Indigenous addition to name to be considered once school is in operation

(Vancouver - December 14, 2016) The Vancouver School Board's new school in downtown Vancouver will be named Crosstown Elementary.

Crosstown Elementary School was the name supported by the naming committee, which took suggestions from both the public and VSB stakeholders. Once the new school is in session next year, the naming committee will be reassembled to consider a dual Aboriginal name to be given to this new school, including seeking input from the Indigenous community. Several other VSB schools have dual names including Grandview Elementary/¿uuqinak'uuh and Point Grey/stəywəte:n Secondary. The naming committee's recommendation was approved at the Vancouver School Board meeting Wednesday evening.

This new elementary school is located in the Crosstown neighbourhood, the area bordering Gastown, Chinatown, Yaletown, Downtown and Northeast False Creek. The school catchment runs from Burrard to Main, and from Waterfront to False Creek/Davie/Nelson. Crosstown Elementary School will be fully occupied by September 2017 with students from Kindergarten to grade seven. VSB will begin promoting enrolment procedures for Crosstown Elementary in January 2017.

VSB's naming policy states that "Names selected for Vancouver schools should honor the historical and cultural/ethnic heritage - including the First Nations community, recognize outstanding individuals, be reflective of the region, or be significant to the geography of the area.  Names of individuals should only be used posthumously."

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