Sir James Douglas Elementary School

Sir James Douglas Elementary is a public elementary school in Vancouver, British Columbia, part of School District 39 Vancouver.

History

Sir James Douglas Elementary School is named after the first governor of the Crown Colony of British Columbia (from 1858–1864). The original school building was constructed in 1912. In 1956, 18 classrooms, lunchroom and gymnasium were added to the north side of the structure. Major renovations to the interior of the building were completed in 1984. The school grounds include an "imagination garden" featuring an outdoor classroom, as well as a primary and an intermediate adventure playground. There are four playing fields: one with a basketball court, and a blacktop surface for noon hour games, two all weather fields and a grassed field for baseball and soccer. Douglas is a dual track school of 485 Kindergarten to Grade 7 English students and 100 Grade 4 to 7 French Immersion students for a total of 585 students. French Immersion students begin their program from Kindergarten to Grade 3 at Douglas Annex which is located a short distance away. The overall population is multi-cultural in nature, with students representing 30 countries and speaking 26 languages. Douglas's school motto is Show you care, Be safe, Be fair.

Extra-Curriculars

• Currently there is a band program running early in the morning
• There are several sports teams for grades 4-7 including cross-country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, sun-run club, track and field, and a badminton team
• Monthly spirit days and fundraisers for Free the Children are held by the student council made up of grades 6 and 7.

Activities

Below are some highlights of the school's special programs and events:

• Douglas Primary teachers have participated in the VSB Literacy Pilot over the past two years.
• From 1997 Douglas has quality, daily Physical Education and has annually received the CAHPERD award (Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) which is an award given out to fewer than 1% of schools across Canada.
• A Resource Team Model supports the integration and learning needs of 50% of our students for whom English is a Second Language.
• There is a wide ranging music program which involves students in primary choir, intermediate choir, as well as junior and senior bands.
• Colourful visual art displays are seen throughout the school highlighting student work and enhancing the interior environment.
• French Immersion Grade 7 students are provided the opportunity to apply their linguistic skills during the annual year-end trip to Quebec.
• English program Grade 7 students take part in an annual outdoor school opportunity. Students are regularly encouraged to develop strong work habits and citizenship skills.
• Recognition assemblies: encourage all aspects of student development; recognize notable accomplishments; and celebrate the musical and athletic talents developed by the students.
• There will soon be a lunch program : "Nova Foods" and it will be starting February 25th.

References

External links

• School website
• Parent Advisory Council website

School Reports - Ministry of Education

• Class Size
• Satisfaction Survey
• School Performance
• Skills Assessment