Board of Education Approves Public Consultation on Draft Plan to Balance Enrolment 

The Chilliwack School District is exploring options to balance school enrolment and capacity over the next decade. At a public board meeting on Tuesday, January 27th, the Board directed District staff to begin a formal public consultation on a draft plan to address capacity challenges at some Chilliwack public schools. 

Public consultation runs from January 28 – April 10, 2026. Students, families, staff, and community members will have opportunities to provide feedback on the draft proposal before the Board makes any decisions. The draft plan and information on upcoming engagement opportunities is available at: Let's Talk.

“District staff have engaged with school communities over the past year and presented us with a well-informed draft plan. Now it’s important that the Board of Education hears feedback on the proposed solutions,” said Board Chair, David Swankey.

A final decision is expected by June 2026. Any approved recommendations would be implemented in September 2027.

From January 2025 to early January 2026, District staff had 37 meetings with nearly 600 people including school staff, students, parents, and community partners to hear feedback on early ideas. The meetings involved 11 school communities. A What We Heard Report summarizes those conversations.

Between 2016 and 2021, Chilliwack was the second fastest growing municipality in Canada. By 2035, the city’s population is expected to reach 132,000. This growth, combined with limited available land, is putting pressure on Chilliwack schools, especially at the middle and secondary school levels.

In 2023, the provincial government announced that it would build a new elementary school on Chilliwack’s east side, adding space for 500 K-5 students. Construction will be completed in Spring 2027, and the new school will open in September 2027.

Student Teams Find Success at Annual Game Jam

Student teams from Imagine High spent 24 hours over the weekend creating video games during the annual Game Jam. The event was hosted by Imagine High and the Chilliwack Innovation Network. In total, twenty Imagine High students competed in the competition alongside adult participants.    

At the end of the second day, each game was assessed by a panel of industry-experienced judges who looked at game concept, completeness, pitch and demo. 

“The judges remarked on how poised and polished our teams were as they demoed their games live and presented their pitches,” said Imagine High teacher, Matt Slykhuis. “For the first time ever all six student teams were able to successfully complete their games in within the 24-hour time limit.” According to Slykhuis, game jams are notoriously difficult, often leading to a less than 50% success rate for competitors.

The competition included gamers, creative artists, college and university students, and secondary students. Each team was expected to bring knowledge of programming, art, music and sound effects, game design, project management, and business.  

Imagine High is an Integrated Arts and Technology secondary school where students learn by connecting subjects instead of studying them one at a time. Fine arts, media arts, and technology provide tools for students to explore and share their learning. As part of its Video Game Development Program, Imagine High offers courses including Game Development, Art for Video Games, Video Game Business Startup, and Arcadecraft.

According to Creative BC, in 2023 there were over 21,400 jobs in British Columbia’s interactive digital media industry and the industry had a direct output of $1.9 Billion. 

Learn more about courses at Imagine High: Course Planning | Integrated Arts and Technology Secondary School. 
 

Teams from Imagine will Create Video Games in 24 Hours at Game Jam

Teams from Imagine High will create video games in 24 hours this weekend. The Integrated Arts and Technology secondary school is partnering with Chilliwack Innovation Network to host the annual Game Jam. The overnight event kicks off tonight - Friday, January 23rd at 5:00pm. 

Gamers, creative artists, college and university students, and secondary students will spend 24 hours in teams making video games. Together, each team brings knowledge of programming, user interface design, music and sound effects, game design, project management, and business.  

The public is invited to the final presentations and will have the opportunity to play the games on Saturday, January 24th.  The event takes place at Imagine High and admission is free. 

Saturday Schedule

2:30pm Deadline: Game must be set up and playable in the Imagine High lobby

2:30pm to 3:00pm: Games available to be played by judges, other teams, and the public

3:00pm to 4:30pm: Game pitch to judges, audience

4:30pm to 5:00pm: Awards and wrap up

Imagine High is the only team from a secondary school. Last year, the school placed 3rd out of 8 teams. 

Learn more about Game Jam: https://chilliwack.tech/GameJam. 

Board to Consider Formal Consultation on Draft Plan to Balance School Enrolment

The Chilliwack School District is looking at ways to balance school enrolment and capacity. At the public board meeting on Tuesday, January 27th, staff will seek approval from the Board of Education to conduct public consultation on a draft plan to address capacity challenges. If approved, public consultation would run from January 28 – April 10, 2026.

From January 2025 to early January 2026, District staff had 37 meetings with nearly 600 people including school staff, students, parents, and community partners to hear feedback on early ideas. The meetings involved 11 school communities. A What We Heard Report summarizes those conversations.  

“We heard strong support for District programs including French Immersion and Integrated Arts and Technology. We also heard that students and families feel strong connections to their schools and school staff,” said Amy Dhanjal, Communications Manager. “Parents told us how important it is for the district to consider the well-being of students and their families when we consider changes to our schools.”

Between 2016 and 2021, Chilliwack was the second fastest growing municipality in Canada. Between 2035 and 2040, the city’s population is expected to reach 132,000. This growth, combined with limited available land, is putting pressure on Chilliwack schools, especially at the middle and secondary school levels.

At the November public board meeting, Superintendent Rohan Arul-pragasam provided an update on school enrolment and capacity. The data shows that the district is at 103% of functional capacity. While some sites remain below or near capacity, several schools - including Cheam Elementary (217%), Chilliwack Secondary (135%), Chilliwack Middle (122%), A.D. Rundle Middle (125%), and GW Graham Secondary (115%) - are now over capacity.

In 2023, the provincial government announced that it would build a new elementary school on Chilliwack’s east side, adding space for 500 K-5 students. Construction will be completed in Spring 2027, and the new school will open in September 2027.

Find information on pre-engagement: Let's Talk. 

Late French Immersion Information Night

The Chilliwack School District will host a Late French Immersion Parent Information Night on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The virtual meeting starts at 6:30pm. The meeting is open to families of current Grade 5 students who will be transitioning to middle school and are interested in learning about Late French Immersion. 

Late French Immersion is currently introduced in Grade Six at Chilliwack Middle School (North Side) and Vedder Middle School (South Side). Families will hear from school principals and teachers from Cheam Elementary, Chilliwack Middle, and Vedder Middle as well as the District French Immersion team. 

Families will learn about the program and application process and will have an opportunity to ask any questions. 

Late French Immersion is an opportunity for students to learn French as a second language. The program begins in Grade 6, and all core academic instruction is in French.

This program is for non-francophone students and runs from Grade 6-12. Students earn a French Immersion Dual Dogwood upon completion.

Meeting Information

Topic: January 2026 French Immersion Parent Night Zoom Meeting
Time: Jan 28, 2026 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://sd33-ca.zoom.us/j/69235195944 
Meeting ID: 692 3519 5944

Learn more about the French Immersion Program. 

Celebrating Black Excellence Day

Today, over 3000 students in Grades 4-12 from the Chilliwack School District participated in a Black Excellence Day program hosted by Burnaby Schools and the BC Black Educational Leaders Association (BCBELA). 

As a lead up to Black History Month, Black Excellence Day is a day to rejoice Black history and learn about Black stories, Black art and Black people, and a day to stand in solidarity with Black Canadians. 

Black Excellence Day was created by Ninandotoo Society and takes place on January 15th each year, or the preceding Friday if it falls on a weekend or holiday. The date January 15th is in honour of the great civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was born on January 15, 1929.

Black History is Canadian History. British Columbia is a culturally and ethnically diverse province that includes many peoples and communities of the African diaspora, and people of African descent have been a fundamental part of British Columbia since at least 1858. 

The program featured guest speakers and performances, including R&B/gospel artists Khari Wendell McClelland and Janelle Reid, professional actor and performing artist Sam Darkoh, Wayne Fester, who grew up in South Africa during Apartheid, writer and film maker Anthony Brown, journalist Michael Newman, and spoken word artist Jillian Christmas. The program also included student videos and other short guest interviews.

Learn more about Black Excellence Day and Black History

Learning resources: Black Canadian Gr. 6-9 Learning Resource | Focused Education

Royal BC Museum: Hope Meets Action - Learning Portal

Watch a film: Black Communities in Canada - NFB.

Pictured is a screenshot from the recorded program.

Ready, Set, Explore!

Registration is open for children attending Kindergarten in the 2026/2027 school year and the Chilliwack School District is hosting events to help preschoolers and their families get ready for school. Ready, Set, Explore is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your preschooler’s future neighbourhood school.

During this event, families will enjoy a school tour, a snack, and interactive play activities designed for children and their parents. You'll also have the chance to meet school staff and ask questions in a welcoming, play-filled environment. The first event is on Friday, February 4th at Bernard Elementary School. 

Please RSVP to ensure we are prepared for all participants!

Find the Ready, Set, Explore schedule for upcoming open houses. 

Children who will be five years old on or before December 31, 2026, can register for Kindergarten now. 

International Students Shine in School Sports 

A key part of a successful educational experience for international students is getting involved in their school communities. Athletics is a fantastic way for students to build relationships and well-being. International students are outstanding representatives of their home schools as participants in school sports, and this year is no exception.

Whether competing on the field, court, or track, or cheering from the sidelines, international students in Chilliwack bring energy, enthusiasm, and school spirit to every game. Their commitment, sportsmanship, and positive attitudes contribute to team success and to the broader school community.

This year, several international students have made their mark at Sardis Secondary through the football program and the cheer team. They’ve built memories that will last a lifetime thanks to the dedication of their coaches, teammates, and the International Student Program team. 

Similarly, international students at Chilliwack Secondary, Imagine High and G.W. Graham Secondary were active participants in the fall sports season. They participated in volleyball, boys’ soccer, girls’ field hockey, curling, and cross-country. Their involvement strengthened team performance, enhanced school spirit, and fostered lasting friendships.

“We are proud to see our International Students develop athletic skills, embrace teamwork, and fully engage in the school sports experience,” said Paul Bernard, Vice Principal of International Education. “Thank you to the students, coaches, and supporters who make this participation possible. It’s a reminder that being part of a team goes beyond the game, creating connections and memories that will stay with our students long after the season ends.”

Learning Centre Brings Students Back to Campus

Success looks different for each student. That’s why the Chilliwack School District creates opportunities to meet the unique needs and aspirations of our students.

In September, the Chilliwack School District Learning Centre opened its doors. The Centre serves students for whom the district's traditional school environments don't work. Kw'íyeqel Secondary School (KSS) is the district's Alternate Education secondary school. The Learning Centre is its third campus. A teacher team works out of the Learning Centre, and an Education Assistant is available four days a week. Students remain connected to broader KSS team, including a Learning Assistant Teacher, School Counsellor, Indigenous Education Assistant and Youth Care Workers. 

Since September, the Learning Centre has provided over 50 non-attending students (grades 9-12) with a path to graduation. Half of those students now regularly attend the Learning Centre. With the support of staff and community partners, students are reengaging with education. Flexible schedules, self-paced learning, and positive social dynamics meet them where they're at.

Students sometimes face barriers that make attending a typical school difficult. These might be legal or wellness barriers. Some students are balancing work commitments or challenging home circumstances. The Learning Centre provides flexible, low-barrier daily access in a major city corridor.

The District Bridge Team also calls the Learning Centre home. The team supports middle school students who struggle with regular attendance and engagement. They work with families to identify barriers that prevent youth from attending school. The team connects students with support to help them overcome some of these barriers. Working out of the Learning Centre allows for a coordinated, wrap-around approach.

“We are really proud of the work of staff to get the Learning Centre up and running so quickly. It has been a team effort to open the doors this fall and immediately start helping students who otherwise were staying at home. We are seeing the impact already, as students are finding success with regular attendance and course completions.” said Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Kirk Savage.

All District Schools and Sites Open on Monday, December 15, 2025

We recognize that recent flooding and changing road conditions have caused uncertainty for many families in our community. At this time, all schools and sites in the Chilliwack School District will be open on Monday, December 15. 

We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and are actively monitoring road and weather conditions. 

Currently, both westbound and eastbound lanes of Highway 1 are open, and conditions support schools remaining open. Student and staff safety remain our highest priority. 

Families and staff are encouraged to use their best judgment when travelling and to follow all local road advisories. If conditions change, we will communicate as soon as possible. As per our inclement weather guidelines, we will post further communication only in the event of school closures or delayed openings.  

We appreciate the patience, understanding, and care shown by our school communities as we navigate this situation together.