Gordon Elementary is a vibrant and active community of staff, students and families situated in the heart of Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood. We are grateful to be surrounded by the North Shore mountains and within walking distance to some of Vancouver’s beautiful parks and beaches that connect us to this land. We are honoured to be working and learning together on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) & səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). Currently the school enrolls 400 students within 18 Divisions from kindergarten to grade 7. Our learners are quite diverse in their cultural, educational and life experiences.

Our school is part of the VSB Early Literacy Initiative, and we have Reading Recovery and Leveled Literacy Interventions programs to support early learners in the primary grades. Our teachers are committed to deepening our understanding of the curriculum to foster and facilitate an inquiry-based approach to learning. This includes student-centered teaching strategies, collaboration with colleagues in grade groups, across grades, resource sharing and expertise, and providing lessons that extend learning beyond the classroom. Our professional development is aligned with students’ learning needs as well as social/emotional growth. We see learning as a partnership with parents and caregivers, and work to provide meaningful, enriching opportunities to support a child’s learning at school and in the community. With the support of our Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), we recently created an outdoor learning space that complements our commitment to outdoor learning. Several classes do regular outdoor learning workshops, and we have a flourishing garden program where students learn about agriculture, plant species and how important the land is to Indigenous people.

We have recently updated our school Code of Conduct which we have renamed Gordon’s Circle of Care. Our Circle of Care is designed to foster a safe, inclusive, equitable, welcoming, nurturing, and healthy school environment which aligns with the new 2026 VSB Education Plan. This applies to all members of the Gordon community—students, educators, parents, and caregivers. Our Circle of Care seeks to support our understanding of our students’ needs and how we can best teach them the skills they need to thrive both socially and academically. We encourage all students to R.I.S.E. to success through their Relationship and Belonging, Intellect, Spirit, and Emotional Wellbeing. The staff explicitly teach and model what it means to R.I.S.E. in all locations of the school and the community. We have incorporated the Medicine Wheel into our Circle of Care which represents a symbol of healing, growth, life, learning and balance in many Indigenous communities. Through this lens, Gordon’s Circle of Care emphasizes a child’s social and emotional growth. Research shows that children who are both socially and emotionally healthy are the best learners and the most successful in school.

Students at Gordon are engaged in leadership activities such as office and library monitors, playground leaders, morning announcers, and Student Council. We offer a variety of sports and team extra-curricular activities such as volleyball, basketball, badminton, cross-country and track and field. We also have a very dynamic and vibrant SOGI Club that is supported by staff. Parents and caregivers work as active partners within our school by fundraising and volunteering to support and enhance student learning (e.g. Hot Lunch, technology in the classroom, performance and educational programs that support the curriculum), promoting involvement of parents and other community members in providing for the education of children (e.g., Digital Literacy, Body Science, Inclusion education), and the building of our school community. The ”Neon Dance Party” and “Spring Fling” this year were a huge success as we continue to look for ways to connect and celebrate within our community.