TOGETHER
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Sl̓ xʷaʔspʔús (Brave/Big Hearted) In our Constable Neil Bruce (CNB) Middle School Grade 8 Okanagan classes, students have been writing children’s stories using Okanagan language vocabulary and themes. As they reflected on the most fearless animal they could identify with, the students felt the weasel best represented what it means to be courageous. This spirit of bravery further informed the girls’ ambitions as they introduced themselves in Okanagan and danced for all of
the staff in their regalia. This was supported by guest speaker and CNB alumna, Jordan Ned, who spoke of Indigenous resilience and strength in overcoming multiple barriers inherent to Indigenous struggle. To see our middle school students currently embracing, fostering, and defining their own Indigenous identities is quite a dramatic shift from what many remember from their middle school days.
Moreover, it may signify that we may be entering a time where Indigenous students can finally be themselves, increasingly independent of the systemic discrimination that has defined much of our individual Indigenous experiences. With students bringing the courageous spirit of the weasel to their day-to-day lives, it is a humbling and exciting time to be in education. skalula, Tyler Ernst, CNB Teacher
www.sd23.bc.ca
CAPITAL news
In this issue: · Pg. 4: The Courageous Huskies of OKM · Pg. 10, 11: Courageous #sd23innovators · Pg. 18: The Courage to Learn Abroad · On Every Page: Courageous Learners!
board chairperson’s message superintendent’s message
Moyra Baxter Chairperson, Board of Education
Courage: one definition is “the ability to control fear and to be willing to deal with something that is dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant”. Well, as we have learned over the past nine months, we all need courage to deal with COVID-19, a new and frightening reality, and we see courage in our community and our schools. That courage first became apparent as we saw our health care and essential workers
go about their work as the world grappled with what we were dealing with and many of us mostly stayed home. That courage was evident as schools were opened up to accept children of those essential workers, as our teachers quickly adjusted to a different way of teaching and supporting our students. At the same time, our support staff took on new responsibilities to make our schools and sites safer environments for everyone. As most of our students have returned to in-school learning, and we have seen more cases in the community, we have experienced exposures in some of our schools. This is difficult for all of us to deal with. We worry about our own families and loved ones. As we diligently follow the guidelines of our local and provincial health officials, we know that not everyone in our school community thinks we are doing enough - and, yes, we also hear from those who think we are doing too much. Rest assured that our safety plans work to reduce the risk of transmission within schools, and we trust that our community will be as diligent as our students and staff in following protocols. As we approach the holiday season, which will be different this year, I want to thank everyone for the courage they have shown over the past months. To all our staff, parents, community members, and most importantly, our students, thank you. Let’s look forward to 2021 with hope in our hearts.
“I am amazed at the response to this pandemic. We asked our teachers to change everything that they do on short notice and they did without complaint. They work tirelessly and provide excellent learning opportunities for our students. I am proud and humbled to work with such an incredibly courageous staff. I am so proud of our students, who returned to school this fall to something completely different than they could have ever imagined. We asked them to change their routines and expectations and they did it. They are learning, they are supporting each other, and they continue to do an amazing job cooperating with our changing norms.
Kevin Kaardal
Superintendent of Schools / CEO Where does courage come from? I believe people act courageously in response to events that challenge their own or their loved ones’ wellbeing. There is a vulnerability in acting courageously. You may need to adapt, face dissent, or risk being harmed. All our essential workers adapt and take risks to support the wellbeing of others. The District’s educators and support staff have responded courageously, as École Dr. Knox Middle School Principal, Scott Parker, shared with me this week:
We asked our parents to trust us. We asked them to send their children to school on the promise that we would keep them safe and they did. We have 927 students attending inschool instruction at École Dr Knox Middle School, they are safe, and that is amazing.” This is true in all of our schools. Throughout our district, our learners (students and adults) are adapting to a new normal. They continue to be innovators, contributors, and collaborators. We see educators teaching in new ways and support staff creating safe spaces for students to learn. We see students continuing to show courage in taking on new responsibilities in their community. I continue to be inspired by the students, parents, and educators that remind us all that learning together is how we’ll get through this together. Thank you for your courage.
HealtHy resources and care for families The YMCA of Okanagan has been a vital family resource for nearly 40 years, providing safe spaces for children and youth to get active and build their social skills. And also by providing affordable quality child care for families. As a charity, the Y works to promote healthy living, nurture young minds, and strengthen the foundations of our community, most of which start with our youngest generations. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the Okanagan, and with ample safety guidelines in place, the
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Y is working to support families in any way they can. The following are some available programs and resources available for families: Preschool (3–5) spaces at the Kelowna Family Y and Glenrosa Elementary School Before and After School Care (5–12) at Glenrosa Elementary School Winter Child and Youth Programs (3–14) at Kelowna Family Y and H2O, December registration Youth Mindfulness Program (18–30) FREE early 2021 at the Kelowna Family Y
Thanks to generous donors, the YMCA offers financial assistance for all programs and services that are not free to the community. Learn more https://www.ymcaokanagan.ca/ at ymcaokanagan.ca.
COMMUNITYCONNECTION • DECEmber 2020
show and tell our learning stories
This fall, two schools from our Rutland family took an innovative approach to sharing their learning stories. The results were embraced
by the community, with even alumni from past years proudly sharing the videos through social media. Thank you to Principals
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I learn courageously when I share my ideas with the class, or especially when I share when our whole learning group is together, because I am more of a quiet type at school. I show courage in my writing when I get an idea for a story and stick with it because writing is a bit tricky for me. Drew Ashley Grade 3, Rutland Elementary
Michelle Relova (Ellison Elementary) and Hugh Alexander (Rutland Senior Secondary) for their leadership, District Digital
Media Specialist Chris Velasco for his production, and of course the students for appearing and sharing their learning!
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Kian Cattaneo Krakower Grade 6 Bankhead Elementary
You learn courageously when you move from one country to another as a kid. You must leave all your friends behind and start all over again. Now you will have to make new friends and start new activities on your own and maybe you don’t even know the language. You would not be able to do this without courage. This happened to me as a kid. It took a lot of courage and it was hard. If I had to do it again it would not be nearly as hard.
TOGETHERWELEARN • sd23.bc.ca
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husky courage By Jaysheen Gill, Grade 11, Okanagan Mission Secondary
Since the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 has brought on many hardships. Whether it has been through the loss of social interactions, limited instructional time, or severe mental strain, it has proven to be very difficult to stay positive during this time. That is why it is now more important than ever for high schools to keep students connected and provide them with a strong sense of belonging, regardless of the current situation. Okanagan Mission Secondary (OKM) has made many efforts towards sustaining this goal, especially through the abundance of extracurricular activities/events that have given students a voice during this pandemic. As a school, we have used extracurricular activities to keep student morale high, and have demonstrated that with hard work,
Pumpkin Carving
almost anything can be accomplished. This year, we have already implemented a Halloween spirit week with various activities such as pumpkin carving, candy-grams, a costume contest, etc. while being COVID-conscious. Not only that, but as a student body we have been able to still give back to the community in the form of our $3900 donation to the Terry Fox Foundation. We hope to continue giving back with our upcoming Stuff-a-Bus initiative, an Adopt-a-Family fundraiser, and a clothing drive event. By participating in and organizing these events, students have the ability to connect more deeply with the school community and display strength during these times. Students have also been able to share their voices through the continuation of Student Council, Grad Council,
Spirit Days
and other various clubs throughout the school. Mrs Stoski and Mrs. Mulleny, the two Leadership Excellence teachers from OKM say, “We know that our classes understand the OKM community on a relatable level more than we do as adults, so we challenge students to organize the events on their own and aid them in doing so. These events allow students to feel a part of something bigger and take pride in being a Husky.” Personally, as co-president of the Student Council and an active member of Leadership Excellence, and Rotary Club, I get first-hand experience of the community we continue to develop here at OKM. It is so gratifying to see students actively participate in school events and strive to regain what had been lost due to the pandemic. Every week I feel so excited to come up with
Paige and Cassidy
COVID-friendly events for my peers and continue to reach the goals set in our learning community. I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish in the future!
Ryan and Julia
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Photo by: Daniel Gagliano 4
COMMUNITYCONNECTION • december 2020
Photo by: Janna Chilton
lessons learned from
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courage hill Courageously when...
I showed courageous learning as I shared my passion about the morality of people eating animal products, through a TEDx talk supported by Central Okanagan Public Schools. There were ups and downs, but in the end, my TEDx talk became a reality. Please click above to watch it. Paul Steigenberger Grade 6, Oyama Traditional School
Often when we think of “Courage in Learning,” we think of gathering the courage to give a presentation before an audience or stating an unpopular opinion. With our cross-country team at KSS, that challenge takes a somewhat different form in the shape of Courage Hill. A big part of an athlete’s development is to gain confidence in what they can do. Challenging self-imposed mental boundaries is where Courage Hill comes in. Courage Hill is a big sandy slope in Sutherland Hills Park that is scary steep to look at. Athletes peer over the edge and say “no way” the first time they see it but being loose sand, it’s actually quite safe. The first time they venture over the edge they’re timid, but soon they’re anxious to do it again and again. It’s wonderful for me as a coach to see how this experience translates to our runners being more confident with the downhill portions of cross country races as well ... learning that it’s okay to let it go on slippery downhill slopes, confident in their ability to keep their feet beneath them. “Courage Hill” teaches lessons in confidence on the other side as well: going up the darn thing. Looking
up at it from the bottom, athletes’ first thought is again “no way.” By learning to consciously let go of that thought, by focusing on each moment as a separate entity and not looking too far up the hill, athletes discover their ability to get to the summit; once again transcending their selfimposed expectations. I like to think these little lessons about courage in the running sphere will permeate other aspects of our athlete’s lives, helping them to become more resilient, more persevering, and more adventurous overall.
www.spca.bc.ca/kids-teens
TOGETHERWELEARN • sd23.bc.ca
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community connection By James Elwood, Art Teacher, Mount Boucherie Secondary
For Kelowna Art Gallery’s Northern Pine: Watercolours and Drawings by the Group of Seven from the McMichael Canadian Art Collection show, the gallery teamed up with Mount Boucherie Secondary’s Drawing and Painting 12 class to create a mural in the gallery’s classroom space. The students researched the Group of Seven and specifically what this show was about. They designed and painted an 8’x16’ mural based on two lino cuts by Franklin Carmichael and the advertising for the Group of Seven’s first show in 1920. Five dedicated students, with guidance from their art teacher Stephanie Emmond, worked over a four-week period designing, painting, and fine tuning their interpretation of this unique look at the drawings, prints, and watercolours of the legendary Group of Seven. The show is up until March 7th, 2021. 4 of the 5 students pictured are Muriel Craig, Brielle Loewen, Sierra McLeod, and Miranda Nutt. 6
COMMUNITYCONNECTION • december 2020
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I feel courageous to learn and I want to learn when there is something at the end that I can accomplish. When there is no real goal, there is no real purpose. I feel ready to learn where there is a goal.
I feel courageous to learn when things sound fun, like when there is Lego, and we are doing math and you can learn about it that way, or if it’s like a story that we are learning about.
Jack Whyte
Davin Simister
Grade 4
Grade 4
Chute Lake Elementary
Chute Lake Elementary
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a courageous
dedication By James Elwood, Art Teacher, Mount Boucherie Secondary
In October, my Drawing and Painting class started their first acrylic painting assignment. Ethan Audette, a Grade 12 student of diverse abilities, dove into the assignment. As he was working, he shared with me his love of politics (not too common with teenagers) and how he feels Justin Trudeau is the best Prime Minister.
Ethan Audette, Grade 12
He decided to do a painting for the PM, an image of the Royal Canadian Air Force flag. I was watching him paint and listening to his heartfelt appreciation of his hero. I put the
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COMMUNITYCONNECTION • december 2020
question to Ethan: “If I can figure it out, could we send your painting to the Prime Minister?” The fastest “Yes” in my teaching career. Local MP Dan Albas and his staff appreciated the story, and after a few checks, MP Albas let us know that he would be happy to take the painting to Ottawa and personally present it to the PM. The painting headed to Ottawa on October 25th. A special thank you to Dan Albas and his staff for making this possible for Ethan. A dream come true for such a deserving young person.
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rss digital photography Courageously when...
Photo by: Logan Nicholson
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We learn courageously when we are doing math and on the playground. Sometimes in math, things can be tricky. But if we keep trying, we figure things out. This is kind of like one time when I was outside on the monkey bars.
A boy was trying to help me get to the top of the monkey bars. The first time I tried, I fell. The second time I tried I fell again. The third time I tried, I did it! I felt proud of myself. This is how we learn courageously at school.
Arya Kalinin & Evan DeGroot Grade 2, Springvalley Elementary
We learn courageously when we are in an interactive and engaging school environment. In Science, rather than learning about independent and dependent variables through reading a textbook, we can learn about them through a lab assignment. Instead of copying down notes in French class, we can have a conversation with our peers in French. When students are learning first-hand how things work, they are more likely to retain the information. In summary, we as students learn best through experiences that are creative and interactive. Annabelle Lee and Erin Work Grade 9, Okanagan Mission Secondary
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TOGETHERWELEARN • sd23.bc.ca
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Courageous #sd23innovators! Hannah Verdugo Santillan (Grade 12) has started her own business selling cosmetics and is using Photography class to shoot all the photos needed for marketing her products. Taking this innovative
business idea very seriously, Hannah did all the research, paperwork, and supplier-sourcing! Check it out: https://www.hannahcosmetics.ca/
As someone who’s always struggled finding the right brow shade (my own hair colour is not considered typical), I felt it was necessary to create Hannah Cosmetics as a way to help anyone out there with the same problem! If your hair colour is not as appreciated as others, don’t worry I got you :)) -Hannah
www.hannahcosmetics.ca/
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I learn courageously when I’m surrounded by positive energy. I learn courageously within an environment that is there to support, help, and guide me towards being an ideal student. I learn courageously around a community that has a sense of each other as family and welcomes new members into that family. I learn courageously when I am surrounded by a community that is motivated, dedicated, possesses a strong work ethic, and is driven to go beyond its potential. I learn courageously when I am in an environment that supports and promotes diversity. These are all traits of Okanagan Mission Secondary.
I am learning courageously by moving from America to Canada for a year with my family. I was nervous at first, but I got over it and now I am meeting new people and friends. I show courage by learning about the Okanagan and the Okanagan language.
Zyan Suri Grade 11, Okanagan Mission Secondary
Frankie Berback-Rosengreen Grade 6, Oyama Traditional School
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Courageous #sd23innovators! RSS Digital Photography students learned how to produce commercials this fall. Brooke Malesan created this stunning ad for Apple Watch. Only the exploding colors were stock footage, everything else you see was animated and shot by Brooke! Song credit: SOFI TUKKER - Best Friend
Sənsisyustən House of Learning
We invite you to experience the beauty that is our place, culture and community. Sənsisyustən House of Learning is a Group 2 Independent Elementary School with the BC Ministry of Education. We teach current BC curriculum with an integration of Okanagan Syilx perspectives. The syilx/Okanagan translation of Sənsisyustən is “the place where you become anything you choose to be.” The school, designed after a traditional native pit-house, lends itself to interactive learning in a warm and nurturing environment. Our school edifies the Seven Teachings: humility, honesty, bravery, respect, love, truth, and wisdom. Teachers, staff, Elders, and School Board Members strive to make that a reality for students.
The place where you become anything you choose to be.
9 million renovation and expansion completed in 2019
$
What we offer: A balance of academics with Okanagan Language and culture taught in every grade. Cultural field trips such as tea picking, gathering sage, and digging bitterroot. Small class sizes, allowing for more one on one teaching time. A Learning Assistance Program for children who may require additional support. A school-wide discipline program that promotes social responsibility. 1920 Quail Lane, Westbank First Nation Tel: 250 768 2802
Email: school@wfn.ca
Web: sensisyusten.ca
TOGETHERWELEARN • sd23.bc.ca
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Courage is when you face something hard in your life, like standing up to someone who has done something wrong to you, standing on stage to perform, or putting a dear pet down. Learning courageously is similar. Keeping up with deadlines, presenting in front of your classmates, or attempting to bake your first cake, would all be part of learning courageously. I think I learn courageously at school or even at home. When faced with a challenge, I tell myself, “I can get through this! I just need to keep trying.” In life you must fail your way to success. Not even Albert Einstein was perfect. I’m sure he made
Photo by: Trinity Murray
lots of mistakes, and he had to deal with people teasing and bullying him about his ideas. Today, he’s known as a genius, because he learned courageously. Am I a genius? No, but I do consider myself smart, because I learn courageously.
Chloe Wilkison Grade 5, Rutland Elementary 12
rss digital photography
COMMUNITYCONNECTION • december 2020
Photo by: Kelsey Meadows-Tedford
Getting Ready to Learn at
Quigley Elementary
Quigley Elementary developed a Refocusing Walk with an Indigenous theme to help students when they need to refocus and self-regulate. Students begin by tapping into the learning readiness scale (green, blue, yellow and red) and then participate in a series of physical challenges designed around the Four Food Chiefs which help them self-regulate, before rechecking themselves on the learning readiness scale. The Refocusing Walk permits students to work independently and access this self-regulating tool whenever there is a need – either studentinitiated or teacher-requested.
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Courageously when... I learn courageously when learning to read and write. When I was first learning how to read and write I was getting stuck on words. I started to sound them and then got them right. When I was able to sound out the words, I was happy. When I was stuck, I was feeling a little bit sad. Now I can read books to my sisters which makes me feel special. When writing I can think about something I can write about and draw Kyla Te Hiwi a picture and now sound Grade 2 out the words and tell Bankhead Elementary people my ideas.
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RSS take 2 full video Rutland Senior Secondary student Abhijit Singh Shehri created this video to spread awareness about the RSS Operation Take Two initiative. Operation Take Two empowers youth with an innovative plastic recycling workspace that allows youth to exercise creativity, educate their communities, and take action on a global issue at home.
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Courageously when... I believe that courage is being brave and standing up for each other always, in every place, and at all times. Some people need extra love to feel like people are there for them. I learn courageously when I stand up for myself. I believe this is being courageous because everyone has the right to stand up for themselves. It is important that you feel comfortable standing up for yourself and being the bigger person. Once I was playing on a teeter totter and this boy jumped off really fast and made me hit the ground hard. I felt courageous enough to tell him that I did not like the way he was playing. It made me feel better. Having the courage to stand up for myself makes me feel proud, happy, and awesome! I hope you feel the same because it is super important. Levanie Verma Grade 5, Springvalley Elementary 14
COMMUNITYCONNECTION • december 2020
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I learn courageously when . . . I make mistakes. It helps me improve on myself and make better choices. I have had my ups and downs in school and outside school, but through those downs, I had the courage to know next time how I could improve on myself. The staff at Knox are doing their best to set us up for success. We all make mistakes, including our teachers, but we students need the courage to see past our mistakes and know we are doing the best we can. Austyn Zimmer, Grade 9 École Dr. Knox Middle
The Courage to Self-Regulate By Lindsay Abbott, Social Emotional Learning Teacher, Raymer Elementary
This term, our Raymer community focused on improving our selfawareness and self-management skills. The Social Emotional Learning (SEL) team worked hard to consistently communicate using common language and modelling. We reach and teach our students through social emotional learning assemblies, in-class lessons, SEL station read-alouds, problemsolving assistance at recess, and one-on-one discussions. We also provide regulation tools and spaces to ensure students have a safe
place to practice self-regulation. One Grade 6 student said, “SEL has helped me to understand my emotions a little more, and to know how to handle it. I can take a break or use a calming tool. Sometimes I talk to my brother, a friend, or Ms. Abbott.” Another student recognized his growth in his social emotional journey when he said, “I used to get angry all the time, but now I don’t.” We love seeing positive change in our students, and this week we were excited to hear a student make a connection between his
choices and his overall emotional state. While standing in his line-up before school, B.P. said, with a big grin on his face, “I noticed that I am happier because of the choices I am making!” This student worked hard with his teacher and SEL team to focus on what he can control and to treat others the
way he wants to be treated. These simple words are the validation we needed to know we are making a difference! We were ecstatic to hear that he is not only motivated to stick with his goal, but he also understands and experiences first-hand how social emotional learning continues to help him.
innovation in action
S a fe
& E xcitin g
Central Okanagan Public Schools always strives to increase sustainability and embrace innovations that can make our buildings more energy efficient. This year, Central Okanagan Public Schools won FortisBC’s 2020 Efficiency in Action Award – Medium Commercial Customer. This Award was for the several energy efficient upgrades at Canyon Falls
Middle School, with the proceeds of the FortisBC rebate used to purchase solar panels to decrease the school’s carbon footprint even further. The annual Efficiency in Action Awards ceremony for FortisBC showcases the exceptional work organizations of all sizes in BC do to achieve energy savings in new buildings, commercial upgrades, and industrial operations.
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TOGETHERWELEARN • sd23.bc.ca
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peter greer elementary loves learning in the forest Ms. Payne (Kindergarten) Brooklyn McLean – 5 years old “I like exploring in the forest. I find pinecones and sticks.”
Mme Cassan (Kindergarten French Immersion)
Westyn Schmidt – 5 years old Ms. Payne’s Class “I like smelling the pine trees. They smell like cupcakes.”
Ms. Letourneau (Grade 3/4) STEAM activities in the forest. In the photo: Brayden Albright - Grade 3, Stella Byman - Grade 3, Abi Towers - Grade 3 Student Quotes: “ I like to learn in the forest and about how I can protect it when I grow up.” - Degan Peters, Grade 4 “I like being in nature.” - Ella Hyde, Grade 3
Callum Burton – 5 years old Ms. Payne’s Class “The forest makes me feel a little bit imagination-y.”
Ms. Chan and Mr. Maltais (Grade 4/5 Forest Class Community) Last year we started the Curiosity through the question: “How scanned our family community Crew, a collaborative learning can we meaningfully integrate and our learners to get their ideas community of administrators, learning in our natural and local on outdoor learning, and this year advocates and teachers. Using the environment throughout the year we’re looking forward to continuing Spiral of Inquiry as our guide, while embedding Indigenous taking our learning outside and our staff created and worked ways of knowing and doing?” We involving our community! Clint Maltais & Alex Chan-Rancourt (Grade 4/5 Forest Class) Pictured are Mr. Maltais and Ms. Chan-Rancourt and their Forest Class
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COMMUNITYCONNECTION • december 2020
peter greer elementary loves learning in the forest Mr. Proch – Teacher Intern (Grade 6 Learning Community) My name is Davis Proch, I am a Student Intern teaching in the Grade Six Learning Community at PGE and prior to teaching, I worked with BC Wildfire Services. Our Learning Community was able to borrow some wildfire gear from a local base, which enabled us to experience some great handson learning opportunities. Furthermore, we were able to build on our empathy for what some of our BC Wildfire employees go through while actioning a forest fire. The children were able to experience the gear in three separate forest stations: a pumping water hose relay station, a gear carry relay race, and a fuel free fire guard station. Photo 1: Teacher- Davis Proch Students- Grade Six Learning Community
Photo 3: Teacher- Davis Proch Students- Brynn Godin, Jurnee Auger, Jazmin Zaufenberger, Brody Saunders, Quin Godkin
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Photo 2: Teacher- Matthew Olson Students- Grade Six Learning Community
Photo 4: Teacher- Sara Fletcher Students- Carter Fisher, Han Wu, Capri Birchwater
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TOGETHERWELEARN • sd23.bc.ca
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the courage to learn abroad Gustavo Surgik, Student from Brazil, Rutland Senior Secondary
An exchange program was something that I hoped for years and when my parents finally agreed I was in complete shock; my dream was becoming true. Leaving the comfort of home is really challenging, obstacles and the future are unknown, however I did not let this stop me from having an amazing opportunity. After looking for an agency I was ready to give the next step, I completed a long and detailed application to be accepted into the program. Next, the only thing left to do was wait for the approval; those were three really long weeks, I was so scared that I would not be able to match with a host family or even be accepted into a school. Unfortunately my fear turned out to be a reality, the first city I applied for was already full and my application was rejected. I was really sad and heartbroken
but I had the chance to reapply to a different city and that was what I did. After a couple of days I received my host family and the acceptance letter from the school. I still had two months before my departure day. It was such an amazing feeling that in a couple of weeks I would be packing my bags and going to a completely different country by myself. Time passed by so fast and when I realized I just had four days left in my country, I started having doubts if I was making the right decision. I did not tell my parents about it because I did not want to make them worried. The day of my flight I woke up so excited, almost like all my worries had gone away and I could not wait to arrive in Canada. The second I stepped out of the airport I fell in love with this place. I was feeling so happy. One week after
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I arrived my classes started, I was so excited to finally get into a Canadian school. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. I could not have chosen
a better place to be! Nowadays I no longer feel homesick because I found my new home: it’s called Canada!
Courageously when...
Brianna Davie Grade 9 Dr. Knox Middle 18
I learn courageously when I don’t believe in myself When I feel sadness, Frustrated, And fear, And feel like I can’t do anything When the person who is the hardest on me Is me, myself, and I When I am too scared to raise my hand, Or share my opinions, Or fear my answer is wrong Because courage is a flower That can only blossom in fear I learn courageously when I feel afraid Because courage, It is something I find By breaking the limits I place on myself By being afraid, But determined to rise above
COMMUNITYCONNECTION • december 2020
Poppy Chaiboripan, Student from Thailand, Mount Boucherie Secondary
My name is Poppy Chaiboripan and I am an international student from Thailand. This is my third year in Canada and I normally visit my family during the summer. However, I spent this summer in Kelowna and it has been over a year since I was in Bangkok. For me, making the decision to stay was not difficult; it was the lack of certainty that petrified me. I could’ve booked the last flight out of the country and spent my summer at home, but I chose to stay because I did not want to think about
the possibility of not being able to come back for graduation. Attending Grade 12 can be overwhelming and I didn’t want to stress about doing online school from my home country. My mom and grandmother both fully support my decision to stay, even though we all know it is uncertain of when we’ll see each other again. It is definitely hard to be away from my family for such a long time, but I am very thankful to have such an amazing host family to keep company during the pandemic.
Stories of Courage from ELL Students
Anonymously shared with Elizabeth Baerg, English Language/Japanese Teacher, Rutland Senior Secondary
This year the ELL department at RSS supports 56 ELL students who have immigrated to Canada with their families. In addition, there are 22 international students enrolled, most of whom are here to graduate. You can imagine the courage that it takes to live abroad and the challenges these students face as they navigate our school system. Here are some words from a few of them:
I like living and studying in Canada be-
I was a shy person before I came to Canada. I was worried about what
cause I like the climate and environment
I needed to do when I first came to Canada, because my English is not
in Canada. This was my first time to leave
good. I do not like to talk with people, but one thing changed me. I went
China, come to Canada alone, and to meet
to the mall with my friend to gather, but my friend had something he
people who speak different languages at
needed to do first. I was very afraid, because it was my first time alone
school. It is also my first time to leave
in the mall. I did not know what bus I needed to take to get home. The
my family to study in another country.
strange city, strange people, strange language is really awful for me. I
Because of the pandemic, I can’t go back
told myself, You should ask the person how to get home. It was simple.
to China to see my family this year, and I
Then I found a gentleman and asked him the way to get home. The gen-
have to stay in Canada alone. When I got
tleman told me the way home very carefully. Since that incident, I have
off the plane, I took my luggage by myself.
been communicating with people. It made me grow up.
It was a little difficult for me to leave
Actually, I have to do a lot of things by
Jordan because there were my brothers,
myself and remember a lot. I learned a
relatives, and dearest friends, so this was
lot of history and interesting things in
I have learned “courage” from some Canadian stories, and I could tell
a little difficult to come to Canada, and
school such as Halloween and Remem-
my courage. I had courage when I decided to go to Canada because it’s a
I faced many difficulties. I got mad, got
brance Day. Many people wear different
different culture between Canada and Japan, and I have never left my
in the car, and we went to the airport, we
costumes on Halloween. It takes a lot of
parents so it was difficult for me to go to a new location. I had to mem-
waited for a while, got on the plane, and
courage to live and adapt in a foreign
orize a lot of things here. I think I grew up before I came here, and I was
came to Canada.
country. I am glad I am growing.
inspired a lot in Canada.
We especially need host families for international students attending the following schools in 2020-21 school year: • • • •
École Dr. Knox Middle School École Kelowna Secondary School École KLO Middle School Okanagan Mission Secondary School
All international students are required to follow arrival protocols as per Health Canada and the BC Ministry of Health, including self-isolation after their entry to British Columbia.
“Hosting is truly a family experience and the cultural dimension enriched our whole family. My kids also learned from the student’s experiences and continue to maintain a connection with the student since they returned to their country.” - Kristina and Jamie Luchka hosted Viivi from Finland
For more information about hosting, please contact our homestay coordinators by email at homestay@sd23.bc.ca or by phone 250-470-3258. Homestay families receive $900/ month for expenses. Together We Learn
Central Okanagan Public Schools International Education
TOGETHERWELEARN • sd23.bc.ca
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At Black Mountain Elementary, we stay safe and connected! Here are a few ways to greet our friends while we stay physically distanced. A
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https://youtu.be/8g12HJQh2YE
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A I O 2020 20 COMMUNITYCONNECTION • E december
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Youth Curling Youth Learn & Curl October to March
Little Rocks and Juniors hit the ice Saturdays combining skill training with game play Ages 7-19 Saturdays 9:00 am-10:30 am
Family Fun!
Make friends! Have fun!
Middle/High School League October to March
Tuesdays
4:00 pm-5:30 pm Middle and Highschool includes some instruction and lots of o game playing each week
New Sunday Novice League | 1 pm start Visit our website to find our costs: www.kelownacurling.com
250-762-3112 or
info@kelownacurlingclub.com