Superintendent’s Update

Posted On Monday September 08, 2025
Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year

Dear parents and staff,  

Welcome back! The start of each school year provides opportunities for growth and engagement with new learning challenges. It’s an exciting time.

As we begin the second week of the 2025-2026 school year, I want to acknowledge the collective contributions to a busy and complex set of start-up dynamics. Across the district, schools have welcomed new students and families, made class organizational changes due to enrolment fluctuations, all while dealing with the significant heat and wildfire smoke in our region and across the province. Your patience and support are appreciated.

Whether you’re navigating a child’s entry into Kindergarten or celebrating a student at the start of Grade 12 or are at any other point along the K-12 continuum, this time of year is filled with possibility and anticipation as we commit to enhancing every learner’s journey.

In addition to school opening, September offers several special events that help build community and a sense of belonging. In the coming weeks, our schools will be participating in Terry Fox runs, a great Canadian tradition celebrating Terry’s courage and that of others dealing with cancer. Events across Canada raise awareness and funds to support cancer research.

Later this month, students and staff will mark Truth and Reconciliation Week and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by participating in activities that promote important learning about the history and lasting impact of residential schools. Below you’ll find information on other upcoming events for students, families and parents.

This summer, Secretary-Treasurer Harold Cull and I were honoured to join the Kamloops-Thompson School District team. Having spent part of my childhood in Kamloops, I was pleased to be asked by the Board to come back to a community that played a significant role in my early years. Harold and I are committed to advancing the district’s strategic priorities and addressing challenges through collaborative and solution-oriented approaches. Our whole team supports the Board in fulfilling its mandate: to improve all students’ life chances.

We wish you well for the school year ahead.

Sincerely,

Mike McKay
Superintendent

SENIOR LEADERSHIP STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS

Over the summer, there were some changes to the Kamloops-Thompson School District Leadership team. Not only did Secretary-Treasurer Harold Cull and I join the district, Rick Kienlein has also moved from Director of Instruction & Secondary Learning Services to Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education (filling the Assistant Superintendent role in the absence of a member of the district’s senior team). Together with the entire senior leadership team, we are looking forward to supporting students and staff across the district.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FASD Day Family & Friends Celebration
September 9, 2025 | 4:00–7:00 pm

FASD Month (September) and International FASD Day (September 9) help raise awareness for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). To recognize this day, the Distrct has partnered with Insight Support Services on a community event filled with family fun and support for individuals with FASD.

Learn more and register here.

Parent Engagement Session
September 17, 2025 | 6:00–7:00 PM

Join us for the first SD73 Parent Engagement Session of the school year. Partnering for Success will be a practical, parent-friendly, virtual session where you will learn how the education system and schools support students with diverse needs and your role as a parent.

Learn more and register here.

UPDATES FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

To stay up to date on the work of the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education, explore brief highlights from the August 25, 2025, Regular Public Board meeting in the latest Board Notes here.

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