2025 CMSD District-Wide School Summer Closure

For your information … please note the 2025 CMSD District-Wide School Summer Closure is scheduled from 8:30 a.m., Monday, July 14 through to 12:00 noon, Monday, August 18 to accommodate maintenance activities during that time.

Important Notations:

  • FOB access for teaching staff will be turned off at 8:30 a.m., Monday, July 14 through to 12:00 noon, Monday, August 18.
  • Staff that may require access during the 2025 District-Wide School Summer Closure, should contact their School Principal for assistance.
  • School Principals will continue to have FOB access during the summer closure period.
  • Unless authorized by our Facilities Department, the scheduling of summer extra-curricular events or activities held in school facilities must be coordinated outside of the 2025 District-Wide School Summer Closure period.  User groups will require special permission from the Facilities Department for access during the summer closure period.

Should you have questions, or you require additional information, please contact Rob Schibli, Director of Facility Services at (250) 638-4405 for assistance.

Have a wonderful summer!

Keep Connected with SchoolMessenger: New Communications Tool

As a school district, we are always striving to improve and enhance communications with our parents, caregivers, and families.

We recognize the importance of keeping parents and caregivers connected with their child’s school.  Coast Mountains School District (CMSD) will be using SchoolMessenger, a safe and secure communication platform to send automated phone calls and emails to parents for emergencies and attendance. In the future, it may also be used for school updates, bussing updates, newsletters, and district-wide events.  Your account is free and an easy way to keep connected.

We are excited to be rolling out SMS notifications (text messages) effective May 1, 2025 for all schools across the school district.  This new service will allow your child’s school to send important updates, reminders, and emergency notifications directly to your mobile phone.

An SMS message will be extended by SchoolMessenger inviting parents and caregivers to opt in to receive these notifications.  Alternatively, you can opt in at any time by texting “Y” to 978338 from your mobile phone by accessing the QR Code displayed to the right.  You will receive a confirmation message once your opt-in is successful.  Kindly note that you must opt in from each mobile device you wish to receive messages on.  Your contact information will be kept confidential, and you can opt out of SMS communications at any time.

If your child is registered in a CMSD school, then you are already set up to receive emergency and attendance messages by phone or email.  However, if you would like to receive other messages such as school updates and newsletters, you must sign up to SchoolMessenger and set your notification preferences.  Tell us what news you would like to receive and how you want to be notified.

There is also a free SchoolMessenger App available for both iOS and Android based phones which enables you to receive notifications of school messages.  Download the App, set your notification preferences, and move the App to your phone’s home screen for easy access!

To learn more about SchoolMessenger, how to create your SchoolMessenger Account and more, please visit the school district’s website at https://cmsd.bc.ca/schoolmessenger.

We extend our appreciation to parents and caregivers for your ongoing support in helping us stay connected and ensuring timely information is received regarding their child’s education.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to your School Principal for assistance.

Book Sale with Proceeds to Starfish Pack Program, April 25, 26 & 27

The Rotary Club of Terrace Skeena Valley volunteers are hosting a Book Sale located at 4521 Lakelse Avenue, beside Skeena Valley Meats, with all proceeds to the Starfish Pack Program.

 

The Rotary Club Starfish Book Sale volunteers have the doors open for the continued Book Sale this weekend, on April 25, 26 and 27, at the following times:
– Friday, April 25 – 3pm – 7pm
– Saturday, April 26 – 11am – 4pm
– Sunday, April 17 – 12pm – 4pm

Book sales are by donation (cash or card) and all proceeds will go to the Terrace Starfish Pack Program.   Book donations are also welcome.

CMSD Food Program Monthly Newsletter

 

 

We know nourishing learners at school helps to improve academic outcomes as well as build stronger connections among peers, adults and with the community.  With that in mind, Coast Mountains School District is committed to improving food programming throughout the district.

Our focus is to foster healthy, stigma-free food environments in our schools, making nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack options accessible to every learner in our system.  Our Food Programming team strives to create community partnerships wherever possible, in an effort to create sustainable food solutions throughout the Northwest region.

With recent announcements from the British Columbia government related to food programming, our schools are becoming better positioned to meet the nutritional needs of our learners.

Learn more about our school district’s Food Program through the CMSD Food Program Newsletter, a new monthly newsletter initiated in February 2025.  The monthly newsletter is available on the school district’s website at:

https://www.cmsd.bc.ca/food-programming

If you are interested in finding out how you can get involved, or possibly financially support food programming Coast Mountains School District, please contact Shawna Wilson, District Food Coordinator, by email at shawna.wilson@cmsd.bc.ca.

2025-26 StrongStart & Kindergarten to Grade 12 Registration Now Open

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In preparation for the 2025-2026 school year, the Board of Education is seeking the cooperation of parents/caregivers in registering new students for the StrongStart Early Learning Program, Kindergarten and Grade 1 to 12 for the upcoming school year (2025-2026) in Coast Mountains School District.

It is important that parents/caregivers take note of the specific registration deadlines and procedures.

Please visit the following procedures (access the links below to view or to download) for the specific registration details, deadlines and options on how to register your child for the StrongStart Program and Kindergarten to Grade 12.

2025-2026 New Student Registration & Cross Boundary Application Procedure

2025-2026 Kindergarten Registration Procedure

2025-2026 StrongStart Early Learning Program Registration Procedure

A general overview for the information of parents/caregivers:

  • The StrongStart Program provides parent/caregiver participation play and a learning program for children 0 to 5 years of age.
  • All School District 82 elementary schools offer full day Kindergarten for our youngest learners including the Kindergarten Gitxsanimx Immersion Program offered at Majagaleehl Gali Aks Elementary School.  To register, children must turn five years of age by December 31 in the same calendar year that they begin school.   Registration for Kindergarten takes place from January 15 to February 21, 2025.
  • The Cross Boundary procedure for Kindergarten to Grade 12 is detailed for parents/caregivers interested in an out-of-catchment area school for their child to attend.
  • Students who opt for French Immersion usually enter the program in Kindergarten and continue their French studies through to grade twelve.  In Grade 12, students receive a ‘Double Dogwood’ (a bilingual graduation certificate).  Students may also begin the program in Grade 1.  Please visit the Kindergarten Registration Procedure for details.

For further assistance, parents/caregivers are asked to contact Carole Gagnon, Executive Assistant at the Coast Mountains Board of Education Office at (250) 638-4401 or via email at carole.gagnon@cmsd.bc.ca.

Early Years Fair – October 26 – Join the Fun!

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We invite all families to visit our Halloween EARLY YEARS FAIR!

Drop in anytime between 10am and 2pm on October 26, 2024 at Cassie Hall Elementary School to check out the local resources for families in our community.

Enjoy the many spooktacular activities including crafts, bouncy castles, story walk and face painting.  Refreshments provided.

Welcome Back to School!

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Ama Sah / Good Day,

On behalf of Coast Mountains School District, I’d like to welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year!

The start of a new school year is an exciting time for everyone involved in our education system, but in particular, for our learners. Heading back to school in September allows children and youth to reconnect with friends they may not have seen over the summer, as well as begin to forge relationships with both classmates and caring adults who may be new in their lives. In many cases, these relationships become the cornerstone for authentic and meaningful learning experiences over the course of the school year.

As a school district, Coast Mountains will continue to focus this year on the priorities identified in the Board’s Strategic Plan – Engage, Ignite, Empower. With overarching goals related to learning, organizational wellness and cultural diversity, district-wide actions in 2023-2024 will serve to improve outcomes for students as measured through multiple indicators including graduation rates, provincial assessment results and classroom evidence of learning. To be sure, staff members across the entire district will strive to create learning spaces that are safe, welcoming and inclusive so that all students feel a sense of belonging and experience success. To learn more about our school district’s Strategic Plan, visit our website at https://cmsd.bc.ca/strategic-plan.

Please take a moment to review the rest of this important communication which includes school start-up and bussing information for Hazelton, Kitwanga, Kitimat, Kitamaat Village, Stewart, Terrace, Thornhill and surrounding communities. Should you have any questions or require further clarification, do not hesitate to contact your child’s school.

Again, welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We all look forward to seeing you in September.

Sincerely,
Aaron Callaghan
Superintendent of Schools
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Pre-Registration & Opening Day Information

Pre-registration for all schools will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 29 and 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Students not pre-registered should register on these dates.

District Schools will open on Tuesday, September 5 for all students (except Kindergarten):

  • Kindergarten students are requested to begin attending on the date arranged by the school.
  • Buses will make their morning runs at the usual time and their return runs after students have been in attendance for approximately two hours EXCEPT for students enrolled at Hazelton Secondary, Kitwanga Elementary, Majagaleehl Gali Aks Elementary, Mount Elizabeth Middle/Secondary and New Hazelton Elementary Schools who will attend at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5.
  • The alternate bus times for the afternoon of September 5 only for Kitwanga/Hazelton Schools and Mount Elizabeth Middle/Secondary School as well as the 2023-2024 Bus Schedule/Routes effective September 5 and 6 respectively are available at https://cmsd.bc.ca/bus-routes-and-schedules.

Regular school hours and bus runs will begin on Wednesday, September 6. Access the following links to view the 2023-2024 Return to School Messages and Bus Routes including school contacts:

2023-24 Hazelton-Kitwanga Return to School Message & Bus Schedules

2023-24 Kitimat & Kitamaat Village Return to School Message & Bus Schedules

2023-24 Stewart Return to School Message

2023-24 Terrace-Thornhill Return to School Message & Bus Schedules

Should you have questions or concerns regarding bus routing and scheduling the following steps are suggested:

  1. Contact your child’s/children’s School Principal.
  2. Contact the Operations Manager at Diversified Transportation bus lines at 250-635-7042 or 1-855-538-5287 for out of town.

Attention Landlords .. CMSD82 is Seeking Rental Properties for New Employees in the Communities of Kitimat, Terrace and the Hazeltons

 

In preparation for the upcoming school year, Coast Mountains School District 82 wishes to secure rental properties for new employees in the communities of Kitimat, Terrace and the Hazeltons.

If you have a rental property and you would like to explore the opportunity to rent your property to teaching professionals, School District 82 invites you to contact us at rentals@cmsd.bc.ca.

Alternatively, we provide a link to the following flyer for sharing with family, friends and/or acquaintances for their interest in an opportunity to rent property to teaching professionals:

CMSD82 Flyer – Seeking Rental Properties in Kitimat, Terrace & Hazelton Areas for New Employees

Thank you in advance for your interest and support in sharing this flyer were possible.

 

 

 

CMSD82 Stories of Impact … A New Publication!

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We are pleased to introduce the CMSD82 Stories of Impact, a newly created publication to illustrate the importance of sharing stories of student learning and engagement taking place in our schools and district this school year.  These stories allow us to celebrate the great things happening for learners, but also serve to build public confidence in the work we do with children every day.

Kindly access the following link to view the first issue of this publication which shares stories of impact for Nechako Elementary School, New Hazelton Elementary School and Uplands Elementary School:

CMSD82 Stories of Impact – April 17, 2023

Over the remaining months of the school year, we will share these positive and inspirational school stories that align with the following three goal areas of the school district’s Strategic Plan:

  • Student Learning / Realizing Students’ Full Potential
  • Inclusion / Diversity / Culture
  • Student Well-Being

Should you have questions, please contact Carole Gagnon, Executive Assistant at (250) 638-4401 or via email at carole.gagnon@cmsd.bc.ca for assistance.

 

Student & Family Affordability Fund

 

At the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, the Ministry of Education and Child Care announced a one-time grant to school districts to help make life more affordable for families who are facing financial challenges. Coast Mountains School District received a grant of $510,045 to be used primarily to support healthy food programming and expenses related to school fees and supplies.  Through a consultative process, priorities and allocations have been identified and the grant is being actioned with the support of schools and partners.

In Coast Mountains Schools District, approximately 75% of the fund will be used to support existing food programming both during and outside of the school day.  School food, including breakfast, lunch, snack and pantry programs, will receive support, ensuring all learners have access to healthy, nourishing options every day.  Funds have also been committed for local community partners and First Nations to support feeding learners and their families through other channels.  Additionally, approximately 5% of the grant will be used to support school concerts and cultural events, while the remaining 20% will help offset costs related to school fees and other expenses for children to fully participate in their schooling experience.  Examples of expenses that may be submitted include school based extra-curricular activities, athletics fees, school supplies, or clothing for winter.

School staff members, parents, or caregivers can make a request for financial support of a learner’s fee or expense by completing a Student & Family Affordability Fund form.  The form is available in every school office in Coast Mountains School District and is also available for download at: CMSD82 Student & Family Affordability Fund 2022 (fillable)

Completed forms must be submitted to the child’s school, where they will be received by the Principal.

Any inquiries about the Student & Family Affordability Fund should be directed to the school Principal.