A new alternative education program started by Central Okanagan Public Schools to engage vulnerable students has been met with positive feedback since starting in September.
鈥淚t is another way we are reaching out to help students struggling in school to find their pathway to success,鈥� said Nathen Elliott, principal of Central School in 麻豆精选.
Elliott was joined by Josh Hettinga, Take A Hike teacher, and Sebastian Wingfield, Take a Hike mental health clinician, to discuss the program with school trustees at the Jan. 24 Central Okanagan Board of Education meeting.
The program is being delivered in West 麻豆精选 for the current school term, headquartered out of the George Pringle gymnasium.
It is based on a curriculum of continuous clinical counselling, regular outdoor adventure activities and providing personal support.
Initial enrolment was nine students, with four more signed up for the next semester.
Its primary focus is to support Grade 8 and 9 students in the areas of mental health, academics, relationships, community and land-based learning.
Kevin Kaardal, school superintendent/CEO, said he was involved with the program start-up in a Lower Mainland school district to great success.
鈥淚 am pleased to see it begin here. You are building community and you will change lives,鈥� he said, helping students to find a pathway to graduating high school and moving on in their lives with a greater sense of personal confidence.
鈥淚 look forward to seeing it grow in the years ahead.鈥�
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The 脡cole 麻豆精选 Secondary AAA senior boys provincial champion volleyball squad received their moment of congratulation from school trustees.
At the Jan. 10 board meeting, the KSS senior girls AAAA provincial champion squad was recognized for their achievement by the trustees.
The players, head coach Tony Sodaro, assistant coach Darren Semeniuk, parents and volunteer supporters were on hand for the salute.
It is the first time a school has won both senior volleyball titles in the same year, with the senior boys having won the title for a third consecutive year.
Sodaro noted the coaching contribution of Semeniuk and the resiliency of his team to overcome the ups and downs of their season with other teams gunning for them as the defending provincial champs.
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The board of education has recognized February as both Human Rights Month and Inclusive Education Month.
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Grade 10-12 students at 脡cole Okanagan Mission Secondary can enrol in the Pre-Lifeguarding Academy during the 2024-25 school year.
The program was created to provide students with an introduction to lifesaving principles in any aquatic setting and enhance their knowledge and experience performing specific aquatic facility rescues.
A minimum of 20 students must sign up at a registration cost of $700 to offer the program, with one block of teaching time allocated per semester, led by a qualified advanced aquatics teacher and qualified lifeguard.
Instruction will be provided during the school day both on and off the KSS campus.
Contributions to the creation of the academy program were provided by Okanagan Mission Secondary teacher Darryl McCrady, Rutland Senior Secondary teacher Allen McNab, Torrie Zimmerman with Okanagan YMCA, L.I.T. Aquatics and the BC Lifesaving Society.
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The 49th annual Western Canada Basketball Tournament takes place next weekend, Jan. 31 through Feb. 3, at Ecole 麻豆精选 Secondary School.
This tournament has a long history, one of the premier invitational basketball tournaments of the high school hoops season.
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The flood repair process at Anne McClymont Elementary has gotten a little more complicated.
The crews working to repair a water main break at the school discovered last week the break is under the school鈥檚 foundation and will require further excavation to repair.
The school district expectation is the work will be completed by Friday, Feb. 2, as displaced students and staff have been shifted elsewhere until regular classes can resume.
鈥淐entral Okanagan Public Schools appreciates the patience of families, and the resilience shown by students and staff,鈥� stated a school district news release.
鈥淭he district is grateful to the many educators working tirelessly so students continue to learn.鈥�
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The application process for your child to have a seat on a school bus for the 2024-25 school year began at 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 29.
While school bus applications are accepted throughout the school year, priority seating is given to those applicants who apply before the end of day May 31, 2024.
For more information, go to www.sd23.bc.ca.
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