Connect Charter Family Weekly Update

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As the holiday season approaches, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to our Connect Charter School families. This time of year is a wonderful opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and celebration.

Our 25th year anniversary has been filled with activity, trips, learning, sharing and so much more. Your dedication to your children’s education, whether it be through volunteering, attending school events, or supporting your child at home is greatly appreciated. People are what makes Connect Charter School such a special place and parents-as-partners are a big part of that. Thank you.

Given we are almost halfway through the school year, I thought this would be a good time to update our families on the 3 goals our Board of Directors set for this school year and the progress we’ve made in achieving them. 

The first goal is to ‘optimize the use of our Field Experience Center (FEC)’. To date, all students have participated in fall camps and their first THIRVE day. We are also part-way through our capital projects at the FEC with include: new roofs on three buildings, providing power to all yurts and around the facility, providing data throughout the property, designing and installing a new power system, designing and building a new water treatment plant and insulating our shower house (making it accessible year-round). These projects will be completed by mid-February. Our septic system is also being upgraded in the spring once the ground thaws. The FEC is almost fully booked until October, 2024 with Connect classes and other user groups. Anyone interested in booking the site can see the availability on our website.

The second board goal is to ‘establish a second campus’. Although this is a long process, we continue to seek and pursue opportunities for expansion- whether that be establishing a new grade 1-3 campus, adding a second grade 4-9 campus or establishing a new high school. This involves working with the Ministry and finding appropriate land or buildings. 

Our third board goal is to ‘promote wellness’. Given the global health challenges everyone has faced over the past few years, added attention and resources continue to be in place to ensure we have a safe and healthy school environment. We are very hopeful that the planned 3 THRIVE days impacts student mental health in a positive manner and that the work all students are doing in the Open Parachute platform provide them with tools they need to support their wellness.  We are also investing in our classrooms, by updating the countertops and sink areas. We are hopeful this work will be completed by the new year.

As we break for the holidays, I encourage you to spend this festive season creating lasting memories with your loved ones. This is the time of the year to enjoy the outdoors and moderate temperatures, to relax and reflect and I hope you enjoy every moment of it.

On behalf of the Connect Charter School Board and staff, I wish you a healthy holiday season and a happy New Year. May this holiday season bring you peace, joy, and happiness.

Chris Gilmour

Minister’s holiday greeting