School Start-Up 2025-26
Welcome to the 2025-26 school year! We hope everyone had a restful, enjoyable summer break! As staff participate in an Inservice Day at their schools, today, we reflect on the learning and planning sessions held during the week of August 25-29. These sessions supported a strong start to the year and will help to ensure staff are ready to welcome students back. Below are a few examples of sessions provided by Senior Leadership staff.
Principal and Vice Principal Micro-sessions
Virtual 45-minute sessions were held to orient principals and vice principals on new processes, review updates, and provide an opportunity to ask questions related to each topic.
On Monday, August 25th, Director of Instruction Reid Findlay, Manager of Information Technology Stephen Ollinger, and L1/Data Coordinator Kyla Dawson provided an overview of the enhancements and updates in MyEducationBC. Principals and vice principals were also informed that the District will be transitioning to an online rental booking software, ebase, with training to follow. Director Findlay shared that, under provincial legislation, the District is required to conduct Classroom Privacy Impact Assessments for digital resources. Staff will be informed of the process in early to mid-September.
On Wednesday, August 27th, Assistant Superintendent of Indigenous Education and Student Supports Chelsea Prince shared updates on Indigenous Education professional learning opportunities. These included the Reconciliation Through Education online course and the English First Peoples Teacher Guide lit circle book club. Additional updates covered 1701 verification, Indigenous Education Year Plans, staffing changes, the Knowledge Keeper Program, and Local Education Agreement updates. District Principal of Student Support Services Jo McKenna and Vice Principal Lara Matthews provided updates on the Department Toolkit, which contains forms and processes, and departmental action items, and itinerant specialist updates. District Vice Principal of Student Wellness Tanya Harrington gave an overview of her portfolio, including threat assessment and critical incident processes. She also reminded PVP of available supports for newcomer families, such as services provided by the Shuswap Immigrant Society’s Settlement Worker in Schools. Chelsea Prince concluded with updates and resources from the Feeding Futures initiative, on behalf of Feeding Futures Coordinator Serena Caner.
On Thursday, August 28th, Acting Secretary-Treasurer Hunt shared several staffing updates, including Barb Keehn as the new District Education Support Centre receptionist and the new Manager of Finance, Bronwen Pakka. A new facility rental software, ebase, was introduced and will be implemented in October following Board approval of updated rental rates, which have not changed since 1997. Additional updates included budget planning for the 2025–26 school year, payroll changes, and upcoming webinars focusing on Atrieve, MyBudget File, ebase, and best practices for school finances.
On Friday, August 29th, Director of Operations Travis Elwood shared facilities start-up information and custodial updates to support a smooth beginning to the school year. Transportation updates were also provided, including details on route planning and service adjustments. In addition, highlights from recent and ongoing capital projects were reviewed, featuring improvements and initiatives at J.L. Jackson, Sullivan, Shuswap Middle, Carlin, A.L. Fortune, Eagle River, Armstrong Elementary, Pleasant Valley Secondary, Highland Park, Falkland, Sorrento, South Canoe, Len Wood, and Parkview.
Clerical Training
On Wednesday, August 27th, approximately 35 clerical staff attended a training session at Salmon Arm Secondary School. The session began with a presentation of ebase. Director of Instruction Reid Findlay gave an overview of the importance of Security Awareness and Privacy Training which will be provided to all staff. Manager of Information Technology Stephen Ollinger, L1/Data Coordinator Kyla Dawson, and MyEd Help Desk member Sarah Payment reviewed updates related to the Education Data Exchange, MyEducationBC enhancements, the 1701 timeline, and international student processes. HR Specialist Tracey Ward and Payroll Specialist Saylor VanBergen presented changes to timesheet and leave of absence processes.
Bus Driver Sessions
On August 26th and 27th, school bus drivers returned to take part in their annual start-up training that included pre-trip procedure practice to ensure that the Motor Vehicle Act safety checklists are performed properly each day, fire extinguisher training, student management, and bus evacuation scenarios. There was also opportunity for staff to review topics including the School Bus Discipline AP, field trip procedures, hours of service, and cleaning/disinfecting requirements. Drivers were reminded about updated payroll and timesheet processes, keeping route sheets current, and what must be carried in the yellow folder. They also covered guidelines for transporting items, red light runner procedures, proper use of bus lights, accident response, construction updates, in-service dates, and changes resulting from the Transportation Review.
New Teacher Orientation
On Thursday, August 28th, 24 new teachers were welcomed to SD83. Their orientation included sessions on educational technology, payroll, and health & safety, along with presentations from NOSTA, Indigenous Education, Inclusive Education, and Human Resources.
