As the snow banks disappear and school life returns to normal,  we are  very much aware of the need to look forward into 2009 and to plan for the future.

A.      Events to Note in January

1.       On Tuesday 20th January we will be hosting our Evening Open House between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. and we hope you will encourage any of your friends and acquaintances who have a possible interest in sending their children to Mulgrave to join us for tours and presentations.  It is well known that our best form of advertising is “by word of mouth.”
 (READ MORE)
 
2.       On Thursday 29th January, we are privileged to have Dr. Martha Piper, former President of the University of British Columbia, join us at 7:15 p.m. to present on “The International Baccalaureate:  Educating Global Citizens for the 21st Century.”  This event is open to the public but is particularly directed towards the Mulgrave community.  I hope as many parents as possible will join us that evening.  (READ MORE)
 
B.      Planning for the Next School Year
 
1.      On Line Registration.  In light of today’s technological advances and speed in which transactions are completed, the Admissions Department  is pleased to advise you that they will be implementing 2009/2010 re-enrolment online.  In order to help you individually, technical support and assistance will be provided by the Admissions Department in the same way as we did when Parent Teacher Conferences for Upper School Students was successfully implemented.  Prospective parents will also be able to inquire and submit applications on line.  Further information will be sent out shortly in the Principals’ January newsletters and through the Web .
 
2.       Re-registration Process.  This year we will use the following time-line for re-registration.
 
Step 1.     By mid February 2009,  the Board will have determined the fee schedule for 2009/2010 and I will share this with you all.  Then I ask that you complete the on-line re-registration form by the 9th of March in order to guarantee a place for your child for next year at Mulgrave. No deposit will be required as of this date.
 
Step 2.     Immediately upon receipt of your re-enrolment statement, we will issue an invoice requesting that you submit the non-refundable deposit payment of $2,000 to the school by 30th March, 2009,  (immediately after the SpringBreak.)
 
Once this initial deposit has been paid, you will receive written confirmation.  We hope that by the end of March we will have heard from you all and can then go ahead and employ the number of teachers we need to meet our enrolment.
 
C.       Early Learning Centre

The Board have approved the creation of our new Early Learning Centre and plans are well underway to open our facility in September 2009.  We are negotiating to work together with the West Vancouver Montessori School to combine our forces in 2009/2010 as they move out of their rented facilities on Mathers Avenue, and we create a new facility at the Mulgrave campus.  Once the plans are confirmed, the school will hold an Open Meeting to share the details with the community and respond to questions.  There is a great deal of interest in this new initiative and, once established, will provide a very valuable service to the community and secure our place as a complete school from 3 years old to 18 for the young people of the North Shore.
 
Let me close by extending my very best wishes for the New Year and leave you to reflect on the Mulgrave Vision Statement as we move forward into 2009:

"By inspiring excellence in education and life, Mulgrave strives to equip life-long learners to thrive in a culturally diverse and interdependent world and to embrace, with passion and confidence, their responsibility always to do their best to support others and to make a difference by serving their communities, both locally and in the world at large."

Sincerely,

Tony Macoun
Head of School
tmacoun@mulgrave.com