LSS Weekly Communication - February 7th
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
This week was short and snow-filled! Second semester is now underway, and students are settling into their new classes. This week students spent time selecting their courses for the 2025-26 school year. The choices they make are important, as they will help us to create a timetable for next year that will best meet the needs of all students. Please note that Course Catalogs are available on the school website. If you have any specific questions about program planning or course selection, please reach out to your student’s counsellor directly.
This week report cards were also released on the MyEd portal. Please connect with the office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca if you are having trouble accessing your student’s report card and connect with their teacher directly if you have any questions about their progress.
The Career Technical Center in Collaboration with VIU is pleased to offer to grade 11 and 12 students an Exploratory Day at VIU on February 21, 2025 on the topic of Hospitality and Tourism. Step into the exciting world of hospitality and tourism! Learn about interactive courses that will introduce you to the dynamic and diverse industries that shape global travel, leisure, and entertainment. Visit firsthand the bustling energy of hotel operations and gain a behind-the-scenes look at what makes these industries thrive. Grade 11 and 12 students can apply by clicking the link here.
We would also like to remind parents of the opportunity to participate in The Student Learning Survey (SLS), which has been administered every year in B.C. public schools since 2001. Prior to 2016-17 it was known as the Student Satisfaction Survey. The SLS provides feedback on the implementation of the curriculum changes, learning environment, student wellness and satisfaction, student belonging and engagement, and career preparation. The SLS is the only source of province-wide information about students’ learning experiences through the perspectives of students, parents, guardians/caregivers, and school staff. Schools and districts use the SLS to make informed decisions around long-term planning and goal-setting, and in providing individual students personalized support. The parent and guardian/caregiver survey is now available online and is available in 18 different languages. The survey will be available until Friday, May 2nd, and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Your responses are voluntary and anonymous, and your child will not be identified as a result of your participation in the survey. Any personal or identifying information will be deleted before results are stored. Data will be stored and accessible only within Canada.
To complete the survey:
- Go to any computer that has an up-to-date internet browser access at home, work, or school.
- Go to www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sat_survey/access.htm
- Click on the Parents icon for Direct (logon-free) Access
- District: the name of your child’s district
- School: the name of your child’s school
- Language: the language of your choice
- Complete the survey by clicking on the appropriate circle to answer each question and click “NEXT”.
- When you are finished the survey, you will get a message “Thank you for sharing your views”.
- Once complete, your school will have the results immediately.
Students in grade 10,11, and 12 will be surveyed at LSS during the week of: February 24th – 28th. More information will be coming to those students in the impacted grades in the coming weeks.
For the second year in a row, LSS is working in partnership with the Ladysmith Arts Council to support the Food Bank over the month of February with a Toilet Paper drive. The student’s council will be collecting new and sealed toilet paper and cash donations to help stock the food bank with toilet paper. If you are able and willing, please consider donating to this worthwhile cause.
This past week saw our community receive freezing temperatures and snow. A reminder that all school district weather related information can be found here. School district staff monitor road conditions starting at 2 a.m. and consider local safety advisories, such as direction from RCMP to the public to avoid travel. A recommendation on whether to close schools is made to the Superintendent/CEO by 5:30 a.m. If the decision to close schools is made, please note the following:
- Communications to parents, caregivers, and school district employees will be sent before 6:00 a.m.
- Parents/caregivers will receive an email and text notification sent from the school district’s notification system.
- Employees will receive an email.
- Announcements will be made on local radio stations (WOLF 106.9 FM, WAVE 102.3 FM, and 91.7 COAST FM) on the day of the closure. Please do not call the radio station – tune in and listen for the announcements, which will be made on a regular basis.
- The district website: www.sd68.bc.ca will also have a notification on the home page if schools are closed.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Alistair King
Upcoming events:
- February 11th – GRASP Training
- February 17th – Family Day (No School)
- February 19th – PAC meeting
- February 24 – 28th – Tentative Student Learning Surveys
PAC Corner:
The next PAC meeting will be February 19th at 6pm in the Learning Commons
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Weekly Cafeteria Menu
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043
LSS Weekly Communication - January 24th

As mentioned in last week’s communication, current Vice-Principal, Mr. Jake Hardy, has been assigned as Vice-Principal of Pleasant Valley Elementary School beginning Monday, January 27th. Our school community is grateful to Mr. Hardy and the work he has done supporting students and families since his arrival in May of last year and we are excited for him to take on this new adventure. We would also like to welcome Mr. Alistair King, current Vice-Principal at Dover Bay Secondary, to our school community. Mr. King will begin as Vice-Principal at LSS on Monday, January 27th and we are looking forward to having him join our family!
Monday January 27th also marks the first day of second semester. Students were provided with their schedule on Monday of this week and were given the opportunity to make required changes for the graduation program. Please note the important dates below, as there are several important upcoming events in January and February. On February 3rd and 4th school will not be in session as there are two professional development days. February 5 – 7th students in grade 8 to 12 will be participating in course selection with our counsellors. Please note that course calendars are on our school website. Please connect directly with your counsellor if there are specific questions about course planning for next year.
For the second year in a row, LSS is working in partnership with the Ladysmith Arts Council to support the Food Bank over the month of February with a Toilet Paper drive. The student’s council will be collecting new and sealed toilet paper and cash donations to help stock the food bank with toilet paper. If you are able and willing, please consider donating to this worthwhile cause.
DPAC is excited to share the details on the upcoming parent education evenings for February 2025:
February 6, Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child with Blossom Tree Counselling.
Learn how to raise a child with emotional intelligence at this in-person event. Discover effective parenting techniques and strategies to nurture emotional well-being in your child.
- Enhance child self-confidence through emotional coaching.
- Learn to coach your child’s emotional intelligence.
- Improve child’s academic and social performance.
- Master a 5-step process for recognizing and managing emotions.
- Foster stronger parent-child bonds with empathy and understanding.
February 20, Dr. Michelle Francis
Building on the previous presentation with Dr. Francis, this event will go into greater depth on Autism and ADHD. (No you don’t have to have attended the previous session)
Learn about:
- Tools to help parents manage big feelings, impulsive behaviours, and power struggles
- Advocating for your child within the school system
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- January 27th – First Day of Semester 2
- February 3rd – Pro-D Day (No School)
- February 4th – Pro-D Day (No School)
- February 6th – Report cards released to families
- February 5 – 7th – Tentative Gr 8-11 Course Selection
- February 6 – 7th – Grad photo retakes
- February 11th – GRASP Training
- February 17th – Family Day (No School)
- February 19th – PAC meeting
- February 24 – 28th – Tentative Student Learning Surveys
PAC Corner:
The next PAC meeting will be February 19th at 6pm in the Learning Commons
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Weekly Cafeteria Menu
- Food Bank Toilet Paper Driver Poster
- Parent Education Flyer
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043
LSS Weekly Communication - January 1th
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
The only certainty in life is that change is inevitable! This week, several changes were announced in school administrative teams across the school district, including some that impact Ladysmith Secondary School. Current Vice-Principal, Mr. Jake Hardy, has been assigned as Vice-Principal of Pleasant Valley Elementary School beginning Monday, January 27th. Our school community is grateful to Mr. Hardy and the work he has done supporting students and families since his arrival in May of last year and we are excited for him to take on this new adventure. We would also like to welcome Mr. Alistair King, current Vice-Principal at Dover Bay Secondary, to our school community. Mr. King will begin as Vice-Principal at LSS on Monday, January 27th and we are looking forward to having him join our family!
As a reminder, next week is the final week of the first semester. Please note that Friday January 24th is a turn around day where most students will not be in session unless a teacher has communicated that they need to come in and complete additional learning. Semester 2 begins on January 27th. Please see the important dates below as there are several important upcoming events in January and February. Specifically, you will see that we are already planning for the 2025-2026 school year with course selection. The course catalogs for the 2025-26 school year are now on the school website. If you have questions about course selection or student programming, please reach out to your counsellor. There are also provincial assessments and student learning surveys (for grade 10 and 12 students) in January and February.
Timetables for second semester will be distributed to students during B Block on Monday, January 20th. Those students without a B Block can pick up their schedule directly from the office. Students requiring timetable changes will have the opportunity to connect with counsellors between January 21st and January 23rd. At this time, our courses for second semester are very full. Course changes will be made in priority order for those students requiring graduation requirements.
NARSF is excited to offer a parenting workshop series for parents/caregivers of youth 12-18 years. See the attached poster for details. If you have any questions, please reach out Mia Maarika at 250-754-2773 ext. 123 or mmaarika@narsf.org.
DPAC is excited to share the details on the upcoming parent education evenings for February 2025:
February 6, Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child with Blossom Tree Counselling.
Learn how to raise a child with emotional intelligence at this in-person event. Discover effective parenting techniques and strategies to nurture emotional well-being in your child.
- Enhance child self-confidence through emotional coaching.
- Learn to coach your child’s emotional intelligence.
- Improve child’s academic and social performance.
- Master a 5-step process for recognizing and managing emotions.
- Foster stronger parent-child bonds with empathy and understanding.
February 20, Dr. Michelle Francis
Building on the previous presentation with Dr. Francis, this event will go into greater depth on Autism and ADHD. (No you don’t have to have attended the previous session)
Learn about:
- Tools to help parents manage big feelings, impulsive behaviours, and power struggles
- Advocating for your child within the school system
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- January 20th – Second semester timetables handed out
- January 20-24th – Provincial Assessments
- January 23rd – Last Day of Semester 1 classes
- January 24th – Turn Around Day (No school unless teacher has asked student to come in)
- January 27th – First Day of Semester 2
- February 3rd – Pro-D Day (No School)
- February 4th – Pro-D Day (No School)
- February 6th – Report cards released to families
- February 5 – 7th – Tentative Gr 8-11 Course Selection
- February 11th – GRASP Training
- February 17th – Family Day (No School)
- February 19th – PAC meeting
- February 24 – 28th – Tentative Student Learning Surveys
PAC Corner:
The next PAC meeting will be February 19th at 6pm in the Learning Commons
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Weekly Cafeteria Menu
- Parent Education Flyer
- Unlock Parenting Potential Worhsop Flyer
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043

LSS Weekly Communications - January 10th
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
Happy New Year! We hope that you enjoyed your break and were able to spend time with the people that are important to you! As we settle back into routine, we are also coming up to some important dates including provincial assessments and the end of the semester. Please note that Friday January 24th is a turn around day where most students will not be in session unless a teacher has communicated that they need to come in and complete additional learning. Semester 2 begins on January 27th. Please see the important dates below as there are several important upcoming events in January and February. Specifically, you will see that we are already planning for the 2025-2026 school year with course selection. There are also provincial assessments and student learning surveys (for grade 10 and 12 students) in January and February.
Timetables for second semester will be distributed to students on Monday, January 20th. Students requiring timetable changes will have the opportunity to connect with counsellors that week. At this time, our courses for second semester are very full. Course changes will be made in priority order for those students requiring graduation requirements.
Are you interested in supporting Dry Grad? Dry Grad’s next steering committee meeting will be held in the Presentation Room at Wellington Secondary School at 6pm on Tuesday January 14th. The Presentation Room is just inside Wellington’s front doors. Wellington is at located at 3135 Mexicana Rd, in Nanaimo. The steering committee is looking for a few more volunteers to help organize the event. Please come down and see how you can help out. In the weeks before the event, we’ll be recruiting volunteers for the night of the event.More information about the event is available at http://www.nanaimodrygrad.com or by sending an email to info@nanaimodrygrad.com . The meeting will also be available on Zoom:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84472639354?pwd=owawxb8jxxk7ukzxeFsAGf31QGaUbE.1
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- January 14th – GRASP Training
- January 15th – PAC meeting (7pm in the Learning Commons)
- January 20-24th – Provincial Assessments
- January 23rd – Last Day of Semester 1 classes
- January 24th – Turn Around Day (No school unless teacher has asked student to come in)
- January 27th – First Day of Semester 2
- February 3rd – Pro-D Day (No School)
- February 4th – Pro-D Day (No School)
- February 5 – 7th – Tentative Gr 8-11 Course Selection
- February 11th – GRASP Training
- February 17th – Family Day (No School)
- February 19th – PAC meeting
- February 24 – 28th – Tentative Student Learning Surveys
PAC Corner:
The next PAC meeting will be January 15th at 7pm in the Learning Commons
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Weekly Cafeteria Menu
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043
LSS Weekly Communication - December 13, 2024
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
As we enter the final week before Winter break, I want to highlight some of the awesome activities that have been happening at LSS. For two days this week, friends from LIS and LPS joined us to decorate cookies and work with our grade 8’s to make a winter craft. Classes were busy decorating their doors in B Block, while movies were played at lunch in the gym. On Wednesday, we hosted a band concert where our band showcased what they have been working hard on for the last several months. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Potvin for his efforts in putting this wonderful event together! Last night we had our first dance of the year, a Winter formal where students put on their finest and danced the night away. It is always nice to see such good and wholesome fun! We also had our first lockdown drill of the year this week. Thank you to our staff and students for taking the drill seriously.
Ladysmith Secondary is proud to partner with the Vancouver Island Crisis Society to offer leadership and training opportunities at LSS. Students will gain valuable listening and helping skills and have the opportunity to participate in a series of workshops, including the GRASP Challenge, Communication Skills, Mental Health Awareness, and Healthy Relationships. Students who participate in this program are invited to volunteer with the Crisis Society in our school and community. For more information, please email mdolen@sd68.bc.ca or karmyn.powell@sd68.bc.ca. Registration forms are available in counselling.
Finally, Spirit Wear is now available for purchase. Orders can be made online or buy purchase in the office. Please see the attached order form to make your purchase before December 16th.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- December 16th – Spirit Wear Order deadline
- December 16th– 20th – Grad Portraits
- January 6th – Schools re-open after winter break
- January 7th – GRASP Training
- January 15th – PAC meeting (7pm in the Learning Commons)
- January 20-24th – Provincial Assessments
- January 23rd – Last Day of Semester 1 classes
- January 24th – Turn Around Day (No school unless teacher has asked student to come in)
- January 27th – First Day of Semester 2
- February 3rd – Pro-D Day (No School)
- February 4th – Pro-D Day (No School)
- February 5 – 7th – Tentative Gr 8-11 Course Selection
- February 11th – GRASP Training
- February 17th – Family Day (No School)
- February 19th – PAC meeting
- February 24 – 28th – Tentative Student Learning Surveys
PAC Corner:
The next PAC meeting will be January 15th at 7pm in the Learning Commons
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Spirit Wear Order Form
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043
LSS weekly Communication - December 5th
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
The countdown is officially on until Winter break. There are ten school days before the break, and they are jammed packed with events and activities (and the everyday awesome learning that occurs). Next week we will have our Primary and Intermediate (future LSS’er) family here at LSS working on holiday crafts. B Block classes will be participating in door decorating, and there will be movies in the gym at lunch from the 10th-12th. Next Wednesday, December 11th there is a Winter Band concert in the MPR beginning at 7pm. Participating students will need to arrive at the school for 6:15pm. As shared last week, students are also invited to a magical Winter Wonderland Dance on Thursday, December 12th, from 6-9 PM! Hosted by Student Council and the Travel Club, the winter formal will be a night filled with fun for all grades. The dance will feature a DJ, a festive photo booth, concessions, door prizes and games. Tickets are just $10. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable winter celebration—only 200 tickets will be sold. Ticket sales began December 2nd and are available at lunch in the foyer. Complimentary tickets are available through counselling for students who need financial assistance.
Next week on Wednesday December 11th we will be having our first lockdown drill of the year. During a lockdown drill, we often have RCMP on site to work with school staff to ensure we are prepared. The drill usually takes about 15 minutes, and we will ensure that students are aware that this is a planned drill.
A reminder that the LSS French Immersion program is exploring the possibility of offering students in our French Immersion and French courses the opportunity to take the B1 level of the DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) exam. This internationally recognized certification assesses French language proficiency and can be a valuable addition to students’ academic and professional portfolios. At this stage, we are gauging interest to determine feasibility. If your child would be interested in participating, please let us know by emailing FI teacher Karina Oliveira [karina.oliveira@sd68.bc.ca] or Vice Principal Jake Hardy [Jacob.hardy@sd68.bc.ca]. Your feedback will help us shape future opportunities for our students.
Finally, tomorrow Friday, December 6th is a district wide Curriculum Implementation Day. Students will not be in session as school staff work together to further their understanding of Truth and Reconciliation. We hope students enjoy their extra day off.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- December 6th – Curricular Implementation Day (No School)
- December 11th – Lockdown Drill (2:30pm)
- December 11th – Band Concert (7pm start in the MPR)
- December 12th – School Dance (6-9pm)
- December 16th– 20th – Grad Portraits
PAC Corner:
The next PAC meeting will be in January!
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Registration Poster for Ladysmith Minor Softball
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043
LSS Weekly Communication - November 29th
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
Next week is the start of December, the liveliest month in school outside of June! We are looking forward to all of the exciting celebrations that this month has to hold. Today we had our annual post Light-Up pajama day and pancake breakfast. It is always so exciting to see staff and students come together to eat and celebrate the start of December! In two weeks, we invite students from LIS and LPS to join us in creating festive crafts. We also had a fire drill on Wednesday this week, another great practice at exiting the building in the event of an emergency. We always recommend that you take these opportunities to discuss as a family emergency plans in your own home.
Students are invited to a magical Winter Wonderland Dance on Thursday, December 12th, from 6-9 PM! Hosted by Student Council and the Travel Club, the winter formal will be a night filled with fun for all grades. The dance will feature a DJ, a festive photo booth, concessions, door prizes and games. Tickets are just $10. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable winter celebration—only 200 tickets will be sold. Ticket sales begin December 2nd and are available at lunch in the foyer. Complimentary tickets are available through counselling for students who need financial assistance.
The LSS French Immersion program is exploring the possibility of offering students in our French Immersion and French courses the opportunity to take the B1 level of the DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) exam. This internationally recognized certification assesses French language proficiency and can be a valuable addition to students’ academic and professional portfolios. At this stage, we are gauging interest to determine feasibility. If your child would be interested in participating, please let us know by emailing FI teacher Karina Oliveira [karina.oliveira@sd68.bc.ca] or Vice Principal Jake Hardy [Jacob.hardy@sd68.bc.ca]. Your feedback will help us shape future opportunities for our students.
A reminder as we near the winter season, that district weather related information, including school closure processes, can be found here. A reminder that all decisions for school closures are made at the school board and communicated directly through them via email, text, and social media.
Grad photography Dates will be from: December 16th – December 20th 2024. The sessions will be 20 minutes, and will include formal cap/gown photos as well as casual photos. The website officially opened to book on November 21th, 2024. The booking link is https://prestigeportraits.ca/. Connect with Barb in the office if you have any questions.
Finally, next Friday, December 6th is a district wide Curriculum Implementation Day. Students will not be in session as school staff work together to further their understanding of Truth and Reconciliation. We hope students enjoy their extra day off.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- December 6th – Curricular Implementation Day (No School)
- December 11th – Lockdown Drill (2:30pm)
- December 11th – Band Concert (7pm start in the MPR)
- December 12th – School Dance (6-9pm)
- December 16th– 20th – Grad Portraits (more info to come)
PAC Corner:
The next PAC meeting will be in January!
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Weekly Cafeteria Menu
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043

LSS Weekly Communication - November 22mnd
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
As the days are getting shorter, colder, and darker, it is clear that we are nearing the winter season! As you are all aware, Ladysmith Secondary School was closed Wednesday due to a power outage resulting from a significant storm. This serves as a friendly reminder that from time to time we receive inclement weather that necessitates school closures. Please note that district weather related information, including school closure processes, can be found here. A reminder that all decisions for school closures are made at the school board and communicated directly through them via email, text, and social media.
A reminder that this week report cards were released on the the MyEd portal. If you have trouble accessing your student’s report card on MyEd, please contact the office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca. Please be sure to connect with your student’s teacher or counsellor if you have any questions or concerns about their progress.
Attached you will find a poster for the Rotary Club charity coat drive on Saturday, November 23rd, with drop-off times between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Community Space (314 Buller St). Donations of used, wearable clothing items such as coats, sweaters, socks, scarves, and more can be dropped of on November 23rd. Your contributions will make a significant difference to those in need during the colder months.
Grad Photography Dates will be from: December 16th – December 20th 2024. The sessions will be 20 minutes, and will include formal cap/gown photos as well as casual photos. The website will be officially open to book on November 21th, 2024. The booking link is https://prestigeportraits.ca/
Finally, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Ladysmith Healthcare Auxiliary who have graciously donated over $18 000 to support our Hunger Bites program, helping feed a nutritional breakfast and lunch to those in need. Ladysmith Secondary School and the Ladysmith Healthcare Auxiliary have worked together since 2018 to help students receive the nutrition they require to participate fully in their learning.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- November 29th – Pancake Breakfast (7:30am in the MPR)
- December 6th – Curricular Implementation Day (No School)
- December 16th– 20th – Grad Portraits (more info to come)
PAC Corner:
The next PAC meeting will be in January!
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Weekly Cafeteria Menu
- Rotary Club Coat Drive
- Family Smart ICY Event Poster
- Family Smart ICY Event Poster
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043
LSS Weekly Communications - Nov 15, 2024
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
Just like that we are finished term 1 and into our second term of the semester. You will notice that the Parent Portal for MyEd is currently shut down as teachers are busy preparing report cards for viewing. Report cards will be released to families on the portal on November 20th, but your student should have brought home a self assessment of the core competencies that was completed in their A Block class last week. Please ask your student to see their self assessment and associated goal setting or email their A-block teacher for more information. If you have trouble accessing your student’s report card on MyEd after the 20th, please contact the office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca.
Today we had the opportunity to take part in our second fire drill of the year. These drills are great ways for our staff and students to practice how to exit the building in the event of an emergency. We encourage you to take the opportunity to talk about emergency planning in your own home.
This week we have seen some impressive storm weather, a friendly reminder that winter weather may be on its way. In preparation for the coming months, it is important that families know our process should we be faced with challenging weather conditions. Decisions for school closure are made at the school board and communicated directly through them via email, text, and social media.
Finally, last week I shared several attachments from community partners about upcoming events and opportunities. I have included them as attachments in this week’s email as well. Please connect directly with these organizations with any questions that you may have.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- November 20th – PAC meeting
- November 20th – Report cards available on MyEd Portal
- December 6th – Curricular Implementation Day (No School)
- December 16th– 20th – Grad Portraits (more info to come)
PAC Corner:
The next PAC meeting will be Wednesday November 20th at 6pm in the learning commons. All are welcome!
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Weekly Cafeteria Menu
- Christmas Cheer Poster
- Free/Low-Cost Activities in November
- Holiday Resources
- Santa’s Workshop Donations
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043
LSS Weekly Communication - November 7, 2024
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
It is hard to believe that Wednesday marked the end of the first term of Semester 1. Report cards will be released to families on November 20th, but students should have brought home a self-assessment of the core competencies that was completed in their A block class this week. Please ask your student about this learning opportunity and their associated goal setting or email their A-block teacher for more information.
Tomorrow, Friday November 8th, is a school-based Professional Development Day. These are important opportunities for our staff to continue in their own learning journey as they support their professional practice. We hope students have a fantastic extra day off.
Monday, November 11th is Remembrance Day and School is not in session. Today we had the opportunity to gather as a school community to reflect on the bravery, resilience, and dedication of our veterans and those who continue to serve in the armed forces. Remembrance Day is not only a time to honor the sacrifices of the past, but also an opportunity to look forward with a renewed commitment to peace and hope. We extend our gratitude to our special guests, our student leaders who drummed, sang, and spoke, and staff who made the assembly possible.
This week there are several attachments from community partners about upcoming events and opportunities. Please connect directly with these organizations with any questions that you may have.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- November 8th – Professional Development Day (No School)
- November 11th – Remembrance Day (No School)
- November 15th – Fire Drill
- November 20th – PAC meeting
- November 20th – Report cards available on MyEd Portal
- December 6th – Curricular Implementation Day (No School)
- December 16th– 20th – Grad Portraits (more info to come)
PAC Corner:
The next PAC meeting will be Wednesday November 20th at 6pm in the learning commons. All are welcome!
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Weekly Cafeteria Menu
- Christmas Cheer Poster
- Free/Low-Cost Activities in November
- Holiday Resources
- Santa’s Workshop Donations
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043

LSS Weekly Communication - November 1st
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
Halloween week always adds extra excitement to the LSS school community. We want to start by extending a large thank you to our Student Council as well as Mr. Winter and Ms. Murray for their efforts in creating a Coraline themed haunted house that our entire school community had the opportunity to experience. Many thanks to our Ladysmith Intermediate grade 7 friends that also came to join the fun.
Next week, staff will be working with students in their A block classes to complete their self-assessment of the Communication Core Competency. This year, in alignment with the new provincial Reporting Order, the self-assessment will also include goal setting. Please connect with your student about ensuring that this is brought home for you to review.
This past week was Provincial Assessment Week. All students currently registered in Math 10 or EFP 10 or 12 should have written either the numeracy or literacy assessment. Please contact your student’s counsellor if you have any questions about whether or not they need to write an assessment. As a reminder, these assessments are required for graduation, so it is important that students complete these assessments.
Attached to this message, you will also find changes to the schedule for Bus 8. These changes are effective Monday, November 4th. There are no changes to the morning schedule. Please make sure you look at the schedule and email info.ls@sd68.bc.ca with any questions. An email was also sent from transportation to those families that are impacted.
Finally, we want to remind families of some important upcoming dates. Tuesday, November 5th is our next early dismissal, where students will be dismissed at 2pm. Please note that buses will be leaving at their regular times on this day. The next professional development day is Friday November 8th, when again school will not be in session. Remembrance Day is observed on Monday, November 11th. As school is not in session that day, our Remembrance Day Assembly will be on Thursday, November 7th.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- November 4th – 8th – Self Assessment of Core Competencies
- November 5th – Early dismissal – 2pm
- November 6th – Last day of Term 1
- November 7th – Remembrance Day Assembly at School
- November 8th – Professional Development Day (No School)
- November 11th – Remembrance Day (No School)
- November 20th – PAC meeting
- November 20th – Report cards available on MyEd Portal
PAC Corner:
The 2024-2025 PAC Executive will be:
o DPAC Representative – Angie Haslam
o President – Erin Ewer
o Vice President – Kristi Wright
o Treasurer – Michelle Hiebert
o Secretary – Angela Johnson
The next PAC meeting will be Wednesday November 20th at 6pm in the learning commons. All are welcome!
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Weekly Cafeteria Menu
- Bussing Changes for Route 8
- VIU Engineering Information Night Information
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043

LSS Weekly Communication - October 24, 2024
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
It is hard to believe we are already coming to the end of October and nearing the end of term. We want to extend our sincere appreciation to those families who were able to make it to our Parent-Teacher evening on Wednesday night. If you were unable to make it or connect with teachers that you were hoping to, please feel free to reach out to your student’s teachers by email.
Next week is Provincial Assessment Week. Please note that if your student is currently registered in Math 10 or EFP 10 or 12, they should be writing either the numeracy or literacy assessment. Please contact your student’s counsellor if you have any questions about whether or not they need to write an assessment. As a reminder, these assessments are required for graduation, so it is important that students attend the session that they are registered for.
Thursday of next week is Halloween. We want to send a reminder to all students and families that while students are welcome to wear costumes to school, please be aware that:
- Students may NOT wear masks that cover their faces
- There are no replica or actual weapons allowed as part of costumes
- No costumes may be offensive or reference illegal substances
- Culture is not a costume, please be sensitive of cultural appropriation.
A friendly reminder that any student without a tech/cloud consent response recorded into eConsent has had their access to cloud apps through their learn68 account suspended. These eConsent forms were sent home via email in the first week of school. Students use their learn68 accounts to access educational aps in the ‘cloud’ such as Google Classroom, MS 365/Teams, Canvas and more. In the event that your student lost access to their learn68 account please email info.ls@sd68.bc.ca and we will send you another eConsent form.
Finally, we want to remind families of some important upcoming dates. Tomorrow, October 25th, is a provincial Professional Development Day and school will not be in session. Tuesday, November 5th is our next early dismissal, where students will be dismissed at 2pm. Please note that buses will be leaving at their regular times on this day. The next professional development day is Friday November 8th, when again school will not be in session. Remembrance Day is observed on Monday, November 11th. As school is not in session that day, our Remembrance Day Assembly will be on Thursday, November 7th.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- October 25th – Professional Development Day (No School)
- October 28th – November 1st – Provincial Assessments
- November 4th – 8th – Self Assessment of Core Competencies
- November 5th – Early dismissal – 2pm
- November 6th – Last day of Term 1
- November 7th – Remembrance Day Assembly at School
- November 8th – Professional Development Day (No School)
- November 11th – Remembrance Day (No School)
- November 20th – PAC meeting
PAC Corner:
The 2024-2025 PAC Executive will be:
o DPAC Representative – Angie Haslam
o President – Erin Ewer
o Vice President – Kristi Wright
o Treasurer – Michelle Hiebert
o Secretary – Angela Johnson
The next PAC meeting will be Wednesday November 20th at 6pm in the learning commons. All are welcome!
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- “Pro D Bandits Basketball” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- Weekly Cafeteria Menu
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043
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