We are all looking forward to an exciting start to a new school year. We are excited to see the students return to the halls as we brace for another action-packed year of learning and living in community.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE FIRST DAY

  • When students arrive on Tuesday, September 8, staff members will be outside the buildings and in the hallways, ready to assist anyone in finding their way. Parents are welcome to accompany their child(ren) to their classrooms.
  • The middle school doors will open at 8:00 am and classes begin at 8:20 am.
  • The first day is a full day!

CLASS LISTS

Our staff prayerfully creates supportive learning environments where students can grow spiritually, personally, academically, and in character. We thoughtfully build classes that reflect the diverse learning needs of our students. The first draft of class lists was emailed home in July, and the finalized lists will be emailed to you by the end of this week.  Please check the finalized lists as changes may have been made over the summer. The lists will also be posted outside classroom doors so students and parents can find their classrooms on the first day.

GOT THE JITTERS?

Sometimes our students want to check things out before the first day of school. Or maybe they want to meet their teacher or locate their classroom before that first big day. We want to invite those, especially new students, to an open house this Thursday, September 3 from 1:30-3:00 pm. This is an unstructured time where you can help your child with the adjustment of a new school year.

PARENT PARTNERSHIPS

We value the partnership between home and school. We don’t always get things right here, but we have one tremendous thing in common—we care deeply for your kids and want to make this a great learning experience for them. Let’s work together to make this possible. Reach out to your child’s teacher if you have questions or concerns. It also goes a long way to send a note of encouragement to your child’s teacher once in awhile!

MIDDLE SCHOOL DAILY SCHEDULE

Not sure when and where you need to be? View the middle school bell schedule.

MIDDLE/SECONDARY CAMPUS MAP

Need to know where you are going? Download the middle school campus map.

NO NUTS

UPDATE: We are a “Nut Aware” school. But we also recognize that nuts are a great healthy option. If there is a nut allergy in your child’s class, the teacher and office will email you and that class will be “nut free.” If you do not receive this message from the school, feel free to include nuts in your child’s lunch. It’s always good practice to remind students to wash their hands and not share food with other classmates.

OLD CLAYBURN ROAD CONSTRUCTION & PARKING DETAILS

Please enter the main parking lot and turn right. The parking lot offers ample space for pick-up after school. Please do not park on the bike lane for drop-off. The left turn lane on Old Clayburn Road should help with line-ups and congestion.

Please be aware that there is road construction on Old Clayburn Road between the elementary and middle/secondary campuses. There will be delays. The work is expected to continue until March 2027.

Please give way to our ACS buses.
Here’s how you can you can help our bus drivers enter and exit the parking lots at each campus >>

We highly recommend extra travel time when coming to and from school. We’re doing our best to keep our buses running on schedule and appreciate your patience!

BAND/MUSIC APPRECIATION 7&8

Grade 7 and 8 instrument rental is the responsibility of parents. King’s Music in Abbotsford can accommodate your rental requests (you can also arrange for the rental online). Please make rental arrangements prior to the first day of school.

An email will be sent out on this week with more information.

WELCOME NEW STAFF

We welcome these new staff to ACS Middle School:

  • Teresa Spyksma: Principal
  • Kristen Low: Vice Principal and Grade 6 Teacher
  • Leslie Arends: Grade 6 Teacher
  • Charlee Davey: Educational Assistant
  • Annette de Boer: Learning Support Services Coordinator
  • Patti Gerbrand: Educational Assistant
  • Rachel McAlister: Grade 5 Teacher
  • Ezinne Obioha: Educational Assistant
  • Joshua Raymond: Learning Support Services Coordinator
  • Andrew Richmond: Grade 7 Teacher
  • Annette Vantil: Grade 8 Teacher
  • Calandra Zinger: Educational Assistant

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST

Download the middle school supplies list.

MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM STRIP

If you require new gym strip, place your order using the link below from VBS Apparel. In the meantime, we ask that each student come prepared for gym with appropriate clothing and clean running shoes. Storage lockers are available in each changeroom should students need to change for class.

Order middle school gym strip>>

SHUTTLE BUS SIGN UP

As you may or may not be aware, as a school we offer our regular school buses to be used as a “shuttle bus” between our campuses. This service is free, however your child MUST be signed up to use this service. Each family will need to sign up each child, as your child will be assigned a seat on a specific bus to use throughout the year. Sign up your child for the shuttle >>

COMMON CULTURE CAFÉ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are looking for parent volunteers for our café. Please reach out to Don and Lori Kowalchuk for more info or to sign up: cafe@abbotsfordchristian.com

Please Note: The cafe will be open for middle school students beginning Monday, September 14.

GRADE 8 ATHLETICS

We are kicking off our athletics on the first week of school. Grade 8’s, please pay special attention to these dates:

  • Girls Volleyball Tryouts: Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10, 3:00-4:30 pm
  • Boys Volleyball Tryouts: Wednesday, September 10 and Thursday, September 11, 4:30-6:00 pm
  • Cross Country: Wednesday, September 9 and Friday, September 11, 6:45 am
  • Boys Soccer: Tuesday, September 8 and Thursday, September 10, 3:15 -4:45 pm at Saddle Park

UPCOMING EVENTS

EARLY DISMISSAL: Friday, September 11. Students will be dismissed at 12:00 pm on this day.

WELCOME BACK BBQ: We are kicking off this school year with a celebration for our entire school, K-12 on Friday, September 11, from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm, at the middle/secondary campus.  This is also a chance for you to meet your child’s middle school teacher. Teachers will be in and around their classrooms for you to connect and see their learning spaces.

Please note that Friday’s dismissal is 12 noon so that we can prepare for the Welcome BBQ later that day. Please ensure your child leaves the school campus (bus, picked up) so that staff can adequately set up for this event. Students are not permitted to be on campus from noon until 3. We hope to see and meet you all there!

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY: Middle school students will have their school pictures taken on Friday, September 25.

TERESA SPYKSMA
Middle School Principal