Back to School: Building Community and Inspiring Kindness in CISVA Schools

Back-to-school season is right around the corner, and with it comes a unique sense of excitement and renewal throughout the Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese (CISVA). This time of year is always special a chance for our students to return to familiar faces, for teachers to inspire new minds, and for parents to play an active role in their children’s learning journey. As we approach this important moment, it’s essential for both parents and teachers to check in with their schools. Important communications about new procedures, health and safety guidelines, extracurricular offerings, and community events are being shared, and staying connected ensures everyone begins the year well-prepared and informed.

But what truly sets CISVA schools apart is the deep spirit of community and compassion woven into everything we do. Each September, schools look for ways to make every student and family feel truly welcomed and at home. At Our Lady of Sorrows School in Vancouver, the start of the year is marked by their beloved “Welcome Back Community Breakfast.” This heartfelt tradition brings together students, parents, and staff to reconnect after summer, share stories, and welcome new families. Last year, a parent who had just immigrated to Canada expressed how the openness of the event made them feel immediately included, and her child returned home beaming about the friends and teachers they’d met. That sense of belonging created in the very first week of school gives children the confidence to learn and grow all year long.

Across CISVA, we see countless other acts of kindness and service that show the true heart of our school communities. At many schools, students participate in “Random Acts of Kindness Week,” looking for ways to lift up their classmates, help younger students, or support staff. Teachers have told us how students sometimes shy or new themselves find their confidence by simply sharing a positive note or welcoming a new face. These small acts spark ripples throughout the community, with parents reporting that their children come home eager to continue spreading kindness in their neighborhoods and even at home

Our CISVA schools also unite in service, teaching young people empathy beyond the classroom walls. In one powerful