NLPS District Newsletter

We are so excited to welcome our students and families back for another school year and to welcome new families to Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools!

Tuesday, September 8 is the first day of school for all Grade 1 to 12 students. Click here for school-specific start times.

Parents of kindergarten students will have received information from their child's school regarding the gradual entry process.

School supplies 📝📏🎒 : Your child's school will provide school supply information during the first week of school.

Mark your calendar! Non-instructional (Pro-D) days (school is not in session) for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Friday, October 23
• Monday, October 26
• Monday, November 30
• Friday, February 12
• Monday, April 26
• Friday, May 21

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day is Wednesday, September 30. This is a statutory holiday and schools will not be in session.

Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters began in Williams Lake, British Columbia, on September 30, 2013. Established to honour Residential School Survivors, their families, and those who never returned home, it serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impacts of the Residential School system.

Our schools will be holding events prior to September 30. Your child's school will share more information about how they will be honouring the day in the coming weeks.

Elementary students

When classes resume, we are asking elementary students to not bring e-scooters and e-bikes to school.

In BC, e-scooter riders must be at least 16 years old and e-bike riders must be at least 14 years old.

If e-scooters or e-bikes are brought to elementary school grounds, parents or guardians will be called to come and pick up the item. E-scooters and e-bikes will not be allowed to remain on school grounds.

As a school district, we want to support our students in making safe choices. With the number of e-scooter injuries on the rise we would like to encourage elementary students to use "student-powered" active travel modes to travel to and from school.

Secondary students

We are asking high school parents and caregivers to talk to their children about the provincial rules and safety regarding e-scooters and e-bikes. This includes choosing other transportation methods if they do not meet the minimum age to ride an e-scooter or e-bike. Students who are old enough to ride an e-scooter or e-bike must also always wear a helmet. Links to the provincial rules are available below.

For all students

We would like to remind all students and their parents and caregivers that ALL scooters, bikes, skateboards etc. must be walked and not ridden anywhere on school property including walkways and parking lots.

According to the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC), the commute to and from school is the most dangerous part of the day for kids. Here are some reminders about commuting safely:

• Remind your child to never, ever jaywalk and to stop at crosswalks and look to see that cars are stopping before entering the crosswalk.
• Children should look to the left as well to make sure there are no cars turning before crossing the street.
• Parents! If you drive your child to/from school- stay off your phone! Always make sure you are watching for kids in front of, beside, and behind your vehicle.
• Remind your child to never walk in between cars in the school drop off line.

Starting September 6, 2026 all youth in the region age 13 to 18 will be able to ride transit for free, thanks to a new initiative from the Regional District of Nanaimo. The initiative came about thanks to NLPS students who lobbied the RDN to bring in the free passes.

The annual youth Umo pass is available through RDN Transit. In preparation for the launch, RDN Transit Services staff are hosting a series of pop-up events throughout the region, up until September 6, where eligible youth can obtain their free Umo transit pass. Visit the link below for detailed information on dates and locations of the pop-up events.

Saturday, October 17, 2026 is BC's General Local Election day. Across the province, British Columbians will head to the polls to elect their choice of candidates to represent them in local government, regional districts and, school boards.

When you head to a local polling station on October 17, you will have the opportunity to vote for school trustees for Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools.

There are nine elected positions for school trustees who make up the NLPS Board of Education. Trustees are elected for a four-year term.

Boards of Education are community members elected by other community members and are responsible for making sure the district has balanced budgets, policies and procedures to guide decision-making and most importantly, improve learning for all students.

School trustees meet three times a month. The Regular Board of Education Meeting and the Strategic Directions Committee Meeting are open to the public to attend and ask questions about the business discussed at each meeting.

Nominations for school trustee candidates are open until September 11, 2026.

Wellness resources for educators, students, and caregivers are available year-round and can be accessed online at www.sd68.ca.

Taking care of yourself means checking in with your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness.

We're currently hiring for multiple positions throughout our district.

Visit the careers page at www.sd68.ca to learn more!

• Electrician
• Carpenter
• Heavy Duty Mechanic – Spare Bus Driver
• Bus Driver (Casual)

• Secondary Inclusion Support Coordinator
• French Immersion Elementary Teacher – Kindergarten / Grade 1
• Secondary Teacher
• Music Teacher
• French Immersion Elementary Teacher, Grade 6/7
• French Immersion Elementary Teacher, Grade 1/2

Nem' tsun skwoul. I am going to school! 🏫🍎

We are looking for families across the district and specifically in the Cedar area to host international high school students! Singles, couples, and families are welcome to apply to host and international student for a semester (five months) or a full school year (September to June).

Are you looking for low to no-cost events and activities in Nanaimo and Ladysmith? Head over to our Community Connections webpage by clicking the button below. There you will find a variety of locally-based events, camps, and resources.

NLPS District News is produced by the NLPS communications team. We welcome your questions and feedback! You can reach us at communications@sd68.bc.ca