PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTIONS - Vancouver School Board
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Quarter #1
November 2020
PRINCIPAL’S REFLECTIONS
The 2020-21 school year is off and running! Like other parts of society, schools have had to adjust previous practice to the
realities of the Covid-19 global pandemic. New this year is the shift to a quarter schedule from a year-long linear system.
This means that two courses at a time are taken each quarter (10 weeks in length) as opposed to eight courses taken
concurrently for the entire year. Another wrinkle is that each course alternated every two weeks between face-to-face
instruction and remote online instruction.
I want to thank the staff and students for their adaptability, perseverance, and patience over the course of this first
quarter. Students have been successful in completing two full courses already. For quarter 2 we are tweaking the schedule by
alternating the face-to-face and remote instruction weekly. This will allow more contact points with the teacher and student to help maintain a
stronger connection over the quarter, especially during the remote instruction sections. Since 10 weeks can go by quickly, students and parents
are reminded to communicate, in a timely manner, with the subject teacher for any learning issues.
If you have not already done so, please review the final quarter 1 report card that was published on the MyEd family portal on November 23rd.
Take the time to discuss the report card with your child and to reflect on the results. Also, take a look at the reasons behind the results and
think about realistic goals for quarter 2 work.
I also want to acknowledge the excellent job that staff and students are doing with implementation of Covid-19 health and safety protocols.
Smaller cohorts, hand washing or sanitizing, wearing of face masks, following proper coughing/sneezing etiquette, physical distancing, and limiting
social gatherings have become part of our daily routines. Parents are reminded to conduct the daily health assessment
prior to sending their children to school. Students should not be coming to school if they are sick. All of these steps
are critical to ensuring that transmission of the virus does not take place at school. When an isolated school exposure
has occurred, the school has followed the direction of Vancouver Coastal Health to contact the appropriate people
and the general community.
Human beings have a need for social connection. As a result, the restrictions from public health authorities on social
gatherings have been particularly difficult for all of us to follow. We will need to find other ways to connect such as
video chats, phone calls, and messaging. While we are acutely aware of possible changes to our physical health, the
effects on our mental health can be lost. Parents are reminded to follow-up with health professionals if they notice any
changes in the physical or mental health of their children. Grade counsellors at school can also provide support and
advice with school and family issues.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of the KPAC, KMA, and KAFT parent groups in supporting
Killarney’s educational offerings. We need your support now more than ever. Thank You!
I hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday season with your family. - Kal Gill
Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year!
SECONDARY STUDENT SURVEY—Deadline: December 6, 2020
The VSB is conducting a Secondary student survey. The purpose of the survey is to collect input from all
Vancouver secondary students about their current school year experience. The VSB will use this information to help
assess if there are improvements we can make for students. The information gathered will be considered along with
other information such as student attendance, student achievement, and parent feedback.
The survey is 18 questions long and should take less than 10 minutes to complete. The survey is available to
students until midnight on Sunday, December 6, 2020. Although students are required to log into the survey
site, all input is private and individual responses will not be shared. The student survey questions mirror the parent
survey questions which will be distributed by the District via MyEd. Data from the surveys will be shared with
administrators in December and reported out to the public in January.
Students can access the survey via a link on Teams – there is a Killarney student TEAM with ALL Killarney students
on it.
Alternatively, you can use the link here: https://survey.vsb.bc.ca/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=m4KI5n63
In addition, there is a QR Code that provides a direct link to the online survey for students here.
OCTOBERS OF THE FUTURE
Acknowledged September 30, 2020
LAUGHTER
IS THE BEST
MEDICINE
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Social distancing in Physical Health Education class' this Quarter has been amazing. The students have been so diligent about wearing their mask and sanitizing their hands through the warm-ups, mindfulness, class exercises and runs, it has been amazing to work with them. The big take away ideas for students in PHE are daily physical activity is amazing for the longevity of mental and physical health, a regular routine of exercise built into the day helps with productivity and stability in their schedule, and most importantly you are what you eat: eat healthy be healthy. Go to our page on the school website for more info: https://www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/killarney/Teaching- and-Learning/Classes-and-Departments/Pages/ PE.aspx
KILLARNEY CHORAL DEPARTMENT
Program:
• The Youngest Soldier
• Principal's Address – Mr. Gill
• Please rise for the singing of “Oh Canada”
• Indigenous Veterans Contribution in War 1 & World 2 to the present
• In Flanders Fields read by Canadian cadets
• Performance By Mr. Urquhart’s Senior Strings:
• “Somewhere”, By Leonard Bernstein, (arranged by John Moss)
• The Last Post- By Danny Ok, under the direction of Mr. Nerling, Band Director
This year’s Remembrance Day was viewed by our students in the classroom .
Thank you to Mr. Urquhart and Mr. Nerling for their wonderful musical
contributions to our program this year.
You will find both the Band and Strings performances here:
https://www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/killarney/Teaching-and-Learning/Classes-and-Departments/Music/Pages/default.aspx
KILLARNEY STRINGS plays “SOMEWHERE” for Remembrance Day
STRINGS
“In our time and place, there is so much
turmoil and pain, that we fail to know
how to orient ourselves. We struggle to
find hope. We long to know comfort. We
often forget to live believing that
“Somehow, Some day, Somewhere!” our
lives, our loves, and ourselves will be ful-
filled. There has been so much sacrifice in
our history, so that we can live with that
hope. We must remember to keep that
hope in our hearts.”
—Mr. Nick Urquhart—Strings Director
Hello from the Killarney Family of Schools Community Schools Coordinator
It has certainly been a very unusual start to the school year but the Community Schools Team continues to support students in
our family of schools in any way possible. Although we are not yet able to offer structured lunch or after-school programs at Kil-
larney during this time and our external partner programs are "lighter" this term, we are still working with local community part-
ners to establish need and implement various online workshops for youth. Areas of focus include wellness and stress management,
newcomer youth programs, and job ready workshops. We also focus on connecting youth to off-site volunteer and leadership
opportunities. Activities include mentoring younger students with online homework support, being a "big brother/big sister" men-
tor to elementary students as well youth council and leadership groups through our community partners. Any new programs and
volunteer opportunities will be shared via the school social media sites as well as posters just outside our office.
Our room (A212) continues to be a safe space for youth to chat with us and we also offer free snacks! Students are welcome to
come by to inquire about external opportunities and resources available to them. Mrs. Melissa Werfl (Community Schools Team
Coordinator) and Mrs. Tricia Kay (Community Schools Team Youth and Family Worker) are both new to Killarney Family of
Schools this school year and we hope to see and meet some more new faces in the upcoming term!
Melissa Werfl Tricia Kay
Community Schools Coordinator CST—Youth & Family Worker
Killarney Family of Schools Killarney Family of Schools
Vancouver School Board Vancouver School Board
o: 604-713-5887 c: 604-817-0407 o: 604-713-5887
e: mwerfl@vsb.bc.ca e: pkay@vsb.bc.ca
KILLARNEY THEATRE
We have had an active start to the school year! We started the year with a new way of
teaching, new classes and new quarter system. With all changes comes new learning and
adapting. We are so proud of our classes and students this quarter who have shown this.
DRAMA 9
In Drama 9, the students took on new learning both face to face and remote exploring char-
acter, storytelling, styles, stage combat and understanding the art of theatre. Throughout the
quarter they shared their learning through Getty Challenge, Trapped, Monologues, Scripted
Scenes, Music Challenge, News cast scenes, Improv and Conflict using Stage Fighting. It was a
fun and engaging quarter and I proud of all the students.
DRAMA 11/12
What a wonderful way to have completed Quarter one. Students have been incredibly adap-
tive, creative, and helpful when coming up with classroom solutions and changes. During Dra-
ma 11/12 students participated in the following projects role drama, theatre genres, neutral
script work, tik Tok acting challenges, improv, stage combat, a movement piece to an original
song composed by Dylan Killarney Strings student, Remembrance Day scripts and perfor-
mances, mystery box sketch comedy, and many more! Congratulations to all the grade 12
students, thank you for all your hard work over the years, and we look forward to seeing the
grade 11's next year! “Theatre is a form of knowledge; it should and can also be a means of
transforming society. Theatre can help us build our future, rather than just waiting for it” Au-
gusto Boal
THEATRE CRITISISM AND MEDIA ARTS
Theatre crit is a linear course that meets during am and pm flex time. While we are unable to
attend in person theatre performances this year we are lucky to see many live and pre rec-
orded show. We have been happy to support local theatre this term by watching A Doll’s
House Project – Studio 58, No Child- Arts Club, Digital Improv Show- Tightrope Theatre,
and Craigslist Cantata-The Cultch.
MAIN STAGE
Killarney theatre is happily getting
ready for our re-imagined Mainstage
show of CURIOUSER- an adaption of
Alice in Wonderland. Although we
can't all meet in the same room, the
student leaders and volunteers have
stepped up to the challenge and are working behind the scenes in areas of Front of House,
Costumes, Hair and Make-up, Set, Media, Catering, Tech and Props. Together we have spent
hours to make safety our number one priority while still allowing our students to be engaged
and share their passion.
The arts allow us all to escape in a world when we can find ourselves and work together to-
wards a common goal. These life skills prepare our company of students to be leaders. Lead-
ers who understand deadlines, teamwork, passion, dedi-
cation, flexibility and above all commitment.
We hope you all will join us on this adventure when we
release our play in the new year. Stay tuned for updates
and buying tickets in Feb of 2021. Come down the rab-
bit hole and enjoy an evening or two celebrating the hard
work of our students, adult mentors, and the Killarney community.
We look forward to having you be part of the journey.
Finally, a BIG thank you to our parent group ( KAFT) and KPAC for their support for our
programs to continue and for our students to be involved. We thank you all for your work.
Wishing you all a safe and wonderful winter holidays. (M. Rocchetta / T. Tuson)
All I want for Christmas is your iPhone!
Our Environment Club is holding a
TECH RECYCLING CHALLENGE. Now's the time
to bring your old electronics to school for
recycling. LARGE ITEMS can be dropped off to the
Mechanics classroom D123/D122
(before or after school only) SMALL items can be
dropped off in a box by the main door /front office
labelled ELECTRONICS DROP-OFF.
Deadline: Friday, Dec. 4th
ACCEPTABLE ELECTRONICS:
Old CD's/DVD's
Laptops/Computers
Mobile phones/iPhones/Smart Phones/tablets
Cameras
Gaming Consoles
iPod/iPads/MP3 Players
Docking stations
PC parts
Keyboards, Mice, Wires/Cables
Stereo Equipment
Printers (Inkjet & Laserjet)
Fax Machines
Scanners & Copiers
Phone Systems
Servers (Racks, Stands, All Brands)
Software (Operating/Editing/Design)
Switches and Routers
Disk Arrays (old disks)
KILLARNEY MINI SCHOOL APPLICATIONS GRADS - GIFT FUNDRAISER
The Killarney Mini School application form for admission to
“Hey Killarney! The grad committee will be hosting a gift card
grade 8 in September 2021 is now available on the
fundraiser throughout the year!
Mini School’s webpage. Visit the Killarney webpage and click on
Gift cards are available from a variety of retailers.
Teaching and Learning > Programs > Mini School.
If you buy a gift card, the business gives the grad committee a
Applications may be submitted from November 9th at 9:00
percentage of their profit back and the proceeds will go to
am to December 17th, 2020 at 3:00 pm.
our senior class gift back to the school and to scholarships.
Applications may be submitted online (only) using this form.
Please help support us by asking friends and family as well!
https://www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/killarney/Teaching-and-Learning/
Programs/Mini%20School/Pages/default.aspx
You can pick up a form from any grad exec or Ms. Nejad’s
room in A310 or download the form in the link. Give your
NOTIFICATIONS OF SNOW CLOSURE money and your form to a grad executive or to Ms. Nejad
By 6:00 am, in the event of a possible snow closure, the VSB by November 30th to get your gift cards
will post information about snow closure on its website at before the holiday season! (Z. Nejad)
www.vsb.bc.ca and will inform local media stations, including:
• CKNW (980 AM)
• CBC (690 AM, 105.7 FM)
• CJVB (1470 AM)
• CFHG (96.1 FM)
• CKWX (1130 AM)
• BCTV/Global (Cable channel 11)
• CITY TV (Cable channel 13)
PARENTS….
Please check the VSB website or listen to the
radio/TV stations listed above to learn about school closures.
Please do not call media outlets to ask whether schools are
closed.
ARTONA GRAD PHOTOS!!
If for some reason you have not taken your Grad pho-
to, call Artona (604) 872-7272 ASAP to make an ap-
pointment before the Winter break. This will allow you
KILLARNEY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
FOR GRADS OF 2020 BC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP
At this time of the year, all grade 12s should be very aware that next
September is looming and many students have already made There are 55 BC Excellence Scholarships
applications to post secondary institutions. I’d like to remind all grade available to recognize well-rounded B.C.
12 students with intentions to pursue a post secondary education to graduates. Winners demonstrate service and leadership,
explore the necessary information from universities, colleges and all both at school and in their
other institutions or seek help from Ms. Glynianyi communities. Winners also show aptitude and
commitment to their chosen career paths.
On another note, the Killarney internal scholarship application They will receive a $5,000 scholarship voucher to use
is currently available. towards their post-secondary tuition.
Please use the prep sheet before you start your application online. You must be nominated by your secondary school in
KILLARNEY IN-HOUSE SCHOLARSHIPS here: order to apply for this scholarship. Only one student
https://www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/killarney/Guidance-and- from each school may be nominated. By completing this
Support/ScholarshipInfo/Pages/default.aspx form, you are entering your interest in being considered
Please consider this opportunity seriously and take the time for this scholarship opportunity.
to complete these forms.
Full instructions are located on the website. Check the website here:
BC Excellence Scholarship
PLEASE NOTE: SCHOOL IS CLOSED DEC. ALL GRADS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CHECK
killarneysecondary.com
21/20—JAN. 1/21 FOR WINTER BREAK for updates to Grad Scholarships & Info.
School will reopen Jan. 4, 2021
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