​August 28, 2024

Dear Families of Grade 11 and 12 Students,

Re: Labour Day long weekend activities

Next week marks the beginning of an exciting and pivotal school year for students in Grades 11 and 12. Staff across the district are eager to support students as they explore their passions and continue their journey of personal growth.

Grade 11 and 12 students serve as role models and community leaders, respected by younger students. We are proud of our senior students and anticipate that they will continue to foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere in their schools. We also recognize the excitement surrounding the senior years of high school. As we all strive to balance the need for social connection with responsible behaviour, we ask for your support in helping students make positive choices and remain mindful of their actions in the coming weeks.

The Labour Day long weekend has traditionally been a time when some youth, especially those entering their senior years, participate in social gatherings that may involve inappropriate or illegal activities (e.g., underage drinking, drug use, vandalism). These activities can disrupt the community and pose risks to the young people involved for several reasons:

• Alcohol and drug use can impair thoughts, mood and judgement.
• These substances can create a false sense of invincibility, leading to other risky behaviours.
• If events are recorded on cell phones and shared online, there is a potential for these images or videos to resurface, negatively impacting a student's future (e.g., post-secondary applications, career opportunities, etc.).

As in previous years, we will continue to support local law enforcement in their efforts to ensure community safety. The RCMP takes a proactive approach to enforcing liquor, traffic, and local bylaws over the Labour Day long weekend. We encourage you to visit the RCMP's Celebrate Responsibly web page for information to share with your child(ren).

Thank you for your attention to this important safety message. I hope it sparks a meaningful conversation with your family about youth social responsibility and safe celebrations.

We look forward to welcoming students back to school next week!

Respectfully,

Dr. Pius Ryan
Superintendent of Schools