Update May 14, 2026, 7:30 am:   

All East Kamloops schools are OPEN today with essential water use only and safe drinking water provided. 

We have been informed by the City of Kamloops that the water restrictions sent out this morning do not apply to the schools located within the affected areas. 

Schools will be open and can use water for essential uses only, such as washroom use. Drinking water will be provided at all affected schools.  

The following schools are open for regular classes today (Thursday, May 14, 2026):

• Dallas Elementary 
• RL Clemitson Elementary 
• Ralph Bell Elementary  
• Juniper Ridge Elementary 
• Marion Schilling Elementary 
• Valleyview Secondary
  
  

Update May 13, 2026, 4:30 pm:   

All six affected schools in East Kamloops will be open for regular classes starting tomorrow, May 14, 2026.  

The City of Kamloops has confirmed that water service has been restored in all affected areas, including Barnhartvale, for essential use only. RL Clemitson Elementary will reopen for students and staff tomorrow.  

The following schools will that reopened today will remain open as well:  

• Dallas Elementary  
• Ralph Bell Elementary   
• Juniper Ridge Elementary  
• Marion Schilling Elementary  
• Valleyview Secondary  

Regular school bus service will be provided for students at all schools. 

REMINDER: Do Not Drink or Consume  

Residents, businesses, and schools in the affected areas of East Kamloops are advised NOT to drink or consume water. The water is approved for essential uses including, washroom use, flushing toilets, bathing, showering, and household cleaning, etc. 

Drinking water stations will continue to be provided at all affected school for as long as needed.  

Update May 13, 2026 at 7:00 am: 

RL Clemitson Elementary remains closed today while the five other East Kamloops schools will reopen.  

Dear parents and caregivers,   

As the City of Kamloops continues to work on the south sector water break, RL Clemitson Elementary will remain closed today as the school will still be without water. School buses for RLC students have been cancelled for the day – no transportation will be provided to or from the closed school.  

The following schools will reopen today, May 13, for regular classes:  

• Dallas Elementary  
• Ralph Bell Elementary   
• Juniper Ridge Elementary  
• Marion Schilling Elementary  
• Valleyview Secondary  

Regular school bus service will be provided for students attending the five reopened schools. 

Water service has returned to these five schools, but the water is not consumable. Drinking water stations will be provided at each school for as long as needed.   

We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.   

Sincerely,   
Mike St. John   
Superintendent 

Update May 12, 2026 at 5:10 pm: 

Dallas Elementary, RL Clemitson Elementary, Ralph Bell Elementary, Juniper Ridge Elementary, Marion Schilling Elementary, and Valleyview Secondary will reopen tomorrow morning unless further water restrictions continue tomorrow.  

Dear parents and caregivers,  

Thank you for your patience and understanding today with the last-minute school closures due to the City of Kamloops Water Restriction Notice and water shut off in East Kamloops.

At this time, we are anticipating that the following affected schools will reopen for regular classes tomorrow, unless we hear about further water restrictions from the City of Kamloops.   

• Dallas Elementary 
• RL Clemitson Elementary 
• Ralph Bell Elementary  
• Juniper Ridge Elementary 
• Marion Schilling Elementary 
• Valleyview Secondary

The City has informed us that there will likely be a boil water notice and do not consume water advisories once the water is back on. We have arranged for drinking water to be delivered to each school tomorrow morning and will ensure safe drinking water is available at schools as long as needed.  

Please monitor the City of Kamloops website for updates on the East Kamloops Water Restriction Notice. If water service is not restored by morning, then schools will be closed again tomorrow.  

Further updates will be communicated through your schools and on the district website and social media as more information becomes available.  

Thank you again for your patience and support. 

Sincerely,  
Mike St. John  
Superintendent 

Original May 12, 2026 at 8:30 am:

This morning, we received notice from the City of Kamloops of a water leak impacting residents and schools in the Valleyview, Juniper Ridge, Dallas and Barnhartvale neighbourhoods of Kamloops. The City has issued a Water Restriction Notice effective immediately. Residents and schools in those areas will be without water until further notice so the repairs can be completed as quickly and safely as possible.   

The following SD73 School will be closed today (May 12, 2026):  

• Dallas Elementary 
• RL Clemitson Elementary 
• Ralph Bell Elementary  
• Juniper Ridge Elementary 
• Marion Schilling Elementary 
• Valleyview Secondary

We understand that this short notice may create some challenges for families and students. School staff will be on site at each of the closed schools and available to receive and supervise students until they are able to be picked up this morning.  

If you are a parent at any of the schools listed above, please contact your school to make arrangements to pick up your child as soon as you are able.  

Bussing will not be impacted by these school closures. Before and after school buses will run at their usual times for any students who still need transportation.  

Thank you for your patience and understanding.