School Start-Up 2026-27

The start of a new school year involves more than welcoming students back to classrooms. During the final week of August and early September, SD83 staff participated in a series of professional learning and orientation sessions focused on leadership development, operational readiness, student support, safety, and continuous improvement. These opportunities helped ensure schools, departments, and support staff were well prepared for the 2026-27 school year.

SD83 Leadership Team Summer Learning Sessions 2026

School and District Principal and Vice Principals gathered on August 26th and 27th for the SD83 Leadership Team Summer Learning Sessions, two days of professional learning, collaboration, and planning focused on supporting student success and fostering effective leadership across the District. The sessions brought leaders together to explore key operational instructional and strategic priorities while strengthening their collective capacity to support students, staff, and school communities throughout the 2026-27 school year. Superintendent Donna Kriger welcomed the new members of the SD83 Leadership Team.

Day 1 focused on District priorities, including Restorative Practices, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy responsibilities, Occupational Health and Safety, and updates from the Indigenous Education Department, Student Support Services, and Technology Department. Leaders explored how restorative approaches can foster positive school cultures while maintaining high expectations and accountability for students. Indigenous Education learning highlighted the importance of advancing reconciliation through intentional actions, strengthened partnerships with Indigenous communities, and a new district learning series with Dr. Dustin Louie. Teams also reviewed workplace safety expectations, work refusal processes, Positive Behaviour Support Plans, and emerging technology initiatives, including artificial intelligence guidelines and student privacy requirements.

On day 2, principals and vice principals participated in a leadership learning session facilitated by the BCPVPA Member Support Services Team, examining school leadership through a regulatory lens. Leaders engaged in collaborative learning focused on developing strong, impact-focused School Learning Plans, using data to identify learning needs, monitor student outcomes, and make evidence-based adjustments throughout the year. Discussions reinforced the importance of setting precise goals, implementing targeted strategies, and measuring the impact of actions on student learning.

The sessions also provided updates on District systems and initiatives, including cybersecurity awareness training, cloud consent requirements, Adobe licensing, the transition away from G-Suite, Microsoft Teams phone implementation, professional learning opportunities, and back-to-school preparations. Leaders reviewed communication expectations, Microsoft Teams channels, professional learning calendars, and resources to support a successful start to the 2026-27 school year.

Clerical Training
On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, approximately 35 clerical staff from across the District gathered at Salmon Arm Secondary School for Clerical Pro-D. The session included updates from several District departments and provided opportunities for participants to build knowledge, strengthen connections, and review new procedures and initiatives.

Clerical staff received updates on school bus registration requirements, field trip processes, transportation safety expectations, confidentiality requirements, employee wellness supports, attendance management procedures, and available Service Improvement Funds. Information was also shared regarding professional expectations, privacy legislation, and resources available through the Employee and Family Assistance Program.

Sessions on MyEducation BC and student information management covered the Aspen/MyEd 2026.1 release, updated student consent processes, cybersecurity awareness requirements, Teams phone system enhancements, attendance practice updates, EDX and 1701 reporting timelines, international student procedures, and school startup processes. Staff were also introduced to new program codes and tools supporting student password security, Wi-Fi access, and Adobe licensing management.

Throughout the morning, clerical staff were recognized for the important role they play in supporting students, families, and schools through accurate data management, effective communication, and efficient office practices. Participants also learned about new support channels, ongoing 6Ts training opportunities, and resources available through SD83 Practices to assist them throughout the year.

The session concluded with a question-and-answer period, providing an opportunity for clerical staff to discuss the information shared and prepare for the year ahead.

Bus Driver Sessions

On September 8, 2026, school bus drivers returned to take part in their annual start-up training that included, pre-trip procedure practice to meet and exceed Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, student loading and unloading procedures and bus evacuation scenarios to promote the safety of our students both on and off the bus.  School bus drivers had the opportunity to review Railway crossing procedures, red light runner procedures, accident response procedures, guidelines for transporting equipment, the requirements for keeping their buses clean, how the Salmon Arm high school re-configuration affects their bus routes this year and areas of continued construction to be aware of on our roadways. They also received training on on-line duty status records which allows them to use their bus tablets to not only perform their pre-trip procedures but also their duty status requirements in an effort to minimize paper use.

 New Teacher Orientation