Uy’ skweyul Ladysmith Secondary Students and Families,
As October comes to a close and we shift into November, we have become accustomed to the changing clocks, lighter mornings, and earlier evenings. With darker mornings ahead without the time change this year, this is a timely reminder for all who walk, cycle, or drive to school to take extra care and stay safe on dark roads and walkways.
On the topic of weather, it is also a good time to review our school closure procedures for severe weather conditions. The district recognizes that school closures can create challenges for many families and always makes every effort to keep schools open whenever possible.
Our schools are located across a wide geographic area, and weather conditions can vary significantly from one community to another. While one area may receive very little snowfall, several inches of snow in another area may make it unsafe for buses, staff, and students to travel, requiring school closures.
School district staff begin monitoring road conditions at 2:00 a.m. and consider local safety advisories, including recommendations from the RCMP to avoid travel. A recommendation regarding school closures is provided to the Superintendent of Schools by 5:30 a.m. If a decision is made to close schools, please note the following:
Communications to parents, caregivers, and school district employees will be sent before 6:00 a.m. on the day of the closure.
Parents and caregivers will receive both an email and text notification through the school district’s notification system.
The district website, www.sd68.bc.ca, will also post an alert on the homepage if schools are closed.
It is always the district’s priority to keep schools open and maximize learning opportunities for students.
There will be a meeting for all parents and guardians of students participating in the Quebec Trip on Monday, November 2 at 5:00 p.m. in the Learning Commons. Please contact Ms. Fink if you have any questions about the meeting or the trip.
Athletics
Congratulations to all of our cross-country runners who competed at the Island Zone Cross Country Championships this week!
We would like to extend a special acknowledgement to the students who qualified for the Provincial Cross Country Championships next month: the Senior Boys Team, consisting of Liam Steele, William Cram, Ethan Cooke, Jakob Hirschfelder, Kian Fogarty, and Tamino Wilk, as well as our Senior Girls qualifier, Skyla Lewis.
Good luck at Provincials!
Our volleyball teams are wrapping up their seasons, and the Boys’ Soccer team has just concluded its season as well. Congratulations to all athletes and coaches. Information regarding basketball practices and tryouts will be shared soon.
Important Dates
November 10 – Remembrance Day Assembly at LSS
November 11 – Remembrance Day (No School)
November 13 – Post-Secondary School Visit for Senior Students
November 18 – PAC Meeting (AGM Rescheduled)
November 24 – First Quarter Report Cards Published
Important Message from the PAC
Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for last week had to be rescheduled because we did not reach quorum. The meeting has been moved to Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:00 PM in the library.
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Reaching quorum at our AGM is necessary to secure our gaming grant for next year. These funds go directly into our school community to support student activities and programs.
Thank you for your support,
Erin Ewer
LSS PAC President
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Thanks kindly and hay cep’ qa,
From DPAC
Our parent education sessions are FREE and open to parents, caregivers, and community members. You do not need to be a PAC member to participate!
November 3 – High School & Anxiety: Understanding It, Managing It, Thriving Together- free
Time: 6:30–8:00 PM
Location: 1111 Dufferin Crescent
Presenter: Briar Shaw, Occupational Therapist | CBI Health
Join Briar Shaw for an informative session designed for both parents and high school students to better understand anxiety and its impact on everyday life.
Learn to recognize the difference between normal anxiety and when additional support may be needed. Families are encouraged to attend together and develop tools to navigate anxiety with greater confidence.
Please see the attached flyer for additional details.
November 18 – Executive Functioning & Regulation for the School-Aged Child -free
Time: 6:30–8:00 PM
Location: Forest Park Elementary School
Presenter: Emma Jackson, Occupational Therapist | CBI Health
Join Emma Jackson for an informative session exploring executive functioning, sensory processing, and self-regulation in school-aged children.
Learn how these important skills influence children’s ability to focus, stay organized, manage emotions, and navigate everyday challenges.
Please see the attached flyer for additional details.
November 24 – Supporting Boys in a Complex World: Building Emotional Skills, Healthy Masculinities and Resilience -free
Time: 6:30–8:00 PM
Location: Virtual – via Zoom
Presenter: Brian Dean Williams, Registered Clinical Counsellor
Join Brian Dean Williams for an engaging workshop designed to help parents and caregivers support boys as they navigate today’s complex world.
Learn practical strategies to encourage emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, and healthy self-expression while addressing harmful online messages without shame or judgment.
Please see the attached flyer for additional details.
