August 31, 2026

Dear Savory Families,

We are excited to welcome students and families back for the 2026-2027 school year. A special welcome to the new families joining the Savory community. As Principal, I am thrilled to be returning and look forward to another wonderful year of learning, growth, and connection with your kiddos.

At Savory, we are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment where every student feels they belong and can thrive. We look forward to partnering with families throughout the year.

New Family Orientation

We invite new families to attend an informal orientation on Wednesday, September 2 at 1:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to visit the school, meet staff, ask questions, and become familiar with our learning environment.

If your family has moved away from Savory or the district and has not yet informed us, please contact the office as soon as possible at 250-478-9586 or savory@sd62.bc.ca.

School Office Reopens

The school office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please note that Mr. Vargas, Vice-Principal and I will be attending a district meeting tomorrow for the day, and Ms. Kristen, Administrative Assistant will be participating in district meeting on Thursday morning.

First Day of School – Tuesday, September 8

The first day for students in Grades 1-5 is a shortened day from 8:45 a.m. to 11:38 a.m. Students in Grades 1-5 will return to their previous year’s classroom and teacher from Tuesday through Thursday while class placements are finalized.

Students should gather at their previous classroom location on the school grounds in the morning before the bell. Teachers will greet students and escort them into the building at 8:45 am.

New students and families are asked to meet in the gymnasium at the bell in the morning. At dismissal at 11:38 am, please meet your child at the flagpole outside the front of the school.

First Week – September 8-11

Teachers will focus on helping students reconnect, establish routines, build relationships, and develop a strong sense of belonging. Students will transition to their permanent classes on Friday, September 11. Please know that staff carefully consider the academic, social, and emotional needs of students when creating classes.

Kindergarten Gradual Entry

Kindergarten students will participate in gradual entry on September 11, 14, and 15. The first full day of kindergarten will be September 16. Families should refer to the information previously emailed regarding their child’s specific schedule.

School Supplies

Please do not send school supplies during the first few days of school. Teachers will provide direction once students have transitioned into their permanent classes. Students should arrive each day with healthy snacks, lunch, and a water bottle. Please see our school website for school supply lists. 

Flourish Hot Lunch Program

All schools in BC are now supported by the Feeding Futures School Program Fund, designed to assist schools in the development and enhancement of school meal programs and other nutritional supports for students. The goal of Feeding Futures is to support students by providing nutritious meals in an inclusive manner, to ensure that hunger is not a barrier to learning.

This school year, our school will be receiving regular support to provide snacks and hot lunches to students who may need some food at school. Our goal is to provide food openly, in a caring and supportive manner.

Our program will be supported by the Flourish! School Food Society. To learn more about the food services they provide, visit www.flourishschoolfood.ca.

Our staff will be supporting students accessing available foods throughout the year. If you would like to ensure your child has regular access to meals while at school, please email us at savory@sd62.bc.ca. 

The hot lunch program will commence on September 14.  In the interim, if your child was accessing the hot lunch program last year, please provide snacks and lunches this first week and email us should you wish to continue to access the program.  We will have some limited snacks and food available the first week as of Wednesday.

Information regarding our PAC Hot Lunch Program will be shared next week.

Free Family Food Market

Fridays from 2:30-3:00 p.m. Families are welcome to access available food items provided through partnerships with Mustard Seed, Flourish, and the Regional Capital Food Network. Please bring your own reusable bags. Our first market will be on Friday, September 11.

Savory School Year Calendar

We will be sending you a full year calendar next week. This will be revised throughout the year. Please also refer to our school website.

Parking Lot Safety

Please use designated parking spaces whenever possible. The drop-off area near the E&N Trail is intended only for quick drop-off and pick-up. Drivers must remain with their vehicles so the area remains accessible for emergency vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the school schedule?

We ask that students arrive as close to 8:45 a.m. as possible and depart promptly at dismissal, as supervision before and after school is limited.

What do I do if my child is absent or late?

Please notify the school at savory@sd62.bc.ca. For extended absences, please also notify your child’s classroom teacher.

What do I do if my child arrives late, leaves early, or has an appointment during the school day?

Please escort your child to the office and sign them in or out with Ms. Kristen.

What are the current health and safety expectations?

Families are asked to monitor their child’s health daily, keep children home when they are ill, and refer to the BC Self-Assessment Tool if symptoms are present. Should a child become ill at school, families will be contacted.

How do parents and guardians visit the school?

We warmly welcome families and visitors. All visitors must first check in at the main office before entering the school during instructional hours. If you coming to see us during the school day, please let us know your purpose. We do not have people visiting classrooms etc., without prior permission from staff.

Outdoor Play

Please remember to send your child to school prepared for all weather conditions. Outdoor learning and play are important parts of the school day throughout the year, and rain gear becomes especially important as we move into the fall season.

Please look forward to more information about our school coming your way next week.

Thank you for your partnership and support. We look forward to seeing everyone next week and wish all of you a safe and enjoyable Labour Day weekend!

Renee Hislop
Principal, Savory Elementary School

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