<div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 3fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b5251215-6de1-46bd-97bb-e6c218324740?fingerprint=ppb20260929215532" alt="Orange Shirt Day Splatsin7" style="display:inline-block;max-width:100%"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On September 29, 2026, students and staff from M.V. Beattie Elementary, A.L. Fortune Secondary, and Shihiya School gathered at Splatsin to recognize Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through a day of learning, reflection, and community connection.</span></p></div></div><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;">The day brought together students of all ages to honour Survivors of residential schools, remember the children who never returned home, and reflect on the ongoing journey toward reconciliation. Throughout the day, participants learned about the history and meaning of Orange Shirt Day and the importance of listening, learning, and taking action.</span></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/485dd9a9-0bb0-42dc-a191-79de422dca5f?fingerprint=ppb20260929215534" alt="Orange Shirt Day Splatsin3" style="display:inline-block;max-width:100%"></p></div></div><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/d7ae7681-8d19-4b9d-b324-f061f0f1e0d9?fingerprint=ppb20260929215534" alt="Orange Shirt Day Splatsin6" style="display:inline-block;max-width:100%"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A community walk provided an opportunity for students and staff from the three schools to come together, build relationships, and demonstrate their shared commitment to reconciliation. Students also helped distribute orange rocks throughout the community. Many decorated with messages and symbols of remembrance, the rocks serve as visible reminders that Every Child Matters.</span></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/56a32eb4-3db9-4fa4-a158-7d6d59daad07?fingerprint=ppb20260929215533" alt="Orange Shirt Day Splatsin5" style="display:inline-block;max-width:100%"></p></div></div><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/3fdce330-4349-4eb1-8d42-7c2dda4696ca?fingerprint=ppb20260929215536" alt="Orange Shirt Day Splatsin" style="display:inline-block;max-width:100%"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students also participated in a community gathering at Splatsin focused on remembrance, respect, and connection. Orange Shirt Day displays featuring student artwork, painted rocks, community messages, and the names of Secwépemc communities encouraged reflection and honoured the experiences of residential school Survivors, their families, and communities.</span></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/9edb3409-eed8-442f-814b-27970ef38dfd?fingerprint=ppb20260929215534" alt="Orange Shirt Day Splatsin4" style="display:inline-block;max-width:100%"></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Participants also enjoyed bannock and time together, further strengthening connections among students, staff, and community members.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/37e28dad-61fa-4f1a-a944-f605ad962478?fingerprint=ppb20260929215539" alt="Orange Shirt Day Splatsin2" style="display:inline-block;max-width:100%"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<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>