Dear NHS Families and Students,
On behalf of our entire staff, welcome to the 2025–2026 school year. Whether you are brand new to NHS or returning for another year, we’re so glad you’re here.
A huge thank-you for the support, positive energy, and warm welcome – it makes NHS such a great place to learn and grow.
We will kick things off with a staff + student introduction assembly on Friday September 5th. Lots of new faces this year, so please join us in welcoming:
- New staff: Mr. Jon Kornelsen, Mrs. Robin Marchadour, Mr. Parker Davis, Mrs. Allison Aitken (Learning Support + Flex) , Ms. Maneesha Manuel, Mr. Adrian Pecold (Drama), Mrs. Holly Anderson (Vice-Principal + Learning Support), Mrs. Noelle Strain
- Returning staff (after time away): Mrs. Jennifer Hashemian, Mrs. Julie-Anne Krcadinac
We’re excited to see all the learning, activities, and memories ahead this year.
School Priorities (2025-2026)
We’re sticking with two guiding “stars” this year:
- Culture: Let’s grow a community built on respect, empathy, inclusion, and pride, where diversity is our strength, every voice matters, and everyone belongs.
- Community: Let’s deepen belonging and connections, united by trust, support, and shared purpose.
New Timetable:
We have streamlined things, our timetable is more simplified, and your child will have the same courses every day, unless enrolled in band. We will once again follow a 6-day cycle (like most schools) and the day of the week will be indicated on our school website. This should not affect most students, however. All periods are 65 minutes in length with a 5-minute transition between periods.
9:00: School Day Starts
9:00 – 10:05: Period 1
10:10 – 11:15: Period 2
11:20 – 12:25: Period 3
12:25 – 1:25: Lunch
1:25 – 2:30: Period 4
2:35 – 3:40: Period 5
3:40: Dismissal
Important Dates
- Thurs, Sept 4: Grade 9 Orientation and Welcome (Grade 9’s only)
- Fri, Sept 5: All students attend (Grade 9-12) – Semester 1 begins!
- Tues, Sept. 9: Start of Meat bun Sales
- Thurs, Sept. 11: Meet the Teacher (5:30–7:30 PM)
- Thurs, Sept 11: Athlete + Parent Meeting with Coaches (7:30–8:30 PM)
- It is highly recommended that at least one parent for students involved with extracurricular activities attend this meeting to go over important details
- Sept. 12: School Photos
- Sept. 30: Truth and Reconciliation Day (No School)
- Oct. 13: Thanksgiving (No School)
Course Changes
- Most schedules are locked in, but if changes are absolutely needed, book with Guidance Counsellor Ms. Carlee Penner (capenner@hsd.ca).
- Students must keep attending their current classes until a change is official.
- Last day for requests: Wednesday, Sept. 10.
- Reminder: Many classes are at capacity, so changes will be limited.
Meet the Teacher
📅 Thursday, Sept. 11 | 5:30–7:30 PM
- Drop by the gym to meet teachers.
- Quick “meet + greet” style, no appointments needed.
- Great chance to connect face-to-face.
Attendance & Lates
We use automated calls + emails to track attendance. If your student is marked absent and it wasn’t excused, you’ll get notified around 6:00 PM.
✔️ If your student is late → they must sign in at the office to switch “absent” to “late.”
✔️ Parents can excuse absences via the portal, phone, or email.
NHS Policies – Quick Reminders
- Vaping/Smoking 🚭 – Not allowed in school, on school grounds, or at school events. Students breaking policy = 3-day suspension minimum. See our policy at nhs.hsd.ca under “students”
- Cell Phones 📱 – See our updated policy at nhs.hsd.ca. under “students”. Policy enforcement has been updated.
- Parking 🚗 – Students must use student parking only. Reckless driving may mean losing privileges. Bikes in racks only.
- Lockers 🔒 – School-issued locks must be used. Keep lockers clean and combos private.
Fees and Supplies
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- Please see the attached school supplies list and other pertinent course fees, this has been posted on the school website and will be posted to the parent portal.
- Chromebook insurance: $20 (covers accidental damage; higher fees for 2nd/3rd claims).
- Activity fee: $10.
- Other course/extracurricular fees will be added in September.
- Pay online or in person.
Stay Connected
Please check our school website (nhs.hsd.ca) for any information you might ever need, we work extremely hard to keep it simple, up to date and relevant.
The HSD Parent Portal is your go-to spot for: report cards, attendance, timetables, fees, permission forms, and contact info.
👉 Please log in this week to:
- Verify and update student contact information on the Parent Portal
- Re-sign the Walking Field Trip Permission form (done yearly).
- Ensure all other user permission forms (Chromebook User Agreement & RUTA) are signed and completed.
Students also have access to the HSD Student Portal where they can access their timetable, locker information and credit summary.
Final Word
We’re off to a strong start! Thanks again for trusting NHS with your kids’ education. Let’s make 2025–2026 a year of re-establishing school culture and community!
Yours in education,
Paul Grosskopf Holly Anderson
Principal Vice Principal
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