Suwilaawks Community School

Ama Sah / Good Day,

This year, we will continue to focus on the priorities identified in the Board’s Strategic Plan — Engage, Ignite, Empower — with a strong emphasis on learning, inclusion, and mental health and well-being.

• Engage:  We will deepen connections with students, families, and community partners so every learner feels supported and inspired to succeed.  Regular attendance and strong relationships remain key to student achievement.
• Ignite:  We will inspire curiosity and high expectations in every classroom, with a strong focus on academic growth.  Our teams will continue to strengthen literacy and numeracy, while fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills across all grades.
• Empower:  We will create inclusive environments where students gain the confidence, skills, and opportunities they need to take ownership of their learning and work toward their goals.

Academic excellence, student well-being, and a strong sense of culture go hand in hand.  We are committed to providing high-quality instruction, meaningful learning opportunities, and the supports students need to thrive — while also valuing the diverse cultures, languages, and traditions that enrich our classrooms and communities.  None of this is possible without our dedicated staff and the trust of our families and communities.  Thank you for all you do to make our schools places where students can reach their full potential.

I look forward to visiting schools, listening to your ideas, and celebrating the many achievements ahead. Here’s to a safe, engaging, and successful year of learning — together.

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 by accessing the link provided below for School Principal and School contacts.

Again, welcome to the 2025-26 school year!   We all look forward to seeing you in September.

Sincerely,
Tracey MacMillan
Superintendent of Schools & CEO
Coast Mountains School District 82

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PRE-REGISTRATION & SCHOOL OPENING DAY INFORMATION

Pre-registration for all schools will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 26 and 27 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 2 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, New Hazelton Elementary, Mount Elizabeth Middle/Secondary School, Kildala Elementary and Nechako Elementary Schools who will attend at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2 (first day of school only).  Kitimat City High School students are requested to attend at the time arranged by the school on September 2.
• The alternate bus times for the afternoon of September 2 only for Kitwanga/Hazelton Schools and Kitimat Schools (except Kitimat City High School) are available by accessing the school district’s website at https://www.cmsd.bc.ca/departments/transportation.  On September 2, buses will make return runs and afternoon runs after students have been in attendance for approximately two hours.

Regular school hours and bus runs will begin on Wednesday, September 3.  To view the 2025-26 Bus Schedules effective September 3, please access the following link:

https://www.cmsd.bc.ca/departments/transportation

School and Principal contact information, the District-Wide Bell Schedule and the 2025–26 School Calendar and Backgrounder is available by accessing the following links:

 CMSD82 Schools & Contact Information

CMSD82 Principal, Vice Principal & School Contact Listing 2025-2026

CMSD82 District-Wide Bell Schedule 2025-2026

CMSD82 School Calendar & Backgrounder 2025-2026

Should you require further assistance, please 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.

In preparation for the 2025-2026 school year, please find information and links regarding the School Supply Lists as provided by Coast Mountains School District schools.

• Bear Valley – 2025-26 School Supply Lists (Kindergarten to Grade 12)
• Hazelton Secondary – 2025-26 School Supply List (Grades 8 to 12)
• Kildala Elementary – 2025-26 School Supply List (K to Grade 6, English & French Programs)
• Kitwanga Elementary – 2025-26 School Supply List (Kindergarten to Grade 7)
• Majagaleehl Gali Aks Elementary – 2025-26 School Supply Lists (K to Gr. 7, English, French & Gitxsan Immersion Programs)
• Mount Elizabeth Middle/Secondary – 2025-26 School Supply Lists (Grades 7, 8 & 9-12)
• Nechako Elementary – 2025-26 School Supply Lists (Kindergarten to Grade 6)
• New Hazelton Elementary – 2025-26 School Supply Lists (Kindergarten to Grade 7)
• Parkside Secondary – 2025-26 School Supply List (Grades 9 to 12)
• Skeena Middle – 2025-26 School Supply Lists (Grades 7, 8 & 9)
• Thornhill Elementary – 2025-26 School Supply Lists (Grades 4 to 6)
• Uplands Elementary – 2025-26 School Supply Lists (Kindergarten to Grade 6)

Should you require further information during the summer months, please contact Carole Gagnon, Executive Assistant at the Board of Education Office at 250-638-4401 or via email at carole.gagnon@cmsd.bc.ca.  Alternatively, please contact your school commencing Monday, August 25 for assistance.

We look forward to Coast Mountains’ students return to school on September 2, 2025.

Have a wonderful summer!

Congratulations and recognition is extended to all Coast Mountains’ learners — from our youngest students entering Kindergarten to those moving through Elementary and Middle School — and particularly our graduating Grade 12 students.  

High School graduation is a major milestone and a testament to each student’s dedication, perseverance, and growth.  Graduation is a celebration and recognition of all that learners have accomplished during their school experience, and they should be proud of their efforts.  Graduation Ceremonies is also a special time for those family members, friends and other essential allies who have supported our graduates up to this point in their lives.  Thank you, too, for your care and commitment over the years.  

To all our Graduates: Congratulations!  We are incredibly proud of you.  We wish you all the best as you take your next steps into post-secondary studies, the workforce, or wherever your dreams may lead you.

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!

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.

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.