Information+about+schools+in+Vancouver


 * Gifted Education **

Kindergarten - Grade 12 - Early Entrance to University Vancouver School Board policy (1994) requires: (1) equity of access for students in all areas of the city, and, (2) appropriate responses to diversity and range of abilities and needs. A range of challenge centre pull-in programs are available for students K-7. Classroom teachers and schools submit referral forms in accordance with procedures outlined in the Elementary Gifted / Enrichment Handbook available in each elementary school. Programs are of different durations and focus on a range of advanced learning topics. Consultation regarding identified students is also available from the Outreach Team through the referral form. Intermediate students referred for mentorship experiences have a demonstrated passion and need to work with experienced individuals willing to share their expertise and interests in this field. Consultative support and assistance for teachers working with students identified as both gifted and learning disabled and/or emotionally fragile are available. Challenge Centre type pull-in programs and team projects are available for students. All referrals for programs / consultations are coordinated by the classroom teacher, resource teacher, or other school staff, such as a counsellor.
 * Goal: ** Comprehensive programming for gifted learners
 * Elementary Gifted/Enrichment Education **
 * Key Features **
 * ** Education services for all students begin ** in the classroom and the school.
 * ** Giftedness ** is defined as: "demonstrated or potential abilities that give evidence of exceptionally high capability with respect to intellect, creativity, or the skills associated with specific disciplines" (BC Ministry of Education, 1995).
 * ** Identification ** of gifted learner profiles involves collaboration among classroom teachers, school-based team, district gifted education staff with input from students and parents. Early identification together with coherent, consistent and defensible screening and assessment procedures are critical to development of appropriate educational programs for these students
 * ** Opportunities to participate in challenging academic, intellectual and creative learning experiences with similarly able students who share their interests **.
 * ** A range of programs and services ** respond to the diversity of learner needs. Matching student needs to programs and services is supported by dynamic relationships among staff in schools and district programs.
 * IEPs (Individual Education Plans) are required for students who meet Ministry criteria for the "P" designation (gifted). Regular evaluation and reporting is based on the student IEP.
 * Programs and Services **
 * Outreach Challenge Programs **
 * Mentorship **
 * Twice Exceptional Learners (GLD/GEF) **

Full-time multi-age classes for identified academically gifted students are available in four elementary schools. Identification of students for these classes requires referrals from the Elementary Schools, participation in Outreach identification/assessment, and further participation in various experiences that contribute to understanding the best educational match between students' needs and available programs. [|GIFTED EDUCATION HANDBOOK 2008-2009] A Gifted Education Handbook is handed out to the school-based contact person at the information meeting held in September.
 * Multi-Age Cluster Classes**
 * Osler Elementary || Grade 6/7 || [|http://osler.vsb.bc.ca] ||
 * Queen Mary Elementary || Grade 4/5 and Grade 6/7 || [|http://queenmary.vsb.bc.ca] ||
 * Tecumseh Elementary || Grade 4/5 and Grade 6/7 || http://tecumseh.vsb.bc.ca ||
 * Tecumseh Elementary || Grade 4/5 and Grade 6/7 || http://tecumseh.vsb.bc.ca ||
 * Click the above file and go to Page 52 to look at the Gifted Learner Summer Program. This will be in July but specific dates will only be announced in April. **

All Secondary Schools offer Enriched and Honors Courses including some options such as Advanced Placement Exams for some Grade 12 courses. The range of district programs available for secondary students of high ability and gifted abilities is available in the [|OPTIONS BROCHURE 2009]
 * Secondary Gifted/Enrichment Education **
 * Programs and Services **
 * District Secondary Alternative Programs**

Program for Gifted Learning Disabled - Prince of Wales Secondary Program for Gifted Learning Disabled - David Thompson Secondary Dec 21 || Friday Dec 19 || Friday Dec 18 || Friday Dec 17 || Friday Dec 16 || Friday Dec 21 || Jan 4 || Dec 22- Jan 2 || Dec 21- Jan 1 || Dec 20- Jan 3 || Dec 19- Jan 2 || Dec 24- Jan 4 || Jan 7 || Monday Jan 5 || Monday Jan 4 || Monday Jan 4 || Monday Jan 3 || Monday Jan 7 || March 14 || Friday March 13 || Friday March 5 || Friday March 18 || Friday March 16 || Friday March 15 || 8-12 || March 21-25 || March 19-23 || March 18-22 || March 26 || Monday March 23 || Monday March 15 || Monday March 28 || Monday March 26 || Monday March 25 || June 27 || Friday June 26 || Wed June 30 || Thurs June 30 || Wed June 29 || Thurs June 28 || June 27 || Friday June 26 || Wed June 30 || Thursday June 30 || Friday June 29 || Friday June 28 ||
 * GOLD **** [|GOLD program.pdf] **
 * I’ve gone into the websites of the three elementary schools. Although they are in Vancouver, I think the school that is in the downtown area is Tecumseh Elementary which is on 1850, **** East 41st Avenue **** . The others are in residential areas in the suburbs so there may be issues with transportation. **
 * This is the school calendar in **** Vancouver **** : **
 * ** DESIGNATION ** || ** 2007/08 ** || ** 2008/09 ** || ** 2009/10 ** || ** 2010/11 ** || ** 2011/12 ** || ** 2012/13 ** ||
 * Days in session || 194 || 194 || 191 || 192 || 193 || 194 ||
 * Minimum number of days of instruction || 187 || 187 || 184 || 185 || 186 || 187 ||
 * Maximum number of non-instructional days || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 ||
 * Schools open || Sept 4 || Sept 2 || Sept 8 || Sept 7 || Sept 6 || Sept 4 ||
 * Thanksgiving Day || Oct 8 || Oct 13 || Oct 12 || Oct 11 || Oct 10 || Oct 8 ||
 * Remembrance Day || Nov 12 || Nov 11 || Nov 11 || Nov 11 || Nov 11 || Nov 12 ||
 * Schools close for Winter vacation || Friday
 * Winter vacation period || Dec 24-
 * Schools reopen after Winter vacation || Monday
 * Schools close for Spring vacation || Friday
 * Spring vacation period || March 17-21 || March 16-20 || March
 * Schools reopen after Spring vacation || Wed
 * Good Friday || March 21 || April 10 || April 2 || April 22 || April 6 || March 29 ||
 * Easter Monday || March 24 || April 13 || April 5 || April 25 || April 9 || April 1 ||
 * Victoria Day || May 19 || May 18 || May 24 || May 23 || May 21 || May 20 ||
 * Administrative day || Friday
 * Schools close || Friday
 * ** Please note, while the dates are correct for the reopening date after winter vacation in January 2011 and 2012, the days of the week should read "Tuesday". ** ||
 * For more information, you can go to http://www.vsb.bc.ca/default. **