Today, October 5th, is World Teachers' Day and the Abbotsford School District is celebrating the 1,500+ innovative educators in our district who prepare and inspire our students for a lifetime of success.

Teachers are a cornerstone of quality education systems and play a key role in building inclusive and equitable societies. Today, we celebrate the teachers within our district and commend their dedication, passion and commitment to this profession.

Thousands of students and staff across the Abbotsford School District recognized the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation Week. From a virtual assembly to classroom-based group projects, students worked with their teachers and Indigenous Education staff over the course of the last few days to build a better understanding and awareness of truth and reconciliation.

As we begin to enter into September, I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome back to all to what we hope will be a wonderful school year. As we look forward to the opportunities in the weeks and months ahead, I must again extend a sincere thanks to our staff for getting us through last year. What we accomplished in British Columbia, and particularly here in Abbotsford, was truly amazing. Our society owes a debt of gratitude to the teachers, support staff, principals and managers who pulled together to care for our students when they needed us most.

On August 3, the B.C. Government formally recognized September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in alignment with legislation passed by the federal government in June.

As part of this formal recognition, the Abbotsford School District will be closed to all students and staff on Thursday, September 30, 2021. District employees usually entitled to federal and provincial statutory holidays will receive this day off.

Submissions are now open for naming the new elementary school on Eagle Mountain. At a spring Public Board meeting, Trustees requested that the Secretary-Treasurer commence the process for naming the future Elementary School located at 2540 Eagle Mountain Drive. Since that time, a Naming Committee has been constructed and a submission process has been established.

A group of Rick Hansen Secondary students recently launched a video project that sheds light on the impact of inclusivity and equity in their community. The new video production, 'What is Vaisakhi?', is being shared online and may become the groundwork for other schools in the Abbotsford school district to use when trying to explain cultural similarities in their school communities. 

In a special Abby News section, “Above and Beyond, Heroes in Education”, you’ll read about educators, administrators, custodians, youth care workers and language instructors who all make an impression on their students, colleagues and community.

We’re proud to see a number of our #AbbySchools staff highlighted from:

Enhanced safety measures and $121.2 million in federal funding are on the way, as the Province continues to strengthen health and safety plans in K-12 schools to keep students, teachers and staff safe during the pandemic.

All middle and secondary students and K-12 staff will now be required to wear non-medical masks in all indoor areas, including when they are with their learning groups. The only exceptions are when:

When Abbotsford, B.C., teacher Nerlap Sidhu met her Grade 6 social studies students at the beginning of term last September, she knew right away she wanted to do a class project with them about anti-racism and inclusion.

Last spring, Black Lives Matter protests had ramped up in the U.S. following the killing of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis.

Conversations about police violence and racism were also heating up in Canada.