Election weekend, earthquake drills and two new schools.
Your quick SD35 catch-up from a Langley mom and PAC parent.
1. Vote for school trustees this Saturday
The local general election is Saturday, October 17, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Along with council, you’ll elect the Langley Board of Education: seven trustees for a four-year term, two for Langley City and five for Langley Township. Trustees set the district budget and policies and decide things like new schools and capital plans, so it’s worth a few minutes to read up.
Candidate lists and voting details are on the City of Langley and Township of Langley websites, and the district has an overview on its 2026 trustee election page.
Heads up for parents
School gyms are voting places on election day, so expect extra traffic and busy parking at schools including Aldergrove Community Secondary, Alex Hope, D.W. Poppy, Dorothy Peacock, Glenwood, James Hill, James Kennedy, Lynn Fripps, Parkside Centennial, R.C. Garnett and Wix-Brown. The provincial election follows on Saturday, October 24, with voting at many more Langley schools. See the full list from SD35.
2. Drop, cover and hold on
Students and staff across the district took part in the Great British Columbia ShakeOut this week, practising “drop, cover and hold on.” At Simonds Elementary the drill included a full evacuation just before lunch. Schools also practise lockdown and shelter-in-place procedures through the year. A good reminder to talk to your kids about what they’d do at home, too. Read the district story.
3. From the last board meeting
- Two new schools are under construction in the Smith neighbourhood: Emery Dosdall Secondary (about 1,900 spaces) and stɑtl̓əw̓ Middle (about 900 spaces).
- More portables are planned at Donna Gabriel Robins and Josette Dandurand elementary schools to handle growth.
- 97% of students complete school within six years (87% for Indigenous students), with a goal of 100%.
- More than 4,600 students attended Summer Session at 20 sites.
- The board thanked retiring trustees Marnie Wilson, Joel Neufeld and Sarb Rai for their service.
Read the September 22 board meeting summary.
Coming up
- Sat, Oct 17: Local general election, including school trustees
- Sat, Oct 24: Provincial election (schools used as voting places)
- Tue, Nov 3, 7 p.m.: Inaugural meeting of the new Board of Education
- Tue, Nov 17, 7 p.m.: Regular board meeting
From me, as a parent
Being on my school’s PAC has shown me how much our schools rely on families who show up, ask questions and pitch in. Whatever you can give, an hour at a hot lunch or just reading the weekly newsletter, it makes a difference. See you around the school yard. – Robyn
My own summary for parents and neighbours, based on information published by the Langley School District (SD35). I’m not speaking for the district, any school or PAC. Please confirm details at sd35.bc.ca.