FAQ
Q: What is my child learning in class?
A: Questions about classroom learning is best directed to your child's teacher. Additionally, one can visit the BC Core Competencies and Curriculum website for an in depth overview of what to expect at each learning level.
Q: How do I know if the school is closed, due to snow?
A: Staff, parents and students should always assume that school is open during these winter-like school days. Should it be necessary to close schools, the Vancouver School Board will advise which schools will be closed via the following media outlets by 7am that morning. Please DO NOT CALL the school or media outlets to determine whether the school is closed. Calling the school will clog up the office phone line and they may miss important messages from the district or staff. Please visit the following for current updates:
Radio Stations:
• CKNW (980 AM)
• CKWX (NEWS 1130 AM)
• CBC (690 AM, 105.7 FM)
• Fairchild Radio (CJVB 1470 AM, CFHG 96.1 FM)
TV Stations:
• BCTV/Global (Cable channel 11)
• CITY TV (Cable channel 13)
Online:
Q: What school supplies do I need to buy?
A: The Vancouver School Board offers the service of purchasing basic school supplies in bulk at wholesale prices and passing the cost savings on to families. The school supply fee for 2023-2024 is $35 per student. The fee covers basic consumable school supplies used for student's personal use such as paper, writing tools, glue sticks, erasers, exercise books ad art supplies. Supplies are provided for the full year.
Supplementary fees may include student agenda/planner, performance fee, activity fee, workbooks, or field trips.
All fees are paid via SchoolCashOnline.
As a reminder, the VSB will not deny any child access to school supplies required for their educational program because of financial hardship. Nor will any child be excluded from activities where a fee is charged. If at any time there is a financial challenge, please contact the school principal. All requests will be treated confidentially.
Q: What does my child need to bring?
A: Children usually need a backpack to carry a few belongings, such as their lunch, snack, water bottle and library books. Kids in intermediate grades will have additional items to carry like homework, agenda, and perhaps even a musical instrument. Many teachers ask that children bring indoor shoes that are to be left at the school, so the classroom can remain clean after outside play. A change of clothes, especially for the primary grades, is also helpful and can be kept at school in their cubby. Preparing weather appropriate clothing (raincoat, boots, winter jacket, gloves, toque, summer hat, sunscreen) before the seasons change is also a good idea!
Lastly, putting your child's name on their belongings will ensure the safe return of said items. A sharpie pen would work, as well as name stickers. If you would like to purchase some while supporting the PAC, please consider using our referral link for Mabels Labels HERE and entering our school, "Emily Carr Elementary (Vancouver)".
Q: What happens on the first day of school?
A: An email will be sent from the school at the end of summer with specific instructions. Usually returning students in grades 2 - 7 go back to their last year's class for one hour and then are dismissed for the day. The previous kindergarten students (now gr 1) usually will be directed elsewhere, instead of their last year's classroom. New students will also be directed to a specific location.
Starting from the second day of school, students are in school for the full school day. Students usually remain in their previous class for the first week of school, while administration confirm the number of students and class composition. Their new class for the school year usually will be determined by the end of the first week or the beginning of the second. Parent will be notified via email when this occurs with additional information.
Q: What do I do if my child is late or absent?
A: The Vancouver School Board has a safe arrival protocol district wide. If your child will be absent or late from school, please phone the school to report this absence as early as possible. Parents should leave a message on a dedicated answering service by calling 604-713-5159 ext. 23 or by emailing crrattendance@vsb.bc.ca prior to 9am on the first day of absence. This information is also on the homepage of this website in the pink header.
Upon calling or emailing the Save Arrival/Absence reporting service, you will required to leave the following information:
First and Last name of your child (please spell the last name)
Grade and Division number
Reason for Absence
Date and Length of Absence
Q: What do I do if I need to pick my child up early, or arriving later in the school day?
A: When you pick up your child during the school day, please visit or call the office upon arrival at the school. The office staff will then ask you to sign a student sign out form. If your child returns throughout the day, please follow the same procedure and visit or phone the school office (604-713-4941) to inform them that your child has arrived back at school. We will then sign them back in.
Q: Why do I have to sign up for the PAC newsletter every school year?
A: Your consent for us to email you the PAC newsletter only applies one school year at a time. To keep up to date on all things PAC, please make sure to sign up again every September/October when the school office distributes a package of forms to each student.