Start of School Info for September

Updated August 31, 2024

General Information for All Grades for September 2024

Due to ongoing school construction and the deconstruction of the old buildings, events and procedures vary from other years and may change as new events occur.  Please read the information below carefully and check the updated date at the top of the page to see if it has changed since you last checked.

SCHOOL REOPENS THE TUESDAY AFTER LABOUR DAY.

Important! Please read the following documents BEFORE the start of school. Please translate if necessary.

PRIOR TO OPENING DAY–STUDENTS PREPARE FOR CLASSES

STEP 1: CHECK YOUR TIMETABLE

Students should log into the MyEducation Portal (via computer or phone) during the weekend prior to school opening to CHECK THEIR TIMETABLE.  Timetables will not be available until after 6pm on the Friday before School Opening; please do not try to login earlier as your account will be disabled.

• *Remember, if you are checking your timetable on your phone, you must load the desktop version of the website.  The ‘Schedule’ tab is not accessible on the mobile site.
• Grade 8’s will continue to use their MyEducation username and passwords to access their class schedule in MyEducation.
  • Only grade 8 students that did not have MyEducation credentials from their previous school will receive an email with their username and password by the Thursday prior to school opening.
• Returning students:  If you need to reset your MyEducation password, or have forgotten how to access your account, please see the login information here.

Please print your timetable at home and/or save a picture of it on your device for easy access.  Remember, viewing the timetable is only available in the desktop version of the site; if viewing MyEd on your mobile device, select the option to view the desktop version.

If your timetable looks wrong…

First, read the new school schedule information to learn how the LINEAR timetable works if you are unfamiliar with this schedule.  Some changes may have occurred since course selection.  NOTE: On Opening Day, only grade 8’s can access the Counselling Suite about timetable changes.

1. 1. Grade 8 Students

   2. Go to Student Services (Waiting Room in 3011, on the 3rd floor above the Office) to see your counsellor on Opening Day (the first Tuesday of school) if
      1. 1. you are missing a course, OR
         2. you have been scheduled into the wrong grade level of a course OR
         3. you have a duplicate course on your schedule.

   4. Grade 9-12 Students

   5. Follow the instructions provided in-school to request an appointment with your counsellor beginning the second day of school.
   6. Requests will be addressed according to this priority:
      1. 1. your timetable is incomplete (fewer than 8 courses; including authorized spare blocks; may result from being assigned two blocks of the same 1-block course);
         2. you did not complete or failed a Summer School or Online course so are missing a course (e.g. scheduled into the wrong grade level of a course or missing a graduation requirement),
         3. you did not receive your requested/alternate elective course (this may occur when the original course caused a timetable conflict or the original course has been cancelled) or have been scheduled into the wrong grade level of a course
      2. The deadline for course request changes/corrections is the second Friday of school. The later your request is made, the fewer options counsellors may have to address your request.

If your timetable changes, remember to update the photo on your device; you may need to show your new teacher the new timetable when you arrive.

STEP 2: PLAN YOUR ROUTES

***To improve community wellness & reduce traffic, we encourage students to walk or bike to school whenever possible.  Bike racks are located at the North end of the South Building and in the North Courtyard.***

Click for a larger view

 

When you read your timetable, find your classrooms in advance so you can map out your best pathways from one class to another.

Access to our buildings is subject to change due to road/school deconstruction and updated health guidelines.  Students will not be able to arrive and enter the buildings the way they did last year.  Our usual traffic and pedestrian patterns have changed.  Please note the following and plan your new school arrival accordingly:

1. Road and building construction vehicles will be coming and going from campus. Please slow down and respect all signage and traffic control personnel. 

   Pedestrians & cyclists should take extra care to make sure that they are seen by drivers before crossing driveways and roads as sightlines may be reduced in some instances.

   CLOSURES/CHANGES	ALTERNATIVES
   There is no loading zone along Kensington or Hammarskjold.  Please do not use the bus stops or street parking for drop-off.	Drop-off/Pick-up in the Drop-Off Lane in front of the school (enter from Hammarskjold); along Curtis; at Kensington Rink; along Kensington north of Union or south of Curtis; .
   The Kensington crosswalk has moved permanently to the Dunedin Street intersection.	Pedestrians may cross Kensington only at the lights at Curtis or Union or the new signalled crosswalk at Dunedin Street. Pedestrian access is also available from Curtis; Kensington Rink; Kensington north of Union or south of Curtis only; from the back parking lot on Fell; or via the North Horseshoe.
   The pathway/stairs from the South Building driveway to the new building has been permanently closed.	Visitors must use the sidewalks beside the driveways (from Curtis, Kensington, or Hammarskjold).  Walks from the Kensington bus stop will take longer, so allow extra time to arrive in time for class.
   The Translink bus stop (directly in front of the South Building) has reopened.	Do not use this space as a drop-off zone.
   Drop-Off Lane access has been reconfigured.   While sidewalks are being added,  “the Pile” of soil on the old parking lot means that pedestrians must cross traffic at the top of the driveway.  Please take your time and watch for those crossing the roads and driveways to access the building.	Please avoid using the Drop-Off Lane unless dropping off students with large packages/projects/instruments or those needing ease of access to reduce congestion and increase pedestrian safety. Alternative drop off zones are on Kensington Ave. next to the pool, in the Hammarskjold cul-de-sac, or the ice rink parking lot.
   The former North Parking Lot is permanently closed.  The newly paved parking lot (northmost driveway) is for STAFF ONLY until the Staff Lot is completed. There are NO LOADING ZONES in any parking lot.  Please park your vehicle if you are waiting for a passenger.	We encourage students to walk, bike, or take transit.  If you must drive to campus, street parking along Curtis, and Kensington next to the pool or south of Curtis.  Please respect our neighbours and do not park on residential streets adjacent to campus.
   Students are encouraged to enter the buildings using the closest access to their destination  Check the maps below to plan your route.	The main entrance is closest to the Office, Foods rooms, Access, Cafeteria/Commons, Library, LSS, and North Elevator, All classroom pods have entrances on the ground level.  There are also entrances at the back of the school (near the gym/music zones).

    

   *SLOW DOWN *OBEY NEW SAFETY SIGNS & PERSONNEL *WATCH BEFORE YOU WALK *LOOK FOR STUDENTS CROSSING*

   ---

   SEPTEMBER 3: STUDENTS ATTEND OPENING DAY SCHEDULE

   STEP 3: HEALTH CHECK BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

   Complete details about current health guidelines from the BC Centre for Disease Control is available in “Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K-12 Schools“. (PDF).

   Students are reminded that they should, according to the Ministry of Education’s “COVID-19 safe schools” information:

1. “If you are sick or feel unwell, stay at home. This is important to stop the spread of illness, including COVID-19, in schools.” (Burnaby School District Stage 2 Return to School Health and Safety Handbook COVID-19, Apr/22, p. 23)

STEP 4: ARRIVE ON CAMPUS

When you arrive at school, students are reminded to follow hygiene best practices::

1. If you prefer to mask, put on your mask before entering the building.
2. Enter the building by the access point closest to your destination to reduce crowding in hallways.
3. Wash or sanitize your hands upon entry.  There are handwashing stations, washrooms, and/or hand sanitizer stations located near all entrances.

STEP 5: ORIENTATION IN PERIOD 1

Bring pen & paper for notes.

Grade 8’s – During your orientation classes in the North Gym, the admin will provide a school orientation, review schedules and health guidelines, and introduce you to school staff.  Then you’ll accompany the leadership students to your Block 1 classroom where you’ll complete some other activities and tour the school.

Prior to arriving on Opening Day, you will need to login to the MyEd Portal to see your schedule and determine the classroom where you move to after the assembly. The portal will remain disabled until the evening of the Friday before school begins; do not login before then or your account will be disabled.

You will not require any special materials on the first day but you should bring a pen or pencil and something to write on.  Grades 9-12–During your orientation classes in Period 1, your teachers will provide a school orientation, review schedules and health guidelines, and outline the plans for the year ahead.

BNS SCHEDULES

SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Click to enlarge

The school schedule continues the LINEAR system.  In a linear system, students take eight courses from September to June; four courses on alternating days (Day 1 & Day 2).  Days where there are no classes count as a Day 0 so the rotation days are not on the same day each week.  See the Calendar for the rotation for each day.

BELL SCHEDULES

*The Bell Schedules have not changed since 2024-2025.

Our school bell schedule begins with “Flexible Student Support Time” (FLEX). It is mandatory for grade 8 students to attend FLEX; gr. 9-12 students are encouraged to make the best use of FLEX to support their learning.  This is time for students to have more ownership of their learning by choosing how to use their time at the beginning of each school day.  For example, students may opt to meet with a teacher for some extra help, for some enrichment opportunities, and/or to collaborate with some classmates on a class or extra-curricular project.

Teachers will be available for extra support, but gr 9-12 attendance will not be taken as students will very likely move between different teachers and classrooms each morning, though individual teachers may track attendance for their own records.

On Fridays, teachers meet in Collaboration Groups, so their availability for direct student help may vary.  Teachers may also be available during FLEX due to prep time requirements, meetings, etc.  Check with your teacher in advance if you plan to see them for specific assistance.

LOCKERS

Request a Locker for 2024-2025

TEXTBOOKS

• Subject teachers will issue textbooks during class time. They are issued free of charge. A charge is made when textbooks are lost or damaged.  *Some specialty courses have supplemental materials provided for an extra cost.  See the School Fees page for details.

Please note:
• Students must return the same book they were issued by their teacher.
• Students who lose a text will be required to pay the full replacement cost of the book.
• Students who return texts that have been damaged will be charged the full replacement cost.

FOOD SERVICES

• “Java Hut”, The PEPWorks Coffee Cart is located on the 2nd floor of Pod C at Nutrition Break each day.  They generally offer coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and fresh cookies.  This cart raises funds for the Pre-Employment Program.
• The Access Coffee Program is located in the Commons at Nutrition Break each day.  They generally offer coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and assorted bakery items.  This cart raises funds for the Access Program.
• The Cafeteria Servery will be open beginning September 4, 2024.  Students can purchase hot & cold items and drinks and pay using cash or debit.  The servery is generally open before school, but is closed in the 10 minutes before and after Nutrition Break and Lunch to ensure that students are in class.  It is not open after school. Menu offerings are changing slightly this year.  Updates and daily specials will be posted on the display board & TV at the Servery.
• The School Store (run by the Marketing students) is also located in the Commons and has a variety of snack items available for purchase at Lunch.  Opening date and service levels are to be determined and are subject to change due to health guidelines.
• Various club & program food sales generally take place in the Atrium (across from the Office) at Lunch, though some special sales may occur in the 4th Floor Lounge.  Check the Student Bulletin and the TV announcements for details of upcoming sales.
• Vending machines are located in the Commons and the 4th Floor Lounge.  They accept cash & cards.
• A small kitchenette is located in each classroom pod where students can heat their foods brought from home.  They all have a sink and a microwave, while others may have additional resources (e.g. kettles) that the pod’s teachers may make available to students.

Students are welcome to eat in many areas of the school:

Wherever you choose to eat, use the facilities respectfully, clean up the space when you are done, and dispose/recycle all your waste in the appropriate bins

• garbage/black bins
• recyclable containers/blue bins
• returnable drink containers/ round red bins
• paper/yellow bins
• organic green waste/green bins

General School Info

All info below is subject to change to meet health guidelines

• • Opening Week Bell Schedule — Please note the different times for each grade noted above.
  • BNS Calendar
  • Bell Schedules 
  • Parent Letter
  • Grade 8 Retreat Information
  • Grade 8 Welcome Letter
  • Grade 9-12 Welcome Letter
  • Gr. 8 Opening Day Presentation
  • Gr. 9-12 Opening Day Presentation (for students without a block 1)
  • Locker Information
  • School Fees— General School Fees are payable online or in person (cash or cheque in 2002 only).  
    • Online payment access is not open until school begins in September. 
    • Instructions for Online Payments (.pdf) —  You must create an account prior to paying online.
    • School Cash Online–Payment Options
  • School Maps (.pdf versions)
    • School Map 2024 (.pdf)

Maps of all 4 floors of the building. Click for a larger image & zoom in on your device to see specific directions.

• • Student & Family Accident Insurance Information

Technology & Media At North

Technology/Internet Resources

• Internet/Network Agreement Form (.pdf) — must be signed and returned (if not previously submitted) for students to have permission to use school computers. Be sure to read the policy before signing.
  • Students who have provided signed Internet/Network agreement forms are provided with a SchoolConnect network login (to access school computers and wifi) and an Office365 account, which includes access to a burnabyschools.ca email address and services to support classroom instruction.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

NEW for 2024: Revised policies to conform with new Provincial requirements.

Please refer to the District Technology and Information System’s policy (Burnaby Board of Education Policy 7.90.01) for complete information about the district policies.

• • • • Students’ Digital Responsibilities
      • Teachers may have additional classroom policies regarding electronic devices and network access.  Please refer to each teacher’s orientation lessons/documents.

Media Resources

• Media Parental Consent Form — permission form for publishing student’s work/name/photos. If you are new to the school, please complete and return the competed form to the school (division classroom or office 114).
• School Photo Information