Ethan Treger carefully harvests stinging nettle using the teachings and skills he gained as part of the Indigenous Leadership Community at Rutland Senior. See page 13.
System Wellbeing
Page 6: Students Take Climate Action
Page 8: A Legacy of Mental Health
Page 13: Culture is Medicine
Page 16: Return to Blue Grouse Mountain
Throughout: Powerful Ideas and Voices!
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Graduates 2025 Congratulations
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
After 40 years in education, my formal journey is coming to an end. When I look back on the gifts that have enriched my life as educator and leader, I have been most impacted by the gift of others sharing their knowledge, time, and an ethic of caring. This gift so generously given builds a sense of togetherness and community. It is fostered when people of good will enter spaces with the intention of helping others. This intention and the actions that follow support wellness, improve competency development, and provide the conditions for peo-
ple to flourish. It is the primary driver for being involved in public education. It is certainly mine. My first inspiration to become a public-school educator was my maternal grandmother, a Grade 5 teacher, who would give me time, teach me, and share her wisdom, while we painted, explored nature, or visited museums and fish hatcheries. Her students wrote to her decades later about how she had changed their lives, helping them to wonder about the world and treat others with dignity. Being a public educator is a purpose driven life to set
Julia Fraser
Chair, Board of Education
BOARD CHAIRPERSON’S MESSAGE
Together We Learn – A Community Rooted in Hope and Innovation
One of the pillars of our District’s Strategic Plan is System Wellbeing—our belief in the importance of building sustainable practices today that allow us to support our learners, staff, and families well into the future.
System Wellbeing isn’t just about environmental responsibility—it’s about people. It’s about creating the conditions for students and staff to thrive, to innovate, and to work together in ways that reflect care, creativity, and community.
In Central Okanagan Public Schools, we are building a culture of innovation and sustainability—
both in how we operate as a district and how we support equitable access to learning opportunities that inspire students. This newsletter is full of stories that bring this work to life.
You’ll read about students designing practical sustainability solutions to address real challenges in our community. You’ll hear about a teacher whose passion for art is now reaching classrooms across the district through a creative, collaborative approach to professional learning. And you’ll see how students are inspiring each other to take action— like learning to care for the forests that surround us in this beautiful valley.
You’ll also read about students who are leading with heart—organizing fundraisers, championing
the conditions where young people can be their best selves and flourish in a complex world. It is a collective effort made by professionals, support staff, families, their friends, and the community. This purpose that promotes wellness and togetherness can only happen when “Together We Learn”! It has been a privilege to be a part of this work in Central Okanagan for the past ten years, and I hope everyone will flourish in the caring community of Central Okanagan Public Schools!
causes, and rallying support. One of these events that’s especially close to my heart is the Annual Relay ForLife at OKM. As a cancer survivor, I am always moved by the enthusiasm of our students and the generosity of our community. Their dedication to raising funds and awareness for the Canadian Cancer Society brings hope to so many.
Every year, I am inspired—both personally and as Board Chair—by the way our students look to the future with courage, optimism, and determination. They bring to life the very spirit of our mission: Together We Learn.
That spirit of togetherness is reflected in every story you’ll read in these pages. I hope they inspire you as much as they inspire me and my fellow trustees.
Superintendent of Schools/CEO
Kevin Kaardal
Photo byMason Greenhalgh (@mgh_captures)
James Elwood is a long-time art teacher with MBSS who also shares his expertise with teachers across the district. Throughout the pages of this issue, you’ll see a few masks from one of his most recent lessons at Peachland Elementary.
“Through the District Art Support block I am able to directly help teachers further their art teaching confidence and skills. I work with teachers in real time with their students in their classrooms. Our collaborations range from bringing the Indigenous Visual Art Lessons from the website to life, to teachers requesting specific lessons and co-creating specific new lessons together. As well, through this district block, I connect with teachers through pro-d days and work one to one with individual students on special projects.”
- JAMES ELWOOD
byCypressPenketh
GRADE 5
OKM Relay f
By Graham Johnson, Vice-Principal, OKM
This year’s Relay for Life was an extraordinary success and a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together. With an ambitious goal of raising $50,000, the École Okanagan Mission Secondary community came together and surpassed all expectations—raising over $70,000 in support of cancer research and those affected by the disease. This event was more than just a fundraiser; it was a celebration of life, resilience, and compassion.
To every volunteer, committee member, survivor, sponsor, and staff member who stayed late, gave their time, or simply showed up—thank you. Your dedication and generosity made a lasting impact.
Together, we walked, we remembered, and we made a difference.
And at the heart of it all was the incredible leadership of teacher Kirsten Mulleny, whose vision and commitment, alongside our passionate student leaders, brought this event to life and inspired us all.
Photos by Kevin Kim @ 2K Photography
KELOWNA YOUTH
Amalia Smith Duran
Beyond Biology: How Social Expectations of Gender Hurt Society and Youth
Amalia explores the impact of societal expectations of gender on youth and how these perceptions shape identity and opportunities. Drawing from her multicultural background and personal experiences, she advocates for a world where understanding and empathy drive change.
The Voices of Our Youth
We are so proud of the many youth from across our district who shared their big ideas at TedxKelowna Youth in December. Throughout this issue, you’ll find their talks highlighted and we hope you’ll take a moment to watch themyou’ll surely be as inspired as we are by their thoughtfulness and powerful communication skills!
Kids have curiosity. Drive. A vision for what’s next–even if it’s still taking shape.
We meet that energy with career-launching programs, instructors who’ve been there and an unparalleled community of support.
Let them dream big. We’ll help get them there.
Expo of
Youth Taking Action for a Sustainable Future! Awesome
By Tobias Blaskovits, Aaron Veenstra, Kristi Langlois, and Lindsey Stevens (SD23 Learning & Innovation Team)
Central Okanagan Middle School students from KLO, GMS, CNB, and CMS blew away the attendees at this year’s Expo of Awesome! Students researched and presented dozens of valuable ideas to make our community healthier and more sustainable. Several UBCO students, professors, and visitors commented on the depth of students’ projects and the passion they observed while they were sharing. Students could choose to enter their projects in a competitive stream to potentially win money to continue to make their projects a reality.
Some of the teams who were awarded funds to pursue their projects are:
HAPPY TO THE CORE - VEDA LEYLAND, ISABELLA ABEL, ROYA MASIUK, CALLIE JOHNSTON, EMERY LINDEMANN, TAYA ENGENE, MAKENA JORGENSON FROM CONSTABLE NEIL BRUCE MIDDLE SCHOOL WERE AWARDED $500
Seven Grade 6 students have been collecting the apple cores in their lunch program at their school and blending the fruit and dehydrating to make fruit leather. They want to continue this for next year and use the money towards the purchase of a commercial dehydrator.
KELOWNA YOUTH
Benjamin Seethaler
The Decline of Social Mobility in Canada
Benjamin examines the decline of social mobility in Canada, shedding light on economic and systemic barriers that prevent fairness and opportunity. With a passion for economics, he challenges us to rethink how we create a more equitable future.
POLLINATOR GARDEN - MACY HEIKEL, ZOE MCCAULEY, KELESIA SMITH, NOEL BAITINGER, JACEY GEARY FROM CONSTABLE NEIL BRUCE MIDDLE SCHOOL WERE AWARDED $600
These five students are wanting to plant 5 pollinator gardens around the Okanagan to include 25 plants in each and their goal is to do this by the end of the school year. They also want to learn how to propagate their own plants to continue this project.
Students' projects continue to make an impact, whether they chose to enter the competitive stream or not. One such project was done by Gracyn from CMS. Her project features an idea to reuse prescription bottles instead of having them enter the landfill. She is going to be pitching her idea to a pharmacy manager in Kelowna to see if it can feasibly be used locally!
PLANTCHABLES - NAOMI ADAMS FROM CANYON FALLS MIDDLE SCHOOL WAS AWARDED $800.
Naomi will be using the money towards a pilot lunch program at her school where she will purchase biodegradable lunch kits and source out a local company for vegetarian lunches. She is thinking the price point will be $8.00/lunch.
WEBHOOK - ISAAC SHEHADEH FROM ECOLÉ KLO MIDDLE SCHOOL WAS AWARDED $500
Isaac has created computer programming that recognizes when people have left the room, all electronics will shut off or hibernate to reduce the power wastage. He is going to try to implement it as a pilot program next year at KLO.
The best part of the CARE process has been experiencing the students deeply engaged and committed to sustainable learning, and watching their passion continue after the “project” was done. One Grade 6 student from CNB shared, “I’m not doing this to look good or get a good grade. I’m doing this because I care about my environment. I’m doing it for our world and our future. So I hope people will read this and start taking action.” In the end, this wasn’t about the finished product, it was about the process, and the core and curricular competencies learned and displayed throughout.
One of the educators involved, Sydney Fender from KLO, shared: “CARE was truly the highlight of the year for my class. The kids were buzzing with excitement before, during, and after the Expo. They felt seen, heard, and so proud of what they accomplished. It meant the world to them (and to me!) to have a space
where their voices and ideas were celebrated. I’m so grateful we had the chance to be part of this journey. The process sparked so much authentic thinking, creativity, and growth in my students, and I can’t tell you how many “best day ever” comments I overheard after the Expo (and again today)!”
We were so grateful to pilot our partnership with Fresh Outlook Foundation’s CARE program this year with 14 classes. Due to the overwhelming teacher and student demand for authentic community-based learning that matters, we hope to grow the CARE inquiry process in our district to reach more learners next year! Interested educators should stay tuned for more information coming out soon!
KELOWNA YOUTH
Chloe Silver
Beyond Numbers: Cultivating Creativity in Mathematics
byLincolnJones
Huge thanks to all the teachers and community mentors that made this process so valuable!
Chloe reimagines mathematics as a creative pursuit rather than a rigid system of formulas. Through her experiences as a tutor and STEM educator, she highlights the importance of integrating creativity into math to bridge the disconnect between youth and problem-solving.
MBSS Walk for Mental Health
By Delaney Neukomm, Walk for Mental Health Founder, Gr.
12, MBSS
The Walk for Mental Health is a community event to support youth mental health services at Foundry Kelowna. As a branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Foundry provides mental health, physical health, sexual health, drug counselling, peer support, family navigation programs, and more. The organization provides free, walk-in counselling and support for those struggling, and is able to assist in the process of finding long-term care for youth and their families. During the day, attendees participate in a 5km walk through the community, a guest presentation, and activities on our field including inflatables, games, food trucks, live music, DJ, arts and crafts, staff vs students volleyball, the UBCO BARK Dogs, and more. The jam-packed day serves the purpose of providing students and staff with the ability to take care of themselves, taking a break from school work, and discovering ways to improve their mental well-being.
you are actively working on improving your mental wellbeing, mental health is a part of everyday life. Stigma is a cruel and dangerous thing because as these misconceptions become more common, the more harm it will cause for each and every individual. I’ve said before, and will continue to say, that just like every student is required to take physical education from kindergarten to grade ten, students should be required to take a mental health course in schools. Without knowing how to cope with stressors such as school, work, or home life, youth are highly vulnerable to mental illnesses. Through the Walk for Mental Health, we have objectively demonstrated mechanisms for supporting mental wellbeing, as well as connecting students to lifelong support in the community.
As Foundry Kelowna reappears at Mount Boucherie Secondary each year, students are greeted with the face of a team of staff who are equipped to assist them, should they
Through the Walk for Mental Health, we have objectively demonstrated mechanisms for supporting mental wellbeing, as well as connecting students to lifelong support in the community.
I started the Walk for Mental Health three years ago, as a Grade 10 student who needed to host an event for their leadership class. The goal was not to become the biggest event our school hosts each year, but to improve school atmosphere and culture. Inspired by mental health struggles in friends and peers, I knew thatthe event needed to focus on and acknowledge the important resources in our community. As someone who tried to offer support to as many friends as possible, being the friend that someone could turn to in times of need, I think my biggest goal out of the event was to just make people feel less alone. I was really young when my friends first started struggling, and trying to be the person they needed wasn’t the best for my own well-being. I don’t ever regret the help I tried to give, but I had always wished there was something I could have done differently, something that would ensure they received the proper support from professionals, and not a thirteen-year-old girl. Reflecting on the event, I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to speak out about a need that youth forever have needed, but I am sad that it’s taken so long for this to happen. A misconception about mental health is that it doesn’t affect everyone, and just like anything, if it doesn’t affect your life then why should you care? Even adults need to hear and know that mental health is just the same as physical health; it’s the wellbeing of your mind and your thoughts. Mental health, mental illness, and mental wellbeing are all terms that are used interchangeably, the difference is one in five Canadians experience mental illness at some point in their life, but every person experiences and has mental health. Whether you struggle with mental health, or
struggle at some point in their life. A lot of the Foundry and CMHA staff have come back each year, allowing students to build personal connections with social services workers, mental health programs coordinators, and more.
As my final year at MBSS quickly ends, I am overwhelmingly proud of the event, and the movement it has created in the school and community. At MBSS, Foundry is a name that is recognized, and appreciated. Saddened that I will not be organizing the event again next year, I have come to terms with the fact that as the event continues as a legacy, classes of students to come are walking into an environment where mental health is a common conversation amongst students and staff, where resources are accessible, and each student has the opportunity to be heard. I look forward to seeing where the event grows to in the future, and more than anything want to extend my own personal gratitude to each person who has supported the event. It has changed my life in so many ways, and it would not have been without the people who brought it to be. A special thank you to Trustee Desrosiers for the many brainstorming sessions, Mr .Sieben, for saying yes to the sixteen-year-old girl who pitched the idea three years ago, and Mr. Low. Having a teacher who believes in you is special, but to have a teacher who dedicates hundreds of hours to helping you plan and execute your passion project, who willingly steps into the role of teacher sponsor, doing whatever it takes to make sure you are successful, is a blessing. None of this would be possible without Mr. Low and his leadership class, so thank you.
byLeviCraven
BULLSEYE for Provincial Champs
GRADE 4
KELOWNA YOUTH
Clarke Schafer
Homogenizing Our Society - How This Is Detrimental to Our Ability to Adapt to Ourselves and Our World
Clarke explores how societal homogenization stifles adaptability, innovation, and individuality. By questioning the systems that push conformity, he challenges us to embrace diversity as a strength rather than a complication.
By Ken Lonstrup, RMS Teacher and Archery Coach
It was the first time our students have participated in the BC Wildlife Federation National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Provincial tournament for British Columbia, and they did not disappoint! Ellie Giesbrecht of Rutland Middle School (RMS) won first place female, and second place overall at the provincial level, Zach Aron (RMS) won first place for Middle School male at the provincial level, and Michaiah Bautista of Springvalley Middle School won second place female, and third overall at the provincial level.
These archers got some serious awards from the BCWF for their achievements: Zach Aron received a $1000.00 USD scholarship, Ellie Giesbrecht received a $750.00 USD Scholarship, and Michaiah Bautista received a $250.00 USD scholarship. On top of the medals, Zach and Ellie also received custom built BC Champions Genesis bows as the top male and female archers!
We’re so proud of Zach and Ellie’s accomplishment, representing RMS with pride and determination. Their friends and families are so proud of them as well. I consider myself lucky to have been able to coach such focused and dedicated students. Well done Rutland Middle School! You’ll see our archers back at
both the district and provincial tournaments next year!
As someone who has practiced archery for many years, when I joined the RMS community, I was very excited to learn they had a flourishing NASP Archery program! As the years have gone on, the benefits of the NASP program for our student community has become very apparent to me and other teachers.
The NASP program and the archery team we run gives students who wouldn’t typically be involved with traditional sports an outlet to complete, connect and find success in school athletics. I have found that many students who you wouldn’t see on the basketball, rugby or volleyball teams have found a home on our archery team. Being involved in something like our archery team not only gives students more confidence in their abilities but also helps with focus and control in other areas of their lives. It gives something for these students to be proud of, and we here at RMS are very proud of the achievements of our student archers. Hopefully with the success of not only our school, but other Central Okanagan Public Schools, the NASP program will continue to grow, and more schools will get involved in our district and provincial tournaments.
Creating Community Connections
A huge well done to International student Isabel Rubia Avila who seized the opportunity to create a memorable community connection between her MBSS Leadership class and Kindergarten students. Isabel’s host mother happened to be Shannon Lake Elementary Kindergarten teacher Gaylene Allison, so Isabel put two and two together to invite the Kindies out to MBSS for a variety of activities. Together with her fellow International student Ana, Isabel orga-
nized a morning of learning and connection including an Easter egg hunt and decoration, some art projects, and of course a fun game of toilet tag on the big field. Isabel’s host mother was already enjoying the experience of having Isabel interact with her own children at home and she was overwhelmed with Isabel’s maturity and thoughtfulness as an international student reaching out to build bigger community connections.
Hannah Park
The Seed of Beliefs: The Impact of Cultural and Familial Ideology on Children
Hannah shares how cultural and familial values shape children’s worldviews from an early age. Drawing on personal experiences, she illustrates how the beliefs we inherit can last a lifetime, influencing the way we perceive the world and interact with others.
The Besse’s from Lake Country have been hosting international students for 20 years, so they know exactly how the experience enriches their lives. Whether you’re wondering about the compensation, the commitment, or how it can help your own children, you’ll want to watch this brief Q&A to hear from a family that’s been there.
byRyleeStench
GRADE 5
KELOWNA YOUTH
Jenny (Jiyoon) Kim
When Toxicity Wears Cupid’s Mask
The Romanticization of Toxic Relationships
Jenny unpacks how toxic relationships are often romanticized in media and culture, normalizing harmful behaviors. She examines how narratives of obsession and control get mistaken for love and urges us to redefine what healthy relationships should look like.
Culture is Medicine Day Learning and Leadership on the Land
It was the second year in a row that the Indigenous Leadership Community from Rutland Senior Secondary (RSS) led 200 grade six students from Rutland Middle School through a variety of activities in a celebration of Indigenous culture. This year’s event was held at Bertram Park, an idyllic setting for the youth to connect with the land to enhance their physical, social, and mental health. This event included four stations of activities including: the indigenous plant walk, natural dye painting, Wellness Path and circle, and Indigenous games Run and Scream, Moose Bone, and Inuit High Kick. Students were welcomed with a drumming circle and song and the day was finished with more drumming and circle dancing. This opportunity was made possible by the Culturally Responsive FNMI Programming Grant given by PHE Canada, the dedicated teachers, Stacey Mee and Melissa Harris, CEA’s, Donalie Banman, Melody Kouwenhoven and Nadia Workman, and support from Alicia Kudryk with Health Promoting Schools.
The RSS Indigenous Leadership Community is made up of students, teachers, and CEAs with various Indigenous, Canadian, and European backgrounds. Along with exploration using the First Peoples Principles of Learning, visits with local Knowledge Keepers and Elders provided a foundation for the community to explore syilx culture and other Indigenous cultural knowledge. Practices created in this learning environment provided opportunities for voice, time to recognize and acknowledge individual strengths, support for challenges, and an understanding of protocol, providing an ideal
learning environment for the youth to develop the core skills within the BC curriculum. This community participated in activities that focused on leadership skills and how to share Indigenous knowledge within the community. These students have led students across the district, practicing their mentorship skills in three separate events: 1. Leading the Grade 6’s at RMS in circle and the Wellness Path. 2. Leading their Indigenous leader peers from Mount Boucherie, École George Elliot, and École Kelowna Secondary in stations of Indigenous games, natural dyes and drumming. 3. Leading the Grade 6’s at RMS in “Culture is Medicine” day at Bertram Park. They have dedicated their time learning, organizing, and directing activities relating to the Wellness Path, local indigenous plants, natural plant dyes, various Indigenous games, and cultural traditions. It was evident that student confidence in leading, designing and problem solving improved greatly throughout these activities. This experience has provided positive learning for all involved. Zaiden, a youth leader within the community, thought it was “pretty cool” how the mental state of the RMS students improved through their participation in the Wellness Pathway. Grade 6 students, Jessie and Farnaz, were inspired by the activities, saying that their favourite activity was Run and Scream and they felt they could teach this activity to their classmates. Manreet, Mana, and Seeret shared that the Wellness Path was fun and enjoyed being outside in nature.
This was the inaugural year for the KSS BIPOC club, which is a weekly lunch hour that provides space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour to get together and share stories, experiences, and aspects of their culture. The club has held movie nights, circle discussions, cooking lessons, a Harmony Day map pinning activity, and coming up will host a guest speaker to talk about maintaining their own identity while also trying to fit in.
One thing that the students found particularly valuable was sharing and learning about each other’s culture and traditions, so on May 21 and 22, KSS held the first multicultural celebration fair of this new generation. The BIPOC club joined with our ELL students and International exchange students to host roundtable discussions to share their culture’s traditional food, clothing, music, as well as stories of why they left their home country and how they landed in Canada. We had students from Brazil, Colombia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, Germany, Italy, Lebanon, Belgium, Spain, Afghanistan, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Jamaica, South Korea, Nigeria.
The students who hosted tables were proud to share aspects of their culture with their peers. The students who attended took away more than full stomachs. They also gained a new understanding of the many avenues students from other countries take to arrive in Canada, and ultimately KSS. We received rave reviews from all attendees including family members and educators, and we are excited to increase attendance, participation, and offerings in 2026!
and Multicultural Celebration Days KSS BIPOC Club
By Christina Drescher, Teacher, École Kelowna Secondary
KELOWNA YOUTH
Kaan Oytac
Awkward Moments = Unique Benefits
Kaan shares how embracing awkwardness can foster confidence, self-acceptance, and deeper connections with others. By reframing discomfort as an opportunity for growth, he encourages us to step outside our comfort zones and own our unique quirks.
Creating a Culture of Inclusion
Teacher Helen Park and her team at Casorso Elementary are great examples of the caring educators in our district who go above and beyond to meet learners wherever they are and help them thrive at school. Their work with a member of their classroom community who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and global developmental delay (GDD) exemplifies how teachers and specialists in our district work together to create inclusive and welcoming classrooms for all learners. The words of the student’s parents say it all:
“Helen practices absolute inclusivity, which is never the easiest path. Her classroom enjoys a wealth of diversity, so every lesson plan requires major adaptations, often in real-time. This is no small challenge for many class
activities, especially PE, field trips, and class concerts — but never has Lincoln been excluded. Helen does not take shortcuts. For her, inclusivity is non-negotiable, and because of this attitude, Lincoln has never once missed a class experience or been marginalized in any way. Helen runs a marathon of extra miles every day — not for recognition, not for praise. There are things she’s done for Lincoln and our family that we didn’t even find out about until months or even a year later, and only because someone else told us. Helen’s impact goes beyond her own exceptional work because she leads and inspires others. Because of the needs of her students, she hosts many other professionals in her classroom and has built a culture of high expectations and deep collaboration.”
Return to Blue Grouse Mountain
The hillside on top of Blue Grouse Mountain was much greener than last April, when Mme. van Oyen’s class first visited to plant fir and pine trees in the area burned by the 2023 McDougall Creek Wildfire. Working with senior RSS Forestry students, the young learners sorted through the new vegetation to count how many of their trees survived the year. Using sticks and ropes, they worked section by section, learning about plants and wildlife along the way.
KELOWNA YOUTH
Lelin (Sophia) Yan
One Life, Infinite Possibilities
Sophia explores the limitless potential of every individual and the power of taking initiative in life. She emphasizes the importance of genuine connections, learning from others, and actively shaping our paths through bold decisions.
MARSHALL CORBETT
Teacher
RSS Forestry Academy
The Forestry students, I always find it’s really good for them to teach what they’ve learned to the younger students because it helps them to commit it to memory better and also gives them a chance to be leaders and role models. It’s really great to see them step up into that role. Both the younger and older students really enjoy the learning process.
ERICA VAN OYEN
Teacher
Grade 3/4 French Immersion
Ecolé Glenmore Elementary
They’re learning about forest regeneration, they’re learning what fire does and how important fire is. They’re also learning math right now, because they’re counting how many trees survived from last year and they’re going to calculate the percentage and mean of how many actually grew. They’re also learning about the plants the animals have eaten and they’re going to learn about the wildflowers. Plus we’re outside enjoying mother nature, which is the best part in my opinion.
A Dream for a DHH Friendly World
Congratulations to Kaitlyn Cone, an exceptional all-around Gr. 12 learner from Rutland Senior Secondary (RSS). Kaitlyn’s speech at DHHProud- Showcase in Burnaby took First Place in the Spotlight competition. The DHHproud - Showcase is a proud celebration of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Identity through ASL poetry, DHH art and Spotlight competitions: 111 students from 17 school districts, two independent schools, and the BCSD shared their Dream for a DHH Friendly World through ASL Poetry, DHH Art, and Spotlight presentations.The live event featured 23 Spotlight contestants (Grades 6-12) and seven ASL Poetry contestants in grades 8 -12. An excerpt from Kaitlyn’s speech is below:
“It is why I have a dream, a dream for a deaf and hard-of-hearing friendly world. In this dream, we are equals. No more language barriers, no more struggling to communicate. Signing is common and taught in every school, regardless of grade, age or type. Signing is so common everyone can utilize it, regardless of fluency levels. All the other communication tools would be seamlessly integrated into the world, including accurate captions that would turn on with the press of a button. Tools to make sure that no matter where or who you are, you will always have a voice. In this dream, inclusivity comes first. Accessibility comes first. Even if you cannot communicate in a way that others understand, you will be welcomed.”
Kaitlyn Cone, Gr. 12, RSS
TOGETHERNESS
Building community through celebration and language
This May, French Immersion students and staff across our district came together for three unforgettable cultural events that celebrated learning, creativity, and togetherness.
LeFLOFranco
On May 6th our French Immersion elementary students gathered at Evangel church for a special concert presentation. For many Grade 4, 5, and 6 students, this event marked their first ever concert experience — and what an introduction it was!
The acclaimed francophone artist LeFLOFranco took the stage to deliver a high-energy, interactive performance that had students singing, moving, and laughing — all en français. Students left feeling energized, connected and feeling part of a wider community of French Language learners.
KELOWNA YOUTH
Lisa Zhao
The Desire to be Sad: How Concept Creep Has Re-stigmatized and Glorified Mental Illness
Lisa examines how the language and portrayal of mental illness have shifted in popular culture, sometimes leading to the glorification of these struggles. She discusses how concept creep has blurred the lines between real mental health struggles and the casual misuse of clinical terms.
Faisons un Boeuf
Now in its fifth year, the Faisons un Bœuf event has become a cherished tradition for our middle school French Immersion students. This annual competition invites students to create and submit their own French music videos, celebrating both their creativity and language skills. Schools compete in fun categories like Best Lip Sync, Best Visual Representation, Best Editing Skills, Most Creative, and the top prize: Oh la vache! — awarded to the best all-around video. This year’s Boeuf Trophy went to École Glenrosa Middle School! The event culminated in a live concert by LeFLOFranco, bringing the community together once more through song and celebration. Students consistently say this is one of the highlights of their school year — a chance to have fun, sing, and be creative in French. It’s an event they look forward to every year and one that helps keep them excited and engaged in the French Immersion program.
Dîner en Blanc
This year marked the 3rd annual Dîner en Blanc, a special event celebrating our Grade 12 French Immersion graduates. For the first time, students from OKM joined KSS grads, as OKM proudly celebrated its first-ever French Immersion graduating class. Dressed in white and bussed to a surprise location, students enjoyed dinner, crepes, dancing, and games with DJ BMack. The evening honoured their Double Dogwood diplomas and DELF certifications, and served as a meaningful celebration of the culmination of their French Immersion journey — recognizing years of hard work, perseverance, and achievement in two languages.
These three events — from the elementary concert, to the creative energy of Faisons un Bœuf, to the elegance of Dîner en Blanc — reflect the power of community and connection. They bring students, staff, and schools together across grade levels to share in the joy of second language learning. None of this would be possible without the passion and support of dedicated staff and the many parent volunteers whose time and energy help bring these experiences to life.
More than just celebrations, these events help create a strong sense of belonging, pride, and purpose — showing students that learning French can be exciting, rewarding, and something to be proud of.
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WhatisSportball?
Sportballisahigh-energy,funprogramfor childrenages 16monthsto12years.Weteach physicalliteracy throughmultiplesports, imaginativeplay,andage-appropriatecoaching.
Eachclassisactive,engaging,andtaughtby trainedcoaches.
Webringallequipmentneeded!
•Multi-SportClasses(Volleyball,Basketball, Football,Rugby,Hockey,Golf,Tennis,Soccer, Baseball&Lacrosse)
•Soccer&T-BallPrograms
•Sport-SpecificClasses
•BirthdayParties
•SummerCamps&PDDayCamps
•SchoolPrograms (before-andafter-school)
•Community&CorporateEvents
WhereWeRunPrograms:
Kelowna•WestKelowna•Vernon•Coldstream Summerland•Penticton•LakeCountry ProgramsWeOffer:
Summer&Spring(Outdoor):
•Soccer/T-Ball(halfsemestereach)
•Multi-Sport(newsporteachweek)
•Multi-SportCamps(ages6–9)
•BirthdayParties
Fall&Winter(Indoor):
•Multi-Sport
•Soccer/T-Ball
•PDDayCamps&SpringBreakCamps
•BirthdayParties
GiveyourchildthegiftofmovementjoinaSportballclasstoday!
sportball.com
kelowna@sportball.ca
OF THE BOTS!
10th Annual District SumoBot Competition
This year was the 10th Annual SumoBot and it was another huge success! With almost 200 students and 74 robot teams participating the event was a unique learning opportunity that sparked new interests in our learners.
To be successful in the SumoBot, teams had to strategize, design, build, and program a LEGO MINDSTORMS® robot to autonomously seek out and either flip or push their competitor’s robot out of the ring. Through research, trial and error, and hands-on experience, learners get to problem solve and grow their appreciation and
KELOWNA YOUTH
Nevada Ropotar
The Power of Connecting to Your Culture
Nevada highlights the importance of cultural connection in shaping identity, community, and resilience. Through personal storytelling, they share how rediscovering their heritage deepened their sense of belonging and strengthened their confidence.
interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).
Throughout the day, students tweaked their creations and battled them out under the big screens in the awesome venue provided by our friends at UBCO. Thank you to the many teachers, families, and volunteers like the referees from the MBSS Robotics Team, who make this event possible. Special thank you to our District STEAM/Learning Technology Consultant, Tobias Blaskovits, who continues to lead and grow this incredible learning opportunity.
byBrynleeDiack
WINNING TEAMS
BATTLE ROYALE LAST ROBOT STANDING
Megatron - South Rutland Elementary
Colton Hawkins, Stanley Kalinin, Silmar Al Johmane
FIRST PLACE
Timmy 2.0 - H.S. Grenda Middle School
Tobin Caron, Ethan Bittle
SECOND PLACE
Jimy with one M - H.S. Grenda Middle School
Eli Cudmore, Chase Ziegler
THIRD PLACE
The Cluckers - Chute Lake Elementary
Isaac Baker, Hudson Thibert, Aiden Blissett
FOURTH PLACE
BigMac - H.S. Grenda Middle School
Nolan Kilgren, Kade Parnell
My kids always have the best time, and it is always one of my favourite days of the year. Thank you, Tobias, for putting on such a professional event for these young coders.
DEENA MCDELL, Teacher, H.S. Grenda Middle School
Sophie
JIU-JITSU
AGES16+ SELF-DEFENSE,CARDIO,SKILL-BUILDING,CAMARADERIE
MUAYTHAI
AGES15+ APOWERFULFULL-BODYWORKOUT&EFFECTIVE STRIKINGSYSTEM
WOMENONLYCLASSES
AWELCOMING,EMPOWERINGSPACETOTRAINWITH CONFIDENCE
TRAIN ANYWHERE TRAINANYWHERE OnemembershipgivesyouaccesstoALL PacificTopTeamlocationsacrossBC
JIU-JITSU TINYCHAMPIONS AGES3-4
FUTURECHAMPIONS AGES5-9
TEENSJIU-JITSU AGES10-15
MUAYTHAI
YOUTHMUAYTHAI AGES9-14
AFTER-SCHOOLPROGRAM AGES5+
AFUN,STRUCTUREDALTERNATIVETODAYCARE SPRING&SUMMERCAMPS AGES5+
KEEPKIDSACTIVE,SAFE&LEARNINGOVERTHEBREAK
info@pttwestkelowna.com @pttwestkelowna pttkelowna.com Kelowna info@pttkelowna.com @pttkelowna
pttwestkelowna.com
