Karla Buxton is a Champion for Accessibility Finalist

June 1, 2026

After living and working in Asia for nearly two decades, teacher Karla Buxton and her family moved back to Chilliwack about six years ago. 

Buxton lived overseas as a child as well and understands what it’s like to try to learn a new language and experience a new culture. She brings her passion for cross cultural communication to her role as an English Language Learner teacher. 

Buxton feels privileged to work alongside teachers and staff at Rosedale Traditional Community School (RTCS). 

“It’s a really special and unique place to be as a support teacher,” said Buxton. “You’re differentiating for your students. A lot of times the changes you make for some learners are changes that benefit everyone.” 

“Karla’s a strong advocate for English Language Learners, consistently providing teachers with practical tools and strategies to better support students,” said RTCS principal, Brian Fehlauer. “Her guidance helps create more inclusive classrooms where every learner has the opportunity to succeed.” 

Buxton plays a leading role in organizing events for AccessAbility Week, creating opportunities for students and educators to engage in important conversations about inclusion, equity, and understanding. (Buxton worked with the Student Voice and Agency Group on initiatives including the I will wall, where students shared their commitments to accessibility. They also created displays highlighting famous people with disabilities.

"It takes a village for change to happen,” said Buxton. “At our school, I see people working with our students with disabilities to creatively and respectfully meet their needs so they can learn at school. Our resource teachers and EAs, or Educational Angels as I call them, make learning miracles happen for our students every day. We couldn’t do this without them."

Buxton also champions awareness of multiculturalism through engaging and informative displays throughout the school. These displays spark curiosity, promote respect, and foster a sense of belonging among all members of the school community.

"Accessibility is essential. It’s one of our human rights. Everyone deserves a chance to learn and come to school,” said Buxton. 

Buxton and fellow finalists were honoured at the Champion for Accessibility Awards on Thursday, May 28th. 

Minister's, K-12 education partners' statement on Pride 2026

June 1, 2026

Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care; B.C. School Trustees Association; BC School Superintendents Association; BC Association of School Business Officials; BC Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association; BC Teachers’ Federation; CUPE BC; BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils; BC Teachers’ Council; BC Public School Employers’ Association; First Nations Education Steering Committee; First Nations Schools Association; Métis Nation BC and Alliance of BC Modern Treaty Nations have released the following statement in celebration of Pride 2026 and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in B.C.’s education system:

“During Pride Month, we reflect on and celebrate the achievements and resilience of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It is a time to recognize the strength and leadership of 2SLGBTQIA+ students, families, educators and community members who enrich our schools and communities throughout B.C. This month is also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to safe and inclusive schools. Every person in our province has the right to show up authentically and be respected for who they are.

“Pride is also a reminder that progress must be protected. 2SLGBTQIA+ community members still encounter hate and discrimination, which has no place in our province, our communities or our classrooms. Schools play a vital role in shaping how children navigate the world, and from an early age, students should know that schools are spaces where differences are celebrated and where everyone feels like they belong.

“Let’s use this Pride Month to honour those who have built the foundation for change one brick at a time. By standing together, we can foster schools and communities where kindness and inclusivity guide our actions for generations to come. Happy Pride!”

Learn More:

If someone is experiencing discrimination or harassment related to sexual orientation or gender identity, get help here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/erase

Alexandrea Desilets is a Champion for Accessibility Finalist

May 31, 2026

Alexandrea Desilets wants to make sure her students have what they need to be successful – both in secondary school and beyond. It’s important to her to lead by example. 

Desilets is an Education Assistant in the Indigenous Education Department who works at Imagine High. As a person with an invisible disability, Desilets uses an accessibility program in her own learning journey as a post-secondary student. She makes sure the students she works with know the tools that exist for them, too, if they want to pursue post-secondary. 

“I have dyslexia and ADHD. It’s really hard to sit still, understand, and follow the path when all you want to do is jump out of your chair. I’m 44 years old and I never thought I’d be getting my degree right now,” said Desilets. “I don’t want the students I support to wait 22 years to go back to school.” 

Desilets was nominated for the Champion of Accessibility Award by a parent who described how Desilets goes above and beyond. “When students have challenges, she is right beside them coming up with ideas and solutions, and coming into [Individual Education Program] meetings with inclusive ideas ” the parent said.  

Desilets also builds relationships with families, helping them access programs she thinks will benefit their students. She’s often thinking about how she can help families find what they need. 

“Working at Imagine High, I support students from all over with many different needs. This includes financial, emotional support, and family advocacy,” Desilets said. “There’s no one size fits all when it comes to the students we support. We just really have to be there listening and finding the best ways to support them.” 

Desliets is honoured to be nominated, but she also notes that accessibility and inclusion are simply how she approaches everyday life. 

“As someone with my own neurodivergence, I see creating equitable opportunities for others as the baseline standard rather than something exceptional. I strive to do that by listening, learning, leading by example, and advocating for those who may not always be able to advocate for themselves.” 

Desilets and fellow finalists were honoured at the Champion for Accessibility Awards on Thursday, May 28th.  

School Counsellor Cathy Preibisch is the 2026 Champion for Accessibility

May 29, 2026

Cathy Preibisch works with staff, students, and families at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt Elementary Middle School to build inclusion in the school. The school counsellor is dedicated to supporting the whole student. For her, that means supporting families and staff, too.

“I want to be there for anyone who wants to come in my door – whether it’s a parent, student, teacher or other staff member,” said Preibisch. “I just think every person deserves to feel safe and deserves to feel connected and valued in any space.” 

In practice, this includes co-teaching social and emotional learning, promoting well-being strategies for students, staff and families, and visibility in the school and classrooms.  

One initiative Preibisch and partner counsellor, Marie Amos, rolled out at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt is Coffee Hour. It’s a regular drop-in where families learn tools they can use at home including how to build resilience in kids and how to support students with mental health struggles such as anxiety. Through the program families realize they’re not alone. The parent who nominated Preibisch for the Champion for Accessibility Award says Coffee Hour is a huge gift to families. 

Building connection also means giving students opportunities to take on responsibility, build confidence, find peer groups, and practice self or co-regulation. Preibisch introduced Fashion Fridays, the Green Crew, and Brain Break Buddies to help students do that.  

“My passion are invisible disabilities because those are the students who I often have in my office,” said Preibisch. “How do we help students with invisible disabilities feel comfortable in the classroom or comfortable in the school.” 

The Green Crew is a group of students who spread mental health awareness. Students develop a sense of community while they work together to organize activities for special events like Mental Health Week and Pink Shirt Day. 

Fashion Friday keeps clothes out of the landfill and gives students responsibility and a sense of pride. Three or four times a year, students prepare for Fashion Friday. They fold and hang clothes so their peers can ‘shop’. Every student gets a token to use at the store. 

With Brain Break Buddies, middle schoolers who need a movement break check in on the elementary classes to see if any younger students also need a break. After a quick walk around the school, both students are better regulated. 

“In those 10 minutes, the middle school student feels like a rock star because the elementary student looks up to them,” said Preibisch. The students burn some energy and go back to class more focused.

Parents see Preibisch’s impact and are grateful. “I can go on and on about all Cathy has done for our daughter and for us,” said the parent who nominated her. 

“As our school counsellor, Cathy brings empathy, patience, and heart to everything she does,” said principal Jason Kemp. “She plays an important role in creating a caring and supportive environment for everyone in our school.” 

For her dedication to creating belonging and inclusion for students, staff, and families, the Chilliwack School District Accessibility Advisory Committee has selected Cathy Preibisch as the 2026 Champion for Accessibility.

Pictured: School counsellor Cathy Preibisch in her office at Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt. She is smiling and wearing cat eye glasses and a t-shirt that reads 'Mental Health Awareness.' There are motivational posters on her wall, vines hanging in her windows, and dim lighting. 

Deeper Learning Canada 2026 is Coming to Chilliwack This July!

May 25, 2026

Deeper Learning Canada 2026 (DLC26) marks the first time this internationally recognized deeper learning conference will be hosted in Canada, bringing together educators, school leaders, innovators, and district teams from across Canada and beyond for three days of immersive learning, collaboration, and meaningful conversation.

What Makes Deeper Learning Canada 2026 So Special?

The first internationally recognized Deeper Learning conference hosted in Canada

Inspiring speakers and educators from across Canada and beyond

Inspired by the globally recognized High Tech High network

Hosted inside a real learning environment at Imagine High in Chilliwack, BC

Focused on practical implementation, collaboration, and meaningful conversations

Designed to help teams reconnect, reflect, and build momentum for the year ahead

Hosted at Imagine High in Chilliwack from July 2-4, DLC26 explores interdisciplinary learning, student agency, creativity, belonging, and real-world educational experiences.

DATES: Thursday - Saturday, July 2-4 
LOCATION: Imagine High Integrated Arts and Technology Secondary School | Chilliwack, BC

Register by June 15, 2026. 

Register a team of four or more and receive $100 off each regular-priced registration using code TEAMLEARNING@DLC26. [Register Your Team]

The District Celebrates National AccessAbility Week

May 22, 2026

School communities in the Chilliwack School District will celebrate National AccessAbility Week from May 25 to 29, 2026. 

Students and staff will wear red on Wednesday, May 27. Red Shirt Day® is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for disabled people and their families, celebrate the achievements of disabled Canadians, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society. It is an Easter Seals initiative and was first celebrated in 2019. 

The district is also hosting Accessibility Sports Day on May 27th at Sardis Secondary. This event celebrates accessibility, inclusion, and disability awareness through sport and shared school community experiences.

On May 28th, the district will highlight staff and students who identify, prevent, and remove barriers at the Champions for Accessibility evening. The event at Imagine High will include keynote speaker Lexa Bergen, student videos about accessibility, and will include a panel of middle school students. The district will also recognize five staff finalists nominated as Champions for Accessibility. 

After focusing on accessibility in the 2024-2025 school year, students from AD Rundle Middle, Chilliwack Middle, Mt Slesse Middle, Rosedale Traditional Community School, Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt Middle, and Vedder Middle will once again take the lead on planning AccessAbility Week activities in their schools.

Officially, National AccessAbility Week runs from May 31st to June 6th. The school district is celebrating a week early to avoid overlapping with graduations and other year-end events. 

Pictured: School district office staff wear red for Red Shirt Day 2025. 

Iain Gardner Appointed Principal of New Elementary School

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

The Chilliwack School District is pleased to announce that Iain Gardner, current principal at École Cheam Elementary, has been appointed principal of the new east side elementary school.

Mr. Gardner has worked in the district for over 30 years. He was a French Immersion teacher and has been a strong advocate for the Early French Immersion program since it opened at École Cheam Elementary in 2014. Mr. Gardner served as vice principal at Little Mountain Elementary, FG Leary Fine Arts Elementary and Strathcona Elementary. He holds a master's degree in educational leadership from City University, a diploma in education from McGill University, and a bachelor's degree from Concordia University.

“Iain’s deep commitment to students, families, and staff at École Cheam Elementary has been evident throughout his leadership,” said superintendent Rohan Arul-pragasam. “His understanding of the community, combined with his steady and thoughtful approach, will be invaluable as we move through this transition together.”

“I have been very proud to serve as principal at École Cheam Elementary these many years, and I am grateful to help make this transition with staff, students and families,” said Mr. Gardner. “My initial reaction to the idea that we’d be moving was one of sadness. But I am reminded every day, by all the amazing people I interact with, that our school is more than a building or location, it is a community with connections and traditions.”

The K-5 school will open in September 2027 and will welcome a portion of elementary students from École Cheam Elementary, along with elementary students from Rosedale Traditional Community School and the District Early French Immersion program. Mr. Gardner will work closely with district and school teams during the 2026-2027 school year to support transition plans for the new school.
 

Misinformation/Disinformation Learning Session Offered on May 27

May 19, 2026

The Chilliwack School District and BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner are offering an educational session on misinformation on Wednesday, May 27. The session called Misinformation: Can you STOP it? will address misinformation and human rights.

It takes place at the Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC) at Alumni Hall from 12:15 – 1:30pm. Students, staff, community partners and community members are invited to attend. 

“Building media literacy and critical thinking skills helps students and staff recognize manipulation, ask thoughtful questions, and navigate online information in ways that support safety, inclusion, and respectful school communities,” said Christina Billingham, District IDEA coordinator.

This learning opportunity is connected to a recent awareness campaign on misinformation. The campaign raises awareness about the impacts of mis- and disinformation on society and what folks can do to address it. According to the campaign, when left unchecked, misinformation can fuel discrimination and hate crimes. 

Find more information about the campaign. 

Find the event poster and register for this session.   

Hundreds of GW Graham Students to Volunteer for ‘Take Action Day’ on May 20th
Thursday, May 14, 2026

For nearly two decades, students at G.W. Graham Secondary (GWG) in Chilliwack have dedicated a day each year to volunteering. Take Action Day was created by school staff in 2007, shortly after GWG opened, to build community and instill a service mindset in students. That legacy continues May 20th.

Over 1000 students are expected to volunteer at schools and across the community. They’ll support animal welfare, community appreciation, and environmental cleanup, work with senior citizens, and mentor over 600 elementary and middle school students.

One beneficiary that day is Chilliwack Hospital. Students will run a carwash and bottle drive to raise money for a bladder scanner for the hospital.

“Every GWG student is encouraged to sign up that day,” said Jenny Cho, a teacher at GWG who is helping to plan the event. “Half of our students will go off campus to volunteer. In the spirit of volunteering, no marks are assigned to the day.”

Theadora Hart is a grade 11 student who is excited for her third year of Take Action Day. “I think it’s a really cool opportunity to come together as a school and give back to our community,” said Hart. “This year, I chose to do math breakout boxes with grade 3s from our feeder schools. I enjoy seeing how interested the kids are in learning new things and hopefully get them excited to come to high school.”

“This year, I’ll be teaching drama games to grade 5 students,” said grade 11 student Avery McLeod. “Drama games are a great way to build confidence and boost self-esteem for anyone, but I think it’ll be particularly beneficial to these kids as they transition into middle school.”

Pictured: In 2025, student volunteers learned printmaking alongside seniors. 

School Board Approves Recommendations Following Consultation Process
May 13, 2026

Following 73 days of public consultation, the Chilliwack School Board met Tuesday, May 12, 2026 to consider recommendations for balancing enrolment and capacity at Chilliwack schools. The Board has approved eight recommendations. Changes are effective September 2027.  

The District north side Early and Late French Immersion programs will move from Chilliwack Middle School to Rosedale Traditional Community School (RTCS) for the 2027-28 school year. RTCS will transition from a K-8 school to a middle school that year.

Rosedale catchment K-5 students will attend the new east side elementary school when it opens in September 2027.

The Board approved changes to the Cheam Elementary catchment. The catchment will be split between Little Mountain Elementary, Strathcona Elementary and the new east side elementary school. The use of the Cheam Elementary facility will be explored in the coming year, and a decision will be made prior to the 2027-28 school year.

The Board approved the relocation of the Early French Immersion program from Cheam Elementary to the new east side elementary school.

Imagine High Integrated Arts and Technology will become a grade 6-12 school. AD Rundle Middle (ADR) will no longer offer the IAT program beginning in September 2027.

The Board directed the superintendent to review the catchments for Watson Elementary School, Unsworth Elementary School, Tyson Elementary School, and Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt. Staff will present any recommended catchment changes to the Board by spring 2027 to align with implementation of other recommendations in 2027-2028. 
    
The Board voted to leave Late French Immersion at Vedder Middle School (VMS) at this time. Originally, District staff proposed relocating the program to Mt. Slesse Middle School (MSMS) to address capacity pressure at VMS. However, significant community opposition influenced staff to revise the recommendation.

There are no changes to the pathway for students in the Greendale and Yarrow catchments. Those students will continue to attend Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt for middle school and then transition to Sardis Secondary School in grade 9.

Next, district and school staff will work with partner groups, families and students to plan for upcoming transitions.