Blog Posts

Most of us understand that time is a precious commodity. There is no going back when a moment, a week, or a year has passed. So how we spend our time ought to be a key consideration. What is more, the demands of life and career are such that it can often feel as if there is not enough time to do the things we want or need to do. Time pressure is real, and I am certainly not immune.

Abbotsford Virtual School (AVS) is a Provincial Online School that serves school-aged and adult students from across the province, catering to those who thrive in a digital learning environment. We offer a flexible curriculum that allows kindergarten through grade 12 students to engage in their studies at their own pace, making it an ideal option for those needing a flexible, non-traditional schooling experience.  We have three main groups of students at AVS: fully enrolled learners, adult learners and cross-enrolled learners.

The "Where Everyone Belongs" (WEB) program serves as a vital source of guidance and assistance for middle school students, especially those navigating the transition from elementary school to middle school. At its core, WEB is a peer-mentoring program that fosters a welcoming environment where every grade 6 student truly feels they belong. This program is not just about a beginning-of-the-year orientation; it's a year-long journey of connection and growth.

Bakerview Centre for Learning, our School District’s Alternate Secondary School, is a tight-knit community of staff and outside agencies. We provide students with an alternative academic educational experience where social, emotional, and physical well-being are seen as critical for success—more on that later.         

This year, we are adding two very important Department Head (Team Leader) positions to our staff: Mathematics 6-8 and English Language Arts (ELA) 6-8. As the District Strategic Plan 24-28 has identified Numeracy and Literacy as goals that will improve student success, adding these two positions aligns staffing and our school budget with these goals.

The School of Business and Science at Rick Hansen Secondary School is an innovative opportunity for advanced education available to ambitious students in grades 11 and 12 who are ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. Launched in 2016, our program blends comprehensive academics with real-world experience, creating a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for success both in higher education and their future careers.

Abbotsford Middle School is home to 120 Indigenous students distributed across 24 divisions. This is the highest caseload of all middle schools in the school district. The students, staff, and administration are committed to prioritizing cultural care and connection each week. Teachers and administrators continue to work to develop their understanding of what action items they can do at our school site to support our Indigenous students. One such action item is called, Protected Cultural Teaching.

Many years ago, as I trained for my first marathon, one of my mentors—a seasoned runner with countless marathons behind him—shared invaluable wisdom about the importance of finishing strong. He emphasized the need to maintain enough energy to cross the finish line with a smile and a strong pace, regardless of how the race began.

I can still recall his words echoing in my mind: “Remember, it’s not about how you start the marathon; it’s about how you finish. Finish strong.”

Integrating Indigenous perspectives, histories, and knowledge systems into our classrooms is a transformative journey that goes beyond curriculum enhancement. By incorporating Indigenous perspectives across all subjects, we not only honour the rich heritage of Indigenous communities but also nurture a more inclusive and interconnected learning environment for all students.

At Colleen and Gordie Howe Middle School, the arrival of spring heralds not just blooming flowers and warmer days but also a cherished tradition that brings the school community closer together: the Spring Play Day of the WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) program. This annual event is more than just fun and games; it is a pivotal part of the school's efforts to foster leadership, inclusivity, and a strong sense of community.