The Grove - CVDL

09/02/2026

The Board of Education for the Cowichan Valley School District is happy to announce the sale of Koksilah Elementary School to Duncan Pentecostal Church and Living Stones Landscaping Inc.

Koksilah Elementary opened its doors as an elementary school in 1964 replacing the Old Koksilah school. Over the years, Koksilah Elementary School grew to include 14 classrooms, a library and a gymnasium. It served the community from its construction until its closing in 2013. After the school’s closing, the Board partnered with Vancouver Island University (VIU) to provide local trades training for Cowichan Valley students, keeping local students training in local schools and with local businesses. With the conclusion of VIU’s lease in 2026 the trades training centre moved from Koksilah and the Board finalized their consultation under the provincial disposal process before listing the property for public sale.

The sale of the property is a high priority for the Board as the funds generated will be directed towards repairs and maintenance to schools across the district. These projects could include addressing playground needs, heating and cooling system upgrades, and/or accessibility improvements.

“The sale of Koksilah Elementary School to Duncan Pentecostal Church and Living Stones Landscaping Inc. is a celebration for our community and district, that’s why the board unanimously supported this offer. Our students have told us that it’s important for them to have pride in their place of learning, and this sale helps deliver on that by generating needed funds for important renovations and improvement,” stated Cathy Schmidt, chair of the Board of Education for the Cowichan Valley School District.

The sale was finalized on August 28, 2026, and Duncan Pentecostal Church and Living Stones Landscaping Inc. will take possession of the property on September 15, 2026.

09/02/2026

The Board of Education for the Cowichan Valley School District is celebrating with students and staff after district literacy rates showed a double-digit jump last year.

A change in teaching and assessment approaches over the last number of years has resulted inGrade 4 literacy rates improving 12.6% and Grade 7 rates increasing by 10.5% within the district. In BC, literacy means a student’s ability to understand, critically analyze, and create a variety of forms of communication, including oral, written, visual, digital, and multimedia, to accomplish one’s goals. Literacy applies to reading, writing, speaking and listening skills across a variety of subject areas.

Cowichan’s literacy team, led by a group of literacy support teachers, classroom teachers, education assistants and school-based administrators brought together by Acting Superintendent Darlene Reynolds and resourced by the Board of Education have spent the last number of years analyzing student data and identifying tools and teaching practice to improve both to benefit students.

“The Board is tremendously proud of these results and so grateful to our staff for the hard work it takes to make these changes. We know that every time these literacy rates increase, it means another student being able to go home and read to their parents or understand materials in their classes. Literacy is the foundation to a strong education, and a strong education is the foundation to student’s future success,” said Cathy Schmidt, Chair of the Board of Education for the Cowichan Valley School District.

“Our educators have shown an incredible commitment to reflect, learn and work to continuously improve what we do to benefit our students; I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our staff. These results are a celebration for our district and for school communities. These results are life-changing,” said Acting Superintendent Darlene Reynolds.

While staff are celebrating, they are also looking to the upcoming school year to continue improving support for student learning, including beginning focused work for numeracy.

08/24/2026

Volunteer at the 158th Cowichan Exhibition Fall Fair September 18, 19 and 20. 🤠✋

Do you enjoy sewing? Are you passionate about poultry? Are you a plant enthusiast? We’d love to have you join our volunteer team!

We’re looking for Mellor Hall volunteers to help at this year’s Fall Fair with the following Divisions.
🧵 Sewing
🧶 Knitting & crochet
🌱 Garden produce
🌾 Field crops
🥚 Eggs
Duties include receiving and checking entries and setting up exhibit tables. Other volunteer positions in the hall include fair setup and teardown.

We’re also looking for volunteers to help with cashiering and ticketing during the fair. Shifts are just 3 hours long, and volunteers receive a complimentary one-day gate admission.

Be part of the community, meet new people, and help make this year’s Fall Fair a success!

Interested in volunteering? We’d love to hear from you.
250-748-0822 / [email protected]

https://www.cowex.ca/volunteer-at-the-fair/

08/24/2026

Welcome to the 2026/27 School Year!

You can find information on the first day of school, info for new students, returning students, bus registration and schedules and more through the information below or at sd79.bc.ca We're excited to welcome our students back!

08/17/2026

𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁!✅
Ready, Set, School! Creating Routines That Work

𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽, you'll learn practical strategies for creating routines that reduce stress & increase independence.

𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀:
• Why routines reduce stress for children and caregivers
• Creating a realistic family schedule
• Balancing extracurricular activities and downtime
• Age-appropriate responsibilities and chores

⏰ Wed. Aug. 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Online Workshop
📝 Register Here: www.parentsupportbc.ca/workshops

08/17/2026

⭐ Crofton Youth Room ⭐

Check out what we are up to at the Crofton Youth Room next week 👇
📆 Monday-Friday

⏰ 1pm-6pm
📍 Crofton Community Centre (lower level)
⭐ Ages 12-18 years (youth entering grade 7 in September are welcome!)
💲Free drop-in

08/17/2026

08/17/2026

We’re Hosting a Trustee Candidate Information Session on Aug 26

The Cowichan Valley School District is inviting all interested school trustee candidates to join us on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 6pm – 7pm for a Trustee Candidate Information Session. District staff will review the roles and responsibilities of trustees and be available to answer questions on the role or nomination process.

When: Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 6pm – 7pm
Where: Cowichan Valley School District Board Office at 2557 Beverly Street, North Cowichan, BC

08/08/2026

⛸️PUBLIC SKATING IS BACK AT KERRY PARK ⛸️
Too hot outside? We've got the coolest place in town! Come enjoy the A/C and get back on the ice this summer!
📆Sundays | Aug 9 - Sept 6 | 1:00 - 2:15 pm
📆Wednesdays | Aug 12 - Sept 2 | 6:00 - 7:15 pm
📍Kerry Park Recreation Centre
How to register:
🔗 www.reccowichan.ca
☎️ 250.743.5922