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

2026/2027 Annual Budget Development Survey

The Board of Education follows a budget development process each school year in order to establish the final annual budget for submission to the Ministry of Education and Child Care. This process begins with providing an opportunity for partners to share input toward decision-making through a survey. The survey will be open for input until November 28, 2025. Thank you for your engagement in this important process. Click here to access the survey.

Honouring Remembrance Day in Sea to Sky School District - November 11, 2025

On Remembrance Day, the Sea to Sky School District honours the sacrifices of Canada’s veterans, including Indigenous veterans and all those who continue to serve. In the days leading up to Remembrance Day, students across our schools participated in ceremonies, created artwork, and learned about Canada’s history of service. These activities encourage reflection on the courage, resilience, and dedication of those who defended our freedoms, reminding us of the importance of peace, unity, and respect.

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.

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