News Stories

Lunar New Year is started on February 1st. It marks the Lunar New Year, compared to the Gregorian solar New Year, and is a chance for people to come together to wish for a future filled with prosperity and peace. Streets and homes will be decorated, parades will be held, and presents will be given. The Lunar Zodiac runs on a cycle of 12 years, with each year denoting one of the 12 animals. The 12 animals are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

2022 is the year of the “Water-Tiger.”

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a challenge we must constantly navigate, however, this past week we were able to safely return to in-person instruction for over 19,000 students. As we look forward to the opportunities in the weeks and months ahead, I must again extend a sincere thanks to our staff for getting us through the first part of this school year. What we continue to accomplish in British Columbia, and particularly here in Abbotsford, is truly amazing.

At the end of last week, I shared information around the delayed return to school for students and the implementation of additional health and safety measures. Since that time, more information has become available, and I would like to share an update with you. 

I hope this letter finds you healthy, safe and in the company of loved ones. On Wednesday, Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside and Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry held a joint news announcement regarding the delayed return to school for students for the remainder of the 2021/2022 school year. To allow schools to adapt to the impacts of the Omicron variant that is impacting our province, all K-12 students will return to school on Monday, January 10, 2022.

Join us for our latest version of the Shining Star. This version is in Punjabi shared by our Punjabi 5 class.

https://youtu.be/O1RTQkKKd4Y

Join us for our video newsletter.

https://youtu.be/7uNHnJW0BD8

At an in-camera meeting on November 2nd, the Abbotsford Board of Education deliberated on the implications of a potential proof of vaccine mandate for all K-12 staff. After careful consideration and discussion, and following the K-12 Sector Guidelines for Vaccination Policies document, the Abbotsford Board of Education has decided not to mandate proof of vaccination for staff.

At the October 12th Board Meeting, the Abbotsford Board of Education passed a motion to direct staff to review and report on the implications of a vaccine mandate for all K-12 staff.

"We have been advised that the Ministry of Education has convened an advisory committee with partners in the sector to develop common principles, standards and guidelines," said Dr. Stan Petersen, Chair for the Abbotsford Board of Education. "This committee will support boards of education with their decision-making regarding the potential implementation of vaccine mandates."

The Abbotsford Board of Education regularly meets throughout the school year. Agendas and minutes from the public Board Meetings can be accessed through the District's Electronic School Board. Below is a summary of highlights from the meeting. To do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and for everyone's safety, all public meetings of the Abbotsford Board of Education will be closed to the public and held virtually until further notice. The meetings will also be live-streamed.

Thousands of students and staff across the Abbotsford School District recognized the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation Week. From a virtual assembly to classroom-based group projects, students worked with their teachers and Indigenous Education staff over the course of the last few days to build a better understanding and awareness of truth and reconciliation.