Truth and Reconciliation Day – September 30 in B.C.

In March of 2023, the Province of B.C. recognized September 30th as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, declaring it a statutory holiday. This day creates time and space for all families and communities in British Columbia to reflect on Canada’s history and to engage in Indigenous community events.

The day honours the children in Canada who attended residential schools, the survivors, and their families. It is also an opportunity for all British Columbians to learn about this part of our shared history and to reflect on a path forward towards reconciliation.

This statutory day responds to Call to Action #80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chaired by the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, which called on the federal government to establish a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to ensure public honouring of the history and legacy of residential schools is held up as a important part of the reconciliation process.

On September 30, we encourage families to wear orange, take part in local events, read Indigenous authored stories, learn more about the local syilx territory, and spend time learning and talking together about truth and reconciliation. Walking this path is a journey we share, hand in hand, as British Columbians.

Family Handbook

Please take the time to familarize yourself with our Family Handbook. It outlines the details of our Code of Conduct as well as key information about our school procedures. 

The Central Okanagan School District's Appeals Process

Board 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. You can learn more about Board Policies by clicking HERE.

Volunteers @ HGE 

We want you here! Your children need you as part of their school lives; it dramatically improves their success. In order to volunteer for any part of school life as a volunteer, you need to have completed a criminal record check first. This goes through the RCMP and then goes to the district. Sometimes this process takes weeks to months, depending on RCMP back-up. This applies to going on field trips, volunteering for hot lunch, working as a parent reader, etc. Please complete the criminal record check as soon as possible. These can be picked up at the main office. 

School Fees @ HGE

All of your child(ren)'s school supplies are provided by the school. Each student at Helen Gorman Elementary School has been assigned a school fee of $50.00 ($40.00 for school supplies and $10.00 for a cultural fee). We ask that this fee is paid as soon as possible. We encourage all fees to be paid online using the School Cash Online program which can be access HERE and pay fees now!   All schools in Central Okanagan Public Schools use the same online program.  If you have never used the program, you must register first.   

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.

Policy 421 - Sanctuary Schools 

The Central Okanagan School District's Financial Hardship Clause

Within Board Regulation 425R – Student Fees (see 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". Clause 8.5 in the Regulations states: "Principals are directed to establish a procedure in each school which will allow for the private and confidential consideration of financial circumstances of individual students and families. Such procedures will preserve the dignity of families who 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 School District's Accident Insurance Voluntary Plan

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. 

Neurodiversity and Mental Health Resources for Families

The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) has developed new resources for families who are supporting children and youth who are neurodivergent and experiencing co-occurring mental health challenges. Developed in collaboration with parents with lived/living experience, an Indigenous Elder, and a variety of community service providers and experts in the field, this collection of evidence-informed, culturally relevant videos and resources aims to reduce stigma, increase mental health literacy and build the capacity of parents, caregivers and others who are supporting the mental well-being of children and youth. An expansion of this resource designed for BC educators is being developed, which will become available in September 2025. For more information and to access these new resources, please visit MCFD’s HealthyMindsBC website.  

HGE PAC NEWS

We are pleased to introduce you to the 25-26 PAC Executive. They are: 

• President: Dani Walls 

• Vice President: Kacy Martin

• Treasurer: Jacqueline Pizzey

• Secretary: To be filled

• COPAC Rep: Selena Hermann  

• Hot Lunch Coordinator: Kacy Martin 

• Special Events Coordinator: Laura Gustafson

• Volunteer Coordinator: Melanie Boomhower

HGE PAC Dates for Fall

• October 7, 2025

• November 4, 2025

• December 2, 2025

Childminding @ PAC Meetings

A friendly reminder that childminding during PAC meetings is available only for students in Kindergarten to Grade 5. Childminding is offered through HGE PAC in the school gym and students are supervised by interested Grade 5 students. If you have a responsible intermediate interested in babysitting please email the PAC at hgeparents@gmail.com. Please know that the grade 4 or 5s who do take on this important role of "babysitters" during these meetings, do so knowing they are caring for younger children and having older middle students attend can make it challenging for them to lead with confidence. While we value connections with middle school students, we ask for your support in keeping childminding limited to children in grades K–5. If you have any questions, please contact the HGE PAC President, Dani Walls by emailing hgeparents@gmail.com. Thank you!

Quick Link Reference: https://munchalunch.com/schools/helengorman/