<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of Students in Grades 4 &amp; 7,</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Re: Foundation Skills Assessment 2026</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the time of year when our students in grades 4 &amp; 7 begin participating in the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA). This annual provincial assessment measures students’ academic skills and provides the District with a snapshot of students’ foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. All students in grades 4 &amp; 7 are required by the Ministry of Education and Child Care to participate in FSA.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Parents and caregivers who would like more information about the FSA, including sample questions, brochures, and frequently asked questions, can visit the Ministry's Foundation Skills Assessment webpage: </span><a href="https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/program-management/assessment/foundation-skills-assessment#brochures" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) - Province of British Columbia</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) is a legislated provincial assessment and is considered part of the regular curriculum, instruction, and learning that takes place at school. As such, schools will not be providing alternate instruction or programming for students on the days the FSA is being administered. Students who attend school on scheduled assessment days will be expected to participate in the FSA unless a decision has been made at the school level to exclude an individual student from participating, based on the criteria established for FSA participation. We appreciate families’ support in ensuring students attend school regularly and participate fully in the learning and assessment activities that form part of their educational program.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The District does not use the FSA data to rank or compare schools, teachers, or students. The results of the FSA serve as an important tool to support student learning in SD83. Results from the assessment data assists in supporting the alignment of resources during our annual budget discussions. It is important to note that FSA data is not part of the formal student evaluation process and is not included in student report cards.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;Some quick facts about the FSA include:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The FSA is written in sections that are spread over six weeks between September 28 – November 6, 2026.</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">FSA data is not part of the formal student evaluation process and is not included in student report cards.</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Most students required a total of 3.75 hours over those 6 weeks to complete all the components of the FSA. Students requiring additional time are provided with that time.</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The written response section of the FSA is marked within the District by our educators.</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The First Nations Leadership Council of BC strongly supports the FSA, identifying it as an important tool to assist learning and gauge system progress in improving outcomes for Indigenous learners.</span></li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> English Language Learning (ELL) students who have not reached a level of proficiency sufficient to provide meaningful responses to the literacy or numeracy sections of the FSA are excused from participating.</span></li><li value="7" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">School principals may excuse students whose Individual Education Plan (IEP) documents a learning need, that precludes the student from writing the FSA.</span></li><li value="8" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Principals may excuse a student in the event of a family emergency, lengthy illness, or other extenuating circumstances of similar seriousness.</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;I trust this information will clarify any questions you may have about the Foundation Skills Assessment.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;As always, I thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child(ren)’s learning.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sincerely,</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Donna Kriger</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Superintendent of Schools</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Additional Resources:</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><a href="/documents/255bc5f3-46fc-47c8-a832-df338858523d/FSA-Parent-Letter-2026.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20260915203047" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Downloadable Letter to Grades 4 &amp; 7 Parents Regarding Foundation Skills Assessment 2026</strong></b></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><a href="https://www.sd83.bc.ca/fsa-information" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Foundation Skills Assessment (District webpage)</strong></b></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">September – Month At A Glance</strong></b><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Good afternoon families,</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</strong></b><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As we prepare to welcome students back tomorrow, we'd like to share a few items for your review to help ensure we are all set for a positive and successful start to the school year.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We would like to remind students/families of the provincial expectations around the use of digital devices. Please refer to SD83’s District Policy and ALF’s Student Code of Conduct for more information:&nbsp;</span><br><a href="https://www.sd83.bc.ca/documents/4f1cb177-91e1-5f0d-b517-19145093534e/AP-311-Use-of-Student-Personal-Digital-Devices.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20260428202714"&fingerprint=ppb20260428202714 target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.sd83.bc.ca/documents/4f1cb177-91e1-5f0d-b517-19145093534e/ap-311-use-of-student-personal-digital-devices.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20260428202714"&fingerprint=ppb20260428202714 class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">AP-311-Use-of-Student-Personal-Digital-Devices.pdf</strong></b></a><br><a href="https://alf.sd83.bc.ca/student-code-of-conduct" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://alf.sd83.bc.ca/student-code-of-conduct" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Student Code of Conduct</strong></b></a><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cell phones are not permitted during instructional time (when classes are in session), including in hallways and washrooms. If families need to communicate with their child during the school day, we encourage them to do so before school, at lunch, or after school whenever possible.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If a message needs to be shared, please contact the school office at 250-838-6431, and our office staff will be happy to ensure the message reaches your child. Students also have access to a phone in the office should they need to contact a parent or guardian during the school day.</span><br><br><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">September Dates:</strong></b><br><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome Back BBQ at Lunch – Friday, September 11</strong></b><i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">th</strong></b></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;(free lunch for all students)</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tuesday, September 15</strong></b><i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">th</strong></b></i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> - School Photos</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – starting in the morning (retakes October 20</span><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">th</em></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span><br><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tuesday, September 15</strong></b><i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">th</strong></b></i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> - “Taco Dog Tuesday” Open House (4-5:30 pm)&nbsp;</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">– families are welcome to come by the school to connect with staff, visit classrooms and have a world famous “taco dog”</span><br><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">School Wide Photo is on September 16</strong></b><i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">th</strong></b></i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> at 9:20 am</strong></b><br><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Gardom Lake Field Trip (September 17</strong></b><i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">th</strong></b></i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and 18</strong></b><i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">th</strong></b></i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">) – Grade 12s</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Professional Development Day (Monday, September 21st)&nbsp;</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">– no school for students</span><br><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Orange Shirt Day @ ALF (Tuesday, September 29</strong></b><i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">th</strong></b></i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">)</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Wednesday, September 30</strong></b><i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">th</strong></b></i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">)&nbsp;</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">– no school for students/staff</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We are so excited to welcome all of our students back tomorrow! When students arrive, they can simply come into the school and find their homeroom assignment. We will begin the day by gathering together in the gym, where all students will meet before heading off with their homeroom teachers for the start of an exciting new school year.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We look forward to seeing everyone and kicking off a great year together!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Regards,</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark Marino, Principal</span></p>

<div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As we prepare to welcome students back for the 2026-2027 school year, SD83 K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw invites families to review the following information.</span></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">New Student Registration</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Families who are new to SD83 may register their child at their neighbourhood school beginning </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tuesday, September 1, 2026</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, between </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are new to the District, have recently moved within the District, or need to update your child's school information, please visit our Registration webpage for information on attendance boundaries, required documents, and the registration process: </span><a href="http://www.sd83.bc.ca/registration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">www.sd83.bc.ca/registration</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">First Day of School</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The first day of classes for students is </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Wednesday, September 9, 2026</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please note that students will attend a shortened first day. Schools will dismiss students </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">three hours earlier than their regular dismissal time</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, and school buses will also operate </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">three hours earlier than usual</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Transportation Information</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are new to the District, have recently moved, or would like to request courtesy ridership, please contact Transportation at 205-832-9415 or email </span><a href="/sys/api/forms?structure_key=contact_form&amp;to=baf86c9aafc3466c0e77f4c44b061f3a6f4d90904e1495d1ddbb11c4f47810308b44403fcc450747222cd8e47d41d243eb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">operations@sd83.bc.ca</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">School Calendar</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To view important dates, holidays, and non-instructional days for the 2026-2027 school year, please visit the District Calendar: </span><a href="https://sd83.cmdesign.imagineeverything.com/calendar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Calendar - K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl'ecw</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We look forward to welcoming students and families back for another great year of learning in SD83 K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw. Have a safe and enjoyable remainder of your summer!</span></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/1bfcb917-b26a-4c48-9cb8-2b4645023529?fingerprint=ppb20260811175834" alt="Back to School 2026 27" style="display:inline-block;max-width:100%"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>