Visited the SAIL - Surrey Academy of Innovative Learning - this week—truly inspiring. Students were rebuilding robots, creating powerful Remembrance Day art, and showing incredible creativity. Big thanks to Principal Zahara Rawji and the SAIL team for fostering such innovative learning!

For the coming year, the Surrey Board of Education has re-elected Chair @tymoschukg.bsky.social and elected Trustee @garrythind.bsky.social as the new vice-chair. Tymoschuk has served as board chair since 2024 while Thind succeeds Terry Allen, who served from 2024-25 and 2017-22. Read more below:

I am grateful for the support, trust & confidence placed in me by my fellow Surrey Schools trustees in electing me to serve as Board Chair for the coming year. @garrythind.bsky.social was elected as the new Vice Chair. Huge thanks to outgoing Vice Chair Terry Allen for his leadership in the past yr.

On behalf of the Surrey Board of Education, congratulations to Derek Fournier on this outstanding national recognition. We’re proud to see your passion for teaching and leadership celebrated at the highest level.

One of the best parts of being a trustee is stepping away from the boardroom table and into the spaces where the magic really happens — in Surrey Schools classrooms. Recently, I had the chance to visit Ms. St. James’ Grade 1 class at École Martha Currie for their “show and tell” day.

😄 New BAA courses are coming to Surrey Schools! 📻💵 In the 2026-27 school year, senior secondary students will be able to take Financial Literacy 12 and RF Communications 11, two newly approved BAA courses designed by district secondary teachers and helping teachers! 🖱️ Read more about both courses!

Always love getting into schools and classrooms. Dropped into Edgewood Elementary School this week, where I read a book to Mr. Fairbrother's grade 1 class. We also talked about favourite colours and so much more. They are so eager to learn and share their thoughts.

🏫 With a new year underway, it’s time to get to know the Surrey Board of Education! 📃 The board oversees decisions about the delivery of learning in Surrey and White Rock, including policies and procedures, and hosts monthly public meetings throughout the school year. 👇 Learn more about the board!

Surrey Schools is closely monitoring the current air quality and following Fraser Health guidelines. Staff have been advised to limit outdoor exposure, and we’ll continue to track updates over the coming days to keep students safe and well.

😃 A new record! The Ministry has announced funding for a 1,000-seat addition to Clayton Heights Secondary – the district’s biggest expansion ever! 🏫 The four-storey, 41-classroom addition will provide enrolment relief and prepare for more students as development continues in the area. 👇 Read more!

Big news at Woodland Park Elementary!💫 Yesterday we celebrated the opening of a new prefabricated addition that will provide 400 much-needed student seats. This expansion supports our growing community and ensures more students have access to safe, welcoming and modern learning spaces. 💚

🚸 School is almost in session, and so are school zones – time to brush up on driver and pedestrian safety. 🦺 ICBC has many tips such as avoiding distractions, scanning crosswalks, making eye contact and approaching with caution. 🛑 Review what you can do to stay safe in school zones:

👋 Welcome back, Surrey Schools community! 📢 Supr Mark Pearmain shares a special message to kick off the 2025/26 school year. 📚 As students, staff & families return, we look forward to a year of learning, growth & new opportunities. View with captions (Eng,Punjabi, Chinese): vimeo.com/1113386721

"Ta’talu means 'little arm of the river,' symbolizing the life it gives to the Semiahmoo people." Today, Ta’talu Elementary celebrated its official opening with a Traditional Ceremony & ribbon cutting. 🔗 sd36.ca/Tatalu @tymoschukg.bsky.social @laurielarsen.bsky.social @garrythind.bsky.social

Congratulations to all of the employees of Surrey Schools who are celebrating 25 years of service in our district. We also acknowledged two employees with 50 years of service! You all make a difference in the lives of our students and we appreciate that very much! www.surreyschools.ca/_ci/p/186532

Yesterday, our Board of Education met with our @surreyteachers.bsky.social to hear their ideas, suggestions and concerns - valuable input to assist us in our decision-making. Always appreciate hearing from them. Teachers are an integral part of our district - we value the work they do every day!

Our Board had a very good meeting yesterday with the Minister of Education & Child Care @lisabeare.bsky.social We discussed the challenges we are facing with our operating budget and the huge need for more classroom spaces. We agreed to continue to look for creative solutions to these challenges.

It’s a real pleasure to be MC-ing the Surrey Jazz Festival this morning at the Bell Theatre at Sullivan Secondary. Excellent music. Very talented students!

Very proud of our Queen Elizabeth students and staff for organizing as well as giving at the Blood Drive today. Awesome to see fellow trustee @bob-holmes.bsky.social doing his part as well. Thanks to everyone who gave. It really does save lives.