Our district team of educators (administrators, teachers, district staff and community partners) completed the ERASE (Expect Respect and a Safe Education) Bullying Regional Training in Kelowna in December. The facilitator of the training was Theresa Campbell (Safer Schools Together). Feedback from our team was very positive and as a follow up to this training the district team met to discuss next steps. At upcoming meetings each school-based team will be guided to lead their school in a “school culture check” and the sessions from the training will be discussed and debriefed. Our district is working hard to ensure the safety of all of our students in our schools.

We would like to remind all parents to register children, born in 2008, for Kindergarten. Children born in 2008 are eligible to attend full day Kindergarten in September 2013. Parents registering students need to present their birth certificates and medical cards. We encourage parents to complete registration as soon as possible and before March 15th, as this aids the district in staffing and budgeting for September. Also, keep in mind that Kindergarten spaces, in some cases, are limited and placement is done on a first come, first serve basis.

Our 2013/2014 tentative district calendar has been presented to administrators and consultation will take place with PAC’s and staff as new legislation requires us to approve the calendar before March 31st. District staff will also consult with union representatives and the calendar will then be brought forward to the regular board meeting in February for approval.

Our grades 6/7 Hands-on Trades program will take place in the last week of January. Parents of grades 6 and 7 students, please check your school newsletter to see when this exciting event will take place in your community and make sure to attend.

Fine Arts students from Oliver Elementary will travel to Chemainus on March 5 to 8th to attend the Dinner Theatre at Chemainus Theatre. Forty grades 4 to 7 students will be travelling to Chemainus and they will also participate in cultural activities in Duncan, visit Northwest Raptors and have a horse-drawn wagon tour of the Chemainus murals. Thank you to Ms. Lori Martine for this wonderful opportunity for students!

The jazz band from Osoyoos and Oliver high schools will be going on a field trip to Surrey from February 7th to 9th. Ms. Lisa Ante’s students will participate in the music festival at the Bell Performing Arts Centre. They will play at the festival on the 8th and receive adjudication.

Helen Gallagher will be taking a group of Okanagan Language students from SESS to the Salish Language Conference in Spokane Washington. She will be accompanied by elders and speakers from the Similkameen community. This will be a great opportunity for our Aboriginal students.

At our regular meeting held on January 23rd, the board received notice of motion for Policy F-14 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. We invited students and staff from SOSS, SESS and OSS to attend our policy committee meeting to review a draft policy. All in attendance were in favour of the draft policy. Students also provided some feedback for implementation of the policy including working with LinkCrew and leadership groups and offering workshops on this topic. Ms. Schroeter advised of gay-straight alliances, throughout North America which provide varied resources for schools. This policy will now be available on our website, awaiting further input from our communities.

The Board approved a Board Authorized course in Hairdressing for SOSS. This course will be offered by Okanagan Cosmetology in Penticton. Two other Board Authorized Courses were approved by the board: Golf 10 at OSS and Leadership 12 at SESS. We are happy to be providing more choices for our students which aligns with the vision of the new BC Education plan as presented by the Ministry of Education.

The Board also approved a Dual Credit Memorandum of Understanding with Okanagan College. This MoU is revised to remove the clause stipulating that students have to complete grade 12 before receiving their college credentials.

The Board of Education would like to invite the parents and the public to attend our next Learning Forum at Osoyoos Elementary on February 13th, 2013. Rod Allen, Superintendent of Learning, Ministry of Education, Victoria will be the guest speaker. The topic will be the BC Education plan. Teachers from Osoyoos Elementary and Secondary schools will be demonstrating how 21st century learning is taking place in their classrooms. Please come out and show your support.

by Marieze Tarr, Chairperson
School District No. 53 (Okanagan Similkameen)