Following the Labour Day long weekend, students across the Sunshine Coast will head back to class on Tuesday, Sept. 6 for a half day of school, although some kindergarten children won’t start until later in the week.
Superintendent of schools Patrick Bocking said parents of kindergarten students should check with their individual schools for specific start times.
Those unsure when individual schools start and end on Sept. 6 can view the times on the School District No. 46 (SD46) website at www.sd46.bc.ca under the News Releases tab.
Schools will start about two hours and 15 minutes later than normal on that first day back in class.
SD46 expects to see around the same number of students enrolled in kindergarten to Grade 12 this year as were last year (about 3,100) but the actual numbers won’t be known until the official headcount is taken on Sept. 30.
Bocking said it’s “dangerous” to make a guess at enrolment at this time, particularly because the district is unsure how the upswing in the housing market will impact enrolment.
“We’re really not sure who’s been buying the houses,” Bocking said.
For that first day back at school, students should just bring a notepad and pen to take notes if needed, as well as a snack. Teachers will tell students when they need to bring the rest of their school supplies in.
Parents unsure what supplies their children need should check the SD46 website under the “About SD46” tab and then “Schools” tab, where supply lists for each school and each grade are listed.
The same page offers busing information, including detailed pickup and drop-off times, school catchment area maps and links to individual school websites.
Parents can keep up to date with what’s going on in SD46 throughout the year by visiting the website, following SD46 on Twitter @sscshools, on Facebook at School District No. 46, or by coming to one of the school board’s monthly meetings.
For the 2016-17 school year, regular board meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the school board office, 494 South Fletcher Rd.
Bocking said SD46 is working hard to reach out and connect with parents, and he also encourages parents to connect with individual schools and teachers because it makes a difference for students.
“[Parents] knowing what’s happening at school and talking to their children about the day’s events is an important part of school success,” Bocking said. “We know through research that one of the most important roles that parents can play for students to be particularly successful at school is simply showing an interest.”
He said teachers are happy to make time to speak with parents on the phone, by email or in person and he hopes parents will reach out, especially if they have any questions or concerns throughout the school year.
“Any time a parent has any questions or concerns, having clarity about that kind of thing is really important,” Bocking said.
The school district plans to move forward with its strategic plan at the board level this year, focusing on things like helping students manage their mental and physical health and increasing competency in reading and numeracy.
“We’ve got a number of exciting goals to reach through that [strategic plan] that I’ll be working with the board [on] and of course all of our staff,” Bocking said
“So, looking forward to lots of great things happening in reading and numeracy and mental health for our students.”
The mission of the 2015-19 strategic plan is to “enable and inspire our students to realize their full potentials, as knowledgeable, confident and contributing citizens in the global community.”
See the full strategic plan on the SD46 website at www.sd46.bc.ca
