Good afternoon to our Vikes community! It is Friday already and I have a few items to share with you. 

First, a big thanks to our leadership program for organizing all of the fun events and activities throughout the week for all of our Vikes. There are some amazing costumes in our halls today 🙂 

We have completed our annual Vikes Safety/Belonging/Connectedness surveys. Thanks to all of you that participated. I will have a summary of the results for your review once we collate the data. We now have a 3-year data set from our student surveys, so it will be nice to share and have you look over the results. I will have this ready to share by mid-November at the latest.

A few notes for your review:

•  Please see the attachment below for the YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange Program for the fall. An excellent summer exchange program for interested students/families. The virtual information night is happening on November 17^th at 6:30 pm PCT. 

• Athletic events and parking reminders. A reminder for our loud & proud Vikes sports fans to please avoid parking on the west side of our building on the sidewalk beside our woodwork and metal shops during the games at night. Access to these sites is required for material pick-up/ drop-offs.  

• Nov. 10th: Remembrance Day Ceremonies at VSS. 

• Nov. 11th: Remembrance Day. No classes in session.

• Please read below for an important update from the province Re: Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) 

Starting October 1, 2026, new laws and regulations under the Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) are coming into effect in British Columbia. The legislation is intended to address unsafe firearm use and firearm-related violence. The FVPA replaces the former provincial Firearm Act.

There are to be no imitation firearms brought onto school property.

1. Exemptions for Authorized Activities

2. The FVPA includes narrow exemptions that allow for safe and legitimate activities involving firearms, low-velocity firearms or imitation firearms to continue on K-12 school property when authorized in advance by the school. The decision to approve or deny activities that may be eligible under these exemptions rests with the school. Schools can also impose conditions to their approval, such as specific times and locations where the activity can occur, limitations on the items being used, minimum safety measures, and requiring organizers to supervise and remain available throughout the duration of the requested activity,

3. Some examples of activities that may be eligible for an exemption include:

4. • Cadet programs

5. • Biathlon demonstrations or events

6. • Cinematic, theatrical, film or artistic activities or performances

7. • Educational activities (e.g., firearms safety training)

Have a safe and relaxing weekend 🙂

Walt Kirschner
Principal

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