Salmon Arm Secondary – Sullivan

To the Parent(s)/Guardian(s)/Caregiver(s) of SD83 Students: 

I want to extend my thanks to you for the patience and understanding you have demonstrated over the first few days of school start up. The accounts being shared from our schools speak to the excitement and hope which exists among the students and staff.  

As a district we are grateful that many of the restrictions imposed during the last school year have been removed. However, the Ministry of Education and the Provincial Health Officer have mandated masking among all Grade 4-12 students due to the prevalence of the Delta variant. The province has also requested that school districts cooperate with their local health regions to accommodate pop up vaccination clinics at some school sites for families and students who are 12 years of age and older.  

I would ask that you carefully read the documents we are sharing on behalf of Interior Health. As an educational organization we believe parents/guardians/caregivers play an important and necessary role in educating their child(ren). As a result, I ask that you take the time to discuss the topic of vaccination with your child(ren).  

We are grateful for you our stakeholders, as you are much needed partners in ensuring our schools remain open for face-to-face instruction.  We have high confidence in our school staffs along with members of the transportation, facilities and custodial team who continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of your children while they are in our care.  

Wishing you and those you love health and wellness. 

Donna L. Kriger,
Superintendent of Schools

Letter from Interior Health

If the links don’t work in the letter please click on the following:

Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K-12 Schools

Interior Health Order

Clinic Dates and Times

To learn more about Mature Minor Consent

SD83’s Communicable Disease Safety Plan is now available. The purpose of this document is to provide School District No. 83 staff, parents, students, and visitors with important information that is required to help prevent communicable disease.

In meeting the Ministry of Education’s overarching principles for the COVID-19 response, School District No. 83 will be following these principles with respect to health and safety:

• All schools and facilities will adhere to the standards, guidelines, and direction from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) and WorkSafeBC.

• In collaboration with education partners, the Ministry may develop additional health and safety requirements for all schools to ensure consistency across the K-12 system. These additions will enhance, not duplicate, PHO and WorkSafeBC requirements.

• Psychological safety measures and trauma-informed practice will be valued and implemented alongside physical health and safety measures.

• Effective communication with all community partners, parents, caregivers, students, unions, and employees is an essential aspect of successfully implementing these guidelines.

Read complete plan here

SD83 staff are eager to welcome our students and their families back for the 2021-22 school year. While much has changed in our province over the past year, SD83 remains committed to ensuring the safety of our students, staff and school communities by providing safe learning and working environments.

“I am personally very excited to join SD83 as Superintendent. I know that as we enter into a new year of learning, our district remains committed to our mission of engaging all students in meaningful and relevant learning experiences that develop their knowledge, skills, attitudes, creativity and the pursuit of personal success,” comments Superintendent of Schools Donna Kriger.

“Though COVID-19 is still posing challenges for all of us, we remain focussed on the possibilities and opportunities that the 2021-22 school year holds. As we have done throughout the pandemic, our schools will continue to adhere to the Provincial Health Officer’s (PHO) guidance. Our plan will be updated and changed based on regional requirements from Interior Health, the Provincial Health Officer and the Ministry of Education.”

Registration for those brand new to SD83 begins today (please also ensure you register your child for the school bus if you live in a bus route area at 250-832-9415). High school students are encouraged to register as soon as possible so that timetabling can be completed. The first day of school is Tuesday, September 7. School will be dismissed three hours earlier than usual on this first day.

Here is a brief summary of our return to school plan. The complete plan will be posted on the SD83 website later this week.

Parents/guardians play an essential role in supporting our schools by keeping their children home when sick. Before leaving home, staff, students and visitors should monitor for any symptoms daily using the B.C. Health Check (the health check and app for your smart phone can be found here).

Summer Office Hours

Monday, August 23 to Friday, September 3

9:00am – 2:00pm

School starts on Tuesday, September 7.

Drop-In School Tours

There will be drop-in school tours on Wednesday, September 1 and Thursday, September 2 at 3:30pm for students and/or families hosted by the Principal, Mr. Rob Cadden and our new Vice Principal, Mr. Noah Ralston.

Masks

Masks are required by all students, staff and visitors when entering our building.

General Information

More information about school start-up will be emailed to families during the week of August 30 – September 3. We expect to return to school as normal this fall. Students will attend full time (everyday), with a 4-block course rotation (ABCD).

Counsellors

Counsellors will be available starting Monday, August 30.

• Tanya Harrington tharring@sd83.bc.ca
• Dave Van Bergeyk dvanberg@sd83.bc.ca