Latest News & Announcements

In partnership with Northern Lights College, SD59 will be hosting a Dual Credit information night on programs available to students.  The evening will open with Keynote Denny Morrison, Olympic Gold Medalist who will share his story. Following the Keynote, we are super excited to have a Dual Credit Alumni Panel that will share their experience through their career journey.  

Also available will be information about other career programs available to students including Youth Work in Trades, Youth Explore Trades, and Work Experience. 

Doors will open at 5:30 pm and presentations will begin at 6 pm.  All events will be located in the Trades Centre at Northern Lights College.

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.

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.

Foundry offers free and confidential mental health care, substance use supports, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer support and employment and education services for BC youth aged 12-24. No referrals or assessments required. 

Foundry Virtual BC recognizes the need the provide easily accessible services to youth and families/caregivers by offering virtual service through video, audio, and chat options. 

Download the new Foundry BC app! Learn more at foundrybc.ca/virtual.