Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

As winter break approaches, we want to express our gratitude to students, staff, and families for their hard work and collaboration during these first months of the school year. Thank you for your support in helping meet the needs of our students and for creating positive learning environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging. The District is proud to see our students thrive. Please know that their achievements and successes cannot happen without strong relationships between school staff and families.

The education system is continuing to evolve and adapt to changes to help promote student learning. As part of the District’s shift in communicating student learning to families, more elementary schools have been undertaking Student Inclusive Conferences, which are meetings involving students, teachers, support staff, and families. The District is hearing positive reports from schools about these transitions and how they encourage meaningful conversations which help support students. To those that have been a part of this system change, your involvement and enthusiasm in this process is appreciated. We look forward to bringing all elementary schools on board with this new way of reporting in the new year.

Another upcoming transition for the District is the move to online registration. In the new year, the District will be opening Kindergarten registration to families and will be using an online system via MyEDBC (parent portal). This exciting change will have benefits for both staff and families. Families can expect updated instructions to be communicated in January. For more general information about Kindergarten registration, visit the District webpage here.

As shared last month, the District has created a quarterly newsletter filled with stories, initiatives, and events to celebrate. You can read the Community Spotlight again here. At this time of year, we are seeing many amazing things happen in schools such as charitable and community-oriented activities taken on by students, staff, and school parent advisory councils. The District is proud of our students, staff, and families for their compassion and the many self-less projects being demonstrated in Langley schools. These include food drives, holiday cards for seniors, choir performances, and secondary school capstone projects that build connection and community. You can learn more about the examples of holiday giving around us and be inspired by the generosity of others by reading more on the District website here.

As the calendar year comes to an end, the Minister of Education and Child Care, Rachna Singh is sharing a positive message with the community. Please read her message to families here. The Board of Education is also sending warm greetings to all Langley students, staff, and families. You can read Board Chair Candy Ashdown’s message here. On behalf of the District, we wish you a safe, healthy, and happy holiday and hope that you get time to rest and recharge to be ready for the new year.

Sincerely,

Mal Gill
Superintendent of Schools