Hello my favourite Van Tech families!

It's that time of year again where we are collecting funds and items to support our own families here at Van Tech. Last year, with inflation, we shot up to 130 families and the need looks like it may even be higher for 2023. We're collecting items (see poster below) from Friday, December 1st until Wednesday, December 13th in period TWO classes this year. Beyond that, we are collecting money, which allows us to get gift cards and more food for our families. The best part is that you can actually get a tax receipt for your donation as VSB has a Registered Charity Division. If you're able, here's how you can donate...

1. Visit https://vsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/1869/196/false/true
2. Select “S-Vancouver Technical” as the Fund Destination
3. Write “Holiday Hampers” in the “Message to School Board” box.
   

If you can, watch the video and then send any questions to me at [email protected]. Thanks!!

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 [email protected].
 
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 [email protected]

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