J.F. Dion School

Back To School Information

The 2026-2027 school year is almost here! Classes resume September 8, 2026.

School staff return the week of August 31. Starting that week, families can contact their local school about student registration, school bus information or any other Back To School questions.

For registration, transportation, school calendar and other Back To School information, visit:
https://www.nsd61.ca/about-us/division-news/post/2026-2027-back-to-school-information

Looking for more flexibility in how your child learns?

Northland School Division offers different ways for students to learn. While attending their local school works well for many students, Northland Online School may be a better fit for some students and families.

Northland Online School is welcoming students for the 2026 to 2027 school year, with online learning available from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Students can access First Nations and Métis language, culture and land based learning throughout the curriculum. Students in Grades 7 to 9 can choose live online classes or flexible learning at their own pace. High school students can also learn at their own pace with teacher support throughout the school day.

Students can access courses through partnerships across Northland School Division, learn Math with Minecraft, explore Science through coding, and receive a Chromebook and learning tools.

If online learning may be a good fit for your child, learn more at www.northlandonlineschool.ca.

📚✏️ Back-to-School Bus Registration Reminder! 🚌🎒

The first day of school will be here before we know it! Northland School Division has emailed individualized school bus registration forms to the parent/guardian email address we have on file.

📧 Didn't receive your registration form? If your email address has changed or you did not receive the email, please visit our Transportation webpage to request a registration form for your student(s):
👉 https://www.nsd61.ca/departments/transportation

⚠️ Important Reminder: Only registered students will be permitted to ride the school bus.

✅ To help ensure your student is ready for the first day of school, please submit your registration as soon as possible. Registrations will be processed in the order they are received.

🍎 We can't wait to welcome everyone back for another fantastic school year. Wishing all of our students and families a safe and successful start to the new school year! 🚌

🚌 2026–2027 School Bus Registration https://www.nsd61.ca/about-us/division-news/post/2026-2027-school-bus-registration

Is your child taking the bus next school year? Don’t wait. Save their seat today!

📍 For students attending school in High Prairie or Cold Lake

Students attending schools not operated by Northland School Division must submit a bus registration form each year.

Registration links have been sent to the parent/guardian email addresses on file.

📧 Didn’t receive a registration link?
Visit the Transportation page and click Request a Student School Bus Registration Form:
https://www.nsd61.ca/departments/transportation/bussing

🏫 If your child is attending a Northland School Division school and has not yet registered, please contact your school before the end of the school year.

🚜 Private Property Applications

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Private Property Applications must be submitted each year.

To request an application form, visit:
https://www.nsd61.ca/departments/transportation/transportation-forms

Let’s get ready for another great school year. Please make sure your child’s transportation arrangements are in place before school starts.

What an amazing way to wrap up another incredible school year! Congratulations to all of our students on your hard work, achievements, and growth this year. We are so proud of each and every one of you! A special congratulations to all of our awards day recipients; you have shown dedication, kindness, perseverance and school spirit. Keep shining!
 As the school year comes to a close, we wish all of our students and families a fun, safe and relaxing summer filled with adventures, laughter and wonderful memories.
 A heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff for your unwavering commitment, passion and hard work in helping our students learn and grow each day, your dedication makes a lasting difference.
To our families, thank you for your continued support, encouragement and partnership throughout the school year, your involvement plays an important role in your child’s success, and we truly appreciate all that you do. 
A huge thank you going out to the many volunteers and supportive community members we had coming through our doors. We are so truly thankful and grateful for your generosity and dedication to the school and students.
Have a fantastic summer - we can’t wait to welcome everyone back in the fall!

Tansi, Edlanat’e, Greetings everyone,

As the 2025-2026 school year wraps up, I want to thank all parents, guardians, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members and education partners. Your support, involvement and guidance continue to make a difference for Northland students.

Whether you attended a school event, shared feedback, supported learning at home, joined a school council or principal’s advisory committee, or helped guide learning through culture, language and community connection, your role matters.

Northland School Division’s Education Plan continued to guide the work happening across the division this year. The plan is connected to student learning, culture, language, land-based learning, community voice, staff support and future pathways for students.

Highlights from 2025-2026:

- We celebrated 67 students during graduation ceremonies in Anzac, Calling Lake, Wabasca-Desmarais, Paddle Prairie and Northland Online School.

- Early results show the Education Plan is helping guide positive change. High school completion increased by 17 per cent compared to the previous three-year average, more students are continuing into post-secondary education or apprenticeship training, student satisfaction improved, and the dropout rate decreased.

- Northland continued targeted engagement with the communities we serve to support the review of the Education Plan and keep it connected to community voice, student needs and shared priorities.

- Students took part in meaningful learning connected to culture, language, land-based learning, athletics, CTS, dual credit, career pathways, literacy, numeracy and leadership.

- The Superintendent’s Youth Council and Elders/Knowledge Keepers Council continued to provide important guidance connected to student voice, culture, language, land and community.

- Planning funding for a replacement Paddle Prairie School marked an important step forward for students, families and Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement.

As Northland looks ahead to 2026-2027:

- Building connections between schools and the communities we serve will remain a key focus.

- Local education plans, literacy, numeracy, assessment and student learning needs will guide school planning.

- Connections to land, language, culture and local history will remain central to the Education Plan.

- Hands-on learning, Career and Technology Studies (CTS), dual credit, career pathways, athletics, cultural activities and student leadership will continue to support student learning.

- Staff professional learning will focus on Truth and Reconciliation, Wahkohtowin, new programs of study, data literacy and Collaborative Response.

As I prepare for retirement, I want to share my sincere thanks. Northland is a special place. I am grateful for the relationships built over the years and for the opportunity to work alongside students, staff, families and the communities we serve. The voices of the communities we serve have guided this work, and I am proud of the direction Northland has taken.

Please enjoy your time with family and friends. Have a safe and restful summer break.

Hai, Hai, Mahsi cho, thank you.

Sincerely,

Cal Johnson
Superintendent of Schools/CEO
Northland School Division