January 23, 2025

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Dear St'a7mes School Families,

The beauty of our school community lies in the way we wrap around and support one another, and I recently experienced this in the most profound way. After the passing of my mother, I returned to work to find that the students and staff had organized thoughtful gifts and learned a new song and dance to help me with me healing. I shared these gestures with my four brothers, and as a family, we were deeply touched by this incredible outpouring of care. This, to me, is the true power of community and culture, and I feel so fortunate to be a part of it.

Over the past week, I’ve had the opportunity to visit classrooms to talk with students about the power of language and how it shapes our interactions and relationships. One topic that has come up during these visits is the popularity of a game called Gorilla Tag. While the game itself is not necessarily problematic, it does involve online interactions where children may have access to other players, including adults. Unfortunately, these virtual environments can sometimes expose children to inappropriate, vulgar, or even racist language.

I encourage families to have regular conversations with their children about their online presence and experiences. Open dialogue can help children navigate these spaces safely and thoughtfully. For more information about Gorilla Tag, please visit this helpful guide: A Parent’s Guide to Gorilla Tag.

Lastly, a quick reminder that tomorrow is a Professional Development Day, and there will be no school for students. We hope families enjoy this opportunity to connect and recharge.

Thank you for being such a vital part of our St'a7mes community.

Take care,
Cory
Principal, St'a7mes School

News & Announcements

Honouring Indigenous Veterans Day

In honour of Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8, the Sea to Sky School District recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit veterans who have served in uniform. Indigenous peoples in Canada have a long-standing history of military service, with thousands bravely enlisting during major conflicts, from World War I and World War II to present-day peacekeeping missions. Their courage, resilience, and dedication to peace have left a lasting impact on Canada and the world. Today, we express our gratitude to all Indigenous veterans as we acknowledge their invaluable role in shaping our shared history and protecting our freedoms. To learn more, visit the Indigenous Veterans, click here. In honour of Indigenous Veterans Day, all school and district sites will lower the Canadian Flag to half-mast, and the flags will remain at half-mast until Remembrance Day.

Winter Weather Reminder: School Closure Information

As we begin to experience colder weather and winter-like conditions, please check out this friendly reminder about our school district's Inclement Weather and School Closure Policy.

Have a Safe and Fun Halloween Sea to Sky School District!

Sea to Sky Schools wishes everyone a fun and safe Halloween! Families can look forward to a strong community presence on Halloween night, with local safety teams out and about—sharing treats, joining in the fun, and helping to keep everyone safe. We encourage everyone to celebrate responsibly, make safe choices, and remember that fireworks are prohibited. Students are welcome to wear costumes to school, keeping in mind our commitment to inclusivity, safety, and respect for all. Please leave accessories like swords, wands, or brooms at home, and save masks for our parade. For more safety tips, visit Health Canada’s Halloween Safety Guide linked to this post—and for trick-or-treaters, remember to wear something bright or reflective, carry a flashlight, and use face paint instead of masks for better visibility.

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