Tecumseh Elementary School, with it’s rich history and heritage, is located between the Kensington-Cedar Cottage & Victoria-Fraserview neighbourhoods of Vancouver.  Specifically located on 41st Ave beside Victoria Dr, Tecumseh Elementary School Community has been a central part of the community for its 113 years of operation.  The diverse learning community is represented by a student population of over 400 students who speak 35 different languages.   

In addition to the 16 divisions of students (K-7) in regular enrolling, Tecumseh also hosts a District Multi Aged Cluster Class (MACC).  MACC is an enrolling class for intermediate aged students who come to Tecumseh from a variety of schools throughout the district.  The MACC class hosted ‘An Evening of Eminence’ showcasing student learning projects, skits, and performances in collaboration with the Kerrisdale and Osler MACC programs.  

Tecumseh School routinely offers opportunities to students outside the classroom.  Various staff-sponsored athletic teams and clubs are  open to students, including cross-country, volleyball, basketball, badminton, track and field, and pickle ball.  There is also a robust commitment to fine and performing arts at Tecumseh. Tecumseh has a school choir available to students in  grades 5-7. The choir enjoys the opportunity to perform at assemblies, special events or gatherings, and at both school-based and district events, such as Celebration of Music and the VSB Choral Festival. The choir was also a recent top ten finalist in the CBC Music Canada Program.  

We take joy in celebrating student learning and accomplishments that involve acting, singing, playing a variety of instruments, dancing and sharing work through performances shared with the community at events such as the Winter and Spring Concerts. We have an ongoing relationship with a school-based Artist in Residence Studio Program, who works with all 17 divisions throughout the school year on fine arts learning projects such as exploring self-identity through self-portraits, connection to animals, and representation with symbols and images. Students have also been able to explore Indigenous plants, learn new printing techniques, and experiment with botanical drawing. The full-time AIRS studio has been recognized and shared with parents and caregivers during learning conferences and open houses.  

Some students select to think about the craft of writing and joy of reading through work with the teacher librarians via the Red Cedar Book Club, and others enjoy volunteering school service as library monitors. We have a diverse range of school-based activity programs from groups such as Arts Umbrella, the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, UBC Science Geering Up workshops, the Vancouver Avian Research Centre, the Burnaby Art Gallery Outreach Programs and the Junior Achievement Society.  

We also have an ongoing relationship with Author Jeff Cheeba Stearns through our library who worked with all classes on authoring and illustrating, while learning from intergenerational stories on family history and cultural identity. 

This year we are embarking on a Legacy Project to honour Ms. Vivian Jung, the first woman of Chinese decent to be hired by the Vancouver School Board.  Through a partnership with Vivian’s family, local artists, and our Artists in Residence, we have created a book of student poetry and art in partnership with Vancouver's Poet Laureate, and continue our work towards the creation of a school mural and other learning and celebrations. 

We also continue to look to increase opportunities for students to see educational performances and productions and to work with field artists in the school.  A range of after-school programs are offered to students.  Some examples include staff sponsored athletics, programs through the Community Schools Team from David Thompson Secondary School and the YWCA.  In addition, South Vancouver Neighbourhood House & the Kensington Community Centre supports students with after-school program offerings. We also work in partnership with the Pacific Immigrant Resource Services (PIRS), a community based non-profit, serving immigrant and refugee women and their young children. Programs offered by PIRS include pre-school sessions for young children and language classes for adults.