News Stories

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.

At its September 21st meeting last week, the Abbotsford Board of Education approved a motion to name the new school under construction on Eagle Mountain. The Board was unanimous in the decision to approve the name "Irene Kelleher Totí:ltawtxw", with the amendment of incorporating the Halq'eméylem term "Totí:ltawtxw" (house of learning) into the official title.

"As a Board, we're delighted to provide a worthy name for our new school to acknowledge the contributions and educational service of Irene Kelleher," said Dr. Stan Petersen, Chair for the Abbotsford Board of Education.

Today, October 5th, is World Teachers' Day and the Abbotsford School District is celebrating the 1,500+ innovative educators in our district who prepare and inspire our students for a lifetime of success.

Teachers are a cornerstone of quality education systems and play a key role in building inclusive and equitable societies. Today, we celebrate the teachers within our district and commend their dedication, passion and commitment to this profession.

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.

As we begin to enter into September, I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome back to all to what we hope will be a wonderful school year. 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 last year. What we accomplished in British Columbia, and particularly here in Abbotsford, was truly amazing. Our society owes a debt of gratitude to the teachers, support staff, principals and managers who pulled together to care for our students when they needed us most.

On August 3, the B.C. Government formally recognized September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in alignment with legislation passed by the federal government in June.

As part of this formal recognition, the Abbotsford School District will be closed to all students and staff on Thursday, September 30, 2021. District employees usually entitled to federal and provincial statutory holidays will receive this day off.

Submissions are now open for naming the new elementary school on Eagle Mountain. At a spring Public Board meeting, Trustees requested that the Secretary-Treasurer commence the process for naming the future Elementary School located at 2540 Eagle Mountain Drive. Since that time, a Naming Committee has been constructed and a submission process has been established.

Last night, we were made aware of offensive social media posts by an Abbotsford board member in relation to the provincial mask mandate. We emphatically state that this is not reflective of our Board’s position. The Abbotsford Board of Education is fundamentally committed to providing a safe, equitable and inclusive environment for all our students, staff and families. The Board is strongly committed to anti-racism, and opposes hate in any form.

A group of Rick Hansen Secondary students recently launched a video project that sheds light on the impact of inclusivity and equity in their community. The new video production, 'What is Vaisakhi?', is being shared online and may become the groundwork for other schools in the Abbotsford school district to use when trying to explain cultural similarities in their school communities. 

Abbotsford Senior Secondary becoming an ITA designated training centre

River Charlie, a recent graduate of Abbotsford Senior Secondary is back at school this year, but now as an employee, working alongside Chef Scott Roberts in the Professional Cook training program!