2025 September Welcome Week

Dear Families,

In this newsletter:

• Summer Office Hours
• Report Cards
• School Start Information
• Kindergarten Gradual Entry

Summer Office Hours

The office closes for Summer Break Friday, July 4 at 4:00 pm. We will reopen on Monday, August 18 to assist with registration and questions. We will not be checking e-mail during the summer. The School District Office is open with limited staff. Please call 250-342-9243 if you require assistance. 

Report Cards

If you were unable to pick up your child’s report card it will be mailed at the end of the week. Any other personal belongings not picked up will be at the office when we return in August.

2025-2026 School Year Start

The first day of school is Wednesday, September 3. It is a full day for Grade 1 to 3 students, and a partial day for Kindergarten students. This is a different start than previous years – we do not have a two-hour session on Tuesday this year.

Family Pancake Breakfast Welcome – Wednesday, September 3

We will be having a pancake breakfast from 9:00-10:00 to welcome all students and families (including afternoon Kindergarten) to school. Kindergarten students are dismissed at 10:00, and Grade 1-3 students remain to start their Welcome Week schedule after a brief assembly and recess. Dismissal is at 3:05, as usual.

Welcome Week September 3-5

The first week of school is Welcome Week. While the Kindergarten students get to know their teachers in mixed group activities following their gradual entry schedule, Students in Grades 1-3 will be in mixed-grade groups cycling through activities and classrooms. We do this to build a sense of belonging and, in the background, it gives staff time to finalize classroom placements, especially if there is a significant change in enrollment over the summer.

No school supplies are needed during Welcome Week. If everything is going as expected, teachers will contact families to welcome students to their classrooms (all K-3) after school on Friday, September 5.

Regular classes begin on Monday, September 8. Kindergarten students will follow their gradual entry schedules until Friday, September 12. The first full day of Kindergarten will be Monday, September 15.

Kindergarten Gradual Entry

To begin your child's Kindergarten experience, the Ministry of Education reduces the regular time of instruction up to 25 hours during the first two weeks of school. This supports smooth transitions from home to school, and allows children focused time to connect with their Kindergarten teachers and adjust to the new social/emotional realities of elementary schooling.

We hope you find time this summer to have time with your families doing what you enjoy together! We look forward to welcoming everyone in September!

Sincerely,
Bob Wilson, Principal
Jenn Elliott, Administrative Assistant