FSD Community Current: March 2026

March 25, 2026

March 25, 2026

Welcome to the FSD Current, a connection to the news and stories from the Foothills School Division. Be sure to get all the news from FSD and your child's school by downloading the free FSD app (click here to learn more)

What’s inside this month:

Celebrating our exceptional first-year teachers
Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs are accepting new students for this fall
Join us May 30 at the Indigenous Graduation & Awards Ceremony
Summer School registration opens April 15
Considering a career in health or emergency services? Check out the First Responder Program!
Discover the Possibilities of French Immersion
Alberta Budget 2026 Town Hall with Minister of Education & Childcare
Innovation in Classrooms
Get your tickets for the April 17 Friends of Foothills Schools Foundation Heart of Foundation Gala
& More

Important Dates

March 30 to April 6 - Spring Break

April 17 – Non-Instructional Day (Professional Learning)

April 17 – Heart of Education Gala

May 15 – Non-Instructional Day (Professional Learning)

May 18 – Statutory Holiday (Schools and Sites Closed)

Subscribe to the FSD Calendar

Foothills celebrates outstanding new teachers: 2026 Edwin Parr nominees

This year, Foothills School Division is proud to highlight three exceptional first‑year teachers nominated for the 2026 Edwin Parr Award: Emily Lane, Liam Scott, and April Welsh. These educators were recognized by their school leaders for their strong classroom practice, inclusive and relationship‑centred approaches, and dedication to helping every learner grow.

One nominee will go on to represent FSD at the ASBA Zone 5 Edwin Parr Awards, but all three are already making a meaningful difference for students and families.

Did you know we have French Immersion, Explore: Nature Based Learning, and Full Time Kindergarten options?

In kindergarten your child will develop skills for reading, writing, and math, but when you learn with FSD, your child will also:

learn from the land and the world around them
develop the skills for critical thinking and problem solving
feel that they belong, and make incredible, lasting friendships
be a part of the school culture and have access to school and division resources to support their learning
contribute to their greater community
have an opportunity to develop strong skills in the French language (which helps with other language learning too!)
have an opportunity to Explore
have the option to go to school full time
see and create their future in fine arts, athletics, science, engineering, technology, trades, and so much more!

Foothills School Division welcomes all students and serves the communities of Foothills County, Okotoks, High River, Blackie, Cayley, Millarville, Diamond Valley, and Longview. We have a school close to your home.

Fall registration for kindergarten is now open!

Find your school at foothillsschooldivision.ca/kindergarten and enroll today!

You belong at FSD. Go to Registration

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Junior Kindergarten: More than a Preschool

Junior Kindergarten isn't just a preschool program. It's the start of your child's love for learning. Junior Kindergarten with Foothills School Division provides:

a safe space to explore their world
foundational literacy and numeracy learning that is fun
a sense of belonging and strong friendships
learning that fosters curiosity and understanding
access to school and division resources to support their learning
the option to go to school full time
positive experiences in a school setting -- getting them ready to learn in kindergarten and beyond
a bright start in fine arts, athletics, science, technology, trades, and so much more!

Find the Junior Kindergarten classroom that best fits your family (close to home, work, or in between!) in Foothills County, Okotoks, and High River.

Fall registration is open!

Learn more about the Junior Kindergarten program at foothillsschooldivision.ca/junior-kindergarten and secure your placement today!

You belong at FSD. Go to Registration

Innovation in our Classrooms

In the most recent A Thoughtful Moment, Superintendent Chris Fuzessy reflects on how innovation at FSD isn’t just about new technology – it’s about new ways of thinking and doing that help every student thrive. From repurposing learning spaces to redesigning timetables and leveraging home‑grown tech solutions, our teams are continuously improving how we support student engagement, support, and success.

Families are invited to read how creativity, curiosity, and humility are shaping learning across the division.

Read A Thoughtful Moment on Innovation Through Creativity, Curiosity and Humility at our website.

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Indigenous Graduation & Awards Ceremony – May 30

Families are invited to attend the third annual Indigenous Student Graduation & Awards Ceremony on May 30, 2026, from 3–6 p.m. at the Viking Rentals Centre in Okotoks.

This celebration honours First Nation, Métis, and Inuit graduates as well as the Division’s nominees for the ASBA Honouring Spirit Award.

Anyone is welcome to attend the Indigenous Student Graduation & Awards Ceremony. Read more about the significance of this event and how to get involved at our website: foothillsschooldivision.ca/2026-indigenous-graduation-awards-ceremony.26820

Be a part of the event planning process and add your voice to our system.

Join the Next Indigenous Advisory Circle

ÉSFCHS | AHSFA | Learning Commons

April 29, 2026

6:00 to 7:30PM

Interested in knowing more? Contact Charity Tegler, Director of Indigenous Learning & Equity

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Catch Up, Keep Up & Get Ahead with FSD Summer School

July 2 to 30, 2026

Summer School is for everyone! Make the most out of your timetable with a Summer School course, learning bundle, or program, and earn credits toward graduation.

All students entering or continuing grades 10, 11, or 12 are welcome to register. Registration opens April 15 at 8am.

Get all the details at our website: foothillsschooldivision.ca/summer-school

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Calling all future first responders and health‑care professionals!

Are you in Grades 10–12 and curious about careers like EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement, Nursing, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Respiratory Therapy, or other emergency and health services? The First Responder Program offered through Foothills School Division Summer School is a hands‑on opportunity to build real‑world emergency response skills and explore meaningful career pathways.

Learn life‑saving skills
Practice real‑world emergency scenarios
Earn credits and certifications (upon successful completion)
Train with guidance from first responder professionals

Students begin with Level 1 and continue into Level 2 in the following year for more advanced emergency training.

Registration opens April 15 at 8am.

Get all the details at foothillsschooldivision.ca/first-responder-program

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Discover the possibilities of French Immersion with FSD

French Immersion at Foothills School Division offers students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 an engaging and effective way to build strong reading, writing, speaking, and even math skills — all while learning in a second language. This program is developed for non-French speaking families, meaning previous knowledge or experience of the language is not required.

Since 2001, families across the division have had access to this enriching program, currently offered at:

Okotoks

École Percy Pegler School – Kindergarten to Grade 6
École Okotoks Junior High School – Grades 7 to 9
École Secondaire Foothills Composite High School | Alberta High School of Fine Arts – Grades 10 to 12

High River

École Joe Clark School – Kindergarten to Grade 5
École Senator Riley Middle School – Grades 6 to 8
École Secondaire Highwood High School – Grades 9 to 12

Why French Immersion?

Learning in French doesn’t just help students become bilingual — it strengthens the brain in remarkable ways. Research shows that students learning a second language often develop stronger executive functioning, which supports skills like:

Reading comprehension
Critical and creative thinking
Focus and problem‑solving

French Immersion students frequently outperform peers in these areas because learning another language requires deeper understanding and flexible thinking. Even learning math in French supports analytical reasoning and a more adaptable mindset. And beyond academics, students gain the joy of experiencing a second language and culture — opening doors to future work and travel opportunities.

A Lifelong Advantage

Imagine your child entering the workforce one day, standing out among hundreds of applicants because they are confidently bilingual and have a D.E.L.F. certification. French Immersion students develop a growth mindset, build cognitive strength, and prepare for a competitive global world.

Families interested in French Immersion are encouraged to visit the French Immersion page on our website or connect with one of our schools that offers this amazing program!

We look forward to welcoming you and supporting your child on their multi-lingual learning journey!

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Looking for a Montessori Program?

Foothills School Division offers an Elementary Montessori Program for students in Grades 1 – 6 at Big Rock School in Okotoks.

Montessori provides an enriching educational pathway that encourages children to take ownership of their learning, with the teacher acting as a guide. This approach fosters independence through intentional choices and personal responsibility. Learning activities progress in alignment with children's development, starting with concrete, hands-on experiences and gradually advancing to abstract concepts.

At Big Rock School, we prioritize the Alberta curriculum while integrating the Montessori philosophy into our programming. Our Montessori educators collaborate closely with the regular stream teachers to ensure a seamless educational experience. Montessori students remain actively engaged members of Big Rock's vibrant school community, benefiting from a holistic and inclusive learning environment.

For more information visit foothillsschooldivision.ca/bigrock/montessori

FSD Board of Trustees

The FSD Board of Trustees are dedicated to fostering open communication with parents and guardians. We are your elected representatives, ready to respond to your questions and concerns and ensure your voice is heard at the board level.

Click here to meet the Trustees

Board Meetings

All Public Board Meetings are held at Division Office unless otherwise noted. Meetings begin promptly at 1:00 pm.

2025-2026

March 25, 2026
April 15, 2026
April 29, 2026
May 13, 2026
May 27, 2026
June 17, 2026

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Ministry of Education and Childcare Budget 2026 Town Hall

Join the conversation to learn more about Alberta Budget 2026 at an upcoming telephone town hall:

Calgary: Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Edmonton: Monday, April 13, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and
Province-wide: Monday, April 20, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Each telephone town hall will provide parents the opportunity to speak with the Minister of Education and Childcare directly and ask questions about regional Budget 2026 investments in education.

Read the full invitation to FSD families from the Minister of Education and Childcare at our website.

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Heart of Education Gala – April 17

Let's come together as a community for one fabulous evening to support and enhance learning for Foothills School Division students. Your event ticket will include:

A Gourmet Dinner

Live Music: Enjoy a captivating 60-minute solo acoustic performance by Gord Bamford and friends

Live Painting: Russell Thomas of Birdsong Studio will be painting in house with the finished piece to be auctioned off at the end of the evening.

Silent Auction: Bid on exclusive items and experiences that’ll leave you excited!

Heart of Education Gala

Friday, April 17, 2026
5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The Saskatoon Farm

Thank you for making a difference in our schools. Get all the details and reserve your ticket at foothillsfriends.ca

For questions and to get involved, please contact the FFSF at hello@foothillsfriends.ca

Leadership Announcements

When principals or other system leaders retire or are appointed to a new role or location, we share those updates to keep our community informed about changes that affect our schools or system. These roles carry division‑wide accountability, so being transparent about those changes is important for our staff and community to know.

At the same time, we know our students are successful because of every role in our schools and sites. Spotlighting leadership changes is not to overlook anyone’s contributions, but rather to provide clarity about who is stepping into (or concluding) roles with system responsibilities.

Leadership announcements can occur at any time of the school year, but more often retirements, departures, and appointments are shared with our system in late winter and early spring.

Click on the headline to read the full story of these recent announcements:

Congratulations to these leaders as they embark on their next adventure.