October 27, 2021 Board Highlights

At the start of the meeting the Board Chair made the following statement:
We know the issue of a mandatory vaccination requirement for our employees is of great interest to the
community. As this matter has labour relations implications, any Board discussions are more appropriately
dealt with in camera.
Central Okanagan Public Schools – “Inside 23”:

1. Summer English Language Learners (ELL) Program
   In attendance:
   International Education Department:
   Raquel Steen, Assistant Superintendent
   Violeta Malfair, District Administrator: International Education and Welcome Centre Program
   Rutland Senior Secondary School Grade 9 Students:
   Hosam Al Msallam
   Hakem Al Elesmer
   Parent:
   Saffaa Alahmed Alibrahim
   Interpreter:
   Nadine Hassanalli
   This summer the International Education Department offered the ELL program to Level 1 and Level 2
   English Language Learners (ELL) for the first time. English Language Learners are students whose
   primary language or languages in their home is/are other than English. The purpose of this program was
   to assist students in developing their English language skills by helping them to:
   ‐ Improve their ability to communicate fluently in English at school and in the wider community
   ‐ Acquire the English needed to make academic progress and realize their potential
   ‐ Develop an understanding of the similarities and differences between their home culture and the
   Canadian culture
   ‐ Create opportunities for students and families to:
   o participate in community activities and build connections with Canadian culture
   o feel welcome and fully engaged with in our local community
   The students reflected on their learning over an amazing two weeks filled with fun, learning and cultural
   interrelationships.
   Introduction:
2. April Strickland, Vice-Principal of Indigenous Education
   Deputy Superintendent, Terry Beaudry, introduced April Strickland, Vice-Principal of Indigenous Education. The Board of Education welcomed April Strickland, to the Indigenous Education Department and the
   Presentation:
3. COVID-19 Pandemic Information
   Presenter: Luke Yanik, Parent
   Mr. Yanik presented the Board of Education with his views on statistics and data regarding COVID-19.

Action Items:

1. Annual Integrated Pest Management Report
   The Board of Education accepted the Annual Integrated Pest Management Report as the Annual Report
   required in Policy 620 – Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
2. Enhancement Agreement – École Belgo Elementary School GaGa Ball Court
   The Board of Education agreed to enter into an Enhancement Agreement with the École Belgo Elementary
   School PAC for the creation of a GaGa Ball Court.
3. Amendment to Public Board Meeting Agenda
   The Board of Education defeated the motion to return the “Trustee Queries/Comments” section to the
   Public Board Meeting Agendas.
   Information Items:
   The Board of Education reviewed the following:
4. Level 4 and 5 Field Study Summary – 2021/2022
5. General Statement – October 13, 2021
6. Transportation Services Update
7. Child Care Spaces in Central Okanagan Public Schools
8. BC Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health Governance and the Foundation Skills
   Assessments
9. Central Okanagan Board of Education Letter to Premier, Minister of Education, Minister of Health, and
   Provincial Health Officer
10. British Columbia Ministry of Education’s 2021 K-12 Sector Guidelines for Vaccination Policies
    Items of Special Mention
    The Board Chair and Trustees spoke of the following:
     École KLO Middle School students and staff recently celebrated their annual Green Day which
    focusses on awareness of ecological issues and how students can contribute to a better future.
    Students learn about sustainable living and environmental education throughout the school, including
    Indigenous land-based learning, recycling programs, care for Fascieux Creek and the Wellness Walk
    pathway.
     Today trustees, staff, students, community members and sponsors celebrated the Grand Opening of
    the Outdoor Exploration Centre at Pearson Road Elementary School. The Centre is a culmination
    of a broad community effort. Students will be able to learn from the two greenhouses, sixteen garden
    beds, an outdoor classroom, and an Indigenous garden. The Centre increases natural vegetation on
    the school grounds, raises environmental awareness, and creates opportunities for land-based
    learning. The inspiration for this outdoor learning space was long-time Pearson Road Elementary
    Kindergarten teacher Isabel Alves-Vicente, also known as “Miss V” who suffers from the incurable Lou
    Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).
11.  On October 15-16, École Kelowna Secondary School (KSS) hosted the 2021 Best of the West
12. Volleyball Tournament for senior and junior boys and girls. Congratulations to the KSS Owls Senior
13. Boys and KSS Owls Senior Girls teams who both won gold medals. The KSS Senior Girls and
14. Okanagan Mission Secondary Senior Girls played an entertaining final. The KSS Senior Boys went
15. undefeated in the tournament and played a well contested final game against Langley Christian. A
16. thank you to all who supported this tournament and a special thank you to Tony Sodaro, Mike Sodaro
17. and Kelly Hettinga.
18.  Trustees, along with representatives from partner groups, will be participating in the 2021 Kelowna
19. Pride Festival being held this Saturday, October 30th at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Central
20. Okanagan Public Schools, including representatives from partner groups, will be hosting a booth. The
21. Festival runs from 11:00 am through to 4:00 pm and includes entertainment.