Board Synopsis for Dec. 17, 2024

The exchange with Inashiki, Japan, a Statement of Financial Information (SOFI), an update on vision support in SD83, and a report on the ongoing construction on the Trans Canada Highway were under discussion at the K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw School District No. 83 Board of Education meeting at the District Education Support Centre (DESC) on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

Salmon Arm Inashiki Twinning Committee
Board Chair Corryn Grayston provided an update to the Board about a virtual meeting with held on November 27, 2024, with representatives from Salmon Arm Council, the Salmon Arm-Inashiki Twinning Committee, Inashiki, and SD83. During the meeting, both the Mayor of Inashiki and the Mayor of Salmon Arm acknowledged financial constraints but expressed interest in continuing the program. The Mayor of Inashiki suggested reinstating the program in May 2026, potentially with a smaller group than in the past. Another suggestion was to transition the exchange to a three-year cycle instead of an annual one. Grayston informed the group of ongoing funding shortfalls and explained that while the program is valued and supported, financial backing is not feasible. The committee will determine anticipated expenses for a program involving five to ten students and to explore a revised itinerary to reduce costs further. The committee will meet on January 30 to discuss a costing update and other details.
READ REPORT HERE

Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Donna Kriger’s report to the Board covered several topics, including Written Learning Updates, Kindergarten and District Program Registration, Winter Concerts, the Knowledge Keeper Luncheon, and the next steps in school reconfiguration. Each month, Kriger highlights the District’s progress on commitments outlined in the Strategic Plan.

Kriger reported that, as part of the District’s focus on Intellectual Development, elementary and middle school students will receive their first written learning update of the school year this week. These updates are designed with a strength-based approach and family-friendly language. She thanked the teachers and principals for their significant efforts in preparing the new learning reports, saying, “It is a tremendous amount of work but rewarding work.” She also informed the Board that Kindergarten and District Program Registration for September 2025 will begin on January 15, 2025, with parent information sessions scheduled beforehand for Early French Immersion and the Outdoor Learning Program.

In alignment with Human and Social Development, Kriger highlighted the winter concerts held at many schools in recent weeks, along with efforts to collect donations for those in need. She extended her thanks to the staff who dedicate many hours in organizing these concerts. She said, “We know parents, grandparents, and the broader community appreciate your gift of time in creating these lasting memories.” She also thanked the Indigenous Education Department for hosting a successful Knowledge Keepers Luncheon, featuring a turkey dinner and fun bingo.

Kriger provided an update on the Feeding Futures program, which ties into the District’s commitment to strong community partnerships. She emphasized the focus on purchasing local goods and produce. Program Coordinator Serena Caner reported that since September, the Souper Meals initiative, which provides soup, buns, and fruit to schools, has directed $40,000 to local farmers and almost $120,000 to BC produced foods such as, bread, meat, and eggs.

Focusing on Organizational Development and the upcoming school reconfiguration, Kriger reminded the Board that the purpose of reconfiguration is to reduce transitions and strengthen school connectedness. Research has shown that students who feel connected to their schools are less likely to engage in risky behaviours and more likely to have better academic achievement and attendance. Regarding reconfiguration, Kriger was able to share the following updates:

• Elementary catchment areas for Salmon Arm, Carlin, and Sorrento will be redrawn early in 2025, with individual school information sessions to follow.
• There will be no changes to elementary school configurations during the 2025-26 school year.
• Current Grade 11 students at Salmon Arm Secondary (SAS) will be the final single graduating class and will remain at SAS for the 2025-26 school year, regardless of other changes impacting secondary students.
• The District will adopt a “family of schools” model, where students leaving grade 8 will attend either Jackson Secondary or Salmon Arm Secondary, based on the elementary catchment they reside in.
• Students attending South Canoe Elementary will attend the secondary school associated with the catchment area in which they live.

A transition plan will be shared in mid-January, and in February, catchment changes will be announced and school community meetings will begin. “As we begin visiting school staffs and communities, we ask for patience and grace. All of us are doing the very best we can with the resource of time that we have.”

Kriger concluded her report sharing holiday wishes. “We know this is a very special time of year for many – especially for children and their families. Whether you plan to engage in cultural traditions, a busy time with family or friends, a holiday or quiet time for yourself. On behalf of myself and the team around me, I want to wish all our staff, Rightsholders, students and families love and hope during the holiday season.”

“For members of our SD83 family who have experienced loss and sadness over the year, please know we have not forgotten you and we continue to hold you close in our hearts during this time. I look forward to 2025 and serving this District as, together, we create positive change for students over the next many years.”
READ MORE HERE

Vision Support

Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments Kelly Manduca presented information about the vision support services in SD83, which supports children from kindergarten to Grade 12 that have low vision or blindness (these impairments can not be corrected through prescription lenses).

The department currently supports 10 students and has three new referrals; however, she hoped after her presentation trustees would realize that the numbers don’t really reflect the service level needed.

Students with visual impairments qualify for direct service from a teacher of students with visual impairments, as well as an orientation and mobility specialists, specialized tools, technology and often the support of other specialists. This wraparound service is to help students build the skills to access school curriculum and their environments with the greatest independence possible. She noted that one gap in service locally is access to orientation and mobility specialists. The District has contracted a specialist in the interim, and that she is taking the additional schooling and training to help fill this gap.

Manduca showed the trustees a photo of a child using a monocular and looking at a bear in a wildlife enclosure. “On the screen is photograph of a student on a class field trip to the Kamloops Wildlife Park this fall, the student is looking through a specialized handheld telescope at a bear, furiously digging in the enclosure. We were about 20 feet from the action and without the monocular the student’s only access to what was happening would be to hear the bear digging and me verbalizing what was in front of him.”

In her slide presentation, she showed a little girl petting a horse. During the presentation, she had mentioned that people with typical vision gather 80 percent of learning though sight. She explained that the little girl thought horses only had front feet because, for safety reasons, she had never experienced the back of the horse. “This is the kind of incidental learning people with typical vision can take for granted. She didn’t experience the back of the horse so it didn’t exist.”

Learning must be expanded for these students to include not only the general curriculum but also to cover the gaps in incidental learning through the Expanded Core Curriculum – nine domains affected by reduced vision.

Many classroom adaptations can support students with visual impairments while also benefiting the other students. For example, she displayed photos of a 3D model of cell division used in Grade 9 science. “Our students can struggle with standing out but when materials like the 3D models are used, it helps all students,” she explained. Throughout the school year, particularly in the spring, she works with staff to ensure that they have pre-ordered materials like these from the Provincial Resource Center for the Visually Impaired in Vancouver for the upcoming school year. She also shared a photo of a clay mask created by a student, explaining that certain assignments, like the clay mask, are more accessible for students with visual impairments compared to tasks such as pencil drawings.

She concluded her presentation by expressing that, while she feels incredibly fortunate to have a job she loves, her goal is to work herself out of a job by helping create a world that inherently understands how to adapt and provide access for everyone. Trustees thanked her for the presentation, noting how much they had learned. Superintendent Donna Kriger added that SD83 is fortunate to have someone like Kelly working in the District. “Your expertise and passion is much appreciated.”
READ MORE HERE

Trip Approved for Shuswap Middle School
A trip to Montreal and Quebec City for May 2025 was approved by trustees. Shuswap Middle School teachers Jaimie Vezina and Amanda Tait requested permission to take up to 44 Grade 8 French Immersion students on the trip, which is being organized by education tour provider Jumpstreet. The tour will give students a chance to practice the language while experiencing French Canadian culture, history, and food. Highlights include visits to Montreal, Old Montreal, and Quebec City.

At the meeting, Vezina explained that the original price for the trip was higher than expected, so they worked with Jumpstreet to remove Ottawa from the itinerary and are continuing efforts to lower the cost. “It is about $3,100 now,” she added. Trustees thanked her for efforts to reduce the cost of the trip for families. They also expressed appreciation for the organizers’ hard work and the fundraising efforts that provide these opportunities for students.
TRIP INFORMATION

Education Directions
Trustee Marianne VanBuskirk reported that the next Education Directions meeting will be held on January 8, 2025, at 2 p.m.

Finance & Facilities
Committee Chair Amanda Krebs reported that the Finance & Facilities Committee discussed the Operating Fund Revenue and Expenditures report, facilities update, and the Statement of Financial Information (SOFI). As mentioned in the previous meeting, she noted that the committee felt the SOFI reporting threshold should be adjusted. She moved, and trustees approved, that the District send a letter to the appropriate government body proposing the SOFI remuneration reporting threshold be raised to $100,000, rather than the current $75,000.

Statement of Financial Information
Secretary-Treasurer Dale Culler and Director of Finance Jeremy Hunt presented the Statement of Financial Information (SOFI). In accordance with the Financial Information Act, each school board is required to prepare a report of financial information for each fiscal year. This report, for the year ended June 30, 2024, includes audited financial statements as well as a schedule of remuneration and expenses for trustees and employees whose remuneration exceeds $75,000. It also includes a schedule of suppliers of goods and services made to suppliers in excess of $25,000.

Grant
Secretary-Treasurer Dale Culler and Director of Finance Jeremy Hunt reported that the Ministry has notified school districts of a delay in the operating grant information which would typically be received on December 15th will now arrive by the end of January. Trustees questioned whether the delay would affect planning deadlines, and Culler suggested proceeding with planning using past and local information, with adjustments made when the information is received.

School Bus Transportation Impacts
A report from Secretary-Treasurer Dale Culler and Director of Operations Travis Elwood informed trustees that the ongoing construction on the Trans-Canada Highway during the 2024-25 school year has had minimal impact on school bus routes and schedules.

Twelve bus routes travel through the construction zone on their way to Sorrento, Carlin, Jackson, Salmon Arm Secondary, and Storefront schools. While delays have generally been minimal (10-15 minutes), on November 27, 2024, there was a disruption, with seven buses experiencing delays ranging from 30 to 75 minutes. A school messenger phone call was sent to parents, informing them of the delays and parents using the app were able to track the real-time location of their child’s bus. As soon as bus drivers notified the Transportation office of their expected delay, messages were sent out for each run affected.

On Thursday, November 28, 2024, the District contacted the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure, AIM, and the highway construction company to address the incident. The Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure acknowledged the concerns and indicated that they have followed up with their Ministry representative and the construction company to address the delays and other related issues.

Labour Relations
Board Chair Corryn Grayston reported that there was a Labour Relations Committee meeting on December 11, 2024, and two items were discussed.

Policy Committee
Superintendent Donna Kriger reported that a Policy Committee meeting was held in December but there are no items to present to the Board at this time.

Committee of thee Whole
Board Chair Corryn Grayston noted that a Committee of the Whole meeting will be scheduled for mid-January.

BC School Trustees Association Update
Trustee Amanda Krebs reminded trustees about the Branch meeting in February and the annual general meeting at the end of April.

Quelmúcw Education Council Report
Vice Chair Tennile Lachmuth highlighted the Name Change Ceremony on December 6, 2024, noting that a standout moment was the video created about the change (view here). Several others also commented on how emotional and special the ceremony was.

Cyber Security
The Board received a letter from Minister of Education and Child Care, Lisa Beare, reporting that since March 2024, four BC school districts have been the target of cyber incidents, three of which were ransomware attacks. “These attacks disrupt the business of education, put district data at risk, and create significant financial burden on impacted school districts. More importantly, these attacks are putting the safety, security and privacy of students, families and staff at risk. Evidence suggests that these bad actors will continue to target school districts in BC and exploit system vulnerabilities to gain access,” Beare says in her letter.

She urged school districts to follow industry standards, adhere to recommended cybersecurity practices, and take measures to secure their district’s networks. She noted that the ministry is available to support districts and has a developed a suite of cybersecurity services to assist in proactively increasing network and security posture across the sector.
READ LETTER HERE

Trustee Reports
Trustee Marianne VanBuskirk highlighted several recent basketball and wrestling tournaments and thanked the organizers and host schools for their efforts. Pleasant Valley Secondary School (PVSS) and A.L. Fortune faced off in an exciting basketball final in Enderby, with PVSS taking the win. PVSS won the exciting final game. She also mentioned the basketball and wrestling tournaments hosted simultaneously at J.L. Jackson and thanked music teachers and staff for their hard work in organizing the Christmas concerts.

Board Chair Corryn Grayston reported receiving an introductory call from new Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare. Grayston shared information about the District’s name change and celebration, and took the opportunity to remind the Minister of campaign promises regarding increased education funding, expressing interest in how these plans will be implemented.

Upcoming Dates
Winter Break – Monday, December 23, 2024 to Friday, January 3, 2025
Regular Board Meeting – Tuesday, January 21 at 6 p.m. at the DESC