June 22, 2022 Board Highlights

Central Okanagan Public Schools – “Inside 23”:

1. Nature Based Learning
   In attendance:
   Jordan Kleckner, Acting Director of Instruction: Learning and Innovation
   Sarah Gallo, Instructional Leadership Team
   Marnie Birkeland, Instructional Leadership Team
   Lynn White, Teacher, Pearson Road Elementary School
   Nicole Holland, Teacher, Pearson Road Elementary School
   Tess Perry, Teacher, Quigley Elementary School
   Claire Barclay, Teacher, Springvalley Elementary School
   Erin Burton, Teacher, North Glenmore Elementary School
   Sheri Gervais, Teacher, North Glenmore Elementary School
   Katie Hewitson, Teacher, Davidson Road Elementary School
   Emily Mitchell, Teacher, Davidson Road Elementary School
   This year, eight educators from five different schools formed a team as a part of the ILT’s Nature Network. The educators met with each other every two weeks in each other’s special nature spaces and had an opportunity to learn with each other. As a part of this learning, they made a commitment to sit alongside each other’s students to collect their ideas, questions, and thoughts as they practiced pedagogical documentation together.
2. Westside Kindergarten Students’ Advice to Graduates
   This project involved elementary schools on the Westside featuring primary students providing their advice by video to Mount Boucherie Secondary School graduates. The videos are posted on the Mount Boucherie Secondary School Instagram page. The graduates have enjoyed the messages and advice and look forward to the posts made each day. This has been an amazing way to build community in West Kelowna.
   Recognition
3. Years of Coordinating the Elementary District Track Meet – Extraordinary Leadership
   In attendance: Barrie MacLeod, Principal, Shannon Lake Elementary School
   Dean Sader, Retiring Teacher, Shannon Lake Elementary School
   Jim Bradshaw, Retired Teacher
   The Board of Education thanked Dean Sader and Jim Bradshaw for coordinating both the elementary track meet and the Westside Cross Country Challenge over the past number of years to ensure elementary students have opportunities to be student athletes at their schools and within the District. Their focus has always been on inclusivity and the participation of students in athletics.
   In 2015, Jim Bradshaw became the Director of the District Track and Field Meet that brought all elementary schools together for a one-day event. When Jim retired in 2018, Dean Sader became the meet Director, and the meet became a two-day event to provide all elementary students a full track and field experience. This year, over 1200 athletes from 35 District schools and 5 independent schools participated. In 2004, Jim and Dean also revised cross-country running by organizing a cross-country run called the Westside Cross Country Challenge. The cross-country run is organized for schools on the Westside with a course starting at Rose Valley Elementary and running in the hills of Rose Valley Regional Park.
4. BC Association of Physics Teachers – Gordon Gore Award Winner
   In attendance: Scott Sieben, Principal, Mount Boucherie Secondary School
   Michael Hagan, Science Teacher, Mount Boucherie Secondary School
   The Board of Education congratulated Michael Hagan for recently receiving the Gordon Gore Award from the BC Association of Physics Teachers. The Gordon Gore Prize consists of a special plaque and a $600 CAD award. Michael was nominated for the award by two science teachers and the Principal of Mount Boucherie Secondary School for his leadership with the Mount Boucherie Secondary School Science Department through the pandemic. In order to be considered for the award, nominees had to meet the following criteria:
5. incorporate hands-on science activities and demonstrations
6. inspire students in science
7. bring humour and creativity to science teaching
8. share their love of science with the students
9. share resources with their colleagues
   Presentation
10. Sanctuary Schools
    Presenter: Amy Cohen, Volunteer Organizer, RAMA Okanagan and Professor of Anthropology,
    Okanagan College Amy Cohen, Volunteer Organizer for Radical Action with Migrants in Agriculture (RAMA), presented to the Board on the development of a Sanctuary Schools Policy. The Policy would ensure schools cannot share information, for students with precarious or no status, with federal authorities, ensuring all children can enroll in school without fear, and would provide a safe place for families.
    Staff Presentations
11. Superintendent of Schools/CEO Report on Student Achievement 2022
    Presenter: Kevin Kaardal, Superintendent of Schools/CEO
    The Superintendent of Schools/CEO provided a summary PowerPoint presentation of the Report on Student Achievement 2022. To view the full Report on Student Achievement 2022 please visit the Central Okanagan Public Schools website at http://www.sd23.bc.ca under Documents and Publications.

2. Superintendent of Schools/CEO Year in Review
   Presenter: Kevin Kaardal, Superintendent of Schools/CEO
   The Superintendent of Schools/CEO provided an overview of the 2021/2022 school year identifying student achievements, special events, and business involving the Board of Education. The Superintendent of Schools/CEO thanked the Board of Education, all staff members, partner groups, and the community for their efforts to support student achievement this year. The Superintendent of Schools/CEO Year in Review is available on the Central Okanagan Public Schools website at http://www.sd23.bc.ca under Documents and Publications.
   Action Items:
3. Sanctuary Schools Policy
   The Board of Education agreed to develop a Sanctuary Schools Policy to support students living with
   precarious immigration status.
4. 2022/2023 Annual Budget Bylaw
   The Board of Education gave first, second and third readings, and adopted the School District No. 23
   (Central Okanagan) Annual Budget Bylaw for the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 in the amount of $303,663,762.
5. Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) Course Proposals – Mountain Biking 10, 11 and 12
   The Board of Education approved the Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) Course Proposals – Mountain
   Biking 10, 11 and 12 at Mount Boucherie Secondary School.
6. Proposal for Substantive Change – Mountain Biking Academy (Mount Boucherie Secondary School)
   The Board of Education approved the Proposal for Substantive Change – Mountain Biking Academy (Mount Boucherie Secondary School).
7. Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) Course Proposal – Parks and Recreation 12
   The Board of Education approved the Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) Course Proposal – Parks and Recreation 12 at Okanagan Mission Secondary School.
8. Proposal for Substantive Change – Academy for Parks and Recreation (Okanagan Mission
   Secondary School)
   The Board of Education approved the Proposal for Substantive Change – Academy for Parks and
   Recreation (Okanagan Mission Secondary School).
9. School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) Bylaw No. 19 – Election 2022
   The Board of Education gave first, second and third readings, and adopted the School District No. 23
   (Central Okanagan) Bylaw No. 19 – Election 2022.
   Information Items:
   The Board of Education reviewed the following:
10. Level 4 and 5 Field Study Summary – 2021/2022 and 2022/2023
11. General Statement – June 8, 2022
12. General Statement – June 14, 2022
13. District Student Council 2022-2023 Co-Presidents
    The Board of Education congratulated the following who were declared Co-Presidents of the District Student Council for the 2022-2023 school year:
    Zach Johnson, Student at École Kelowna Secondary School
    Mehak Parihar, Student at Rutland Senior Secondary School
14. COPVPA Executive 2022-2023
    The Board of Education congratulated the Executive of the Central Okanagan Principals’ and VicePrincipals’ Association for the 2022-2023 school year, including Scott Sieben, President (Principal at Mount
    Boucherie Secondary School).
15. 2021/2022 Estimated Accumulated Operating Surplus
16. Trustee Candidate Information Session:
    Thursday, August 11, 2022
    6:30 pm
    Board Room – 1040 Hollywood Road South
    Items of Special Mention
    The Board Chair, Trustees and Superintendent of Schools/CEO spoke of the following:
     Attendance at a Roots of Empathy ceremony, PAC Carnival, graduation ceremonies for elementary, middle and secondary schools, teacher appreciation events, and the Kelowna Pride Festival.
     An art exhibit is taking place at the Urgent Care on the Westside and Art in Action at the Kelowna Art Gallery.
     On June 21st students and staff celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day. Staff shared knowledge about
    the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada with our learners. Through celebration and education of the diverse cultures in Canada, there is hope for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners throughout
    the District. We are grateful to our many community partners, including members of the Westbank First Nation and the Ki-Low-Na Friendship society, who came to our schools and welcomed students to events in the community. Thank you to the Elders and Knowledge Keepers who took the time to visit and share with our learners.
     The spring issue of Together We Learn – Our Shining Moments is now available to view on the School District website. The shining moments feature includes: welcoming newcomers, developing communication
    skills, and sharing identity, along with scholarships, awards and graduations.
     The iGen finale was held last week at the Innovation Center. Of the 110+ high school teams (270+) students who competed in the iGen challenge this year, the eight final teams pitched their business idea before 5 VIP
    judges for $5,000 cash prizes. The top 3 entrepreneurial teams were:
     1st Place ($2500) – Twisted Cereal, Gurdit Sidhubrar (RSS)
     2nd Place ($1500) – Ominplex, Noah Garcia (OKM)
     3rd Place ($1000) – Steavia Teas, Skylar Banman (RSS)
    Thank you to Career Life Programs and all the teachers who mentored Central Okanagan Public School’s best entrepreneurial minds.
     The District SumoBot competition took place on Thursday, June 9th. Students between grades 4 and 9 competed on 48 different robot teams. First place went to the team of “The Bob” from South Rutland Elementary, second place to the team of “Mr. Roboto” also from South Rutland Elementary School, and third place to team “Blade Runners” from eSchoolBC.
     Thank you to all Graduation Coordinators, staff and parents who have done so much to support the virtual and in person graduation activities this year.
     Congratulations to Quigley Elementary School who was awarded $50,000 from Indigo’s Love of Reading Foundation. The grant will provide the opportunity to diversify content and strengthen literacy materials throughout the school, over a three-year period.
     A reminder of the performance to aid the Ukrainian relief effort that is being held on Sunday, June 26th from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm at Prospera Place involving over 450 students. Admission is by donation and there will also be a vendor fair with local artisans, crafters, business, and food trucks also donating a portion of their proceeds to the fundraising effort. A variety of bands and choirs will also be performing during the vendor fair.
     The Board of Education expressed appreciation to Michelle DesRochers, the Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer and Board of Education, as she moves on to a new position.