Welcome Back to Students and Families;
I hope everyone had an opportunity to enjoy some well-deserved time doing the things they love this summer.
As we prepare to welcome everyone back for a new school year in School District No. 59 (Peace River South), I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the work that has been taking place over the summer. As we begin this new school year, you will see the results of some of this work, including improvements, new initiatives, and changes throughout our schools and facilities. These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting student success and strengthening the learning experience for everyone in our district.
The Crescent Park Elementary School expansion is now complete, and staff and students will be heading into their new spaces to start the school year. Also, the before and after school care at Crescent Park will be expanding to add an additional 12 new seats. Funding for the expansion renovation is through the ChildCare BC Operational Start-Up Fund.
You will also notice the beginning stages of our two new builds for full day childcare through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. One Centre is being built at Tremblay Elementary School, and the other is in Tumbler Ridge. In total, 74 new childcare spaces will be available in Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge to provide support for families with young children. An additional 25 spaces for the before and after school care program will also be added at the Tremblay Centre, expanding access to care for local families. This initiative was part of the new spaces grants that we qualified for in 2023; it is wonderful to see these projects beginning.
Canalta Elementary is also opening a before and after school care at their school and the YMCA is taking registrations. Existing space is being renovated under the new ChildCareBC Operational Start Up Fund to add 24 new spaces. In our district, we have partnered with the YMCA to help us deliver before and after school care in all the communities we serve. We are extremely grateful for this partnership and look forward to all the new programming and opportunities in partnership with the YMCA.
In a previous letter I mentioned that a new prefabricated gym is beginning construction in Tumbler Ridge to be ready for use in early 2027. This will be a great space for students and staff to provide physical education classes while the new school is being built.
Staff across the district have been working hard to prepare for the year ahead, with a focus on creating welcoming, safe, and supportive learning environments for all our students.
I remind everyone to slow down in school zones, watch for students at crosswalks and on bikes, stop for our school busses, and take some time to find a great story and read it out loud together in the evening to celebrate literacy!
Christy Fennell, Superintendent
