February News

February is African Heritage Month
February is Registration Month
February 16: Heritage Day (no classes - all schools)
February 17: Lunar New Year

All graphics below, and for the occasions listed above, can be downloaded here.

Do you have or know a child who will be starting Pre Primary or Primary this fall? It’s time to register!  

Registration for the 2026-27 school year begins on Monday, February 2. To ensure we have the right staff and supports in place for September, it’s important that we gather enrolment numbers now.  

Tip: Before you begin, make sure you have the following documents in electronic form (image, PDF or Word document):  

• Proof of identity/age with one of the following: birth certificate, passport, immigration papers, or legal adoption papers if you are new to the HRCE
• Proof of home address with one of the following: a recently dated official government or utility document with your current address that includes your name and date, such as water bill, power bill, internet bill, home fuel bill, a tax receipt, property assessment, a mortgage contract or a residential lease agreement

Visit the HRCE website for more information and to enrol your child today through PowerSchool Enrollment! 

Don’t have a child to register? Maybe you know someone who does! Please help us spread the word and pass this information on to friends, neighbours or relatives who will be looking to register for the fall.

African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia is a time to recognize and celebrate the rich history, vibrant culture, and lasting contributions of people of African descent in our province. This year’s theme, “Strength in Unity – Moving Forward with Purpose, Prosperity, Power and Progress,” reminds us of the importance of coming together as a community, learning from one another, and moving forward with shared purpose.

In our schools, African Heritage Month provides meaningful opportunities for students to explore African Nova Scotian histories and experiences, deepen their understanding of our shared past, and reflect on the values of respect, inclusion, and belonging. Through classroom learning, discussions, and activities connected to this year’s theme, students are encouraged to appreciate diversity, build empathy, and recognize the strength that comes from unity. These experiences help foster welcoming school communities and inspire students to contribute positively to a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

Have you considered opening your home to an international student?

HRCE’s International Services welcomes students from all over the world who would like to attend schools in our region. Hosting a student in your home can be an enriching and rewarding experience. We’re looking for warm and caring families like yours to provide them with a home away from home.

Hosting an international student is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that gives your family the opportunity to bring the world home. For students, it's a way to learn about the Canadian way of life.

As a host, your family would be matched with a student who will attend your neighbourhood school and participate in your daily routines.

What you can expect:  

• Host families receive a tax-free monthly stipend to help cover hosting expenses ($825 current, $875 effective September)
• Students stay for periods of three to 10 months
• Ongoing support is provided by an experienced Homestay Coordinator
• You will learn about and communicate with your student before their arrival

Learn more here or contact:

HRCE International Services
(902) 464-2000 ext. 2548
hostastudent@hrce.ca

Please share this message with anyone who may be interested.

Thank you! Gracias. Merci. Xie-Xie. Danke. Arigato. Grazie. Obrigado. Kamsa-Hamnida. Kawp-Kun-Ka. Shukran. Teşekkür Ederim.

HRCE International Services

Nova Scotia Heritage Day is celebrated on Monday, February 16, and provides an opportunity for students and families to learn more about the people, stories, and events that have shaped our province. Each year, Heritage Day honours a notable Nova Scotian, and in 2026 we recognize Joseph William Comeau, an important Acadian poet, writer, and cultural leader.

Joseph William Comeau is remembered for his contributions to Acadian literature and for helping to preserve and promote Acadian language, identity, and culture in Nova Scotia. His work reflected the everyday lives, resilience, and traditions of Acadian communities, and his legacy continues to influence Acadian culture today.

Heritage Day provides us with an opportunity to explore Nova Scotia’s diverse history and to better understand how individuals from different backgrounds have contributed to our shared story. Learning about Joseph William Comeau helps students appreciate the richness of Acadian heritage and the importance of preserving culture, language, and community.

Thriving Offline: How Delaying Smartphones Can Help Kids Flourish, a free community event hosted by Unplugged Canada at St. Margaret’s Bay Elementary, is available both in person and virtually. 

Designed for caregivers and educators, this session will explore how early smartphone and social media use impacts children’s development and the latest research, practical strategies, safer alternatives, and age-appropriate boundaries to support healthy childhoods.

Join us! Thriving Offline: How Delaying Smartphones Can Help Kids Flourish

• Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
• St. Margaret’s Bay Elementary - 24 Ridgewood Dr, Head of St Margaret's Bay, NS
• Please register for in-person or virtual here.  

Two Truths & AI is a free, interactive activity from Common Sense Education that helps students learn how to tell the difference between real and AI-generated content. Through guided examples, students practice asking good questions and thinking critically about what they see online. This resource can also be a helpful way for parents and caregivers to build their own understanding of AI and media literacy alongside their children. Learn more here.

Did you know? HRCE takes great care when making the decision to alter the regular operations of schools and school buses in the event of severe or inclement weather.  

It is HRCE’s goal to communicate any changes to the regular operations of schools and/or buses as close to 6:00 a.m. as possible. A 6:00 a.m. announcement could be: 

• All schools are delayed in opening by two hours and bus pickups are delayed by two hours; or 
• All schools are open, but some or all busses are not operating for the day; or
• Some schools (either individually or by family) are closed for the day; or 

• All schools are closed for the day.  

   

If weather deteriorates, or is forecasted to worsen throughout the morning, an 11:00 a.m. announcement could be: 

• Bussed students will be picked up two hours earlier than their regular dismissal time; and
• Walking students will be dismissed at their regularly scheduled lunch hour.  
   

How will I find out? 

• By email to the addresses in PowerSchool
• By text message, if you have opted-in. If you aren’t sure if you have opted-in, text Y to the following number: 978338
• On the HRCE website 
• On Instagram  
   

It’s important to always have a plan in place for childcare in the event of any cancellation. Please remember: As a parent or guardian you always have the choice of whether or not to send your child to school. 

For more information on how HRCE manages during inclement weather, visit hrce.ca/families/cancellations.