Welcome Back to School

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome to a new school year in Pacific Rim School District.

As we prepare to welcome students back today, I want to extend my warmest greetings to every family across our district. I hope the summer provided opportunities for rest, connection, and time together, and that your child is beginning the year with a sense of excitement, curiosity, and possibility.

This school year is especially meaningful for me as I begin my first year as Superintendent after serving as Director of Human Resources for the school district. Having lived and worked in this district, I continue to be inspired by the strength of our communities, the passion of our dedicated staff, and the resilience and potential of our students.

Everything we do as a district begins with a simple question: What is best for students? That commitment guides our decisions, our priorities, and our work each day.

This year, we will continue to be guided by our Strategic Plan and our shared vision of Always Learning. Together, we remain focused on:

• Indigenous Learner Success and Relationships with First Nations,
• Student Achievement
• Mental Health and Social-Emotional Well-being
• Safe, Welcoming and Modern Learning Environments
• Environmental Stewardship and Global Citizenship 

The beginning of a school year is a special time. It is an opportunity to reconnect, build new relationships, and reaffirm our shared commitment to supporting every child. I am incredibly grateful for our teachers, support staff, principals and vice-principals, district staff, and all employees who work each day to create caring, inclusive, and engaging learning environments.

Families are essential partners in this work. You know your children best, and your support, encouragement, and connection with your child's school play an important role in student success. When schools and families work together, students benefit.

This year, families will also see continued investments in our schools and communities, including new childcare spaces at John Howitt Elementary, Ucluelet Elementary, and Alberni Elementary, accessibility improvements across district facilities, and ongoing expansion of school food programs that support students and families.

Please know that we are committed to working alongside you. There will be moments of celebration, challenge, growth, and learning, and through it all, our focus remains the same: supporting students with care, respect, high expectations, and a deep belief in their potential.

You can also stay connected by following Pacific Rim Schools on Facebook.

Thank you for entrusting us with your children. It is a privilege to serve the students, families, and communities of the Alberni-Clayoquot region. On behalf of the Board of Education and all Pacific Rim staff, I wish you and your family a wonderful start to the school year.

With appreciation,

Jaslene Atwal (she/her) | Superintendent | Pacific Rim School District
Phone Number 250-723-3565 | www.sd70.bc.ca
4690 Roger Street, Port Alberni, BC, V9Y 3Z4

Pacific Rim School District and Alberni Valley Schools are situated on the ḥaḥuułi of the c̓išaaʔatḥ and huupač̓asʔatḥ. The School District also operates schools on the ḥaḥaḥuułi of ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ, huuʕiiʔatḥ and yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government and acknowledges that we work alongside all nuučaan̓uł Nations as well as the Métis Nation of British Columbia to serve the children and youth of the Alberni-Clayoquot region. The district strives to increase awareness, understanding and integration of nuučaan̓uł culture, history, and language in all Pacific Rim School District schools. It is part of our ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.