Review
THE www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Vol.15 Number 36
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
$1.15 including GST
GOVERNOR GENERALS ACADEMIC AWARD
This year’s recipient was... See page 9
WINE ROUTE RIDERS MAKE DONATION
Photo by Steve Arstad
Alice Wiman, Aliya Bickner, Chelsea Matzick and Kalyx Malek appear to be expressing varying emotions as they approach Similkameen Elementary Secondary School for the start of the 2013-24 school year. A number of staffing changes highlight the resumption of studies at SESS this fall.
Staffing changes highlight new school year Recent Pig Out and Poker Run raises funds for Kobau Park See page 7
KEREMEOS’ MEXICAN EDUCATION CONNECTION
Schools in the Lower Similkameen buzz with activity Monday as new school year begins By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com It was another hectic first day of school for students and staff at Similkameen Elementary Secondary School September 3 as the doors swung open for the start of another year of studies in Keremeos and the Lower Similkameen.
Students and teachers appeared to be enthusiastic and ready to go early Monday. Halls were filled with many students getting reacquainted with each other after a summer apart, while others scanned posted messages in the foyer to find out where home room would be this year.
Keremeos couple looking for school supplies to donate in Mexico See page 10
This year’s session begins at Similkameen Elementary Secondary School with a few staffing changes. - Heather Lessard returns to SESS after several years absence to teach science and biology. - Sarah Chobotar has taken a full time position to teach English and social studies.
- Ceilia Brower will be teaching grade six, filling in for Chantel Richmond who is on maternity leave. - Nina Ruck comes to SESS from the Boundary region, teaching French. - Graeme Baerg comes to SESS from Oliver to teach English and drama classes. - Ryan Baptiste, student teacher, will teach math and phys ed. He was a student teacher with SESS last year, and is a fully qualified teacher now. - Two student teachers will be working with elementary school staff. A new program to SESS this year is “Jupiter grades,” an online program that allows parents to log in to teachers’ grade books through their email accounts, providing parents with the opportunity to check for students missing assignments, teachers disciplinary comments, etc. Things were also busy at Cawston Primary Monday morning as staff dealt with a higher than projected enrollment. “It’s good news for us,” said Cawston Primary Principal Linda Thiel. “We are excited to be starting another year at the ‘sunflower school.’” New teaching staff include Mrs. Church, Mrs. Snow, and Mrs. Lange. Mrs. Hunt will be taking over secretarial duties formerly filled by Mrs. Schneider, who retired this year after long service at Cawston Primary.