News Stories

When Pakistani human rights activist Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head on a bus by a Taliban gunman in 2012 for refusing to stop attending class, the world reacted in horror and change was sparked.

A decade later, the echos of that bullet and her painstaking work are still being felt and have inspired a group of students at Robert Bateman Secondary School’s Art Activism class to express themselves through creativity and art.

Rachna Singh, Minister of Education and Child Care, has issued the following statement to mark Pride 2023 and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in B.C.'s education system:
"The month of June is a time for all in K-12 education throughout B.C. to hear more about Pride month, recognize and celebrate the contributions of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and learn more about the significance and origins of events that started out of protest, like the Pride parade.

The Abbotsford School District is proud to announce the establishment of Instructional Support Staff Appreciation Day, dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions of Educational Assistants, Youth Care Workers, International Student Liaisons, and Indigenous Support Workers. Starting this June, with the inaugural celebration occurring today, this appreciation day will continue to be observed annually by the school district on the first Thursday of June.

Mathxwí Elementary marked a significant milestone this month as they officially opened their new orange and eagle feathered crosswalk, the first in the Abbotsford School District. The event was attended by members from the school community, Mathxwí First Nation, the president of the Fraser Valley Métis Association, the Abbotsford Board of Education, and school district staff.

Sparkrock, a leading provider of cloud-based ERP solutions for K-12, is proud to announce a new partnership with Abbotsford School District. Located on the traditional territory of the Semá:th First Nation and Mathxwí First Nation in the heart of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, the school district serves as the largest employer in the city, with over 2,500 employees who are committed to helping over 20,000 students succeed. Under the partnership, they will use Sparkrock 365, an ERP software designed to help streamline finance, human resources, and payroll processes.

W.J. Mouat Secondary School, Chief Dan George Middle School, and Colleen & Gordie Howe Middle School are proud to announce the success of their mentorship program for Indigenous grade 8 students – Hawk Cousins. Launched in February 2023, this progressive program not only aims to facilitate a smooth transition to high school but also emphasizes that valuable role of mentorship in empowering students and creating connections.

The Abbotsford Board of Education regularly meets throughout the school year. Agendas and minutes from the public Board Meetings can be accessed through the District's Electronic School Board. Below is a summary of highlights from the meeting. 

Abbotsford, British Columbia, May 8, 2023 — Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, and the Honourable Rachna Singh, B.C. Minister of Education and Child Care, announced a joint investment of more than $3.2 million to improve ventilation systems in five elementary and secondary schools in British Columbia.

Students from Abbotsford brought home 5 medals from the Skills Canada BC Provincial Competition, which took place on April 19, 2023, at the Tradex. The competition featured students from across the province showcasing their skills in trades, serving as the next round of competitions following the regionals held in early March. From Electrical Wiring, Carpentry, Automotive Service, and TV and Film, students successfully demonstrated their expertise, showcased their mastery of the trade and highlighted their creative talents.

Smile Cookie Week is here, with Tim Hortons announcing that the annual campaign will take place from May 1 – 7 in communities nationwide. In Abbotsford, 100% of the proceeds collected from the sale of the iconic pink and blue smile cookies will go directly to the Abbotsford School District’s “Back to School” event, providing students and families who need extra support with a backpack of school supplies, hygiene products, and food hampers.