Happenings in SD83 Schools
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Through the next two weeks our schools will be engaging in many seasonal activities, though often adapted for the current context. This communication gives a nice sampling of activities around the district from recent days, and once again I would like to say how proud I am of all the great work that is going on to support a rich and engaging learning environment for our students, despite the challenges. I know many of us are looking forward to the upcoming Winter Break, and my hope is that you are all able to relax and enjoy your families, even if travel and gathering may not look the same this year. On behalf of School District No. 83 (North-Okanagan-Shuswap) I would like to wish you safety, good health, and the best of the season.
Take care and see you out there,
Peter
Peter Jory, Superintendent of Schools/CEOSchool District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap)
Thank You for Helping Raise Awareness
It is an early present for the SD83! After several months of raising awareness about the concerning trend of drivers passing school buses when the red lights are flashing, SD83 Transportation Manager Andrea Kathrein is happy to report that the number of red light runners has dropped!
READ MORE HERE
Students helping students in Try-A-Trade
Under the direction of shop teacher, Colin Underwood, Salmon Arm Secondary applied for provincial grant monies to promote trades in our district. The funds are being used to invite students from Shuswap Middle School to “Try-A-Trade” events throughout the school year at Sullivan. Principal Rob Cadden comments the first event, which was held on Nov. 2, was a huge success. It paired SAS Women in Trades students with students from Shuswap Middle School, who showed the younger students how to safely change and rotate tires, replace brakes, and lift up a vehicle. The try-a-trade sessions continued on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 when a mixed group of SMS students tried their hand at machining (making a screwdriver), welding, and doing automotive tires and brakes. COVID-19 protocols are in place and students are wearing masks and physically distancing with anyone outside of their cohort.”Outstanding work Colin and well done students,” adds Cadden.
Challenging others to do acts of kindness
The class reps at Len Wood Middle School are challenging each of their classes to do an act of kindness before the winter break. Some have already started! The students from the “White Wolves” (teachers are Denise Moore and Greg Pare) made beautiful winter swags, which they used to decorate the fence between Len Wood and Pleasant Valley Manor. The intention is for the senior citizens in the manor to enjoy the swags. “What a kind idea and thanks to CEA Schelley Mcrae, who collected all the branches for them to create the swags,” comments Principal Denise Moore. Another group soon took up the challenge! The students in the classes of Kim Poirier and Melissa Ganzeveld made cards for all the staff members in the school. The cards thanked everyone for their hard work and brought a smile and a feeling of appreciation to each of the staff members. Also, Sheila Hamilton’s class levied a school-wide challenge to collect donations for the local Food Bank. Moore said she is looking forward to what other “kindness” activities the classes come up with. “We are so proud of our students.”
Remember to look up at Little Mountain Park
When you are walking the trails at Little Mountain Park remember to look up!John Sayer, a local artist, has been working on a carving project with students from the Salmon Arm Storefront program. As part of the project John brought a number of his own carvings and, after getting permission from the city, he, and a group of students and staff from Salmon Arm Storefront, recently installed them in Little Mountain Park for all to enjoy. The small carvings, primarily faces, were installed with ceramic screws so not to damage the trees.
READ MORE HERE
Middle years students taking part in assessment
Once again, School District No. 83 has partnered with the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) at UBC to invite Grades 5 and 8 students to take part in completing the Middle Years Development Instrument. The MDI is a self-report questionnaire that asks children about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in school and in the community. The survey questions align with the BC Ministry of Education’s K-12 curriculum which includes a focus on promoting children’s personal and social competencies.
READ MORE HERE
Students build trails at Ranchero
A labyrinth of ten unique trail loops and connecters have been developed at Ranchero Elementary. Principal Doug Cumming explains that since September teachers Joel Mueller and Duane Kroeker and their students tackled the outdoor project of expanding the school’s old, original “Ran Run” trail and short upper loop. “It’s a wonderful addition to our school.”
READ MORE HERE
Poster project to support marginalized students
Kindness is winning! School District No. 83 SOGI (Sexual Orientation Gender Identity) Support Teacher, Amy Witt, reports she was excited to launch a poster project fundraiser in an effort to ensure marginalized students and families feel welcome in our schools and beyond. “In working with 2SLGBTQ+ youth in our schools, it has become clear to me that they are scanning their environments for overt signs of welcome, support, and safety,” Witt remarks. In one week the first batch of posters sold out. “We even had some out-of-school district people purchase them. Interest is high and kindness is certainly winning.” She is hoping schools and other workplaces will continue to purchase a poster or sticker for display. To order contact Witt at awitt@sd83.bc.ca
READ MORE HERE
Several schools enter Canadian Music Class Challenges
With the pandemic interfering with typical school concerts, music teachers have been doing other “replacement projects”. Some schools are recording classes and sharing it with parents, some are performing for others in their cohort and some are taking part in challenges. For example, Bastion Elementary entered the annual Canadian Music Class Challenge and Hillcrest entered the Music Playlist Challenge.
READ MORE HERE
Media and RCMP help spread safety message
The RCMP and local media have joined SD83 in raising awareness about driving safety around our school buses. SD83 Transportation Manager Andrea Kathrein has been on the radio and interviewed many times trying to get the message out that it is dangerous and illegal to pass a school bus when the red lights are flashing! Thanks to the RCMP and local media for your support for this issue (You can read one example here). Also, thank you to all who drive safely around our schools and buses!
More “brain bikes” for SD83 schools thanks to Shuswap Rotary!
Shuswap Rotary is helping schools bring 19 more Brain Bikes into SD83 and they should arrive before the holiday break. Brain bikes help to get students in the zone for learning either by using the bikes as a quick brain break or using the bikes while learning. Thank you to Shuswap Rotary, for all your support.
READ MORE HERE
Schools find memorable ways to recognize importance of Remembrance Day
Superintendent Peter Jory commented schools found many memorable ways to honour and recognize Remembrance Day this year. Just a few of the activities included students painting poppies on rocks and placing them at the cenotaph in their community to handmaking wreaths to present. There were also musical tributes including Pleasant Valley Secondary School (PVSS) student Taliah Bellman who performed “The Last Post” and “Reveille” on her trumpet for many of our schools to use in their virtual assemblies. Also at Hillcrest Elementary, Tyra Menzies’ Grade 4/5 Class, working with music teacher Brook Roberts, performed and did a music video of Nobody Rules You, which was part of that school’s virtual Remembrance Day ceremony.
Carlin donates 200 pounds of food!
The Carlin Leadership Team recently completed a food drive to collect and donate to the Sorrento Food Bank where over 200 pounds of non-perishable food items were donated. Principal Shane Corston reports all of the cohort specific boxes were overflowing with donations and they are very thankful to the contributing families and Carlin Spirit! Pictured here (left to right) are president Ross Peterson, volunteer Kathy Brydon, manager Tina Hysop and volunteer Sharon Wagner, who are preparing to sort the food at the Sorrento Food Bank. The food bank supports an average of 30 individuals each month but those numbers fluctuate. During COVID-19 Sorrento Food Bank has seen an increase in the need for emergency hampers. As Christmas approaches they expect that need to increase even more. “We truly appreciate every donation we receive, and we are humbled by the generosity of the members of our community,” comments secretary Lydia Peterson.
Fifteen hundred pounds of batteries NOT headed to the garbage!
Shuswap Middle School has recycled 1,500 pounds of used batteries during the school’s battery recycling challenge. Hosted by Jaimie Vezina’s Grade 6/7 class, SMS students, staff and families have stepped up to make a difference, even during this unusual time. Staff and students first embraced this contest with a plan to be proactive in addressing a local environmental issue that can affect everyone, explains Principal Sydney Griffith.
READ MORE HERE
Adapted PE unit with wheelchairs popular with students
Students are learning and having fun while taking part in SD83’s adapted PE unit. SD83 has a district set of child-sized sport wheelchairs to use during PE classes, which this year will be travelling to seven schools, starting at M.V. Beattie.
READ MORE HERE
Building a happy place!
When you walk into Grindrod Elementary School’s library it is like walking into a story book! With the support of librarian Cynthia Levins, Certified Education Assistants (CEAs) Justine Berndt (on left) and Diane Sterling transformed the library into a page from a Dr. Seuss book! The two students with the CEAs are Evie Barbour (left) and Lily Storey.
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