Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Staff,

I hope everyone enjoyed a restful and refreshing Spring Break and had time to connect with family, friends, and loved ones. As we move into the final stretch of the school year, I am grateful for the energy and optimism that spring brings to our schools and community.

My first few months as Superintendent have been filled with learning, listening, and meaningful connections. I have been warmly welcomed across the district, and I want to sincerely thank students, staff, families, and community partners for your generosity, openness, and willingness to help me learn.

One of my earliest and most memorable experiences as Superintendent was attending the opening of The Gathering Kitchen at NorKam Secondary. It was a powerful reminder of the strength of partnerships and connections across our district and that our schools are places of belonging, learning, community, and nourishment.

Spring also marks an important time for engagement as we welcome and value broad system consultation in the 2026-2027 Budget development process. Along with consultation opportunities with our partner groups, we recently hosted an online budget information session for all parents and staff. Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate—if you were unable to attend, a recording is available here.

I encourage you to join us for our upcoming online information session on April 20 where we will be sharing a preview of the 2026-2027 Budget priorities. Your feedback and insights are essential as we navigate budget decisions together and continue to prioritize student learning and well-being.

This week, we were thrilled to welcome students and staff back to Westmount Elementary following the fire last October. Seeing the Westmount community return to their school has been a heartening milestone and a tremendous example of taking care of each other. I am deeply appreciative of all who worked relentlessly to complete the remediation work ahead of schedule and the school staff and PAC who supported students so well throughout the last few months. 

I also want to thank the Parkcrest, Kay Bingham, and George Hilliard elementary school communities for so graciously welcoming Westmount students and staff. Your kindness and collaboration truly exemplify the spirit of this district.

As we head toward this very important stretch of the 2025-2026 school year, there will be many opportunities to come together to learn, celebrate, and reflect. I look forward to continuing to connect with students, staff, families, and community members in schools and at events across the district in the coming months.

Thank you for all you do each day to support our learners in SD73. I’m inspired by what we can accomplish in the weeks ahead. I wish you a wonderful Easter long weekend.

Warm regards,

Mike St. John

Superintendent

2026-2027 BUDGET CONSULTATION

The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education is inviting feedback from staff, parents, caregivers, students, and SD73 school communities on the 2026-2027 annual budget. Learn more about budget consultation and ways to share your feedback here.

Please join us for our upcoming budget consultation online information session to learn more about the budget, ask questions, and share your feedback.

Public Budget Consultation – 2026-2027 Budget Preview:

Monday, April 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM

Online Access: Join the webinar on Zoom here (Passcode: 954087)

What to Expect: An overview of the 2026-2027 budget priorities that will go before the Board for initial approval on April 27, 2026, followed by information on how to provide further feedback.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MARCH

From Titan to Lion: SKSS Honours Football Alumnus Jacob Bond 

On March 9, South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) brought together students, staff, alumni, and community members for a special ceremony celebrating both the past and future of Titans football. The event honoured SKSS alumnus and CFL player Jacob Bond, who is the first Kamloops player to compete in the Canadian Football League in more than 25 years.

Read more here.

RCMP Youth Academy Offers Immersive Look into Law Enforcement Careers

From March 11–15 at Pineridge Education Centre, secondary students from across the district took part in a challenging and immersive learning experience at the RCMP Youth Academy. Students got a realistic look at careers in law enforcement through hands‑on training, real‑world scenarios, and learning from the RCMP and community partners.

Read more here.

Skills Canada Cariboo Regional Skills Competition

On March 6, 2026, Thompson Rivers University hosted the annual Skills Canada Cariboo Regional Skills Competition, bringing together Grade 11 and 12 students to demonstrate their technical abilities and skills in a range of trades through hands‑on challenges. Congratulations to all the students who earned medals at the 2026 Cariboo Regional Skills Competition.

Read more here.

Arts in the High Country Highlights Excellence in Music Education

Arts in the High Country returned to the Sagebrush Theatre on March 3–4, 2026, bringing together student musicians from across the district for two inspiring days of music and learning. This year, 22 ensembles from elementary and secondary schools participated, highlighting excellence in music education, student performance, and the vital role arts education plays in our district.

Read more here.

UPDATES FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

To learn more about the February and March Board Meetings, read the latest Board Notes here. The next Regular Public Board meeting will be Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7:00 pm at the School Board Office.

Call for Nominations: 2026 Owl Award & Board Award of Recognition

The Kamloops‑Thompson Board of Education is pleased to invite nominations for two district awards that celebrate the people and organizations whose dedication strengthens public education across our school communities.

Owl Award for Excellence in Public Education

Nomination deadline: April 20, 2026

Learn more here.

Board Award of Recognition

Nomination deadline: May 1, 2026

Learn more here.