Fair Notice to Parents/Guardians – Elementary Schools

Starting October 1, 2026, new laws and regulations under the Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) are coming into effect in B.C. The FVPA further strengthens existing school and district policies banning firearms on school property by providing law enforcement with additional tools to address and enforce firearms-related public safety risks.

The FVPA does this by establishing a clear and consistent province-wide prohibition on firearms, low velocity firearms (such as BB, pellet, gel, airsoft and paintball guns) and imitation firearms (such as lighters designed to closely resemble firearms) on all K-12 school properties. Some schools regularly support and authorize a wide range of educational, community and special events on school property, including activities that occur outside regular school hours, on evenings, and on weekends. The legislation includes exemptions for certain safe and legitimate activities, including cadet programs.

In addition, individuals who are safely transporting firearms, low-velocity firearms or imitation firearms in a vehicle are exempted as long as applicable requirements in the regulations and all other relevant firearms laws are followed (e.g., firearms remain unloaded and safely stored in a locked trunk or container).

For more information, please visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/policing-in-bc/fvpa

Hi! I hope everyone has enjoyed the fall season. I am Holley Harfman, the school Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Did you know I also see children from birth to kindergarten, right here at the school!

FAQ: When should I check in with an SLP? If you have questions about your child’s talking,

understanding, or listening, it is never too early to ask. Early support makes a big

difference!

Quick Tip: Talk about what you are doing during daily routines like breakfast or getting

dressed. This helps build a rich vocabulary early on.

If you have any questions about your child’s development, please reach out to me at the school or send me an email holley.harfman@sd51.bc.ca.

Below are links from Interior Health with information for parents.

Kindergarten letter 2026

Kindergarten Clinic QR Codes January 2026

Greenwood StrongStart 

Starting September 14 th

Mondays & Tuesdays 8:30-11:30am

 Tuesdays   12:30-3:30pm 

Thursdays 1:30- 3:30pm

StrongStart offers fun activities such as: 

Gym, library, snack, circle time with stories, songs & fingerplays, and free play with toys, blocks, books, puzzles, and art materials. 

 Children learn through play so come to StrongStart to have fun participating with your child and other families. 

This program is for children not yet eligible for Kindergarten (birth-5)  & their parent/caregiver.  It is presented in a high-quality early learning centre inside the school September–June. 

 If  you have any questions, email: 

sandy.podmoroff@sd51.bc.ca

Please bring your child’s birth certificate and medical services card to register for the program with the school secretary. 

Below is a link for the fillable registration form

StrongStart Reg forms 2026

StrongStart information

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year at Greenwood Elementary School!

At GES, we are a small school with a big heart. Our dedicated staff work together to create a welcoming, caring environment where every student feels a sense of belonging and has opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed.

We know that each child brings their own strengths, interests, and experiences to our school community. Through strong relationships, engaging learning opportunities, and a willingness to try new things, we encourage our students to be curious, build confidence, and become thoughtful and caring citizens.

This year, we continue to focus on strengthening literacy and numeracy skills while supporting the social and emotional well-being of our students. We are also excited to continue our Wild School journey. In its third year, our outdoor learning will explore biodiversity and the many connections between living things and the places we call home. Our beautiful surroundings provide a wonderful classroom for discovery, creativity, and hands-on learning.

We value the partnership between home and school and know that when families, staff, and community members work together, our students benefit. Whether you are joining us for a school event, sharing your knowledge and talents, or supporting learning at home, thank you for being an important part of our school community.

I look forward to a year filled with learning, connection, and new adventures. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, ideas, or simply want to connect.

Warmly,

Angela Bragg
Principal
Greenwood Elementary School