Broadcast Students to Stream Chilliwack Christmas Parade

Secondary students at GW Graham will take center stage at Five Corners in downtown Chilliwack this weekend as they record and stream this year’s Chilliwack Christmas Parade. The parade is hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Chilliwack in partnership with the City of Chilliwack.

The school’s Broadcast Production class, made up of students aged 14 to 16, is now in its third year. Students in the program are involved in community events across the city. They gain extensive experience capturing live performances, including elementary school productions and concerts by the Chilliwack Youth Orchestra. 

The class's coverage of the Christmas Parade will add another high-profile event to the program’s growing portfolio, showcasing the skills students continue to develop in live broadcasting and event production. The Chilliwack Christmas Parade is at 5:30pm on Saturday, November 29. 

At the November 2025 Board of Education Meeting, Assistant Superintendent Paula Jordan provided an update on the program. Broadcast Production 10/11/12 was approved as a Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) Course in December 2024. Through theory and practice, students develop analytical skills, gain hands-on experience, and produce live television production for schools and the community. 

Broadcast Production is an example of how Chilliwack School District provides equitable, engaging and high-quality learning environments that nurture the unique strengths, interests and aspirations of every student.

Watch the livestream: View the Parade – Chilliwack Christmas Parade. 
 

Chilliwack Middle School Band Teacher Recognized as Arts Education Champion

Chilliwack Middle School's Jill Solven received The Chillies Award for Art Education Champion earlier this month. The Chillies are Chilliwack based awards that honour individuals and organizations for their artistic contributions.

Jill Solven is a dedicated band teacher and a true champion for Chilliwack Middle School's band program. 

"Her enthusiasm and passion for music shine through in everything she does. Jill makes music fun, and her energy and creativity ignite a genuine love of music for anyone who enters her room. She consistently goes above and beyond, with students often choosing to spend their breaks and lunches in her room because of the supportive and uplifting environment she has created. Congratulations, Jill, and thank you for all you bring to our school community," said Stacey Pickles, Chilliwack Middle School Principal. 

Michael Florizone (GW Graham), Penny Miller (Imagine High), and Shane Monkman (GW Graham) were also recognized with nominations in the individual Arts Education Champion category. 

“Shrek The Musical” (GW Graham) and “A Midsummer Night’s Prom” (Chilliwack Secondary) were nominated for Best Comedy or Musical Performance.  “Lost & Found” (Imagine High), “James and the Giant Peach” (GW Graham), and “The Comedy of Errors” (Sardis Secondary) were nominated for Best Dramatic Performance. 

Keep your child healthy during winter 

Fraser Health is sharing tips on winter health. As the chilly winter season approaches, there are things you can do to help keep your children healthy and well. 

Get ready for winter at home and in the community 

Winter can bring extreme weather and it's important to have plans to be safe during cold weather, storms and power outages, including staying warm, having a carbon monoxide detector and planning for emergencies. Learn about programs that can support your family: 

Get ready for winter: Snow and cold safety for you and your home - Fraser Health Authority  

Indoor air quality - Fraser Health Authority  

Bundle up for the cold 

Dressing appropriately for cold weather keeps your child comfortable and protected. Wearing multiple layers is a great way to trap body heat and provide insulation against the cold.  

Keep a warm hat, gloves, scarves and warm, waterproof boots handy. Remind your child to wear these items before heading outside to play or going to school.  

Learn about hypothermia and frostbite as children can be more susceptible. 

Protect against winter illnesses  

Winter brings an increased risk of colds and flu. Ensure your child receives their annual flu vaccine and talk to a health care provider about any additional vaccines that may be recommended. Teach your child good respiratory etiquette such as regular hand washing, covering their coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick. If they are sick and cannot stay away from others, masks can help to reduce the risk of spreading illness. Learn more about masks here.

Keep their bodies moving 

It is important to keep your child active during winter as regular physical activity is important for good health. Outdoor activities such as skating, sledding and going for walks as a family are all great ways to keep active. On colder days, indoor play and activities such as dancing, yoga or sports are great ways to promote movement. Look for drop-in programs at local community centres or indoor sports facilities.  

If you play on frozen lakes or ponds, be sure that the ice has been tested for strength and safety. Learn more on the Lifesaving Society's website. 

Find more tips for a healthy winter on Fraser Health’s Winter Health page.  

Response to Unexpected Health Emergencies

In July, the Minister of Education and Child Care amended the Support Services for Schools Ministerial Order to address school districts' response to unexpected health emergencies. The amended order requires Boards of Education to establish and publish a policy or procedure for responding to unexpected health emergencies in schools.  

The order also says that school districts must ensure that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and naloxone are accessible at each school in the district. Chilliwack School District has had AEDs available at all schools and sites since 2021. AEDs are placed where they are accessible by students, staff, and community members in case of a health emergency. 

As of September 2025, nasal naloxone is accessible for use by administrators at all elementary schools and by administrators and Occupational First Aid Attendants at all middle and secondary schools. The district has a procedure that outlines how to respond to a potential opioid poisoning. It provides clear guidelines for staff who have been identified and trained to recognize and respond to signs of a student opioid poisoning at school sites and during school-sanctioned events. 

Under the Good Samaritan Act, anyone can provide emergency assistance to an ill, injured, or unconscious person in an emergency situation outside of a hospital setting.

Learn more about AEDs and naloxone in schools: 

Administrative Procedure 440: Opioid Poisoning Response

Administrative Procedure 445: Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) 

November is Radon Action Month

November is Radon Action Month which makes it a great time to share about radon testing in our schools. 

Radon comes from the soil and enters buildings like homes and schools through contact with the ground. Testing is the only way to determine radon levels in a building.

In 2023, the Chilliwack School District began radon testing in our schools. 

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can pose health risks if it builds up indoors. To mitigate these risks, we test for radon during the heating season. The District has tested 66% of our facilities and will test the remaining sites in this year's heating season. This allows us to identify and address any areas with elevated radon levels.

Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3) is a unit of measurement for indoor radon concentration. Health Canada recommends mitigating a building within one year if concentrations are above 600 Bq/m3 and within two years if concentrations are between 200 and 600 Bq/m3.

If a school is found to have results above 200 Bq/m3, our facilities team investigates to determine the source and extent of the elevated levels. Staff then implement mitigation strategies to reduce the radon levels to recommended standards. After mitigation measures are in place, we retest the location to ensure the levels have been adequately reduced. 

You can find radon monitoring reports on our website. 

Your home can be a source of radon, too, so it’s a good idea to test. For further information on radon testing and mitigation, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) website. The BCCDC offers valuable resources and guidance on radon prevention and public health.

Transgender Awareness Week (Nov 13 - 19)

Each year, between November 13 – 19, people and organizations around the country participate in Trans Awareness Week to help increase understanding about transgender people and the issues members of the community face.

Trans Awareness Week takes place the week before Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honours those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

Trans Day of Remembrance 

The Chilliwack School District and partners invite community members to gather to honor the lives of trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary people who have lost their lives to transphobia — and to celebrate strength, love, and resilience. 

Wednesday, November 26 from 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Alumni Hall at 46361 Yale Rd, Chilliwack

The evening will include: 
Indigenous welcome and drumming
Keynote by Jaylene Tyme (Canada's Drag Race)
Short film screenings + Q&A
Community Resource Fair, photos with Jaylene, light refreshments and mingling

This is a free event — all are welcome.
 

November 20 is National Child Day! 
November 20 marks National Child Day. It’s an opportunity for educators, parents and caregivers to teach children about their rights. 

National Child Day is about celebrating children as: 
•    active participants in their own lives and in their communities. 
•    active citizens who can and should meaningfully contribute to decisions that affect their lives. 

Children’s Rights
Children’s rights are written in a document called the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The UNCRC is a human rights treaty created by the United Nations that provides a full list of rights for all children up to the age of 18. Almost every country in the world has signed the Convention. Signing the Convention means these countries promise to protect and promote these rights. Canada signed the convention in 1991.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: An overview for children and teenagers

UN-Convention-on-Rights-Poster in Child-Friendly Language

Basic Principles 
•    Non-discrimination: The rights of all children are to be respected without discrimination of any kind. It does not matter their gender; if they are rich or poor; what their religion, ethnicity, or language is; or whether they have special needs.
•    The best interests of the child: When decisions are made that affect the lives of children, the Convention says that it is very important to think about what is best for the child.
•    The right to life and development: The Convention says that governments should do their best to help children live and grow to be the best they can be.
•    Participation: Children have the right to give their opinions in all matters that affect them and to have their voices heard. Children's views should always be taken seriously, no matter their age.

These basic principles align with the district’s strategic priorities of student success, accountability, human flourishing and Truth and Reconciliation. 

Participation in Committees
In the Chilliwack School District, we create opportunities for student participation. Student representatives sit on committees including Accessibility Advisory Committee, Budget Advisory Committee, and IDEA Committee. In these roles, students share their opinions and advise staff and the Board of Education about decisions that impact their schools. 

Participation in Student Voice and Agency
Middle School Student Voice and Agency, Secondary School Student Voice and Agency, and Indigenous Student Voice and Agency groups include students from middle and secondary schools across the district. These groups meet regularly to lead impactful work for their school communities and to share their opinions with the Board of Education and other leaders in the school district. Last year they championed accessibility and anti-racism. They also worked alongside district staff to provide input into the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. 

For resources and activities that educators, parents, and caregivers can use to help children and youth understand their rights on National Child Day, visit Canada.ca. 
 

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween! 

We're wishing our students, staff, and school communities a safe and Happy Halloween! Keep these useful safety tips in mind before heading out for Halloween. 

Follow the Safety Tips from the RCMP

- Bring a flashlight;

- Walk instead of running;

- Do not cut across lawns or take short-cuts;

- Take masks off when walking from one house to the next;

- Do not go inside houses and do not get into vehicles;

- Only visit houses that are lit;

- Stay away from animals you are not familiar with; and

- Vandalism is not just a 'trick' - it is against the law and has consequences.

Find more safety tips from the RCMP. 

Schools and Sites are Closed from Dusk until Dawn

Security will be monitoring schools and sites throughout the weekend to keep our buildings and staff safe. Fireworks, alcohol, and illegal substances are not permitted on school property at any time. 

Fireworks are Illegal within City Limits

Remember, in accordance with the City of Chilliwack’s Fireworks Regulation Bylaw, the use of consumer fireworks and firecrackers is illegal within the City of Chilliwack. Although consumer fireworks may be available for sale nearby, they cannot be used within City of Chilliwack limits.

Enjoy your night! 

Just B4 Preschool Open Houses

Chilliwack School District invites families to an upcoming open house for the Just B4 Preschool program. Just B4 Preschool is a play-based program for 4-year-olds beginning kindergarten the following year. 

Robertson Elementary, Vedder Elementary, and Watson Elementary will each host an open house on Monday, November 3. Families can drop in from 9:00am to 10:30am to learn more about preschool. 

Just B4 Preschool follows the BC Early Learning Framework. The program supports children’s development through play, exploration, and relationships. Activities foster creativity, curiosity, and foundational skills in a joyful and engaging environment.

Chilliwack School District’s preschools are located within local elementary schools. This helps young learners get to know their schools before kindergarten. Being part of the school community gives them access to shared spaces like the gym and library. 

Just B4 Preschool is an example of how child care in schools makes school transitions easier for students. 

Registration for 2026/2027 Just B4 Preschool will open in January 2026 for children born in 2022. 

UPCOMING OPEN HOUSES

Monday, November 3rd, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am 

Robertson Elementary: 46106 Southlands Dr 

Vedder Elementary: 45850 Promontory Rd

Watson Elementary: 45305 Watson Rd (portable)

District Welcomes New Assistant Secretary Treasurer

Friday, October 3, 2025

The Chilliwack School District is pleased to announce Raman Brar has been appointed to the position of Assistant Secretary Treasurer effective November 3, 2025.  

Brar joins the District from the Fraser Health Authority, where he most recently served as Interim Executive Director. In his time with Fraser Health, Brar oversaw 12 Fraser Health hospitals and related community services, and provided leadership in budgeting, financial planning, reporting, analysis, strategic planning, risk management, and governance.

“With extensive expertise in financial stewardship and a proven track record of effective leadership, Raman has established himself as a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of large public sector organizations,” said Superintendent Rohan Arul-pragasam. “Raman’s collaborative leadership style, ability to break down silos, and commitment to building strong partnerships across diverse teams will be an asset to the Chilliwack School District.”

“I’m eager to bring my experience and perspective to the Chilliwack School District,” said Brar. “I look forward to working closely with the senior leadership team to advance the district’s financial strategies, strengthen operations, and support its ongoing success and reputation.”

Known for his agile approach, Brar emphasizes solutions that are both fiscally responsible and responsive to evolving organizational and community needs. At the heart of his work is a dedication to supporting people—whether it has been health care professionals caring for patients or educators fostering the success of students.

Brar will succeed Mark Friesen, who left the Chilliwack School District to join the Nicola-Similkameen School District as Secretary Treasurer in August.

Chilliwack School District welcomes Raman Brar to this role and extends its fullest support as he embarks on this new journey.