News Stories

Over 300 families met at the Mamele’awt Indigenous Education Centre on October 12th to gather as a community and honour Indigenous culture. Family Gatherings are hosted throughout the year by the Indigenous Education Department and serve as an evening for many Indigenous families across the school district to enjoy a meal with a loved one.

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. 

It was a full house at the official inauguration of the newly elected Abbotsford Board of Education on Tuesday night, as seven trustees were sworn in and affirmed for the new term. Three new trustees - Rupi Kanda-Rajwan, Mike Rauch and Jared White - join incumbents Korky Neufeld, Stan Petersen, Preet Rai and Shirley Wilson. The Abbotsford Board of Education will serve from 2022 to 2026.

Halloween is this upcoming Monday, October 31st, and can be a busy time for many families preparing for a night of trick or treating. We want to encourage families to remember to stay safe and respectful while celebrating this fun-filled evening!

October 5th is World Teachers' Day, and the Abbotsford School District is celebrating the 1,500+ innovative educators across the 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.

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. 

Presentations

W.J. Mouat Secondary – "Self-Care Mondays"

A small cohort of W.J. Mouat Secondary students who helped develop Self-Care Mondays shared their experiences at the Mental Health Forum and discussed the process of implementing the new school event.

At the end of September, the schools previously known as Matsqui Elementary and Upper Sumas Elementary hosted renaming ceremonies to officially honour becoming Mathxwí Elementary and Semá:th Elementary. The Abbotsford Board of Education approved the renaming in December of 2021 to reflect the Halq’eméylem language of the Stó:lō First Nations. On both days, the school gyms were filled with guests - including school trustees, district staff, students, and community members.

Today is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We honour and uphold Survivors and intergenerational Survivors of the Indian residential school system, and commemorate those who didn’t return home.

Phyllis's story inspired Orange Shirt Day in 2013, which aims to educate people on residential schools in Canada. The day honours and remembers the experiences and loss of First Nation, Inuit and Métis children who were stolen from their families and placed in these schools. Every September 30th, individuals across Canada wear orange on Orange Shirt Day to visually represent this important day of remembrance.

On September 20, 2022, the Abbotsford Board of Education hosted the official grand opening event of Irene Kelleher Totí:ltawtxw, the newest elementary school in the Abbotsford School District. Over 100 guests - including school trustees, government officials, district staff, students, and various community members - were in attendance to commemorate this exciting day, learn more about the building process and the history of the school's namesake, Irene Kelleher.