Upcoming Events
January 2024
June 2023
28th Annual Sampson Intertribal Powwow
“Honoring Wəťanmy”
Friday July 21-Sunday July 23, 2023 Stelly’s Secondary
The Powwow Committee is looking for volunteers for the event.
Please email Karen Sampson at ksampson03@gmail.com for more information about volunteering.
Back to School Picnic 2023
The 2023 Back to School Picnic will take place on August 26, 2023 at Government House starting at 11 a.m.
Back to School Picnic Registration (Island events only – Victoria Closed)
Registrations for the Victoria Back to School Picnic event are now closed, but you can join the waitlist below.
Please note that the island region events remain open.
JOIN THE VICTORIA WAITLIST https://backtoschoolpicnics.wufoo.com/forms/q14kj7s617n0a8k/
Event Details:
The 2023 Back to School Picnic will take place:
Date: August 26, 2023 at
Location: Government House starting at 11 a.m
January 2023
The RISE Grant program was launched in June of 2022 and they are working to promote the program to agencies and communities throughout BC. RISE Grants are available tochildren, youth, and young adults (up to 27 years of age) who are in care or from care and wish to participate in sport, physical activity, recreation, and/or cultural programs.
Over the last five months, they have supported over 300 children, youth, and young adults to participate in a variety of activities ranging from gymnastics and hockey, to choir and cultural clothing for traditional ceremonies. They continue to receive positive feedback from many participates. Below, there is a link for you to browse the grant criteria and access the application.
June 2022
January 2022
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 20222022
January 2022
All Children born in 2017 are eligible to register for Full Day Kindergarten at your neighbourhood school.
English Kindergarten registrations
January 25 3:30—5:30 pm
January 26 12:30—2:30 pm
January 27 7:30—9:30 am
Brentwood Elementary Cordova Bay Elementary Deep Cove Elementary Keating Elementary
ḰELSET Elementary Lochside Elementary Prospect Lake Elementary Sidney Elementary
To register at your neighbourhood school please bring:
Completed Registration Form
Original supporting documentation (see link below)
Copies of documentation if possible
A list of acceptable documents can be found at
www.saanichschools.ca/parents-and-students/registration
* Parents/Guardians will line up in a socially distanced way.
Please dress to be outdoors. *
After January 28th, please check the district website
for details on how to register.
January 2021
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2021
January 2021
All Children born in 2016 are eligible to register for Full Day Kindergarten at your neighbourhood school.
English Kindergarten registrations
January 26 7:30—9:30 am
January 27 12:30—2:30 pm
January 28 3:30—5:30 pm
Brentwood Elementary Cordova Bay Elementary Deep Cove Elementary Keating Elementary
ḰELSET Elementary Lochside Elementary Prospect Lake Elementary Sidney Elementary
To register at your neighbourhood school please bring:
Completed Registration Form
Original supporting documentation (see link below)
Copies of documentation if possible
A list of acceptable documents can be found at
www.saanichschools.ca/parents-and-students/registration
* Parents/Guardians will line up in a socially distanced way.
Please dress to be outdoors. *
After January 29th, please check the district website
for details on how to register.
Upcoming Schools Closures
12 February, Friday: Non Instructional Day
15 February, Monday : Family Day
15 - 26 March Spring Break
2 April, Friday Good Friday
5 April, Monday Easter Monday
23 April, Friday: Non Instructional Day
21 May, Friday: Non Instructional Day
24 May, Monday Victoria Day
June 2020
Indigenous Grad - June 23rd at 6:00 pm
The Saanich School District, in association with Roll Focus, and Shaw Cable, is proud to announce the viewing dates for the upcoming Virtual Graduation Ceremonies, celebrating the achievements of our Class of 2020. To acknowledge this important milestone, Saanich Schools will be hosting the release of the video ceremony for the Indigenous Grad on June 23 at 6:00 pm.
The grad videos will be hosted live on Youtube, accessible through the district website along with a download link so you can save the event as a keepsake. The district will keep the video available as a stream until mid-July. As another option, Shaw Cable will be simultaneously broadcasting the graduation videos on their network. This is an exciting alternative for families to view and PVR the ceremony as well.
Link to view will be published HERE
National Indigenous Peoples Day - June 21, 2020
"Due to the seriousness of the COVID-19 crisis, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to celebrate this year's National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day at home. Keep yourself, your family and your community safe by following instructions from health officials and other trusted, reliable sources.
You can learn more about the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples by reading a digital copy of one the books from the #IndigenousReads reading list or by exploring a virtual exhibit at your favourite museum." - https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013248/1534872397533
Open-Air Library - All Ages
Come find and read a graphic novel, comic or chapter book this summer at the Open-Air Library in Sidney, BC! Drop by on a Tuesday morning and look through our great selection of reading materials, then relax with a good book on our cozy blankets. Books are available for all ages with many popular titles. Take ONE home with you to keep.
Dates: Every Tuesday between July 7-August 11
Time: 10-12pm
Location: Iroquois Park, 2295 Ocean Ave, Sidney BC
Information: www.southislandliteracy.com
Summer Reading Club
For information about how to join the British Columbia Library Association's 2020 Summer Reading Club please click HERE.
Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket Documentary film
The Witness Blanket stands as a national monument to recognize the atrocities of the Indian residential school era, honour the children, and symbolize ongoing reconciliation.
View the documentary for free HERE.
January 2020
Kindergarten Registration
January 27 - January 31, 2020
Children born in 2015 are eligible to register for Kindergarten at your neighbourhood school.
French Immersion registrations: Deep Cove Elementary (North Zone) or Keating Elementary (South & Central Zone)
To register at your neighbourhood school please bring:
3 Proof of address (resident driver’s license, utility bill, etc)
Proof of your child’s age (birth certificate)
Your child’s BC Care Card
After January 31, all K-5 registrations will be done at:
Saanich School Board Office - 2125 Keating Cross Road, Saanichton, V8M 2A5
8 am to 4 pm
Indigenous Education Graduation Recognition Ceremony
June 9, 2020
We look forward to recognizing our Indigenous Education Graduates at a ceremony on June 9, 2020 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Invitations will be sent home with students in the spring.
June 2019
Victoria Indigenous Culture Festival
June 21-23, 2019
Join the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations in celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day weekend with music, dance, food and the arts and best of all, it's all FREE!
Make the library part of your summer. Earn an entry into our weekly prize draws for every challenge you complete. The contest starts July 4, 2019.
For kids 12 and under. Imagine the Possibilities with BC Summer Reading Club. Track your daily reading on your reading record and enjoy weekly incentives along the way.
BC SRC runs at GVPL from June 27 to September 3, 2019.
For ages 10-18 with a valid GVPL library card.
Join GVPL’s summer book review club, and kick it off with a bag of chips.
July 4 to August 31, 2019
All programs run rain or shine.
Events are drop-in style and free. Come by anytime between the hours that the event is offered.
Outings, such as guided walks and hikes, are free and do not require registration, unless otherwise noted. They usually run 1.5 – 2 hours. Outings with fees or registration are noted in the listing; please book early as they fill up quickly.
Aboriginal Back to School Picnic
It’s that time of year again! The Back to School Picnic, Victoria event, will be taking place on Saturday, August 10th 2019 at Government House. Registration for backpacks and volunteering are not yet open but keep checking back as we hope to open registration by June! Once again, we’d like to raise our hands and thank our funders, sponsors, volunteers and Coordinator for all their work on making this wonderful event so successful. We look forward to seeing you all at the picnic!
Every weekday evening through July & August, join Panorama staff from 5:30-8:30pm for some FREE summer fun for the whole family that includes interactive play, face painting, group games, and of course, inflatable fun on our giant 50’ obstacle course!
This summer, we will be organizing a few featured activities & special guests including Family Fitness, our portable skate park, story walks and a community library station!
Open-Air Library - All Ages
Come find and read a graphic novel, comic or chapter book this summer at the Open-Air Library in Sidney, BC! Drop by on a Tuesday morning and look through our great selection of reading materials, then relax with a good book on our cozy blankets. Books are available for all ages with many popular titles. Take ONE home with you to keep. Booksmack Event on July 16th with cookies and coffee.
Dates: July 2, 9, 16 & August 6, 13, 20. 2019
Time: 10-12pm
Location: Iroquois Park, 2295 Ocean Ave, Sidney BC
Information: www.southislandliteracy.com
February 2019
Indigenous Education Graduation Recognition Ceremony June 5, 2019
We look forward to recognizing our Indigenous Education Graduates at a ceremony on June 5, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Invitations will be sent home with students in the spring.
Education Enhancement Agreement - Community Meetings
The Education Enhancement Agreement between W̱SÁNEĆ, other First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in the Saanich School District and the Saanich School Board is designed to enhance the learning opportunities and successes for all Indigenous learners. The intent of this Agreement is to increase Indigenous student success.
We are in year one of five of the current agreement. Watch for communication from Indigenous Education staff at your school about upcoming community meetings for your opportunity to participate and provide feedback to the District.
June 2018
Summer Reading Programs - Brentwood Library
Join in the fun and have an opportunity to win some great prizes for reading! More information available HERE.
Back To School Picnic
Saturday, August 11th, 2018 at Government House - 1401 Rockland Avenue.
NEW REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JULY 15
For more information click HERE.
Saanich Peninsula Literacy and partners invite you to come enjoy the fresh ocean air and free books this summer at the Open-Air Library at Iroquois Park in Sidney, BC!
Everyone is welcome to drop by and select from a wide range of reading materials while relaxing with a good book on our cozy blankets. Reading materials are available for all ages and you can take one home with you too!
Open Air Library
Dates: July 3, 10, 17 & August 7, 14, 21. 2018
Time: 10-12pm
Location: Iroquois Park, 2295 Ocean Ave, Sidney BC
Information: www.southislandliteracy.com
January 2018
ME to WE - Sacred Circle - January 29, 30 & 31
Sacred Circle educates and motivates First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth to make change and become leaders in their communities. The program is delivered in partnership with community elders and mentors. Sacred Circle was designed in consultation with educators from the Department of Aboriginal Education at Nanaimo Ladysmith School District and is based upon Indigenous concepts such as the Seven Teachings and the Medicine Wheel.
Kindergarten Registration - January 29 - February 2, 2018.
Children born in 2013 are eligible to register for Full Day Kindergarten. To register, please visit your neighbourhood school between January 29th and February 2nd and bring proof of address (driver's license, utility bill etc.), proof of your child's age (birth certificate) and your child's BC Care Card.
After February 2nd all K-5 registrations will be done at the Saanich School Board Office - 2125 Keating Cross Road.
Education Enhancement Agreement - Community Meetings - April - May
The Education Enhancement Agreement between W̱SÁNEĆ, other First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in the Saanich School District and the Saanich School Board is designed to enhance the learning opportunities and successes for all Indigenous learners. The intent of this Agreement is to increase Indigenous student success.
We are in year five of five of the current agreement and are working with all of our partners to renew the Agreement for 2018-2023.
Watch for communication from Indigenous Education staff at your school about upcoming community meetings for your opportunity to participate and provide feedback to the District.
Indigenous Education Graduation Recognition Ceremony - June 6, 2018
We look forward to recognizing our Indigenous Education Graduates at a ceremony on June 6, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. More details will be available soon!