Aug 31, 2025

School Hours:

Mon – Thurs: 8:25am – 3:00pm

Fri: 8:25am – 12:45pm

First Day of School

The first day of school is very exciting for children. It is the first day when they re-unite with their friends and also meet new students. It is also the first day when they meet with their new teachers. As a result, the first day of school can also cause some anxiety. We want to make this day a fun and exciting day for our students. We must not forget that this is an exciting day for parents as well! 

Please follow the following schedule for Tuesday September 2, 2025:

Students and parents greeted at the gate 8:15 - 8:25 am

Classes start           8:25 am 

Parents arrive to take students home      10:30 am

Students are dismissed                         11:00 am

Please note that there is no school bus service for this day. 

We understand that parents are eager to meet the teachers that will be taking care of their children. You will have an opportunity to meet the teachers and EAs at 10:30 am when all students and staff will be in the playground. Please use this time to get acquainted with Choice School staff.

We also ask that as you take your children home, please ensure that your classroom teacher has been informed.

Welcome Back BBQ

The Choice School Parent Advisory Council is excited to invite all families to our annual Welcome Back BBQ on Friday, September 5, 2025! The event will begin right after our early dismissal at 12:30 p.m. and will carry on until around 2:00 p.m.

This gathering is a wonderful way to kick off the new school year, reconnect with familiar faces, and welcome new families to our community. Parents will have the chance to meet and chat with one another, students can enjoy time with their friends, and staff will be on hand to join in the celebration.

A delicious BBQ lunch will be provided, including burgers, hotdogs, chips, and drinks—all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and school spirit. Whether you’re a returning family or joining Choice School for the first time, this is a perfect opportunity to strengthen the sense of community that makes our school so special.

We truly hope to see all of you there, sharing food, laughter, and great conversation as we start the year together on a positive note!

Gala Funds at Work: Enhancing Our Learning Spaces

We are thrilled to share with our community how the funds raised at the Choice School Gala have already been put to good use in creating brighter, more engaging learning environments for our students. Over the summer, several classrooms received a fresh coat of paint, transforming them into warm, welcoming spaces where children feel inspired to learn and grow. The refreshed walls not only brighten the atmosphere but also reflect the pride we take in maintaining an environment that nurtures creativity and focus.

In addition, we are excited to announce that brand new student desks were purchased for our Fir and Hemlock classes. These modern desks provide students with comfortable, functional workspaces that support collaboration, organization, and independence. For teachers, this means classrooms that are better equipped to meet the needs of students, allowing learning to flow more smoothly and effectively.

Together, these upgrades demonstrate the direct impact of our community’s generosity. Every ticket purchased, every donation made, and every hand that contributed to the success of our Gala has played a role in creating these improvements. Our students and educators are already benefitting from the changes, and we know these investments will continue to have a positive effect for years to come.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who supported the Gala—your contributions have made a lasting difference in the daily lives of our children and teachers. We look forward to building on this momentum as we continue to grow and enrich the Choice School experience together.

Annual General Meeting

Please note the Annual General Meeting will be held on October 2, 2025 (details to follow). There are Director's positions open on the Board and we invite parents and community members to submit Statements of Interest in serving on the Board. 

This is the perfect opportunity to have a say in the direction and policies of the school and have a positive impact.



For further information, please contact the Board chair or the Principal.

"Meet the teacher" evening

At this event, parents are invited to attend the school and meet with the Principal and the teachers and discuss the curriculum. It is currently scheduled for

Thursday September 11, 2025

6:00pm - 7:00pm.

We truly believe that parents are important partners in education. Therefore, this is a very important evening and at least one of the parents from each family will be required to attend. During the evening, you will gain a lot of information about school policies and procedures. 

We look forward to meeting you all!

Choice School Gardens Flourish Over the Summer



Over the summer months, our school gardens were bursting with life and color, thanks to the care and dedication of our wonderful volunteers. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the families and community members who gave their time to water, weed, and maintain the beds while school was out. Your efforts made all the difference!

Because of this shared commitment, our gardens produced an abundant harvest this year. Students and staff have been delighted to see (and taste!) the results—juicy tomatoes, hearty potatoes, crunchy carrots, a variety of peppers, glossy eggplants, and fresh peas, all thriving in our outdoor spaces.

The garden is more than just a place to grow vegetables; it is a living classroom where our students learn about sustainability, responsibility, and the joy of working with nature. The success of this summer’s harvest is a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved when our community comes together.

We are grateful to everyone who contributed to nurturing the gardens, and we look forward to involving our students in tending and enjoying them throughout the school year.

Cellphone restrictions

Please note that cellphones and other digital devices continue to be restricted in B.C. schools. This is part of a series of actions to keep kids safe and healthy.

“Every child in British Columbia should feel safe, supported and engaged when they head back to school next week,” said Premier David Eby. “Our government is ensuring students can reach their full potential by restricting cellphones in classrooms, keeping harassing protestors away from school grounds, and making sure kids are fed and ready to learn.”

We ask that parents share this with their children.



New parent Tea/orientation

We were so pleased to host our New Parent Tea last week, where many of our newest families joined us on campus for a warm welcome into the Choice School community. Parents had the chance to enjoy conversations with one another, connect with members of our staff, and hear firsthand from current Choice parents about their experiences at the school.

The afternoon was filled with laughter, stories, and the beginning of new friendships. It was a wonderful reminder that our school community extends far beyond the classroom—it is a partnership between families, teachers, and students, all working together to support our children as they grow.

Events like this are an important part of building the sense of connection that makes Choice School so special. We are grateful to the parents who were able to attend, and we look forward to many more opportunities throughout the year to come together, celebrate our children’s successes, and continue strengthening the bonds that make our community thrive.

Ms. Ardeshir

Teacher - Cedar  

Ms. Ardeshir is excited to join Choice School as a classroom teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Education from UBC and a Fine Arts degree from Emily Carr University. With a background in visual arts and experience in Vancouver’s independent schools, she is passionate about fostering inclusive, creative, and inquiry-based learning.



Outside the classroom, she enjoys painting in her studio, spending time by the ocean, catching up with friends and family, and practicing her dance moves.

Mr. B

Teacher - Hemlock

Mr. B is happy to return to Choice School for Gifted Children. He loves creating engaging hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and encourage students to explore big ideas in creative ways. He can draw upon his experience in a variety of settings and schools, and IB training during his Bachelor of Education at UBC.



Outside of school, Mr. B enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, exercising, and playing musical instruments. He’s also a big fan of live music, especially attending heavy metal shows.

Ms. Van Dyke 

Music and French teacher

Ms. Van Dyke is the Music and French specialist at Choice School for Gifted Children. She brings together her experience as a voice and piano teacher, post-secondary EAP instructor, and professional soprano to create inspiring learning experiences for students. Having trained internationally with leading artists and recently completed her MA in Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Wales with the Voice Study Centre, Ms. Van Dyke combines deep musical expertise with a passion for teaching. Her goal is to nurture both musical excellence and a love of language, helping gifted learners grow in creativity, confidence, and expression.