This is the FSD Community Current — your connection to recent news and information from the Foothills School Division.

Whether your family is joining us for the first time or returning for another amazing year, you belong here. This back-to-school edition brings together the essentials families ask about most at the start of the year. Stay informed and get all the news from FSD and your child’s school by downloading the free FSD app. 🔗 Learn how

Important Dates

Subscribe to the division or school calendar and never miss an important day — the 2026–2027 Instructional Calendar, Kindergarten Calendar, and System Calendar are all posted at our website.

🔗 View the Instructional Calendar

New or Returning? Start Here

Your Edsembli Family Portal

Edsembli is where you will find timetables and homerooms, complete your annual Student Verification Form and field trip consents, pay fees, and follow your child’s learning progress. Start the year informed: log in and confirm your contact information is current.

🔗 Log in to the Edsembli Family Portal

Riding the Bus? Apply Every Year

Transportation registrations are annual. Every rider must have an approved application and paid fees before being assigned to a bus route. For full details visit the Transportation Services page at our website. Questions can go to FSDTransportation@fsd38.ab.ca or (403) 652-6547.

🔗 Apply for transportation

Not Registered Yet?

It is not too late. FSD offers a full range of programs and pathways from junior kindergarten through Grade 12, including French Immersion, career and technology studies, and fine arts.

🔗 Register a student

Mobile Devices in Schools

Our Student Code of Conduct sets expectations for personal mobile and smart devices (phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, smart glasses, device accessories, etc.), in line with the provincial ministerial order. Schools and teachers will review with families exemptions to devices for assistive technology.

• Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6: Personal devices (phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, smart glasses, etc.) must be turned off and put away for the entire school day, including before and after school, recess, and lunch.
• Grades 7 to 12: Personal devices may not be used during class time unless a teacher has approved them for learning purposes. Devices must be turned off and stored as directed by the school. Devices may be used during designated non-instructional times, such as lunch and school-approved breaks.
• Social media is not permitted on school networks or school-owned devices at any time.
• To prevent interruptions to learning, families can deliver urgent messages to students through the school office.

🔗 Read the expectations and FAQs

Safety Protocols: What Families Should Know

Safety is a shared responsibility. FSD has procedures in place to quickly respond and assure the safety of our staff and students. Our commitment is to keep you informed about potential or developing critical incidents as soon as we are able. We welcome you to visit our website to learn more about this commitment and of the key protocols you should know including Lockdown, Hold and Secure, Hold and Maintain, Evacuation.

📢 Please know that Emergency alerts are sent through our mass communication system, so families who have not opted in to FSD emails may not receive them. Please complete a Student Verification Form in Edsembli each year to update your contact information, provide consent to be contacted, and stay informed.

🔗 Review our commitment to safety

Addressing and Resolving Concerns

Concern can arise when there is a lack of clarity. Whenever this happens, we encourage you to first contact your child’s teacher, school principal, or bus driver when you have a question or concern about your child’s learning and achievement, school environment, or bus ride. If the concern is not resolved or if you’re not sure where to start, connect with the school principal who can provide you with guidance. 

🔗 See the four steps to resolving a concern

A shared commitment to privacy and data security

Parents and guardians trust us with their children’s safety, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are committed to protecting student privacy, safeguarding data, and using secure technology and communication practices that support learning while keeping information safe. Families also play an important role by helping protect account credentials, keeping contact information up to date, and using approved communication channels.

Our commitment to privacy and data security:

• Use secure communication methods to share student information, including approved email, school communication platforms, and student information systems (email, Microsoft Teams, SchoolMessenger, Edsembli, EdForms).
• Verify identity before sharing student information and only communicate sensitive information with authorized persons through secure methods.
• Protect access to student information by limiting it to authorized staff who require it to support student learning, safety, and well-being.
• Train staff regularly on privacy, cybersecurity, and responsible information handling practices.
• Carefully review digital tools and services to ensure they meet privacy, security, and educational requirements before use.
• Partner with families by encouraging secure use of school and parent accounts, protecting passwords, and using approved channels for classroom and school communications.

Together, we can help ensure your information remains safe, secure, and used responsibly in support of learning and well-being.

FSD Families are involved

Our System of Reporting

Reporting is just one way we communicate learner achievement, progress, engagement, and behaviour. The FSD annual reporting schedule for kindergarten to grade 12 includes two reporting periods, two Learner Conferences, and two Learner Profiles (report cards), supported by regular monitoring of learning and documentation shared with families.

Learners in kindergarten to grade 8 are measured on a five-point Level of Achievement scale, while grades 9 to 12 are reported by percentage. Watch for monthly reminders to check your child’s progress in Edsembli under the Marks and Comments tab.

🔗 Understand assessment and reporting

Board Meetings: See governance in action! 

Public Board Meetings are where assurance and the advancement of our strategic goals are address, recorded, or celebrated. Held within the Board Room (second floor) of the Spitzee Crossing building in High River, FSD Public Board Meetings start at 1:00 pm and typically run until 4:00 pm. You are welcome to attend the public portion in person, or review agendas and approved minutes online at our website. You can also follow the work of the Board in Footnotes, our monthly newsletter, connecting Board governance to the success of our learners.

🔗 Board meeting dates, agendas and minutes

Join Your School Council

School Council is one of the most direct ways to have a voice in your child’s school. Meetings begin in the fall, and new families are especially welcome.

🔗 Learn about School Council

Thank You

Thank you for choosing Foothills School Division and for your continued partnership. We look forward to welcoming students and their families back on August 31.

Stay Informed:  Board Meetings   •   FSD App   •   All News

Stay Connected:   foothillsschooldivision.ca    •   communications@fsd38.ab.ca   •   Facebook   •   Instagram

We honour the spirit, life, and lessons this land and its ancestors teach us. We acknowledge the traditional land and territories of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai, Tsuut’ina, and Îyârhe Nakoda as well as the Foothills District and the Rocky View District within the Battle River Territory of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of Alberta.

Foothills School Division  |  129 4th Ave SW, PO Box 5700, High River, AB  |   (403) 652-3001