November 24, 2021 Board Highlights

Inside 23

1. Following our Students’ Voices: A Year Long Inquiry
   In attendance from Rutland Elementary School
   Gord Kirsch, Principal
   Kate Knox, Teacher
   Hilde Dietzel, Teacher
   Rutland Elementary School teachers Kate Knox and Hilde Dietzel, shared their collaboration with their
   students to keep students at the center of their learning. Two videos were shown “Following the Voices of
   our Students” and “Listening to our Students: Letting their voices guide us” which made their thinking and
   learning visible.
   Introduction:
2. Kaitlyn Weger, Temporary Human Resources Advisor
   Bob McEwen, Executive Director of Human Resources, introduced Kaitlyn Weger who has joined the
   Human Resources Department as a Temporary Human Resources Advisor. The Board of Education
   welcomed Kaitlyn to the Central Okanagan Public Schools.
   Recognition:
3. Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame 2021 Inductees
   The Board of Education congratulated the following on their induction into the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame (who have connections to the Central Okanagan Public Schools):
    The late Rolli Cacchioni – Bennett Award for Special Recognition (former teacher, administrator and
   Trustee)
    Scott Frandsen – Athlete Category (former student)
    Dorothy Schwaiger Jantzen – Athlete Category (former student)
    1993 Kelowna Spartans – Team Category (team members were former students)
   The virtual celebration to honour all inductees was held on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Links to the
   ceremony are available on all Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame and Kelowna Museums social media
   platforms, and the Kelowna Museums website.

Action Items:

1. 2021 Chair’s Report to the Board
   Trustee Moyra Baxter presented the 2021 Chair’s Report to the Board. The Report is posted on the Central
   Okanagan Public Schools website (www.sd23.bc.ca) under Documents & Publications.
2. Appointment of Board Standing Committee Trustee Representatives
   The Board of Education approved the appointment of the Board Representatives to Board Standing
   Committees. The list of Board Representatives to Board Standing Committees will be posted on the Central Okanagan Public Schools website (www.sd23.bc.ca) under Board of Education.
3. Appointment of Trustee Representatives to the Indigenous Education Council
   The Board of Education approved the appointment of Trustee Norah Bowman and Trustee Chantelle
   Desrosiers to the Indigenous Education Council, and Trustee Julia Fraser as alternate.
4. Appointment of Board Representatives to District Committees and Outside Committees/
   Organizations/Agencies
   The Board of Education approved the appointment of Board Representatives to District Committees and
   Outside Committees/Organizations/Agencies. The list of Board Representatives to District Committees
   and Outside Committees/Organizations/Agencies will be posted on the Central Okanagan Public Schools
   website (www.sd23.bc.ca) under Board of Education.
   Information Items:
   Superintendent’s Emergent Items:
    Due to the flooding and subsequent evacuation of homes in School District No. 58 (Merritt), fifty-eight
   families have temporarily relocated to Kelowna and area. Of these fifty-eight families, twenty-five have
   requested support of food, water and clothing. Schools responded by contributing cash, clothing, food and other sundry items for these displaced families. The Superintendent of Schools/CEO expressed his
   appreciation to schools and their communities for their response to these families in need.
   The Board of Education reviewed the following:
5. Level 4 and 5 Field Study Summary – 2021/2022
6. General Statement – November 10, 2021
7. Annual General Meeting Draft Minutes – November 10, 2021
   The November 10, 2021 Annual General Meeting Minutes will be approved at the November 9, 2022
   Inaugural Meeting.
8. Board Policy and Regulation 631 – School Closures/Consolidation
   In accordance with the requirements of Board Policy and Regulations 631 – School Closures/
   Consolidation, the Board of Education was advised that there are no school closures recommended for the 2022/2023 school year.
9. Board Policy and Regulation 632 – School Reconfigurations
   In accordance with the requirements of Board Policy and Regulation 632 – School Reconfigurations, the
   Board of Education was advised that there may be grade reconfigurations or catchment changes for the
   2022/2023 school year. Final recommendations will be presented to the Planning and Facilities Committee
   on January 5, 2022 and a final decision by the Board of Education is expected on January 26, 2022.
10. Considerations for Okanagan Mission Catchment and School Reopening Review
    The Board of Education was provided with the three options for consideration and Board and community
    feedback.
11. Considerations for Westside Catchment and French Immersion Programming Review
    The considerations for the French Immersion Program and school catchments on the Westside were
    provided to the Board of Education.
12. Revised Board Standing Committee Dates November 2021 to November 2022
    The revised Board Standing Committee Dates will be posted on the Central Okanagan Public Schools
    website (www.sd23.bc.ca) under Board of Education.
    Items of Special Mention
    The Board Chair, Trustees, Superintendent of Schools/CEO and Deputy Superintendent spoke of the following:
     Trustees spoke of their attendance at the Public Engagement Session on Monday, November 23rd at
    Okanagan Mission Secondary School on the Okanagan Mission Catchment Area Review, and the
    Public Engagement Session on Tuesday, November 24th at Mount Boucherie Secondary School on the
    Westside Catchment and French Immersion Review.
     On Tuesday, November 23rd, COPAC co-sponsored an opportunity for parents and caregivers to hear
    Dr. Katharine Smart (President of the Canadian Mental Health Association and pediatrician) provide
    insights on COVID-19 and vaccinations for 5-11-year-old children.
     The Canadian Cancer Society sent a letter of appreciation to the Superintendent’s Office for the amount
    raised by Okanagan Mission Secondary School through their Relay for Life event – $24,829.40. Events
    like the Relay for Life build school spirit and show those on their cancer journey that they are not alone.
    Congratulations to the students, staff and community of Okanagan Mission Secondary.
     Congratulations to two local teachers, Megan Frederick, Band teacher at Okanagan Mission Secondary
    School, and James Strachan, Physics and Engineering teacher at École Kelowna Secondary School,
    recipients of Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence. Megan received the National Certificate
    of Excellence and James the National Certificate of Achievement. Megan and James will be recognized
    at a future Public Board Meeting.