Greetings to all our returning students and families, and a warm welcome to all our new students and their families! 

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the Blewett community and give some information on the first day of school (Sept 6th). 

I am thrilled to be joining the team here as the new principal of this amazing school. I was born and raised in the Kootenay Boundary (Grand Forks), and after spending time away from my community, I was excited to have the opportunity to begin my teaching practice back in the area I grew up. I’ve taught for over twenty years from elementary grades up to grade twelve in various roles such as classroom teacher, learning support teacher, as well as running our district alternate program for at-risk youth. I have been a vice principal for six of those years in our district and I’ve loved working with kids and families in a way that promotes learning and social-emotional well-being, while fostering in each student a sense of belonging at school. 

Outside of my passion for education, I enjoy coaching youth baseball, playing music, and taking in the great outdoors on bike, skis, or kayak. I feel honoured to be at Blewett elementary and I’m looking forward to meeting each and every one of you and your kids. 

As I get to know the staff here at Blewett Elementary, I’m realizing how they genuinely care about each other and for your kids.

SEPTEMBER 6th Start-up

With our wonderful Jane Leeming in the office, we are getting ready for another fantastic year at Blewett Elementary!  Staff are slowly preparing their classrooms and I’m happy to say that our custodian, Luke, is back after a short leave from last year. Our teaching staff this year consists of Nikki Leeming, Leanne Kalabis, Lindsay Verigin, Amy Walker, Kimberly Sparks, Sarah Nelson, James Wheeler, and Ryan Hammerich. I will update you on our E.A. staff in my next letter out to families.  

The first day of school, Tuesday September 6, is a half day for all students except this year’s kindergarten students.  (Ms. Leeming and Ms. Kalabis have sent out the gradual entry calendar to all kindie families with interview sign up info- Call the school to sign up!).  Buses will pick up students at their regular times in the morning and will leave Blewett three hours earlier than normal.  We will dismiss at 11:13 am so please plan accordingly for after-school care.

School supplies are provided by the school for a fee of $45.  We have shopped in advance of the start of school and we are hoping that parents will make arrangements to pay this small fee as quickly as possible once we are in session.  If this fee is a hardship for you, please contact Mr. Konken to work out a plan.

Students need water bottles, indoor shoes and backpacks for September 6.  And starting the next day, they will need healthy lunches!  We hope that our PAC hot lunch program will start up again soon once we have the green light from our Health and Safety Coordinator in the district.  Stay tuned for more on hot lunches in the near future!

On the afternoon of September 6, staff will spend a significant amount of time working on 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 that they want as there are 100 children to consider in our school.  Thanks for your understanding and patience in this process.

More information to come.

Sincerely, 

Jordon Konken

Principal - Blewett Elementary School

(250) 352-5314