News Stories

Dear Swift Families,

It certainly seems like 2021 is trying to “go out with a bang”! We continue to be challenged in so many ways. We hope that this continues to find all of our families safe, dry and healthy. The upcoming Winter Break will certainly be a welcomed time to rest, relax, and hopefully enjoy (safe!) celebrations! But before that, we will tackle December. It is always a busy – and festive month at school! Thank you for your continued support as we close out 2021.

Report Cards – December 10th

Congratulations to our November Star Students! Their pictures went onto our Star Wall yesterday and will be there until January. Our October Star Students will be celebrating with Ms. Kenney on December 7th.

Overnight, it seems, Dr. Thomas A Swift Elementary has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland with lights and snowflakes, reindeer and snowmen! A big thanks to the PAC for bringing Christmas cheer and joy to our staff and students.

At an in-camera meeting on November 2nd, the Abbotsford Board of Education deliberated on the implications of a potential proof of vaccine mandate for all K-12 staff. After careful consideration and discussion, and following the K-12 Sector Guidelines for Vaccination Policies document, the Abbotsford Board of Education has decided not to mandate proof of vaccination for staff.

Congratulations to our October Star Students! The October Star Students will have their Celebration Day on Tuesday, December 7th.

At the October 12th Board Meeting, the Abbotsford Board of Education passed a motion to direct staff to review and report on the implications of a vaccine mandate for all K-12 staff.

"We have been advised that the Ministry of Education has convened an advisory committee with partners in the sector to develop common principles, standards and guidelines," said Dr. Stan Petersen, Chair for the Abbotsford Board of Education. "This committee will support boards of education with their decision-making regarding the potential implementation of vaccine mandates."

The Abbotsford Board of Education regularly meets throughout the school year. Agendas and minutes from the public Board Meetings can be accessed through the District's Electronic School Board. Below is a summary of highlights from the meeting. To do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and for everyone's safety, all public meetings of the Abbotsford Board of Education will be closed to the public and held virtually until further notice. The meetings will also be live-streamed.

Congratulations to our September Star Students! At the end of every month teachers select a number of students to receive this honour. The Certificates hang on our Star Student Board for the following month.   At a Celebration on the First Tuesday of the month following their recognition, they are given a "High-5" pencil and topper and get to take their certificate home.

Thousands of students and staff across the Abbotsford School District recognized the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation Week. From a virtual assembly to classroom-based group projects, students worked with their teachers and Indigenous Education staff over the course of the last few days to build a better understanding and awareness of truth and reconciliation.

As we begin to enter into September, I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome back to all to what we hope will be a wonderful school year. As we look forward to the opportunities in the weeks and months ahead, I must again extend a sincere thanks to our staff for getting us through last year. What we accomplished in British Columbia, and particularly here in Abbotsford, was truly amazing. Our society owes a debt of gratitude to the teachers, support staff, principals and managers who pulled together to care for our students when they needed us most.