A4 THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2012 THE TIMES
WELCOME TO THE 2012 - 2013 SCHOOL YEAR! WELCOME BACK
School is right around the corner—but not just any school! By all international standards, Abbotsford is a world-class school district. Our students excel at a very high level. We have award winning programs and teachers who are provincial leaders. Parents see our schools as places where their children are safe and where the students are prepared well for life after grade 12.
John Sutherland, Chair
Liaison schools: Yale Secondary Chief Dan George Middle Harry Sayers Elementary Margaret Stenersen Elementary Mountain Elementary Ross Elementary
And yet there is more. Even our very smallest school is making its mark. Barrowtown Elementary has received a major grant to equip its library with new books over the next three years through an Indigo Love of Reading Foundation grant worth $30,000. The grant enables the school to support literacy initiatives through the purchase of books and education resources as well as events and activities promoting literacy.
A former winner of this same grant, Abbotsford Middle School, has once again demonstrated its excellence. Abby Middle has been formally authorized as a Email: john_sutherland@sd34.bc.ca Middle Years Programme (MYP) World School by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization. Starting this September, every Abbotsford Middle student will be taught through the IB Middle Years Programme, which provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world, and become critical and reflective thinkers. Then there is our beautiful new Abbotsford Senior Secondary, replacing the venerable Abbotsford Collegiate. Not only is the building itself spectacular; the school grounds will also see two new playing fields. The new all-weather turf field will be known as‘Abby Panther Field’which acknowledges the school’s long-time athletic symbol and team name. The revamped grass field will be known as‘Barry Stewart Field’in honour of the long-time teacher and sports coach. And these are only some of the reasons why students, parents, and staff should look forward to returning to school. On behalf of the Abbotsford Board of Education I give you a sincere Welcome Back. John R. Sutherland, Chair, Abbotsford Board of Education
SCHOOL OPENING INFORMATION For September, 2012
For attendance area information, please contact the District Administration Office at 604.859.4891 or go to the district website: www.sd34.bc.ca, and use the menu to go to“Schools”, then“Registration & Enrolment”, then“School Catchment”. Use the school locator and map to confirm your catchment school. For district program information and schools of choice, go to the homepage and click“Programs”.
SCHOOL OPENING: Tuesday, September 4, 2012: • All staff will be present in schools in this district on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. • All students, Grades 1-12, will be in attendance on Tuesday, September 4, the opening day of the 2012/13 school year, for approximately one-half day. • For kindergarten students, please check with your child’s school for the kindergarten schedule and transportation arrangements during the first week of school. • As the first day of school (September 4th) is a partial day, all morning buses will run as regularly scheduled; all afternoon bus runs will commence three hours earlier than regular afternoon times. For bussing information and schedules, see the district website www.sd34.bc.ca under“Parents & Students” then“Bus Information”, or check the ad in the August 23 edition of the Abbotsford Times.
PRE-REGISTRATION A. Elementary and Middle school students new to their school attendance area are asked to register at their school by the end of day, August 31st (during school office hours.) If registering a kindergarten child, please be reminded that students must be five (5) years of age by December 31, 2012 to be eligible, and parents must provide, at registration, a birth certificate (as proof of age), immunization record and proof of address (e.g. rental agreement, tax assessment, home purchase agreement, mortgage papers.) B. Secondary school students new to their school attendance area are asked to contact their new school immediately. Please bring proof of address and last report card/withdrawal papers from previous school.
MORE INFORMATION You will find other important information via the district website: www.sd34.bc.ca
Rhonda Pauls, Vice Chair
Korky Neufeld, Trustee
Stan Petersen, Trustee
Abbotsford Senior Secondary Clayburn Middle Abbotsford School of Integrated Arts (ASIA)/ North Poplar Elementary Alexander Elementary Barrowtown Elementary Mt. Lehman Elementary Prince Charles Elementary
W. J. Mouat Secondary Colleen & Gordie Howe Middle Blue Jay Elementary Centennial Park Elementary Dormick Park Elementary King Traditional Elementary
Robert Bateman Secondary Abbotsford Middle Auguston Traditional Elementary Dr. Thomas A. Swift Elementary Jackson Elementary Terry Fox Elementary Upper Sumas Elementary
Liaison schools:
Liaison schools:
Email: korky_neufeld@sd34.bc.ca
Email: rhonda_pauls@sd34.bc.ca
Liaison schools:
Email: stan_petersen@sd34.bc.ca
On homepage left side menu: • Click“Schools”for a list of schools, with links to each. • Click“Parents & Students”for a variety of helpful information and links • Bell times (start/finish and break times for all schools) Click“Schools”and“Bell Schedule”. • Bus information, including new schedule, click“Parents & Students”and“Bus Information” • Kindergarten registration information, click“Schools”and“Registration and Enrolment” • School calendar/holidays; click“Calendar”then“School Calendar”
CONTACTS: • For questions to do with school or classes, please contact your child’s school directly. • For more general questions, you can email the school district at: info@sd34.bc.ca ; or call the District Administration Office 604.859.4891 (8 am to 4:30 pm weekdays.)
LOCAL SCHOOL CALENDAR 2012 – 2013 – key dates *Secondary schools only
Preet Rai, Trustee
Cindy Schafer, Trustee
Shirley Wilson, Trustee
Rick Hansen Secondary Abbotsford Traditional Middle Aberdeen Elementary Dave Kandal Elementary John Maclure Elementary /Community School McMillan Elementary Sandy Hill Elementary
Abbotsford Traditional Secondary Abbotsford Virtual Eugene Reimer Middle Bradner Elementary Dr. Roberta L. Bondar Elementary Ten-Broeck Elementary
Bakerview Centre for Learning/ New Beginnings Abbotsford School of Integrated Arts (ASIA)/ Sumas Mountain Middle-Secondary William A. Fraser Middle Clearbrook Elementary Godson Elementary Matsqui Elementary South Poplar Traditional Elementary
Liaison schools:
Liaison schools:
Email: cindy_schafer@sd34.bc.ca
Email: preet_rai@sd34.bc.ca
Liaison schools:
Email: shirley_wilson@sd34.bc.ca
Phone messages for all Trustees: 604.859.4891, ext. 1241
Upcoming Regular Public Meetings of the Board of Education: (Note new meeting weekday and start time.)
School Opening (1/2 day dismissal)
September 4, 2012
Non-Instructional Day #1
September 21, 2012
Thanksgiving Day
October 8, 2012
Non-Instructional Day #2
October 19, 2012
Non-Instructional Day #3
November 9, 2012
Remembrance Day (Day in lieu)
November 12, 2012
1-hour Early Dismissal Days
November 28 and 29, 2012
Last day before Christmas Vacation
December 21, 2012
Christmas Vacation
December 24 to January 4, 2013
Schools reopen
January 7, 2013
Semester 1 Ends
*February 1, 2013
Semester 2 Begins
*February 4, 2013
Family Day
February 11, 2013
• Tuesday, September 11, 7 pm, at the School District Administration offices, 2790 Tims Street
Non-Instructional Day #4
February 15, 2013
• Tuesday, October 2, 7 pm, at the School District Administration offices, 2790 Tims Street
1-hour Early Dismissal Days
March 13 and 14, 2013
• Tuesday, October 23, 7 pm, at the School District Administration offices, 2790 Tims Street
Last day before Spring Vacation
March 15, 2013
• Your best source of information for the school district is the website www.sd34.bc.ca A new look and navigation to the site was introduced over the summer. Parents and students who visit Abbotsford School District on the internet will more easily find information about the array of services and programs designed for students. • Drivers — starting September 4, school speed zones are in effect. Please use extra caution and observe speed limits when passing by schools. Also, vehicles traveling in both directions on a roadway must not pass a school bus which has stopped and has its red overhead lights flashing.
Spring Vacation
March 18-28, 2013
Good Friday
March 29, 2013
Easter Monday
April 1, 2013
Schools reopen
April 2, 2013
Non-Instructional Day #5
April 26, 2013
Victoria Day
May 20, 2013
In-School/Provincial Exams
*June 17 to 25, 2013
Last day for students
June 26, 2013