Division Newsletter: January 2026
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January 20, 2026 | |||
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What’s inside this month:
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Get Ready to Learn! Fall 2026 Enrollment is OpenJunior Kindergarten (preschool) and Kindergarten enrollments for Fall 2026 are now open at foothillsschooldivision.ca.
If your child is turning 4 this year, see how our play-based Junior Kindergarten program supports a strong foundation for literacy, numeracy, and social skills.
If your child is turning 5 this year, check out our Kindergarten program offerings which includes French Immersion, Explore: Nature Based Learning, and full time options. Kindergarten is an awesome opportunity to build social, literacy, and numeracy skills in a safe and caring environment.
Our schools are hosting their Ready to Learn information nights starting next week! Find your school’s information night details at our website (click here).
Learn more about our Ready to Learn programs and schools:
You belong at FSD. Invite a friend to be a part of our flourishing learning community!
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Your input informs decisions. Share your thoughts on the upcoming Instructional CalendarBefore the Board of Trustees ratify the 2026-2027 calendar, we want your feedback. As partners in education, families provide great insight to inform the decisions regarding the operations of our system.
The 2026-2027 Instructional Calendar consultation is open from January 15 to noon on January 22, 2026, and your feedback will inform the final draft of the Instructional Calendar that will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval on January 28, 2026.
Head to our website or click here to review the draft calendar and provide your feedback.
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About the Alberta Education & Childcare Assurance SurveyYour voice has a local and provincial impact
How to Participate
**Don’t have a child in grade 4, 7, or 10 and want to share your feedback? Never fear! The FSD Assurance Survey will go to all K to 12 Families this April!
We’ve pulled together a resource to support understanding of the questions within the AECA Survey. You can find it at our website (click here to read) or can download the printable version by clicking here. | |||
Reminder: January Exam Schedule Update
A friendly reminder that there has been a change to the January 2026 Grade 12 Diploma Exams and Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) (Read release from Alberta.ca).
Alberta Education announced in October that the January Diploma Exams, as well as the Grade 9 PATs, have been cancelled. Here is how it impacts our instructional calendar to assure student learning:
Final Grades
Option to Write Diploma
We recognize that these assessments are significant milestones for our students. Teachers will continue to assess student learning through classroom activities, assignments, and unit exams. As always, student gradebooks are accessible for families to view on an ongoing basis in the Edsembli Family Portal. Please continue to be engaged in your child’s learning and reach out to their teachers if you have any questions or concerns about their progress.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we adjust to this change in January 2026 assessments. If you have questions regarding the cancellation of assessments or would like more information, please connect with the Ministry of Education and Childcare. For all other inquiries regarding your child’s learning, please contact your child’s school.
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Important DatesJanuary 23 – Non-Instructional Day for Elementary and Junior High January 26 – Transition Day for High Schools January 27 – Transition Day for High Schools January 28 – First Day of Semester 2 February 16 – Family Day February 17 – Schools Closed February 18 – Non-Instructional Day for Professional Learning February 19 & 20 – Non-Instructional Days for ATA Convention If you have questions specific to your child’s school, please follow up directly with the school. | |||
Your 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.
Your TrusteesFSD is governed by six trustees who represent all schools in our five wards. Trustees are elected by the community to make sure every student in Foothills has access to a strong public education.
The Role of Trustees:
Board MeetingsAll Public Board Meetings are held at Division Office unless otherwise noted. Meetings begin promptly at 1:00 pm.
2025-2026
Board Meetings often have delegations from a school or department within the Division to share the progress of their goals within the 2024-2029 Education Plan. A brief summary of these reports can be viewed at our website and include:
January 2026
December 2025
November 2025
Learn more about the Board of Trustees: | |||
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FSD Indigenous Advisory Circle
Join the FSD Indigenous Advisory Circle to advance Truth and Reconciliation within the Foothills School Division through authentic voice and action.
This opportunity is open to students, educators, parents, and guardians who wish to make a positive impact in our communities. Research has shown that the most important factor to student success is parent involvement followed closely by teachers and peers. With understanding the important influence family has on student success, it is necessary to understand the barriers each family faces and how those might affect student success.
We would love to see you at the next gathering. This year's Indigenous Advisory Circles will be taking place at ÉSFCHS | AHSFA in Okotoks:
We also invite you to check out our Truth & Reconciliation for Learner Success Toolkit to access:
Interested? Please contact Charity Tegler, Director of Indigenous Learning & Equity | |||
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Otipemisiwak Métis Government School Food Subsidy ProgramFrom AlbertaMetis.com
The rising cost of living and food insecurity continue to affect Métis families across Alberta, particularly in rural and northern communities. Many families have expressed challenges in affording nutritious meals and snacks that reflect Métis culture and traditional foods.
To help address these barriers, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government is launching the School Food Subsidy, designed to improve access to nutritious, culturally meaningful food options for Métis students attending K–12 schools in Alberta. The School Food Subsidy will contain:
The eligibility criteria per child for this program is as follows:
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A Thoughtful MomentRooted In Community: The Power of Rural Schools
Alberta’s promise to give every child a quality education matters—especially in rural areas. By working together to keep rural schools fair, open, and well-supported, we help our communities stay vibrant and give every child a strong foundation for success. Celebrating and safeguarding rural schools is about more than education; it’s about building a bright future for all families and communities across Alberta.
In Canada and Alberta, public education is built on a promise we all share—called the social contract. This means every child deserves the chance to learn, no matter where they live. For rural families, schools are much more than classrooms; they are the heart of the community, bringing people together and helping kids grow up with confidence and pride.
The Social Contract: Fairness for Everyone The history of this social contract has evolved from select students attending school, to schools being a place for all. As part of the social contract, the provincial government is responsible for providing the resources and framework (link) that support public schools. This partnership between government, families, and communities helps guarantee fairness and equity in education for every student.
However, rural schools sometimes face additional challenges. When funding shifts due to enrollment or other funding formula adjustments, there is additional pressure on rural schools to provide a full suite of opportunities and run efficiently. That's why it's important for schools and families to work together, making sure rural communities are strong and every student has their socioemotional and learning needs met while also participating in innovative opportunities offered in larger towns and cities.
Equity for Rural Students Equity in rural education aims for students in non-urban centres to have the same opportunities as those in cities. Rural schools may have fewer students and smaller budgets, which can mean fewer resources to share within a school. However, one of the remarkable advantages of rural schools is collaborative and multigrade classes that build a sense of community and a structure of support that extends beyond the walls of the classroom. Students foster strong relationships with each other, leading to the development of keen social skills and ability to connect and collaborate beyond their peer group.
This supportive environment is further enriched by the strong ties to the community, where parents, neighbours, and local leaders actively participate in school life and decision-making. Rural schools also benefit from a deep connection to their unique local context—students learn in settings that reflect their region’s history, culture, and values, creating a sense of belonging and pride that supports their academic and personal growth.
Safeguarding Rural Schools and Communities Schools are not only centres for learning, but also centres for events, celebrations, and community gatherings. Research shows that small schools help students feel they belong and, ultimately, do better in class. While it comes at an operating cost, keeping small and rural schools open brings families into the region and in turn, supports local economies—the benefits are worth it.
To keep rural schools strong, communities can share resources, use school buildings for more than just classes, and encourage local decision-making. Working with municipal governments, Indigenous groups, service groups, and charities can help make schools even better.
The Power of Community - Standing Up for Rural Education Strong schools need strong communities. Teachers, families, and local leaders all have a part to play in maintaining a great school. That means listening to parents and students, letting school boards make important decisions, and collaborating with the community to enhance living in the area.
Alberta’s promise to give every child a quality education matters—especially in rural areas. By working together to keep rural schools fair, open, and well-supported, we help our communities stay vibrant and give every child a strong foundation for success. Celebrating and safeguarding rural schools is about more than education; it’s about building a bright future for all families and communities across Alberta.
Yours in learning, Chris Fuzessy
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Tell Us: What Makes Rural Schools Great
In rural communities, schools are more than places of learning — they’re gathering spaces that shape connection, identity, and belonging. Tell us a story about how your rural school made a meaningful impact in your life or community.
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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.
We have three retirement announcements to share with you today:
Allen Davidson, Assistant Superintendent Dave Roberts, Principal at École Secondaire Highwood High School Debbie Payne, Principal at Meadow Ridge School
Congratulations to our leaders as they embark on their next adventure. We will celebrate these individuals alongside all of our retirees at this year’s Milestones employee recognition event. | |||
Careers with FSDIf you are looking to make a positive impact in our community, consider a career with FSD! We are a school board that operates with the knowledge and expertise of individuals who are dedicated to the engagement, support, and success of each learner.
Our team is made up of teachers, educational assistants, administrative support, bus drivers, occupational therapists, tradespeople, and so much more. Why not you? Check out your career opportunities and be a part of our flourishing community.
Career opportunities are posted at our website or through our ApplytoEducation profile. Links:
Questions? Please email our team at employeeservices@fsd38.ab.ca | |||
Win Pizza for Your Classroom!Make a nomination for classroom of the month Both Sun Country and The Eagle host Classroom of the Month! Visit these two links to nominate your child’s class to receive a pizza party. https://highriveronline.com/contests/classroom-of-the-month https://okotoksonline.com/contests/classroom-of-the-month | |||
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We love to share local headlines for stories from our schools and division, as well as the stories that impact our flourishing learning community. | |||
January 19, 2026 - Foothills School Division reports rising engagement in annual report (HighRiverOnline.com) January 17, 2026 – 87% of Foothills parents say their child is engaged in learning (WesternWheel.ca) January 14, 2026 – School division leaders plan retirements this year in Foothills (WesternWheel.ca) January 14, 2026 - Foothills Assistant Superintendent Allen Davidson to retire (HighRiverOnline.com) January 12, 2026 - “Means Girls” takes to the Foothills Composite stage this week (HighRiverOnline.com) January 12, 2026 - GALLERY: Foothills Falcons impress at Sheep River Shootout (WesternWheel.ca) January 12, 2026 - Okotoks high school presenting musical version of ‘Mean Girls’ (WesternWheel.ca) January 12, 2026 - 2026 Ready to Learn Information & Registration Nights (FoothillsSchoolDivision.ca) January 12, 2026 - Nominations open for Alberta’s highest honour (Alberta.ca) January 11, 2026 - GALLERY: HTA strikes gold at Knights Classic in Okotoks (WesternWheel.ca) January 10 , 2026 - Foothills Falcons claim third place at Knights Classic (HighRiverOnline.com) January 9, 2026 - Food and drink breaking down barriers at Okotoks high school (WesternWheel.ca) January 9, 2026 - Foothills School Division celebrates a year of engagement, support, and success in the 2024-2025 AERR (FoothillsSchoolDivision.ca) January 8, 2026 - One book removed from Foothills school in response to provincial order(WesternWheel.ca) January 7, 2026 - Foothills Falcons to welcome the elite at Sheep River Shootout (WesternWheel.ca) January 4, 2026 - National Ribbon Skirt Day: Minister Sawhney (Alberta.ca) January 4, 2026 - HTA Knights, Foothills Falcons players win 2026 Senior Bowl (HighRiverOnline.com) December 31, 2025 - YEAR IN CARTOONS: A humourous look at the Foothills in 2025(WesternWheel.ca) December 30, 2025 - Nine Okotoks athletes make the grade for Senior Bowl (WesternWheel.ca) December 29, 2025 - Foothills Falcons post strong showing at Sugar Bowl tournament (HighRiverOnline.com) December 29, 2025 - Foothills Falcons find consolation at Sugar Bowl (WesternWheel.ca) December 29, 2025 - Nine local players headed to 35th Annual Football Alberta all-star game (HighRiverOnline.com) December 24, 2025 - Christmas Greetings: Strength of commUNITY at heart of school division (WesternWheel.ca) December 21, 2025 - Foothills Falcons first in School Sport Alberta rankings (WesternWheel.ca) December 19, 2025 - High River’s Spitzee Elementary receives $1,000 grant (HighRiverOnline.com) December 19, 2025 - Kathy Herr's Junior Kindergarten class lit up our Classroom of the Month pizza party (HighRiverOnline.com) December 19, 2025 - Division Newsletter: December 2025 (FoothillsSchoolDivision.ca) December 15, 2025 - L’Alberta déclare officiellement l’année 2026 Année de la francophonie | Alberta declares 2026 the Year of the Francophonie (Alberta.ca)
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