Latest News & Announcements

Since March 12, 2025 the following have occurred:

• SD59 internal project team met to discuss next steps and delay in receipt of modular costing.   
• SD59 internal project team met with architect to discuss concerns with receipt of modular costing, timelines and delayed reports to the Board of Education, BLT (Building Learning Society) and the Dawson Creek Child Care Task Force.
• Architect provided a refined costing for modulars and updated costing for stick build.

Stick Build or Modular Option Decision

Staff presented a recommendation to proceed with advancing the stick build option, unless otherwise directed by the Board, for the following reasons:

1. Streamlined process with 1 contractor, 1 tender, 1 building permit
2. Schedule
3. Class D Refined Modular will only become more expensive as the costing (Class C, B, A) is more refined thus shrinking the variances of cost of stick build to modular (4.5%-2.1%)
4. Recent challenging experience with Crescent Park Elementary Expansion:  2 tenders, 2 contractors, 3 building permits (third is sprinklers)
5. Increased cost will be requested and assumed funded from Ministry of Education and Child Care
6. Ministry does not have a preference between stick build or modular

A second configuration option is being explored as when the funding applications were made in 2023 and approved in 2024, the Dawson Creek child care request did not include before and after school care in the new structure.  The Tumbler Ridge facility did include before and after school care in the request.

When the request for increased funding goes to the Ministry, the project team would like to present two options: one as the project application was approved (child care) and one modified project (child care and before and after school care) for the Ministry’s consideration. If the Ministry does not approve the increased funding request, an update will be provided to the Board before proceeding with either project.

Please follow Capital Projects for updates and further information on these projects.

The following events have occurred since the March 12th report:

• Fort Modular visited the site.
• Director of Operations and Facilities Manager met with City planners and approvers to discuss the building permit timeline and process.
• Building permit application submitted to the City.
• City confirmed review of the modular portion of the project and expressed no code concerns.
• Fort Modular has the Crescent Park Modular Addition scheduled to start construction in their factory mid-May 2025.
• Force Engineering continues the preparation of the civil, foundation, earth works tender.

To date, $682,445 has been spent of the $9,200,000 budget.

Please follow Capital Projects website page for update information.

The Ministry of Education and Child Care, in partnership with Dr. Hayley Watson, Adolescent Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Open Parachute is hosting three free webinars focused in helping you create a personalized step-by-step plan for implementing substance use prevention skills in your home. Dr. Watson will focus on specific steps you can take to ensure that you are supported as you teach substance use prevention skills to your child/youth.

Key Takeaways:
• Learn the skills that will help prevent your child and youth from using substances
• Navigate the challenges that arise while teaching these skills to your child and youth
• Create a step-by-step plan for implementing substance use prevention strategies
• Increase your ability to effectively support yourself and your child/youth at the same time

Please register in advance by selecting the session which you would like to attend:
• April 29th – 6:00-7:30 pm PST
• May 7th – 6:00-7:30 pm PST
• May 8th – 6:00-7:30 pm PST

All sessions include a Question and Answer period.  

Schools in SD59 are now accepting Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year.

Starting Kindergarten is an exciting time for everyone. We look forward to welcoming you and your child into our learning spaces. All children who will be five years old by December 31, 2025 (children born in 2020) are eligible for the Kindergarten program beginning September 2025.  Please visit the Kindergarten Registration page for more information.

Please call your local school to set up an appointment for Kindergarten registration. If you are unsure about what school to register at please use the catchment area map.

Dawson Creek and Rural Area residents have an option to register in the French Immersion Kindergarten Program at Ecole Frank Ross. Please contact Ecole Frank Ross for more information - 250-782-5206. 

When registering your child, you will need to provide your child's birth certificate, healthcare card, and proof of residency.

Safer Schools Together is offering a 60 minute workshop that covers all things digital, from how to be a good digital citizen, the criminal consequences of cyberbullying, and how to report and receive support in cases of sexting/sextortion.

The workshop is recommended for Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents and youth aged 10 and up as a way to facilitate the conversation of safe and caring use of technology at home and in the community.

Families will learn:

• Digital media habits, oversharing, and digital addiction
• The permanence of online posts/activity
• The significance of your digital tattoo in how others perceive you (e.g., sports teams, college admissions, and potential employers)
• The importance of caring for peers both online and offline
• Geo-locational settings and the dangers of social media and cell phone misuse
• The social and legal consequences of cyberbullying behaviour as well as possession and distribution of intimate images (sexting and sextortion)
• An anonymous student reporting tool that can help you and your friends stay safe both online and offline

Register online at Safer School Together for one of the following workshop dates:

• February 4 or 26
• March 12
• April 8
• May 7

These sessions were designed to support families and caregivers in navigating the digital world.