The Vancouver School Board is publishing a monthly newsletter called Celebration News to inform the VSB community, students, parents and staff, about opportunities for students, resources for classrooms, as well as information to address challenges, during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Keeping in mind the "green" goals of the 2010 Winter Games, and the VSB's sustainability goals, only two paper copies of the newsletter are being sent to schools, otherwise the newsletter can be found online at vsb.bc.ca.

Each newsletter will focus on several themes:

"� Educational opportunities for students

"� Resources for teachers and parents

"� School initiatives and stories

"� The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

"� Transportation

With less than six months to go before the Olympic Winter Games (Feb. 12 - 28), the Paralympic Winter Games (Mar. 12 - 21) and the Cultural Olympiad (Jan 22 - Mar 21), there are many opportunities for students and families. Ticket to Inspiration, Host a City Happening, the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay are only a few such events.

During the 2008/2009 school year many students had the opportunity to partake in the Paralympic Schools Program or attend test events. A few of our schools (John Oliver, Churchill, David Lloyd George and Eric Hamber) have received grants from the City of Vancouver to put on Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games themed events for students.

In addition to the opportunities, there will be significant challenges during the Winter Games particularly with transportation.

The VSB is working closely with the City of Vancouver Engineering staff and officials at Translink to keep everyone up to date on transportation alternatives during the Games.