What an amazing way for students (and parents!) to start off their day ...

DPAC General meeting this Thursday, April 26th at 7pm in Room 120 of the School Board Office (1580 West Broadway). On the agenda are 2 delegations and updates from VSB committee meetings including the preliminary 2018/19 VSB budget and the catchment boundary review. All parents and guardians of VSB students are welcome to attend. 
VSB Budget 2018/19

• Preliminary Draft Operating Fund Budget for 2018/19 and explanation of 'balanced budget approach' used to create it (different process than previous years). 
  • PowerPoint Presentation
  • Report
• Give feedback:
  • Budget survey open now through May 2nd
  • Present to the trustees at the Committee of the Whole on April 24 (register by sending an email to budget2018-2019@vsb.bc.ca)
  • Write to the trustees by emailing to: budget2018-2019@vsb.bc.ca
• View the PowerPoint for more information on the report. There are suggested:
  • budget changes for non-enrolling teaching staff (page 15);
  • budget additions for non-enrolling teacher staffing (page 16),
  • preliminary budget additions (page 23),
  • preliminary budget reductions (page 24),
  • proposals for consideration (page 25), and  
  • potential savings (page 26),
• Descriptions of the preliminary additions, reductions and considerations are in the report.

Upcoming

• Tuesday, Apr 24, 5pm – Special Open Board / Committee of the Whole, VSB Education Centre 1580 W. Broadway *** opportunity for public to speak to board about the proposed budget *** see above section if you would like to present or submit a letter on the preliminary budget, 
• Wednesday, Apr 25 – What is Dyslexia? free webinar
• Thursday, Apr 26, 7pm – DPAC Executive Meeting, Room 180, VSB Education Centre
• Monday, Apr 30, 7pm – VSB Board Meeting, VSB Education Centre 1580 W. Broadway
• Wednesday, May 2 9am – ADHD Education Day for Parents by The Provincial ADHD Program. This a free education day, providing parents/caregivers with information on how ADHD is diagnosed, evidence based treatment for ADHD, tips on parenting a child with ADHD and how to help a child with ADHD at school.
• Friday, May 4 – BCCPAC Conference If your PAC is a member and you're not sending any representatives, contact DPAC with your proxy vote.
• Saturday-Sunday, May 5-6 – BCCPAC AGM
• Monday, May 7 – National Child and Youth Mental Health Day
• Tuesday, May 8 6:30pm – Raising Digitally Responsible Youth workshop at Prince of Wales Secondary. RSVP for free tickets.

BC Hydro West End Substation Proposal

• BC Hydro has approached VSB to re-visit the idea of a new underground substation at the Lord Roberts Annex property.
• They are offering the following ways to participate: 
  • Attend an open house.
    • Tuesday, May 1, 2018 | 5pm – 8pm | Century Plaza Hotel, 1050 Burrard Street, Vancouver
    • Thursday, May 17, 2018 | 5pm – 8pm | Century Plaza Hotel, 1050 Burrard Street, Vancouver
  •  Attend a small group discussion (space is limited. Email westendsub@bchydro.com or call 604-341-1304 to sign up)
    • Thursday, May 3, 2018 | 6pm – 8pm | Lord Roberts Annex, 1150 Nelson Street, Vancouver
    • Monday, May 7, 2018 | 6pm – 8pm | Century Plaza Hotel, 1050 Burrard Street, Vancouver
    • Thursday, May 10, 2018 | 6pm – 8pm | Century Plaza Hotel, 1050 Burrard Street, Vancouver
    • Tuesday, May 15, 2018 | 6pm – 8pm | Century Plaza Hotel, 1050 Burrard Street, Vancouver
  •  Participate online at bchydro.com/westendsub (available May 1 to 31, 2018)
• DPAC will also having a discussion on this proposal as part of our May 24 General Meeting along with the catchment boundary review suggestions.

Please submit any events or requests for the May DPAC newsletter by Friday, April 27th.
Amanda Hillis
DPAC Secretary

We would love to have you  come out to view Vancouver's Best Little Leaguer's vs the BEST in the world from Japan, Taiwan and around the province. at the Vancouver International Little League Tournament.

There will be at least 60 kids from Vancouver Proper in the event representing Little Mountain (2 Teams), Hastings, Jericho and Asahi.

The Japanese Team is from the Kitasuna association that has won 3 of the past 6 Little League World Series.
 
Free admission! Most Fields have a concession and are on bus routes. Here is a a full game schedule.  

It is sure to be a terrific experience!

​Dear parents,

Once again, the Thunderbirds Track Club has volunteered to give Lord Tennyson two free sessions of school-based coaching!  This is a fantastic opportunity for our kids to get exposure to professional coaching. 

Jenny Carrique is the lead coach of the Vancouver Thunderbirds Track club.  She will be volunteering her Track & Field coaching expertise twice this season at Lord Tennyson: Weds April 25th, and Weds May 2nd.


Jenny’s specialty area is sprinting.  She will also be advising our athletes on High Jump and Shot Put.

Let’s enthusiastically thank Jenny for her assistance, by helping our team be early on Wednesday and all set up and ready to go.

Some great news announced by the Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon President!

---

The Vancouver School Board recently announced​ it would restore 100 Grade 1 French Immersion spaces for the upcoming school year, 2018-19. The announcement comes after a year long campaign by Vancouver parents who were angered by the Spring 2018 French Immersion cuts.

"This is remarkable news. Reversing the cuts will mean more Vancouver students will be able to participate in this wonderful life-changing educational program. We commend the Vancouver school board and staff for listening to the voices of Vancouver families and for working hard to find solutions," said Diane Tijman, Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon President. 

Glyn Lewis, Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon Executive Director added, "We also recognize and thank the dozens of Vancouver parents who have spent months speaking out about this issue. Their tireless advocacy on behalf of their children made this incredible reversal possible."  
In the Spring of 2017 the Vancouver School Board cut one quarter of its phenomenally popular French Immersion program. The VSB cited a shortage of French Teachers as the primary reason for the cuts.
Earlier this month Vancouver School Board Superintendent Suzanne Hoffman and BC Education Minister Rob Fleming visited France and Belgium to sign French teacher mobility agreements. Their trip came on the heels of the Federal Government announcing $64 million over five years for French Teacher recruitment and retention strategies.
Last month, the Vancouver School Board announced a 381 strong wait-list for French Immersion in their school district.

Background
*The Vancouver School District began offering $1,500 in moving allowances to full-time French Immersion hires. The VSB is also offering housing and settlement support to teachers who come from out of province or out of country. 
*In February the BC Ministry of Education announced funding for  the training of 100 new specialist teachers in the highest-demand fields, such as French. 
*From the April 17th Vancouver School Board release: "After an extensive twelve-month recruitment campaign, the district has been able to add about 100 spaces for Grade 1 in French Immersion schools as a result of staffing more efficiently."

Earth Day is on Sunday, April 22!

Tennyson students will be celebrating Earth Week with the following student-led initiatives. Thank you to our Gr 7 leaders for sponsoring  the events.
 
Monday, April 23
Beautify Tennyson School
Pick up litter and take care of the natural surroundings as part of  the Vancouver Spectacular program which will begin later this week and continue through the month of April. Classes will sign up to take care of our community.
 
Tuesday, April 24
Reduce air pollution
Carpool, walk or bike to school or park further away and walk to school.
 
Wednesday, April 25
Bring a waste-free lunch in a container or re-usable bottle.
Earth Day Assembly  - 9:15 am even divisions, 11 am odd divisions.
 
Thursday, April 26
 Recycle & Re-use:
Sort paper, foods and garbage into containers. 
​Make arts & crafts using recycled materials.

Elevate Ultimate Academy provides high-quality Ultimate frisbee programs for athletes aged 5-19.

They are running a free Ultimate demo on April 22 at Montgomery Park from 2-3 pm, and April 29 at Killarney Community Centre from 2-3 pm.
Parents can find all the information here:   https://elevateacademy.ca/free-clinics/

Hi parents,

I just wanted to let you all know that our Vice-Principal Mme Regina Vosahlo is a *super star* for Lord Tennyson Track & Field!  

Mme Regina will be holding a student meeting for all current and interested Track & Field team members on Tuesday, April 17th @ recess (10:30-10:50am).  Parents are invited to attend as well.

Mme Regina has taken over the coordination of the program for the school, and has even procured three more teacher-sponsors for practices and meets!  Thank-you sponsor teachers!!!  

These teachers are:
Mondays - M Raphael Perdue (Grade 6)
Wednesdays - M Pav Wypych (Physical Education Teacher)
Fridays - M Jean-Paul Carriere (Grade 3)

Additionally, Mme Regina will be at school available for backup during each practice, if needed.

Track & Field practices will begin on Wednesday April 18th @ 8am (7:45 am set up).  Practices will run every Monday, Wednesday & Friday that school is in session.  On extremely rainy days we will play gym games indoors during the downpour, and stay outside as much as possible with light rain.  

Mini-meets will be at Camosun Park, next to Queen Elizabeth Elementary School (4102 West 16th Avenue) and are as follows:

Juniors (Grades 3-5) Thurs May 10th & Weds May 16th.
Seniors (Grades 6 & 7) Tues May 8th & Mon May 14th.

The official season will end with the VSB divisional meet, for our Junior and Senior teams Wednesday, May 23 at Point Grey Secondary School (5350 East Blvd).   Parking is limited.  Juniors (Grades 3-5) will compete from 8:30 am to 12:30pm.  Seniors will compete from 1:00pm to 3:30pm. 

Junior grade 3s do not compete in shot put or high jump, as per the VSB safety policy.  However, if all teacher sponsor and volunteer coaches agree, the grade 3 athlete may be allowed an exception.  The athlete will have had to attend numerous practices and mini-meets, and have participated to their full ability.  Grade 3s do, however, attend these events and positively support their Grade 4/5 teammates. No students will be allowed to compete in high jump unless they have trained several times previously, and can jump 0.09m (Juniors) and 1.05 (Seniors). This is as per VSB safety policy.

Our Lord Tennyson Tiger Junior-X Meet will run on  Friday May 25 at 8:00am, for our grade K-3s, on the Lord Tennyson School field in all of the Track & Field events that we practice.  All other Junior & Senior team members may also participate, after they have supported the Junior-Xs.  This meet will be run for the younger grades, by the Junior and Senior teams - Grades 4-7.  It will include achievement ribbons, adoring supporters, student coaches and (of course) Friday snack!  All team members are expected to attend, fully participate, and support their Junior-X teammates.

All participants need to submit a signed permission form -- copies will be available at the following: Tuesday April 17th at the Student Meeting at recess, online on the school PAC website, and in front of the school office attached to the top of the 'Tiger Track & Field' box.  

Currently, we have received confirmation emails from 4 parents who are able to volunteer with the team this year -- thank-you so much!  Unfortunately, we have lost quite a few of the previous years volunteer parents who had taken lead volunteer coaching roles - due to their children leaving the school, or new work commitments and/or schedules.

Hopefully, many of you will be available to help manage and support our Track & Field Tigers in some way during our short practice season.  No time contribution is too small, and all your help is very meaningful.
We will also need parents to coordinate amongst themselves to contribute to Friday snack -- please try to include something healthy.  We find that the athletes are really ready for more breakfast after the practices.  

On another important note, we have already sold two more team shirts, one to a parent!  Yay!  The shirt is the team uniform and costs $20 per shirt. Shirt requests and cash/cheques for shirts can also be dropped together into the box. Please make cheques out to 'Lord Tennyson School', with a notation that it is for deposit into the Track & Field budget, and your child's name and approximate shirt size. If you (as an keen parental athletic supporter) or your athlete need a new shirt, we have all sizes available for both children and adults (small, medium, large).  Each shirt is $20.  The shirt is the team uniform.  If this amount is not feasible for financial reasons, please send a confidential email to our Principal, M Doug Roch.  Bursaries are available, so absolutely no student needs to go without.  We also have a cache of previously worn shirts that can be used for meets as "loaners", if an athlete forgets their shirt.  They are a variety of sizes, with varying degrees of stains.  All are laundered to the absolute best of my ability.  Please give me your old unneeded shirts for the cache.

My sincere thanks to all of the parents who have done so much volunteer work in past seasons.  I am looking forward to another fun and event-ful (pun intended) spring Track & Field season!