First bells of 2026-27 school year draw near

Class is just about in session.

Students throughout Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast are returning for the 2026-27 school year Tuesday, Sept. 8 and Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Local school districts and the RCMP are issuing reminders to watch for students entering and exiting school buses. Drivers are reminded that it is illegal to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing.

“A little extra caution can make a big difference,” said Comox Valley Schools in a statement. “Please slow down and help us start the school year safely.”

A statement from B.C. RCMP says traffic services members and Speed Watch volunteers will be conducting enforcement and education initiatives in and around school zones to promote safe driving behaviours and enhance student safety.

Also, a recent announcement from the province confirmed new before- and after-school child-care spaces are being created over the next year in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith, Cowichan Valley, Sunshine Coast and Campbell River school districts.

READ MORE: Province funds new before and after school childcare in school on Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast  : My Coast Now

While most students will return to class Tuesday, students in SD 72 in Campbell River, SD 85 in the North Island region and SD 46 on the Sunshine Coast will have their first day of school Wednesday.

Wylie Henderson
Wylie Henderson
Wylie is news director for Vancouver Island, bringing more than a decade of broadcast experience to the role. A Vancouver native, he moved to the Island in 2025 with his wife and stepdaughter after a long run on the airwaves in the Kootenays. He is committed to delivering timely, reliable and community-focused news to listeners across the region. A lifelong Vancouver Canucks and B.C. Lions fan, Wylie is just as comfortable breaking down a game as he is breaking down a news story. Away from the newsroom, he can often be found on the golf course, cycling or lacing up his skates for a game of hockey. For Wylie, keeping listeners informed about what matters locally is more than a job, it’s a passion.

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