UNIVERSITY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
5395 Chancellor Boulevard,
Vancouver, BC V6T 1E2
Telephone: 604-713-5350
Fax: 604-713-5353

Principal: Kathy Pickford; Vice-Principal: Ankie Carswell;
Co-PAC Chairs: Tim Dow, Denise Lauritano
Director of Field Services: Rob Shindel School Liaison Trustee: Allan Wong

September 4, 2012

WELCOME BACK!

Once again, the Fall is upon us and we return to school looking forward to a happy and productive 2012/13 school year. On behalf of the staff, I hope that all families had a restful and fun-filled vacation and that our students are returning happy, excited and ready to learn. We would like to extend a special welcome to families who are new to the school. University Hill is very fortunate to enroll a very diverse group of students from all over the world who will work together with an outstanding staff to learn in a dynamic environment that strives to provide a first class education to all students.

Our School Plan continues to focus on literacy development for all students with a particular focus on writing and our struggling learners. We look forward to a year of learning and continued success in this area.

Just a Word about classes
The school staff has spent many hours reviewing classes. This process is to be finalized in the next few days and students will be in classes on Friday, September 7. All input has been carefully considered and we believe the very best decisions have been made regarding student placement, considering individual needs and the collective composition of classes.

Handbook for Families
We have produced a handbook to be given to every child this week. This reference is intended to answer questions you may have about the school and provide information on the school’s many programs and activities. We will update the handbook annually, so please let us know if you have suggestions for future editions.

Mailing List
University Hill Elementary also has an optional emailing list for families. The newsletter is distributed each month through this email list. In order to register, please simply send an email to uhillpac@gmail.com requesting to be added to the mailing list. That’s it and you will receive the monthly newsletters and other notices by email.

Lunch Program
Lunch program envelopes will come home this week. As the program begins on Thursday, please return the envelopes as soon as possible. Please be reminded that the school’s lunch program is now a ‘cost recovery’ program. This means that students may sign up only for a full month of the program at a time, or not at all. Unfortunately the VBE provides NO subsidies and there will be no opportunity for daily ticket orders.

School Fees
The office will send home a separate memo about school fees. Please note that basic supplies for the entire year are included in that amount, although individual teachers may make requests for items specific to their classrooms or programs.
We will soon be sending home requests for funds for a variety of school supplies/ activities (School fees, planners, performances, field trips, etc.). As a reminder, the Vancouver School Board will not deny a child access to the school supplies or activities required for his or her educational program because of financial hardship. Parents and Guardians, who would like to request to postpone payment of fees or require fees to be waived for the current school year, should contact the school Principal directly at the school or in writing.
Busing Information
Registration Forms for the 2012/13 School Busing Program are available on the Uhill PAC website https://uhillpac.wordpress.com . Seats on the bus will be allotted on a first come, first served basis. Sign up for the bus program will begin on September 4th. Please come early.

Hello to…
We are very pleased to welcome the following new staff to University Hill for September 2012. Ms. Ankie Carswell joins us as Vice Principal and as part of our Resource Team and Ms. Clara Lam will join us to be Melody Ludski’s teaching partner and to teach our music prep. In addition, we welcome back Mr. Jorden Covert as Bonnie Dakin’s teaching partner and as part of our resource team. We welcome all to their new assignments and look forward to their contributions to the school.

VBE POLICY
As a reminder, the Vancouver School Board deadline for finalizing school organizations is the second working Friday of the school year. For this year, it means classes will not be reorganized after Sept. 14th. This policy is intended to eliminate parent concerns about classes being shuffled in late September, after students have settled in.
Should you have any questions, please contact Kathy Pickford at 604-713-5350

DATES TO REMEMBER IN SEPTEMBER . . .

Tuesday, September 4th . . . School opens

Wednesday, September 5th . . . School is in session for a full day

Thursday, September 20th . . . Meet the Staff

Monday, September 24th . . . Non-Instructional Day– Students do not attend school on this day.

Friday, September 28th Terry Fox Run

SCHOOL SCHEDULE AND HOURS
The regular school schedule begins on Wednesday, September 5th, 2012 for our Grade 1-7 students. New class lists will be posted on the school windows at the end of the day on Thursday, September 6th. Grade 1 -7 students will go to their new classes on Friday morning. School hours are as follows:
9:00 a.m. Morning classes begin
10:35 a.m. Recess begins
10:55 a.m. Classes resume
12:10 p.m. Lunch
12:57 p.m. Afternoon classes begin
3:00 p.m. Dismissal for the day

PARKING REGULATIONS
Please note that the loop area directly in front of the school is a NO PARKING ZONE. You may NOT get out of your car in this area. Children on foot must have clear visibility in this area and cars stopped there must be able to move forward as children are picked up. We appreciate your support in keeping the area safe for our children.

STUDENT INSURANCE APPLICATIONS

IAP Kids Plus™ Accident Insurance

Did you know our school board does not insure expenses for student injuries that happen on school grounds or during school activities? You are responsible for these expenses as a parent or guardian.

IAP Kids Plus™ Accident Insurance offers protection against the unexpected costs of injury from accidents, and is especially valuable for families who:
1. do not have medical or dental plans,

1. have limited plans, as it may help supplement health and dental benefits, or
2. have active children who enjoy sports and outdoor activities.

For your convenience, we have made arrangements for families to voluntarily purchase student accident insurance through the IAP Kids Plus™ Accident Insurance program, underwritten by Industrial Alliance Pacific Insurance and Financial Services Inc. (“IAP”).

IAP Kids Plus™ Accident Insurance has a selection of plans to suit most budgets. Benefits include coverage for:

• The full school year (September to September), 24 hours a day, whether at school or at home;
• Expenses that are often limited or not covered by private or group insurance plans, or Provincial Health Insurance Plans – such as ambulance, physiotherapy, private tutoring, counseling, and much more;
• Injury-related dental treatment (including future dental treatment up to age 26);
• Out-of-province or country emergency medical expenses.

If your address changes during the school year, your IAP Kids Plus™ Accident Insurance plan is transferable from school to school, anywhere in Canada.

Insurance premiums range from $13.50 to $31.95 per year, depending on the plan selected, and your child is covered all the time, not just while at school. A discounted premium is available for families with 3 or more children.

For more information or to apply online, please visit http://www.iapkidsplus.com, or speak with an IAP Kids Plus™ Client Service Representative at 1-800-556-7411.