More students in Vernon district as classes resume; one more day off for District 83 kids

Sep 6, 2022 | 4:30 AM

Summer holidays come to an end for thousands of students in British Columbia today.

Classes resume at schools in the Vernon School District #22, while in District 83, North Okanagan-Shuswap, students will be back tomorrow after a non-instructional day today.

It will be a shorter than normal day for Vernon and area students with the buses running three hours early.

According to projections earlier this year, District 22 expects an increase of 98 full-time equivalent (FTE) students this fall, with a decrease of 35 in online learning programs.

District 83 is expecting about 60 fewer full-time students, meaning its operating grant from the province will be about $576,000 less than the previous school year.

Housing Starts Report

Housing construction rebounded in Vernon, slowed in Kelowna, B.C.

23h ago

Structure Protection

Wildfire training exercise to go in Vernon Saturday

Apr 17, 2026

Emergency Preparedness

Province preparing for flood, wildfire seasons

Apr 16, 2026

Provincially, school districts estimate there will be 572,906 FTE students enrolled in public schools this September. That would be an increase of 1,730 FTE from the 2021-22 school year.

There are approximately 89,000 independent school students.

The decision to wear a mask or face covering will be a personal choice for everyone.

“This choice will be supported and treated with respect,” said Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside.

Masks will be provided at schools.

The province has provided school districts with one-time funding of $60 million to help make going back to school more affordable for families who are struggling with rising cost of living.

The district’s will decide how to use the funding for items like school supplies or to help students in need pay for activities like field trips.

According to the Ministry of Education, the average class sizes in 2021-22 were:

* 22.7 in grades 8 to 12

* 24.1 in grades 4 to 7

* 20.0 in grades 1 to 3

* 18.1 in kindergarten

Meantime, RCMP remind everyone that speed restrictions in school zones are back in effect this week.

Starting today, Vernon North Okanagan RCMP officers and the City of Vernon RCMP volunteers will have an increased presence in school zones throughout the area making sure drivers are aware and paying attention.

“It’s an exciting time as we kick off the start of a new school year,” said Constable Neil Horne, RCMP School Resource Officer. “The roadways around our schools are going to be incredibly busy as thousands of kids make their way back to classes this week. With all the excitement of going back to school, kids might not always be thinking about safety which is why it’s particularly important for motorist to use caution, pay close attention, and obey the speed limit when driving through these areas.”

by Pete McIntyre

View Comments