Students Begin School Year Outdoors Following Last-Minute Permit Approval

Hundreds of students at Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich began their school year outside on September 7, 2023, due to a delay in receiving the necessary occupancy permit. Inspection teams had not confirmed the building’s safety before the first day of classes, leading to an unusual start for the students and staff.

On Thursday morning, students were barred from entering the new school building. Instead, teachers gathered their classes in the schoolyard, conducting hour-long assemblies for each grade level before dismissing the students early. Typically, the first day of school is shortened, but the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association (GVTA) noted that it is uncommon for students to spend their time outside of a classroom setting.

GVTA president Carolyn Howe expressed concerns about the situation. “I understand that families really want their kids back at school, but I think we want kids back at school when everything is ready for them,” she told CTV News.

Later in the day, the Greater Victoria School District (SD61) announced that the school had received a conditional occupancy permit. This permit allows students to enter the building even though some construction is still ongoing, provided that safety requirements are met. SD61 confirmed that students would be allowed inside the building on Friday, September 8, 2023. Staff members gained access around noon, leaving them with less than 24 hours to prepare their classrooms.

“Teachers are really… frantic at this point,” Howe remarked. “Teachers are going to be there late tonight and early tomorrow morning trying to get things as ready as they can.”

Most students in British Columbia returned to classes on September 5, 2023. However, Cedar Hill’s start was postponed due to a construction issue, which the district described as related to safety and accessibility but did not provide further details. Howe noted that teachers would have benefited from an additional day to set up in the new environment.

An email from the district had informed parents of the delayed start a few weeks prior to the school year, allowing families to adjust their schedules accordingly. Despite the challenges, the community looks forward to welcoming students into their new classroom space as preparations continue.