Superintendent’s Update

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we enter into the last week of October, we have enjoyed a month of celebrating Career Education, National Library Day (Oct 21), School Bus Safety Week and National Media Literacy Week (Oct 21-25), and Halloween (Oct 31). This month, we have focused on highlighting stories about equity (core value) and courage (Grandfather’s Teaching) in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Clearwater Secondary School – October 18, 2024

Principal Darren Coates, Trustee Sim, and I visited classrooms at Clearwater Secondary School. Before we left the office, Ms. Fraser shared her work with student voice and belonging in the school. Mr. Coates shared that one way students create an environment of acceptance and belonging is an emphasis on student leadership to give back. Sienna, Audrina and Nylah work together along with other students, who are not in the picture, to plan, prepare, and serve breakfast and lunch for all students.

Students commented that they looked forward to meeting friends, having a break, and enjoying a wide variety of food (i.e., cheese, crackers, fruit, smoothies, waffles, eggs, and bacon). Mr. Coates explained that the Feeding Futures funding had enabled them to expand their meal options. Ms Christine Trainor, Custodian, collaborates with Mr. Coates to prepare meals because meals are a location for sharing in the joy of supporting others.

Ms. Haring’s Gr. 9 Social Studies class played a Kahoot to share what they knew about a parliamentary democracy. When the majority of the class answered questions correctly, they kept playing and when they answered a question incorrectly, it was a cue to stop and explore their misunderstandings. This formative assessment strategy was a fun way to learn.

Mr. Dhanoa’s Gr. 10 class worked in groups to solve for common factors in polynomial equations, and Ms. Lavigne’s Gr. 8 Science students were examining survey data about individuals’ choices of favourite foods.

We met with Caitlyn, a Gr. 11 student, who was in a Virtual Conference class studying Anatomy and Physiology. She said, “It is my preferred way to learn.” She explained that what made it successful for her was the teacher’s preparation of a Google classroom with all of the videos and readings, and the teacher’s availability to answer questions.

Mr. James helped Alex (Gr. 11 student) practice guitar, and Alex played a Nirvana compilation. We ended our visits in the Foods lab where students were completing their elective foods class.

Raft River Outdoor Education Classroom – October 18, 2024

On October 18, 2024, a beautiful celebration took place to celebrate the opening of the Raft River Outdoor Learning Classroom. 

Principal Mathieu opened with an acknowledgment of the land in the unceded territory of the Secwepemc people specifically Simpcw First Nation in Secwepemcúl'ecw.

Ms. Scrivner’s Gr. 3 students and Mrs. Sills sang and drummed the “Welcome Song”, Mrs. Murray and Mrs Shook’s class had their children perform a read aloud of an Eric Carle picture book, and Mrs. Jaya’s class performed “Save the Trees”.

Trustee Sim honoured Ms. Elizabeth Shook, Julie Bonhemor, and Joline McLarty, and she thanked Director McDonald and the staff who assisted this team from the early days of planning the vision to bring it to fruition as an incredible outdoor learning space.

She listed the community partners who have contributed time, talent, and over $200,000 in funding to enable this dream to become a reality: Wells Gray Community Forests, the District of Clearwater, Clearwater Sikh Community, Nest Timber Homes Design, KM Documentary Films, Yellowhead Community Services, Rotary International Clearwater, KDC Forestry, Caitlin McIntosh Mortgages, Fleetwest, Chia-Wen Chang, Transmountain, Melissa Hole Personal Real Estate Corporation, Autumn Visher, Brendon Benoit, Wells Gray Home Hardware, Adam Nelson, Crystal Augustine, Bannister Pipelines, Moose Camp, Jen Belle, and the Raft River PAC.

Ms. Mathieu called up Ms. Shook to celebrate her accomplishments. Ms. Shook described her passion for this project by sharing, “The students will have the opportunity to connect with nature, experience hands-on learning, and lessons that are place based. Students will have opportunities to use the space to connect with community experts and members and engage in learning differently. The outdoor classroom will provide a launching pad for access to the Clearwater area and the learning it holds, from Raft River to the Park. I was able to witness first hand the benefits of outdoor education meeting the diverse needs of students. I have seen increased student motivation and a sense of accomplishment. Outdoor learning opportunities meet the needs of all students by offering different freedoms and flexibility. Learning outdoors provides the opportunity for movement and supports student regulation.”

Principal Mathieu closed the celebration by sharing, “This will continue to be an outdoor legacy of learning for not only Clearwater students, but also community members who will be invited to make use of it starting that night.”

I was privileged to be a part of this work three years ago when I learned about the concept drawings and witnessed how students were already learning in the pollinator garden and wetlands surrounding what is now this beautiful wooden structure. I am amazed at how quickly this idea became a reality and it will draw community members to it as a source of inspiration for gathering, ceremonies, and learning.

Students Discover Careers with Non-Profit Organizations – October 17, 2024

On October 17, 2024, 15 students from the Kamloops-Thompson School District participated in Discover Day: Community Impacts – Careers in Nonprofits, hosted by the District’s Career Development Department and Katie Hutchins from The Mustard Seed. Each year this Careers Discover Day offers Grade 10–12 students from schools across the District the opportunity to learn about community impact, non-profit careers, and volunteerism. Read more.

School Bus Safety Week – October 21–25, 2024

The Board of Education is committed to safety as a top priority in their commitment to student well-being in the 2024-2025 District Strategic Plan.

From October 21–25, 2024, school districts across the country observed School Bus Safety Week. The week aims to raise awareness and remind parents and community members of the importance of student safety on and around school buses and public transportation. Read more.

McGowan Park Students Build Birdhouses for Future Sníne – October 22, 2024

As the Kamloops-Thompson School District prepares to open its newest school, Sníne Elementary, students are helping to construct a unique part of the school. On Monday, October 21, 2024, Grade 6/7 students at McGowan Park Elementary received a hands-on lesson in bird house construction. Led by SD73 Cabinet Makers Becki Lamb and Fiona MacInnis, students built eight bird nesting boxes that will be installed around Sníne Elementary. Read more.

Brocklehurst Secondary Honours Master Carver Frank Marchand – October 22, 2024

On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Brocklehurst Secondary School students, staff, and community members celebrated the work of Master Carver Frank Marchand and the five-year project he’s led carving cottonwood canoes with students.

Frank Marchand is a master carver from Sylix (Okanagan) territory with ties to the Secwépemc Nation through his father. Frank is one of very few carvers left in BC and since 2019 he has been sharing his skills and knowledge about canoe construction with students at Brock.  Read more.

Board Notes

To learn more about the Regular Public Board Meeting on October 21, 2024, please feel free to read more.

District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC)

Welcome back to all Parent Advisory Council (PAC) volunteers. PACs are open to everyone connected to a child in school so if you are interested in joining, please reach out. The District Parent Advisory Council is here to help – visit the DPAC page on sd73.bc.ca for DPAC’s contact information, meeting schedule, and meeting Zoom link.

I hope that you have had a great week and plan to enjoy a restful, rejuvenating weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent