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SD5 Board Notes
The following is a summary of motions carried and items discussed by School District No. 5 (SD5) School Board of Trustees during the January 13 meeting.
Motions Carried
No motions were discussed, or carried at the January, 2026 SD5 public board meeting.
Chairperson’s Report
From the Province:
New Daycare Guidelines, effective April 1, 2026, set minimum 9.5 hours of care before extended-hour fees apply, “Summary:
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- Effective April 1, child care providers participating in the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative must offer at least 9.5 hours of care, per day, before charging for extended hours.
- Ensures families are not charged extra fees for hours that should reasonably be expected to be included in their base fee.
- Creates a level playing field to ensure fairness, consistency for child care providers”
— Ministry of Education and Child Care https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025ECC0051-001248
From the District
Welcome back!
It is our hope that you and your family have had a safe and restful conclusion to 2025. As January 2026 unfolds, much needs to be done to prepare the budget for 2026-27.
The initial step in that six month deliberation is to welcome the new kindergarten students and their families to one of our neighbourhood schools. The formal kindergarten registration starts on February 2.
In the background of this registration, students are moved forward in grade placement in anticipation of September 2026. In some communities of SD5, the future grade 7 students are transferred to the community secondary school. Cranbrook, having two middle schools, students are initially placed in either Laurie or Parkland Middle School. Students currently attending school in Jaffray usually wait until the end of the grade 10 year before considering either Fernie or Cranbrook for Grade 11.
The following discussions, with each school, are focused on the anticipated enrollment and how that ideally would be matched with adequate staffing to address the equitable learning needs of all students across the district.
Work of the Board of Education – Public Meeting January 13
Child Care Updates:
- Steeples Elementary School: Just prior to the break, the board had an opportunity to view the completed child care facility. The district has received formal occupancy and we are pleased that chairs, tables and little ones are in attendance. The next planning stages will include repair to the grounds around that site and holding an official opening later in January.
- Fernie Elementary School: It was reported earlier that SD5 had received funding from the Ministry to include a Child Care facility in the design aspects for the new school. There will be a meeting scheduled shortly to bring the community consultation group back together and discuss the seamless incorporation of this opportunity into future planning.
- Jaffray Elementary Junior Secondary Child Care: The final touches are being added to the child care facility in Jaffray. We look forward to a tour of that facility in the near future.
Framework for Enhancing Student Learning, Learning Together No. 19:
Every month during the regular school year, the district generates a celebration of some of the learning opportunities which have been provided during the month. December has been a very exciting month with seasonal activities in all schools.
This edition, which can be accessed in a full colour version on the SD5 website, includes articles on:
- Early Learning and Child Care,
- Indigenous Education,
- District Numeracy, Nicole Fulton,
- Transformative Learning, Ryan McKenzie and Kim Froehler
- Outdoor Education, Michael Kelly
- Candid Photos from School Events
- Always great – comments from Viveka Johnson, Superintendent of Schools
Additional Items:
Doug McPhee had the opportunity to attend the meeting of the Heritage Fair Committee. It was reported that 14 classes have been registered to take advantage of this learning opportunity. Registration closes at the end January and the event is held at the Royal Alexander Hall in the first week of May.
Upcoming Events:
Jan. 16 Yellow Day
Jan. 24 Motion building Session for Trustees
Jan. 26 Committee Day
Jan. 27 Semester Change
Feb. 2 Kindergarten Registration Opens
Feb. 12 Board Meeting
Feb. 19 First Budget Working Session for the Board
SD5
