LSS Weekly Communication - September 6th
Dear Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
At the end of the first week of a new school year, I am excited to share this first weekly update with our LSS community. There is no energy quite like the first few days of school as students settle into their new classes and get back into the groove of finding some routine.
We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge those who have contributed in starting our first week off in such a good way. Many thanks to all of our teaching and support staff that have created a welcoming environment for our students. A large thank you is also owed to our counsellors who have helped support new students and worked to adjust schedules, so students have the courses they need. We would also like to give a special thank you to our custodians & maintenance crews, as well as everyone else behind the scenes who have spent countless hours getting our school ready for students to return.
Thank to our LSS families for helping our students get back into their school routine. You will have received an email from our Interim Superintendent last Friday outlining the new restrictions for personal digital devices. We wanted to take this opportunity to remind students and families that:
- During instructional time, personal digital devices at LSS are to be turned off or placed on airplane mode. Consideration will be given to:
- use of personal digital devices for appropriate educational purposes
- accessibility and accommodation needs;
- medical and health needs;
- equity to support learning environments.
- If students choose to bring a personal digital device to school, please ensure that before they enter the classroom, they are turned off, placed on airplane mode, and put away for the remainder of the class/instructional time, unless a teacher has directly given permission to use it for educational purposes.
- The school team will work collaboratively with families to ensure students have the support needed to manage their device usage in a healthy and safe manner.
- Students are not permitted to take photos or videos of other students/staff at any time without their explicit consent.
Next week, students in grade 9-12 will be participating in grade assemblies where personal digital devices and other aspects of the code of conduct will be discussed. Attached, you will find a copy of our updated student handbook. This will also be available on our school website beginning next week.
Finally, a reminder to families that all school-based fees can be paid on line directly by clicking here
Each week you will receive a communication that outlines important information from the week and gives a glance to the week ahead for important information. You will also see upcoming events listed below and a weekly communication from our school PAC. Finally, there will often be attachments with important school or community information. As always, if you have questions, Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043.
Thanks again for a great start up and wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Thanks kindly,
Shelley Gvojich & Jake Hardy
Upcoming events:
- September 11th – Grade 9-12 assemblies (Grade 8 happened on first day of school)
- September 13th – Fire Drill
- September 18th – Canadian University Event at Dover
- September 18th @ 6pm – PAC meeting in Learning Commons – Everyone Welcome
- September 19th – VIU Recruitment Visit from 9am-12pm. Interested in attending VIU next year please check it out.
- September 19th – Picture Day
- September 20th – Marc Mero Presentation (more info to come)
- September 30th – National Truth and Reconciliation Day (No School)
PAC Corner.. Your voices matter!
Are you interested in being more involved with the school community? Consider joining the Parents Auxiliary Committee (PAC)!
The School Act gives parents the right, through PACs, to assume an advisory role in every school. PAC is the officially recognized collective voice of parents of their school. It is a forum to discuss matters related to the education of your children. In addition, a PAC, works with the school administration to allocate gaming funds received by the province of British Columbia. Unlike elementary school PAC’s, there is no fundraising involved and meetings typically last no longer than an hour.
The PAC meets on the third Wednesday of most months at 6:00pm in the library. Our first meeting is Wednesday September 18.
All parents are PAC members and are welcome to attend!
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
- “Flexible Options to Meet Your Needs” from FJCC Swim Club
- LSS Student Handbook 2024-2025
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043
LSS Weekly Communication - June 22, 2024
Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
It is hard to believe that this will be the last formal communication of the 2023-24 school year. It has been a great year where students have showcased their gifts, enthusiasm, and engagement with our school community. I also want to share my appreciation with staff, students, and families for their tremendous work in making LSS such an amazing place to work and learn. I was honored to serve my first year as Principal here at LSS and will miss the community as I transition to my new role as the Principal of Barsby Community Secondary School in September. As shared in a previous communication, next year the current Vice-Principal, Shelley Gvojich, will be the Principal, and the Vice Principal will be Jake Hardy.
This week, students in grade 8-11 were given printed schedules for next year and counsellors called down those students requiring changes. Grade 11 students were also required to submit a signed study block sheet if they are eligible for a study block for their grade 12 year. Counsellors will be in the building during the last week of summer break, beginning August 26th, for those still requiring additional changes.
Next week, most students will be transitioning to summer break, and our grade 12 students will be celebrating their accomplishments at our graduation ceremony. On Monday, grade 12 students are invited to a pancake breakfast at 7:45am. Grad caps and gowns are also to be picked up on Monday between 8:30am and 12:30 pm, after which there will be a rehearsal at 1pm and a grad photo at 2:30pm. Graduation starts at 10am on Tuesday, June 25th with doors opening at 9:30am.
Yesterday was National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day to recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people across Canada. Many of our classes had the opportunity to attend an event at Transfer Beach. Hay ce:p ‘qu to the Stz’uminus Nation for organizing such a beautiful event. Nation-wide, National Indigenous Peoples Day is an opportunity to further our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, an ongoing focus of our district and school community. We look forward to continuing this important work next year.
Finally, report cards will be available on the MyEd portal beginning Tuesday July 2nd. Please reach out to the office directly if you are having trouble accessing your student’s report card.
Wishing you all a safe, healthy, and happy summer break. More information will come in the last week of August about the first day of school and start times.
Hay ce:p ‘qu,
Stephen Epp & Shelley Gvojich
Upcoming events:
- June 24th – Student completion day (buses are running)
- June 24th – Grad Breakfast 7:45am & Cap and Gown Pick Up 8:30-1pm
- June 24th – Grad Rehearsal 1pm & Photo at 2:30pm
- June 25th – Graduation 10am doors open at 9:45am and students graduating arrive at 9:30pm
PAC Corner:
Our next PAC meeting will be in September. Now is a great time to start thinking about joining the PAC next year.
Did you know PAC meetings are typically no more than an hour long? They are much different than elementary school meetings, there’s no fundraising or hot lunches involved! There will be several executive positions to fill in the next school year. Please consider attending to have your voice heard!
Please continue to send your Country Grocer receipts into the school, it’s appreciated!
Join your PAC online on Facebook: Ladysmith Secondary School PAC
Attachments:
- “What’s on This Week?” from Kwumut Lelum Child and Family Services.
Questions?
Please contact our main office at info.ls@sd68.bc.ca or 250-245-3043
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