester changeover day), if needed.
5. Athletics and clubs can continue but no spectators and clubs are encouraged to meet online (although not mandatory).

Have questions? Email or reach out.
Thinking of you all, Nick Van.