There are multiple interesting meetings for families with children on the autism spectrum, or who are being assessed for autism. Here are a few that may be of interested to families in our community.

POPARD’s Introduction to Navigating BC’s School System – for Families with Children with ASD
Friday, November 15, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Vancouver
Supporting Indigenous Families Affected by Autism through Engagement and Research
Friday, November 22, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm, Vancouver
Polar Express- Sensory Friendly Ride
Sunday, November 24, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Squamish
POPARD’s Introduction to Behavior and Mental Health – for Families with Children with ASD
Friday, November 29, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Vancouver
The General and Special Education Summit: Behavioural Challenges, Mental Health and Brain-Based Learning
Monday, December 2 - Wednesday, December 4, Richmond
Multi-Model Communication and Learning Strategies for Children Who Face Significant Challenges Including: Severe Multiple Disabilities and Children on the Autism Spectrum
Tuesday, December 3, Richmond
High Functioning Autism: Proven and Practical Interventions for Challenging Behaviour in Children and Adolescents
Wednesday, December 4, Richmond
Behaviour Interventionist Training Workshop (Online)
Saturday, December 7 - Sunday, December 8, Richmond

Read their newsletter for full a full list of events and more information about available resources.

The Tennyson Administration has been doing a valiant job of passing on parent's concerns about the traffic pattern changes and lack of parking around the school. The City has responded to the concerns with this information pack. Below is an excerpt from thE pack that concerns the area around Tennyson.

If you still have concerns/questions/comments we urge you to contact the City to let them know. The more people with concerns voice them, the more likely action will be taken. All you need to do is call 3-1-1 or use Van Connect, the City's very handy app and website


Unsure of what to say? Here is an example that someone sent last week.

“The intersection of 10th and Maple is currently dangerous for the pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in the area. Many children use this intersection to walk to school. The signage is inadequate, and the bike lane confusing. We ask that you install correct signage quickly, and install a pedestrian controlled crosswalk to keep the many children who use this intersection daily safe.”

Do you have new or clean gently used children's shoes and boots that you don't need? If so please consider donating them to the Tennyson Winter Shoe Drive.Shoes and boots can be dropped off in the box at the lost and found next week, November 4-7. Donations will go to our sister school, Britannia Elementary. 

This initiative is sponsored by  the Groupe Globale, a team of Grade 7 students running charitable initiatives in our community,

The atmosphere at Tennyson was fantastic this Halloween. Lot of teachers and students dressed up, many classes enjoyed Halloween themed activities and some enjoyed the day with a party. Here are a few pictures from around the school (send yours in if you want to share).

There were lots of funny, clever and cute costumes again this year at the Howl. Here's a sampling:

A Tennyson parent wanted to share the following request for input from parents. The message was posted to a family bicycle group.

In September we saw the Safe Schools motion pass at the City Council. At the School Board, the Safe Schools motion was referred to the November 6th (5pm) VSB Facilities and Planning Committee meeting.

This means that the VSB and School Trustees get to hear from community members like you about transportation safety to/from schools. Please consider speaking up or encouraging a young person to come and speak to the Board. If you’re interested in doing so, please email the following District staff to sign up.

David Green, Secretary Treasurer - dgreen@vsb.bc.ca

Marlene Phillips, Executive Assistant - msphillips@vsb.bc.ca

There were plenty of opportunities to win a prize at this year's Halloween Howl, with the pumpkin carving and costume contests,  the guess the weight of the pumpkin challenge and the end of the night prize draw. You an see lots of the costumes here.

Here are our winners. 

Pumpkin Weight Contest
The Pumpkin weighted a mighty 27.8lbs and Chase in Division 14 won with a guess of 28lbs.

The Costume Contest
Best Musician: DJ Marshmallow, Lou, Div 9
Best Blast from the Past: Spice Girls, Div 3 - Ruby, Rebecca, Delphine, Tala & Div 1 - Chandra, Maya
Best Mom & Me: Ladybug, Katherine, Div 18
Best Family Fun Costume: Clowns, Kiera, Div 13
Best Partner Costume: Ghostbusters, Audrey & friend, Div 6
Best Use of Rainbow: Phosphorescent Rainbow Squid, Olive, Div 18
Best Frappucino Friends: Yasmin & Sophia, Div 4
Best Use of Cardboard: Recycle Bin & Pirate Ship, Avery, Div 16 & Alyvia, Div 10
Best Bone Chilling Werewolves, Avalon, Div 7 & Matilda, Div 8
Best Nature Theme: Dreamy Tropical Ocean, Kimberly, Div 14
Best in 'Show': Old school TV, Kevan, Div 8
Best Rock 'n' Roll Family: AC/DC, Josephine, Div 15 & Sam, Div 5
Best Sporty Family: Tennis Greats, Jillian, Div 8
Best Home Made Costume: Samurai & Green Ninja, Mattis, Div 16

Prize Draw
$25 London Drugs Gift Card, Samantha Heimrick, Div 3
Basketball (Spalding), Mathia Desmarais, Div 2
Crayola Art Case (A), Danielle, Div 3
Crayola Art Case (B), Audrey, Div 10
Baseball & Bat (Blue), Isaac Hansen, Div 1
Pogo Stick, Marshall, Div 12
Beyblades, Callum, Div 8
TY Stuffy – Trick or Treat, Cammi Baldwin, Div 16
TY Stuffy – Racoon, Esha Koch, Div 16
Soccer Ball (Franklin), Liam Krebaum, Div 6
Ty Stuffy – Black Cat, Clayton Ye, Div 10
Props – Builder & Superhero, Hugo Sturgess (Sibling of Poppy & Harriet)
Juicy Couture Bracelets, Mila, Div 13
Hockey Card Set, Alan Peregrym, Div 3
Lava Lamp, Nicholas Bellefeuille, Div 9
Stunt Squadron Kit, Bjorn, Div 17
Starlight String Art, Madison Seriosa, Div 8
Baseball & Bat (Green), Oliver, Div 8
Charm Jewelry Set (Poopsie), Katie, Div 5
Clue - Boardgame, Rangi, Div 9
Shamballa Jewelry, Eva Sarvas, Div 10
Catan Jr – Boardgame, London (Vienna's brother), Div 11
Lego Advent – Star Wars, Tyler, Div 1
Lego Advent – Harry Potter, Callum Medd, Div 12
Puzzle – Harry Potter, Audrey Edmiston, Div 6
Iviva Headband & Pouch (A), Havana
Iviva Headband & Pouch (B), Megan J, Div 1

Congratulations to the winners! All Prizes will be delivered to classrooms by end of day Tuesday.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the pumpkin carving contest; the 62 entries were monstrously spectacular. Check out all of the creepy, incredible, and creative pumpkins below.

Many of this year's creations were very funny so, the judges re-named a few of the categories because it was too hard to pick just one funniest pumpkin winner.

Here are the 2019 winners:

Primary
Scariest - Chase Hoye, Spider Face Pumpkin, Div 11
Funniest - Faye Stoneham, Pumpkin Girl, Div 18
Best Traditional - Nicholas Brady, The 60 Pounder, Div 12
Most Gruesome - Marshall Anderson, Pumpkin Jail, Div 12
Most Original - Audrey Smith, Faceless Man, Div 10
Judge's Choice - Kimberley Johnston, Fluffy the Caterpillar, Div 14

Intermediate
Scariest/Funniest - Megan Johnson, Arachnophobic Andrew, Div 1
Funniest - Callia Enderton, Chubby Bunny, Div 8
Best Traditional/Funniest - Lillie Anderson, Cookie Monster, Div 6
Most Gruesome - Anouk Fenger, Tastes Like Chicken, Div 1
Most Original - Jillian Plotkin, Disco Pumpkin, Div 8
Judge's Choice - Jaclyn Fraillick, How Dare You Says Greta Thunberg, Div 7

Tennyson families and friends were treated to an amazing night at this year's Halloween Howl. What was probably the last Howl in the old school building didn't disappoint.

A huge congratulations and thank you to Ravena, Mandy and Jacqueline who planned and coordinated the Howl again this year, the Prince of Wales PAC Leadership class who helped set up and run the rooms, and all the parents who volunteered for making the night so memorable. The 2019 Halloween Howl was fantastic!

There was so much freaky fun to be had! The kids had a blast in the gym playing games and danced like fiends at the Dead Disco. They pitted their skills at the Haunted Hockey and Spooky Soccer and slowed things down with spooky stories in the library. The Batty Bingo, Fortune Tellers, Junky Jello Eating and Cake Walk had line-ups out the door and the Graveyard was so grotesquely gory the visitors shrieked with fear!

It's not a Tennyson event without good food. Thank you to the Grad 2020 parents who served delicious pizza, salad and treats in the cafeteria.

The pumpkin carving contest was amazing and the costume contest judges had another tough go this year trying to pick winners from the amazing and creative costumes on display. We will post costume pictures as soon as they come in. Thank you Randall and Meralon for taking the pictures; such special mementos of the night. And last but not least, the winners of the game card prize draws will be announced on Monday.

Tenny’s Tiger Toes is a Shoes for Sharing program here at Tennyson. Please feel free to leave CLEAN, GENTLY USED children’s shoes and boots in the big purple bin located in the Lost & Found nook. And please help yourself to a pair that may suit your own child as well! What footwear is not needed at Tennyson is donated to a sister school in East Vancouver. 

There are also 2 special SHOE DRIVES in the Winter and Spring sponsored by the Groupe Globale. Please watch for the Winter Shoe drive the week of November 4th -where NEW footwear is also welcome -just in time for a special Christmas donation!

(Please Note: The purple bin is not for Lost and Found items so please check it periodically in case a stray shoe lands here:).