December 8, 2022

TOGETHER

We

Central Okanagan Public Schools Together We Learn

LEARN

www.sd23.bc.ca

CAPITAL news

By Faith Johnson-Jourdain | Grade 11, MBSS | Acrylic on paper 15”x 22”

This piece was created in Mount Boucherie’s Indigenous Art Studio course, as part of a unit on visual storytelling, and is inspired by several different modern syilx artists.

Kʷu knknxʷtəwix iʔ kl snaqsilxʷ We are walking hand in hand with our relatives.

Nous marchons main dans la main avec nos proches.

In this issue:

CARING COMMUNITIES Page 05: Students with Diversabilities Page 09: International Student Experience Page 12: Multicultural Celebrations Page 19: Land Based Learning Throughout: This year I discovered

SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE

BOARD CHAIRPERSON’S MESSAGE

Educating our children and youth is a profound responsibility and sacred trust. It is a complex process in a multi-cultural society where we respect diversity and recognize it enriches our lives. Our staff, students, and families work hard every day to create caring communities where everyone can learn and thrive. We work toward realizing the District’s Overarching Goal: “Our learners will develop foundational skills and core curricular competencies so that they can be empowered to follow their passions and strengths and thrive holistically as resilient and engaged global citizens.”

Kevin Kaardal Superintendent of Schools /CEO

École

We rise above what is happening in the world to foster kind, caring communities called schools. Our actions must be exemplars of inclusion, compassion, understanding, and reconciliation.

I recall a story told to me about a teacher that once had a class of students who would not listen and would not settle down in class. After several attempts to gain the attention of the students, with no success, the teacher turned to the whiteboard and wrote the word A-P-A-T-H-Y. One of the students in the class noticed the word on the board and asked his friend sitting next to him, “What does that mean?”, to which the friend replied, “I dunno…who cares?”.

What does it mean to care? What does it mean to be in a Caring Community?

Trustee Lee-Ann Tiede Chair, Board of Education

The theme of this issue and our school year - Caring Communities - recognizes the important connections between students, staff, families, and the greater community. Together, when we nurture caring communities, we can improve self-esteem, sense of belonging, compassion, and innovation.

As we look ahead, it is time to open our doors to the greater community and welcome back our parents, caregivers, and community volunteers who greatly contribute to our culture of caring communities because TOGETHER WE LEARN!

Living and learning together in a community that cares about each other’s development, progress, and achievements leads to caring for one another. Gathering, celebrating and connecting through various events and opportunities in our schools to enjoy the many festivals, concerts and athletic events you will read about in this edition of Together We Learn, leads to building community. Events such as the unique experiences of the École Peter Greer Elementary Harvest Festival, or the rewarding work of students and staff coming together to welcome new families to Canada and into our schools throughout the Central Okanagan, all demonstrate caring and building community.

Let us not give room to apathy. This is not the time to relax our efforts as we continue to live, learn and grow together in our schools that are at the heart of our community they serve.

Thank you for taking the time to read these stories and thank you for being part of our Caring Communities!

WARM UP YOUR WINTER with exciting kids’ programs from the City of Kelowna

Not sure how to keep your little ones active, energized and engaged this winter?

We’ve got you covered!

We offer a wide range of activities for kids of all ages, interests and ability levels!

Plus: fitness classes & programs for parents to enjoy while the kids learn and play! Drop-in child minding also available select weekday mornings at Parkinson Recreation Centre.

KIDS PROGRAMS THIS SEASON: • • • • • • • • •

Learn to Play Hockey Learn to Skate Spanish Guitar Roller Skating Speed Skating Kick & Run Indoor Family Snowshoeing Spring Break Camps ...and more!

Learn more

kelowna.ca/recreation 2

COMMUNITYCONNECTION • DECEMBER 2022

Over 17% of Kelowna youth live in poverty, not including the thousands

When you can see kids before crisis hits, the results are beautiful.

For more information on its current impact and how to support, please contact: Philippa Putlitz, Upstream Kelowna Coordinator at pputlitz@bgco.ca

Is a project of Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and A Way Home Canada

THIS YEAR I DISCOVERED

of teens who are at risk and without support. They can often fly under the radar of our schools. Upstream Kelowna aims to lower those statistics and provide direct support to help youth stay in school and stably housed. They use a combination of student assessments, interviews, and access to resources. These carefully thought-out measures provide direct student and family support while actively focusing on early intervention and prevention.

The following conversation was documented by their teachers: Jaylee: “I don’t understand your thinking, could you communicate more with me?”

Parker: “I used one flavour and put all the other flavours with it, then didn’t use that flavour again. Then I used tally marks for the combinations. Do you understand what I mean?”

Upon reflection, Jaylee stated, “I was confused in the beginning, but then my team helped me understand so we could figure out the solution together.”

Parker added, “I knew there would be a pattern... Math is full of patterns!

We just had to figure that part out.”

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Inspired by the "Geelong Project" in Australia, which significantly decreased youth homelessness and school disengagement using a preventative approach, Upstream Canada was born.

Upstream Kelowna locally adapted the model to maximize its efforts to support youth early - before crisis hits. Upstream Kelowna is led by BGC-Okanagan, Central Okanagan Public Schools, and five additional youth and family-serving agencies. With their new goal of early intervention, prevention, and anticipating crises instead of reacting to them, they unlocked the key to a much more successful system.

Parker, Paige, and Jaylee were randomly grouped together for a vertical numeracy task. Through their communication in this task, they were able to push beyond their comfort zone and persevere.

After math was over, we asked Jaylee to reflect on her experience working collaboratively to solve a math task. She beautifully summarized her learning: “It doesn’t matter who you’re working with, as long as you cooperate and work together as a team. I asked them if they could help me understand what was going on because I was feeling confused, and after a lot of hard work and thinking, we accomplished a lot of math. I felt really good, because if I were to have done it on my own I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what we did as a group.”

PARKER FISHER, JAYLEE FOUNTAIN, PAIGE CALDER Grade 5 | École Peter Greer Elementary

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By Sophia Maoin, Student Reporter, KSS

…the power of collaboration in math!

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UPSTREAM KELOWNA: Seeing Kids Before Crisis Hits

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TOGETHERWELEARN • SD23.BC.CA

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THIS YEAR I DISCOVERED

…that algebra is super easy!

By Lotte Alkenbrecher, Student Reporter, KSS

Yevhen and Maryna Dankanych and their two children are a Ukrainian family that has journeyed to Kelowna to find peace as the war has taken over their country. On February 24, 2022, it was an ordinary day until the sounds of sirens and bombs started going off. Russia attacked Ukraine and the Dankanych family was forced to flee the country. Having nowhere to return, the family chose Canada as a new home because of its development, its friendly people, and beauty.

Yevhen and Maryna have a higher education, including employment with the police and as a lawyer. They also speak an intermediate level of English. However, it has still been very difficult to find a job in Kelowna. Some of the reasons to gain employment have to do with Canadian work experience and license requirements that Canada cannot transfer from Ukraine. The Dankanych family does not have a vehicle at this time due to high taxes and the cost of insurance for non-residents of Canada.

On October 2022, the Dankanych family arrived in Kelowna. Friends helped them rent an apartment and employees of the government assisted with settling in. Not expecting that Canada was that expensive, the family faced the struggle with financial and emotional hardship but are thankful for all the support they have received, especially the Bank of Montreal.

Fortunately the Dankanych children, one in grade 1 and the other in grade 5, attend school in Kelowna and get daily support from teachers and other students. The situation for them is hard right now but they are trying their best.

They are thankful for the opportunity of being here and receiving support in this difficult time. They believe in Ukraine and seeing their native land again.

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COMMUNITYCONNECTION • DECEMBER 2022

TYSON BARR | Grade 6 | Constable Neil Bruce Middle School

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UKRAINIAN FAMILY New to Kelowna

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Tyson discovered many math tools in his classroom this year and is rightfully proud of learning algebra as an extension of his math class’s Pattern Unit. In this video, Tyson explains how he uses the Hundred Chart tool to demonstrate his understanding.

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THIS YEAR I DISCOVERED

…how to be a self-navigating learner!

By Ethan Jensen-Page & Ava Cudmore, Student Reporters, KSS For over 14 years, École Kelowna Secondary School has run a program where students with diversabilities can gain work experience.

This important program helps students to prepare themselves for the working world after graduation. Some of the local businesses include the Independent Grocer Supermar-

ket, Share Society Community Thrift Store, Toys R Us, De Dutch, A&W, Okanagan College, and Little Caesars. Because of the joint efforts of KSS and local businesses, students with diversabilities have gone on to have successful employment after high school.

What should my name be?

MME. HARDING | Grade 9 math | École Dr. Knox Middle School

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STUDENTS WITH DIVERSABILITIES Gain Employment

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In this French Math 9 class at École Dr. Knox Middle School, we are working on building our own thinking classroom through meaningful tasks, and inviting students to be navigators of their own learning.

Creating meaningful notes, verifying, and tracking our learning with check-your-understanding questions, as well as participating in collaborative learning tasks on vertical surfaces, are some of our regular practices. Here are some student voices describing their experiences so far, as well as some samples of their meaningful notes at the end of the video.

NAME OUR NEW SNOW BLOWER The forecast calls for a flurry of snow blower name ideas. Help us name this lean, mean snow-devouring machine!

We’ll pick the top 10 name entries and put them to a public vote. The winner will get a deluxe experience, including a snow blower demonstration, a photo shoot and a Snow Angels prize pack!

Choose the winning name and you’ll forever share in the glory of the machine’s snow-clearing power.

Full contest details at:

kelowna.ca/snow

TOGETHERWELEARN • SD23.BC.CA

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BEST OF THE WEST

Volleyball Tournament

By Zoe Watson, Dylan Raible, and Brandon Sharp Student Reporters, KSS

Leading up to the weekend, École Kelowna

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COMMUNITYCONNECTION • DECEMBER 2022

Girls team both placed first! Our Junior Girls and Boys Varsity volleyball teams volunteered in the games by keeping score and being our linesmen.

A tremendous amount of thanks goes to all the parents, coaches, teams, and organizers of this year!

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…that math is figure-out-able Using the Pam Harris strategy “I Have… You Need”

CADE FLOWER | Grade 4 | Black Mountain Elementary

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Here are a few highlights:

Secondary School was filled with school spirit!

On Friday, classes from all three grades came down to the gym and supported our teams, creating banners, dressing up with school spirit, and cheering on their peers. Students and parents came together to show their support for our Senior teams and in the end, the KSS Senior Boys team and the OKM Senior

THIS YEAR I DISCOVERED

tian, Harry Ainlay, South Kamloops, Dutchess Park, Sahali, Elgin Park and Vancouver Christian. Our Senior Girls teams playing this year were KSS, OKM, Harry Ainlay, George Elliot, South Delta, Seaton, College Heights and Dutchess Heights.

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After two years, our community was able to come together and show their support for their teams at the KSS Best Of The West 2022 Volleyball tournament (Oct. 13-14)! Since COVID, KSS hasn’t been able to host this yearly event.

This year, teams came from all over the interior to play against each other. Our Senior Boys teams playing this year were KSS, Abby Chris-

Play, learn, run and have fun at the Y! Child Care

Recreation

Full-day child care

Sports and games

Preschool

Art, dance and music

Before and after school care

STEM projects

Camps (seasonal and Pro D days)

Youth Leadership Development

Child minding and Zoned In

Swim Lessons Parent & Tot Preschool and school age levels Star Leadership Program Private Lessons

Free Family Support

Education & Training

Family Play Time: play-based experiences for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers

Lifeguard Certifications

Prenatal Wellness: weekly yoga and six rotating education topics for support during and after pregnancy

Teen Mindfulness Group

As a charity, the YMCA offers financial assistance for all their programs and services to those in need.

Charitable registration # 11924 0224 RR0001

Babysitting and Home Alone Youth Employment Services

Learn more at ymcasibc.ca

https://www.ymcasibc.ca/

TOGETHERWELEARN • SD23.BC.CA

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The Central Okanagan’s International Education Program is looking for homestay placements for students arriving in January.

HOST FAMILIES RECEIVE $1000/MONTH per student

Memories and experience of a lifetime included!

MEET THE PARENTS!

Why hosting an international student is a great experience

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.

Call 250-470-3258 or visit internationaleducation.ca to apply

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Brenda Achilli is a Grade 12 exchange student from the city of Macerata, located in central Italy. Brenda arrived in Kelowna at the end of August and currently attends École Kelowna Secondary School for the first semester before returning home to Italy in January. During her time in Canada, Brenda is taking Outdoor Education, French, Art, Philosophy, and Journalism. Recently, Brenda filmed a video diary discussing her experience as an international student in Central Okanagan Public Schools.

WE LOVE HELPING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND STAGES OF LIFE, ESPECIALLY KIDS! ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS AND FAMILIES. Unit 103 - 1932 Summit Dr. Kelowna, BC V1V 3E9 | info@glenmoredental.ca Phone: (250) 808-8400 | www.glenmoredental.ca TOGETHERWELEARN • SD23.BC.CA

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…that using a hundred chart to play mystery number was a great activity to practice number sense in my Kindergarten and Grade One class.

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The clues really allow children to think about the numbers and can be differentiated depending on students’ existing knowledge. Here, Ryan James-Davies in Kindergarten shows us how to use the chart.

ERIN THIESSEN | Kindergarten/Grade 1 teacher École Belgo Elementary

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THIS YEAR I DISCOVERED

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10 COMMUNITYCONNECTION • DECEMBER 2022

The Indigenous Academy at Dr. Knox

By Ava Cudmore, Student Reporter, KSS The Indigenous Leadership class at École Dr. Knox Middle is a student-driven course that focuses on Indigenous knowledge and teachings. They are taught by Holly Rooke and Kelly Andrews, the Indigenous Advocate at École Dr. Knox Middle. So far this year they have worked on land acknowledgments and introducing themselves in the local Okanagan nsyilxcən.

For Truth and Reconciliation Week, they made orange pins, posters, and a display case. They also ran a shoe drive for the 215 children that were found at Kamloops residential school.

They celebrated their efforts during Truth and Reconciliation Week by making bannock and chili. On September 23rd, the Indigenous Academy went to the Okanagan College Pow-Wow.

The students said that it was very interesting to see all of the dancers and vendors. When I went to talk with them, the class was working on things such as beadworkby making mini moccasins and medicine bags. Going forward they are looking at collaborating with younger generations at North Glenmore Elementary. All of these things work towards truth and reconciliation. Many Canadians are starting to learn about the reality of Canada’s past. But many people only learn about the negative things that happened to Indigenous people and do not learn about the culture that still exists today.

However, with this course, they learn about Indigenous history, the issues they still face, and the culture that still exists today.

OKM Lake O’Hara Trip: Volunteer Perspective

By Mia Belocura, Student Reporter, KSS

The annual Lake O'Hara trip of École Okanagan Mission Secondary School (OKM), aims to have graduating students interact with nature as they step outside their comfort zones and experience the majestic mountains and glacial lakes. However, these would not be possible without the parent-teacher volunteers who took the

time and energy to arrange this trip and ensure the safety of the students as they venture into the backcountry. "The care and time our parent-teacher volunteers put in is priceless," they said, pertaining to the importance of these volunteers behind the success of every trip. Adult volunteers are responsible for the well-being

of these students and these include, but are not limited to: creating meal plans, ensuring the safety of each and every student, and motivating students to continue their journey along the mountains.

These volunteers have huge responsibilities, yet their enthusiasm and passion of having the students experience a beauti-

ful legacy gives a more rewarding feeling.

Some of these volunteers are OKM alumni and they love to give back the gratitude to their fellow Huskies. OKM Lake O'Hara trips have been going on for more than 40 years and they are committed to ensuring that the future generations get to experience the magic on the mountains.

Stay up to date with important changes, reminders about your waste collection Recycle Coach App You Get: A personal collection schedule Custom collection reminders A “What Goes Where” search tool And more!

Your personal garbage, recycling and waste collection guide at your fingertips Visit:www.rdco.com/recyclecoach rdco.com/recyclecoach

TOGETHERWELEARN • SD23.BC.CA

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MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATIONS 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105820974944592307

…the power of perseverance in math!

Diwali at RSS

Diwali at PSE Our schools comprise learners from dozens of different countries and cultures. Some have grown up here and were eager to celebrate holidays with classmates, such as the learners and families who shared the lights of Diwali at Pearson Road Elementary and helped staff dress in traditional clothing. Older learners also shared Diwali joy, as well as the Latin

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Dia de los Muertos at RSS American traditions of the Dia de los Muertos at Rutland Senior Secondary (RSS). The young learners at Rutland Elementary ended a week of celebrating their cultural diversity with an assembly where they invited Indigenous leadership students from Mount Boucherie Secondary to perform a dance.

COMMUNITYCONNECTION • DECEMBER 2022

CASSIDY CURLISS | Grade

10

| École Okanagan Mission Secondary

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Multicultural Expo at MBSS

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Cassidy describes the power of perseverance and the support she gets from her teacher to learn that mistakes aren’t a problem. .

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THIS YEAR I DISCOVERED

Pearson Road Elementary

Other students from abroad are English Language Learners, and include international students and newcomers to Canada. They were also excited to share food, clothing, and facts about their cultures with their fellow students through Multicultural Expos at RSS and OKM in November. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to cook, colour, and create; you contributed to our Caring Communities at home and expanded our horizons as engaged global citizens!

MBSS Dancers at RLE

Multicultural Expo at RSS

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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THIS YEAR I DISCOVERED

…how to use patterns to know I've found all the ways to make 10!

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Our class had an apple investigation where we were trying to figure out all the ways to make 10 using green apples and red apples. We then discovered that you can use a pattern to answer the question: how do you know if you’ve found all the ways to make 10? The children were then invited to choose a different number and see if that strategy could still work (starting with 1+_=_), can you come up with all the ways to make your number? Here is Vera explaining how to use the pattern:

VERA COBB | Grade 1 | École Hudson Road Elementary

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COMMUNITYCONNECTION • DECEMBER 2022

PGE HARVEST FESTIVAL: A Caring Community Gathers This 20-year tradition at École Peter Greer Elementary was on hiatus for the last two years, so the school community was incredibly excited to gather once again! People brought dozens of kinds of chili, pies, and goodies for families to eat while they enjoyed live music in the gymnasium. Old and young were delighted by the visits from a Fall Fairy, Lake Country Firefighters, and their friend Sparky. Thanks to the many amazing parent volunteers, there

were raffles, face-painting, sack races, tug-ofwar, and all the other activities that make a fun fair fun. The Peter Greer Harvest Festival is a perfect example of the joy and sense of belonging that our students feel when communities get together to show they care about schools and each other. Across the district, family fun fairs were welcomed back this year, and we are all grateful for the Caring Communities they helped create.

THIS YEAR I DISCOVERED

…Counting in Binary!

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GENEVIEVE AND ANDIE | Grade Springvalley Middle School

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PGE HARVE FESTIV ST AL

Genevieve and Andie of Springvalley Middle really took off when they learned about binary for the first time in October. While their grade 6 math class was enjoying the puzzle of figuring out how to count to 8 in their first binary lesson, these two girls decided to take it further. They used the pattern they saw to count as far as they could. They got to 34 before their whiteboard couldn’t hold anymore! Nice job girls! The girls ended up making a couple of little mistakes in their counting. Their last number 100111 actually means 39 instead of 34. Can your eagle eyes figure out where they skipped a step or two? They sure figured it out. Making mistakes grows your brain and it means you’re pushing to your limits to learn something tricky. Your brain also grows when you find and correct your mistakes. Way to challenge yourselves, girls! Mrs. Overholt is proud of you and Springvalley Middle salutes you.

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Daycare / Preschool / After school / Recreation / Youth / Family resources

www.bgco.ca *87% of our children and youth report that they make better choices because of a Club.

2022 Participatory Evaluation, Dialogues in Action.

TOGETHERWELEARN • SD23.BC.CA

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Mehak Parihar (she/her) Co-President, Gr. 12, RSS

Zach Johnson (he/him) Co-President, Gr. 12, KSS

Amely Wolf (she/her) Gr. 12, GESS

2022-23 District Student Council Welcome to the new District Student Council!

These engaged learners are creating caring communities by bringing the voices of their classmates to the whole district.

Jessie Beggs (she/her) Gr. 12, MBSS

Bowen Tan (he/him) Gr. 12, OKM

Chloe Leyao (she/her) Gr. 12, RSS

The goals of the District Student Council in Central Okanagan Public Schools are to: 1. Create a connection between the students and the Board of Trustees 2. Bring questions, concerns and ideas to the Board 3. Advocate for the betterment of student life 4. Assume an active leadership role on behalf of students 5. Promote positive relationships and camaraderie between schools.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE DSC ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram: @districtstudentcouncil23 Twitter: @DSCSD23​

Quin Macauley (he/him) Gr. 12, KSS

Cayden Jensen (he/him) Gr. 11, GESS

Hasan Mohammad (he/him) Gr. 11, KSS​

Kori Lahue (she/her) Gr. 11, MBSS​

October Angell-Janfield (he/him) Gr. 11, CEN​

Phoenix Filinger (she/her) Gr. 11, KSS​

Ramneek Parihar (she/her) Gr. 11, RSS​

Sarah Kovacs (she/her) Gr. 11, OKM​

Winnie-Mingzhi Jiang (she/her) Gr. 11, OKM

Ava Parke (she/her) Gr. 10, RSS​

Mila Kresina (she/her) Gr. 10, KSS​

NOT PICTURED: Kaiya Lee, (she/her), Gr. 12, MBSS | Jae Archie, (they/them), Gr. 11, CEN | Trin Tesar, (she/her), Gr. 10, GESS | Brooklyn Heald, (she/her), Gr. 10, MBSS | Cadence Quigley, (she/her), Gr. 10, RSS

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COMMUNITYCONNECTION • DECEMBER 2022

THIS YEAR I DISCOVERED

…that math can solve practical problems!

The artwork throughout the Kelowna General Hospital Urgent Care Clinic was created by Visual Arts students from Mount Boucherie Secondary School. This was an exciting opportunity for students to share their artwork with an authentic audience and contribute to a very important space in their community. Students have worked hard to create artwork that celebrates an aspect of the natural beauty we have around us in our landscape. Students chose landscapes, animals, and plants they have a connection to and feel inspired by. The learning students engaged in for this project focused on the role of nature in health and healing and the importance of connection to place and community for our physical and emotional

health. Many of the animals featured in the paintings are species at risk in the Okanagan region. The Okanagan valley is recognized as one of the most ecologically diverse regions of Canada. This valley has more threatened, endangered, and rare species than any other part of British Columbia. Students are hoping to raise awareness about these species by celebrating them through their artwork. Students respectfully acknowledge that this exhibition is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan people. Thank you to Stephanie Emmond, MBSS teacher, for engaging her students in this cross-curricular community project.

MASON | Grade 3 | Quigley Elementary

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MBSS STUDENT ARTISTS Share Their Talents with Patients at KGH

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Here, Mason shows us how to solve the practical problem of “The Paper Route” using the skills he’s discovering in Grade 3.

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YUKON FIRST NATION

Education Directorate Visit In 2019, a delegation from Yukon First Nation Education Directorate (YFNED) visited Central Okanagan Public Schools to learn more about our Indigenous Education Department and, specifically, the role of Indigenous Student Advocates within schools. Within a year, YFNED secured funding to hire 15 Advocates (as well as a team of Junior Advocates) to support Indigenous students in the Yukon.

This November, YFNED delegates returned to learn more about ways Central Okanagan Public Schools is decolonizing learning environments and supporting Indigenous student success. The delegation included Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Junior Advocates (students), and an Education Advocate team. Over the course of the week, our Yukon friends visited many school sites. With each school visit throughout the week, reciprocal learning took place as cultural teachings and languages were shared. We are grateful for the YFNED’s visits and welcome the co-creation of Caring Communities!

Elder Annie Bernard shares about the YFNED

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COMMUNITYCONNECTION • DECEMBER 2022

LAND BASED LEARNING:

The Knowledge-Keepers of Tomorrow

By Rosalyn Tiessen, Student Reporter, KSS Grandma Rose is an Elder in Residence and supporter of the Land Based Learning Program at École Okanagan Mission Secondary (OKM), where she assists in helping youth to do their best and advance their knowledge by telling them stories and passing information that connects them to Indigenous history.

Rose was connected to the program by her granddaughter, originally at elementary level, before later changing direction due to the heightened risk of COVID-19. She has now been at OKM for two years, and her position at the school is highly-valued; she was asked to speak to an OKM graduating class, as well as recording a video for the Moose Hide Campaign, which is a campaign founded in response to the violence and injustices that women and children face in Canada – specifically those who are Indigenous.

beneficial to young people, taking the focus away from the electronically connected population and encouraging students to become familiar with First Nations traditions and culture. She finds that children are eager to learn and grasp the benefits of land-based education quickly, but acknowledges that it is important to have teachers with a keen interest in the concept of what outdoor/ land-based education involves, which would require training and an understanding of what this type of learning entails, in order for other schools and communities to follow suit with this type of learning.

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…teamwork to solve math problems!

Mrs. Thompson’s Grade 5/6 students ignited their thinking by solving splat math problems in random groups of three, using vertical writing spaces. Each group was given one pen and were tasked with solving the problem in various ways. Students enjoyed working through the problem as a team and talking through the math problem.

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Here, Mia and Jason from explain how it works:

MIA | Grade 5-6| École Élémentaire Casorso Elementary School

JASON | Grade 5-6| École Élémentaire Casorso Elementary School

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THIS YEAR I DISCOVERED

The Land Based Learning Program demonstrates the value of a program which teaches students the practices needed to keep our world functioning for generations to come, and Grandma Rose’s work at OKM shows the As an Elder, Rose believes that the benefits this type of learning has.

Land Based Learning Program is very

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TOGETHERWELEARN • SD23.BC.CA

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