As we near the end of 2023 and the beginning of the winter break throughout BC, Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care, has released the following end-of-year letters to families and staff.

The success of a recent initiative that brought together 100 Indigenous secondary students from across the Abbotsford School District with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is being celebrated. On November 15th, students from grades 10-12 had the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a full-day experience at UFV, exploring various academic programs and learning about the specific supports available for Indigenous students at the university.

Dormick Park Elementary has recently introduced an innovative school-wide social skills program uniquely designed to align with the school's four core values: Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. This program marks a significant stride in its commitment to fostering positive and nurturing learning environments. In November, the school spotlighted the value of kindness, marking the first of a series of monthly themes to support key social skills among students.

Across the Abbotsford School District, vibrant celebrations were underway last week to embrace the spirit of Diwali, a significant festival in South Asian cultures that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

This year, students and staff took the opportunity to learn more about the cultural importance of this festival and celebrate the diversity of our schools.

The Abbotsford School District has initiated a proposed boundary review for the Cooper Meadows Development and the High Street Village Development. These reviews seek to address changes in catchment boundaries resulting from significant residential projects, ensuring students continue to receive the best possible educational experience as our community grows.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Prime Minister's Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates exceptional educators across Canada. Since 1994, these awards have acknowledged over 1,800 outstanding educators who have gone above and beyond to create safe spaces for their students, continue to work hard to make learning fun and inspire the next generation to be bold innovators and creators.

The Abbotsford School District received the notable "Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Hiring" award at the 2023 Inclusive Employer Excellence Awards, held at the Clarion Hotel in Abbotsford on October 11. This recognition celebrates the district's pioneering efforts in creating an inclusive workforce, from innovative recruitment strategies to comprehensive employee support.

This weekend, we have been following the tragic reports of the crisis unfolding in the Middle East. Children, youth and adults may experience a range of emotions when they hear about or see images and videos from these deeply upsetting events. We imagine this news to also be particularly challenging for our Jewish, Palestinian and Israeli students, staff and families and our thoughts are with them.

I wanted to reach out to share available supports, should you find them of use.

A welcoming education system for all K-12 students and their families is essential for student success. Research has shown us that when students feel a sense of safety, belonging, and acceptance, it positively impacts school attendance, feelings of attachment and connectedness, academic achievement and overall well-being.

We feel it is imperative to address the narrative surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in our community, and we want to provide you with credible resources to support your ongoing learning.

Today, on World Teachers’ Day, the Abbotsford School District is celebrating and expressing gratitude for the incredible educators who are the heart and soul of our organization. We honour our teachers' unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to preparing and inspiring our students for a lifetime of success through Respect, Opportunity, and Innovation.