Principal's Message April 6-10th
Good morning Panthers and welcome back to Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary!
I hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful long weekend and have returned to school ready to pursue your learning goals. The weather has been glorious over the past few days – Spring has finally arrived! J
On Wednesday morning we held our Grade 12 Graduation Information Assembly. We reviewed the many details regarding scholarships, Valedictorian, Dinner-Dance, Dry Grad and Commencement. Our graduates were reminded that as role models in the school, this is a very important time for them. We look forward to creating positive life-long memories of graduation celebration and success with our Graduating class of 2026! All grade 12’s are encouraged to join the “Grad Team” to stay up to date with all Graduation news and information.
Our Extended Day Advisory Committee met on Wednesday to begin a discussion of next year’s Extended Day Bell schedule. As our school continues to be well over regular enrollment capacity, we will be continuing with our Extended Day Bell schedule (5 blocks) for the 26/27 school year. This means that our school day will again be extended by one block. Students will continue attending four blocks per day, but each student’s schedule will depend on their selected classes. For example, some students may attend the first four blocks, others the last four, and some Senior students may have a “Flex” block in the middle of their day. Over the past two years, we have learned to adjust to this new reality at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary. We are confident that our school will continue to provide a safe and very high-quality learning environment for all students and staff. The details of next year’s Extended Day Bell Schedule will be finalized over the next month and communicated to our community in May.
On Thursday evening, our LTSS Music program will be celebrating the joy of music through their Spring Concert. It promises to be a wonderful evening of talented students and proud and happy family and friends. Congratulations to our student musicians for all you have accomplished.
On Friday morning, we are looking forward to a Staff Mentorship/Networking Breakfast meeting. This is always a nice way to meet colleagues and enjoy our time together as Panthers. We hope to see many staff at 7:30am on Friday morning.
Also on Friday… we are hosting our first Grade 7 Tour of the year. Students and staff from George Greenaway Elementary, Cloverdale Traditional Elementary, and Sunrise Ridge Elementary schools will be joining us for the morning. Grade 7 students will have the opportunity to participate in team-building games, tour the school and learn how to open a locker. This will be a very valuable morning of orientation. Our staff will also have the opportunity to learn more about our incoming Panthers. It will be a fun and meaningful morning of articulation!
On a personal note, I have some news to share with the Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary community… I have decided to retire at the end of the school year. After 40 years as an educator in the Surrey school district, the timing feels right to embark on this next new adventure. It has been a privilege to serve the students, families and staff of Cloverdale and the larger Surrey community. To begin my administration career as a very young Vice Principal at LTSS and then to finish as a “slightly” older (and hopefully wiser) Principal 30 years later has been an amazing journey. The Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary community has been such a powerful and positive learning community over the years… I have been very fortunate to be a Panther. Thank you to all students and staff for your support and for all you have contributed to our school.
I am very pleased to welcome Ms. Alysha Tessier as the incoming Principal of Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary. Alysha is currently Principal of Enver Creek Secondary and will be joining the Panther community in July. Welcome to Lord Tweedsmuir!
Thank you everyone! I’m looking forward to these last 3 months and our “final push” of the year. 😊 Have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend. See you on Monday.
Ken
Traffic and Student Parking
All Panthers are reminded that traffic around the school and parking on school property will be very busy with our increased enrollment and Extended Day schedule. All student drivers are reminded that it is very important to drive with care and attention while on or near school property. Safety is our first priority. Please drive safely and responsibly, be aware of pedestrians, and follow all traffic regulations.
If possible, all families are asked to consider alternative transportation options. Please walk or bike to school if possible. It would also be helpful if students are dropped off a couple of blocks away from the school and vehicles do not enter our school’s parking lot.
Note: For the safety and privacy of our students, please avoid using the Elements Casino entrance as a designated drop-off/pick-up location.
Students are only permitted to park in the Student Lot on the right side of our parking lot near our Portable classrooms. Students are not permitted to park in the Staff Lot.
All students wishing to park on school property must apply for a Parking pass. Application forms may be picked up at the office.
Parking passes must be displayed on your car’s windshield at all times while on school property. Parking privileges will be revoked for any students not following our parking regulations or for unsafe driving.
Thank you for your help and cooperation in responding to our increased traffic challenges and protecting the safety of our community members.
