Summer is almost over and the kids are getting antsy. Now is the time for parents to start thinking about back to school.
Here's a list of a few things to stay on top culled from Tri-City News files and School District 43 information:
NEW TO TOWN?
This week, schools are open to help parents with last-minute registration. Be sure to bring proof of citizenship for parent and child (such as a birth certificate or passport) and proof of local residency to your local catchment area school. If you are not sure about what catchment you are in, you can check out School District 43's School Locater tool.
GETTING PREPARED
Find school supply lists and start times for your school on the school's website, along with other helpful information. Once school starts, your child will come home with a series of forms to fill out — be sure to follow through and send them back to your child's teacher.
ON YOUR CALENDAR
The first professional development day for teacher training is Friday, Sept. 23. Classes will not be in session on that day as teachers will be attending programs to update them on the latest trends in education.
KNOW YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT
School District 43 is governed by an elected board of nine trustees representing the five communities with a total combined population of approximately 225,000. There are four trustees for Coquitlam, two each for Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, and one representing the villages of Anmore and Belcarra.
Approximately 3,900 people work in Tri-City public schools, including 2,500 teachers.
This year's school operating budget is $290 million.
The next public school board meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 13 starting at 7:30 p.m. in the board office at 550 Poirier St., Coquitlam.
STUDENT ENROLMENT
SD43 is the third largest district in B.C., with approximately 31,000 students in 70 schools. Here's how the schools break down: 45 elementary (kindergarten to Grade 5), 14 middle (Grades 6 to 8) and 11 secondary schools (Grades 9 to 12) plus three alternative education programs.
BE INVOLVED
When you have a child in a Tri-City public school, you automatically become a member of your school's parent advisory council and have access to parent resources through School District 43's District Parent Advisory Council. All parents are welcome to attend DPAC general meetings. More information is available at dpac43.ca. As well, watch for upcoming educational events on Facebook (DPAC-43).
WHAT'S NEW
The province of B.C. has introduced a new curriculum for kindergarten to Grade 9 students with new curriculum for high school students to follow next year. For a pdf that summarizes the changes in a Frequently Asked Questions format, visit here.
