Cindy Hauk / SD73
Classes for nearly 14,000 students in School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) begin at 10:30 am Sept. 4.
Elementary students (with the exception of Kindergarten students) will end their day at noon while secondary schools continue until 3 p.m.
Classes begin on Sept. 5 at the usual starting times.
The parents of Kindergarten students should contact their schools to learn when their children’s classes begin.
Registration of pupils who are new to the district as well as Kindergarten students who have not yet registered take place at all schools until Aug. 30, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For information on bus schedules, school supplies and transportation polices, visit the district’s web site at www.sd73.bc.ca.
District Supt. Alison Sidow said she’s proud of the work done by district’s nearly 2400 staff members who have been preparing for the upcoming year.
“This year we continue to focus on the revised curriculum in grade 10 and to prepare for the full implementation of the new graduation program set out by the BC Government,” she said in a statement.
“The new curriculum will prepare students for the challenges of our constantly changing world by providing them with the real-world skills they need for success in their future endeavors.”
The teacher staffing challenges faced by school districts throughout the province has eased this year. SD 73 successfully placed 132 teachers from across B.C. and Canada to start the 2017-2018 school year, this fall there are 93 available teaching assignments.
“Space continues to be a challenge at various schools in our district,” Sidow said.
“We are hopeful that there will be capital funding announcements for our sites that are the most constrained; namely Valley View Secondary and Westmount Elementary, Sun Peaks and Pineview, and a new gymnasium for South Kamloops Senior Secondary.”
While the numbers of students appear to be stable at this time Sidow warned that the first week back might appear a bit hectic in some schools as staff adjust to enrolment patterns and shift resources accordingly.
“We encourage parents to enroll their children in advance of the first day, but that does not always happen,” she said.
“Inevitably, the first week of school requires flexibility and adaptability on the part of everyone. There is no question school space will be at a premium in some locations but we will make it work.”
Lastly, Sidow said, “I am looking forward to the year ahead and am proud to be leading on of BC model school districts. “We have exceptional teachers, principals and support staff,” Sidow said. “This is going to be a great year.”
