Coyote Connections
École George Elliot Secondary School
September 4, 2026
View our school calendar at https://ges.sd23.bc.ca/calendar-main
Embedded Files
This week at GESS: September 7 - 11
This week at GESS: September 7 - 11
Sept 7 - Monday/lundi
Sept 7 - Monday/lundi
Labour Day (Schools Closed)
Sept 8 - Tuesday/mardi
Sept 8 - Tuesday/mardi
First Day of School!
WELCOME BACK - 9:15 am Homeroom (lists posted in foyer at 8:30)
Mini Block Rotations – Early dismissal & bus pick-up at 12:05 pm (see below for the schedule of the day)
Sept 9 - Wed/mercredi (A/B)
Sept 9 - Wed/mercredi (A/B)
Homeroom (A Block) – 15 minutes (attendance & form collections)
Regular day of classes: 9:15 am – 3:30 pm New Start & End Time!
Gr. 9 Assemblies During Math
Sept 10 - Thursday/jeudi (C/D)
Sept 10 - Thursday/jeudi (C/D)
Homeroom (A Block) – 15 minutes (attendance & form collections)
C Block - begins at 9:30 am
Gr. 9 Assemblies During Math
Sept 11 - Friday/vendredi (A/B)
Sept 11 - Friday/vendredi (A/B)
Homeroom (A Block) – 15 minutes (attendance & form collections)
Grade 12 Assembly – 9:35 am (theatre)
Grad Presidential Candidate’s Meeting – Lunch in Rm 301
Coming Soon!/à venir
Coming Soon!/à venir
Sep 14 - Metal Monday! On the first Monday of each month, wear your favourite band/concert shirt!
Sep 15 - Gr. 9 Parent Info Night – 6-7pm (theatre) and Gr. 12 Parent Info Night – 7:15-8pm (theatre)
Sep 16 - Drama Auditions at 3:30 pm
Sep 16 - Mandatory Gr. 12 Parent Zoom – 7 pm (Grad Retreat Information) Follow this Microsoft Teams Meeting Link
Sep 18 - SCHOOL PICTURE DAY (Retake Day - Oct. 20 - am)
Sep 18 - Last day for course changes for Sem. 1
First Week Schedules
First Week Schedules
GESS Student & Family Start Up Guide
GESS Student & Family Start Up Guide
The George Elliot Student & Family Start Up Guide was sent to families on Monday,
August 28th. If you missed it, you can download it by clicking the link below.
Wear Orange on Sep 29 – Orange Shirt Day
Wear Orange on Sep 29 – Orange Shirt Day
On Tuesday, Sep 29, we invite all students, staff, and families to wear orange in recognition of Orange Shirt Day. This day honors the experiences of Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools. Wearing orange is a simple but powerful way to show support, raise awareness, and stand together for truth and reconciliation. Let’s fill our school with orange and with kindness.
As we begin the new school year, we continue to support BC''s restrictions on personal digital devices during instructional time. These expectations are designed to help students stay focused on learning, engage more actively in classroom discussions, and reduce distractions that can interfere with academic success.
Research and experience in schools have shown that limiting cell phone use during class supports better concentration, stronger student-teacher interactions, and improved learning outcomes. It also encourages students to build healthy habits around technology use and strengthens opportunities for face-to-face connection with peers.
At George Elliot Secondary, we recognize that technology remains an important learning tool when used purposefully and under teacher direction. The provincial restrictions are not about eliminating technology, but about ensuring that it is used in ways that enhance learning rather than compete with it.
We appreciate the support of families as we work together to create a positive, focused, and respectful learning environment where every student can thrive. Before the school year begins, please take a moment to review the Using Your Phone at George Elliot Infographic with your child.
General Field Trip Permission Forms
General Field Trip Permission Forms
Every student is required to have a general field trip permission form on file for each school year. This permission form enables classroom teachers to take their students off site for walks in our community throughout the year (ie: Terry Fox Run, Rail Trail walks, etc.). These forms will be given out in homeroom and we’ve also included the form below to download below, for those who are able to complete this from home. Please have your child bring these back to their homeroom class as soon as possible. Thank you!
PAC (Parent Advisory Council) Corner
Our PAC is the voice of the George Elliot parent community. Together with school staff, the PAC is dedicated to providing positive communication between home and school, encouraging parents to become valuable contributors to educational decisions, and allowing parents to make funding decisions to help benefit students. If you are a George Elliot parent or guardian, you are already a member of PAC. You are welcome to attend PAC meetings, and you are entitled to vote.
How to get involved:
Attend a PAC meeting: The PAC meets at 6:30pm for approximately 1 hour in person. The next PAC Meeting is Monday, September 21 at 6:30 pm. Meeting details can be found in the Coyote Connections and on this webpage
Join our executive board - Please join our Executive Team! Please email ges.pacpresident@sd23.bc.ca if you would like more information.
Follow PAC on the GESS PAC Facebook
Paying School Fees Made Easy with School Cash Online
Paying School Fees Made Easy with School Cash Online
We use School Cash Online to make paying school fees quick and easy for families. It’s a safe, simple way to take care of payments without having to send cash or cheques to school.
With School Cash Online, you can:
Pay for school fees, field trips, athletics, and Grad fees
Get email reminders so you don’t miss a deadline
Pay anytime, anywhere
Keep track of all your payments in one spot
To get started, head to schoolcashonline.com, create an account, and select our school to connect your child(ren). If you already have an account, follow the link to logon.
If you need help setting things up or have questions, feel free to contact the school office. We’re here to help.
Financial Assistance for Athletes Through KidSport BC
Financial Assistance for Athletes Through KidSport BC
Did you know that KidSport BC helps kids and youth play organized sports when cost might otherwise be a barrier? Through this program, families can get help with registration fees, so every child has the chance to join in, have fun, and enjoy the benefits of being active.
Sports are a great way for kids to build confidence, make friends, and stay healthy—and no child should miss out because of finances. If your family could use a little extra support, or if you know someone who might, we encourage you to check out this great program.
Learn more or apply anytime at www.kidsportcanada.ca/british-columbia.
Sanctuary Schools Policy
Sanctuary Schools Policy
The Central Okanagan School District's Sanctuary Schools Policy
Board Policy 4030 – Sanctuary Schools (see www.sd23.bc.ca) upholds the Board's commitment to providing educational opportunities for all students who are ordinarily resident in the Central Okanagan, including those with precarious immigration status or no immigration status.
Student registrations that pertain to Policy 4030 – Sanctuary Schools will be processed through the Welcome Centre.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION and PROTECTION OF PRIVACY (FOIPOP)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION and PROTECTION OF PRIVACY (FOIPOP)
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation came into effect for schools in the fall of 1994. To ensure that we are complying with the legislation, we ask that you please read the following information carefully:
There are occasions when our school would like to have contact with parents to consult them directly about school issues or meetings, or to plan school-related activities. The school will normally make your name, home address and phone number as well as the child’s name and grade, available to School District personnel, Parent Advisory Councils or others responsible for organizing these types of activities. Your personal information will not be disclosed to anyone for business or commercial purposes.
It is a tradition in our School District to allow staff members and the media to photograph individual students and groups of students to commemorate events and to promote various educational, sports and cultural events taking place in the district. While photographs add to the community life of our school, they are not required for education purposes. Students’ names, photographs and comments may be published in the school yearbook or newsletter, and on occasion, in the School District calendar, annual report or in the news media.
If you do not wish your contact information to be released or you do not wish your child to be involved in the above mentioned coverage, please come to the school office and sign a form to this effect.
Join our Circle of Caregivers
Join our Circle of Caregivers
Support children, youth and families in your community by becoming a caregiver!
We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of children and youth in British Columbia and promoting their right to live in safe, healthy and nurturing families, where they are strongly connected to their communities and culture.
When a child or youth is unable to live at home, they need a safe, emotionally supportive place to live until they can safely return home. Caregivers can support families by caring for children and youth on a temporary basis, while helping them to keep connected to their families, communities and culture. There are many types of caregiving that make up B.C.’s network of care. Family and community members provide kinship care, individuals or families foster children and youth in their homes and individuals working for community social service agencies provide care for children and youth with complex needs in a specialized environment. These different caregivers each play a vital role in caring for vulnerable children and youth in our communities.
Click this link for more information.
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