24/25 Welcome Back: A Message from Superintendent Nosek

Dear Abbotsford School District Families,

I hope you had a fantastic summer break and are as excited as we are about the new school year! Our dedicated staff is eagerly looking forward to welcoming you back. If you're new to our District, we extend a heartfelt welcome!

As we begin the 2024-25 school year, please review the important details outlined below and check out our special welcome back message for our amazing students, families, and staff.

Video: 24/25 School Year - Welcome Back!

School Enrollment

A lot can change over the summer! If your family has recently relocated, either to a different area of the city or to a new school district, please notify your current school as soon as possible. This could open up a spot for a student on the waitlist for that school. School staff will contact families of students currently on waitlists to attend their catchment school. Keep in mind that openings can arise at any time during the school year.

Personal Digital Devices

In January 2024, the Province of British Columbia mandated that all school boards update their Codes of Conduct to limit students' use of personal digital devices during school hours. Our District is fully committed to this effort to reduce distractions in the learning environment. We appreciate the continued support of our families, and your school administrators will be sharing the updated guidelines with you at the start of the school year.

Family Affordability Fund

Since 2022, the Ministry of Education and Child Care has been providing direct funding to school boards to assist families who may have difficulty covering school-related expenses. This year, there have been updates to the funding guidelines. The funds can now be used to help with the costs of:

• Essential school supplies that families typically need to purchase (e.g., pens, paper)
• Fees related to educational activities (e.g., field trips)
• Clothing and footwear needed for school sports and other school events.

If your family is facing financial hardship and would like to access this fund or if you need more information, please reach out to your school administrators. 

Access to Safe Zones

Access Zones have been reinstated around K-12 public and independent schools to protect students, staff, and families from disruptive protests. These zones, initially established under the Safe Access to Schools Act in May 2024, are now in effect during school days from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and during extracurricular activities. Police are empowered to arrest or issue tickets to anyone obstructing access, disrupting educational activities, or intimidating individuals within 20 meters of school property. We remain committed to ensuring that schools are safe environments for all students and staff.

School Health Resources

Below is a letter from Fraser Health, featuring important public health resources aimed at supporting the health and well-being of our school communities. This guidance includes information on managing back-to-school anxiety, nutrition, and immunizations, as well as details on dental, hearing, and vision health screenings.

2024/2025 Fraser Health Back to School Letter

Support for Students

We are dedicated to supporting students every step of the way on their K-12 education journey. Open communication between home and school is essential for a successful year, and our teachers and administrators are here to assist students and families in any way they can. I encourage you to stay engaged with your student’s teachers and school leaders throughout the year.

As always, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your trust and cooperation. We are excited to explore new opportunities for learning, growth, and success together, and I’m confident that this will be our best year yet!

Sincerely,

Sean Nosek
Superintendent of Schools/CEO