School District No. 35

On behalf of the Langley Board of Education, we want to welcome back returning students, staff, and families to our schools. We are also delighted to open our doors to all of the new members of our community that have made Langley their home. We look forward to connecting, reconnecting, and learning together with all of you.

A new school year always brings excitement, fresh energy, hope and new opportunities.

Our school community is starting off September with many things to celebrate including the completion of several capital projects. We are proud to open Josette Dandurand Elementary on the Willoughby Slope. The school honours the late Josette Dandurand, a respected Kwantlen First Nation elder, cultural presenter, and Indigenous rights advocate.

The school represents her legacy and the District’s ongoing commitment to the journey of Truth and Reconciliation. These new learning spaces also play a key role in easing enrolment pressures across our rapidly growing District, helping us meet the needs of both current and future students.

None of these milestones would be possible without the dedication of our incredible staff.

Thank you to all staff, from our trades and custodial staff to our finance and purchasing staff, for their hard work. It takes a collaborative and collective effort from multiple departments to get these sites up and running. We also extend our gratitude to our staff in the Facilities and Maintenance and IT departments for their work over the summer break to complete many projects including installing new playground equipment, enhancing indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as updating infrastructure in our schools. We know clean, safe, inclusive, and inviting learning spaces will help students feel a sense of belonging and thrive academically.

As we start the school year, the Board renews its commitment to work with District staff to ensure we have systems and structures in place to help meet the goals of the Strategic Plan. We will work with our education leaders, administrators, teachers, and support staff on strategies to meet the needs of all students, while also prioritizing students that may require more support.

Thank you,

Candy Ashdown, Chair

Langley Board of Education