Hello Blewett families!

We are excited to start the 2025-26 school year at Blewett Elementary School!  We’ve already started planning. There is much information to share with all of you.  Please read carefully and help your child get ready for the first day of school!

Where does my child go on the first day, September 2, 2025?

When the bell rings at 8:15am all students will find their teacher from last year on the top field. Staff will be on hand to escort new students to their temporary teacher.  Mr. Konken will help direct traffic. There is wheelchair access on the far side of the playground for accessibility.  All teachers will be on the field in the morning to greet their last year’s classes.  If you’d like, you can escort your child up to the field to drop them off, say a very quick hello to the teacher, and leave your child in our very capable hands.  We would like to keep the traffic to a minimum.  (Kindergarten has its own start-up plan as sent out by Ms. Kalabis and Ms. Nelson).

New students will be assigned to a classroom of their grade level. Mr. Konken will inform you which teacher to look for prior to day one. Teachers on hand will have class lists to direct students to the appropriate area.

Is it half or full days this week?

We are starting with a half day on Tuesday, September 2nd  ending at 11:15am.  Buses will run 3 hours earlier than normal, so they leave school at 11:20 am that day. Wednesday and onward will be full days that end at 2:15 pm.

How do I pay for school fees?                                                                                                          

As approved by our SD8 Board of Education, we will purchase all school supplies this year and charge families $45 per student, payable online at  https://blewett.sd8.bc.ca/pay or you can pay cash or cheque. It is important that we receive fees as soon as possible as these dollars help with the every day function of the school. Contact Mr. Konken if you are having difficulty with this payment and something can be worked out.

What should my child bring?

Students should bring their backpacks, a FULL water bottle, snacks, inside shoes and a note for primary students explaining what the after-school plans are for the child (bus home, mom or dad to pick up, etc).  Blewett provides all the schools supplies with the $45 school supplies fee. See above link to pay or go to the Blewett Elementary School website.

What should my child not bring?

They should not bring any toys, electronics or extra school supplies.

Hoodies/ jackets and Hats

Last school year we had an enormous number of unclaimed hoodies and hats that ended up in our lost and found. We ask that parents write your child’s initials inside these items so we can easily get them returned.

Can my child go on a different bus to a friend’s home after school?

Courtesy riders who are not registered for bus service will be slowly implemented this fall. Students need their electronic name tags to ride the busses in SD8.

What about the water system?

According to IHA, our water is not safe to drink.  We have bottled water ready for staff and students.  Please consider sending your child with a full water bottle to school each day.  Labels on the water bottle (and everything else) would really help us out!

What is the drop off time in the morning if I’m driving my child to school?

For right now we would appreciate that parents drop off their children between 8:00 and 8:15 am. Realizing there are exceptions, we will have supervisors outside by 7:50am. Do not drop off your child expecting adult supervision before this time.

Bus Zones

Please remember to go slow in our parking area and bus zone. Cones are set up along the fence for walking away from busses. Younger primary students should be accompanied by an adult when crossing the bus zone. Please speak to your older children about walking with awareness through this traffic area (no running).  Our school is an “idle free zone”.

What happens at the end of the school day?

Students will be dismissed to the playground.  We are asking parents to be as prompt as possible when picking up their children after school and to be mindful of bus access. The day ends at 2:15 pm. Children should stay on the playground and not on the top field or behind the school at the end of day as we keep track of kids whose parents are late or forgot about pick-up.

What happens if my child gets sick at school?

We will call parents and keep the student safe while parents come to pick them up. Please do not send your child to school if they are sick.

What’s happening with after-school care?

Unfortunately there is no after-school care at Blewett Elementary School

Is hot lunch happening this year?

We hope that our PAC hot lunch program will start up again soon. Stay tuned for more info on hot lunches in the near future!

What class will my child be in this year?

On the afternoon of September 2nd , staff will be finalizing class lists for this school year. We place students in groups where they are most likely to be successful socially, emotionally, and academically. Your child might not be in the classroom they may have hoped for as there are 100 children to consider in our school.  Students will start Tuesday in their last-year’s class. On Wednesday morning, we will welcome each student into their new classroom. We encourage families to allow time for their child to adjust if they are feeling uncomfortable with their new group of classmates. Our goal in September is to have all students get to feeling excited about being at school.

Thanks for your understanding and patience in this process.

Are there any events happening this month?

Tues, Sept 2nd :            First day of school for grades 1-6 (half day only – school ends at 11:15am)

Fri, Sept 5th :               First day of kindergarten (8:15 – 10:00). Kindie parents meet in library for CHEQ survey

                                      after child drop-off.

Mon, Sept 8th:              Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Hammerich’s classes off to Kokanee Park (spawning education program).

Wed Sept 10th:           Ms. Verigin and Ms. Walker’s classes off to Kokanee Park (spawning education program).

Fri, Sept 19th :             School Planning Day. Students do not attend school on this day.

Wed/Thur Sept 24th and 25th       Scholastic Book Fair (in the gym)

Mon, Sept 29th :                    Orange Shirt Day

Tue, Sept 30th :           National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (No School)

See you on Tuesday!

Mr. Konken!  😊