April 24, 2026
Dear St'a7mes Families,
Looking Ahead: School-Wide Planting Day
We are very much looking forward to our upcoming Planting Day next Wednesday April 29th. This is a school-wide event in partnership with Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓ (Squamish Nation Rights and Title Department). Together, we will spend the day out on the land along the Cheakamus River, helping to plant and rehabilitate an important natural area.
In preparation, students have been engaging in pre-teaching and learning in their classrooms. This includes cultural teachings such as the legend of Wawountie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJKW-BdgaQE) helping to deepen their understanding of the land and its stories. Classroom teachers have shared, or will be sharing, detailed itineraries for the day.
Experiences like this are truly at the core of our program—connecting learning to place, culture, and community in meaningful ways.
As we will be outdoors for the full day, please ensure your child comes prepared. Weather at this time of year can be unpredictable, so students should be ready for both rain and sun.
Please note that this is a school-wide event, and regular school operations will be paused as we shift our learning to the land. Specific accommodations may be made for students remaining at the school as part of their individual programming. If you have questions about this, please connect directly with your child’s classroom teacher.
Attendance Matters
As we move into the final stretch of the school year, I would like to re-affirm the importance of consistent attendance. Building strong habits now will help carry through the summer and into next year.
There is so much great work happening at the school, and it is always made better when we are all here together. Of course, if your child is sick or needs to be away, please connect directly with the office. Clear communication helps us support students and families more effectively.
Living Our Values
This week, we would like to lift up and honour three students who demonstrated our core values:
Wanáxws - Darwin
Chén̓chenstway - Kayden
Tímit - Henry
Thank you for showing what it means to live these values in our school community.
Take care,
Cory Hartling
Principal
St'a7mes School
RISE YOUTH SUMMIT
Registration is open. RISE is a free one-day summit on April 26th for youth aged 15–22 in Sea to Sky. You can find out more information about the agenda, speakers, workshops and registration by visiting the Rise Youth Summit. Lunch and snacks will be provided; registration is required. Presented by the Squamish Youth Council, RISE is a Summit designed to prepare older teens for life after high school.
Join us for Screenagers - Under the Influence!
Wednesday April 29, 2026 7-9 pm
Don Ross Middle School (and online)
Dive into Screenagers - Under the Influence, brought to you by SD48 DPAC. A panel discussion in person in Squamish or virtually.
To register for the in person event at Don Ross Middle School in Squamish go here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/screenagers-under-the-influence-tickets-1984931205669?aff=oddtdtcreator
Get ready to dive into an eye-opening in person (and/or online) event all about how screens affect our teens. We will have a panel discussion after screening the film. It's a relaxed, informative experience where we explore the digital world and its ups and downs. Whether you're a parent, educator, youth, or just curious, you'll find tons of useful insights and lively chats. The film debunks myths and depicts strategies parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision-making, support teen mental health, set limits, and create healthy home environments. More information can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/screenagers-under-the-influence-tickets-1984931205669?aff=oddtdtcreator
The screening will be live and accessible to our guests during our selected two-week viewing period: April 18 - May 2. This link will only work on these dates. Free access.
Under The Influence: www.thescreenagersproject.com/online-screening/school-district-48
STUDENT LEARNING SURVEY
This spring we will be conducting a Student Learning Survey for students in grades 4, 7, 10, 11 and 12 and Parents. The information we gather from this survey is used to develop our School Improvement Plan and helps us make data driven decisions in the best interest of our students.
Student Learning Survey - gr. 4, 7, 10, 11, 12 (administered in class)
What: The survey covers a range of topics, providing a comprehensive picture of the educational experience in B.C. public schools. Questions were developed with input from partner groups, teachers and experts in educational measurement and inclusive education.
Why: Schools, districts, government ministries and other external organizations such as the Representative for Children and Youth use the survey data for planning, research and advocacy work for youth. Feedback from participants provides valuable insight for addressing current needs and trends. Survey results are used as a part of the School Improvement Plan
Student Learning Survey – Parents
Parents may also provide feedback by accessing the survey at the link below: You do not need a password if you select the direct access section.
DRAFT POLICY
Dear Sea to Sky School District Partner,
On March 11, 2026, the Board of Education approved DRAFT Policy 808 Naming of School and District Facilities in principle during the Policy Committee Meeting. In accordance with Policy 207 Formulation and Evaluation of Policy, all newly approved draft policies undergo a 60-day public review period to gather feedback.
At this time, we are inviting input on DRAFT Policy 808 Naming of School and District Facilities.
You can review the draft policy and submit your feedback through the Policy Input Form, which is available on the Policy Consultation page here. The input period will remain open until June 1, 2026. Your insights are invaluable in shaping district policies, and we encourage you to share your thoughts.
All feedback will be compiled by district staff and presented for review at the first board meeting following the consultation period.
Thank you for your time and participation in this important process.
Kind Regards,
Sea to Sky School District Communications