John Norquay Elementary School
4710 Slocan Street, Vancouver, BC V5R 2A1
Telephone: 713-4666    Fax: 713-4668

Date: Thursday, December 4, 2003   Newsletter #4
Area Superintendent - Mr. Tom Grant  604 713-4590
Principal - Ms. Gail Wynston
Vice-Principal - Ms. Kim Nemeth
Liaison Trustee - Mr. John Cheng
School Consultative Committee Chairperson: Mrs. Anne Miller
Visit Norquay School on the Web at norquay.vsb.bc.ca

TWO GIRLS ALMOST HIT BY A CAR
Last week in the heavy rain, two of our students narrowly missed being hit by a parent who was dropping off his own child in the staff parking lot.  These two small girls had just been dropped off by their mother in the staff parking lot.  For the safety of your child and other students, PLEASE, do not drive into the staff parking lot for drop off or pick up.   The children may get a little wet walking from the street, but they will be much safer.

EMERGENCY CONTACT FORMS
We are still waiting to receive the verification forms for 59 students.  Another copy of the form will be sent home with these students.  For your child's safety, please fill in the form so we can contact someone in case of an emergency.  If your information changes, through out the year, please notify the office.

GET READY FOR SNOW!
In the event of snow, or other emergency situations, school closure information will be provided to the following radio stations by 6:00 a.m. on the morning of the closure: CKNW(980AM), CKWX (NEWS 1130AM), CBC Radio(690AM, 105.7FM), and FAIRCHILD Radio(CJVB 1470AM/CKHG 96.1FM).  Please listen to these stations to find out if schools are closed.  In addition, information on snow closures will be available on line at www.vsb.bc.ca.

HOLIDAY CONCERT
Parents are invited to attend our Holiday Concert on Thursday, December 18, 1:30 p.m. The students in the Grade 7 Choir, Grade 7 Recorder Ensemble, Grade 6 Recorder Ensemble, Grade 6 Choir, Grade 5 Choir, all Grade 4 Classes, all Grade 3 Classes, and the Grade 2 students in Mrs. Siudut's, Mrs. Tsolinas' and Mrs. Woodham's classes will be performing.  Because of staff commitments, we are unable to do an evening concert at this time.  However, we will be doing one in the spring when parents who work during the day will be able to attend.  No tickets are necessary for this concert.  However, we ask that younger children who cannot sit quietly for approximately an hour not attend.

GYMNASTICS DISPLAY
Pupils in Divisions 22, 23, 25 and 9 and members of the Gym Club will present a Physical Education display on Wednesday, December 17, 2:00 p.m.  Spectators are welcome to come to the gymnasium at 1:50 p.m. 

SCHOOL PLANNING COUNCIL
If you are willing to stand for election for the School Planning Council for the January - December 2004 term, please contact Anne Miller, our PAC chairperson, at 604-434-8884.  Members will be elected at our PAC meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2:45 p.m. in the staff room.  The council is intended to work with the principal to formulate the school’s goals and the School Growth Plan for next school year and report back to the Parent Advisory Committee.

VOLLEYBALL
This year’s Senior Girls Volleyball team has been wonderfully enthusiastic and successful under the coaching of Mrs. Hughes.  The team members are Nora Tong, Samantha Trinh, Shirley Su, Carol Tang, Deidra Hall, Stephanie Hill, Jessica Lee, Nikki Aguila, Jennifer Lin, Vanda Orm, Annie Zhou, Karen Kwan, Kathy Yu, Theresa Jung, Christine Biala, Neelam Khare, Rhoda Fong, Gurjita Gady and Jade Paul.  We wish them luck in Thursday’s Zone Semi-Finals.

Mr. Beriault and Mr. Chiu reported great growth and success with the Senior Boys team.  Congratulations to members Rishal Chand, Nestor Chau, Daniel Jattan, Alex Liu, Mickey Mangaong, Ronverg Mendoza, Matthew Sarmento, Bruno Teixeira, Henry Tsue and Nikko Vasquez, who played well into the Zone Semi-Finals.

FOOD BANK
This year Norquay students collected food to be donated in our own community through the Collingwood Neighbourhood House.  Thank you to all our families who were able to donate to help our neighbours.  You have helped to teach your children the importance of looking after each other and the good feelings that come from generosity.

SCHOOL CALENDAR
Wed. Dec. 17              P.E. Display, 2:00 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 17              PAC Meeting, 2:45 p.m.
Thurs. Dec. 18             Holiday Concert, 1:30 p.m.
Fri. Dec. 19                  Last day of school before Winter Vacation (full day)
Dec. 22 - Jan. 02         Winter Vacation
Tues. Jan. 5                  First day of school after Winter Vacation
Mon. Jan 19                 Professional Development Day * NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Wed. Feb. 25               Professional Development Day * NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Wed. Mar. 10              Report Conferences * DISMISSAL at 2:00 p.m.
Thurs. Mar. 11             Report Conferences * DISMISSAL at 2:00 p.m.
Mar. 15 – Mar. 19       Spring Vacation
Mon. Mar. 22              School Re-opens
Wed. Mar. 24              Class/Group/Team Photos
Fri. Apr. 9                    Good Friday * NO SCHOOL
Mon. Apr. 12               Easter Monday * NO SCHOOL
Mon. May 24               Victoria Day * NO SCHOOL
Tues. June 29               Last day for students
Wed. June 30               Administrative Day