Keep your children free from respiratory illnesses this winter 

October 2026

As the weather gets colder and more time is spent indoors, we are more likely to get sick with things like colds, flu or COVID-19 because these illnesses spread more easily in enclosed spaces.  

Everyone should take these steps to protect themselves and limit the spread of respiratory illnesses:  

Get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.  

Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available.  

Cough and sneeze into your elbow.  

If you have flu-like symptoms, stay home and away from people at higher risk of serious illness. If you are sick and cannot stay away from others, wear a mask. Learn more about masks here.

Vaccinations for respiratory illness  

Vaccinations prepare our immune system to recognize and respond to viruses. When children get immunized, they are less likely to get sick or pass along illness to others. When children remain healthy, they are better able to focus on learning, playing and doing the activities they love. Their parents and caregivers also have less disruptions in their personal and work routines.

Register your children with the Get Vaccinated system so you can be reminded to get flu or COVID-19 vaccinations when they are due. Seasonal respiratory vaccinations are available from pharmacies, public health units and some primary care providers.  

School-aged immunizations  

Getting your child vaccinated on schedule is one of the best ways to protect their health. To set young people up for long-term health and well-being, vaccines are offered routinely in kindergarten, grade 6 and grade 9 with catch-up opportunities in other grades.  

Protection is long lasting for most vaccines, except for whooping cough. This vaccine is one of the infant immunizations that can wear off and needs to be given again around Kindergarten and Grade 9 to provide protection. All routine school-aged immunizations are free in British Columbia. If your child is not up to date with their vaccines, please make an appointment with a public health unit, family doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacy.  

If your child’s record shows their vaccines are not current, but they did get vaccines from a health care provider outside of public health:  

Contact the health care provider who immunized your child and ask for a copy of the immunization record. 

Provide these immunization records to Public Health online at: http://www.fraserhealth.ca/immunizationform.    

Learn more about school-aged immunizations, including how to access your child’s records, here: Children and youth immunizations – Fraser Health Authority  . 

Chilliwack Family Resource Fair and Dinner

The City of Chilliwack, Chilliwack Dogwood Monarch Lions, Chilliwack Youth Health Centre, Chilliwack Healthier Community and Chilliwack School District are hosting a free resource fair and dinner on Wednesday, October 14th from 4:00 to 6:00pm. 

The event will take place at Chilliwack Secondary School.

Visit resource booths and service providers to learn about supports available in the community for students and families including well-being and mental health, parenting strategies, supporting youth and families impacted by substance use, gender and sexual identity, navigating grief and loss, and food and housing security. 

Enjoy a free meal while you attend. 

See flyer for more information. 

Students dig into summer learning at the Sardis Farm 

October 5, 2026

In July, secondary students planted carrots, harvested squash, and learned about different ways to prepare edible zucchini blossoms at Sardis Secondary School Farm. Educators encouraged them to take the zucchini and blossoms home to make a meal with their families. 

Elementary, middle and secondary students learn how to grow, care for, and harvest food as part of the summer learning program. With practical, hands-on experience, students explore crop planning, pest and weed management, fertilizing, pruning, harvesting, and basic culinary preparation. They get to take produce home on harvest days. 

Community partners from various commodities visit the classes to share their expertise. It is a way of connecting the students to food and the community. The courses blend concepts from Science, Social Studies, and Applied Design, Skills and Technologies in a way that feels natural and engaging. Nearly 150 students were enrolled in the agriculture program this past summer.

“[My daughter] was so excited to go every morning and couldn't wait to tell me about her day when I got home. What [staff] brought to the program this year was the best summer learning experience yet. We are so lucky to have teachers and a program like this in Chilliwack,” said Rachel, a parent of a summer student in the agriculture program. 

The summer agricultural program runs alongside Sardis Secondary’s Sustainable Vegetable Production 10-12, where students work during the fall and spring to prepare for harvest. Having elementary and middle school students at the farm in the summer provides mentorship opportunities for older students. 

Sardis Secondary is well known for its agriculture program. The program provides relevant, hands-on experiences for students that aligns with work in the agriculture sector. The development of the Sardis Secondary School Farm began in 2009. 

Nearly 1,500 students enrolled in the school district’s summer learning program in July. 
 

Sardis Secondary’s New Addition Coincides with School's 70th Anniversary 

October 1, 2026 

As the school approaches its 70th anniversary in October, students and staff are also celebrating the completion of a new addition at Sardis Secondary. Founded in 1956 as Sardis Junior High School, the school has grown and changed over the past 70 years.  

What began as a Grade 7 - 9 school expanded to include Grades 10 - 12, with the first graduating class in 1967. As enrolment increased, new facilities were added, including the current school building that opened in 1995. It has been a Grade 9 - 12 school since 2018.  

An addition to Sardis Secondary was announced in 2023 and the project was completed on schedule in August 2026.  

The two-storey mass timber addition adds space for 400 students, increasing the school's capacity to 1,600. It includes classrooms, multipurpose space, drama and music rooms, and science labs. The project also expanded gymnasium and fitness space within the existing school. A new bus loop with a covered student shelter and additional staff parking was also constructed. The added capacity allowed the district to remove 11 portable classrooms from Sardis Secondary and relocate them to other schools.

“As principal, I have seen firsthand the impact J Wing has had on our school. It has given our staff and students an incredible space to learn, connect, and grow together. More than just classrooms, J Wing has created new opportunities and strengthened the sense of community that makes Sardis Secondary such a special place,” said Sharon Bernard.

"Since 2018, our facilities team has worked with the Ministries of Education and Infrastructure to deliver over 2,800 new student spaces in Chilliwack public schools. These enriched learning environments provide students not only with the classrooms necessary, but also the collaborative and creative learning spaces that enrich the experience of learning in the Chilliwack School District,” said Board Chair David Swankey.  

The team at Sardis Secondary School is hosting a 70th anniversary celebration on Friday, October 16th from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Attendees can tour the school and new wing, view Sardis memorabilia, and enjoy light refreshments as the Falcons community marks this special milestone. Guests are asked to RSVP to SSS70years@sd33.bc.ca.  

Chilliwack School District Stands Against Racism and Hate

September 29, 2026 

The Chilliwack School District stands in solidarity with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Residential School Survivors, their families, and Indigenous communities following the hateful demonstration that occurred near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

There is no place for white supremacy, racism, hate or intimidation in our schools or communities. We share a collective responsibility to confront racism in all its forms and to continue the work of Truth and Reconciliation with courage, respect and humility. This commitment is grounded in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which call upon us to combat prejudice and discrimination while strengthening understanding, empathy and mutual respect.

Guided by Tómiyeqw, our responsibility to care for those who came before us, those here today, and the generations yet to come, we remain committed to creating schools and communities where every person experiences dignity, belonging and a genuine sense of community.

This work belongs to all of us. Together, we must continue creating the conditions for our children and young people to learn, grow and flourish in communities grounded in respect, understanding and care.

Community Invited to 5th Annual Orange Shirt Day Pow wow at Chilliwack Secondary

September 28th, 2026

Everyone is welcome at this weekend’s Orange Shirt Day Pow wow at Chilliwack Secondary School (CSS). The fifth annual event is a partnership between the Chilliwack School District, Indigenous Education department and Chilliwack Secondary School with support from the City of Chilliwack, United Way, Fraser Valley Aboriginal Child & Family Services Society, and Sto:lo Service Agency: Health & Memiyelhtel.  

The Pow wow runs October 2nd and 3rd and recognizes both Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which are observed on September 30th.  

Gary Abbott is the event stage manager and a member of the Point family of Sq'ewqéyl (Skowkale) First Nation. There’s a long history between the Points and Chilliwack Secondary School. Abbott says the first Pow wow held at the school was a Grade 12 project by Lewis Point.

“The Orange Shirt Day Pow wow is a culminating activity for the weekly culture nights that invite all aged students and families to come out and celebrate culture through powwow dancing and singing. Over the years children and families have found a place to come share a meal together and share cultural expression.  Audiences will see all ages dancing many different styles including traditional, fancy, grass, jingle. The event also aims to educate young people in the school district and the public," said Abbott. It’s a way to help get over the hardships we have endured.”

Attendees can expect different kinds of dances including dances where the emcee may invite spectators to participate. There will be some special performances following a feast on Saturday night including performances by Māori dancers and Zumba.

Attendees are invited to wear their orange shirts. A vendor hall will feature 45 tables of arts and crafts such as earrings, t-shirts, and blankets available for purchase.

“There’s a sense of calmness and excitement at a Pow wow,” Abbott said. “Belonging is an important part of it. We welcome everyone to come out and celebrate with us.”

EVENT DETAILS

Chilliwack Secondary School at 46363 Yale Road 

Grand Entry: Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 1:00pm and 7:00pm

Feast: Saturday at 5:00pm 

Find more information on the Orange Shirt Day Pow wow flyer. 

District Message on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

September 30, 2026 

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we pause to remember and honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, the Survivors who carried these experiences with them, their families, and the generations who continue to live with the impacts of these systems.

This day calls us to confront the truths of Canada’s history with open hearts and minds. Residential  schools sought to erase Indigenous cultures, languages, identities, families, and ways of knowing and being. Their legacy did not end when the last school closed. The impacts of colonialism, systemic racism, and intergenerational trauma continue to be experienced within our communities and within our education system today.

Truth must come before reconciliation. This requires each of us to continue learning, listening to Survivors and Indigenous Peoples, examining our own assumptions and biases, and understanding the responsibilities we carry in the places where we live, learn, and work. But remembrance and reflection, while essential, are not enough.

Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, an Anishinaabe scholar from Peguis First Nation, challenges education systems to consider whether Indigenous education has truly become part of who we are or remains something that can be added or removed. As he reminds us, “If Indigenous education can be cut without consequence, it’s not truly integrated.”

Sinclair describes a journey from presence, to practice, to pedagogy, and ultimately to permanence.  Presence matters. Orange Shirt Day, ceremonies, territorial acknowledgements, and opportunities to learn from Elders and Knowledge Keepers create important moments for learning and reflection. Yet the deeper responsibility is to ensure that this learning does not remain confined to a particular day, event, classroom, or individual. It must increasingly become woven into how we teach, how we learn, how we build relationships, and how we understand our responsibilities to one another.

For us in the Chilliwack School District, this means continuing to work alongside local First Nations, Indigenous Rightsholders, families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, students, and community partners. It means creating learning environments where Indigenous students do not have to choose between success in school and who they are, and where their culture, language, identity, knowledge, and ways of being are respected and valued. Sinclair reminds us that responsibility requires more than good intentions. It requires us to ask whether our actions are making a meaningful difference and to remain committed to reflection, learning, and continuous improvement.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation provides an important moment to pause. Our greater responsibility is what happens after September 30.

Reconciliation is ongoing work. It is found in the relationships we build, the decisions we make, what and how we teach, whose voices we listen to, the barriers we remove, and the conditions we create for Indigenous students to experience belonging and flourish.

As we continue this journey together, may we approach this responsibility with humility, courage, kindness, and a willingness to keep learning. Most importantly, may we ensure that truth and reconciliation become not simply something we acknowledge, but something increasingly reflected in who we are and how we live and learn together.

Back to School Health and Virtual Care

Tips for parents for a healthy school year

September 21, 2026

As children head back to school, parents face the familiar challenge of managing busy schedules, school routines and inevitably, health concerns. Help set the stage for a healthy school year with Fraser Health’s Healthy Back to School Guide.

The guide provides information on a variety of ways to keep children healthy during a school year. For instance, fostering healthy routines for sleep, mealtimes and physical activity can greatly support your child’s health and wellness.

Staying healthy during the school year is also about protecting children from illnesses that can spread quickly in classrooms. It is important to make sure children wash their hands properly, and to keep them home if they are feeling unwell.

Another way to protect your child’s health is to ensure their immunizations are up to date. Vaccines help prevent several serious illnesses and infectious diseases, for example, measles. Please check that you (if born in or after 1970) and your children have received at least two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. Find out how to check your immunization records here. 

Vaccines are available at many pharmacy locations, physician offices, and at all public health units. 

If you are new to B.C. or Canada, provide your immunization records to public health at fraserhealth.ca/immunizationform. 

Need fast access to health advice? Call Fraser Health Virtual Care

Our Fraser Health Virtual Care registered nurses and dietitians can provide convenient, fast health advice and information for busy families. With options for phone or web chat consultations, families receive medical advice from nurses with emergency experience. It can save you time and may help you avoid having to visit a clinic or emergency department. Nurses can also connect you with an Urgent and Primary Care Centre, if needed.

How to reach Fraser Health Virtual Care 

1. Dial 1-800-314-0999. For an interpreter, say your language in English.   

2. For web chat, go to fraserhealth.ca/virtualcare and click the blue chat bubble in the right corner to start.

Available 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day, including statutory holidays. After hours, call 8-1-1.

Learn more about Fraser Health Virtual Care, other care options and more at: Fraserhealth.ca/VirtualCare .

DOWNLOADS

Medical Health Officer's letter: Supporting a healthy back to school. 

Fraser Health school vaccination information for families. 

Foundation Skills Assessment for Grades 4 and 7

September 15, 2026 

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers of Students in Grades 4 and 7, 

This fall, students in Grades 4 and 7 across British Columbia will participate in the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA), a provincial assessment focused on literacy and numeracy. Attached is a letter from the Ministry of Education and Child Care that explains the purpose of the assessment, how it is administered, and how results are shared with families. The FSA provides a snapshot of student learning and is one of several sources of information used to support student success. It is not intended to rank students, teachers, schools, or districts.

In the Chilliwack School District, we use a variety of local and provincial assessment measures to better understand student learning and guide improvement efforts. Assessment information helps us identify strengths, respond to student needs, and make informed decisions about instructional practices and supports. Over time, this evidence has helped guide district-wide literacy and numeracy initiatives that have contributed to improved outcomes for many students.

We are proud that our Grade 4 FSA results have consistently performed at or above the provincial average in many areas. Like many districts across the province, we continue to focus on strengthening literacy and numeracy outcomes as students move through the middle years. FSA results help us identify where additional supports and instructional strategies may have the greatest impact for students.

One example of this work is our ongoing FSA With Care strategy, which supports educators in using assessment information thoughtfully and responsibly to improve teaching and learning. We encourage families to support their child by helping them approach the assessment with confidence. No special preparation is needed. Students are simply asked to demonstrate the literacy and numeracy skills they use in their everyday learning.

To learn more about student achievement, literacy and numeracy initiatives, and improvement efforts across the district, please visit our Enhancing Student Learning webpage.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student success.

Sincerely,
Rohan Arul-pragasam
Superintendent of Schools
Chilliwack School District

Download the 2026 FSA information package. 

Sept. 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

September 14, 2026

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is an important part of reconciliation. On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Chilliwack School District recognizes our responsibility to students, staff, families, and communities - past, present, and future. Truth and Reconciliation is a priority in the school district's strategic plan. 

Truth and Reconciliation Week: Sept. 21 to 25

Truth and Reconciliation Week 2026 includes five days of learning for students, educators, and communities to engage with the history and enduring spirit of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Join daily Lunch & Learns, witness “From Roots We Rise: A Youth Gathering”, engage in meaningful dialogues, and participate in a journey toward reconciliation. Learn more by visiting the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website. 

Watch the recorded Lunch and Learn presentations: Lunch and Learns – Truth and Reconciliation Week. 

Fifth Annual Orange Shirt Day Pow Wow

On October 2 and 3, 2026, the Indigenous Education department and Chilliwack Secondary School will host the 5th annual Orange Shirt Day Pow Wow. See flyer for more information. 

Orange Shirt Day

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. 

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. 

Orange Shirt Day was inspired by Phyllis Webstad. Phyllis’s story spread across the country, leading to the creation of Orange Shirt Day. Listen as Phyllis Webstad tells her story. 

More videos: CBC Kids' Orange Shirt Day Playlist. 

Qw'oqw'elith'a Coqualeetza Cultural Education Centre

The Stó:lō territory consists of 24 First Nation bands from Langley to 5 Mile Creek, north of Yale on both sides of the Fraser River. The 24 Stó:lō First Nation bands formed the Coqualeetza Cultural Education Centre to provide cultural education services and support to their members. Visit the website to learn about cultural and language programs and to find teaching resources.  

Learning First Peoples Classroom Resources

The First Nations Education Steering Committee and the First Nations Schools Association, in collaboration with teachers and partners, have developed the following Learning First Peoples series of teacher resources to support English Language Arts, Science Social Studies and Mathematics courses. Visit the First Nations Education Steering Committee website for more information. 

Mental Health Support

Former residential school students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada.

Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310.