Summer break is ending and preparations are underway for the first day back to school for the 2019 – 2020 school year in the district, on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
“We are looking forward to extending a warm welcome to our students, and working with them to have a successful, memorable year,” said Alison Sidow, Superintendent of Schools. “As our students are in motion each day to and from their classes, extra care is needed to help keep them safe. For example, remembering to slow down while driving through school zones.”
Sidow said it is worth reminding communities how many people will be on the move to and from schools. Every day of the school year, more than 14,500 students (4,000 of whom are bused more than 9,000 kilometres) will attend more than 40 schools in Kamloops, Barriere, Chase, Clearwater, Logan Lake, Savona and Westwold.
Over 4,000 of those students are bused more than 9,000 kilometres each day so safety is the highest priority for the Transportation Department led by manager Sherry Kristjanson. Last year Kristjanson promoted student safety through a powerful public service message reminding drivers to brake for school buses when the red lights are flashing. Students attending the re-opened Westsyde Elementary can look forward to newly- refurbished surroundings.
District crews spent about 9,000 hours renovating the structure this summer, and are currently completing finishing touches like exterior painting. The school will be ready for the first day, and the project will be delivered within the approximately $1 million budget.
Here are four things to know about back to school at SD73 regarding the first day of classes in the new term.
1. New Student Registration
All district schools will be open for registration of all students who are new to the district on August 27, 28 and 29. Parents and guardians of all new students, including Kindergarten students who have not yet been registered, can register their children between 9 a.m. and 12 noon, and between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. from Tuesday to Wednesday, Aug. 27 to 28.
Note: Registration for new Westwold Elementary School students is available at R.L. Clemitson Elementary School during the dates and times posted above, and also on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at Westwold Elementary.
2. First Day of School
All elementary and secondary classes begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 with the following exceptions: Kindergarten – please contact your child’s school for Kindergarten class start times
All elementary schools, both rural and in-town, will dismiss students at 12 noon. Rural secondary schools will dismiss students at 12:30 p.m.
Secondary in-town schools and Brocklehurst Middle School will dismiss students at 3 p.m.
Check your school website or contact your school for further information.
3. School Bus Information
School bus pick up times on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 will be two hours later than usual for all students.
Elementary students will be dropped off after school two hours earlier than usual. Secondary and Middle School students will be dropped off after school at the usual time.
How school bus registration works
Students need a bus registration card to be able to ride their bus during the 2019- 2020 school year. Students who have not received a bus registration card in the mail should register for one within the first week of classes. Bus registration forms are available from your bus driver.
School bus transportation eligibility
Ensure your child is eligible to ride the bus. The SD73 school bus walk limit policy applies to all students in the district. For Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, the limit is 4 kilometres to a school, and 3.2 kilometres to a bus stop.
For grade 4 to grade 12 students, the limit is 4.8 kilometres to a school and 3.2 kilometres to a bus stop.
School bus routes and schedules
All bus schedules are subject to changes during the school year due to traffic patterns, weather conditions and population density.
For information about bus routes and schedules please contact the SD73 Transportation department – 250-372-5853.
In Clearwater, call 250- 674-3224.
4. School Supplies
School supplies including notebooks and pencils are available for a minimum cost at elementary schools. Contact your school for more information.
