September 15, 2021 Board Highlights

Central Okanagan Public Schools – “Inside 23”:

1. Virtual Choir Sister School Collaboration
   École Glenrosa Middle School and Haruhigaoka High School Virtual Choir Project
   In attendance from École Glenrosa Middle School:
   Jesse Bruce, Principal
   Stephanie Read, Vice-Principal
   Kimberley Gorman, Band Teacher and Music Director
   École Glenrosa Middle School Band teacher and Music Director, Kimberley Gorman, has gone above and
   beyond in her efforts to keep the connection with the École Glenrosa Middle School sister school –
   Haruhigaoka High School in Kasugai, Japan. The video showed a collaborative virtual choir produced by
   Ms. Gorman.
2. What Does a Beginning Teacher Hope For?
   The Central Okanagan Public Schools’ theme for the 2021/2022 school year is “Hope”. A video was shown
   of beginning teachers expressing their hopes for the upcoming school year.
   Introductions:
3. Introductions of Newly Appointed Principals and Vice-Principals
   The Board of Education congratulated the following newly appointed Principals and Vice-Principals:
    Steve Cann, District Principal of International Education
    John Morrone, Principal at eSchool23
    LeeAnn Yapps, Principal at École Belgo Elementary School
    Lindsey Hamilton, Principal at Hudson Road Elementary School
    Allison Goreas, Vice-Principal at École Dr. Knox Middle School
    Lisa Wilson, Vice-Principal at Mar Jok Elementary School
    Tonia MacGregor, Acting Vice-Principal at École George Pringle Elementary School
   The Board of Education welcomed the following new staff to Central Okanagan Public Schools:
    Elise Saraceni, Principal at Constable Neil Bruce Middle School
    April Strickland, Vice-Principal of Indigenous Education (unable to attend)
   Declarations:
4. Truth and Reconciliation Week: September 27 – October 1, 2021
   The Central Okanagan Board of Education declared the week of September 27, 2021 through to October
   1, 2021 as ‘Truth and Reconciliation Week’ in Central Okanagan Public Schools.
   The Board Meeting Highlights are published after each Public Board Meeting.
   Please check the School District website (www.sd23.bc.ca) for all Board and Committee Meeting dates and times.
5. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30, 2021
   The Central Okanagan Board of Education recognized that Thursday, September 30, 2021 has been
   designated as the ‘National Day for Truth and Reconciliation’ and will be observed as a Federal Statutory
   Holiday.
   Staff Presentations:
6. Equity in Action Agreement for Truth and Reconciliation 2020-2025 – 1st Annual Report 2020/2021
   Presenter:
   Terry-Lee Beaudry, Deputy Superintendent of Schools
   The Equity in Action Agreement for Truth and Reconciliation signing ceremony took place on February 20,
7. The 1st Annual Report reflects the shared responsibility and progress during the 2020-2021 school
   year towards equitable opportunities for the District’s Indigenous, First Nation, Métis and Inuit K-12
   learners. The Board of Education received the Equity in Action Agreement for Truth and Reconciliation 2020-2025 – 1st Annual Report.
8. Superintendent of Schools/CEO: 2021 School Opening Report – Part 1
   Presenter:
   Kevin Kaardal, Superintendent of Schools/CEO
   Kevin Kaardal, Superintendent of Schools/CEO for the Central Okanagan Public Schools, presented the
   2021 School Opening Report – Part 1. This Report covers the time period of September 7, 2021 through
   to September 14, 2021 (unless otherwise noted) and provides an update regarding the first days of the
   school year. A more accurate count of student enrolment will be provided in Part 2 of the School Opening
   Report at the September 29th Public Board Meeting, as well as following the September 30th 1701
   submission to the Ministry of Education. (The School Opening Report – Part 1 and the Superintendent of
   Schools/CEO PowerPoint presentation are available on the Central Okanagan Public Schools website –
   http://www.sd23.bc.ca.) The Board of Education received the Superintendent of Schools/CEO: 2021 School Opening Report – Part 1.
   Action Items:
9. Reaffirming Commitment to Equity in Action for Truth and Reconciliation
   The Board of Education acknowledged the harm that was caused with the recent confirmation of unmarked graves of children on residential school grounds across Canada. The Board of Education further reaffirmed its commitment to the goals of the District’s Equity in Action for Truth and Reconciliation Agreement.
   Kevin Kaardal, Superintendent of Schools/CEO and Terry Beaudry, Deputy Superintendent of Schools,
   shared with the Board of Education a paddle, carved by a local Elder, that represents the District’s theme
   of HOPE and the District’s commitment to moving forward with our partners towards equity and
   reconciliation. Principals/Vice-Principals and school business managers have all attached ribbons to the
   paddle, reaffirming their commitment to truth and reconciliation. Board Chair Moyra Baxter attached a
   ribbon on behalf of the Board of Education. Susan Bauhart – President of the Central Okanagan Teachers’
   Association, David Tether – President of CUPE Local 3523, Nicola Baker – Vice-President of Central
   Okanagan Parent Advisory Council, Zachary Johnson – District Student Council representative, and Wynter
   Oakes – Executive Member of Central Okanagan Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association, also attached
   ribbons to the paddle, demonstrating support for a continued focus on equity in action.
10. Enhancement Agreement – Davidson Road Elementary School Outdoor Learning Space
    The Board of Education agreed to enter into an Enhancement Agreement with the Davidson Road
    Elementary School PAC for the Outdoor Learning Space.
11. Enhancement Agreement – Springvalley Middle School GaGa Ball Court
    The Board of Education agreed to enter into an Enhancement Agreement with Springvalley Middle School
    PAC for the creation of a GaGa Ball Court.
12. Timeline for Okanagan Mission Catchment and School Reopening Review
    The Board of Education approved the timeline for Okanagan Mission catchment and school reopening
    review.
13. Timeline for Westside Catchment and French Immersion Programming Review
    The Board of Education approved the timeline for Westside catchment and French Immersion programming review.
14. Amended Regulation 405R – Student Placement (Regulations)
    The Board of Education agreed that Regulations 405R – Student Placement (Regulations) be amended as
    follows:
15. Enrolment Priorities
    Priority shall be given to students on the following basis:
     catchment or French Immersion catchment area students who, in the previous year, attended the
    school;
     catchment or French Immersion catchment area students who, in the previous year, were ‘placed’
    by the district in a different school;
     siblings of catchment or French Immersion catchment area students;
     returning catchment area students that have transferred into the school or program they
    previously attended from eSchoolBC;
     new catchment or French Immersion catchment area students; siblings of non-catchment or nonFrench Immersion catchment area students currently enrolled in the school;
     non-catchment area or non-French Immersion catchment area students who request to attend
    the school which is other than their catchment area school;
     non-district area students;
     international students.
    Information Items:
    The Board of Education reviewed the following:
16. Central Okanagan Public Schools Communicable Disease Plan – September 2, 2021
    The Superintendent of Schools/CEO’s PowerPoint with an update on the Health and Safety Measures
    implemented in Central Okanagan Public Schools is posted on the School District website.
17. Special Incamera Board Meeting Motions – Board Support for COVID-19 Measures/Mandates
    The Board of Education confirmed the following Motions declared at the September 3, 2021 Incamera
    Board Meeting in support of COVID-19 measures and mandates:
    THAT: The Board of Education supports all current Ministry of Education K-12 Health & Safety
    Guidelines (Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings).
    THAT: The Board of Education encourages vaccinations in all eligible people.

3. 2021-2022 School Calendar – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
   As a result of the federal government’s proclamation of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on
   September 30th, and the recent provincial government announcement that it has advised public sector
   employers to honour this day with most schools being closed, the required hours of instruction were
   reduced by 5 hours for the 2021/2022 school year.
4. Operations Summer Projects Update
5. Level 4 and 5 Field Study Summary – 2021/2022
6. General Statement – June 23, 2021
7. General Statement – September 1, 2021
8. General Statement – September 3, 2021
9. The Office of the Ombudsperson Quarterly Reports: April 1 – June 30, 2021
10. Trustee Attendance at District Student Council Meetings – 2021-2022
11. Trustee Attendance at COPAC Meetings – 2021-2022
12. Trustee Attendance at Kelowna Pride Festival & March – Saturday, October 30, 2021
13. Budget 2022 Consultation – Provincial Government Finance Committee – Board Chair Presentation
    Wednesday, September 29, 2021
14. Board Standing Committees September 2021 – November 2021: Updated Trustee Representatives