Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL)
** click here to see the Framework Report that outlines the goals, strategies, targets, and resource allocations for student success in all areas.
Student Learning – Intellectual Development
Literacy Screening
Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, districts will be required to expand their early literacy screening practices to include all students from kindergarten to Grade 3.
Early literacy screening is one of the ways we will make meaningful progress on literacy outcomes for students in our K-12 system. By ensuring all public school students are screened in K-3, schools will be able to identify students who may have difficulty reading and provide the targeted instruction and interventions they need to become proficient readers.
Ministry of Education Website:
https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/literacy-screening
Early Literacy Screening Parent and Caregiver Brochure:
Letter from the Minister of Education and Child Care – The letter includes information about the screening, how families can stay informed and ways to support their child’s learning:
Supporting Competency-Based Learning with SpacesEDU: Showcasing Growth Over Time
This year, Anne Roberts Young Elementary, Bert Ambrose Elementary, Margaret Ma Murray Community School, and Taylor Elementary are participating in our district’s SpacesEDU pilot. We are excited to explore how the platform can support competency-based learning by helping students document, reflect on, and demonstrate their growth over time. SpacesEDU also supports assessment, student reflection, and communication with families, and we hope the experience will be positive for staff, students, and families.
Within a secure digital space, students can share photos, videos, audio recordings, documents, and written reflections that demonstrate their learning. Whether students are explaining their mathematical thinking, documenting a science investigation, showcasing a piece of writing, or reflecting on a Core Competency, SpacesEDU creates a rich digital portfolio that highlights growth and competency development over time.
The platform supports the triangulation of assessment by allowing teachers to gather evidence through observations, conversations, and student products. It also enables teachers to provide ongoing quality descriptive feedback throughout the learning process rather than only at a single point in time. This feedback helps students recognize their strengths, identify next steps, set goals, and reflect on their growth.
SpacesEDU supports assessment for, as, and of learning by giving students opportunities to reflect on their learning, celebrate successes, demonstrate understanding in a variety of ways, and make connections to curricular competencies. At the same time, families gain a meaningful window into classroom learning and student progress, helping strengthen the connection between home and school.
As we begin the SpacesEDU pilot in our four elementary schools, we look forward to learning alongside staff, students, and families. By making learning visible, supporting competency-based learning, strengthening triangulated assessment practices, and encouraging ongoing quality descriptive feedback, SpacesEDU has the potential to celebrate and showcase student growth throughout the school year.
Introduction to SpacesEDU classes/video tutorial … SpacesEDU
Student Learning – Human & Social Development
Launching this school year, B.C.’s Welcoming Schools is focused on fostering learning environments where all students feel safe, welcome, connected, and supported, and can focus on learning.
This new landing page brings together existing resources and provides updated policy, guidance, and tools for schools, districts and families to support learning, promotion, prevention, and response efforts across a range of topic areas.
Additional information and resources will be shared on this webpage throughout the 2026-27 school year.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/welcoming-schools
Student Learning – Career & Skill Development
New Dual Credit Policy now in effect for the 2026-2027 school year
Dual credit allows students to take post-secondary courses and earn both post-secondary credits and Grade 12 elective credits.
The new policy is designed to reduce barriers and give students more flexibility to access post-secondary learning.
Key changes include:
- Allowing students to explore post-secondary courses before committing to a post-secondary program or career path
- Allowing students to enroll in dual credit opportunities later in the school year
- Expanding eligibility to Grade 10 students
Project Heavy Duty – May 2026
Thirteen (13) students in total participated and all the students were in grade 12:
… 9 students from North Peace Secondary
… 1 student from Prespatou Elem-Sr Secondary
… 2 students from Hudson’s Hope Elem-Sr Secondary
… 1 student from Distance Learning
People Development
HR Teaching Hiring Update – as of September 14, 2026
LETTER OF PERMISSION TEACHERS = 26
- FULL TIME = 10
- PART TIME = 16
- EXPERIENCED = 21
- NEW = 5
NEW TEACHERS (CERTIFIED) = 17
- FULL TIME = 16
- PART TIME =1
Summer Workshops
Each year the district curriculum staff facilitate a week of workshops in support of planning for the new year on a myriad of topics. Workshops are open to all teachers in SD60.
Vertical Team Pro-D for Numeracy Instruction
- A vertical team refers to a group of teachers of a particular grade span who collaborate to ensure continuity and coherence in the math curriculum.
- This helps students transition smoothly from one grade to the next, especially at key points like transitioning to a new school.
- Teachers gain insight into how their instruction connects to what comes before and after their grade level.
- This year, Grade 6 and 7 teachers from all schools will be collaborating in vertical teams bridging the transition from Elementary to Middle Years.
- As well, all Grade 3 and 4 teachers will join a vertical team bridging the Primary and Intermediate years.
- This will help foster a shared vision and approach to math instruction and prevent missed numeracy concepts by ensuring each grade builds on the last.
New Teacher Orientation – September 3, 2026
At the beginning of each school year, our HR Department welcomes and orients our new teaching staff to the district and Fort St. John.
New teachers learn about important procedures and supports for them as they begin their career in SD60.
The group also boards a bus to tour all of what Fort St John has to offer.
15 new teachers attended this event this year.
Educational Assistant Certificate & Diploma Programs
ERASE (Expect Respect & A Safe Education)
https://www.prn.bc.ca/free-family-sessions-for-parents-caregivers-and-grandparents-digital-safety/
Truth & Reconciliation
Indigenous Grad Barbecue
On the evening of June 11, 2026, seventy-six (76) graduates and guests celebrated graduation at The Lido.
Introducing our new Vice-Principal of the Indigenous Education Center – Doreen McDonell
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation 2026
Visit the Indigenous Tourism website for inspiration, things to do, places to go & events … https://www.indigenousbc.com
Stay tuned for more information from your child’s school on how National Day for Truth & Reconciliation will be honored at their school this year.
“Take 3”
Anne Roberts Young Elementary
The Canadian Cancer Society’s Cops for Cancer Tour de North dropped by ARYES on Friday, September 11th, 2026.
Thank you for sharing your message and we look forward to following and supporting your journey!
Broyden Bennett, Principal, ARYES
Taylor Elementary
On a bright, sunny Tuesday, September 15th, 2026, students took on the challenge of the School Kick-Off Hill Climb.
Energy was high as runners bolted up the steep incline, where Mrs. Austin waited at the summit to hand out proof-of-climb tickets.
After reaching the top, students made their way back down the hill while onlookers cheered them on.
At the bottom of the the hill, Mrs. Turner-London greeted the successful finishers, exchanging their tickets for a special treat.
Hill Climbs are a Taylor Tigers favorite; and this time around, a few enthusiastic parents joined the climb, and even a couple of our newest kindergarten students impressively conquered the course.
Congratulations to all of our determined climbers!
Stephanie Parks, Principal, Taylor Elementary
C. M. Finch Elementary
What a wonderful way to launch the new school year!
Finch held its annual PAC Carnival, bringing together long-time families and warmly welcoming many new faces who joined our school community for the very first time.
Events like this truly highlight what makes Finch so special — building connections, sharing laughs, and creating a strong sense of belonging right from the start.
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm — Families kicked off the evening with a delicious community BBQ and great conversations
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm — The fun continued with carnival games, prizes, and endless smiles.
A huge thank you to our PAC and all the volunteers who made the night such a success and to everyone who came out to celebrate with us!
Ginger Alexander, Principal, C.M. Finch Elementary