Chief Tomat Elementary Community Connection 

March 6, 2026

Important Upcoming Dates at Chief Tomat - see further down for more details

Please see the CTE website for a calendar of events

• Sun. March 8 - Daylight Savings Time - Spring Forward One Hour

• Wed. March 4 - 13 - Wheelchair Basketball

• Wed. March 4, 11 - Grade 3s go swimming at H2O

• Mon. March  9 - Firetruck comes to visit the K classes

• Tues. March 10 - Lane and Lwowski classes go to the Art Gallery for a Field Trip

• Wed. March 11 - Lane and Madson classes go to the UBCO for a Field Trip

• Thurs. March 12 - Learning Updates come home 

• Fri. March 13 - PAC Hot Dog Day

• Fri. March 13 - SMARTIES Color Spirit Day - come dressed in your favourite colour as we celebrate being CTE Smarties!!

• SPRING BREAK - March 14-19

• Mon. March 30 -  First Day back after Spring Break 

Intramural Schedule (Grades 4 and 5) - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Lego Club:  Tuesdays  & Thursdays

Gaga Ball Schedule:  Monday - Gr. 1 Tuesday - Gr. 5 Wednesday - Gr. 4 Thursday - Gr. 3 Friday - Gr. 2

Playground Schedule: Monday - Gr. 2/3 Tuesday - Gr. K/1 Wednesday - Gr. 2/3     Thursday - Gr. 4/5 Friday - Gr. K/1

STEM bins: almost daily (2 students per class) in the upstairs Cub Hub

Highlights from this Week at CTE...

• Our CTE Wolverine Music Video was filmed on Monday and we are eagerly waiting for the edits and final video.  OUr students were amazing and did such a great job!  I was so proud of them!!  We even managed to get the whole school (over 300 Wolverines!) on the field in the shape of a heart for a picture with a drone!  It's wonderful seeing so many of our staff and students wearing their new CTE Wolverine shirts!!

• Wheelchair Basketball is hit!  We are having so much fun reviewing and learning new skills! Thank you to the PAC for financially supporting this awesome program so that every class can have 4 sessions this year!

• We have some future teachers at CTE!  Students in Ms. Onespot's Grade 1 class often take on the role as teacher.  I think it's the best job and so very important!!!

Student Learning Survey 2025/2026

The Provincial Student Learning Survey is unique in its scope, size and usefulness to schools. It gathers information from parents/guardians/caregivers, teachers, and students on topics related to school environment, safety, and achievement. The information is used for planning in individual schools and provides a district and provincial perspective.

Early in 2026 the Student Learning Survey will be administered to students in grade 4, parents/guardians/caregivers, and all school staff. We encourage parents/guardians/caregivers to participate in this survey, as the results are important in identifying and celebrating current strengths, as well as determining where the school needs to focus improvement. The surveys contain standard questions for the Province – in addition, questions from the school and/or district that focus on local conditions or issues may be included.

The survey can be completed electronically and can be accessed on the Internet at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/student-learning-survey. Any computer or mobile device with an Internet connection can be used, and access to the e-survey is simple and secure. The survey can be accessed through the link and by clicking on Take the Survey. On the login page, click on the Parents icon, and then select the school district and school name where your child attends school. Provincial, District and School Reports for previous years can be viewed at the same site under the Results section.

The e-survey site will be open until May 1, 2026.

Parents Advisory Council (PAC) 

All parents and caregivers are on the PAC and invited to the next PAC meeting on Tuesday, April 14 in the library at 6:30. We hope to see you there!

Parent Advisory Council (PAC) - 

Get Involved with the CTE Community!

PAC is the acronym for the Parents' Advisory Council. Each parent/caregiver at Chief Tomat Elementary is a member of the CTE PAC. The PAC offers a great way for parents/caregivers to be involved with the school, their children, and the student body. The PAC helps the school with a variety of activities, volunteer opportunities and input.

There are a number of ways to connect with the PAC  - including the PAC linktree which has links to current events including fundraisers, volunteer sign up sheets as well as all our social media platforms.  

 https://linktr.ee/chieftomatelementarypac

We encourage everyone to attend monthly meetings to get up to date information on what is happening around the school and give input on how PAC funds are spent. Please check the school website and Weekly Community Connections Newsletters for meeting dates and times.

The Central Okanagan Public Schools’ Financial Hardship Clause

Within Board Policy Regulation 425R – Student Fees (www.sd23.bc.ca), the Board of Education has indicated “that a student will not be excluded from any educational program due to financial hardship”. This clause in the Regulations provides for the private and confidential consideration of financial circumstances of individual students and families, while preserving the dignity of families which may be unable to pay. Please contact the school Principal if you are facing a financial hardship that may restrict the ability of your child to access a school program.

The Central Okanagan Public Schools’ Appeal Process

Policy 460 – Appeals states that “A student or a parent of a student who is entitled to an educational program in the Central Okanagan Public Schools may appeal a decision of an employee of the Board of Education which significantly affects the education, health, or safety of the student”. For a complete description of the Appeals Policy along with the recommended steps to follow in attempting to solve a problem, please refer to Policy 460 – Appeals that can be accessed from the Policies link under the Board of Education heading on the Central Okanagan Public Schools homepage at www.sd23.bc.ca.

Accident Insurance

“Central Okanagan Public Schools does not insure expenses for student injuries that occur on school grounds or during school activities. Parents and guardians can voluntarily purchase private accident insurance. Student Accident Insurance by StudyInsured is a voluntary plan that provides coverage for students and their families against accidental injury, unexpected medical expenses, and critical illness. To apply for the Plan or to find out more, click here”

Sanctuary Schools

The Central Okanagan School District's Sanctuary Schools Policy : Board Policy 421 – Sanctuary Schools upholds the Board's commitment to providing educational opportunities for all students who are ordinarily residents in the Central Okanagan, including those with precarious immigration status or no immigration status. Student registrations that pertain to Policy 421 – Sanctuary Schools will be processed through the Welcome Centre.