South Kamloops Secondary School

Barb Hamblett Appointed District Principal, Human Resources.

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 02:00:00 GMT

The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education supports Barb Hamblett as the successful candidate for the role of District Principal, Human Resources.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with Barb who is a well-known and strong principal leader in our District and who brings a valuable skill set and range of experiences to this new role,” stated Board Chair Heather Grieve.

With 34 years of experience, Barb began her career in Alberta and served in multiple roles including secondary teacher and school-based leader in rural and urban elementary and secondary schools.

Barb began her career with SD73 in 1997 as a teacher at Logan Lake Secondary. During her time with SD73, Barb has led various District in-services and is a leader who is admired for the way that she resolves challenging situations in a team-oriented, collaborative, and cohesive manner. Her strengths as both an organizational leader and manager make her well suited for the District Principal role.

“I am excited to welcome Barb as part of our senior leadership team. She has been an exemplary leader who will continue to build leadership capacity throughout the District,” shared Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Nixon.

“The Human Resources Department is excited that Barb is joining our Human Resources team. We look forward to working with her on innovative approaches as we implement the priorities in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan,” said Associate Superintendent John Wiedrick.

“I am honoured to be selected for this role as the District Principal,” Mrs. Hamblett shared. “I am committed to public education and look forward to supporting our District in this new role.”

Mrs. Hamblett begins their appointment on August 29, 2022.

A Study of Two Exemplary Secondary Schools: Championing Social Justice Initiatives

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 20:00:00 GMT

Two district secondary schools will be the subject of a new Thompson Rivers University research study into school-wide social justice initiatives. Sa-Hali Secondary as an example of an urban school, and Chase Secondary as an example of a rural school.

The study will be led by Dr. Manu Sharma, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work. She is one of 18 researchers who received the 2020 Internal Research Fund awards from TRU. The fund provides a maximum of $100,000 annually to support research.

Dr. Sharma has taught in classrooms around the world, including Japan, Tanzania, Antigua, and Germany, and most recently at the University of Wisconsin before accepting her current position at TRU in August, 2019. From her perspective, School District No. 73 is doing a great job in embracing social justice initiatives that demonstrate values of inclusion, equity and diversity.

“Schools are the heart and soul of communities and thus often carry the responsibility to respond to community concerns,” she said. “Secondary schools are important in their contributions to helping students understand diversity, not only in terms of how each student sees and understands themselves but also how a wide range of diverse identities that reflect the greater diversity in society are accepted and embraced”.

She is grateful SD73 is very active in working to identify and address social justice issues.

Dr. Sharma intends to explore Sa-Hali Secondary as an urban site because of its location, demographics, and social justice art-based initiatives alongside its other school-based social justice initiatives. Chase Secondary has been chosen as a rural site because of its location, demographics, focus on Indigenous history, culture and language initiatives and for its aims of inclusion.

She chose the two schools following an investigation of all the secondary schools in the district where she examined their websites, mission and values, school year learning plans, and other criteria including demographics and social justice based initiatives.

Her study has been delayed due to the pandemic, but she intends to begin the work in September. She hopes this research on secondary school social justice initiatives will become the basis for a wider study on a national scale, involving schools in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

“The ultimate aim of this research study is to provide direction to all public schools who endeavor to be exemplary in their social justice initiatives to support their student body and our global world,” she said.

Superintendent's Update

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:15:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Congratulations to all staff who were recognized for giving 5 through to 40 years of service at the District Employee Recognition Reception on June 16, 2022. Thank you for making a positive difference in the lives of students, families, and staff.

Summit Elementary School

Principal Justin deVries and I started in kindergarten, where students were making paper doll houses and digging up plastic bones. Next, we met grade 1 students who were “reading around the room” and grade 4 students who were learning how to create wooden projects. Grade 2 students were composing bio-poems and grade 3s were reading “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing”. Grade 2s and 3s had just finished listening to “Planting a Rainbow” and were creating their own rainbow pictures. Grade 6 and 7 had designed projects to involve students in learning the skeletal system. Mr. deVries shared, “At Summit, we see diversity as a resource- welcoming new friends, learning about different cultures, and negotiating different points of view in restorative circles.” He added, “I can truly say that this is a welcoming culture.”

McGowan Park Elementary School

Principal Sally Zryd, Vice Principal Jeanine Wourms, and I started in the District Resource Room where we met a student who communicated using text-to-speech software. In Kindergarten, students were painting scenes with frogs while in the K/1 students were playing a counting game. Grade 2s were learning how to tell time, and grade 3s sang a secret song as a surprise for grade 7 students. Grade 5 students applied several techniques to divide numbers, and grade 4 students studied fractions. Grade 3/4 were writing Father’s Day letters. Grade 7s were building things and sharing their marketing techniques for selling self-created products, and grade 6s were finishing a unit on triangles. Ms. Zryd said, ”It has been so nice to celebrate together and see what students are learning and creating to end the year.”

Kamloops School of the Arts: Enchanted Earth Artifact Gallery of Learning

I had the pleasure of visiting with Principal Blair Lloyd, Vice Principal Jayne Latta, and Ms. Melanie Gilmar who was the lead on this project. KSA received a grant used to hire an artist who supported grades 8-12 to represent their learning about curricular concepts through photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, dance, writing, and mathematical representations in imaginary worlds (sea, sky, earth, underground, ice). From June 15-22, you can arrange to visit Kamloops School of the Arts gallery of artifacts To organize a personal tour, please contact
Ms.Gilmar at: mgilmar@sd73.bc.ca

First Steps Recognition

Thank you to Principal Cory Carmichael and Vice Principal Dyan Gunnlaugson for hosting this event to recognize the successes of students who had made ribbon skirts and drums to participate in Aboriginal ceremonies. Thank you to Program Coordinator Tonia Gillespie and First Steps Teacher Cheyenne Kennedy for their excellent program leadership. Thank you to Bernice Jensen for leading the honour song and Aboriginal Youth and Family Consultant Amanda Big Sorrel Horse and Elder Geri Thomas for offering us prayer through a welcome smudge. Thank you to our maintenance staff for beautifying the environment. This wonderful event illuminated what it means to be walking together on this journey toward Truth and Reconciliation.

SD73 Graduation

Graduations continue throughout the District for the next week. In total, 15 ceremonies will be held for 1,100 students. We appreciate and celebrate each unique group of graduates. Send a greeting to the Class of 2022.

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

We continue to emphasize the practice of daily health awareness strategies – staying home when sick, practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and making choices about wearing masks – see our District’s Communicable Disease Prevention Plan for more information.

Thank you for continuing to learn, work, and celebrate together in the month of June. Enjoy your weekend with family and friends.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

In June, we enjoy taking part in student and staff celebrations, recognition and awards events, and graduations. As we plan, prepare, and live these important life moments, we are living our core commitments of relationships/connections, wellbeing, sustainability, and equity in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. Equity (value) and love (Grandfather Teaching) is a focus in June.

Safer School Streets - Week One is a Big Success

Mike Johnson, Principal of Arthur Hatton Elementary School, is thanking parents, students, and staff for working together to make the first week of this pilot a success. The pilot has been a temporary closure of roads near the school to inspire students and their families to walk, ride, and roll to school from 7:45-8:45 am every morning and from 2:00-3:00 pm every afternoon from May 29- June 9. As of Monday, June 5, 2023, they are making a small change based on feedback. To ease the pressure on families, the time of the road barriers will be from 2:20 pm instead of 2:00 pm every day starting on Monday, June 5, 2023. Thank you for your feedback so quickly to enable us to make this change.

Students have been enjoying walking, biking, and rolling to school, as well playing games. They gather for water and a chance to win a prize at the celebration station. Parents have been coming to school with their children, and friends have been enjoying this time together.

To share how it has been going, Mike Johnson met with Ying, ATS Lane Change Technician, who was controlling the barrier at Holly to Schubert. When he asked him how the parents and drivers who see the barrier are responding to the pilot, Ying said, “I think it is going well because on the weekend before we started, I went door-to-door and told residents about the plan and offered them blueberries and homemade bannock.” Read more.

KSA’s First Annual Student-led Plant Sale

When I heard about the excitement of School Board staff about how the plant sale run by Gr. 4-5 KSA students was an educationally rich experience and “worth stopping to see to be inspired”, I went over at just about 3:15 pm on May 31, 2023. Although I had just missed the sale, I met Mrs. Claire Covington who led this project. She shared her passion for plants and how she had invested in a cross-grade plant growing project with high school leadership classes. Mrs. Covington explained:

Thirteen elementary classes and our high school leadership class grew plants in greenhouses in their classrooms including: tomatoes, peppers, beans, basil, marigolds, kale and more. Some of the plants were grown from seeds we saved in the fall. Students in my class (Mrs. CJ) then ran a two day plant sale, promoting, sharing their knowledge, helping customers and using lots of math skills to sell the plants. The money will be reinvested into the plant program to hopefully gain more success next year. Read more.

Secondary Battle of the Books Reboot

SD73 secondary “Battle Books” are largely chosen by the students themselves, and represent a diverse range of perspectives, authors, and genres. This year’s list consisted of more than ten titles. Some students read all of the books, while others only read one or two. Students took part in varied games planned by District Literacy Coordinator, Mike Carson. Throughout the day, students participated in a series of literary challenges designed to test their knowledge, creativity, and teamwork, including a Book Pitch Competition, three grueling rounds of Jeopardy, and an intellectually demanding Loose Parts design contest. Read more.

SD73 Sagebrush Book Awards Reader's Choice/Reading Motivation Program

Literacy is part of the Intellectual Development Priority of the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. To inspire students to share their love of reading and to have fun together, we have the Sagebrush Book Award Program in which elementary students have taken part in voting for their favorite texts. Andrea Wallin, District Library Coordinator, has written an article with this year’s winners. Read more.

Congratulations SD73 Students Who Took Part in the 2023 Gauss Math Contest and Team Challenge

Numeracy is a key priority in the District Strategic Plan. The District Numeracy team (District Numeracy Coordinator Monica Bergeron and Numeracy Resource Teacher, Cynthia Morrow) was proud to host 46 students from 12 schools in SD73 on May 17, 2023, who took part in the Grade 7 Gauss math contest and Team Challenge Day. The Gauss math contest is a national math contest developed by the Center for Education in Mathematics and Computing at the University of Waterloo.

The top scoring students were:

1st place Mohamed Nahle from South Sa-Hali Elementary with a score of 136

2nd place Finn Morgan from Marion Schilling Elementary with a score of 124

3rd place Tie between Johan Campsall from Lloyd George Elementary and Lucas Lee from McGowan Park Elementary each with scores of 120. Read more.

Congratulations to SD73 Skills Canada Competitors

In the School District 73 Strategic Plan Priorities, the Career Education team has committed to prepare students to reach their career and occupational objectives, and graduate, knowing who they are, and having plans for who they aim to become through their career pathway.

Two shining examples of this work in Career Education are Nolan Ilic (NorKam Senior Secondary) and Logan Jones (Barriere Secondary). In the week of May 23^rd Nolan and Logan were competing at the Skills Canada Nationals in Winnipeg, where Nolan earned a gold medal in Secondary Welding, and Logan earned a silver medal in Secondary Carpentry. Clearwater Secondary graduate Matthew Lavigne (grad 2022) also earned a Silver Medal in Post Secondary Carpentry. Nolan and Logan have worked diligently to develop knowledge and skills in their chosen trade. Read more.

Graduations

We have started with a week of wonderful graduation ceremonies at Twin Rivers Education Centre (May 29), Four Directions (May 30), and Continuing Education (May 31) this week. Thank you to Principal Michelle Mattes and Vice Principal Dyan Gunnlaugson and the graduation committees for planning, organizing, and supporting these events, which have been so well received by students, families, staff, trustees, and community members this past week.

Pride Month

In the District Strategic Plan, Cultural and Identity Development is a priority, and the goal is to ensure that every individual is welcomed, feels connected and that they belong and are included in our SD73 community. Diversity is celebrated and acknowledged as a strength and during June, we support students and staff who identify as LGBTQ+ or non-binary and we stand together with you to be treated with dignity, respect, care, and love.

Thank you to everyone who is taking the time to plan, coordinate, and celebrate these important life moments. I hope that you continue into the weekend with time together to enjoy family and friends.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

It is hard to believe that we are near the end of February and very close to Spring Break. Thank you for continuing to invest in learning and extracurricular activities including team sports, all of which enrich students’ lives by enacting our core values of Relationships/Connections and Well-being in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Continuing Education: Street School – February 26, 2025

On Wednesday, I visited the Street School staff who are part of Continuing Education. Street School is located at Northills Mall.

This programming is for adults (18 years or older) who are out of secondary school and who require upgrading or courses to complete the Adult Dogwood Diploma.

When I walked into the school, there were four students working on various projects, and while I was there, I learned about the best aspects of this programming from the staff: school principal Mike Johnson, teachers Erika Dabner and Jason Karpuk, and Literacy Outreach Worker Jennifer Miller.

I met Mr. Karpuk at First Steps last year where he taught mathematics (fractions, proportions, how to calculate the best deals) through a food program that required the life skills of planning, shopping, cooking, and preparing meals for themselves and small groups. Mr. Karpuk said, “What I enjoyed most about programming at First Steps was supporting students to develop skills that applied in everyday life.” I asked Mr. Karpuk what he teaches at Street School, and he shared, “Sciences and Math, but in reality, I teach anything students need. I ensure that they can graduate because that is why they come here.”

Mr. Johnson explained how Continuing Education is about supporting individuals at different points in their learning journey with choices including Street School (in person learning at Northhills Mall), First Steps (for young mothers), Kamloops Regional Corrections Centre (for those who are incarcerated), Vision Quest (Treatment Centre), Mustard Seed and Maverick (recovery housing)

Mr. Johnson shared, “It is often the case that we see students in different locations for different reasons, and the goal is to find the right pathway for personal success.”

He explained the importance of the outreach worker position to enable personalized support for some students. Amy Hilton is the Outreach Programs teacher and she works at the Mustard Seed and Maverick to provide schooling to students in their recovery journey.

I met with Ms. Jennifer Miller, Literacy Outreach Worker, who works as part of the Outreach team. She has only been in her role for two weeks, and she emphasized, “Already, I feel like I am making a difference, and I love my work.” Jennifer can bring students their assignments, and connect these students to services such as counseling, housing, and food security. She shared a story of one student who walked into the Street School campus near closing time. She was a student who teacher Erika Dabner had known years ago, and now, at the age of sixty-five, this student was ready to commit to graduation. This is a student who had struggled with addictions, who had lost her mother at a young age, who was searching for meaning, and chose to come back to Street School, a place of “care and safety for her.”

Erika Dabner, who has been at Street School for more than a decade, confirmed that it is “stories like these where students come back because they feel connected and safe at Street School that make the job so rewarding.” She said, “It is a combination of the supportive and logistical things that we do for students to help them to see a way to graduate.” She stated how outlining what they can get credit for and how this would get them a certain distance to their goal of having a certain job makes all of the difference to them.

Erika reinforced, “The first conversation is so important because not only can we provide the logistical support, we can also connect them to community services through Jennifer.” These services range from counselling, housing, food security, and activities to develop friendships. This is the support side of what we can provide, and it gives students hope.

Mr. Johnson added, “It is also the fact that once students register, we check in and expect them to attend in person. We are not an online school and this surprises some students.” Street School students are expected to learn at the centre, in person, and by paper. After learning about students’ stories who have attended Street School, most students confirmed that they need these clear boundaries to succeed. Erika added, “We use phone, text, and email contact, too, but we prefer when they connect with us in person. It is the connection with adults who care and other students that increases resilience and ultimately, their success.”

Pink Shirt Day – February 26, 2025

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, students and staff across the District celebrated Pink Shirt Day with school assemblies, displays promoting kindness, healthy relationships lessons, and by wearing pink shirts.

This year’s SD73 Pink Shirt was designed by KSA student Sylas Pretula (in picture). Sylas’ love of art, nature, and bees inspired the design centered around the message “When You Can Be Anything Bee Kind.” After designing the pink shirt artwork using a sketchbook drawing app, Sylas commented, “I never thought I would see any of my digital art on something real, especially out in the school district, I think that's really cool and I’m excited to see it around.” Read more.

Parent Engagement Session: TRU Education and Skills Training Program

Next week’s Parent Engagement Session is about the Education and Skills Training (ESTR) program and Thompson Rivers University (TRU) – a program that provides knowledge about future employment opportunities and training in a specific area for people who are neurodivergent. Join us on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Zoom to learn more. Read more.

I wish you a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Welcome back from Spring Break–seeing family, spending time with friends, working on home-based projects, continuing work in quieter spaces or a combination of activities. In the District Strategic Plan, a core value commitment is wellbeing– physical, social, mental, emotional, and environmental dimensions. The month of April is focused on sharing stories about wellbeing and the value and Grandfather Teaching, Humility.

Marion Schilling Elementary School

Principal Piggin and I started our school visit talking with Ms. Dickens, Administrative Assistant, about the importance of food programs in school. Through the Feeding Futures funding, students will benefit from meals programs cooked within the school in a new kitchen that will become a multi-purpose room for art and science projects and other activities.

We started in the gym to see Grades 3-4-5 engaged in ‘Active Kids’ formerly known as BOKS (Building Our Students’ Success) daily physical activities program for Grades 3-7. The students were engaged in small group games, and I learned that they also play a variety of games including “exercise bingo”. Ms. Piggin shared, “They love it and it is like a ‘soft start’ for older students to get energized and regulated by exercising and being together, which supports them to be focused.”

The same “soft start” was evident in Ms. Patton’s Gr. 1 class. They were making friendship bracelets at one table, playing with pattern blocks, lego, and one student was painting. In Kindergarten, Ms. Bos was reviewing with students what they had learned about the Shuswap. We stopped into Ms. Moroz’s Gr. 2-3 class, and she was on prep and shared what she loved about teaching primary students. Ms. Tracy Thomas, Aboriginal Language Teacher, took time to share what she was excited to do for the Day of Sucwentwe?cw, which they have been working towards through various learning activities through the week. The Gr. 6 and 7 students will be leading a school gathering tomorrow to engage in singing and drumming together with the other students. Ms. Thomas also works at South Kamloops Secondary School, and she shared a brief video that is part of a series that they had made with secondary students about traditional stories and practices.

Ms. Torbohm, English as a Second Language teacher, was leading a language game with three students whose first language was Spanish. The students said that they were having a good day and enjoyed this time learning English together. Ms. Anderson was with Mr. Evans class, and they were playing a game of finding a certain object hidden in the library. We then met with Ms. Flinn, one of the Learning Assistance Resource Teachers, and she shared the visual timelines used with students and described the success that they were having with providing structured breaks with rich decompression activities. She also described how they had established a differentiated reading group time where all students in primary grades read at their instructional reading level in different groups three times per week. They have witnessed excellent progress in reading through this strategy.

Ms. Bauer’s Strong Start program was busy with Grandparent Thursday spending time with their preschool grandchildren. A few grandparents explained how this is a valuable time to play and get to know how children interact and gain a comfort with being in the school prior to Kindergarten.

Mr. Bell was in his room and it was the start of recess. He showed us clips that his students designed and printed using a 3D printer. The clips had numbers engraved in them and the clips were easily removed from the table. We then met with Mr. Desaulniers’ Gr. 3 class, and a small group of students (Gabe, James, Sofia) shared that they were trying to beat a Guinness World Record by building the largest circle made of math link cubes. They were very proud of how their circle was progressing.

Acknowledging the Kamloops-Thompson Day of Sucwentwe?cw 2024

The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education and the Aboriginal Education Council with representatives of seven Secwepemc First Nations and Métis Nations communities articulated the Cultural Identity Priority In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. The purpose is to ensure that every student is welcomed, sees themselves in school and district environments, and feels cared for, and has a sense of belonging in schools. Read more.

Cariboo-Mainline Regional Science Fair

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, Intellectual Development Priority, we create learning opportunities and environments in which students develop their critical and creative thinking as well as their literacies in different disciplines, including Science. One way that we encourage the sharing of students’ learning is through an annual science fair. The Cariboo-Mainline Regional Science Fair was held at Thompson Rivers University on Tuesday April 2 and Wednesday April 3. This fair happens annually, and the top science projects from elementary and high schools from around the region are submitted for judging and students can receive awards ranging from books, medals, trophies and monetary or a combination of the same. In total, over $8000 dollars of provincial cash prizes and scholarships were given away. Read more.

District Parent Advisory Council

It is time for PAC’s to apply for their gaming grants for next year. Applications are open from April 1^st to June 30 and the details can be found here:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/gambling-fundraising/gaming-grants/pac-dpac-grants

If PAC’s would like some help to apply they should reach out to DPAC at: sd73dpac@gmail.com for support. Late applications are unlikely to be approved. This grant provides $20 per student to Parent Advisory Councils and can make a big difference to students and schools.

Budget Consultation

SD73 budget consultation for the public to watch live on YouTube is on April 10, 2024 at 7:00 pm., and more information is available here.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from May 10, 2021

Tue, 11 May 2021 21:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about English Language Learners, Catchment Boundaries review, and new Secretary-Treasurer appointed. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we continue into the very busy month of June, the positive energy of celebration and joy is in the air, but also the feelings of change, transitions, and some nervousness, especially for graduates who are starting their lives in post-secondary, new career pathways, travel, or a gap year. It is through such times, that we need to lean on each other and foster a sense of well-being (one of the core values in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan) in our homes and schools.

Sun Peaks School (K-9) – June 5, 2025

Principal Breden and I enjoyed starting our day in Ms. Fell’s Kindergarten-Grade 1 class led by Ms. Shirley, a well known Teacher On Call.

Ms. Shirley shared how she had connected the picture book, Edward the Emu with an art activity in which students explored colors and shapes to draw their own emu, and she planned to engage students in music about the emu using xylophones. The passion that she has for Arts Education is palpable. She stopped to share one song that the K-1 class has been working on called, Napping House. It was a cumulative action song about how there was a house with a grandparent, child, dog, cat, mouse, and eventually a flea who came in to nap. The students did the actions to match the words, and they had a good time sharing it as they sang.

Ms. Rinaldi’s Grade 1-2 class taught by Ms. Bishop and supported by Maria Davis, Certified Education Assistant, were taking part in math stations including math games, measuring exercises, and “True and False” math equations. I spent time with Tayton who showed me how cutting out paper gumballs enabled measuring different objects. I also learned the card game, “10 Friends” from Evelyn and Athena who said that the object of the game is to have two cards at once that add up to 10. If you don’t have a card that does that, you need to draw one. It required quick thinking and counting, and they each said that it made them think faster.

Ms. Mann’s Grade 2-3 class was doing cross-curricular activities in Art and Social Studies. By designing a map of a fictitious country. Ruxin, a student in her class, explained that she made up names based on where she had been and what she liked. She showed me how they had to add a map key and these symbols were important to make sure that there was a varied terrain (mountains, hills, flat lands, water). Azalea named her country after her last name.

At recess time, the students ran out to multiple areas of the hill, and one group continued to design their dam structure which carried water from the top of the hill to the half-way to the bottom. It was intricate involving the creation of pools of water in strategic spots to create momentum for the water to flow downstream. Another group was building “gymnastics forts” while others played a game called “Infection Tag”. Mr. Breden said, “I find that students are very imaginative and they are never short of ideas about what to play.”

We then travelled to the Grades 5-7 portables. Ms. Greer’s Grade 5-6 class was studying perimeter and area. They were converting units of measure to see the difference it makes to move from cm, m, and km. They took part in rotations to complete exercises about perimeter and area, to play a game requiring knowledge of shapes (“Polygon Problem”), and a math game on the computer (“Prodigy”).

Ms. St. Onge’s Grade 6-7 class was studying Healthy Relationships, and Mr. Massey took time to share how they had designed cars to see which design would move the best using the force of a balloon. The students also shared their work on learning about an earthquake or volcano that they studied, it was interesting to see which ones they chose and why.

We also spoke with Mila, Abigail, and Natasha who had collaboratively directed a play in the community supported by Art Zone. These students were inspired to have Grade 5 and 6 students act in the play, Outside the Box, and it was incredibly successful. To read more about this team, go here.

Sun Peaks Grade 9-12 Academy students were busy working on course work, and Mr. Gunther shared that many of the students are playing sports at a high level and this academy enables them to succeed. The students enjoyed taking on course work with other students in their class and many come every day and treat this academy as a daily place to come and work together.

Before leaving for Heffley Creek, I stopped in to see Ms. Schmalz’s Grade 3-4 class. They were studying fractions in a small group and in stations. I worked with a student named, Eira, on how best to create common denominators and she drew pictures to group them. It was a vibrant day of learning at Sun Peaks.

Heffley Creek Elementary School and @KOOL – June 4, 2025

Principal Conroy and I visited the library that was beautifully designed and planned based on the work of Ms. Twyla Parenteau, Library Assistant, who was guided by purchasing decisions supported by District Library Coordinator, Ms. Andrea Wallin. Mr. Conroy shared, “The Parent Advisory Committee was so supportive and managed to get us a donation from Tolko Industries for $5,000.” Everyone was invested in making the library an inviting space for students, families, and staff and they have succeeded!

We stopped in to see @KOOL teachers—Ms. Campbell, Ms. Nichol, Ms. Lancaster, Ms. Toews, and Mr. Yin-Cheng—and Principal Hembling who had just hosted a barbecue for the elementary online students’ families. They were just settling in from this time with families to teaching online for the rest of the afternoon. This has been an excellent site for online education because students have access to a playground, well designed sensory spaces and classrooms. I took a moment to take Principal Conroy’s and Hemblings’ picture. Thank you for working so well together!

Ms. Dillman’s Kindergarten class was preparing to write stories by drawing a scene in their stories. They had also just written and drawn in little books about butterflies and shared the text by reading it to me. They also showed me how they learned to make the butterflies “fly” using magnets.

Ms. Silva’s Grade 1-3 class was just about ready to leave for the day. A few students took me to see their “animal hotels”. They had each chosen an animal who is natural to their area. They were inspired to create these scenes by first reading Heartwood Hotel. The group of three students (Jackson, Rhaege, Gemma) explained, “We researched animals in this area and then created little hotels for each of them with things like would like to eat, sleep in, and how and where they would spend their time.

Secondary Battle of the Books – May 30, 2025

The District’s annual Battle of the Books is a beloved local reading motivation program that inspires a love of reading across all grade levels. On May 30, 45 Grade 8–12 students from six Kamloops secondary schools gathered at the Henry Grube Education Centre to compete in the Secondary Battle of the Books. Throughout the day, students competed in a series of book battle challenges and in the end the team from Westsyde Secondary narrowly defeated last year’s champions from NorKam Secondary. Congratulations to all the student teams who participated this year. Read more.

SD73 Students at the Canada-Wide Science Fair – May 31–June 6, 2025

This week, two Kamloops students travelled to Fredericton, New Brunswick to represent our district and showcase their innovative science projects at the prestigious Canada-Wide Science Fair—Canada’s largest annual youth science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) event. Congratulations to Benjamin Stroich (Grade 9 at SKSS) who showcased a root system simulator designed to help prevent landslides and Joel Defouw (Grade 7 at Juniper Ridge Elementary) who earned a Bronze Medal for his AI-powered solar panel optimizer! Read more.

Graduations – May–June 2025

I have enjoyed a number of graduations this past week, including the Indigenous Graduation Ceremony where we celebrated the largest number of Indigenous student graduates in our district’s history. You can explore the 2025 commencement schedule and meet this year's Valedictorians here. What’s true about every one of the graduation ceremonies is that they exist because of the staff, parents, and importantly, the students who invested in the program and performances. Thank you for all that you have done to learn and grow as a person—may you end the year well and make a great start to the next phase of your lives. Congratulations, Graduates of 2025!

Have a wonderful weekend while staying cool, drinking plenty of water, and enjoying your family and friends!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Titan Tribune

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 21:30:00 GMT

Check out our SKSS Student Titan Tribune Newspaper!

Board Notes from December 7, 2020

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 17:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about a performance by District Strings. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from May 30, 2022

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 15:15:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Aboriginal Events, 2024-2025 Calendar, and Secondary Fees. Read Board Notes here.

Two Provincial Curling Banners for SD73

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 22:15:00 GMT

The South Kamloops Secondary Girls’ Titans and the Westsyde Secondary Boys’ Whundas curling teams both brought home first place wins from the BC High School Curling Provincials tournament this month.

Kendra Hallstrom, WSS teacher and Whundas’ teacher sponsor, said the win means a lot for the boys’ team because they were defending the title they won last year.

"They maintained their focus and kept the momentum of the games in their favor. It was a hard-fought battle for the team in the final as they played against Riverside Secondary who were also returning Zone 4 champions to Provincials."

The team members are grade 12 students Bryan Yamada, Zander Landygo and Nolan Bottineau, and grade 11 student Daniel Griffiths, and coach Brent Yamada.

Brad Epp, SKSS teacher and coach for the Titans’ curling team, said the goal this year was to win the Okanagan zone finals and then play well in the provincials.

“Last year, the girls played great in the Okanagan playoffs, losing out to Kelowna Secondary, who went on to win the 2019 title,” he said. “We knew that we would be competitive and we were peaking at the right time. We controlled the flow of the game and we were patient, waiting for our opportunities and when that happened we took advantage.”

Epp said one thing that helped the Titans prepare was playing some exhibition games against the Whundas team.

Titans’ team members are grade 9 students Holly Hafeli and Natalie Hafeli, grade 10 student Jorja Kopytko, and grade 12 student Natasha Olmstead.

The teams would like to thank the Kamloops Curling Club for their support of High School Curling.

Inclusive Post-Secondary in BC: Changing Perspectives About What is Possible and Who Can Contribute

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 19:00:00 GMT

Presented by Lauren Matthews, Director of BC Inclusive Post-Secondary Education at STEPS Forward.

In 2001, families in BC came together to ask themselves “what comes next?” after graduation.

Finding themselves and family members dissatisfied with the limited options available to their sons and daughters with developmental disability labels after high school, they envisioned a future that included their family members in the same career, academic, and social communities available to any young person leaving high school.

They started conversations with universities about providing access to academic studies for their family members, who did not meet the academic requirements for university, and the first student with a developmental and intellectual disability started at UBC in 2002. Since then, we have grown and now support students at nine universities and colleges across BC.

Join us to hear about inclusive post-secondary BC, and these students challenging assumptions about intellectual disability, and who can belong and contribute in academic and career spaces. This session is open to all parents who have children with diverse abilities K-12.

This workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, September 21, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here, and you will be provided with the link to the meeting.

Superintendent's Update

Mon, 09 May 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

May brings opportunities to celebrate students and to commemorate special days that invite us to stand together against atrocities of the past and to build hope for a better future.

Westmount Elementary School

As Principal Lloyd and I walked through the school, students and teachers were deeply engaged in literacy, numeracy, fine arts, robotics, and physical education activities. Kindergarten students shared, “We are waiting for chicks to hatch and caterpillars to become butterflies.”

Young Artists’ Conference - May 3, 2022

Thank you to the Young Artists’ Committee that supported over 100 Grades 4-7 students and their parents celebrated their artwork which was displayed on walls, printed on notecards, and selected to be hung in the School Board Office. Artists shared their inspirations for their creations. Students will present their pieces to the Board of Education on June 13, 2022. Read more…

National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and LGBTQ2S+ People - May 5, 2022

In Canada, Indigenous women and girls are targeted for violence more than any other group. This day calls Canadians to speak out against violence against Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ2S+ people, and celebrate Indigenous peoples' history, culture, and diversity.

Moose Hide Campaign - May 12, 2022

On May 12, Canadians wear moose hide pins to demonstrate their personal commitment to honour, respect, and protect the women and children in their lives, work to end gender-based violence and take action towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Moose hide pins are a conversation starter, a patch of hope, reassurance and belonging and are associated with gentleness, warmth, comfort, hope, and love.

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

We continue to be committed to practicing daily health awareness strategies– staying home when sick, practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and making choices about wearing masks–see our District’s Communicable Disease Prevention Plan for more information.

The weather is getting warmer and inviting us to go walking, running, and biking, to name a few outdoor activities. Stay safe and have fun this weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

The focus of January is to share stories about relationships/connections and the value commitment of respect in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Artificial Intelligence - Elizabeth deVries and Carol DeFehr

Thank you to Elizabeth deVries and Director Carol DeFehr for working together to showcase the work of the committee and consultation on the AI framework that is being developed for the District. They shared the purpose, vision, strategies, and applications that are being explored and look forward to sharing it more broadly as they continue consultation in smaller focus groups.

École Lloyd George School – January 29, 2025

Principal Dumas, Vice Principal Hurren, and I started our visit by discussing the School Learning Plan goals. The school’s focus on literacy and sense of belonging has resulted in increased results. École Lloyd George teachers worked collaboratively with teachers at South Sa-Hali to cocreate a French continuum for literacy to ensure students meet literacy objectives in French. The French version of the Primary Reading Assessment (Évaluation de lecture au primaire) showed steady increases in Grade 1, 2, and 3 students’ results (+1% to +12%). Mme Dumas and Mme Hurren attributed these improvements to the staff’s collaborative efforts to co-plan, co-assess, and co-reflect on progress in student learning.

We stopped to see the students in Mr. Hogeveen’s class where Mr. Hogeveen conducted the Grade 5 students who sang, played, and moved to the song “Africa” by Toto. It was a spirited piece that is well liked by the students.

As we walked past the front display, Mme Dumas shared how the students continue to learn about the Seven Grandfathers’ Teachings. Each grade is focusing on one animal and working to integrate the values of that animal into their learning.

Their school is welcoming, caring, and has a positive sense of belonging by keeping their guidelines for behaviour simple and visual. Mme Dumas shared, “We began this work last April and continued in a way that has helped everyone to identify and remember what creating an inclusive learning environment looks like and sounds like every day.”

Mme Jenkin’s Grade 7 students were learning about change, and had done reflections on the Seven Grandfather Teachings. She explained that this is common across their school to see different ways that these teachings are lived and displayed to be celebrated in classrooms.

Mme Silzak was teaching Grade 3-4 about being a “Dictionary Detective,” and the students shared how they love to learn new words and it is part of Unplug and Play Week.

We stopped in to see Mme Allen who was working with a student in the “LABO” which used to be a computer lab and is now an alternative, flexible space for students to work. She described how they have this space as an alternate place to work and to have sensory breaks, social skills groups, and to be a “learning hub”. Both Mme Dumas and Mme Allen emphasized the importance of designing these spaces to invite students in to relax and to be active (i.e., she had created a lego wall that was used by the students to build with lego). She described how designing and co-creating this room was a team effort. She painted the leather furniture, had help from the District carpenter to put a border around their lego wall, and they came up with the idea and had to try it out because it was not something that had been done before.

Mme. Bossio read a story to Grade 1 and worked on “loose parts” story-creating activities. I also learned that each loose parts table had different types of backgrounds, with some very tactile manipulatives (i.e., salt in a box) that became part of students’ storytelling.

Mme Dumas shared the development of the Secwépemc kits in the library. She explained that the staff will spend part of their next Professional Development Day sharing what is in these kits and what they have had success doing with them in classrooms.

It was a lovely visit at École Lloyd George and students, parents, and staff were enjoying learning and preparing for the basketball game after school.

Unplug and Play Family Literacy Week – January 25–February 2, 2025

From January 25 to February 2, 2025, schools, students, and families have been participating in the 14th annual Beem Credit Union Unplug and Play Family Literacy Week. This week is focused on raising awareness about the importance of reading and encouraging families to find a healthy balance between screen time and active family time.

Schools across the Kamloops-Thompson School District participated in various Unplug and Play activities and school challenges throughout the week. As part of the Intellectual Development priority in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, the District is committed to providing diverse learning opportunities featuring multi-leveled resources that promote joyful reading, thoughtful written responses, and interesting conversations. Read more.

Outride Bike Program at BEST – January 11, 2025

Bert Edwards Science and Technology School (BEST) has been selected for the Outride Bike Program. On Saturday, January 11, 2025, volunteers from the local mountain bike community and Bicycle Cafe, along with students from Mr. Wood’s Grade 6/7 class came together to build 30 brand new mountain bikes for BEST students.

Outride is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth through cycling. The Outride Bike Program provides grants, research, and cycling programs to empower youth to experience the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling. Since 2012, Outride has partnered with nearly 400 schools and granted $2M+ to over 250 cycling programs, impacting up to 50,000 youth annually. Read more.

Kamloops-Thompson Students Achieve Highest School Completion – January 31, 2025

In the 2023-2024 school year, all three student group categories – Resident students, Indigenous students, and students with Diverse Abilities – experienced the highest completion rates ever achieved in the Kamloops-Thompson School District. Read more.

District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC)

New alert from the BC Gaming for PAC Gaming Grants: All PAC's in BC must have a business BCeID to apply for the 2025-2026 grant for your school. To find out more or for help getting this important step completed please see the DPAC webpage. Don't delay in getting your BCeID!

Board Notes – Board Update

Based on feedback from the District Parent Advisory Council, we have revised the Board Notes to be more like a newsletter format. If you have time, please let us know what you think of the new format here.

It has been a full month back in January, and we have so much to celebrate and be thankful for as we start February, a month focused on kindness. Be kind to yourself and each other as you take in activities that rejuvenate you this weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Board approves plan to provide additional financial support for students and families

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 18:45:00 GMT

The Kamloops Thompson Board of Education is taking steps to implement a plan providing $1.6 million in additional financial support for students and families.

The funding is the District’s share of a one-time $60 million Student and Family Affordability Fund (SFAF) announced in August by the Ministry of Education and Child Care.

District staff have consulted with school principals and community groups to help determine the best way to distribute its share of the funds to students and families. These groups are the Aboriginal Education Council (AEC), the Indigenous Family Voices for Education (IFVE), and the District Parents Advisory Council (DPAC).

At its regular meeting September 26, 2022, the Board received the consultation results, the process to access the funds and the initial allocations based on known and predicted needs.

“The District has received $1,656,248, in the recognition that families are struggling with rising food costs and costs for a range of goods and services due to the impacts of inflation,” said Heather Grieve, Board Chair for School District No. 73. “It supports existing policies and our ongoing commitment to ensure no student is denied because of financial need the opportunity to participate in education programs approved by the Board.”

The District is improving the process to access this fund, based on feedback from AEC, IFVE and DPAC in a way that is trauma informed by ensuring all school staff are informed, and by providing multiple ways to complete a Student Financial Assistance Form. This includes sending an email to a chosen staff member such as an Aboriginal Education Worker, a principal, or a counsellor; or completing the form with a band education contact or a social worker; or calling a preferred contact at their children’s school to ask for assistance; or completing the form themselves and in person.

Representatives for the AEC, IFVE, DPAC, Parent Advisory Councils and the Ministry of Children and Family Development will also share the District’s messaging regarding the fund with families. In addition, this information will be sent to families through the District website, school websites, and District and school newsletters.

“This process supports our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan by supporting learning opportunities and environments which inspire students to thrive in a way that helps them feel safe,” said Rhonda Nixon, SD73 Superintendent. “That means meeting students’ basic and essential needs such as access to food and supporting their ability to take part in curricular and extracurricular educational activities designed to nurture their intellectual, social, personal, cultural, and career development.”

“We are grateful for the insights and feedback gained through the consultation process with our principals and community groups,” said Vessy Mochikas, Assistant Superintendent, Inclusion. “It means the funding will be more effective in reaching the students and families most in need of support.”

The estimated initial allocations, based on known/predicted needs, are:

$100,000 Starfish backpack programs - expanded to students and during school breaks
$300,000 School Supplies
$300,000 Field trips, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities
$500,000 Breakfast, snack and lunch programs/meals
Contingency Funds allocated to schools - $456,248

The funding will be used to provide more food and snacks made available to classes in a universal way, so that any student needing food has access to it, including at the end of the day. This is especially helpful in the morning, if students who arrive to school late may have missed breakfast, and in the afternoon, as students may have up to five hours between lunch and dinner. You can link to the Student Financial Assistance Form here.

Announcements

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 19:00:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

There is a new exciting opportunity for SKSS students to link with TRU in a really cool event called the Ethics Bowl. The Ethics Bowl is both a collaborative and competitive event, where teams of students in Grades 9-12 analyze and discuss ethical dilemmas. Students teach and learn from one another as they take part in courageous conversations about ethical issues. To learn more, come to an important meeting on Wednesday, December 11 during lunch in Room 218.

There is a meeting for ALL those students attending Vancouver Model UN in February in Mr. Topp's room (218) on Wednesday at lunch. Please bring any forms or money still owing. Please be prompt as debate meeting will follow.

Anyone interested in auditioning for this year's Spring play please come to Mrs. Fonseca's room at lunch on Thursday for an information meeting.

Dry Grad will be hosting a bake sale on December 17at lunch.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Bannock Sale this Wednesday at long break and lunch in the main hallway.

TNT NEWS:

Students interested in attending the RCMP Youth Academy over Spring Break must see Ms. Gillis today, as applications are due tomorrow, December 11. For an application form and more information see Ms. Gillis in Counselling right away.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Are you a grade 12 student who demonstrates courage and fortitude? Do you demonstrate compassion and are committed to easing the suffering of others? You may wish to apply for the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award. Applications can be found at www.terryfoxawards.ca and are due on February 1, 2020.

Any student who is between the ages of 17-24 and plans to attend a post-secondary school in 2020 or 2021 is invited to apply for a scholarship through the Interior Savings Credit Union Bursary program. Students require a Social Insurance Number and can apply by going to www.milliondollarbursary.com

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Board Notes from May 31, 2021

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 19:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Board responds to the tragic and disturbing discovery at former Kamloops residential school. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

The focus of January is to share stories about relationships/connections and the value commitment of respect in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. On January 22, 2025 (Bell Let’s Talk Day), we championed the need to not only focus on mental health and what it means but to normalize conversations about mental health struggles and mental illness. On January 24, 2025, we are celebrating International Day of Education, which emphasizes the importance of education in our everyday lives.

Sa-Hali Secondary School – January 10, 2025

As we started our tour, Vice Principal Dolha introduced me to two students who were part of a Grade 9-12 Drama class who were preparing for the production, Sticks and Stones. They were rehearsing lines and interactions, and they were looking forward to their public performance.

We then walked through Mr. Horvat’s Grade 9-10 Woodworking class, and the students had designed personally meaningful pieces that they were in various stages of completing. One student shared her uniquely designed bookcase that was shaped like a tree.

Next, we learned how students in Grade 9-12 started playing guitar in Mr. Rutley’s class, and they entered either knowing very little about guitar to having played for some time. One student had chosen a popular song to play, and he said, “I can play it, and I didn’t know how to play guitar when I started.” The students were practicing for their test, and each had a personal challenge piece that was part of their exam.

Ms. Cacaci was teaching Grade 9 and 10 Art, and the students were working on their “big idea” project. Each student submits a proposal of a project that captures something of personal importance to them (a loss, a celebration, an issue of concern), and then choose to represent their thinking about that topic in an art form (painting, sculpture, wood work, fabric art) and a range of other modes of styles of creative expression. For example, one student focused on the importance of sustainability and the problem of plastics in the ocean by creating a jellyfish crocheted out of plastic.

Ms. Emery was teaching Pre-Calculus 11, and students were preparing for a test. They were working together on example problems and checking their thinking as they were working.

As we walked through the learning commons, students were settling in to work on their capstone projects and to engage in peer tutoring. It was a very busy place with enthusiastic learning happening across grades and subjects.

In English 11, Mr. Wereley was teaching poetry, and the students shared their progress. One student, Mackenzie, was working on women’s rights and the need to attend to identifying inequities and addressing them through “slam” poetry. Mr. Wereley explained, “This class has shown a lot of maturity in the topics that they have delved into and there is no one way to produce slam poetry. While we still focus on poetic devices, it is done as part of conveying a meaningful message.” Mr. Wereley also shared how he had Grade 10 students writing children’s books to their former selves. “It is another way to get students to care about their writing, and to consider the voice of their written work.”

We stopped to see what students were working on in “Flex” and in the Integrated Learning Centre. Ms. Dolha described these locations of learning as open to when students needed to have support while also encouraging them to be independent and to attend regular classes.

I spoke with Mr. Tommasini and Ms. Dolha about their work on student attendance and what they were learning about students’ needs to stay engaged in school. I also spoke with Principal Brady about the school learning plan and the collaborative work of staff.

WSS honours Black Excellence Day and Black History Month with Lesra Martin – January 16, 2025

In honour of Black Excellence Day on January 15 and in lead up to Black History Month in February, Lesra Martin, a motivational speaker, writer, and lawyer, visited Westsyde Secondary School (WSS) on Thursday, January 16 to speak to students and staff about hope, heart, and the human spirit. His presentation expressed the importance of education and how that shaped his life. Read more.

Bell Let’s Talk Day – January 22, 2025

Bell Let’s Talk Day is a focus on January 22, 2025, and it is intended to raise awareness and be one aspect that helps to normalize conversations about positive mental health, mental health struggles, and mental illness. In its 15th year, this year’s focus is on supporting youth mental health organizations and raising awareness for youth mental health struggles. Schools acknowledged Bell Let’s Talk Day in several ways, including school-wide announcements, class discussions about mental health, and projects to encourage conservation and awareness. As a District, we support mental health conversations and education on Bell Let’s Talk Day and throughout the year. Read more.

International Day of Education – AI and Education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation – January 24, 2025

The 2025 International Day of Education is about the power of education to equip individuals and communities to navigate, understand, and influence technological advancement. We seek to ethically advance education through AI, which takes the commitment of the Director of Curriculum, Carol DeFehr, who has been working with a group of staff to draft a District Framework for AI and now they are starting the process of getting feedback on their draft.

As computer and AI-driven systems become more sophisticated, the boundaries between human intention and machine-driven action often blur, raising critical questions about how to preserve, redefine, and elevate human agency ensuring the values of relationships/connections, well-being, sustainability, and equity are at the forefront of how we revise the District’s AI framework.

I hope that you enjoy the weekend and take time with your family and friends.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

What Learning Looks Like . For Now

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 21:00:00 GMT

Teachers are finding ways to reconnect with students, helping them to continue learning, even in this time of social isolation. It’s not as big a stretch as people may think, as numerous helpful resources are being gathered and shared among educators to help them engage and work with their students.

“SD73 Teacher-Librarians have created a master list of curated K-12 resources, organized now in curriculum themes and grade groups,” said Sheryl Lindquist, District Principal, Curriculum and Instruction. “We will continue to put resources in place to help our teachers instruct in this new reality.”

District Coordinators and Resource Teachers are connecting with teachers across the district to offer ideas and support.

For example, a literacy learning at home framework is providing teacher resources for all grade levels for reading, writing and working with ebooks and audiobooks. When it comes to numeracy, the focus for younger grades will be on number sense, problem solving, and fun.

Teachers are finding ways to develop learning opportunities based on the global pandemic. In science, resources include online workshops and activities related to learning about pandemics and immunity. Fine Arts resources include finding ways to make music with whatever is in the home, and reflecting on students’ situations to develop photos, written reflections or art.

Technology is a key challenge, but it is also a huge learning opportunity. Support is being provided for students in keyboarding skills, and teachers who are comfortable with technology are reaching out to help others develop technical skills.

“The key here is to keep remembering we are all in uncharted territory,” said Lindquist. “We are focussed on finding a way forward without putting undue pressure on anyone, including teachers, students and parents. The most important thing is for each of us to take care of ourselves, and each other.”

How to Become Your Child's Career Education Coach

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 16:45:00 GMT

To help parents navigate education and career options with their children, the district will host Parents as Education and Career Coaches, an interactive virtual workshop, on Tuesday Oct. 18, 2022.

The workshop is presented by EducationPlannerBC and will provide information to support decision-making about a wide range of careers. This session is for parents and guardians of students at all stages in their career-planning process, including those in grades 9 – 11 who are choosing which electives to take, as well as those in grade 12 who are getting ready for graduation.

EducationPlannerBC provides an innovative platform with timely, concise and accurate information on all public post-secondary education, training and related careers in British Columbia.

In this seminar, parents can expect:

An overview of all the resources available on EducationPlannerBC.ca
Various pathways available for students
Supports available at post-secondary institutions
Tips on scholarships and financial aid
Q & A

This 90-minute free, virtual workshop will begin at 7:00 PM. You can register here.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we start a new year, we are focused on getting back into the rhythm of school and work, and nurturing important Relationships/Connections, a core value of the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Arthur Hatton Elementary School – January 7, 2025

Arthur Hatton Elementary was my first school visit in the New Year. It was a wonderful visit, and it started when I approached the school and noticed Grade 6 and 7 students were on a walk to start their day. Principal Charron said, “It is how we start our day. Students engage in physical activity and have fun together through the BOKS program.” BOKS is a physical activities program supported by Healthy Schools BC, and many schools integrate it into their weekly routine to get students moving, playing, and having fun to engage with each other and start the school day positively.

Next, we joined Ms. Spooner’s, Dundass’, and Fehst’s Grade 4-5 classes in the gym for their BOKS. Students were taking on the “inchworm” relays where they raced in the pose of a plank which was difficult as it strengthens their core. Through discussion, I commented that this would be a good exercise for me, and the teachers commented that they join students and they can feel their muscles hurt afterwards. Thank you for taking the time to be well physically, socially, and emotionally alongside your students.

As we continued on our visit, Ms. Pineo’s Kindergarten class was experiencing a “soft start” where some students were reading picture books and others were playing in centres. She described how since the start of the New Year, she is excited to turn calendar time into a game where students locate missing information. “It has really turned calendar time into problem solving, and students are excited to see what numbers and words are missing and to help find them.”

Ms. Hunter’s class was reviewing some word work, and Ms. McMillan’s Grade 2 classes were working on sentences and writing and completing them in a whole class exercise.

Ms. Gustafson’s Grade 3 class was practicing an auditory exercise, where they would hear a sound or sound blend and then write it on white boards. Ms. Charron said, “It has been good to use the UFLI resource to build the reading-writing connection.”

Ms. McTaggart’s Grade 1-2 students were counting on the calendar, and she shared how they also enjoy doing the “Alphabet Jive”. Mr. Aitken’s class was working on spelling following drama, and Ms. Silva’s class was searching to put their body on something of a certain color. For example, “Put your nose on something grey.” They enjoyed waiting for the next instruction and searching for multiple colors.

Ms. Bailey’s Kindergarten class was working on sign language and also recognizing the Alphabet and Secwepemctsín words. The integration of multiple literacies to communicate has been a focus within and across grades. Ms. Charron said, “I find that we can see sign language happening in many grades; it has become part of how we communicate.”

We entered Strong Start where parents and grandparents were enjoying playing and learning alongside their children.

Grade 4-5 classrooms where each group was working on identifying shapes, exploring attributes, and developing a common language of how to articulate similarities and differences between them.

Upcoming Parent Engagement Session: Supporting Children and Youth with Autism

The next Parent Engagement Session is focused on promoting and supporting functional and executive functioning skills in the home for children and youth with autism. This virtual workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 6:00–7:30 pm. If you are interested in attending, please learn more and register in advance here.

Welcome back! I hope that you have a wonderful start to your new year.

Enjoy your weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

December stories focus on the core value of Well-being (emotional, psychological, physical, environmental) and the Grandfather Teaching of Wisdom in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. As schools are preparing for winter concerts, there is a sense of celebration and anticipation of the winter break. Thank you for everything you do to help further students' learning and enjoyment of the season.

Rayleigh Elementary School – November 28, 2024

Principal Conroy and Ms. Gauley shared how they have launched a survey for parents, staff, and students to learn firsthand what is going well and what could improve in their school. This experience of reaching out to learn from diverse perspectives on their school programming and activities has been an enriching experience. Principal Conroy said, “We enjoy seeing ideas that are shared, and it is always good to learn what we can improve upon as a school.”

Principal Conroy also highlighted how “Roots of Empathy” was restarted this year thanks to community volunteer facilitators stepping forward and is supported by Mrs. Stewart (Kindergarten) and Ms. Gauley’s Grade 6-7 class. Every Tuesday, facilitators come to the school to share ways to care for a baby. Mr. Conroy shared pictures of the babies who are key to the success of this special caregiving program.

We visited Ms. Rempel’s Grade 2-3 class, and they were reading their first novels and studying elements such as characters, setting, and plot while also focusing on their fluency. They engaged in what was “popcorn” reading.

Mrs. Stewart’s Kindergarten class was playing BINGO where children had to listen and identify numbers and stand up when they had a row correct. It was very exciting to hear the enthusiastic “BINGOs”.

Next, we met with Library Assistant, Ms. Parenteau, who shared some of the exciting work that is happening in the Library. “We have lunch time in the library on colder days, where students can bring a book and read.” It has been very successful, and they have expanded it to “Bring a book and a friend”. Ms. Parenteau shared, “The other day, a student thanked me for this opportunity because some students really need different outlets in addition to going outside.” After this, we connected with Ms. Cavlek who was working with a student to deliver milk and yogurt to classes as part of their snack program.

Ms. MacBurney’s Grade 4 students were reading “Once Upon a Sari” and sharing connections (text-text, text-self, text-world). They were also writing about what they most enjoyed about this time of year.

Mr. Conroy introduced me to Carol, a longtime community volunteer in the school who happily showed me how she loves to decorate bulletin boards with student artwork.

Finally, Ms. Hendry’s Grade 4-5 students were writing about baking, especially their favourite Christmas cookies.

Juniper Ridge Elementary School – December 3, 2024

Principal Steptoe and I first enjoyed a presentation in the hallways by Ms. Waters about the “9 Days of Giving” for the local food bank. Ms. Waters and her students engage Ms. Mulholland’s Kindergarten class in collecting food, weighing it, communicating how much was collected, and sorting it to make it easier to take to the Food Bank. There will be a pizza party prize for the class that collects the most food.

Ms. Klassen’s Grade 3 class participated in a numbers game that was focused on practicing understanding of operations. Ms. Pagnotta’s Grade 3 students were “skip counting” and supporting each other to check their work. Ms. Card’s Grade 2 class was involved in one-on-one word work. Ms. Sears’ Grade 2s were practicing individual sounds and blends and sharing them out loud.

We met with Kim and Sarah, volunteers who have been preparing meals for all students on “Tasty Tuesdays”. They shared information about the meals program that includes pastas, chili, or mac and cheese, and always provides an assortment of fruits and veggies. Students bring their own containers, and they explained, “Some students who forget their containers will use their own ‘just-finished’ containers of food.” It is only their third week, and when Ms. Steptoe and I entered one class, a student commented on how they could hardly wait to see what was for lunch. This meal program was made possible by the expansion of their kitchen and funds for food provided by the Feeding Futures funding.

Ms. Champness’ Kindergarten class told me about their “Elf on a Shelf” who does some unpredictable things like messing up their classroom. They also shared their understanding of certain sounds like “ch” for “chop, chop”. Ms. Champness increased the difficulty by saying “If I take away ‘m’ from man and add ‘v’, we get…and the class said ‘van’”.

Ms. Beck’s Grade 2-3 class was engaged in journal writing and then they shared parts of their journal with the class on their carpet. After students read aloud a part of their journal, others provided positive feedback such as, “I noticed… that you had a lot of details like the description of the elf.”

Ms. Laura’s Grade 5-6 class was preparing for a play, “The Gingerbread Dude”, and they were working in small groups and each student was taking on certain parts.

Ms. Colclough’s Grade 5 Math class was finishing their counting and some students had free time to draw or read. A student, Serenity, chose to give Ms. Steptoe an award for “being the best principal!”

Universal Human Rights Month – December

Universal Human Rights Month is honoured every December as a way to recognize the importance of basic human rights for everyone. In the decades since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, human rights have become recognised across the globe. Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10, 2024, and this year’s theme is “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.” Read more about Human Rights Day and this year’s theme here.

Sníne Elementary Community Engagement

With the District’s newest school, Sníne Elementary, currently being built and anticipated to be opened in the Fall 2026, we are engaging with school communities who would be sending students to the new school. We’ve enjoyed connecting with Sa-Hali Secondary, Aberdeen Elementary, McGowan Park Elementary, Dufferin Elementary, South Kamloops Secondary, and Summit Elementary staff and parents, and held a webinar on December 4, 2024. To see the maps of the proposed catchment change, and the webinar presentation (PDF, video), please go here.

It is a busy time in school and out of school with family and friends. I hope that you take some time to get outside and enjoy what you love most to do.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

District Honours Celebrates Top Graduating Students

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 17:30:00 GMT

Story provided by Chelsea Isenor, Director of Communications and Board Administration

The mission of the Kamloops-Thompson School District, as outlined in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, is to support learning opportunities and environments which inspire students to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. On Thursday, May 30, 2024, this mission was at the forefront as we celebrated the accomplishments of Graduating students at the 46th Annual District Honours Recognition reception.

“To achieve District Honours is a noteworthy accomplishment,” shared Board Chair Heather Grieve. “You have persisted through significant challenges and proven that you can thrive in a world that is changing rapidly. You have demonstrated leadership skills that will contribute to what promises to be a hopeful future. The Board of Education is extremely proud of all that you have accomplished academically and personally.”

District Honours celebrates our District's highest achieving students, whose marks place them in the top five percent of all graduating students. The 2024 Kamloops-Thompson Honours Class includes 69 Grade 12 students from schools across the District. Each of these students not only achieved academic success but also demonstrated commitment, skill, and determination in other areas such as sports, fine arts, trades, extracurricular activities, and community service.

“A heartfelt congratulations to you this year’s District Honours graduates. I am confident that each of these students has developed competencies such as the ability to collaborate, communicate, and to think critically and creatively, to name a few, which will equip them to continue to thrive into the next phase of their adult lives,” shared Superintendent, Dr. Rhonda Nixon.

The evening’s celebrations were led by Danielle Ripley and Andrew Humphrey, the student masters of ceremonies. The evening highlighted the musical talents of Kamloops School of the Arts student Mandisa Volo, who beautifully sang “O’Canada” and “At Last” by Etta James; and the South Kamloops Secondary School Jazz Combo who performed “Daahoud” by Clifford Brown as well as a compilation of other pieces throughout the evening. Fine arts were on display with several students’ art pieces displayed throughout the room.

Patrick Gu, Ross Dickson Award Winner and District Honours Recipient 2023, shared encouraging words for the graduates with humour and heart: “When you are moving into adulthood, as you are now, you are bound to have failures, maybe in your academic life or personally, but I don't think you should do anything expecting to fail. Being here today, you’ve already demonstrated your capabilities, and I’m sure you have talents in more than academics too, and your talents are reason to be confident in yourself moving forward… We are here today not, in essence, to celebrate the knowledge and skills you’ve gained over your past 13 years in school, it is to recognize the strength of character you’ve built, to celebrate your persistence, your curiosity, and your drive.”

Congratulations to all the District Honours graduates!

@KOOL: SIENNA ANGOVE, NAYTE BROWN, PAULA ERLER, NORAH MACAULAY
Barriere Secondary: GAVEN EUSTACHE, ALEXIS NELSON, FRASER SCHILLING
Chase Secondary: SAM FIDDICK, ELIAS HARVEY, PARIS MICHEL, KERA WILLIAMS
Clearwater Secondary: SOREN COATES, REID MUDDIMAN, SAYA STELTER
Kamloops School of the Arts: ASHA MILLER, MANDISA VOLO
Logan Lake Secondary: COLE KRUSCHEL, JOSEPH REKKEN, NICHOLAS STOGNEFF
Norkam Senior Secondary: MIRELA CARDOZO, AMY CROCKER, BRIDGIT DANGERFIELD, KYLIE DRAEGER, EMMA EHMAN, KIRAN FELLENZ, ROBYN LEWIS, KADENCE MARTIN, SHEYANNE MCCAULEY, ARES NAZARUK, NAGISA OISHI, CAMDYN PEACE, MADI ROSE NEWMAN, AMRITA SANDHU, ZACH VENINSKY
Sa-Hali Secondary: JULIA CROFOOT, AVERY FERGUSON, ANDREW HUMPHREY, CARTER KRELL, JUNSEO LEE, LANDON LEMIRE, MELODY RICHARDSON, DANIELLE RIPLEY, JENNA ROBERTS, EMILY WATERMAN, LAUREN ZAHARIA
South Kamloops Secondary: GRACE BOEHM, KRISTIN CAMPBELL, QUILLA DECKER, TIANA DIKE, KAYLA DIXON, JOCELYN IMUS, KIANA KACZUR, KYLEE KOPPES, MCKENNA LIEN, MADELEINE MCGUINNESS, ABIGAIL SPENCER, XAVIER WALLACE, HUXLEY WENDLEND
Twin Rivers Education Centre: LUCAS CARLSON, MIKEY FRIESEN, ANABELLE LIVINGSTON
Valleyview Secondary: BRINLY ATHERTON, ZAHRA AMOR, JULIA BLACKFORD, NICOLE COLISTRO, ALIYAH DENEAULT, TAYLOR GRAY, DAVIS KLOHN, JENNA OKRAINETZ, LEIF PETERSEN, DANIKA SCHULTZ, JANNA SEABY, SYDNEY STONE, JADA WALCH
Westsyde Secondary: KADENCE DENEEF, SUNNY FRANZEN, CHEYANNE KINGSLEY, KENDRA LUISON, DYLAN SHEA, MYA STRUTZ, AVA ZIRNHELT

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 01:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

In my December updates, I will share school and District stories that illuminate the values of wellbeing – fostering opportunities to promote emotional, psychological, and physical wellbeing) and the Grandfather Teaching of Wisdom – role modeling hard work to guide communities and listening to advice of diverse perspectives. I will also highlight priorities and values which are part of the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

NorKam Senior Secondary School - Nov. 28

Principal Sdoutz and I visited Ms. Orlando who shared with us her extensive work with students to run breakfast and lunch programs in the school. She showed us the fridge stocked by the Boys and Girls Club and several students stopped to share the importance of this opportunity to have fresh snacks (veggies, fruits) that are available to everyone. Students work with a team of staff who support them to earn extra credits by preparing recipes using a weekly planning board.

We stopped to see Ms. Fletcher’s Remembrance Day competition in which students had written in varied genres (letters, poems, songs) from the points of view of individuals experiencing war. Mr. Pendergast’s International Baccalaureate (IB) 12 class was studying megacities to understand how living in such contexts is commonplace, and we experience the benefits of growth as well as the inequities in wealth and results of overcrowding and pollution. Mr. Morgan’s Math 10 class was engaged in trigonometry and Mr. Bauhuis’s IB Math 11 class was invested in learning about logarithms.

Mr. Secret’s IB Social 10 students were examining how to assess whether a society could be characterized as democratic by applying criteria to different countries’ political systems. Ms. Davidson’s Entrepreneurship class was creating games to share their business ideas.

International Day for People with Disabilities - Dec. 3

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated every year on December 3rd.

“This day is about highlighting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development,” shared Board Chair Heather Grieve. “It is also about recognizing what the barriers are as we talk to people who navigate challenging physical and social contexts in their daily lives.” Read more.

District Parents’ Advisory Council (DPAC)

The District Parents’ Advisory Council hosted information sessions, dinner, child care with the help of Brock students and a wonderful jazz ensemble group from SKSS on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

As well, SD73 DPAC running a Logo Contest! Contest runs from November 3, 2023 to Jan 30, 2024. Read more.

December is a month that brings joy- lights, concerts, and events as well as the promise of having time to be with those we love and care about over the holiday season. May you enjoy this month and take time to enjoy family and friends this weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from December 15, 2025

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 22:45:00 GMT

For updates from the regular meeting of the Board of Education, featuring Kamloops-Thompson Honour Choir Performance, AP 314: Response to Unexpected Health Emergencies, Family of Schools Mid-Year Review, and more, read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 16:15:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

March is here and Spring Break is just around the corner. As days are getting longer, we enjoy going for a walk or bike ride before or after school or work.

Sa-Hali Secondary School

I visited Principal Rachael Sdoutz this week and she shared, “We are focused on integrating competencies into our everyday cross-disciplinary work with students.” She described how students collect artifacts that show their development of critical thinking, creative thinking, and communication, to name a few key competencies. One student, Camryn Elder, is currently in grade 11, and she has designed a logo that reflects her comprehension of many art elements (shape, space, colour, digital design). Camryn said, “I was inspired to create an image that showed my First Nation Cree background and to show my creativity.” Principal Sdoutz gave me a t-shirt to remember this visit, and she graciously agreed to have her picture taken with Camryn (above). It was an inspiring visit to meet staff and students who are so committed to building on students’ strengths and nurturing everyone’s talents and passions.

Good News

During monthly School Leaders’ meetings, school and district leaders share “Good News”. This week, it was heartening to hear how students and staff are appreciating school assemblies, performances, and basketball games with spectators. Karla Chernoff, Vice Principal at Marion Schilling said, “Students and staff were truly excited and grateful to be able to gather. Being able to meet together seemed to create a ‘shared experience’ for students and staff that was needed. Kindergarten and Grade 1 students, who had never participated in an assembly before, were coming up and saying, ‘That was awesome.’ Of course, Grade 7s got to take their place on the benches for the first time.” Other school leaders shared how their Parent Advisory Councils have been supporting community-building efforts such as preparing hot chocolate and popcorn for everyone on Friday (South Sa-Hali), recording festival performances to be shared with all parents (Kamloops School of the Arts), and purchasing snowshoes for students (Raft River).

Safer Schools’ Resources

We are aware that the invasion of Ukraine may contribute to a range of feelings and trauma for students, staff, and families. It is important to be mindful of how these events impact each of us and those around us. During these times, we are also reminded Safer Schools has prepared resources to provide tips for staff and parents/caregivers to share for both elementary and secondary school children. You can find the resources here.

Rapid Antigen Tests

Last week, after receiving a late afternoon update about rapid tests, I had shared the following message with parents and staff:

The Ministry of Education has just provided updated information about rapid tests being sent to schools:

FOR ACTION, SUPERINTENDENTS – K-12 Rapid Test Update: Test kits made available through B.C. schools are approved by Health Canada. To further clarify information in the recent bulletin from Health Canada, BCCDC has updated information about the safety and proper use of the test kits. Please see the BCCDC’s Rapid Testing At Home web pageand ensure that families are provided with this up to date information about the tests they have or will be receiving. Out of an abundance of caution, we are suggesting that any remaining distribution of Rapid Antigen Tests for Grades K-7 should be directed to parents/guardians for pick up.

I am sharing this information to ensure that all families receive it and take care to follow the guidance provided in test kits and in the BCCDC updated information. As indicated in the Government of Canada message, “Health Canada has determined that the kits are safe and effective when used as intended.”

Most schools have now distributed their tests by providing parents with an option to pick up tests.

Continuity of Learning and Communicable Disease Prevention Plan (COVID-19)

At this time, we have usual student and staff absenteeism rates. We continue with the safety measures (daily health checks, staying home when sick, hand washing, hand sanitizer, respiratory etiquette, and wearing masks).

Thank you for continuing to respect each person’s level of readiness to adjust to changing safety measures. This is a time when we need to help everyone to learn new ways of continuing necessary safety measures while embracing opportunities to connect comfortably.

Have a nice weekend and take time to do something that you enjoy.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Last week, we appreciated seeing new and old friends and being back into a routine. While it will take time to settle, it is always helpful to remind ourselves of why we do this work. Each week, I look forward to sharing inspiring stories from our schools.

Clearwater Secondary

This week, I spoke with Darren Coates, principal of Clearwater Secondary School, and he shared how “one of the biggest changes this year compared to last year is not being in cohorts” because it enabled him to provide additional programming and services to support students. “I have always valued the one-to-one reading mentorship program that we have done, which involved grades 11 and 12 students reading with grade 8 students.” The program had stopped last year because students were in cohorts. “Seeing the program back in action this year is inspiring because I know that there are so many benefits—pre- and post- reading results show improvement, and it builds social connections between different grade levels.” Darren also shared a second moment of inspiration, which was focused on CSS’s food program. “Last year, the cafeteria was open to half of the school (Gr. 10, 11, 12) and the others (Gr. 8, 9) had boxed snacks.” He explained, “Being able to open the cafeteria for everyone has created connections not only between different grade levels but it has allowed senior students to serve junior students.” It also gives him an opportunity to meet his students and to show that he cares.

COVID-19

Last year, COVID cases were reported as they happened through the Interior Health website, school community notifications, and Superintendent Updates. Interior Health has stopped the community-wide notification practice and has directed school districts to do the same. Broad, school-wide notification is not something that is done as a usual practice in communicable illness containment. Given that there is a high rate of vaccination for COVID in BC, the expectation is that COVID will be treated like other communicable illnesses.

The other change this year is that whole classes are unlikely to be required to self-isolate. Interior Health continues to prioritize contact tracing in schools, and their advice about whether to self-monitor or self-isolate depends on a range of factors, including whether the person has been partially or fully vaccinated. Interior Health will continue to notify students, parents/guardians, and staff when they are required to self-isolate or self-monitor if they are found to be close contacts of a positive case.

We continue to implement our COVID protocols with vigilance. Our SD73 Communicable Disease Prevention Plan has information about our protocols, which are based on Ministries of Health and Education guidelines: Provincial Communicable Disease Guidelines for K to 12 Settings, BCCDC COVID-19 Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K to 12 School Settings and B.C.’s K to 12 Education Recovery Plan.

In addition to our District Communicable Disease Prevention Plan, every school has posted their school communicable disease prevention plans on their websites.

Interior Health vaccination clinics in secondary schools are listed here.

Thank you for being partners in making our schools places of inspiration for our students, staff, and families. I look forward to hearing and sharing more stories next week as we take on the new learning and opportunities that continue to inspire us.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

SD73 Continues to Support Families through the Student and Family Affordability Fund

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 16:00:00 GMT

The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education is pleased to announce the continuation of the Student and Family Affordability Fund for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.

On August 29, 2022, the Ministry of Education and Child Care announced that school districts in BC would be provided with a one-time fund ($60 M) called the Student and Family Affordability Fund intended to provide additional funds to parents to offset costs of food through meal programs in the school, school supplies, and any additional fees so that students can take part in activities, such as field trips, athletics, and fine arts. School District No. 73 received $1,656,248 in November 2022.

This initiative was designed to ease the financial strain on families by offering support for various student expenses, including school supplies, course fees, academy fees, and enhancement fees, as necessary.

Last year, we were pleased to provide almost 4,000 student meals, supplies (6,000 times) and fees (10,000 times), which was approximately half of the Student and Family Affordability Fund Grant. This year, we are fortunate to carry over the other half of the funds to support families in the 2023-2024 school year.

“We appreciate that families will continue to access the Student and Family Affordability Fund, which will once again be available to SD73 families this year,” said Heather Grieve, Board Chair. “This fund reduced some of the stress of school-related expenses at a time of economic challenge for many families.”

Given the continued economic challenges with inflationary living costs of food, clothing, and housing, families are even more stressed when they have pressures of paying for school supplies and fees.

“We are grateful to reduce these pressures by continuing to provide families with the choice to be supported with school fee reimbursements,” said Rhonda Nixon, SD73 Superintendent.

The best way to learn more about these funds is to access the information directly from your school. Your school principal has been provided with how to access school fee reimbursement using SchoolCash online. Additionally, there are other ways to access the funds through the school secretary.

Further details will be provided through Back-to-School communications directly from your school.

Forestry and Environment Careers Camp Deadline is Sept. 29

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 22:00:00 GMT

There’s a great learning opportunity at McQueen Lake this fall for secondary students considering forestry or environment careers.

The Forestry and Environmental Studies Camp is planned for Oct. 14 and 15 at the McQueen Lake Environmental Education Centre.

Grade 10, 11, and 12 students can apply to attend the two-day hands-on camp to learn about careers involving the opportunity to learn and experience numerous careers that are connected to forest management and sustainability such as ecology and silviculture, aquatics, as well as search and rescue on 640 acres of forest, lakes, and grasslands located 16 kilometers northwest of Kamloops.

There is a $40 fee to attend.

"We are very excited to be able to offer the Forest & Environmental Studies program at McQueen Lake in a two-day camp format on October 14th and 15th, with a modified format to ensure all activities are Covid-19 compliant," said Allisson Badger, District Career Education Coordinator. "This career development experience is ideal for students who value the environment, enjoy hands-on experiences, and would like to learn about numerous career opportunities in natural resources."

Students will:

learn from career experts about aquatic ecosystems
walk through the forest with an environmentalist
learn how to effect environmental change with seedlings, planting, and tree restoration with timber authorities in timber sales
dive into ecology and silviculture with a scientist
explore natural resource career opportunities and the numerous paths from secondary school to post-secondary with a post-secondary student and professor
new this year: Fire Management and Search & Rescue

Covid 19 Safety Preparation

All students will have individual seats and wear masks while being transported by bus to and from McQueen Lake.
Learning session are outside with Covid-19 safety protocols
The Natural Resources careers path exploration is inside with masks and Corvid safety protocols in place.
Individual lunches are being provided.

For more information, and to apply for the program, check the TNT Forestry and Environmental Camp page. Or, apply for the program here by Sept. 29, 2021.

Students should apply if they are interested in working outside to survey land or cultivate forests, using computer mapping programs to monitor forested areas, helping companies make sure they are compliant with environmental regulations, or advocating for conservation-focused legislation.

Announcements

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 18:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

It’s “Waste Reduction Week”! Tomorrow the Green Club is holding a recycling drive. Bring in old electronics, batteries, and soft plastics to be recycled.

On Friday, December 6 the SKSS band students will be hosting a coffee house in the band room at lunch. Funds raised support the 2020 Music Trip. There will be snacks and hot drinks to purchase as well as live entertainment! Sign-up sheets to perform are on the band room doors and open to individuals and groups. We hope to see you all out on December 6 at lunch to support this fundraiser!

Next week from December 4-6 there will be fun games taking place in the drama room at lunch. These games are being held for the District food drive where our school is competing against the other schools in our district. Show your school and community support by bringing a food drive item and participating in the games. Prizes of all sorts will be given out to the winners.

TNT NEWS:

Heavy Metal Rocks applications are now available! Grade 11 or 12 students aged 16 or over, interested in a variety of equipment operation and workplace training opportunities, see Ms. Gillis for an application, or check the School District TNT website. All completed applications must be returned to the Counselling office.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Representatives from the University of Calgary will be at SKSS on Friday at lunch in the library to answer questions from any students wishing to attend their school in 2020.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 05 May 2023 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

In May, we are highlighting stories about connections/relationships and the Grandfather Teaching of Courage in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQ2S+ People (Red Dress Day).

May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQ2S+ people (Red Dress Day). In Canada, Indigenous women and girls are targeted for violence more than any other group. This day is meant to raise awareness and call for participation from all Canadians to speak out against violence against Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ2S+ people, and to acknowledge and celebrate Indigenous peoples' history, cultures, pride, and diversity. SD73 is encouraging students and staff to wear red on this day. District Principal Bowden has shared a teaching resource: Their Voices Will Guide Us with school leaders.

On March 13,2023, at the Regular Public Board Meeting, Isabelle Tresierra (Aboriginal Education Outreach Worker) presented a photography project about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women done by a Brock Middle School student, Kendra. Kendra explained that she enjoyed making contrasts visually between the bright red and dark road as part of the storytelling mode. Chelcy Ross (Aboriginal Education District Coordinator) introduced the pillars of the pedagogical core and highlighted how students and staff are indigenizing learning spaces to create culturally inviting learning environments. She shared the welcome sign, and positive behavior support from an Aboriginal perspective, and units and plans integrating First Peoples Principles of Learning. Claire and Rachel, two students from Dallas Elementary, shared what they have done to honor Truth and Reconciliation in classrooms. They are learning greetings, animals’ names, and days of the week in Secwepemctsín. They are looking forward to embarking on the next phase of their learning journey in Truth and Reconciliation. Read more.

Keeper of the Forest by Cheyenne Scott

On May 5, the SKSS Titans Theatre Arts department is presenting a land-based fantasy adventure play called Keeper of the Forest by Cheyenne Scott (an Indigenous actor and playwright who graduated from Kamloops Secondary School). This is a play specifically written for SKSS and land-based on the Kamloops area. It touches the themes of friendship and resiliency and looks at the forest fires and ecosystem of the area. SKSS is offering a free matinee to Aboriginal Education Workers and their students on Friday, May 5, 2023.

District Heritage Day Fair

On Thursday, May 4th, The Heritage Fair Committee judged this years’ completed projects, and works were on display for viewing on Friday, May 5th at the Henry Grube Education Centre. Congratulations to all the students for their excellent Heritage Fair projects! On Thursday May 4th, 50 students from Pacific Way, Kamloops School of the Arts, École Lloyd George and Dufferin Elementaries came together to present their Heritage Fair projects for judging. This year's Heritage Fair brought together inquiry projects, art, and public speaking on Canadian historical places, events, and people. To honour the hard work these students put in, they were then treated to a day-long field trip at the Historical O'Keefe Ranch in Vernon. Additionally, each student received a Heritage Fair t-shirt that was adorned with this year's Heritage Fair Stamp Contest winner's artwork. Public viewing of the Heritage Fair projects was held in the afternoon of May 5th and three hardworking students will be chosen from the entered projects to attend this year's Provincial Heritage Fair in July which is being held in Prince George.

Valleyview Secondary Choir- St. Andrew’s

On Friday, April 28, 2023, Ms. Harmony Ráine, First Vice President, CUPE 3500 shared this lovely picture from attending St. Andrews on the Square to commemorate the National Day of Mourning. As she recounted her time listening to the Valleyview Secondary Choir, she shared, “These young people did a beautiful job of adding their voices to such a solemn and important event. They brought tears to the eyes of many attendees.”

As we enjoy the warmer weather and longer days, take advantage of opportunities to go for a walk, hike, or activities outside.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from June 24, 2024

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 19:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Young Artists Presentation, Owl Awards, and more. Read Board Notes here.

South Kam Students Need Your Vote!

Thu, 26 May 2022 19:00:00 GMT

Your VOTE can make a difference! SKSS students are part of the Kamloops Hybrid Interact Club (KHIC), a group of youth which has been selected as one of 15 finalists for the David Suzuki Foundation "Future Ground Prize!" Their Kamloops Community Forest project, which will create a “natural firebreak,” is being highlighted, among other youth-led initiatives, for moving us toward a better and more livable future. The "People's Choice Prize" VOTING period is on NOW, until June 13th. This is your chance to show support for these young changemakers as they strive to reach their goal (they could receive $2500 for their project)!

To VOTE, please go to:

https://davidsuzuki.org/take-action/act-locally/future-ground-prize/?entry_id=198791328#editor-2

Also, for taking part in the “People’s Choice” voting, your name will be added to a prize draw for one of two “prize packs” which include a National Parks Pass!

Please share this opportunity to vote with everyone you know. The chance to win a Parks Pass will only be for Canadian participants, but anyone in the world can vote!

Board Notes from May 25, 2020

Fri, 29 May 2020 16:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about approval for Continuity of Learning plan and 17 more custodians. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent Sidow Set to Retire this Summer

Tue, 26 May 2020 02:15:00 GMT

Alison Sidow, School District No. 73 Superintendent of Schools, has announced her plan to retire effective August 31, 2020.

Superintendent since 2016, Sidow’s career in education has spanned thirty years and includes positions with the provincial government as Superintendent of Achievement as well as Superintendent of School District No. 74 Gold Trail. Sidow began her teaching career in the Bulkley Valley and spent several years teaching at an international school in India with her family. She joined the Kamloops-Thompson District in 2012 as the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education.

During her early tenure as superintendent, Sidow was tasked to develop and implement a five-year strategic plan that focused on connecting students to their future. Her greatest achievement was reaching a 90 per cent graduation rate for students and closing in on parity for Indigenous students.

“We have been impressed by the direction Superintendent Sidow has set for SD73. Our district is recognized throughout the province for its innovation in the sector both for how we deliver education and in how we respond to crisis,” said Kathleen Karpuk, SD73 Board of Education Chair, referring to the Parkcrest Elementary School fire and more recently, COVID-19.

In announcing her retirement to the Board of Education on May 25, Superintendent Sidow took the opportunity to thank the Board and the District’s senior leadership team for their support over the last several years as she led the district in improving successful school completion rates for all learners, receiving $34 million to expand Valleyview Secondary, addressing employee engagement, and improving accountability and transparency throughout the district.

“It’s a tribute to Superintendent Sidow’s focus and energy that our Indigenous learners are so close to achieving parity with all learners, a result of honouring the first people’s principles of learning and embedding Aboriginal worldviews and perspectives into the strategic plan,” said Karpuk.

Sidow also noted that she is confident that she has been able to deliver on the commitment she made to the Board of Education in 2018 to enhance communications and community relations to reinforce public trust in SD73 and is looking forward to the next chapter of her life.

Board Notes from September 14, 2020

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 22:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about how the Re-start Plan is working and the Numeracy Program. Read Board Notes here.

Board sends message of sympathy and support after discovery at Tk'eml�ps te Secw�pemc

Fri, 28 May 2021 21:30:00 GMT

The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education sends its sympathies and support to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, and all those impacted by the recent confirmation of remains of children found buried on the grounds of the TteS residential school.

“The tragic legacy of residential schools continues to impact our communities,” said Board Chair, Rhonda Kershaw. “I can’t pretend to understand the depth of sadness being experienced, but I grieve with those affected and, with the board and our staff, we will work towards a better future through reconciliation.”

“Yesterday’s horrific discovery will reverberate through our students, their families, and our staff,”
said Superintendent Dr. Terry Sullivan. “I know that the impact of this discovery will always remain with us and we will continue to work towards truth and reconciliation with our Indigenous partners.”

On Friday, district staff reached out to all affected communities to offer support, and to bring together resources to support students, their families and any staff who may be impacted.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 21 Jan 2023 01:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

It has been a wonderful week of learning about how students and staff foster positive relationships/connections and develop competencies such as collaboration and problem solving, which are central to achieving our priorities in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Sa-Hali Secondary School

I visited classrooms with Vice Principals Dolha and Tommasini, and our first stop was Mr. Sandhu’s metal works class where the students were designing and building trikes.

I met Dainen, Lucas, and Hudson who showed me their electric front wheel drive drift trike.

I also met Aiden, Dayton, and Carter who shared their process of creating the gas powered drift trike.

Mr. Sandhu explained, “I teach transferable skills such as how to work as a team, to problem solve, and to persist when designs do not work because this is the learning that will benefit students in their lives.” As we continued on our visit, Ms. Davidson’s Gr. 10-12 Video Design class shared their games, and they are looking forward to an Arcade Day to showcase their learning about coding, building characters and storylines, and solving problems. Mr. Avery’s class was preparing for their next production. Mr. Litt’s class was studying Entrepreneurship and engaged in a digital scavenger hunt to answer questions about business. The Foods students had just finished making perogies from scratch. Mr. Robertson’s Pre-calculus class was working on solving polynomial problems and earlier, his grade 8 students engaged in a puzzle exercise that taught them to apply their understanding of the Pythagorean theorem. Ms. Goddard was finishing yoga with her students in the District Resource Room. Ms. Roos and Mr. Dunsmore were teaching Gr. 8 English. I concluded the visit by discussing the school communities’ learning priorities with Principal Brady.

Kid Inventors’ Day - January 17

Last week, when I was at Bert Edwards Elementary School, I learned from Eoghan and Lucas about how they made fingerboards out of layers of paper fused together. What struck me was how Eoghan had to present his idea for making fingerboards to the class who assessed whether it was a good fit for their classroom business called, “Woodlands Coffee Shop”. The students reviewed Eoghan’s idea based on criteria such as likelihood to sell in their shop to generate funds for things such as a year-end trip. Read more.

Student Equity Council Developing a District Anti-racism Action Plan

This week, SD73 students are developing an anti-racism action plan. They will gather at the Henry Grube Education Centre to engage in this important work and report on the outcomes. Thank you to Assistant Superintendent Mochikas for this work on the Cultural and Identity Development Priority in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Preparing for Kindergarten Open House

Just a reminder for parents who have children entering Kindergarten, you are invited to join us in February to learn more about registration in Kindergarten. Read more here. Thank you to the District Early Learning Team for supporting learners to transition into Kindergarten, an important part of the Intellectual Development Priority in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Interior Health

As we continue to work and learn, and stay healthy, consider the following advice from Interior Health:

Stay at home if unwell.
Practice respiratory etiquette.
Consider wearing a mask in crowded public spaces, and cough and sneeze into the elbow.
Clean hands regularly.
Avoid touching the face, especially eyes, mouth and nose.

I hope that you enjoy your weekend and take time to rejuvenate and to get outside.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from December 11, 2023

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 19:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Owl Award for Excellence in Public Education, School Re-openings and Catchment Changes, and Just B4 Child Care Expansion. Read Board Notes here.

Senior Football Fundraiser

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 00:45:00 GMT

Senior Football is fundraising with wonderful Poinsettia and other festive items offered by Growing Smiles. These funds help the team with equipment purchases such as helmets and shoulder pads and offset travel expenses. Orders can be made and paid for online with the link that follows. Orders must be completed and paid by November 18, 2022 with delivery scheduled for December 2, 2022 at South Kamloops Secondary. Location TBA within the school. Please feel free to share this link on your social media and with friends and family. We thank you for your support for the football program.

Growing Smiles Poinsettia

https://skssfootball.growingsmilesfundraising.com/home

Board Notes from January 25, 2021

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 17:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Career Education in Action and more. Read Board Notes here.

Human Rights and Anti-Racism in Action

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 21:00:00 GMT

Two secondary student leaders are paving the way for a more inclusive school culture, based on equity, diversity, and societal change.

Sarah Kwak, a grade 12 student at Sa-Hali Secondary, and Annecia Thomas, a grade 11 student from South Kamloops Secondary School grade 11 inspired the Board of Education at the regular meeting on Monday, January 24 with their vision for a just future.

Kwak created the Sa-Hali Social Justice Club in early 2021 with the main goal of practicing non-optical allyship – meaning allyship that serves beyond the surface level – while also providing a safe space for marginalized students.

“We aim to recognize the importance of educating our peers through videos, monthly posters, participating in conversations about difficult topics, brainstorming different events, and fundraising for organizations that work towards societal change,” said Kwak.

Kwak also serves as social media manager for Motion of Colour, a local youth-centered, student-led organization focused on racial justice through youth-facilitated discussions and an education-based approach to anti-racism. Motion of Colour was co-founded by former SD73 students Mary Falade and Joy Kwak.

Noting her belief that education plays the biggest role in both anti-racism and activism, Kwak said, “Organizations like Motion of Colour and clubs such as my own play a large role in the community. It is my hope that students are able to establish and take part in these communities in order to grow, learn, and evolve as future leaders.”

The Sa-Hali Social Justice Club plans to widen the circle of solidarity alongside Thomas’ Social Activism Club at SKSS, as well as through the Anti-Racism Student Leadership Council led by Assistant Superintendent Vessy Mochikas.

Thomas is piloting a Black History Month fundraiser with Kwak’s club as a joint project: “It is our collective goal to be able to create social change through education, solidarity, and student leadership in order to make our school an anti-racist space,” said Thomas.

The SKSS student also hosts a podcast for Motion of Colour and has been named to the BC Ministry of Education’s Youth Dialogue Series on Social Justice, as part of the Ministry of Education’s K-12 Anti-Racism Action Plan. Thomas and 22 other youth from around the province will spend the year working collaboratively with Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside to create a space for youth to meaningfully contribute in discussions regarding the anti-racism action plan.

“Creating an equal education system requires many steps,” said Thomas. “And by taking it to a provincial level, it extends the opportunity for change to be made on a larger scale. I am happy to broaden my experience and passion for social justice by representing my lived experiences with racism.”

The next step for the two students and other student champions is to develop a survey for students and district staff to inform on peoples’ lived experience of racism. From there, resources and kits will be developed.

“With the students’ help,” explained Mochikas, “we will be providing training and education sessions for staff. While we acknowledge that we have many plans underway and lofty goals, we do also acknowledge that we have a long way to go. I have no doubt with student leaders such as Sarah and Annecia leading the way, the adults will continue to learn at a faster pace than we would without them. These are two amazing young leaders who are not waiting until the future to make an impact.”

View an educational video created by Sarah Kwak and the Sa-Hali Social Justice Club:

Student and Family Affordability Fund - Student Fees Reimbursement

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 22:00:00 GMT

On August 29, 2022, the Ministry of Education and Child Care announced that school districts in BC would be provided with a one-time fund ($60 M) called the Student and Family Affordability Fund (SFAF) intended to provide additional funds to parents to offset costs of food through meals programs in the school, school supplies, and any additional fees so that students can take part in activities, such as field trips, athletics, and fine arts.

School District No. 73 received $1,656,248 in November 2022.

In the 2022-2023 school year, the District spent $760,236 of these funds supporting students and families with the cost of school supplies, course fees, academy fees, field trips, athletics, meals and snacks, leaving $896,012 for the 2023-2024 school year.

As of January 26, 2024, the District has spent approximately $670,000 which has provided assistance with an estimated 17,000 school fees.

There is $226,000 in funding available for the remainder of the school year that will continue to provide support for school supplies, course fees, academy fees and enhancement fees.

To access the Student and Family Affordability Fund for assistance with these fees, please use SchoolCash Online or the paper-based school supply or course fee forms sent home by your school.

Due to the potential of fully expending the remaining amount in the Student and Family Affordability Fund to support families with school supplies, academy fees, course fees and enhancement fees, support for additional fees (i.e. grad fees, athletic fees, field trips, etc.) will not be considered at this time. At the beginning of April 2024, Director Tallon will review the funds remaining and determine an equitable redistribution of any remaining funds for grad fees, athletics fees and field trips.

If you have additional fees that you need help with, please see your school principal about the Student Financial Assistance Administrative Procedure.

Parent Involvement Strategies

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:00:00 GMT

Research has shown that student engagement is directly impacted by parent engagement. This session will provide parents with ideas and tips on simple ways Indigenous parents can get involved with their school that will make big differences and how the SD73 Indigenous Family Voices for Education can support them.

Presented by SD73 Indigenous Family Voices for Education Parent Group - Roxane Letterlough (facilitator).

The workshop will be held via Zoom on Thursday, April 28, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here and you will be provided with the link to the meeting.

From Titan to Lion: SKSS Honours Football Alumnus Jacob Bond

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Story provided by Chelsea Isenor, Director of Communications & Board Administration

On Monday, March 9, 2026, South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) brought together students, staff, alumni, and community members for a special ceremony celebrating both the past and future of Titans football. The event honoured SKSS alumnus and CFL player Jacob Bond and officially welcomed Teagan Norrish as the school’s new head football coach.

Jacob Bond, a graduate of South Kamloops Secondary, currently plays for the BC Lions and is the first Kamloops-developed player to compete in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in more than 25 years. Jacob recently presented and signed his BC Lions jersey, which will be displayed in the school’s athletics trophy case as a symbol of achievement, perseverance, and possibility for current and future students.

Football has been a cornerstone of SKSS school culture since 1960, making it the second-oldest public high school football program in British Columbia. The program enjoyed a dominant era from 1979 to 1994, reaching the AAA provincial championship nine times and capturing five titles, while sending numerous players on to the CFL. Today, competing at the AA level, the Titans continue to build on that legacy, regularly supporting athletes who advance to post-secondary football programs.

The 2025 football season was a strong one for the SKSS Titans, with the team advancing to the AA provincial semifinal. Combined with Jacob Bond’s success at the professional level, the season has generated renewed enthusiasm and pride within the school community.

At the March 9 school celebration, Cory Yamaoka, SKSS Athletic Director, spoke to the significance of Jacob’s journey and what it represents for students.

“What makes Jacob’s story unique is that his football journey didn’t start early—he didn’t even begin playing football until Grade 12,” Yamaoka shared. “What he lacked in experience, he made up for with determination, athletic ability, and a willingness to learn. From earning all-star honours at South Kam, to becoming a national champion, to playing professionally, his path shows that there isn’t one single route to success. That journey began right here at South Kamloops Secondary.”

Following graduation, Jacob continued his development with the Okanagan Sun in the Canadian Football Junior League, helping the team win a national championship in 2022. He went on to lead the BC Football Conference in tackles and earn Defensive Player of the Year honours in 2024 before signing with the BC Lions and making his CFL debut in 2025.

Outgoing head coach JP Lancaster, who led the Titans from 2015 to 2025, reflected on Jacob’s character and leadership, sharing that Jacob was a “great team player who took on whatever role was asked of him.”

Addressing SKSS students and staff directly, Jacob spoke candidly about his journey, emphasizing that “Nothing came easy in my football career,” and sharing how he persevered through injuries and setbacks to make it to where he is now.

Jacob encouraged current athletes to focus not only on performance, but on who they are as people. “Let your character shine through, no matter where you're at, whether you're injured, at the lowest point of your career, or you're at the top. Be a good person, be a good teammate, listen to the people that know what they're doing, and it'll all work out for you.”

The ceremony also marked the beginning of a new chapter for SKSS Titans Football, as Teagan Norrish was introduced as the new head coach. Joining SKSS from Saskatchewan, Norrish expressed excitement and respect for the program’s history. “I’m excited to be part of this school that has a rich history here in Kamloops,” shared Teagan. “I'm happy to be a part of that and to try to grow that history and produce some more great players, like Jacob Bond, and maybe send some more guys to the CFL.”

South Kamloops Secondary School’s Football celebration served as a powerful reminder of what school athletics can represent: community, character development, resilience, and opportunity. By celebrating alumni success and welcoming new leadership, SKSS continues to build a football program that honours its past while inspiring its future.

Kamloops-Thompson School District Jazz Bands Win Gold and Silver at MusicFest Nationals

Fri, 17 May 2024 21:30:00 GMT

Story provided by Chelsea Isenor, Director, Communications and Board Administration

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, we celebrate students’ collective commitment to develop as musicians and to perform and compete locally, provincially, and nationally.

Congratulations to the South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) and Brocklehurst Middle School Jazz Band students, who both won awards in the Instrumental Jazz Division at MusicFest Canada Nationals in Toronto this week.

On May 15, 2024, SKSS took home Gold Awards for their Jazz Band and Jazz Combo teams, and SKSS students Keenan Brulotte and Xavier Wallace both earned Top Player Awards. The following day on May 16, 2024, Brocklehurst Middle received a Silver Award in Jazz Band, and Brocklehurst student Jaylan Mueck won the Top Player Award in her category.

“On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to South Kamloops Secondary School and Brocklehurst Middle School on their recent MusicFest Nationals Awards,” stated Board Chair Heather Grieve. “The Board is committed to supporting students in exploring interests and passions that help them develop a sense of self-worth and personal initiative. The dedication and initiative these students have shown to their schools and music education is inspiring. We are very proud of their hard work and accomplishments.”

“In our District, we support students to thrive, and we know that to thrive they have to do things they are passionate about. We are so excited that we have such a large contingent of students, at such young ages—starting in Grade 8 all the way up to Grade 12, not only investing their free time in music but also excelling at a provincial and national level. We couldn't be more proud.” shared Superintendent, Dr. Rhonda Nixon.

This year’s 52nd MusicFest Canada Nationals was hosted by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music from May 13–18, 2024. The week-long festival brings together thousands of top tier music students and educators from across Canada each year to celebrate music education and excellence. During the week, students participate in workshops, experience performances, and perform for high level band adjudicators from across the country.

South Kamloops Secondary Wins Gold Awards

After receiving Gold standings at last year’s BC Interior Jazz Festival in Kelowna, the SKSS music program, led by Music Director Michelle McRae, received MusicFest National invitations for both their Jazz Band and Senior Jazz Combo—an honour that has not been awarded to an SKSS team since 2011. SKSS student Xavier Wallace was also invited to join the National Youth Jazz Band at the festival, earning one of only four spots from all of Canada.

Before leaving on the trip to Nationals, Music Director Michelle McRae expressed her pride for the student's hard word and talent: “I am beyond proud of this group of students. It’s been four years building this Jazz program and these students have brought it to such a high level, I can't even believe they are high school students when they play…they sound like professional players.”

"Our Titan Nation is so proud of Director McRae and all of our music students participating at the MusicFest Nationals in Toronto,” stated SKSS Principal Walt Kirschner. “To achieve two Gold Medals and for Keenan and Xavier to be recognized as Top Players is an amazing achievement and a credit to their dedication and commitment throughout this school year with their musical studies and performances”. A big thanks to our music parents and our South Kam PAC who have been so supportive with their fund-raising initiatives and their collective commitment to our music program. This is a very special week for Director McRae and all of our students."

The SKSS Senior Concert Band also recently earned an invitation to next year’s festival by winning the top award for their category and earning Gold standing at the Kelowna Windscapes Regional Festival.

Brocklehurst Middle School Wins Silver Award

The Brocklehurst Middle School Jazz Band, consisting of 20 Grade 8 and 9 students led by Music Director Jarrett Schill, have been waiting over a year to attend MusicFest Nationals—after also earning their invitation at the BC Interior Jazz Festival in Kelowna in March 2023, where they received Gold.

Music Director Jarrett Schill shared praise for his students: “This group of students is a near once-in-a-career combination of hard-working, young talented musicians, with perfectly balanced jazz instrumentation and a phenomenal parent fundraising support system—all thrown into a beautiful mix. Upon finishing our performance, it was a beautiful sight to see all those satisfied, shining eyes!”

After earning their Silver Award, Brock Jazz Band students expressed that competing at the National level felt “exhilarating,” “nerve-racking,” and “surreal.” As Grade 9 Trombonist Jess Clark expressed “Nationals felt like a fever dream!”

“We are very proud of our students and their accomplishments,” shared Brock Principal Tonya Perry.

As part of the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, we are committed to supporting learning opportunities which inspire students to thrive, and offer experiences for students to develop an appreciation of the fine arts. Earning an invitation to MusicFest Nationals requires dedication and determination from every student involved. From early morning rehearsals to performances throughout the school year, the SKSS and Brock Middle music students have showcased their talents and the strength of music education in the Kamloops-Thompson School District by earning these National honours.

Kamloops Vaping Inquiry Reflects Youth Input

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 21:00:00 GMT

A three-part focused inquiry into the impact of vaping on health is underway in Kamloops. School District No. 73, Interior Health and Thompson Rivers University are partners in the project investigating ways to communicate to youth and adults about vaping.

“The idea is to develop and then distribute factual, evidence-based information to schools and to the community,” said Sherry Stade, SD73 health promoting schools coordinator.

The partnership includes the TRU Faculty of Science, TRU School of Nursing, and SD73, and it is being funded through a Mind the Gap Grant from the TRU Centre for Excellence in Learning & Teaching. A working group involving SD73 administrators and students, TRU 4^th year Nursing students, TRU 2^nd year Respiratory Therapy students, and Health Authority representatives.

Part one of the project, Vaping Knowledge Mobilization – Come Learn With Us began with a survey of students and the development and delivery of an interactive presentation. Well over 4,000 students will be shown this presentation throughout the district. It describes how vape devices work, what the ingredients are, and how these ingredients may be harmful to the brain and body.

“Our intervention began with grades 6 and 7 students through the fall term from October to December, and from January to March we will focus on grades 8 to 10 students in the Physical and Health Education classes,” said Stade.

Information in the presentation includes insights collected from SD73 students in grade 6 to 12 and post-secondary students at TRU. Students were each asked five questions about their understanding and views about vaping. The insights into why people vape helped guide the presentation, and clarify common misconceptions about the safety of vaping.

Stade said it’s clear this information is timely. News reports of 39 cases of death and 2,000 cases of lung injuries in the United States have been emerging since late summer. And during the week of Nov. 12, the BC Government proposed tougher restrictions on vaping in response to concerns about high rates of youth vaping.

“The most telling part of the presentation is where we list the short-term and the long-term effects of vaping,” she said. “We have a known list of short-term effects that include shortness of breath, increased heart rate and inflammation of airways, but we know nothing about long-term effects. This gets everyone’s attention.”

Part two of the project, Collective Intelligence – Community Engagement will involve an evening health forum on Feb. 20, 2020. The forum will feature Dr. Marvin Krank, a professor of psychology at UBC Okanagan.

In part three, Collective Intelligence -Student Engagement, SD73 and TRU students will lead a day-long health forum in early 2020. The event will host up to 200 students and its focus will be finding solutions that could make a meaningful difference for the health outcomes of youth.

Note: the photo here is of the Vaping Working Group, as follows:

Standing, from the left:

4th year nursing: Angela Clarke

Faculty of Science: Respiratory Therapy Lecturer: Allison Innes-Wiens

RT student: Cory Kroft

RT student: Ray Lyle

SD73 Sherry Stade

Front row, from the left:

RT student: Dilraj Natt

4th year nursing: Brittany Piva

Board Notes from March 8, 2021

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 20:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Equity in Action, Early Learning Report, and Health and Safety Guideline Update. Read Board Notes here.

Learn to Speak French!

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 18:30:00 GMT

Do you want to learn how to speak French? Voulez-vous apprendre à parler en français ?

The new Conversational French program begins on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. An informal program to learn and practice speaking and basic reading in French, designed for individuals with little or no prior knowledge. This program will focus on the conversational aspects of the language, learning personal introductions and basic greetings and expressions.

Superintendent's Update

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 20:30:00 GMT

October 2025

Dear parents and staff,

As we welcome October, I want to recognize the efforts of parents and staff who supported students in starting the school year successfully. Together, we create a strong foundation for their engagement in learning.

Along with all of the school start up routines and immersion into the curriculum, September included some other important events. Last week, students and staff throughout the District recognized National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with meaningful experiences and activities that went beyond the symbolic wearing of orange shirts. Assemblies, guest speakers and classroom activities during the week and throughout the year are helping to create the awareness and action necessary to build the inclusive and respectful future we all want. Everyone benefits from learning and reflecting on the history and lasting impact of residential schools.

At the end of September, we published the Enhancing Student Learning Report highlighting the progress, challenges, and steps we’re taking to improve outcomes for all students. As we take action in areas where we need to grow, we are also pleased to see improvement in primary literacy, grade to grade transitions, graduation rates, and positive shifts in belonging and cultural safety. As a district, we continue to enhance areas identified as strengths and focus greater efforts where evidence indicates that more attention is required.

Looking ahead, October is a time to share gratitude. Along with National Principals Month and the recent honouring of World Teachers Day, I am grateful for everyone’s contributions to creating a good day every day for each learner in our school system. We know that students thrive when our schools are welcoming and inclusive spaces. Every staff member helps to create that environment. Thank you for your hard work, care, and unwavering commitment to students.

As daylight decreases with the coming of Fall, please remember that School Bus Safety Week, coming up on October 20–24, is a reminder of the vital role transportation plays to keep our students safe. As youngsters walk to and from their bus stops and to and from school, please be mindful of speed zones and pedestrian safety. When we do that, in combination with the efforts of the transportation team and our bus drivers, everyone wins.

Best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving weekend.

Sincerely,

Mike McKay
Superintendent

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SEPTEMBER

Fred Fox Encourages Students to Continue Terry Fox’s Legacy

Every September, schools across the District join millions across Canada in honouring Terry Fox by participating in Terry Fox Runs. This year, Terry’s brother, Fred Fox, visited four SD73 elementary schools to share stories about Terry Fox and the values that shaped his life and legacy.

Read more here.

YMCA Parkcrest Care and Learning Centre Opening

On Monday, September 22, 2025, the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education and YMCA BC, with support from the Ministry of Education and Child Care, celebrated the opening of the newest child care centre in the Kamloops-Thompson School District.

Read more here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Indigenous Family BBQ at the
Henry Grube Education Centre
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 | 4:00–7:00 PM

Storytelling, Indigenous games, community resources, door prizes, and more. Bring and blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a free hot dog, bag of chips, treats, and a drink.

Learn more and register here.

Parent Engagement Session: English Language Learners & Newcomer Families
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 6:00–7:00 PM

Join us for a virtual information session to learn about essential school information and community support resources for English Language Learners and newcomer families.

Learn more and register here.

UPDATES FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

At the September 22, 2025, Regular Public Board Meeting, the Board of Education approved a new committee structure and Board meeting schedule to help guide important decisions, support student learning, and streamline District and Board operations. To learn more about this new structure, the Enhancing Student Learning Report, and other reports from the meeting, read the latest Board Notes here. The next Regular Public Board meeting will be Monday, October 27, 2025, at 7:00 pm at the School Board Office.

Board Notes from November 8, 2021

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 16:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Mental Health and Wellness in Action and Class Size and Composition Report. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

It’s a lovely end to “Real Acts of Caring Week” (February 9-15) and Hundred’s Day celebrations. During February, we’re highlighting Relationships/Connections, Well-being, Equity, Sustainability, and the Grandfather Teaching Courage in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Kay Bingham Elementary – February 12, 2025

Principal Caputo and I started our visit in Ms. Aaltonen’s K-1 class. They had just come in from recess and had some quiet time coloring while some students completed assessments at a side table. Ms. Aaltonen explained how the students were engaged in “mindful colouring” to focus on their colouring and enjoying letting go of any worries.

Ms. Petty’s and Ms. Henderson’s Kindergarten class was singing a Valentine’s Day song. They were in a circle with their hands behind their back and as Ms. Petty sang, “Who is my Valentine?” all the students echoed her pitches. When she would go around the circle, she placed the valentine in one of the student’s hands and then that student sang, “I am your Valentine.” The song was enjoyed by everyone.

We then visited Ms. Allan’s PHE class, where Grade 1-2 students were playing balloon ball, which they bounced from different parts of their bodies as the teacher gave directions. They were fully engaged in this game with a lot of running, jumping, and being careful to keep the red balloons in the air. Ms. Caputo said,” This is such a good exercise for them as they start their afternoon. It helps them to maintain their focus by getting their energy out in a positive way.”

Ms. Covaceuszach’s and Ms. Gardner’s Grade 3-4 class was engaged in an activity break and when the screen said “The floor is lava” each student found a way to move off of the floor onto desks and chairs. The rest of the time, they engaged in various exercises. She then had them start a Pentomino Challenge to teach how to problem solve using geometric shapes.

Mr. Johnson and Vice Principal Primus’ class were participating in a team work exercise where each team of Grade 4-5 students put together a tower using certain materials, and then they had to identify what it looked like, sounded like, and felt like to work together as a team.

While engaged in this activity, one student, Alex, shared with me that it was his birthday. He proudly explained his plans and that he loves his shirt that can be purchased online. Maya wrote me a very sweet little note to introduce herself and welcome me to the school. When I asked her why, she said, “Because we do that here and we get to know people in class.” Thank you to the staff and students who work together to make this environment one that is fun, caring, and inclusive.

Ms. Brennan’s Grade 6-7 class was working on their “Books of Knowledge”. A few students shared that when they read, they summarize important points in their own words. They shared the different kinds of reading that they have been doing.

As we went further down the hall, some of the Grade 6-7 students had “trust” passes that they wore around their necks to work in the hall. They shared that they had earned these passes by proving that they can be trusted to do their work independently and to follow directions and be respectful when with others. They also took time to share about their school’s “Kindness Challenge” which was where each class worked hard to get adults to notice them doing acts of kindness. When a class fills up their t-shirt with these notes of noticing and celebrating acts of kindness, they get a class treat.

Ms. Pye’s Grade 6-7 class was in the library creating cue cards for their upcoming drama performance, “The Magic Pallette”. Ms. Bittante had done a lovely job making the library a very inviting place with positive quotations and hearts. Ms. Kelly’ s Grade 6-7 class was preparing to go on a field trip to a mine, and they were studying different careers including being a mining engineer and a safety coordinator. Ms. Wessel’s Grade 1-2 class was being taught by Ms. Murray who had done her practicum here to become a teacher just two years before. She was modelling for the students how to create secret messages in their heart drawings that can be shown using an art technique that reveals the messages. Ms. Chand was on her prep, and she took time to share what she was doing for “100 Day” (writing about 100 ideas learned, as one example). As we completed our tour of classrooms, we ended our time in Ms. Wishnowski’s Grade 2-3 classroom and they were finishing their Valentine’s Day holders.

Digital Arts and Technology Academy – February 13, 2024

In the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year, 19 students from secondary schools across the District participated in the Digital Arts and Technology Academy (DATA) at Valleyview Secondary. Since 2013, this district-wide academy has offered unique opportunities for Grade 11 and 12 students to develop relevant skills in digital art, computer programming, video game design, and project management. Program instructor Rebekah Barendregt and DATA students recently shared their experiences in the program at a Regular Public Board Meeting. Read more.

Rayleigh Elementary Students Connect with Seniors on Valentine’s Day – February 14, 2024

Earlier today Ms. Jasmine Rempel’s Grade 2/3 class and Ms. Christy Gauley’s Grade 6/7 class from Rayleigh Elementary visited The Shores Retirement Residence to share songs, stories, and compassion with seniors on Valentine’s Day. The student shared two songs, ‘You Are Enough’ and ‘What a Wonderful World,’ and then handed out cards as a way to extend their school's compassion project into the community. The event offered students and seniors the chance to create meaningful connections by listening to each other's stories and learning new things about each other’s interests and lives. Read more.

Parent Information Night: IB Middle Years Programme

Next week, families of students in Grade 7 or Grade 8 in the Kamloops-Thompson School District are invited to attend an informational meeting for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme at NorKam Secondary School. Read more.

Board Notes – February 10, 2024

To learn more about the Regular Public Board Meeting on February 10, 2025, please feel free to read the Board Notes here. Based on feedback from the District Parent Advisory Council, we have revised the Board Notes to be more like a newsletter format. If you have time, please let us know what you think of the new format here.

This is a well-deserved long weekend, and I hope that you truly enjoy it.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Announcements

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 19:00:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

Congratulations to the Grade 8 girls basketball team who captured the WEST ZONE Championship. They defeated St. Ann's 40-28. The girls went 18-0 on the season and will be representing Kamloops in the Provincial Championships at the end of the month. The Senior Boys will be hosting a playoff game on Tuesday against Valleyview @ 6 pm in the South Kam gym.

There will be a quick but important curling meeting at the start of lunch Tuesday in Ms. Thompsons’ foods room.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

The GSA meeting today at lunch will host a guest speaker with information about a district event next week.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Happy Valentine's Day from the Library. Some romantic reads are wrapped up and waiting for a blind date. Come by and pick up a sweet read for the long weekend!

Hello SouthKam. The Titan Tribune Newspaper now has an Instagram account. Follow at titan_tribune_southkam to get updates and to make suggestions for the next newspaper.

Reminder to all Band students travelling to Edmonton, there is a short practice at lunch today.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

If you are 15 years old or older, you may wish to apply for a part-time job with a new grocery store that is opening in Kamloops. There will be a job fair on Saturday, February 29 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Coast Kamloops Hotel and Conference center on Rogers Way. Please bring a resume and references.

If you are interested in attending NVIT in the future, representatives will be here at lunch on Tuesday, February 18 to answer any questions that you may have regarding their institution.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Announcements

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 19:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

Congrats to the Jr. Boys Gold basketball team on their convincing 69-12 win over Merritt last night. The team was led by Issa Diaou with a triple double in the win and the boys left the score total at 81 in honour of the late Kobe Bryant's highest single game points total. RIP Kobe!

All grade 8 boys basketball players please report to the drama room at lunch today for your team photos.

For all girls in grade 8 to 12 interested in playing rugby this year for SKSS there will be a meeting this Thursday at the start of lunch in room 121, Mr. Dhaliwal's room. If you cannot make the meeting please see Mr. Dhaliwal for the information.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

Semester 1 Art students are reminded to pick up project work ASAP! You have until the end of the week, thank you.

Ms. Scallon’s Semester 1 students, please pick up your wood projects by this Friday.

A reminder to grade 12 students that Grad photo orders are due back to the office by next Monday, February 3. Also, there is a sign-up sheet now in the office for grad photo retakes for those who missed out the first round or would like a retake.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Principals’ Council is holding a contest for a Snapchat filter. Principals’ council will pick the top 5 filters and then a student vote will be held to decide which one will be submitted. Guideline info sheets are in the office. The deadline to enter is February 5.

Open to all SKSS students, come and make art at Art Night this Thursday from 6-8 pm in Room 117. See Mrs. Yamaoka for details.

Aboriginal Grad meeting in room 116 today at 11:45 am, for graduates with an Indigenous background including First Nations, Metis, and Inuit. Aboriginal Boys Group today at 2:00 pm and Aboriginal Girls Group on Thursday at 11:45 am.

If you are a grade 12 student thinking about taking Science at TRU this fall, there is a great opportunity coming to you soon! On February 7, the non-instructional day, you can go to TRU and see a first year science lab or lecture. The best part, you collect career-life exploration hours while you do it. You need to pre-register, and space is limited so sign up soon. Please see the poster at the office for details.

Any Grade 12s who missed getting a TRU crewneck sweater will have another opportunity today at lunch in the main hallway.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Any current Gr. 11s that are considering attending University of Alberta after they graduate, are invited to attend a weekend boarding opportunity from May 29-31, 2020. This is your chance to test drive U of A prior to actual attendance. If you are interested, please see Miss Cavlek in Counselling.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Honouring the Children Found by Tk'eml�ps te Secw�pemc

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 20:15:00 GMT

Students and staff across the Kamloops-Thompson are honouring the 215 children found by the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc through presentations, videos, ceremony, wearing orange, writing notes, colouring pictures and tying ribbons to fences (for more pictures, see this photo gallery).

Valleyview Secondary

At Valleyview Secondary the school day was paused on June 3, and all staff and students went through A Day Of Acknowledgement Presentation featuring two Tk-emlúps Te Secwepémc students, Talise Seymour in grade 11 and Skylah Joe-George in grade 12.

“Residential schools were the tip of the iceberg that brought much deeper outcomes,” said Joe-George. “[They] created a domino effect of constant mental and spiritual pain, because when we see the people we love and an entire culture hurting, we can’t help but feel that pain, too.

“It is time to acknowledge the hardships of the past. It is time to acknowledge that residential schools cause pain and that pain is still here.”

“This is just the beginning of society becoming aware of the truth,” said Valleyview Secondary student and young Secwepémc woman Talise Seymour, speaking in Weykt Xexweytep. The YouTube video about Orange Shirt Day was origianlly posted on Sept. 30, 2020 and was featured in the school’s June 3 presentation.

She speaks as the ninth generation of children impacted by residential schools.

“These schools were not in any way to benefit the children,” Seymour said. “This was a deliberate genocide of the native people… Can you imagine being an Aboriginal parent and knowing your child was stolen to endure such a horrible experience?

“I would like to thank Skylah and Talise not only for their bravery in telling these stories, but also for their incredible leadership during a time when it’s needed most,” said Barb Hamblett, Principal at Valleyview Secondary. “It is only by facing the truth over what has happened over many years in residential schools, and responding with humility and love, that we will be able to heal as a whole society.”

VSS students recorded words of support and hope on blue and orange hearts followed by an invitation to take on an act of reconciliation that is aimed at carrying everyone into a better future.

“The hearts will be assembled by our students and delivered to Tk-emlúps Te Secwépemc soon,” she said. “By request from a number of students, the presentation will also stay on our website so that VSS students can share their learning with their parents. This in itself is a solid step towards a more hopeful future. It is téxemnem-kt, or paddling together.”

Arthur Stevenson Elementary

At Arthur Stevenson, students and staff wore orange every day during the first week in June, with a school wide Orange Shirt Day on June 3. A moment of silence was observed for two minutes and 15 seconds at 2:15 PM on that day, and during morning announcements a quote related to Every Child Matters was read.

Each student coloured a feather and attached it to a page, and these pages were hung on the side of the school. Students tied orange ribbons to the school fence that runs along Westsyde Road, and they drew 215 hearts on the front sidewalk. Other activities have included class discussions, and reading related books.

South Kamloops Secondary

At South Kamloops Secondary, students created 400 cards with messages of healing which were taken to the former Kamloops Residential School and tied to the trees in front of the memorial there. The cards were then taken down and made a part of a sacred fire in memory of the 215 children.

SKSS students also participated in class discussions and projects including the construction of a teepee, singing, drumming and smudges.

CBC - Daybreak Kamloops with Shelley Joyce - this interview about SKSS students' response was aired on CBC radio.

Logan Lake Elementary / Logan Lake Secondary

Along with a number of projects and class activities, Logan Lake Elementary created 215 orange hands for their Grade 7 Grad celebration.

Westmount Elementary

Westmount Elementary teacher Barb Primus arranged to have students in the school colour First Nations images, which were then laminated and fastened to the chain link fence on Westsyde Road along with a banner that says "Every Child Matters".

Pacific Way Elementary

Pacific Way had an Orange Shirt Day on June 2. Each class honoured the children with a variety of activities in the classroom, many of which are now displayed on school windows. Each day's morning announcements were centred around the theme "Every Child Matters." The school is ordering Orange T-shirts with this theme and logo for the entire school for participation in future Orange Shirt Days, with the proceeds going to the "Every Child Matters" foundation.

Lloyd George Elementary

Lloyd George had Orange Shirt Day on June 2. The grade 7 students decorated the entrance to the school and went outside to pay their respects.

Marion Schilling Elementary

At Marion Schilling, students created 'Feathers of Thought' in honour, respect, and acknowledgement. Grade 6/7s wanted to recognize that 'Every Child Matters' by making a beautiful, colourful feather to represent each of the 215 children that were lost.

The Marion Schilling Elementary Aboriginal Education Worker and Sucwepemctsin Language Teacher lead a healing circle and a smudging on Monday, May 31, during which they blessed the children and the school.

David Thompson Elementary

Every one of the 225 students of David Thompson Elementary left an orange handprint on one outside wall of their school. Orange clothing was encouraged throughout the week with June 2 as the main day of recognition. Orange ribbons were made by the grade 7 students for the students without orange clothing. On June 2, teachers shared information and resources about residential schools along with the music video made by Sk'elep in 2017 with N'we Jinan.

Chase Secondary

Chase Secondary staff and students held a school-wide smudge on their field to honour the 215 children. The smudge was led by Secwepemctsin Language Teacher Ivy Chelsea, Aboriginal Education Worker Gord Cuthbert and Aboriginal Family Counsellor Peter Michel.

Dufferin Elementary

Dufferin Elementary held an Orange Shirt Day, and then students tied an orange ribbon on the school's front fence. Classes also coloured orange shirts, hands and feathers to put up in various areas of the school.

R.L. Clemitson Elementary

Students shared their thinking during a school-wide activity and discussion that took place during the week of May 31. Staff and students wore orange on May 31 and June 4, and students wrote messages of support and solidarity on orange ribbons which were then displayed on the chain link fence along Todd Road.

Bert Edwards Science and Technology Elementary

Each student designed and decorated a feather in memory and then created a beautiful bulletin board with more that 215 feathers that said "We remember every child."

“We also gently spoke about the news in our daily announcements during the week of May 31 – June 4, all staff and many students wore orange for the entire week, and we encouraged our whole school to wear orange last Friday,” said Jennifer Boyle, Vice-Principal at BEST.

“Most teachers have been reading stories and using the resources provided by the district and others, to compassionately talk about, answer questions, and learn about the tragedy, reconciliation, and what we can do as a nation to ensure that we move forward with love and better understanding in our classrooms.”

There are school and classroom displays and decorated windows throughout the school, and one class made beaded headdresses.

Juniper Ridge Elementary

Students have posted orange feathers on the school fence, the school held a moment of silence, and an Orange Shirt Day was held on June 1. Teachers and students are having discussions about residential schools through reading, using talking circles, and participating in nature walks to learn about traditional medicines and plants. Students have created sage tiles that will be taken to the memorial at the former Kamloops Residential School.

"This is work that our school has committed to until the end of the school year," said Andrea Mangell, Vice Principal at Juniper Ridge.

South Sa-Hali Elementary

In addition to creating artwork and posting a heartfelt message, 'We believe you. We care. We are beginning to understand,' South Sa-Hali Elementary students held a walk during their Orange Shirt Day.

Barriere Elementary

'We are holding space for you' is the message posted in the window at Barriere Elementary.

Kamloops School of the Arts

June 4 was Orange Shirt Day at Kamllops School of the Arts, and staff are wearing orange ribbons. students read about the origins of the day, created artwork inspired by BC Artist Michelle Stoney and watched an interview with a residential school survivor.

Brocklehurst Middle School

Brocklehurst Middle School teachers shared a common lesson created by Aboriginal Education Teacher, Brenda Celesta, and each class created a set of feet and paddles. The feet are in recognition of the children and paddles are created as a show of support and recognition of the tragedy.

Related Articles:

Teacher Adding Blue Hearts to Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day: Why Blue Hearts are Important

Understanding Indigenous Principles of Learning Series 2

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 18:15:00 GMT

Please join District Aboriginal Coordinator Carolyn Anderson and District Vice-Principal Kerry Gairdner in the second installment of the Understanding Indigenous Principles of Learning Series to learn more about career programs offered by School District #73. This session will visit programs such as the Trades Samplers, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the Hairstyle Program, and Digital Arts and Technology Academy.

The workshop will be held via Zoom on Thursday, February 17 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here, and you will be provided with the link to the meeting.

English Language Learners Parent Engagement Session

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 15:30:00 GMT

Presenting in partnership with SD73 and Kamloops Immigrant Services

Please join us as we share information with parents about schools in Kamloops. Presenters will include SD73 staff and Settlement Worker in Schools (SWIS) workers.

Topics of discussion will include:

School expectations
Learning updates
Communication with your school
Answering your questions

This free Parent Engagement Session workshop will be held in person at the Kamloops Immigrant Services (448 Tranquille Road), or you can attend virtually, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, please register in advance here. Refreshments will be available. Childcare will not be provided at this session.

For more information, please contact Clara Kong at clara@kcris.ca, Anna Ediger at swis@kcris.ca, or Sam Birchall at sam@kcris.ca.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you to the staff, students, parents, and community members for your efforts to acknowledge and celebrate accomplishments while supporting each other to stay engaged in learning.

Juniper Ridge Elementary School

Principal Colleen Wood, Vice Chair Meghan Wade, and I started in the library where we met grade one students who were learning about the lifecycle of a bean plant and possible career pathways. Mrs. Bouchard involved her students in championing their favourite character by rating them and defending their choices. Ms. Gresley-Jones and her students identified nutritious foods and studied healthy food choices. Ms. Thompson’s students were sharing their favourite animal art creations. Mrs. Lempriere was practicing with intermediate students to perform their musical. As we witnessed students reading favourite books, writing stories, and studying characters, Principal Wood said, “We are focused on literacy and celebrating reading by dressing as a favourite character day as one way to have fun and learn.”

RL Clemitson Elementary School

Principal Blake Buemann, Vice Chair Wade, and I started in a room with mountain bikes, purchased with a grant to support physical fitness. Mrs. Froese’s music class played Orff instruments while she played guitar and sang. We then saw the beautiful backdrops handpainted for their school musical, Matilda. The school community also enjoyed learning braille by solving messages on their entry bulletin board. Principal Buemann shared recent renovations to their library which is now a common area for presentations, reading, and learning through a makerspace. Principal Buemann said, “We are looking forward to welcoming students from Dallas in this space where we can congregate for small gatherings.” He also shared the welcome packages that they had developed with many surprises for incoming Dallas students and their families–Be part of the R.L. Clemitson Panthers!

Barriere Secondary School

Devyn and Larisa were two grade nine students who were ambassadors who met me when I arrived at the school. We walked around with Principal John Tyler to meet staff and students. Vice Principal Mark McVittie and Ms. Kris Luison, Secretary, shared a warm welcome as we started our tour. We began in an English class studying onomatopoeia (words that are sounds - BOOM!), Mr. Connor shared how to solve inequalities in math, and Mr. Lowe shared a video in science class. We walked down the grad student “stars in the hallway” (each student who is graduating has a star with their name on the floor). We learned about a wide variety of options that students can take (Foods, Woodwork, Metal work, Textiles/Sewing, to name a few). “You will be amazed at the students who designed a car from a snowmobile engine and parts,” stated Principal Tyler. We appreciated the refreshed basketball hoops, tarmac, and gym outside. We also met Ms. Laura Mairs, the wonderful cafeteria cook and mentor, who feeds the school with such tasty, nutritious food that students line up for breakfast and lunch and wait as long as it takes.

SD73 Graduation

Thank you to the Aboriginal Education Council, District Principal Mike Bowden and his committee of all the secondary school Aboriginal Education Workers from across our district, Carolyn Anderson, Brenda Celesta, Trudy Nielsen, Charmayne Wilson, Sheila Collins, Jackie Jules, Amanda Big Sorrel Horse, and Bernice Jensen. Thank you to Board Chair Heather Grieve and Trustee Diane Jules who spoke to graduates about the value of listening and learning together and believing in themselves. Congratulations to the 201 Aboriginal 2022 graduates!

Graduations continue throughout the District for the next two weeks. In total, 15 ceremonies will be held for 1,100 students. We appreciate and celebrate each unique group of graduates. Send a greeting to the Class of 2022

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

We continue to emphasize the practice of daily health awareness strategies – staying home when sick, practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and making choices about wearing masks – see our District’s Communicable Disease Prevention Plan for more information.

Stay safe and enjoy your weekend!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Professional Development: An Essential Activity

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 18:15:00 GMT

On Monday, April 27, 2020, educators across the district will participate in a virtual non-instruction day. Thinking Indigenous: Knowledge, Story and Relationships to Educate for Change is the theme. A virtual online conference has been created to provide a digital platform for teachers. The focus of the conference is learning how Aboriginal ways of knowing and doing can be incorporated into all aspects of the curriculum.

One essential component to support SD73 employees is professional development, including non-instructional days. These days will continue, although they will look different during this time of pandemic.

Through fire and pandemic, it’s safe to say this has been a school year unlike any other. In recent weeks, our employees have not only shifted instruction to connect with students and families through physical distancing rules, they are also virtually moving mountains to stay in touch and support each other.

SD73 Education Re-start Plan Approved by the Ministry of Education

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 21:15:00 GMT

SD73's Re-start Plan has been approved by the Ministry of Education. You can read it here. Our operational guidelines, developed with our education partners and health authorities, ensure a consistent districtwide approach to keep schools safe for all students, teachers and staff.

In addition, we have updated our Health and Safety Guidelines, which can be found here. The essential elements in the safe re-start of schools are: consistent groups of people; robust illness policies for students and staff; and the ability to have most people follow effective personal practices like hand washing.

“I understand that these are anxious times,” said Alison Sidow, Superintendent of Schools. “But we need to learn to live with the virus. We can do that by respecting the health and safety guidelines outlined in our plan.”

To prepare for Stage 2 of the BC Re-start Plan and to ensure consistency between all schools, September 8-11 will serve as an orientation week for staff and students. There will be a gradual restart to allow extra time to orient students and staff on the new health and safety measures in place.

September 8 & 9

All staff will meet with their staffs’ and school’s joint health and safety committee to receive instruction on how the updated BCCDC guidelines will work in their school. This time allows teachers and staff to adjust to their new routines, finalize plans for learning groups, review health and safety protocols and confirm lesson plans that align with Stage 2.
Principals will review the health and safety guidelines, goals, guiding principles and expectations of the re-start plan. Staff will contact families directly to inform students of their orientation date and provide necessary information regarding entrance/exit procedures, health and safety protocols such as physical distancing, washing hands upon entry and health assessment responsibilities.

September 10 & 11

Students will return to school part-time on September 10 OR September 11 for orientation. Staff will communicate with families regarding the date their children will attend.
Students can get familiar with classrooms that will look different than they did in June and before the pandemic. During orientation, students will be assigned to their class or classes, find out who is in their learning group, practise their new routines, familiarize themselves with how to safely move from the class to outdoor and common areas of the school and review health and safety protocols.

Elementary students will follow a regular school schedule, like any other year. To support the implementation of learning groups at middle and secondary schools, the quarter system or Copernican system will be used. Students will be enrolled in two classes a day for ten weeks for four quarters. Schools will have the flexibility to offer off-time table courses and variations to the quarter system to meet individual program needs such as for International Baccalaureate, secondary students at Kamloops School of the Arts and the Trades and Transitions programs. The quarter system will allow for fewer transitions, staggered breaks and it will facilitate learning group timetabling to meet the health and safety requirements.

“We are aware of the levels of concern in the community about the return to school,” said Board Chair Rhonda Kershaw. “We are listening. The Board of Education supports this Education Re-start Plan. We are confident in the leadership of the District, and we know our schools and communities are in good hands.”

SKSS Music Director Michelle McRae wins National MusicFest Canada Award

Tue, 20 May 2025 20:30:00 GMT

The Kamloops-Thompson School District is proud to celebrate local teacher and Music Director Michelle McRae who just received a National Outstanding Jazz Director Award from MusicFest Canada. At the MusicFest Nationals awards ceremony on Saturday May 17, 2025, Michelle McRae was awarded the MusicFest Canada Tommy Banks/NAC Orchestra Outstanding Jazz Director Award.

This prestigious national award is awarded annually to a secondary school jazz director in Canada. The award was established to honour the memory of the Honourable Tommy Banks, a pianist, conductor, arranger, composer, TV personality, actor, producer, and politician who had an unparalleled, multi-faceted career spanning more than 60 years in virtually every aspect of the entertainment and music industry in Canada. In Mr. Banks’ honour, MusicFest Canada and the National Arts Centre (NAC) Orchestra provide each outstanding jazz director award winner with a commemorative plaque and $500 cash award.

In a video she sent to accept the award at Saturday’s ceremony in Toronto, Michelle McRae shared, “Greetings from Kamloops. My name is Michelle McRae and I live, work, and play on the unceded territory of the Tk?emlúps te Secwépemc people. I teach at South Kamloops Secondary School and last year I had the privilege of bringing two jazz ensembles to MusicFest Canada Nationals. I feel very honoured to have won the Tommy Banks/NAC Orchestra Jazz Director Award. I would like to thank the sponsor, the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Thank you all again and I want to say that I appreciate everything all of you do to help enrich the lives of our students.”

Michelle McRae is the Music Director at South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS). Her program and students are no stranger to MusicFest Canada. Last year, the SKSS Jazz Band and Senior Jazz Combo, led by Michelle, earned Gold Awards at Music Fest Nationals and SKSS students Keenan Brulotte and Xavier Wallace both earned Top Player Awards. All three SKSS Jazz Band groups, Senior Concert Band, High Performance Jazz Band, and Senior Combo, have been invited back to Music Fest Nationals next year. Receiving an invite to MusicFest Canada Nationals is a recognition that the SKSS music department is developing outstanding players and musicians that are good enough to perform at the national level.

“We are incredibly proud of Michelle McRae, whose passion, leadership, and commitment to music education have not only inspired her students but earned her national recognition,” shared SKSS Principal Chris Preymak. “Her MusicFest Canada award is a testament to the excellence she brings to South Kamloops Secondary and the lives she continues to transform through music.”

Some of Michelle’s biggest supporters include the students she has taught and inspired over the years. When asked why Ms. McRae deserves this award, some of her students shared how she has created an inclusive and welcoming environment that encourages hard work and dedication and helps students of all ages and backgrounds develop a love of music.

One of her students who attended MusicFest Nationals last year, Grade 11 student JG Fulcher, shared, “Ms. McRae has really helped make this an inclusive community, a place where it doesn't matter who you are, what other sports or departments you hang out with, everybody is friends, it doesn't matter your grade… She's done so much so that music can be in so many people’s lives. She puts so much work into making sure that the band program can be what it is and for kids to feel like they belong here.”

Izumi Heylang, a Grade 11 student who also attended MusicFest Nationals with SKSS last year, shared, “In Grade 8, when I was in Jazz Band, we were looking at the plaques on the wall of all the nationals wins that our schools has had over the years and I remember her saying her goal was to take a group to nationals at some point. The very next year we got an invite and the year after we went and now we’re getting another invite. It's so cool to see her and us meet those goals together.”

From learning music and the joy of playing an instrument to taking SKSS to regional, provincial, and national competitions, Michelle McRae has made a profound impact on the lives of her students. Leo Moore, a Grade 12 student who joined the SKSS Music Program in Grade 8 and also attended MusicFest Nationals last year, shared, “Ms. McRae has been the most fantastic teacher… She deserves [this award] more than anybody I know and it’s really cool to see her getting some recognition because she deserves it so much. When you hear her talk about music you can’t help but want to be part of it, she talks about it so passionately. It's very infectious how much she loves doing this. If I had a choice, I think every single person who plays an instrument should get a chance to work with her at some point. She changed my life… At our concerts you feel like you’ve done something right and that's I think super important at this age, to have that feeling, to be able to put the work in and see what happens when you do.”

Indigenous Parent and Caregiver Engagement Session #4

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 17:15:00 GMT

Join us for a fun and interactive Family Math Open House at our next Indigenous Parent and Caregiver Engagement Session in-person at the Henry Grube Education Centre on Tuesday, June 17, 4:00 – 5:30 PM.

Drop in to explore easy-to-learn math games that kids and grown-ups can play together!

Math Game Stations – hands-on, fun, and summer-friendly
Door Prizes – every 15 minutes!
Take-Home Kits
Snacks and Refreshments

Come play, learn, and get inspired with math games perfect for summer break. All ages welcome, parents, caregivers, and kids.

If you are interested in attending, please register in advance here by Friday, June 13, 2025.

Protecting Students' Privacy in Secure Digital Meeting Spaces

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT

School District No. 73 is following the Ministry of Education’s Ministerial Order guidelines to ensure privacy is protected while technologies are being used in distance education during the Coronavirus pandemic.

This week, educators throughout SD73 reached out to students to reconnect them with their learning, and many of are using Zoom to video-conference in order to connect face-to-face.

“We are working hard to ensure safety and privacy for students, and to support our families and one another, using the tools and technologies at our disposal,” said Elizabeth deVries, District Technology Coordinator. “Connecting face-to-face allows teachers and students the reassurance and connection missing at this time. By disabling features that are unnecessary and inappropriate, teachers can better ensure that video-conferencing protects student privacy while allowing them to continue to support student learning.”

While the Ministry of Education has secured and funded licences for the Zoom application for all K-12 public and independent schools in B.C., the learning for SD73 students is a week ahead of most of the Province due to our one-week spring break. Once available, the new Zoom license will provide consistent access for educators who choose to use it, giving them more ways to communicate with students and parents.

The licensing agreement, enabled under the new Ministerial Order, complies with B.C.’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Students will be given a unique website address, so they can access their virtual classroom without the need for an individual account. The Zoom server will be based in Canada, with added encryption so it is a safe platform to learn.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

We celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 with the launch of a music video by the District Aboriginal Student Leadership Council. We also held our first district-wide Aboriginal Youth Wellness Conference Yecwestsu?t-ca - ‘To Care for One’s Self’.

Westsyde Elementary School

Principal Don Poelzer started our tour in Ms. Britt Boulter’s grade 2-3 class where students worked on reading familiar texts, then writing based on them. Ms. Kristin Glassel’s grade 1s were coding. Mrs. Alesha Connolly’s class engaged in buddy reading, and Mr. Chris Martin explained the school’s grant application to fund a mountain biking program. Ms. Jennifer Kristjanson’s and Ms. Chelsey Schneider’s classes were reading, writing, and preparing for Father’s Day. Principal Poelzer shared, “Student leadership has been a focus at our school. We have students planning and implementing intramural activities such as rugby, soccer, football, and baseball, to name a few.”

Westwold Elementary School

Principal Blake Buemann, Vice Chair Meghan Wade, and I walked through the original school house, which was built in the late 1800s. Now used as storage, this part of the school resonated with the charm of a close-knit school community. The K-7 students were outside for recess. One student shared, “I love this school because everyone gets along.” We then joined Mrs. Rachel Casponi who supported students to digitally locate Indigenous plants and determine their names in Secwepemctsin. Principal Buemann shared, “Mrs. Casponi integrates visual arts and music into their everyday learning, and she is so passionate about building strong community partnerships.”

Aberdeen Elementary School

Principal Tanya Rogers, Vice Principal Grant Naylor, and Mrs. Amanda Nixon (LART), introduced Jeremy, a grade 2 student who was delighted to put on a transformer costume and become a truck. It was truly inspiring to see his enthusiasm for the project he had developed with the support of CEAs Mrs. Theresa Rowand and Mr. Clayton Webber. Ms. Caity Reynaud (librarian) and Ms. Talaine Norton (library assistant) showed their Indigenous literature display. Principal Rogers explained, “We have collectively read and applied the theme of diversity in the text, ‘We Are All Dots’. Everyone is focused on celebrating diversity.”

Ms. Tannis Williams’ grade 1s were preparing for “Three Little Pigs” puppet plays. We then watched a performance of “Ray the Jay '' reader’s theatre in Ms. Sharlene Marican’s primary Montessori class. Mrs. Sandra Konkin’s music class presented an Orff instrumentation and recorder/voice ensemble of “Bluebells, Cockle Shells”. We met Jovani, a grade 7 student, who shared classroom research about the effects of bases and acids on eggs. Ms. Laurene Black-Haughton showed us her lesson on owl pellets to study what owls eat. Ms. Tracy Clarke’s Grade 7 Band prepared a video of “I Feel Good” by James Brown that was fantastic! Principal Rogers, Vice Principal Naylor, and LDP candidate, Ms. Stacey Kaczur met with me to discuss strengths and areas of focus in the school. Principal Rogers emphasized, “We are focused on being a team and the collaborative learning amongst students and staff is what makes us thrive.”

Pacific Way Elementary School

I started my visit at West Highland Park, where Ms. Beth Morgan’s students introduced their classroom project of a community garden to Mr. Jason Sandhu’s and Mrs. Lisa- Marie Galloway’s classes. Several students spoke about applying for a grant to create a pollinator garden and planning, building, and caring for the garden with the City of Kamloops. I went to Pacific Way Elementary School, where Principal Alain Blais introduced Ms. Alana Wassing’s Kindergarten class who were doing math with hands-on manipulatives, and Mrs. Sarah Gundel’s Kindergarten class who were reading and writing stories. Ms. Michele Thoms’ grade 1 class was working on fractions. Ms. Amber Piva’s grade 2-3 class was building boats, and Mrs. Jessica Greenwood’s Kindergarten class was on a “Language Arts rotation” (choice of reading, making words, writing, guided reading). Mrs. Teri Lynn Finch’s grade 3 class was engaged in collaborative research of Aboriginal communities and shared their dioramas. Ms. Michelle Salle’s grade 4-5 class worked on slide shows about anti-racism and anti-discrimination. Principal Blais commented, “I am very fortunate to work with such a collaborative staff and wonderful student and parent community.”

SD73 Graduation

The last of the District’s 15 graduation ceremonies wrapped up this week at Barriere and Clearwater Secondary Schools. We appreciate and celebrate each of our 1,100 unique graduates. Send a greeting to a Class of 2022 graduate.

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

From the Ministry of Education

Minister Jennifer Whiteside would like to extend a thank you to all students, parents and caregivers for their extraordinary efforts and accomplishments during the 2021/22 school year.

The final day of school is quickly approaching. Thank you for staying the course and learning, working, and celebrating together as we wind up the year. Enjoy your weekend with family and friends.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from April 17, 2023

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 19:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Outdoor Education at McQueen Lake, School Calendar, and 2023 Commencement Schedule. Read Board Notes here.

You're invited to Jan. 14 Band Festival

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 17:15:00 GMT

Teachers and students in Kamloops will host music and band educator, Bob Rebagliati during the Term 1 Band Festival to be held at the Sagebrush Theatre Jan. 14.

“He is joining us from Vancouver to hold workshops and clinics with our band students before adjudicating at the festival,” said Christy Gauley, district fine arts coordinator “Students and teachers have been working hard since September and this is an opportunity not only to share what they've been learning with other schools, but also to receive feedback and some tips to move forward with their music.

“Many schools are wrapping up their semester of band, and this festival serves as a wonderful way to celebrate and showcase our hard work together. Some of our Secondary Band teachers and ensembles are also looking at touring to different festivals in the spring and this is a great way to begin their festival circuit in an uplifting and joyful way.”

There will be two sessions at the festival. Junior bands and Jazz bands from SKSS, Valleyview, KSA, and Sa-Hali will perform for each other at 4:00 pm. This will be followed by a Senior Band festival session beginning at 6:30 pm, featuring concert bands from Valleyview, SKSS, KSA, Norkam, Westsyde Secondary, and Chase Secondary schools.

Both festival sessions are open to the public. You are welcome to come and celebrate music education in the district.

Stories from Valleyview, BEST, and Kay Bingham

Sat, 18 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Everyone is eager to spend some well deserved time off with families and friends. Thank you for the efforts that you continue to make for our students, our communities, and for each other.

Valleyview Secondary School

Ms. Barb Hamblett, Principal of Valleyview Secondary School guided Vice Chair Wade and I on a tour of the school. We learned about how the modernization will create more space for dance, band, drama, sports, digital arts, and extracurricular activities. Ms. Hamblett added, “Staff are engaged in a spiral of inquiry about nurturing well being in the school community. Having more space and individualized places to hang out was identified by students as important to nurture their well being. The new East Wing will provide this additional space.”Ms. Barb Hamblett, Principal of Valleyview Secondary School guided Vice Chair Wade and I on a tour of the school. We learned about how the modernization will create more space for dance, band, drama, sports, digital arts, and extracurricular activities. Ms. Hamblett added, “Staff are engaged in a spiral of inquiry about nurturing well being in the school community.

Bert Edwards Science and Technology

I visited Mr. Frank Law, Principal, at Bert Edwards Science and Technology (BEST) School. While touring the school, Mr. Wood, the Grade 5-6 Teacher shared a project in which students designed a logo to honor Aboriginal histories and perspectives. He explained, “We worked with students of Aboriginal heritage who designed the logo and then we sold the shirts and gave the funds to the Aboriginal Friendship Centre.” Students, Everett and Natalie, added, “We really enjoyed learning about math and art through this project.” Mr. Wayne Deptuck, who oversees the McQueen Lake Environmental Education Centre, shared the pathways used to teach students about the terrain. Collaborative inquiry projects that are student-driven and connected to the real world are central to BEST.

Kay Bingham Elementary School

At Kay Bingham Elementary, I visited with Ms. Rosie Caputo, Principal. She described their tiered support model to provide whole group, small group, and one-on-one reading and math instruction to students. In review of results, it is evident that students are improving consistently and reaching personal bests in literacy and numeracy. As we toured the school, students were immersed in reading, writing, and creating through art, song, and drama. One class was busy creating guitars to be “quiet rock stars”. Ms. Caputo shared, “The teachers have been so collaborative and supportive. Students are excited about the projects that they are doing, and they are engaged even in the last week before a break.”

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

A reminder that while fully vaccinated students, staff and other adults who have travelled outside of Canada may qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption, those who are not fully vaccinated and have travelled outside of Canada CANNOT attend school for 14 days after arrival, as part of federal requirements.

Thank you for the tremendous measures you have undertaken this fall to keep our schools safe places for students to learn. Interior Health continues to inform us that limited transmission occurs in the school setting, which indicates that our health and safety measures are working well. This success is due to your diligent efforts!

I hope that during these next two weeks you are able to take some time to enjoy family, to see close friends, and to find time to recharge and relax. Have a happy holiday, and I look forward to being back with you in 2022!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 17 May 2024 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

It is timely to end the week on a positive note by sharing the exciting learning opportunities and celebrations that have inspired students to thrive throughout the last two weeks.

Blue River Elementary School

Principal Mathieu and I had a wonderful time with Blue River students and staff. Mr. Cudmore was supervising recess when we arrived. Students (Jace, Autumn, Grayson, Kayden) were enjoying the swings and then played a sandpit volleyball game. As we walked inside, Mr. Cudmore shared how much he and the students were looking forward to drum making with a Simpcw elder, and they had learned so much the week prior when they joined Vavenby and Clearwater students to experience a cultural wellness day led by members of Simpcw First Nation. Read more.

When we first entered the school, we met Kim Desjarlais, custodian, who shared that the pictures on the wall show the long history of students she has known including parents, aunts, and uncles of the students currently attending Blue River.

Two students, Nova (Grade 1) and Jayce (Grade 3), who are homeschooled, joined their regular Tuesday student designed activities. The students decided on story time, where three different students choose a book to read aloud. The eldest Jace read “I Love Christmas”, and younger Jayce then read a “Pete the Cat” story. Nova read, “Biscuit Finds a Friend” and everyone clapped.

We then toured their garden room where they each tended to peppers, cucumbers, Toms, butternut squash, and pumpkins. They will transfer plants into the community garden where they have their own boxes. Mr. Cudmore explained, “They sell the plants to raise money for charity, and they will share the food once fully grown.”

Vavenby Elementary School

Principal Mathieu and I then visited Vavenby Elementary and they were just finishing lunch when we arrived. Ms. Chapman, Certified Educational Assistant, was supervising outside. We then visited Ms. Beth’s Grade 4–7 class who were studying Moose Hide Campaign Day. The students learned that in August 2011, Paul and Raven Lacerte, two brothers, were hunting along what is known as “The Highway of Tears”, which caused them to reflect on the epidemic of violence against women and gender diverse people. They successfully hunted a moose, and then decided to take the moose hide, tan it, and cut it into small squares and in handwriting on the back of each square indicated the need for violence to end. They asked people to wear them by pinning them to their clothing to advocate together against gender-based violence, which became a tradition.

Ms. Beth asked students to consider what the goal was of those who wore the hides then and now, and the students contributed ideas about ways to be kind and to create safe spaces for everyone to feel welcome: “offer therapy”, “invite people over”, “reflect on actions”, and “work on friendships and relationships”. They then worked in smaller groups and helped each other to come up with more ways to build strong positive, welcoming cultures within their school community. Ms. Beth shared how they had been working on trading before this, and they studied commodities to trade historically and they would create the items and then set up trading stations where they uncovered what traded for the highest values and why.

Mr. Fuzzen’s K–3 class was engaged in practicing actions to play a game where others would guess which animals they were acting out. They shared in small groups and then in their whole group. The animals ranged from those that “slither” like snakes, “swing” like monkeys, “run” fast like cheetahs, and those that “fly” like eagles.

Kamloops-Thompson School District Acknowledges Moosehide Campaign

The goal of the Cultural and Identity Priority, outlined in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, strives to create an environment where every learner feels safe to thrive personally and culturally. One way the Kamloops-Thompson School District aims to achieve this is by visibly acknowledging and celebrating diversity in our learning environments, including important days that highlight Indigenous history and awareness. Read more.

Students Dig into Canadian History at the Kamloops-Thompson Regional Heritage Fair

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, we are committed to supporting students to develop a sense of identity as individuals as well as cultural safety and humility in communities. The Kamloops-Thompson School District has proudly supported the Heritage Fair since its inception in 1994. This multimedia, multi-disciplinary annual event was developed to inspire students to learn the history of their families, their communities, and their cultures. Read more.

Kamloops-Thompson Jazz Bands Win Gold and Silver at MusicalFest Nationals

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, we celebrate students’ collective commitment to develop as musicians and to perform and compete locally, provincially, and nationally. Congratulations to the South Kamloops Secondary School and Brocklehurst Middle School Jazz Band students, who both won awards in the Instrumental Jazz Division at MusicalFest Canada Nationals in Toronto this week. Read more.

Career Development Heats Up at Girl's Explore Fire Rescue

Career Development is one of the key priorities outlined in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan and the Kamloops-Thompson School District is committed to helping prepare students to attain their career goals. The District's Career Development Department is dedicated to providing career exploration opportunities for a range of possible career pathways, including events that encourage students to think about careers they may not have thought to explore. Read more.

Thank you for all you do to support and care for students in our District. Take time to get outside, enjoy the outdoors, and relax on what promises to be a beautiful long weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents/Caregivers:

There have been many reasons to celebrate this past week as well as stories that show how our relationships and connections impact student, staff, and parent wellbeing in a positive way, which are cornerstones in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Juniper Ridge Elementary School

Principal Steptoe and Vice Principal Chernoff shared a lovely act of kindness that also brought a smile to my face (See the little card on the left-hand side of the page). They shared these tiny cheese graters as a gesture of recognition and kindness for staff. They find a way to acknowledge their staff every month.

As we toured the school, we started in Ms. Hill’s Gr. 2-3 class where they were making hearts in which students wrote messages about how to be kind. Kindness is this month’s focus. These messages were being prepared to add to the schoolwide Pink Shirt Day bulletin board.

We then took part in Ms. Murphy’s Gr. 1-2 Math class as they were engaged in subtracting using visual strategies.

Mrs. Mayer’s Gr. 3-4 class was skipping in the gym and Mrs. Murray’s Gr. 7 class was engaged in a “flex” block. In the other grade 7 class, Mrs. Waters introduced me to James. James took time to explain how he had created his comic story using his stuffies as inspiration for the characters. He called them “teddy rangers”. This started in class when students were creating items for the grade 7 Junior Entrepreneur Fair.

Mr. Richard’s Gr. 4-5 class was discussing and correcting a Math assignment, so we headed to Mr. Heron’s class where they were studying different levels of government. They had worked on creating their own countries and choosing their political structures for their governments. Next door, Ms. Denison’s Gr. 5 class was working on varied assignments - poetry and math.

I met “Minny Kinney”, a student who sometimes visits Mrs. Kinney, the school secretary, for her breaks. To end our tour, I visited Ms. Plut’s class who was having fun with 100’s day activities.

Rayleigh Elementary School

Principal Conroy and I started our day in Mrs. Stewart’s Kindergarten class that had just finished intensive work on phonological awareness with Heggerty resources and were dancing and taking a “brain break” when we entered their classroom.

Ms. Nielsen’s K-1 class was beading using an ABC pattern goal with medicine wheel colors. The students had learned the meaning of the colors in the medicine wheel and were designing their beading necklaces with this in mind.

Mrs. Foster’s Gr. 1-2 class was reading. Students were in various locations (desks, cozy corners, coat room on pillows) and reading independently and in pairs. A couple of students shared their love of reading series books like “Dragon Master” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”. Mrs. Foster was engaged in a guided reading lesson and doing a “picture walk” with a small group of students. For those who needed a calming moment, they had the view of sea turtles swimming on their classroom screen.

Principal Conroy and I stopped in the hallway, and he pointed to a bulletin board about traits they are looking for in all Rayleigh students. He explained, “We identified Integrity as the core trait we want to develop in students. With Integrity at the core, we are also focused on Resiliency, Respect, Compassion & Teamwork. We foster the development of these traits everyday as staff and students, and celebrate moments where they are lived out in our school.” He showed me a positive moments box in which staff and students can write what they saw someone do that showed these character traits. They recognize the individuals caught being Rayleigh Rockstars on Friday afternoons and their pictures are collected and displayed at the front of the school. We also reviewed Rayleigh’s five basketball teams, which makes up about 25% of their school population. This kind of investment by the staff and parents in coaching to make this possible is worth a great big shout out – ”Thank you staff and parent coaches who give selflessly of your time! We appreciate you.”

In the library, Mrs. Sauer was sharing the newest books added to their collection from a diversity and inclusion book list. We met a student, Brayden, in the hallway, and when I asked him what made Rayleigh a great school, he said, “Teachers are nice and the school is so clean.” Mrs. Tweed’s Gr. 4-5 class was reading in small groups in the hallway just outside of the class. They were studying “Ten Most Futuristic Cities”. Ms. Gauley was playing the ukulele when we entered her Gr. 5-6 class who were creating a song in French about musical instruments.

SD73 Kamloops-Thompson School Board in partnership with the Aboriginal Education Council Signs the Fifth Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement

Thursday, February 22nd was an important moment when Aboriginal Education Council Chair, Diane Jules and Chair of the Kamloops-Thompson School Board, Heather Grieve signed the fifth Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement. I was grateful to be part of the year-long process in which the Aboriginal Education Council co-created this agreement. Read more.

McGowan- Preparing for Norman Foote’s Choral Concert

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, the Board is committed to developing students’ multi-modal (print, visual, digital, musical, drama) literacies through curricular and extracurricular activities. McGowan Park Elementary had been busy getting ready for Canadian Children’s Artist Norman Foote. Each week for the last month, around 50 students have committed their after-school time to rehearse with Jeanine Wourms and Jayne Latta to learn Norman’s music in preparation for a choral concert with him on stage. Read more.

SD73 Students Unplugged and Played More in January

Over 8,613 SD73 students accepted the challenge to reduce screen time and play more during Unplug and Play Week! In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, our mission is to provide learning opportunities that inspire students to thrive. An important part of thriving in today’s world is to know when and how to “unplug” from our technologies and play outside, inside, and with others or by ourselves. Read more.

Young Authors’ Conference: For the “Love of Writing” Virtual Launch 2024

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, we are committed to supporting students to develop foundational literacy skills and to develop a passion for multi-literacies- reading, writing, speaking, listening, and composing in the fine arts. The "For the Love of Writing" Young Authors' Conference launch on February 14^th was a great success. Over 70 classes attended virtual writing workshops with celebrated BC and Alberta writers. Students honed their craft and, hopefully, were inspired to consider attending the in-person conference on May 3^rd at TRU! Read more.

Thank you for making our district departments and schools warm, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for everyone. Have a lovely weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we start the Family Day Long weekend, we continue to celebrate stories emerging in our schools about acts of kindness and care. Sharing stories about connecting, developing relationships, nurturing wellbeing, and ensuring equity illuminates our mission, which is to support learning opportunities and environments which inspire students to thrive (2022-2027 District Strategic Plan).

A.E. Perry Elementary School

Two students from Student Council, Tanish and Karen, along with Ms. Nielsen and Mr. Nesci greeted me with smiles and kind words in a Valentine’s Card attached to treats as I entered the school. Principal Sewell began our tour at the glass cabinet with soap carvings which were done by students that were shared as a Cree tradition by Mr. Drew Rose. We continued into Ms. Hansen’s room, where Gr. 2-3 students were sharing Valentine’s Day cards and treats. Ms. Anderson introduced students to a lesson on chocolate, and Ms. Matuschewski’s and Ms. Cowan’s classes were working in literacy groups focused on activities related to Valentine’s Day. Ms. Ashworth’s Kindergarten students were decorating hearts, and Ms. Abate’s Kindergarten students were learning about symmetry. We stopped to see the 30 mountain bikes that Ms. Cattermole and Ms. Cowan received based on a successful grant application to Outride Riding for Focus Grant. Four of five of these applications were successful and impacting schools in our district.

Mr. Sofiak’s class was working on “catch up”, and Mr. Nesci’s Gr.5-6 class sang a French song about pizza. Mr. Endacott’s Gr. 5 students were writing, and Ms. Telford’s Gr. 4-5 class was focused on competing to win a challenge– who could fit the most hearts on a piece of paper. Ms. Shull’s and Ms. Cattermole’s classes are cross-age buddies. The younger buddies had sent written invitations to their older buddies to play a game in Phys. Ed. They had just played together as we walked into the gym. We ended our tour in the library with Mr. Rhynolds reading a picture book about friendship to Ms. Lulu’s class, and enjoying riddles and jokes about cats.

Starfish Backpack Volunteers

The Starfish Backpack Program started as a pilot project with six backpacks as a response to an Abbotsford teacher’s experience feeding her Kindergarten students who were coming to school on Monday hungry. It expanded provincially, and in Kamloops, the Starfish Backpack program typically occurs at the Kamloops Food Bank. A group of volunteers go to the Food Bank on Friday mornings, and they have an assembly line where they stock backpacks full of food for students and families who need it. In the picture to the right, are staff from SD73 who volunteered recently.

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, one of our core values is equity, which requires our communities to work together to identify and remove systemic barriers that prevent students from thriving in school. One of those barriers is not having enough food on weekends. When students come to school hungry, it is hard for them to focus and to be mentally, emotionally, and physically ready to learn. Volunteers who give their time to help to pack the backpacks and deliver them are contributing to the support that some families depend on and need.

Principal Conroy (left) with two students, Jackson (middle) and Terry (right) celebrate Jackson’s and Terry’s efforts to make and deliver Starfish backpacks to schools. When Assistant Superintendent Mochikas delivered the certificates, she spoke with Terry and presented him with his certificate. Terry said, "To be honest, I don't help out thinking I would get a reward of any kind. I do it because it makes me feel good knowing I'm helping people get fed. It feels good to help and we all should help people who need it."

Principal Conroy spoke to Jackson and asked what inspires him to help with Starfish Backpacks, and Jackson shared, “It feels good helping other people.” Volunteers who give of their talents and time are invaluable to making lives better.

I hope that you experience kindness and friendship as we move from Valentine’s Day into the Family Day long weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Afternoon Art Club

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 19:00:00 GMT

Join us Thursdays for an open studio and make some art!

SKSS Art Room 117, 3-5pm

Open to all South Kamloops Secondary Students

Warm Holiday Wishes from SD73

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

As students and staff begin their winter break this weekend, we want to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the many ways you support students and positively contribute to fostering vibrant school communities across the Kamloops-Thompson School District.

While this year has brought both successes and challenges, we are continuously inspired by the ways our school communities come together with strength and care. When Westmount Elementary School closed after a fire this fall, school communities near and far reached out to support and uplift Westmount students and staff during a difficult time—this is just one example of the wonderful community spirit that defines our district.

From extra-curricular coaching to seasonal concerts to fundraising and volunteer efforts, each school and its community makes a difference and sends a strong message of connection. Moments like these, big and small, happen every day throughout our schools and communities. We don’t take for granted the work that goes into organizing these special moments that bring to life our District mission by supporting the creation of environments that inspire students to thrive.

On behalf of the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education and District leadership, we extend our heartfelt thanks for all you do. Wishing you a restful and joyful holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and time with those who matter most.

With gratitude,

Heather Grieve, Board Chair

Mike McKay, Superintendent

Letter from Minister of Education and Child Care: Read Minister Beare’s year-end holiday letter to parents, caregivers, guardians, and families: here.

Equipping Teachers for Pandemic Challenges

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 16:30:00 GMT

A federally-funded Partnership Engaged Grant project is underway in Kamloops to foster knowledge exchange on COVID-19 crisis-related issues, challenges and impacts.

Dr. Carol Rees, associate professor, TRU Faculty of Education and Social Work, has been awarded a $25,000 Partnership Engage Grant through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) COVID-19 Special Initiative program. She leads a team that includes TRU researchers Michelle Harrison, Naowarat Cheeptham and Christine Miller, and Grady Sjokvist, a science teacher at NorKam Senior Secondary, Elizabeth DeVries , district technology Coordinator, and Morgan Whitehouse, District Science coordinator.

SD73 and TRU will be working with local science teachers to find new ways to improve learning opportunities for students during a pandemic. A panel of intermediate, secondary and university science teachers will work together throughout the school year to develop inquiry-based experiences designed to engage students.

“We have 9 high school teachers and 7 elementary teachers,” said Whitehouse. “The best part, from my perspective, is that we have 16 different schools. That means one-third of our buildings are represented, which is amazing. I'm optimistic it will really build capacity in those teachers, and broaden the support networks beyond their campuses.”

A virtual presentation by Rees, called Teaching science in pandemic, is planned for Oct. 21 at 7:00 PM.

Orange Shirt Day: Why Blue Hearts are Important

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 17:30:00 GMT

For Skylah Joe-George, adding a blue heart to Orange Shirt Day represents a third generation affected by residential schools. The Grade 11 student from Valleyview Secondary said most people realize the day is for survivors of residential schools and their families, but may not know that young people are still affected, even two generations later.

“It’s about my generation, she said. “We wanted something for youth, because we are still affected by intergenerational trauma. Our entire culture is hurting. Being First Nations and knowing that I could be much more knowledgeable about my culture, and know much more about who I am.”

Joe-George is one of six students working with their Secwepemc Language teacher Tracy Ned and Aboriginal Education Workers Roberta Regnier and Paul Sawan to launch the Blue Hearts project, asking schools across the district to add blue hearts to their orange shirts on Sept. 30, for Orange Shirt Day.

The students, all in Grade 11, are Talise Seymour, Skylah Joe-George, Liam Hazelwood, Isacc Baptiste and Dillon Paul.

To help students and staff in her school understand why this is important, Joe-George wrote a short article to explain. Here it is, in its entirety.

Why Our Generation Needs Blue Hearts on Orange Shirt Day

by Skylah Joe-George

September 30 is a day of healing, as every day is for our culture, but we have this specific day for our community, our schools to join us. Residential schools were the tip of the iceberg that brought much deeper outcomes, from addictions to unnatural substances to disorders mentally affecting families, intergenerational trauma, to hearing the three simple words that everyone is told from day one: “I love you.”

That is where the blue generation comes in. Residential schools created a domino effect of constant mental and spiritual pain. Because we see the people we love and an entire culture hurting, we can’t help but feel that pain too.

It is time to acknowledge the hardships of the past, but most importantly, our youth – for the Blue Generation – our generation – to be the healers.

The people do not want hand-outs. There is no need to feel guilty, or even feel sorry. Actively acknowledge our strengths, and listen. Know that I as your peer am asking for your help to build a community where everyone is valued and Indigenous youth feel they have a purpose. And what has become of the culture can be changed by authentic experiences, to make sure what my ancestors endured in the hardships of the past will not be for nothing.

We will be stronger than ever. It is necessary to erase assumptions and at least take the time to understand that residential schools cause pain and that pain is still here today within the students of our school and all across the country.

The support from students and staff is required in order for Indigenous youth to be a part of the present. We are present people. Canada is one country, and we must come together as one.

So we ask on September 30, by wearing an orange shirt with a blue heart, join us to ignite a new beginning and chapter to move forward and not forget the past to make sure the future is fulfilled the best it can be for the future generations to come.

From the heart, Skylah Joe-George.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

I am so excited to share many of the good news stories that emerge from school visits and work in the District. October is about highlighting stories that show how we provide learning environments and opportunities that inspire students to thrive (District mission) through the District Priorities, and about how we enact equity (value commitment) and courage (Grandfather Teaching) in the District Strategic Plan.

Kamloops School of the Arts

Principal Lloyd, Vice Principal Traudt, and Trustee McKelvey, and I started our walk by stopping in at Ms. Dickinson’s Kindergarten class. They transitioned into their afternoon with personal choices of activities (reading, listening, playing) to quiet music. She shared how they had engaged in a “leaf inquiry” in which students studied the seasons and colors connected to seasons by mixing colors to achieve a fall color spectrum of yellow-orange-red-green-brown.

We took part in Ms. Nordstrom’s class where she was leading POD 2 (Gr. 2-3-4) in an action song (singing, clapping, stomping). Ms. Coates’ Gr. 1 class was reading, and we spoke with partners who were reading together and learned that every student had a unique book at their easy reading level which reflected their interests in diverse topics and genres.

Mr. Stella’s Fly Fishing class was immersed in studying lake ecologies to decide on which flies to tie based on the fish that they planned to catch in local lakes. They had already been on one field trip and had tested their self-made hooks.

Ms. Bargery was working with a small group of students on math problems, and Mr. Bryson was preparing his French 8-9 students for a writing exercise about the Métis Nation. Ms. Clark’s class was working with Elder Wendy Leonard who had picked pine needles with the Gr. 4 class for basket weaving. They were now ready to learn how to apply their understanding of weaving using needles and sinew.

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. Our acknowledgment of this day aligns with our value of well-being as outlined in our District Strategic Plan.

In celebration of World Mental Health Day, School District No. 73, in partnership with the City of Kamloops, is hosting a Health Literacy Forum for over 600 grade 6 students and their teachers on October 25, 2023, at the Tournament Capital Centre. This year’s forum aims to highlight teaching practices that support Mental Health Promotion by focusing on cultivating curiosity, compassion, connection and community. Read more.

Fire Chief for the Day

Our District’s Career Development Priority in the District Strategic Plan 2022-2027 is to inspire students to examine possible career pathways for their future. The Kamloops Fire and Rescue organized a competition for grade four and five students, providing a unique opportunity to become “Fire Chief for the Day.” Becoming a firefighter is a dream for many students in Kamloops-Thompson because we need firefighters to keep everyone safe. Lexy Munroe, a grade 4 student from Kamloops School of the Arts (KSA), was the winner of the competition. Read more.

Parents as Education & Career Coaches

Parents and student supporters are invited to join a virtual Parents as Education & Career Coaches Workshop to learn how you can help support your student in planning for their future. The information will be especially helpful for families with students in Grades 10-12. This opportunity aligns with one of SD73’s Career Development department’s District Learning Plan, which focuses on providing opportunities for parents and caregivers to develop their capabilities to support students’ choices related to course planning, education, and career planning.

The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. For more information and to register, go to the event posted in the Trades and Transitions calendar.

Thank you for taking the time to engage in not only your everyday work to make students’ lives better, but also for how you give of yourself each day (listening, talking, welcoming, caring). I hope that you take time for your family, friends, and for yourself this weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

SD73 Promotes Year-Round School Bus Safety with "We Stop - You Stop"

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 16:30:00 GMT

The Board of Education is committed to student safety as a top priority in their commitment to student well-being in the District Strategic Plan. The Transportation Department prides itself on its commitment to providing safety training in all elementary schools to ensure that the youngest riders are aware of the safety aspects and behaviour expected while riding the bus as outlined in our District Learning Plan 2023 in the Systems Development Priority.

School Bus Safety Week is an active and evolving public education program, held during the third full week of October each year, designed to promote safety on school buses, addressing the importance of bus drivers, and to promote school bus safety and a way for parents, students, and school administrators to highlight the importance of safety on board the bus.

During School Bus Safety Week, which runs from October 16-20, 2023, School District No. 73 is actively promoting awareness with our chosen theme, “We Stop – You Stop”.

School Bus Safety Week, emphasized by Transportation Director Sherry Kristjanson, serves as a year-round reminder of the importance of safety on and around school buses and the dedication of our drivers. When approaching a school bus with the swing arm extended and red lights flashing, it is crucial for drivers to come to a complete stop.

“Ensuring the safety of our children is the top priority for our dedicated school bus drivers every school day.” Transportation Director Kristjanson said. “Our district covers more than 27,000 kilometers, and each school day, our drivers ensure the safe transportation of approximately 4,300 students over a total distance exceeding 9,000 kilometers.”

“Children who ride the bus to and from school depend on us to keep them safe,” said Dr. Rhonda Nixon, Superintendent of Schools. “It is important to champion this week as a reminder to continue the focus on being extra vigilant all year.”

It is vital to remember that in British Columbia, it is a legal requirement for drivers to come to a stop when they encounter school buses with flashing red lights.

To address student safety concerns, SD73 has produced a powerful 30 second video: #brake4buses.

During School Bus Safety Week, and every week, join us in ensuring student safety by following “We Stop - You Stop”.

SKSS Food Bank Challenge

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 20:15:00 GMT

SKSS will be participating in a friendly food bank challenge with other high schools in Kamloops. Here are the details;

Who: D block Classes

What: Food Bank Challenge - SKSS students and staff to fill boxes with non-perishable food to deliver to the Food Bank. Friendly competition with other high schools to deliver as much food to the food bank as possible. As a result of Cost-of-living increases and specifically rising food costs, the Food Bank will certainly be busy this year.

When: Now until Tuesday, December 13^th

Where: Food Collection will occur during D block classes from now until Tuesday, December 13th

Why: In order to support those less fortunate in our community

Board Notes from January 26, 2026

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:00:00 GMT

For updates from the regular meeting of the Board of Education, featuring Roots of Empathy, United Way BC Employee Giving Campaign results and more, read Board Notes here.

Found4Kids: When Students Need Clothes

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 18:00:00 GMT

When families with children in SD73 schools struggle to provide their children with the clothes they need, they can ask the Found4Kids Society for help. The society gathers and then redistributes lost and found items from the district schools through a coupon system. The items are washed and then organized in a thrift-store like setting. Each family makes an appointment to visit the Found4Kids space currently housed at the Lansdowne Mall in Kamloops. Sessions are private, and families are able to take what they need, for free.

“I tell them, take what you need, and need what you take,” said society founder Dianne Noble.

This is the ninth year of operation for the society. Noble is noticing an increasing number of families who are underemployed, who regularly have to decide between groceries and a new pair of shoes for their children.

“One mother contacted me recently saying she had a child who has gone through a growth spurt since September, and she’s unable to replace the clothes the child has outgrown.”

In another situation, a student who was accepted to participate in the Model UN was considering not attending because he didn’t have the right clothes to wear. Found4Kids provided him with clothes and a suit. He not only attended the event, he won an award there.

Another student was coming to school cold every day instead of wearing the single hoodie they owned, because they were afraid it would be lost somehow.

“We want families in need to know we are here to help, if they are struggling to meet basic needs,” “We keep a record of how many students we help each year. The average is around 80, but one year there were 123,” said Noble. “As more people get to know about us, that number may go up,” Noble said. “We want families in need to know we are here to help, if they are struggling to meet basic needs.”

If you know of anyone attending a School District No. 73 school who needs this kind of help, you can contact the school office to ask about Found4Kids coupons, or you can email Dianne at dianne@found4kids.com.

The society operates with volunteer labour in the donated space at the mall. As grateful as she is to the mall’s management for giving them the space, it is tenuous, because the society could be asked to vacate at any time. Noble is hoping to find “… four walls and a roof where we are not always facing the prospect of being asked to move with two weeks’ notice.”

Superintendent's Update: Holiday Wishes

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we wrap up winter concerts and slow down the pace of usual school and district activities, I hope that everyone finds time to enjoy what they like to do and to spend time with family and friends over this holiday season.

Over the last two weeks, I appreciate the parents and extended family members and friends who supported winter concerts and events.

Holiday Concerts

On December 14, 2022, Norkam Senior Secondary School hosted their traditional turkey luncheon for over 850 students, staff, and guests. Trustees Karpuk and Kang, and Assistant Superintendent Hamblett and I served the meals and then enjoyed one ourselves. Thank you to everyone who came out!

On December 13, 2022, South Sa-Hali Elementary School held their winter concert for their Gr. 6 and 7 band and their Kindergarten and Grade 1 students. Trustee O’Fee and Assistant Superintendent Reilly attended the afternoon concert, and Secretary Treasurer Cassidy and I attended the evening concert. It was snowing as we arrived, which made it feel like the holidays were “on their way”. The children and staff worked together to share a beautiful compilation of voices, instruments, and movement in both French and English. At the end of the concert, parents joined in a round of the Twelve Days of Christmas in French, and they each tried to outdo one another with their incredible voices. Read more.

Twin Rivers Education Centre

Principal Mattes and Vice Principal Gunnlaugson shared the wonderful work of Ms. Bucher’s students who were making gnomes and creations such as crocheted animals to represent ecological systems. Ms. Fletcher’s students were taking part in a specialized Foods course in which they use food bank items to create simple to more complex meals. Mr. Whitmore’s class engaged in various experiments from building bridges to rockets, and he applied Universal Design for Learning principles to meet everyone’s needs. Mr. Noble’s class was writing essays and narratives. Ms. Smith and Ms. Bruin showcased interconnections to the Secwepemc calendar.

Continuing Education and First Steps

Principal Mattes and I visited Street School, located in the Northills Mall, and we met with Erika, Pete, Jessica, Tonia, and Leanne who shared information about the various Adult Continuing Education programs that we offer. We discussed the importance of multiple pathways to support adult students. Two such pathways include the Kamloops Regional Corrections Centre (KRCC) program in which a range of levels of literacy learning are accommodated and VisionQuest, a centre for addictions education and recovery. Staff shared how working with adult students is rewarding as they are dedicated to specific goals and developing connections to start or continue their career passions.

South Kamloops Secondary

Principal Walt Kirschner and I visited Ms. Richter’s English class as she paired grades 8 with grades 11 and 12 mentors to write short stories and longer pieces including a novel. Ms. Hergott shared how she works one-on-one with a student to support this composition process.

Mr. Spanis facilitated class exploration of Physics simulations through video games that required students to build rockets that could fly to space. Mr. Ilic’s students were rebuilding cars and trucks and carrying on with welding projects in Automotives class.

VPEA

VPEA (Vancouver Public Education Alliance) from China has been working with the SD73 Business Company Global Education Director Kristin Engleson on the 2+1 program since 2012. On December 8th, Jo Cheng (Director of Operations), Krissy Yang (Regional Director) and Jessie Yang (Student Service Coordinator) met with Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Nixon, Secretary-Treasurer Trina Cassidy, Assistant Superintendent Bill Hamblett and International Student Program staff. VPEA staff also visited each of their current thirty-seven students attending Norkam (14), Westsyde (9) and South Kamloops Secondary (14). Read more.

Preparing for Schools of Choice Registration and Kindergarten Open House

For parents who have children entering Kindergarten, join us in January and February to learn more about schools of choice and registration in Kindergarten. Read more here. Thank you to the District Early Learning Team for supporting learners to transition into Kindergarten, an important part of the Intellectual Development Priority in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Interior Health

To learn more about what to do to stay well and to address concerns about the respiratory illness season, Interior Health has prepared resources and reminders to support families. Read more.

Enjoy the holiday season with family and friends!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

In April, we are focused on stories about well-being, an important value commitment in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. We are also focused on the Grandfather Teaching of Humility.

R.L. Clemitson Elementary School – April 10, 2025

Ms. Sutherland did a beautiful job designing a bulletin at the front entrance of the school to promote Autism Awareness Month. She shared how there are resources in the library for students to learn more about autism.

As Principal Buemann and I visited classrooms, we started in Ms. Munden’s Grade 5-6 class who were outside preparing to go mountain biking. They were working together in partners and small groups to check the air pressure of the tires, to put oil on the bike chains, and to ensure that each bike was ready and safe to ride. They were planning on riding as part of Physical Education, and in their after-school mountain biking program.

As Mr. Buemann and I walked through the Learning Commons, I met a student, Sierra, and Mrs. Power who were working together. Sierra would choose a number and then have to determine how to make that number using plastic cupcakes on a scale. When we spoke about what would make RLC even better, Sierra said, “a swimming pool”. She felt that it was the perfect location and the students would really love it!

Mr. Buemann shared how the staff had also redesigned a small room that was previously for storage and located at the back of the Learning Commons area.

Staff have transformed this into a space for individual and small group activities in a lower stimulation area (lower lights, muted colors). Sierra let us know that her favorite part of this room was what she called “the egg chair” which was noticeable because it was low to the ground and in the shape of a hollow egg, and it had a cover to enable the person who sits there to have a fabric roof over their head.

Ms. Ngo’s Kindergarten class was working on letters – playing with letters and making letters and letter sounds. Other students were playing at centers.

Ms. Klymchuk’s Grade 4-5 class was creating designs in Art for their Mother’s Day or Caregiver’s Day gifts. Several students were creating a highly designed bunny picture and others were decoupaging a picture with musical scripts. Ms. Klymchuk shared the original piece of art that had inspired it.

One Grade 4 student, Michael, whom I met last year to see the Braille library he inspired at the school, explained that he was part of “The Braille Challenge”, which is a series of braille literacy tests for students grades 1-12. Michael finished first in the province as a freshman. The top three students from each category in the regional Braille Challenge will be eligible to compete in nationals. Michael is very determined and excited to prepare for the National Braille Challenge.

Ms. Froese’s music class was singing “You've Got a Friend in Me” because we asked them to sing something for us. They had not been working on that song, but several students started to sing and others joined in. They demonstrated how being courageous and willing to try new songs together is a lot of fun. Ms. Konkin, a long-time music teacher, was in for Ms. Froese, and she appreciated the students willingness to be brave.

Mr. Buemann showed me another room that had been transformed from a storage space into a multi-purpose room with space to have individual and small group work as well as storage of materials that were easily accessible for learning. At the time when we entered, Ms. Anderson was completing some work and shared how much she uses and is glad that they transformed the space. As we left this space, he explained how the staff is interested in creating flexible, multi-purpose spaces for learning and students are really enjoying and using these spaces.

Ms. Strom’s Grade 7 class was studying Ancient Rome and they were sharing “fun facts” with me about the time. One fact was that 50,000 people would gather in a colosseum amphitheatre.

In the front office, Ms. Moores said, “I am so thankful for Fiona and Becky who came in and redesigned my desk to have greater functionality and face the front.” She also thanked “Trevor from Facilities for taking the time to put plug-ins along the bottom of my desk to provide me with many options for plugging in technology.” Principal Buemann agreed that the Facilities Department deserves a “shout out” for how much care and attention they put into this project.

Day of Sucwentwe?cw – April 7, 2025

Day of Sucwentwe?cw is an annual day of recognition in the Kamloops-Thompson School District that acknowledges the Secwépemc Nation, their territories, and history. Sucwentwécw means acknowledging one another and this year’s theme was “The Bonds of Respect that Bridge Us Together.” On April 7, 2025, schools across the District hosted various Day of Sucwentwécw gatherings in collaboration with their respective First Nations communities, with many school celebrations including singing the Welcome Song, visits from Elders, school-wide assemblies, drumming, dancing, storytelling, and lessons about the Seven Grandfather Teachings. Read more.

Board Notes

I hope that you get to have time for what you love to do and that you can get outside and enjoy the warmer Spring days.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Heavy Metal Rocks 2020 Cancelled

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 23:00:00 GMT

In light of the recent announcement by the BC Ministry of Education to suspend in-class instruction indefinitely, and the recommendations for social distancing, the SD73 Trades and Transitions department has cancelled the upcoming Heavy Metal Rocks event scheduled for March 25 to March 28, 2020.

"Students who have been selected to participate in this event and who have paid the application fee will be reimbursed the full amount of their fee," said Rick Kienlein, director of instruction - secondary education and learning. "Arrangements to return funds will be made over the next few weeks. We will also work directly with event sponsors and those who have made monetary donations to this event to reimburse donations"

For now, Kienlein said other upcoming Trades and Transitions-sponsored events, including Junior Fire Crew (April 22-25) and Girls Exploring Trades and Technology (April 27) have not been cancelled.

"We will closely monitor the situation and a decision about cancelling these events will be made closer to their scheduled date," he said.

These cancellations do not include dual credit programs with Thompson Rivers University (TRU) such as Youth Train in Trades (Construction Trades, Mechanical Trades, Culinary Arts and Horticultural Trades), TRU-Start Programs (Early Childhood Education, Heath Care Assistant) and the Norkam Senior Secondary Trades Samplers.

SD73 will continue to communicate with TRU regarding their plan to provide a continuance of post-secondary instruction in an online or distance format. Norkam Senior Secondary is also host to an ITA-designated Hairstylist Training facility. The Trades and Transitions department will be working directly with the administration of Norkam Senior Secondary and instructors regarding the ITA-designated Hairstylist Training program to provide for a continuity of learning in a distance learning format. The priority is to ensure grade 12 students are prepared for graduation.

"I want to thank our sponsors for everything they have done to support these events that benefit our students," said Kienlein. "This was a difficult decision to make. We appreciate their understanding and we look forward to resuming these programs."

Board Notes from Oct. 28, 2019

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 17:15:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about student leaders focus on diversity, Aboriginal Education Report, a date for cake, and a new assistant superintendent. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 22:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

I hope that you have had a good week back following the long weekend. In April, we are focused on stories about humility (Grandfather Teaching) and wellbeing (core value) in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Juniper Ridge Elementary School

Principal Steptoe and Vice Principal Mangell walked with Trustee Hickson and I to share the learning happening in school. We started in Kindergarten where Mr. Lukow was reading aloud a picture book to Ms. Champness’ students. In the next Kindergarten class, Ms. Semesock was sharing a school-wide activity developed for the Day of Sucwentwe?cw (Acknowledging One Another) in the school. The school-wide activity was for every student to share who they are in drawings and text, and their composition was to be posted on a bulletin board along with all other classes. Each grade had a specific color and animal related to one of the seven Grandfather Teachings in the District Strategic Plan. It was a wonderful activity that was embraced by students and staff, and it showed how everyone was immersed in this year’s Day of Sucwentwe?cw theme– “Courage to Explore and Embrace Your Identity Which Involves Connection to Family, Community, and Culture,” which is based on the First Peoples Principles of Learning and Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives.

Ms. Mulholland’s Kindergarten class was sorting shapes, and when I stopped to ask one student what her favorite shape was, she said, “heart” because it means kindness. Ms. Sears’ Gr. 1-2 class worked with Ms. Gorman (Teacher Librarian) to study resources about different animal habitats. One group was just finishing their habitat of the Macaroni Penguin. As we continued, Ms. Plut’s Grade 1 and Ms. Storozak’s Gr. 2 classes were working on their identity circles using a range of materials including gluing beads. Ms. Klassen’s Gr. 3 class was engaged in “Daily Five” which involves students in diverse literacy tasks including reading stories, writing stories, and composing identity circles, to name a few.

We went to the gym to see the pictograph activity that had been led in a lunch time club by Mr. Laboucan (Aboriginal Education Worker). Mr. Laboucan also posed for a picture with Trustee Hickson because he had given Trustee Hickson his tie some years ago. Both spoke with kindness and gratitude for the other, which underscored the importance of relationships in nurturing individual and community wellbeing.

Mrs. Murray’s Gr. 7 class was investigating electromagnets and ultraviolet rays. We also met Peyton Morrissey, the Gr. 7 student who had won the District’s artwork contest for the Day of Sucwentwe?cw. Peyton shares her design and explanation of it on the Juniper website. To end our walk, we visited Ms. Water’s Gr. 7 class who were working on their identity circles, Mr. Richard’s Gr. 4 Math class who were forming equal sets, and then Mr. Kershaw’s Gr. 5-6 class.

Valleyview Secondary School

Principal Carmichael, Trustee Hickson, and I began our walk at lunch time. We first stopped in the kitchen to see Ms. Rife and Ms. Dinsdale who had just finished cooking with students to make bannock for the entire school. As we continued, Ms. Price and Ms. Sommer were working with students on a calzone and bannock cooking activity. They explained that they involve their students in wellbeing activities that give back to their local community – “class recycling” and “coffee and cart” projects, to name a couple of examples. While we stood in awe at what these staff members had co-created for their school community, each staff member shared their work as part of what they do rather than seeing their efforts as extraordinary.

Students were practicing in the hallway for the “A Wop Bop-A-Loo-Bop” musical, and Ms. Daniels graciously worked with the cast to do a rehearsal number (dance, singing) from this play. Ms. Daniels had shared that Ms. Magliocchi is also the director involved in preparation for the performance. It was truly fantastic to see.

We ended our walk in Mr. Paravantes’ class in which he was working with a teacher candidate, Mr. Caleb Rempel. This was an illuminating visit. Mr. Paravantes shared how students have been modifying spheros with an adreno to make a robot that senses objects and changes course.

Mr. Rempel shared that he had been an electrician for over a decade before deciding to leverage his skills and knowledge as an educator. He was most excited to share how he helped the students to make an IOT network. He also described how he helped to use 3D printer technologies and laser printer technologies for new designs of typical objects. He shaped an organizing tray that they had made for a number of staff and students. They also shared beautifully designed feathers that had been cut from leather. Mr. Parvantes explained that his class is premised on “waste nothing” and “fix everything” as a mantra. They host a “repair cafe” in which they fix broken items brought into class.

Homestay Families

In our school district, we value our International Student Program, which depends on having homestay families who are willing to have students live with them as the students attend one of our district schools. We appreciate all that our homestay families do for International students as they create home environments that support students’ wellbeing- physically, socially, emotionally, and physically. To learn about becoming a homestay family and the rich experiences of these families, Read more.

Heavy Metal Rocks

As we start the weekend, students who have taken part in the Heavy Metal Rocks Program will have their awards recognition event on Saturday. This program provides opportunities for students to explore career choices as heavy equipment operators in a variety of industries. Twenty six grade 11 and 12 students from SD73 will have experienced operating heavy machinery with one-to-one guidance and mentorship from a certified operator from April 12-15. Thank you to Director Kienlein who shared that Principal Ron Collins, supported by Ms. Debbie Isenor, and the Heavy Metal Rocks Committee of staff members and industry partners took on the leadership to implement this program that offers students more choices for career pathways.

We are so fortunate to have so many staff, students, parents, and community and industry partners who work together to inspire students to thrive every day. Thank you for all that you do every day to ensure that our students and staff stay well and enjoy learning. Have a good weekend!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we enter the week before Remembrance Day, it is timely to reflect on all of the people who served and sacrificed for our country. Our schools are engaging in creative, virtual and some face-to-face Remembrance Day Celebrations. To see what our schools are doing, check our website.

Take Our Kids to Work Day

The 27th annual Take Our Kids to Work Day took place on November 3rd and involved 250,000 Grade 9 students in Canada. Grade 9 student, Ashton Forsey, spent his day with his mom, Dawn Forsey, Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer. To read more about Ashton’s day and how others experienced it, go to this link.

South Sa-Hali Elementary School

Ms. Susie Mabee, principal of South Sa-Hali Elementary School, highlighted the work of Mrs. Leah Clare, Vice Principal. Ms. Mabee said, “This is Mrs. Clare’s idea to engage students in real world Math problems of the week.” Students choose to solve low- to high-level problems and put their solutions in an envelope. Mrs. Clare stated, “I always check their responses for their thinking, not just whether it is right or wrong.” Students who have correct responses have their names entered into a draw for prizes and a chance to have their pictures displayed.

Dufferin Elementary School

Mr. Gord Cumming, Principal of Dufferin Elementary, honored his students and his guests by drumming and singing the Welcome Song.” His drum was a gift from Mr. Felix Delorme, an Aboriginal Education Worker who recently retired from Marion Schilling Elementary School. Mr. Cumming shared, “I have learned so much from Elders and Knowledge Keepers about how to integrate First Peoples Principles of Learning into everyday life." He emphasized how he seeks to model being a learner who is not afraid to make mistakes. He explained, “I seek to bring something positive to the lives of others every day.”

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

K-12 Sector Guidelines for Vaccination Policies

On Monday, October 25, 2021, the Board of Education passed a motion to direct the Superintendent to establish a committee to gather data and evidence in alignment with privacy laws (step one) as a starting point. Our committee prepared a survey to learn about staff perspectives of a Vaccination Policy. The survey is administered from Nov.5-12. The Board will receive the report with survey results after that date.

Thank you for taking time to remember those who served and sacrificed in our country on Remembrance Day. Enjoy learning together virtually and in person about those who include our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. We thank those who have served Canada, and those who have made significant contributions to commemoration.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

SKSS Grad a Winner in Online Woodworking Challenge

Mon, 03 May 2021 18:30:00 GMT

Skills Canada British Columbia recently announced that Roko Huser, a South Kamloops Secondary grade 12 student, is one of two winners in a Skills Canada BC Online Woodworking Challenge.

Huser made a maple box with detailed dovetailing and an inlaid 3D design on the lid. He is a Youth Train in Trades carpentry student and a Youth Work in Trades joinery (cabinet making) student.

“The wood is from a pallet I took apart myself and the design was just something that popped into my head,” Huser said. “I knew I wanted to do hand-cut dovetail joints because they are aesthetically pleasing, and the top is just a fun little pattern.”

It took him about two weeks to build the box.

“The most challenging part was to cut the dovetails by hand,” he said. “You have to be very precise and patient to cut the pieces to fit each other perfectly.”

"This is a significant accomplishment, and a testament to his skills, as well as the work of his woodworking teacher Sue Scallon, and trades instructors and sponsors," said Rob Wielgoz, District Vice Principal, Trades and Transitions.

Huser has finished a pre-apprenticeship program for carpentry levels 1 and 2, and he plans to work toward his journeyman ticket in carpentry after graduation. While he is pursuing carpentry as a trade, woodworking will always be a hobby and he is also thinking about a future career as a cabinet maker.

“It is a skill that takes lots of time,” he said. “I still consider myself a beginner compared to a lot of experienced woodworkers. Woodworking as a career is a great option and something to consider for sure, there are different options of what type of stuff you want to make like custom furniture, custom cabinets and millwork.”

He says aspiring woodworkers should not be afraid to try more difficult projects, try different types of joinery, and watch woodworking videos online.

He’s been building things from wood since he was eight years old, when his father taught him how to use a jigsaw.

“I would build little things like poorly built boxes and stuff when I was young,” he said. “Then in grade eight I took woodwork for the first time and my passion really took off. Since then, I spend almost every lunch and connections block in woodwork, and I took woodworking courses as often as I could.”

Huser and a Grade 10 student from Mission each won a $100 dollar gift card as winners of the competition.

“Their entries incorporated skilled trades and were stunning and very creative,” said Michelle Skelly, Skills Canada BC’s Director of Programs. “It was a tough decision, as there were so many great submissions. We want to say a big thank-you to Tyler Blair, Carpenter and Owner of 32 Millwork, for sponsoring and judging this challenge. “

Announcements

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 19:00:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

All football players who will be playing senior football next year need to attend a brief meeting today at lunch in Mr. Lancaster's room about winter practices.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

This Wednesday the Leadership class will be coming around to judge all the door decorating! Looking forward to seeing all the holiday creativity!

A Reminder of the Dry Grad bake sale today at lunch.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Today is the last day for A block classes to decorate their doors! Leadership students will be coming around tomorrow to judge the holiday doors to declare a winner!

Reminder to grade 12 students of grad photos after school. Please remember to give your $30 sitting fee to the photographer at the time of your photos. The location for photos is the little classroom near the side entrance of the school.

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Mental Health Literacy for Parents

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:15:00 GMT

Presented by Andrew Baxter, MHL Project Lead

This interactive session is intended for parents, caregivers and people who work with youth. Good mental health starts with an understanding of the brain and its primary roles. Key concepts in establishing and maintaining positive mental health in children and teens will be introduced.

Topics will include:

Stress and our responses to it
Promoting positive mental health
Signs of mental illness
When and how to access help

This free workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here. Following your registration, you will receive the link to the meeting.

Access mental health information for parents and students at: www.mentalhealthliteracy.org

SD73 Indigenous Parent and Caregiver Engagement Session #2

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 19:00:00 GMT

Bernice Jensen from the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society will share information about their programs and lead a Christmas Dreamcatcher making activity. Additionally, Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services will be giving a presentation.

Refreshments, including coffee, tea, and treats, will be provided.

This free workshop will be held at the Henry Grube Education Centre (245 Kitchener Crescent) on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. If you are interested in attending, please register in advance here.

Youth Work in Trades Deadline Approaching

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 22:00:00 GMT

For high school students thinking about career options, maybe $1000 and a few high school credits will help with the decision process.

According to Kerry Gairdner, District Vice-Principal of Career Programs with School District No.73 (Kamloops-Thompson) there is no time to waste if high school students want to make the most of their work experience and an opportunity to earn credits towards graduation.

Deadline to register is September 29. Formerly known as the Secondary Apprenticeship Program, the Youth Work in Trades provides skill development through practical, hands-on work experience.

“Students who have spent time working alongside a certified tradesperson can make those hours really pay off,” said Gairdner. “Maybe the job was in a kitchen, or on a construction site, or with a landscaper, or salon. There are so many ways students could have earned hours that would help them qualify.”

Students can talk to their school's Trades and Transitions coordinator, or email Kerry Gairdner at kgairdner@sd73.bc.ca.

Summer jobs qualify if they:

Were with a certified tradesperson and involved work related to a trade
Were covered by WorkSafe B.C.
Provided a paycheque or honorarium

120 hours worked = the equivalent of a high school course (4 credits) to a maximum of 4 courses (16 credits)

SD73 Board of Education to Elect New Chair

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 18:00:00 GMT

Kathleen Karpuk announced she will be stepping down as the chair of the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education, effective July 27, 2020.

Karpuk will remain in her role as a trustee.

“I have accepted a full-time position with the Ministry of Forests Wildfire Branch,” Karpuk said. “I have learned a great deal during my term as chair, but as I take on this new position I will have less time to carry out the extra duties required by the board chair.”

Elected chair in November 2018, and acclaimed to the position again in November 2019, Karpuk has served as a trustee since 2008 (re-elected in 2011, 2014 and 2018). She and her husband have three children enrolled in Kamloops schools. Along with being a trustee, Karpuk is an executive with the Kamloops Tsunami Swim Club and volunteers as an official at swim competitions.

The election for the board chair will be held at a special Board of Education meeting July 27, at 7 pm.

Board Notes from August 30, 2021

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about prepping for Back-to-School and Project Definition Report for Pineview Valley Elementary. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

This was a special week of students and staff celebrating change and looking ahead to new possibilities. Secondary students started to get Grad pictures, Grade 10 Indigenous students spent a day at TRU to see what it would be like in post-secondary, and staff at Brocklehurst shared how they had turned their courtyard into relaxation space as part of their transition from a middle to a secondary school this year. Nurturing Relationships/Connections and Well-being, and committing to Sustainability are important values in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, and our stories this week show how we live these values.

Brocklehurst Secondary Builds Community and Connection in the Courtyard

When I visited Brocklehurst Secondary School, I noticed that a space that had been used for raising chickens had been turned into a courtyard.

During the change from a middle (Grade 7-9) to a secondary school (Grade 8-12) this past year, the staff and students worked together to reimagine their school spaces in order to nurture a sense of belonging.

Principal Perry shared, “We wanted to create a sense of calm with a new colour scheme and refreshed spaces that had a secondary feel.”

As a way to help with this transition and contribute to a positive new school culture, Brock Art Teacher, Steen Karpluk, had an idea to transform an old courtyard just off the art room into a fun and inviting space especially designed for students to connect with each other.

“I set up a courtyard space over the summer in order to create a place that students could call their own,” shared Steen Karpluk. “Over the summer I posted on a few Facebook groups looking for old patio furniture, decor, and games. I got a huge response, and was able to pick up almost everything for free. Students use the space to eat, play games, and hang out during mornings, lunches, breaks, and after school – my own classes sometimes use the courtyard as an alternative work space. It was important for me to create this space at Brock as our school was lacking many spaces that are FOR the students and we don't have a lot of outdoor seating, so I figured that this covered both of those bases.”

The courtyard, which was previously rarely used, is now filled with various seating areas, games and activities, plants and decorations, and students – thanks to generous donations from community members and the Brock Lions Club. Having a space of their own has made the transition easier for some students as it gives them a sense of belonging and connection. Since the start of the school year, students have been using the courtyard to hang out with friends between classes, play games, do homework, or work on art projects for Mr. Karpluk’s classes. Read more.

SD73-TRU Annual Indigenous Transitions Day to Post-secondary – November 19, 2024

I enjoyed starting my day on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 with Grade 10 students from secondary schools across our District.

As students began to enter into the large conference space at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), they could look at the booths set up along the side of the room.

Career Education Coordinator Sheila Brown and District Vice Principal Kerry Gairdner shared the different career pathways available to students while also providing them with information for further study when they left the day and wanted to reconnect with one of them to ask questions later on. Other booths from TRU invited students to learn more about arts, trades, nursing, business, and the Indigenous Development Program.

This year’s event started with a welcome and opening prayer from Elder Doe Thomas. Following the opening prayer, she welcomed each school individually, encouraging students to cheer for each other. TRU Indigenous Education Supervisor Jason Blair welcomed the students to TRU and talked about what a welcoming place TRU is. He also encouraged students to try things outside their comfort zones – expressing that he wasn't overly comfortable public speaking but was doing it today.

Mike Bowden, District Principal of Indigenous Education, encouraged students to take full advantage of the Transitions Day activities in order to starting thinking and planning for their future: “Grade 10 is a really important year, this is when you need to think about your future and what you’re taking in school and how you are engaging in your studies so that you have an opportunity to attend post-secondary, if you choose, and take all the knowledge to help with the future of the land, your peoples, and your communities. This is an important and formative year which is why you’re here today. You are here today to connect with TRU and to experience a post-secondary campus. The choices you make now will impact your choices when you graduate in three years.” Before moving into the day’s agenda MC Drew Rose encouraged students to be brave and ask lots of questions, sharing, “You are the future, this is a big step for you, learn as much as you can today.” Read more.

Students Discover Law Careers with TRU Law Faculty – November 15, 2024

Each year, the District Career Development Department partners with the Faculty of Law at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to host a career exploration event for students interested in learning about the exciting opportunities of working in Law. On Friday, November 15, 2024, 45 Grade 10-12 students from schools across the District participated in Discover Day: Discover the Law to learn about careers in the justice system. Read more.

Girls Explore Trades and Technology at TRU – November 20, 2024

Throughout November, the District Career Development Department has been celebrating National Career Development Month with various career exploration and transition events. This week, trades-based career opportunities were promoted at Girls Exploring Trades and Technology. On Wednesday, November 20, 2024 48 female students in Grades 6-9 got hands-on experience in a variety of trades at the School of Trades and Technology at TRU, including welding, plumbing, electrical, and heavy duty mechanics. Read more.

Career Programs Parent and Caregiver Information Session – November 27, 2024

Next week, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 from 6:00 pm–7:00 pm, District Vice-Principal of Career Programs, Kerry Gairdner, will host the Career Programs Information Session to provide information about the variety of District Career programs and events that are available to students. Read more.

Sníne Elementary Community Engagement

Disposition of Property Community Engagement

The potential sale of three properties had been a focus of broad consultation. Over the past few weeks, we have hosted a community webinar (watch it here) and gathered feedback through a community survey. The survey is now closed and the feedback collected was presented to the Board at the Regular Public Board Meeting on November 18, 2024. We have now submitted the results of consultation and the report on required information to the Ministry of Education and Child Care. There is now a minimum of a 90-day process for the Ministry to consult. To stay up to date on this consultation process, go here.

Board Notes

To learn more about the Regular Public Board Meeting on November 18, 2024, please feel free to read the Board Notes here.

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy getting outside as we start to experience winter weather.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Board Notes from April 7, 2025

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 19:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Barriere Secondary School, Commencement Schedule 2025, and Early Learning and Child Care Annual Report. Read Board Notes here.

2022 February Short-Film Festival: Respect For Diversity

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 19:30:00 GMT

As parents, you are invited to participate in the 2022 February Short-Film Festival: Respect For Diversity. This festival is a community-building activity dedicated to engaging learners in conversations about the important role diversity plays in the development of rich, caring, and inclusive cultures.

Diversity brings strength to our communities; we are stronger together. Our culturally rich and diverse community recently showed a resilient spirit by pulling together to support one another through some challenging times to rebuild and strengthen our neighboring communities. These acts of humanity – taking care of each other – reflect hope and demonstrate the compassion that lives within our region.

As we begin to understand ourselves, we grow as learners and humans. Through reflection, with patience and kindness, we develop our identity. As we acknowledge the differences and strengths around us, we build connections to our community.

To participate in the Short-Film Festival alongside your child, click on the file below to access each film of the day for the month of February. Enjoy!

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we prepare to return to school on Monday, April 4, 2022, I am welcoming each of you back and sharing updates from the Ministry of Education.

On Thursday, March 10, 2022, Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced changes to safety measures for K-12 schools, which are detailed in the Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings. These changes started on the first day of Spring Break, which was March 21, 2022 in our district. Employees who worked over Spring Break will have had a head start on students and staff who will experience these changes upon return to school after Spring Break on April 4, 2022.

Summary of Safety Measures:

Continue daily health checks, stay home when sick, and practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
Return to classroom and learning environment configurations and activities that best meet learner needs and preferred educational approaches. We will consider strategies to create space between people.
For events with visitors in schools (e.g., parent/caregiver spectators):

- Should not exceed 50% capacity and proof of vaccination should not be implemented while the PHO Gatherings and Events Order is in place.

- When the PHO Gatherings and Events Order is lifted (expected end of day April 7, 2022), we can return to 100% capacity.

Follow routine sign in/sign out practices. Schools do not need to keep a list of the dates, names, and contact information of visitors for communicable disease prevention purposes.
Continue field trips, and schools should make every effort to avoid venues/locations that place additional requirements that could prevent a person from being able to participate. If the trip cannot occur otherwise, schools can require participants to confirm they are able to meet additional requirements (e.g., are able to provide proof of vaccination).
Wearing a mask or face covering is a personal choice. A person’s choice is to be supported and respected. If you have been travelling internationally, please see the explanation as to requirements for masks in schools as provided by the Ministry of Education.

On March 28, 2022, Deputy Minister Zacharuk communicated the following information about International Travel Requirements with respect to wearing masks after travel:

Following Return to Canada from international travel, staff, students, and families are responsible for understanding and adhering to all COVID-19 international travel requirements outlined by the Government of Canada, including those required following return to Canada.

Requirements currently include that adults and children (aged 5 and older) who travelled internationally must wear a well-constructed and well-fitting mask in indoor and outdoor public spaces, including K–12 schools, for the first 14 days after entry. This means wearing a mask at schools is not a personal choice for those who have travelled internationally for 14 days after entry.

Adults and children must also monitor for symptoms for 14 days after entry and follow federal requirements for self-isolation and quarantine if symptoms develop and/or they test positive for COVID-19. When there are differences between federal and provincial rules, individuals must follow the stricter rules. Full details on requirements for travellers are available here.

In addition to this ministry update, community use of facilities will be reviewed and communicated next week.

I hope that you have enjoyed your time over the last two weeks, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Watch this space for weather-school bus- updates

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 21:30:00 GMT

Weather-School Bus-Advisory: Parents and Caregivers, please watch this space for updates regarding bus transportation in the SD73 Kamloops-Thompson district. We are watching the weather and staying in touch with transportation authorities. As you know, no school busses are running today. We'll keep you posted by sending advisories as needed regarding the impact of weather conditions on bus schedules for tomorrow.

SKSS Yoga Club

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 17:30:00 GMT

Announcements

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 19:00:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

Our curling teams were in action last night winning all 3 of their games over Sahali! This is impressive as this was many of our athletes’ first curling game - EVER! Keep it up!!!

There will be a brief Silver Girls Basketball meeting at lunch time today in Ms. McInnes' classroom.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

It’s “Waste Reduction Week”! The Green Club is holding a recycling drive today. Bring in old electronics, batteries, and soft plastics to be recycled.

On Friday, December 6^th the SKSS band students will be hosting a coffee house in the band room at lunch. Funds raised support the 2020 Music Trip. There will be snacks and hot drinks to purchase as well as live entertainment! Sign-up sheets to perform are on the band room doors and open to individuals and groups. We hope to see you all out on December 6^th at lunch to support this fundraiser!

Next week from December 4- 6 there will be fun games taking place in the drama room at lunch. These games are being held for the District food drive where our school is competing against the other schools in our district. Show your school and community support by bringing a food drive item and participating in the games. Prizes of all sorts will be given out to the winners.

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Representatives from the University of Calgary will be at SKSS on today at lunch in the library to answer questions from any students wishing to attend their school in 2020.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Board Notes from June 30, 2025

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 15:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Board Award of Recognition Celebration, 2025-2026 early closure dates, and field trip mileage rate. Read Board Notes here.

Principal's Message April 17th, 2020

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 21:00:00 GMT

Good morning to our Titan Nation I hope this message finds you all in good health as we collectively work through these challenging times. I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on a few items. As expected, there was an official announcement made this week from BCSS with regards to the cancellation of all high-school spring sports in B.C. Clearly this was a decision that needed to be made but my heart goes out to all of our athletes who have trained so hard in their various sports with a goal of representing South Kam. I hope that you all maintain your training in a safe and healthy manner during these times and be ready for the next season of play.

At this point in time we have not received any official word with regards to Grad 2020 commencements that are scheduled to take place on June 13th. As soon as we receive a definitive decision from the Ministries of Health and Education, we will plan accordingly, including alternate options if necessary, and communicate this to our grads and their families in a timely manner.

With term 3 ending on April 9th, we will be posting your son/daughter's term 3 report cards on April 23rd onto their MyEd site. You are able to print off these reports if you wish. If you require a paper copy from SKSS, I would ask that you please wait until our offices return to normal operations before we process these for you. Grade 12's who have specific questions with regards to transcripts are asked to contact your counselor directly via email.

The Ministry of Health has requested that all public schools heighten their facility health/safety measures and as such, SKSS will now be permanently closed until further notice to all non-essential staff/individuals effective April 20th. Our office will be available for phone calls during the week from 8-1pm. I highly recommend using email to contact any of our staff. Our gym, which has been used for periodic drop off/pick-up of materials, will also be closed indefinitely. This has been shared with our staff and they will adjust accordingly to meet the needs of their individual classes and students.

As we close in on the end of the third week of our Continuity of Learning plans, it is clear that routines are being established and many wrinkles are being ironed out as part of this huge learning curve for all of our students, staff and yourselves. I appreciate your support and efforts during these times and I applaud the planning, efforts and compassion of our staff to ensure the most optimal learning plans for each of our students. It will continue to be a work-in-progress guided by your support and the engaged participation of our Titans

At this time I would like to share something very special for all of you, our students and our Titan Nation to enjoy. We are all clearly missing our students! As we move into the second month apart from our regular routines, our collective staff wanted to reach out to our community with this video performance of, "I'll be there for you", as a tribute to everyone's dedication and efforts during these difficult times and also the sense of shared support from all of us to all of you. Please share this with everyone in your home and with our loud and proud Titan Nation!!!

Take care, be safe and talk soon.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NQJ4HQ_RMKQPZfj_ghUYvybSzuVVIJcK/view

Announcements

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 18:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Busking For Students: Ms. Schiller and Mr. Thibault will be playing guitars and singing songs at lunch today with the goal of raising money for students in this school who might not have the same advantages as you. As you walk by, please put some change in the tin can to help out. Thank-you!

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Principal's Message

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 19:30:00 GMT

Good afternoon,

As part of our plan to keep our Titan community up to date, I would like to clarify one point that was shared to our province last week from the Minister of Education. Minister Fleming referenced students "on track" to graduate or advance to the next grade level can be assured that this will be in place for all students in BC. It is important to clarify this point that "on track" requires that each student successfully completes their 2019/20 educational program, including their current Continuity of Learning Plan, and this will be confirmed in June for all students at SKSS. Our first priority is confirming our current grade 12's and their individual grad requirements to be eligible for the BC Dogwood Diploma.

All students are required to continue with their current course schedule and we will be preparing term 3 report cards shortly with term 3 ending on April 9th. Term 3 report cards are tentatively scheduled to be posted to MyEd on April 23rd.

Requests for COURSE WITHDRAWALS will not be accepted at this time. Students MUST COMPLETE THEIR CURRENT COURSES and if necessary for grade 12 students, we will adjudicate final course marks at the end of June as per past practice.

Students are reminded to immediately prioritize missing assignments and tasks from each of their classes and have them submitted to their individual teacher's asap for final marking prior to the April 9th date. If you are unsure of missing work, please contact your teacher directly.

As we move into our first week of our Continuity of Learning Plans, I have spoken with staff to develop a slow roll out of their course work with a goal of allowing both our students and parents/guardians the necessary time to become familiar with their new learning platforms while balancing this with the many demands within each of your households. I am very confident that we will collectively implement a plan that is optimal for all of our teachers and learners on our campus. I appreciate your patience and support as we define this within our staff and share it with each of you to meet the individual needs for your son/daughter.

For continued updates from both SD #73 and the Ministry of Education, please feel free to visit our SKSS website to keep informed.

Take care and be safe.

Walt Kirschner
Principal
École Secondaire South Kamloops Secondary
821 Munro Street
Kamloops, BC V2C-3E9
250-374-1405

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we continue into a lovely, warm weekend, thank you for such a positive school start up. It takes the efforts of every staff member, parent, and caregiver to support students to get to school and to be supported as learners before, during, and after school. We have so many stories about students, staff, and parents enjoying making new connections and relationships while taking part in the school and District events and activities.

Savona Elementary

Principal Scott Galloway, Trustee Cara McKelvey, and I visited Ms. Regan’s Gr. 5-6-7 class. We met with students who shared their learning about writing. Mattias (Gr. 7) was developing a story about zombies and told us that one of his favorite District events is attending “Young Authors” where he worked with multiple authors to learn about story writing. Maysa was learning about coral and writing about it.

We then went to Ms. Moore’s Gr. 2-3-4 class, where they had just finished the picture book “Stolen Words” about residential school experiences. Students were contrasting their experiences of school with what they had learned about in this book.

Sunshine, Jocelyn, and Grayson were discussing their pictures and the details that best showed similarities and differences.

In Ms. Gill’s K-1 class, they were playing a game of counting to decide who would get snacks, and she shared, “I trick them into learning even at snack time.” We visited the daycare and learned about the importance of looking to the future to consider how to provide more child care spaces.

SD73 Runs the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope

SD73 schools took part in Terry Fox runs and supported events throughout this week to study Terry Fox’s life and his dreams of raising money for cancer research, which reflected his relentless commitment to worldwide wellbeing, a core value in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. He also challenged people’s attitudes towards individuals who are disabled by setting an extraordinary goal as an amputee of running over 3000 miles across Canada. To learn more about what our schools engaged in this week, read more.

International Day of Sign Languages

School District No. 73 (SD73) is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all students. This value commitment is especially important when working with students who have diverse abilities or disabilities. As we prepare to celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages on September 23, 2023, we would like to share insights into the power of sign languages, its historical roots, and its importance within the Deaf community to illuminate how equitable learning opportunities are at the forefront of our work in classrooms with students, parents, and partners of the deaf and hard of hearing community. Read more.

Howling Coyote Golf Tournament

In the2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, we are committed to connections and relationships through partnerships and events. Fifteen years ago, the Aboriginal Education Council and Kamloops-Thompson staff members collaborated on a committee to raise funds for Aboriginal scholarships and bursaries.

District Principal Mike Bowden explained, “Not only is this a great legacy supporting and celebrating the success of SD73 Aboriginal graduates, but the annual event is an opportunity to connect communities and build positive relationships all for a good cause.”

This Scholarship/Bursary is awarded to Aboriginal students of School District No. 73 that have been involved in school and/or community activities either as a participant or volunteer and is planning on pursuing further post-secondary education. They also identified role models that have inspired them to finish high school and go on to post-secondary. Read more.

Thank you for all that you do to participate in and support District and school events, and to give to students and families through your roles as school and district staff, parents, and volunteers. We could not achieve our District mission without you.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Announcements

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 22:00:00 GMT

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

Anyone who has talked to Mrs. Fonseca about doing crew for the Christmas Play please come for a meeting in room 135 at lunch today.

Reminder that Dry Grad will be hosting a bake sale next Tuesday, December 17 at lunch.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Any Grade 12 students who would like to request a study block or become a TA in Semester 2 are asked to make an appointment to discuss this with their counsellor by Monday, December 16. Also any senior students who would like to review their schedule with their counsellor may now book a counselling appointment.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Getting Ready for Grad 2020

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 18:45:00 GMT

The Class of 2020 will be the first to graduate under the parameters of the new BC curriculum.

Career development is the third pillar of education in the district. Under the leadership of Sheryl Lindquist, district principal curriculum and careers, and Allisson Badger, district career eduction coordinator, SD73 has launched an extensive coaching program for teachers to support this work and help teachers from K to 12 navigate the big ideas and content areas in career education courses. Included in this work is helping students as they develop and present their Capstone projects.

This month, secondary students across SD73 are presenting their Capstone projects to teachers and family members, where they map out what their life might look like after graduation.

“Capstone is a graduation project where students get to celebrate their learning,” said Sheila Monkman, Trades and Transitions coordinator at NorKam Senior Secondary. “Some students have done a hands-on project, and some have done a career research project in their field of interest. They are all working on their personal journey, and what their life is going to be. It is a really unique experience for them.”

These projects are now one of the requirements for graduation for a number of reasons, according to the BC Ministry of Education. Benefits are said to include increased student motivation, confidence and engagement.

“Today we live in a state of constant change,” says the BC Curriculum website. “The way we interact with each other personally, socially, and at work has changed forever. Knowledge is growing at exponential rates in many domains, creating new information and possibilities. This is the world our students are entering.”

“I think it is an amazing experience,” said Olivia Busenius, a grade 12 student at NorKam Senior Secondary. She is planning to become a nurse, and she said the project helped her better understand her strengths and weaknesses. It also gave her some perspective on the importance of budgeting.

Kyra Warren, a grade 12 student at Valleyview Secondary, is planning for a career as a respiratory therapist, and she said the financial planning part of the project was also a big help for her.

“It really helped me solidify a plan to go into my future,” she said.

The project made a big difference for grade 11 NorKam student Zoey Martin. “Doing this project was a lot harder than a lot of people would say it was,” she said. “I went from saying I was going to fail, I’m not going to do it, I’m not going to pass the class, I’m not going to graduate’, to talking to my teachers, them helping me, talking me through it, and encouraging me. I am actually really happy with my project.”

Liam Marks wants to attend TRU to become a heavy-duty mechanic. Working with his Dad, he builds trucks and cars. He had a truck on display and his presentation included photos of another truck he is currently working on.

“I think learning looks different for just about every student,” said Monkman. “By grades 11 and 12, the students are all figuring out what their own path looks like and how they learn best. The learning is really dynamic today. It is really so different from the bum in seat, row of desks that was the style when I was going to school. The kids are working in such a different manner because they need different skills than we did.”

Art Brings SKSS Together

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 19:45:00 GMT

SKSS Art teacher Lisa Yamaoka will soon embark on an art supply shopping spree.

Yamaoka’s art class was recently announced as the winner of the Art Brings Us Together giving program presented by BC-owned and operated Opus Art Supplies. Her class will receive a $1,000 gift card towards the purchase of various art supplies above and beyond the usual supply list.

The Art teacher credits positive community support for the award: “[It] directly impacts students as they investigate the world we live in through their personal expression and sharing art. Arts Education encourages students to experiment, try new processes, make mistakes, celebrate their differences, champion what makes them unique and reflect on the world around them.”

“I feel grateful every day to witness student artists who show up, engage, and enjoy our time together in the art room at South Kamloops Secondary,” said Yamaoka.

“I am so proud of Ms. Yamaoka's dedication, passion, and commitment to Arts Education and her students,” said Walt Kirschner, SKSS principal. “Lisa has redefined what creativity looks and feels like for so many of our students and staff, as well as within the Kamloops Arts community. Ms. Yamaoka's work is extensive both on our campus and within our greater community.”

Among the hundreds of votes, below are some testimonials that contributed to the win for SKSS:

“The art teacher Lisa Yamaoka is doing an amazing job fostering creativity in all of her classes and, being a public school, funding for innovative projects and field trips is extremely limited. This award would go a long way in her classes, allowing for students to gain experience with new materials and grow their love for art!”

“They have the most dedicated art teacher who is truly in it for the students and the art. The art program at SKSS is something that has stuck with me years after graduation and truly an amazing cause!”

“I graduated from this school and the art teacher Lisa Yamaoka was the reason I persuaded my passion for art as a career and went to complete a BFA. This art teacher brought so much love for the arts and creates an amazing safe space for everyone. She brings out the best in the creative side of students and has always been so resourceful and encouraging. To have someone see the potential in others to create and explore and feel okay to try new things and be different is what makes her classes so special.”

Keeping You Informed

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 20:00:00 GMT

School District No. 73 is working closely with the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control regarding COVID-19.

The District has plans in place to respond to this new illness, as the province is preparing for the possibility of a pandemic. We are committed to keeping parents, students and the community informed about health and safety issues.

Coronavirus is not airborne and the risk in BC remains low. Simply do the same things you would do to avoid common viruses. The best defence is to regularly wash your hands and avoid touching your face.

We will provide regular updates. Read our current update here, and download our app to receive updates as we post them. You can download the SD73 Mobile App through Apple or Android.

Information about COVID-19, including advice and guidance to schools, is regularly updated on the BC Centre for Disease Control site.

Get Ready with the Wildfire Preparedness Guide

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 22:15:00 GMT

It looks like we are in for a smoky summer, filled with news of wildfires and evacuation alerts, and the BC Government has shared a Wildfire Preparedness Guide with the District in the hope that parents will find it helpful.

“Wildfires are already happening in and around the Kamloops-Thompson School District, and some of the information in this guide might make the difference for some families,” said Dr. Rhonda Nixon, School Superintendent. “It’s important information for all of us. We need to know how to be ready on short notice, and unfortunately, we may need to maintain this readiness for much of the summer.”

The guide includes a list of what to pack in a go-bag, like phone chargers, flashlights and important personal documents in addition to food, clothes and water.

“Know your evacuation stages,” says the guide. “Understand the evacuation stages in British Columbia, and what to do for each. This will help you respond quickly and confidently.”

The guide lists each of the three evacuation stages (Evacuation Alert, Evacuation Order, Evacuation Rescind) and tells you what to do for each stage.

Some things might surprise you. For example, for an Evacuation Alert, taking down flammable curtains and window treatments and filling large containers with water (pools, hot tubs, garbage cans) can help firefighters. For an Evacuation Order, closing all the doors and turning on all the lights (both interior and exterior) makes your home visible to firefighters in heavy smoke.

In addition to having go-bags packed and staying aware of the situation in your community, you should always keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least half-full.

Board Notes from September 25, 2023

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Reconciliation, Inspire Kids FASD, and School Learning Plans. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

It is hard to believe it is almost December. As we lead up to the holiday season, I hope you and your family enjoy the festivities and celebrations at schools and take time to connect and nurture relationships and well-being, which are core values in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

NorKam Secondary School – November 26, 2024

Principal Sdoutz and I started our visit in the library. Mr. Hafeli emphasized, “It is wonderful to have Grades 8 and 9 again, and I have been able to add more books and appreciate the new shelving put in by the District carpenters.” He is also very proud of how much the students are reading—“I am having a hard time keeping up with adding titles as fast as students are reading them, which is a good problem to have!” Principal Sdoutz acknowledged that Mr. Hafeli has made a very positive difference in these students’ lives with his passion for reading and inspiring students to not only talk about books, but also to critically analyze them, creatively represent them, and to join one of the largest District Battle of the Books teams amongst the secondary schools. The NorKam team held their own in the recent District Battle of the Books Championships in the question-answer rounds and in their creative challenge shown in the picture.

We then met with Mr. Pendergast and Mr. Swint who were planning together for their Middle years International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme classes. Mr. Pendergast enthusiastically explained, “We have 23 students, and we realize now that we could have had even more if we reduced the application process. Our goal is to double the number of students!” When I asked how they had found student uptake, he shared a calendar of all of the classes and how students provided positive feedback and indications of planning to continue into high school courses and the Diploma Programme. For example, students in Spanish 8 IB will join with Grades 9-11 next year. They have a full range of courses taught using IB approaches which focus on concept-based curricula, and students’ competencies development such as critical thinking, creative thinking, and innovative and collaborative problem solving, to name a few. They took the time to visit Johnston Heights IB World School in Surrey as well as others in the Lower Mainland. Through these examples and their own work with staff to co-develop a vision for MYP, they aim to have the entire school taught using an IB approach so that every student has access to MYP. “I see the whole school being an IB school,” emphasized Mr. Pendergast.

Ms. Horton’s Grade 8 MYP Science class enthusiastically shared how their learning experiences have been different in MYP. When I asked them how it has been different, Daniel said, “We are engaged in a lot more discussion and group work,” and Avery highlighted, “I find it to be more focused.” Quinn and Hannah agreed and shared that the posters of MYP showed who they are becoming as students, with a focus on competency development.

Mr. Bauhuis engaged his Physics 12 class in a practical study of how electricity travels through different mediums. The first experiment involved a student in standing next to and touching an electrostatic generator. The result was positive ions travelling from the generator into the student’s hair which became positively charged and standing up on end. The students expanded their study of how ions travelled using a water bottle to see whether the charge would travel through the water and bottle, and they also experienced how creating a human chain by holding hands caused the electric charge to travel through their hands to the last person in heir human chain who got a shock by touching a metal light switch. These active demonstrations inspired discussion about how the charges travelled, what kind of charges they were, and what grounded the unit.

Mr. Van Der Merwe was teaching Grade 8 MYP robotics. Students were coding their robots to travel at different distances, curves, changes in directions, and at different speeds to compete through a maze. This took a fair amount of trial and error by coding and re-coding the robots to travel as fast and efficiently as possible through increasingly more complex mazes. The students shared how they had to be very good at judging other forces like the slipperiness of the surface, the weight of their creation, the distances to turn and the curve needed to turn, and to reflect these ideas in how they coded their changes in motion for their robots. This kind of scientific activity showed the students working intensely together, trying, checking where they needed to adjust their calculations, and then trying again. Persistence, resilience, and analytical thinking were developed throughout his project.

South Kamloops Secondary Teams – Ethics Bowl Interior Regional Winners

We have had a NorKam Senior Secondary team win the National Ethics Bowl in 2023 and in May 2024, the South Kamloops Secondary team became the National Ethics Bowl Champions. This is a significant academic accomplishment that reveals students’ abilities to research controversial issues of importance, consider different perspectives on these issues, and position themselves to defend a perspective as a team.

These teams discuss current ethical dilemmas of social, political, economic, scientific, or cultural nature. Prior to the day, all “bowlers” research and develop the cases and arrive at the Ethics Bowl prepared to discuss their ideas and to listen to other perspectives. Students are evaluated on communication, use of relevant information, critical thinking, and collaboration, among other academic skill sets.

At this year’s Interior Regional Ethics Bowl, we had more teams participate than previous years, including teams from South Kamloops Secondary School, Sa-Hali Secondary, Valleyview Secondary, Westsyde Secondary, and NorKam Secondary. While all teams did very well, South Kamloops Secondary School had two teams win first and second place in the interior regional competition. Read more.

Sníne Elementary Community Engagement

With the District’s newest school, Sníne Elementary, currently being built and anticipated to be opened in the Fall 2026, we are engaging with school communities who would be sending students to the new school. We’ve enjoyed connecting with Sa-Hali, Aberdeen, McGowan, Dufferin, and South Kamloops Secondary staff and parents so far. By December 4, 2024, we will be ready to share the proposed catchment changes in a webinar for parents and staff who will be directly affected. To learn more, please go here.

Board Notes

To learn more about the Regular Public Board Meeting on November 18, 2024, please feel free to read the Board Notes here.

As you prepare for upcoming concerts, celebrations, and holiday cheer, I hope that you and your children continue to love learning together and seeing the beauty of the wide range of programming in our schools. It has been delightful to see students enjoying learning and feeling inspired to share it. It is and has been a gift to learn alongside them.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

We continue learning about and championing human rights for Human Rights Month, and we are focused on our core values of wellbeing and wisdom.

Wisdom and Wellbeing

In December, we are focused on the core values of Wellbeing and Wisdom in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. Wellbeing is fostering opportunities to promote emotional, psychological, and physical, wellbeing for all students and staff. Through consultation with the Aboriginal Education Council, we learned that the “Beaver” represents “Wisdom” and is known to guide communities through role modelling hard work.

NorKam Senior Secondary School

Principal Sdoutz and I started in Mr. Sjokvist’s Theory of Knowledge class in which students were applying ways of knowing to a movie assignment. We then met Ms. Anderson, who was cooking, and she shared how they feed 50-70 students daily. Ms. Mousseau, Ms. Boisclair, and Ms. Orlando came in to assist with the meal program and shared about their student support services programming. We visited different classrooms that offered varied choices for students in their “WISE” block (designated time to assignment support or options). Mr. Williams was teaching Science and students had created notes that were then used to develop test questions. This motivated students to be accurate and succinct as they collaborated to write them on the white board. We met with Ms. Beers and her students who had been making drums using traditional supplies and protocols in the ABLE program. One student commented, “It is my favourite block.” Mr. Pendergast and Ms. Stewart discussed the value of the extracurricular debate program in their school. Mr. Pendergast emphasized, “This is one of the most rewarding experiences in my teaching career because students learn so much from delving into case studies and ethics.” The program has doubled in size over the last couple of years, and it is growing quickly through the support and passion of staff.

CAKE Musical at the Paramount - Dec. 4

I enjoyed opening and closing the Kamloops Thompson Honour Choir that performed their winter concert on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at the Paramount Theatre. Read more. Thank you to Choir Director, Jennica Alpaugh, Manager, Cyndy Olsen, Accompanists, Lori Jane Froese and Kerry Tarwnosky; and to District Coordinator of Arts Education Janet McCloy for contributing to the development of students’ wellbeing through music, a core value commitment in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Preparing for Schools of Choice Registration and Kindergarten Open House

Stay safe as you continue with outdoor and indoor activities with family and friends.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Wildfire Smoke and Your Health Factsheet

Wed, 17 May 2023 20:30:00 GMT

The Canadian Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is designed to help people understand how air quality can affect their health, and how they can protect themselves when air quality is poor. It uses a scale of 1-10+ to indicate potential health risk and to recommend actions for reducing risk. Read more.

Board Notes from April 28, 2025

Thu, 01 May 2025 22:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Artificial Intelligence Framework, OMRIE Indigenous Student Summit, and CommunityLINK Report. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you for your dedicated efforts to attend concerts and take part in important activities that support families and community members such as donating food and gifts for hampers, making meals, and clothing drives, to name a few. Parents and caregivers are the foundation of our work in schools, and we appreciate your time, energy, and commitment to our children throughout the year.

As we end December, the stories this month focused on wellbeing and the Grandfather Teaching of Wisdom–role modeling hard work to guide communities and listening to advice of diverse perspectives in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Westsyde Seondary’s Empty Bowl Event

In SD73, our vision is fostering educated and resilient citizens empowered to contribute to a diverse, inclusive, caring, and sustainable society. This year, students at Westsyde Secondary School held its first Empty Bowls event on December 7th, to raise money for the Kamloops Food Bank. Students and staff from various disciplines worked together to raise approximately $2,700 for families facing food insecurity this holiday season. Read more.

Street School Continuing Education Holiday Luncheon

Principal Johnson and Leanne Holmes, ICS Outreach worker, stood beside the cooks- Pierrette Thifault, who is 73 and Barb Lundstrom who is 72 years old. Although graduated, Barb is continuing to take further upgrading courses and Pierette is completing semester two courses and expects to cross the stage at the end of this year. Pierette explained the importance of “keeping our brains working as we age to stay mentally fit.” Barbara and Pierette had cooked ham, potatoes, carrots and yams as well as desserts - apple pie with ice-cream. It was a lovely meal that was shared with students and staff, including Vice Principal Finley.

South Kamloops Secondary School

Principal Kirschner shared the renovations which have been completed to make a new fitness room and an area to gather where the previous fitness room had been. He also showed the current renovations in which the computer lab will become a Learning Hub for small group, one-on-one, blended learning (for students working on online courses), and a location for students who require a different, quieter space to engage in course work. He was appreciative of the support of the Facilities Department in expediting these requests to better accommodate students.

We visited Mr. Ansley who was teaching Career Life Education 10. The students were creating shoe boxes with supplies for the women’s shelter and boxing food for the Kamloops Food Bank. He also shared the students’ projects about studying a person whom they admired and tracing that person’s career pathway, noting the challenges along the way and how they worked through them. One student had done Taylor Swift and asked, “Whatever you do, do not put one mark on this paper because I want to keep it.”

The students then gathered in the Sagebrush Theater for the “Christmas Bride” musical play directed by Ms. Fonseca and supported by Ms. Storz, Assistant Director, and Ms. Smith, Stage Manager. The play had a large cast, with a main cast, understudies, extras, elves, penguins, and sugarplum fairy dancers. The narrative was a parody of the movie, Princess Bride, where the scene that is woven throughout is of the story being read as it is performed. It was an amazing performance with superb acoustics and stage management.

Sa-Hali Secondary School

Principal Brady and I visited with Ms. Cacaci whose Gr. 9 and 10 Art students shared their three dimensional pottery art of food that were designed for the “Empty Bowls” fundraising event. As I asked students to explain their pieces, one student shared that the cup was overflowing to metaphorically represent the greed and waste of food in Canada. A few others had designed food from their backgrounds including Indian dishes such as samosas and jalebi, as examples. Ms. Cacaci shared that many of the students who organized the Empty Bowls fundraiser were part of the UNESCO student group who had developed many projects that promoted sustainability. She shared that Ms. McVittie had started the UNESCO work in 2018, and Ms. Penny, who is also a teacher at their school, is a provincial leader in UNESCO and has taked students to International Conferences to present their work.

We visited Mr. Rutley, Music teacher, who was teaching Gr. 10,11, and 12 students how to play Beatles songs. Mr. Brady emphasized that Mr. Rutley is very committed and even has practices early in the morning. The students were looking forward to being able to play some classic pieces. Mr. Robertson, Math teacher, engaged students in determining how to represent numbers using hundreds, tens, and ones visuals. We visited Ms. Farcus and Ms. August, Aboriginal Education Workers, who were working with students and sharing how they were indigenizing various school spaces. Mr. Remesz had Gr. 10 students finishing a test and continuing their work in Genetics. Ms. Carroll’s Gr. 9 Physics class was also competing work on friction and resistance and the impact on movement of various objects.

We walked through the Learning Hub where Ms. Halliwell, Macpherson, and Simoes were working with students one-on-one and in small groups. Some students are working on courses and then returning to class while others are online. Then we entered the learning commons where Mr. Kitamura was supporting students who were working on varied literacy assignments. We ended our walk in Phys. Ed.,where Gr.8-10 students were working out in the fitness centre while others played games in the gym.

Ralph Bell Elementary School

Principal Mangell and I had a wonderful visit starting in Ms. Rasmussen’s Gr. 5-6 class, where she was working on Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) activities. We then visited the sensory room which was redesigned for students who require different spaces to engage in learning. The space was a collaborative effort involving Ms. Moore, an Inclusive Education Support Teacher. We had a discussion with staff about supporting students with diverse needs, and Ms. Lawson, Learning Assistance Resource Teacher, commented that one student said, “Since I’ve been coming to you, I can read now.” She shared that she has been using phonetic sound strategies rooted in research-based ways of teaching reading.

Ms. Bojeson’s Gr. 3-4 class was engaged in beading and Ms. Neighbour’s Gr. 2-3 class was creating wooden snow people, penguins, and gingerbread people out of wood donated by Home Hardware. Ms. Grimm’s Gr. 6-7 students were practicing for the concert and also engaging in a writing exercise about their senses on a winter day. In Kindergarten, Ms. Gavin’s students were singing ‘Let It Go” by reading the words in a picture book. Ms. Thompson’s Gr. 1-2 class was coloring addition and subtraction solutions to problems. Ms. Pehowich’s Gr. 2 class was enjoying snack time before recess.

To end our visit, we went into the gym in which the stage crew of students (Bridgett, Ella) were planning the stage items for the show, and the student music crew (Adam, Lucas, Carter) were sharing their sound system and the plans for supporting the play, choir, and speakers.

École South Sa-Hali Elementary’s Winter Concert

On December 20, 2023, South Sa-Hali upper elementary students shared their vocal and instrumental talents to get everyone ready for the holiday. Mme Funk’s class sang “Up On the Housetop”. M. Bourassa’s band played a compilation of “Don’t Stop Believin’”, “Sing, Sing, Sing”, and “Bang on the Drums All Day” as well as “Band on the Housetop”. Mme Wallis’ and M. Hughes’ band played, “Any Way You Want It”, “The Nutcracker March”, “A Rather Bumpy Sleigh Ride”, and “Mamma Mia”. Mme Magalie’s class played and sang “Mister Frosty Winter” and “Sleigh Bells (bucket drumming). Mme Graf’s students drummed “Carol of Bells” and Mme Charlotte’s group drummed “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree”. The finale of the concert was Mme Charlotte’s and Mme Graf’s “Here Comes the Snow”. It was a delightful ending where every row in the audience joined into a personalized version of the 12 Days of Christmas. Thank you to the students, parents, administration, and staff of École South Sa-Hali Elementary. What a lovely way to share joy before the holiday.

Kindergarten Information Nights

Kindergarten Round-Up Information Night: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - 6:30 PM -7:30 PM (virtual session) and Schools of Choice Information Night: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (virtual session). Read more

I hope that you look forward to a wonderful break and take time to do what you most enjoy over the holiday and stay safe and healthy.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone return to school feeling refreshed and ready for 2024!

Happy Holidays!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

A TRU Advisor Is Coming To You!

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 17:30:00 GMT

School Bus Safety

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 21:00:00 GMT

During School Bus Safety Week October 17 – 23, the theme was We Stop – You Stop.

SD73 Transportation Director Sherry Kristjanson says during this week, and every week during the school year, we need to remember the reason for those flashing red lights on school buses.

“Keeping the safety of our children is top of mind for our school bus drivers every school day,” she said. “Our district covers more than 27,000 kilometers and on each school day our drivers make sure about 4,000 students travel safely by bus more than 9,000 of those kilometers.”

It’s the law in British Columbia that drivers must stop if they see red lights flashing on a school bus.

"This year's theme, We Stop - You Stop, really speaks to the community partnerships the District is privileged to be a part of," said SD73 Secretary-Treasurer Trina Cassidy. "We do all we can to help get our school bus students safely to school and home again, and when drivers see and then stop for those flashing red lights on school buses, they are doing their part, too."

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 01:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

February is kindness month, so it is an opportunity to be intentional about recognizing those who engage in quiet acts of kindness as well as stories that illuminate equity (removing barriers and creating environments that provide accessible and powerful opportunities for all students and staff to thrive). The core values of relationships/connections, equity, wellbeing and sustainability are foundational to who we are in SD73 as described in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan and are illuminated in the stories shared.

Arthur Hatton Elementary School

Principal Charron and I began our learning walk by speaking with Ms. Fehst who shared how the Gr. 4-5 students were preparing to cook lunch for students at noon. Different classes take on this learning and sharing about how to grow, purchase, budget, prepare, and serve food for guests. Feeding Futures has enabled the staff to develop resources for teaching food literacy so that students gain a repertoire of strategies to prepare varied dishes. Ms. May, Aboriginal Support Teacher, organizes guest speakers and cultural programming such as drum making, seasonal rounds, and loose parts activities.

Ms. Zanders’ Gr. 5-6 class was engaged in problem solving fractions and receiving one-on-one teacher coaching. Similar to the primary grades, Gr. 5-6 teachers have regrouped their students for literacy time to be able to teach collaboratively and share strategies.

Ms. Sweeney’s Gr. 5-6 students were working independently and in partners on math problems. They also work with Mr. Denby’s class to prepare 40 starfish backpacks for families every Friday. Mr. Denby’s Gr. 5-6 class was also engaged in math and he shared how students integrated math into taking care of the garden outside, when seasonally possible, and microgreens inside.

Ms. Elwood stopped to discuss the learning centre and sensory room and how it is used for soft starts, breaks, and one-on-one and small group learning.

Mr. Kershaw was reviewing hibernation with Gr. 1, and Ms. McMillan’s class was sharing their sayings on their shirts because it was “Read My Shirt” Day. Ms. Sutherland’s Gr.1 class was preparing for recess and finishing snacks.

Career Education Programming

In our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, Career Development is a priority and our ultimate goal is that every learner will graduate, know who they are, and have plans for who they aim to become through their career pathway.

To support high school students to consider varied career pathways, SD73 Career Education staff organized evening sessions for students to learn about the hairstylist progression of learning, and the Digital Arts and Technology Academy (DATA). These evening sessions inspired attendees who learned from students currently in these programs and from staff who were passionate about the career possibilities connected to them. Read more.

New Bachelor of Engineering Program at Thompson Rivers University

In SD73, we have a strong partnership with Thompson Rivers University and we aim to share information to support students and families to learn about new career pathways supported by TRU. For the Fall 2024, TRU is starting their new Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering program. Read more.

Student and Family Affordability Fund

On August 29, 2022, the Ministry of Education and Child Care announced that school districts in BC would be provided with a one-time fund ($60 M) called the Student and Family Affordability Fund (SFAF) intended to provide additional funds to parents to offset costs of food through meals programs in the school, school supplies, and any additional fees so that students can take part in activities, such as field trips, athletics, and fine arts.

School District No. 73 received $1,656,248 in November 2022.

As of January 26, 2024, the District has spent approximately $670,000 which has provided assistance with an estimated $17,000 school fees.

There is $226,000 in funding available for the remainder of the school year that will continue to provide support for school supplies, course fees, academy fees and enhancement fees. To access these funds - Read more.

As we begin February, Kindness Month, take time to be kind to yourself and do something that you enjoy this weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Announcements

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 18:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

Are you a grade 9 French immersion student interested in participating in next year's Quebec Exchange program? If so, there will be a meeting at the beginning of lunch on Thursday in room 220 (Mr. Laprade's room).

A reminder to grade 12 students that Grad photo orders are due back to the office by Monday, February 3.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

On the weekend, Kayli Elwood placed first in her category at the Kelly Road Wrestling Tournament in Prince George, pinning all of her opponents. Congratulations Kayli on your Gold Medal!

Students are reminded that there is an opinion box in the office where they can write their opinions about issues related to SKSS: whether they be positive or constructive. Also, there is a newspaper club meeting at lunch today in room 110.

Message from Mr. Kirschner: Good Morning Titans! I want to extend a personal invitation to each of you to attend our inaugural CLC 12 Capstone presentation showcase this Wednesday, January 15 from 6-7:30 p.m. at SKSS. This event is an opportunity for our grade 12 Career Life Connections students to illustrate their educational journeys, interests, values and passions summarized from all of their diverse experiences on our campus from over the past 5 years. It would be great to see many of you here and support your friends and fellow Titans during this special evening.

Auditions for Clue On Stage, the Spring play will be held from 2:10-4:00 p.m. this Wednesday in Room 135. If you have signed up for auditions make sure you show up on your day. If you would like to sign up for auditions, see Mrs. Fonseca.

TNT NEWS:

The due date for RCMP Youth Academy applications has been extended until this Friday, January 17. If you are interested, please have all forms in to Ms. Gillis by Thursday afternoon.

Other deadlines coming up: Heavy Metal Rocks apps are due January 23, so please have all forms in by Tuesday January 21; Junior Fire Crew applications are due February 10 -- all documents in to SKSS by Friday, February 7.

Finally, applications for Youth Train in Trades TRU programs, NorKam Sampler, and Hairdressing applications are all due in February, so come and pick up the packages and get started organizing documents and references now.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

If you are in Grade 12 and graduating this year, the TRU marketing dept. will be distributing free TRU crewneck sweaters to all grade 12s at lunch this Friday in the main hallway.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Announcements

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 18:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

The Senior Drama Class will be performing monologues from Spoon River on January 22 and 23 at 7:00 pm in the Senior Drama Room. Tickets are $5 and include dessert and coffee. Anyone interested in tickets can see Mrs. Fonseca or one of the Senior Drama Students.

Are you a grade 9 French immersion student interested in participating in next year's Quebec Exchange program? If so, there will be a meeting at lunch today in room 220.

A reminder to grade 12 students that Grad photo orders are due back to the office by Monday, February 3. Also, there is a sign up sheet in the office for grad photo retakes for those who missed out the first round or would like a retake.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Please note tonight's art night is cancelled. See you January 30! See Mrs. Yamaoka for details.

Congratulations to Hudson Black, winner of the basket from yesterdays’ raffle sale.

The Leadership class is hosting games in the gym at lunch today; raising funds for the SPCA. Come and join in the fun!

A reminder to students of the Bannock Sale on Friday @ long break and lunch in the hallway.

TNT NEWS:

The due date for RCMP Youth Academy applications has been extended until this Friday. If you are interested, please have all forms in to Ms. Gillis by this afternoon.

Other deadlines coming up: Heavy Metal Rocks apps are due January 23, so please have all forms in by Tuesday January 21; Junior Fire Crew applications are due February 10 - all documents in to SKSS by Friday, February 7.

Finally, applications for Youth Train in Trades TRU programs, NorKam Sampler, and Hairdressing applications are all due in February, so come and pick up the packages and get started organizing documents and references now.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

If you are in Grade 12 and graduating this year, the TRU marketing dept. will be distributing free TRU crewneck sweaters to all grade 12s at lunch this Friday in the main hallway.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we attend events and continue to get important work done to end this year, we enjoy the focus on our core value commitments of relationships/connections, wellbeing, sustainability, and equity in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

District Employee Recognition

On June 13, 2023, 75 people came together to celebrate SD73 employees who have served from 10 to 45 years, and retirees who have dedicated their lives to serving in our district. This year, our District Employee Engagement Survey results indicated that we need to take time to stop and recognize one another for important milestones and accomplishments, and we need to be present and make relationships and connections a priority.

One change that we made this year was to include retirees in the 2023 District Employee Service Recognition event. Approximately 15 retirees joined our group of 75 guests in the Mountain Room at Thompson Rivers University. It was a magical night! Read more.

@KOOL School

Principal Hembling and I reviewed the preparations of @KOOL to prepare to be one of 18 BC school districts to become Provincial Online Learning schools for 2023-2024. @KOOL staff have been attending professional development about building courses in BrightSpace, the new Provincial Learning Management system, and collaborating to share engaging online course materials and pedagogy.

@KOOL staff and students had recently celebrated their “@KOOL Aboriginal Cultural Day”, which involved all staff and students from the school’s multiple locations. Principal Hembling stated, “It was a great day, and we had a lot of students/families attend. Participants rotated through our eight learning activity stations, each of which highlighted a different aspect of Secwepemc culture. We were lucky enough to be joined by Knowledge Keeper Jackie Jules, whose station focussed on Ethnobotany and Traditional Secwepemc Medicines and their uses, pictured here with several of our students from around Kamloops/Thompson. Some families traveled from as far away as Venables Valley, a community near Ashcroft, BC.

Another popular learning activity was the student-run Secwepemctsin (Secwepemc language) Bingo station, which gave students the opportunity to learn common/useful words connected to the Secwepemc culture and everyday tasks and objects. Chelsea Ross, the SD73 Aboriginal Education Coordinator, ran an outdoor stick and ring game (pictured left) that most students had never played before.

The day culminated in a lunch provided for students and their families that gave attendees the opportunity to connect, socialize and meet people face-to-face that in an online school setting they may have only met virtually. Vice Principal Laurel Seafoot described the day as “a hugely successful first annual event that we look forward to repeating next year and for years to come.” She and Principal Hembling were particularly thankful to the @KOOL staff who all pitched in to organize and run the day. “It was truly an example of staff from all our @KOOL sites working together to make the day a success for our students” said Principal Hembling.

Marion Schilling Elementary School

Principal Deb Piggin and Vice Principal Karla Chernoff shared with Trustee Hickson and me that the Gr. 6/7 students really enjoyed creating their “stamp canvases” of little pictures in a tile format around themes of personal significance like their families, their passions (sports, fine arts). We then viewed pictures of their recent 80s dance that was organized by the Parent Advisory Council (PAC). Their school focus on belonging has also been enhanced by their whole school’s work on a new school theme song. It was inspiring, and they are working with an outside group to fine tune it. As we continued, we witnessed the vibrant Strong Start program in which preschool children and parents attend five days/week. Principal Piggin attributed the strength of the program to their facilitator, Ms. Shea Bauer.

Mr. Bell’s Gr. 6-7 class was working on an inclusive sexual health lesson, and students were discussing how to set health relationship boundaries. Ms. Ray’s Gr. 6-7 class was studying goal-setting and focused on financial goals and strategies. Ms. Hanlon had a small group that was engaged in small group vocabulary instruction. Mr. Desaulniers’ Gr. 3s were playing “Math Buzz” and working in pairs and independently. Mr. D. was helping students by giving feedback and support on their work. The students explained that they apply math skills in their class “store”. They collect points for demonstrating competencies that promote belonging– being kind, helping others. When they collect points, they spend them in their class store which has a range of donated items. During recess, we met Hayden who played “Ode to Joy” and “Jingle Bells” on his recorder. As we ended the visit, Ms. Patton’s K-1 class had made monster pictures after reading “Everybody”. To conclude our walk, we talked with Daryll Laboucan, Aboriginal Education Worker, who described how he was making rattles with students and how rattles are used in ceremonies.

Second Annual District Powwow

The second annual District Powwow began with the Grand Procession led by the Arena Director, Cecil Sheena and District Principal, Mike Bowden carrying the Eagle Staff gifted to the School District. Dignitaries and dancers in regalia followed.

Students in Grade 5 and Grade 5 split classes from 35 elementary schools entered and were seated with their school banners in the Tk'emlups arbor. They watched and learned from the Powwow Master of Ceremony, Gord Cuthbert who stopped to teach them about the different aspects of the Powwow. He explained that the Grand Procession is a way of entering to begin the Powwow. There are times when all students and dignitaries would join in the Grand Procession; however, in this case, with 2500 people, he elected to have only the dignitaries lead the procession into the Tk'emlups arbor. Read more.

Graduations

Thank you to everyone who continues to support our graduates of 2023. To read the speeches of valedictorians, Read more.

Thank you for everything that you are doing to support families, students, and each other during June. Enjoy your weekend with family and friends.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

SD73 Indigenous Family Voices for Education

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 19:30:00 GMT

If you are a parent or caregiver of an Indigenous child attending School District No. 73 and would like to become involved, please join us at our virtual meeting on Wednesday, January 26 @ 6:30pm.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/65931281468?pwd=UFN1YTMwZ0hsb1FjZEcxZXVRSUxHQT09

Meeting ID: 659 3128 1468

Passcode: 350736

SD73 Indigenous Family Voices for Education (SD73 IFVE) is an Indigenous parent/caregiver group for School District No. 73 that meets virtually over the school year. They also have representation on the SD73 District Parent Advisory Council.

SD73 IFVE provides:

• Indigenous parent/caregiver voice

• Building positive relationships with schools, district, and community

• Supporting and advocating for Indigenous student success

• Parent information sessions

Click here for our introduction letter

SD73 IFVE will also be holding a draw for three prizes during the meeting for those in attendance.

For more information, contact Mike Bowden, District Principal of Aboriginal Education or go to the Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/SD73IFVE. You can also send an email to: SD73IFVE@gmail.com

Understanding Indigenous Principles of Learning Series 1

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 18:00:00 GMT

SD73 presenters Trudi Nielsen, Aboriginal District Resource Teacher K-3, and Charmayne Wilson, Aboriginal Distict Resource Teacher On-the-Land, will be sharing local and traditional medicines from the territory. They will also be using and teaching Secwepemctsin (Secwepemc Language) terms and references. This will lead to a deeper understanding of the local language, as well as local Indigenous ways of knowing and doing.

The workshop will be held via ZOOM on Thursday, January 27, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here, and you will be provided with the link to the meeting.

Kamloops-Thompson School District Celebrates Pink Shirt Day - February 28, 2024

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 marks the 17th Pink Shirt Day provincially, and it is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and inclusivity.

“Our Board is committed to making sure that all students are proud of who they are in the fullness of their identities (cultural, family, ethnic, religious, age, sexual orientations and gender identities, and disabilities or diverse abilities) to feel safe, accepted and respected in our schools and district facilities,” stated Board Chair Heather Grieve.

“We have many opportunities for students to have a voice (District Student Equity Council, District Student Advisory Council, Aboriginal Student Leadership Council, Indigenous Student Summit, to name some examples). In these groups, students feel safe to express themselves about barriers to feeling included (racism, discrimination, bullying),” shared Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Nixon. “I am proud of the work of all staff who lead these groups to help us to change procedures and practices that prevent students from feeling safe, included, and having a sense of belonging in schools.”

“The District Accessibility Committee is a group of individuals 50% of whom have visible and invisible disabilities. They have developed an accessibility plan and have recently collected feedback on this plan,” shared Assistant Superintendent Mochikas. “I believe that this group is already making a positive impact on our district because they have identified actions such as having the Rick Hansen Foundation review our facilities to assess a school’s overall accessibility. This process would provide valuable information to assist in making schools and District facilities more accessible.”

“Pink Shirt Day signifies the importance of the Cultural and Identity Priority in the District Strategic Plan and all that we are doing to embrace every person for who they are and who they become in environments that enable them to flourish,” shared Board Chair Heather Grieve.

We encourage you to spread positive messages of inspiration and share words of kindness this Pink Shirt Day, using the social media hashtags: #PinkShirtDay, #LiftEachOtherUp and #erasebullying.”

Announcements

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 22:15:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

Junior girls soccer tryouts start next Wednesday at 330 at south Kam gym, Thursday at 5 and Friday at 330pm.

The SKSS Girls curling team won their opening game with a come from behind 6-5 victory against a strong Delta Sands Secondary. The girls were back in action at 730am starting strong with a commanding 8-2 win. Their 3rd game will be at 130 today! Go SKSS!

Junior Ultimate Frisbee: There is a meeting for all grades 9 and 10 playing junior ultimate Frisbee on Friday at long break in room 224. Please attend to discuss practices next week and to get paperwork and schedule.

Any Grade 8-11 boys interested in playing basketball this Spring or next year are asked to come to a meeting Friday at lunch in the gym.

Any one interested in joining the mountain bike team, there will be a short informational meeting Friday at long break in the woodshop. If you cannot be there, please see Ms. Scallon ahead of time.

There is an important meeting for all Jr Boys Gold basketball players in Mr. Barker's room at lunch.

All Sr Boys rugby players are reminded of their tryouts today after school in the KSA gym. Please wait for your coaches to arrive before entering the gym.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

FRAL 12 students: Any FRAL 12 student looking to write the FRENCH 12 challenge exam in April, please quickly see Mme Francis at lunch TODAY!

There will be a Mind Health Matters meeting today at lunch. If you have questions, please see the counselling office.

CABANE à SUCRE: Calling all lumberjacks! Wear your best flannel and suspenders and join us Tuesday, March 10th at lunch in the courtyard for some maple taffy and music. Les élèves dans le programme d'immersion descendront avec leurs classes pendant leurs cours ce jour-là. Amuses-toi à la cabane à sucre !

Today the Peer Tutoring group welcomes people from all grades to attend games day at lunch in the library. There will be lots of games, snacks, and plenty of fun. Don’t forget to bring a friend!

There will be a meeting for both ethics bowl teams today at lunch in room 112.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Are you in need of a nice warm drink to warm up on a cold winter’s day? Every Thursday at lunch for the next couple months the SKSS Band will be selling hot chocolate in the main hallway. Proceeds go to their trip in April. Bring your own mug and save 50%!

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Students who are graduating in June, 2020 who would like to pursue a career in clean energy at a post-secondary school are invited to apply for the Clean Energy BC scholarship. Students must write a 500 word response to the question: "Why is clean energy important to me as a young person in BC?" Applications are due on May 14, 2020 and more information is available in the counselling office scholarship drawer.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Parents as Education & Career Coaches Workshop

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Parents and student supporters are invited to join a virtual Parents as Education & Career Coaches (PECC) Workshop to learn how you can help support your student in planning for their future. The information will be especially helpful for families with students in Grades 10-12.

The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm on Microsoft Teams.

For more information and to register, go to the event posted in the Trades and Transitions calendar.

Student Digital Safety Session

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 16:00:00 GMT

The Ministry of Education - Student Wellness and Safety will be offering a virtual information session for students in grade 8-12 covering all things digital, from how to be a good digital citizen to the criminal consequences of cyberbullying. Some of the most prominent concerns currently surrounding students’ use of social media platforms and smartphones will be discussed.

Date: Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 6:30-7:30 PM

Students can register themselves or parents/guardians may be interested in registering and/or participating in this virtual session alongside their child. On the registration page, complete your name and email address, then for “Your School District” select “73 Kamloops/Thompson” and under “Role/Title” select “Student” or “Parent.” The ZOOM login will be sent a few days prior to the session.

Superintendent's Update

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

We are in the final days of September and looking forward to Fire Prevention Week (October 3-7), and World Teachers’ Day (October 5). Thank you to parents, students, and staff who shared in reading stories of connecting and developing relationships to help everyone feel welcome, cared for, and to have a sense of belonging in our schools and district buildings.

October: Equity and Courage

Throughout October, I will highlight stories about equity: removing barriers and creating environments that provide accessible and empowering opportunities for all students and staff to thrive. This is one of the four core values in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. To remove barriers takes courage, which is one the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Bear ském? cis represents Courage crelrelállts?e and is known to be the medicine keeper who guides communities with the knowledge held in the medicines. The picture of Mount Peter and Mount Paul inside Bear’s paw represents how Bear holds the knowledge of Mother Earth in his steps and he has the courage to assist those in need by carrying medicines to them.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation- Remembering the Children

I am proud of the staff and students who engaged in activities throughout the week (September 26-30) to remember the painful history of residential schools, and those impacted by them. We also honour the 215 children who lost their lives in the Kamloops Indian Residential School who are known as “Le Estcwéy”, which means ‘the missing’. Read more

Rae Bennett’s Healing Journey- A Story of Courage

Aboriginal Education Worker Rae Bennett shared her life story of losing her mom who was a victim of the tragic history of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in Canada. Ms. Bennett explained how her trauma was transformed into inner courage to share her story with others. Sharing her “truth” created a positive focus on inspiring others to develop a deeper understanding and awareness of how this tragic history is part of the truth in Truth and Reconciliation. Ms. Bennett explained how she was devastated by her mother’s end of life, but she used it as a source of digging deep within who she was– “I carried on and I discovered the importance of a self-love journey. I want others to know that the more they can experience joy in doing positive things, the more healing they will find.” In this way, she unleashed within her listeners a sense of hope from this tragedy. Hope that expands beyond one person to many creates “hope-filled communities” that can “remove barriers” and “create environments that enable all students and staff to thrive (equity). I am grateful for having heard her story and even more honored that she agreed to have her story told in greater detail on our District website- Read more.

Kay Bingham Elementary School- Gift of the Drum

I am grateful to Daniel Lysons, Aboriginal Education Worker at Kay Bingham Elementary School, who gifted me a drum that he made to take part in traditional Secwépemc ceremonies.

He has invited me to sing the Welcome Song when I return to the school, and he encouraged me to join in drumming with small and large groups to feel the “heartbeat” of the Aboriginal community in my hands and in my heart.

Staff and Family Affordability Grant

SD73 was allocated $1,656,248 which can be used to: improve students’ access to nutritional food / meals, before, during and after the school day by increasing nutritional opportunities throughout the day, providing students meal supports, and/or supports to dependent children in their families. To learn more about how to access the funds, Read more.

Enjoy the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 30, 2022. Stay well and continue to nurture positive connections and relationships with family and friends.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from Oct. 7, 2019

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 22:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Leadership Development Program candidates, information about early learning and our Kindergarten programs, and Aboriginal Education Funding highlights are just a few of the items discussed at the Oct. 7 Board of Education meeting. Read Board Notes here.

Starfish Backpacks: Still Supporting Vulnerable Students

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 19:45:00 GMT

The District is continuing to deliver the Starfish Backpack program to vulnerable students and their families even while schools are closed.

“The Starfish Backpack program typically occurs at the Kamloops Foodbank and a group of volunteers come there Friday mornings and they have an assembly line and they stock backpacks full of food for vulnerable students and families for weekends,” said Vessy Mochikas, Director of Instruction, Elementary Education and Learning Services.

During the pandemic and due to the level of demand upon the food bank, and considering now the need for social distancing required, the food bank is not able to continue with the program. As a result, SD73 has taken on the program, working with the same catering company that supplies lunches to schools, who have helped secure food from their vendors.

“We want to continue to support our students, so the food comes to us at Bert Edwards Science and Technology Elementary. We have two certified education assistants, Amanda Nikula and Suzanne Lloyd, who have done a great job organizing this,” said Mochikas. “The food is either picked up by students at the school or delivered by certified education assistants or by Aboriginal education workers.”

For Rae Bennett, Aboriginal education worker for Arthur Hatton Elementary, participating in the program and keeping the connection alive with Aboriginal families is important.

“So far, all the families appear grateful and appreciative when I come up to their door with a cheery disposition just to deliver their lunches,” Bennett said. “I will see the students waving ‘Hi’ from their living room windows and smiles on the parents’ faces. Even though I don't expect anything in return, I'm glad the families will see how our Arthur Hatton school shows our support and how we still care for them.”

140 packages of food, in plastic bags instead of backpacks for safety reasons, are being delivered to students and their families from 13 schools in Kamloops each week. In addition, schools in Kamloops have identified 157 students who are receiving lunches, daily. Rural schools are continuing to support their own students through their own programs.

“Food is a basic need, but I would say the benefit of this program goes beyond just supplying nutrition to our families,” said Mochikas. “We are keeping that social-emotional connection with our students, whether it’s seeing them when they pick up the packs at schools or waving at them through a window. We are able to connect and know that our students are doing well and the studnets know we care about them, miss them and are here to support them.”

Mochikas said if people’s needs change they can talk with their school principal or vice-principal about receiving support.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, we have embraced what it means to develop learning opportunities through professional collaboration that have supported students to thrive (District mission).

École Lloyd George - November 21

Principal Dumas and I visited Mme Bossio and Mme Ramunno in the Library who shared how students were working on projects about goal-setting by creating a digital competency portfolio. Under the leadership of Mme Bossio, the students had worked together and independently for one hour in the learning commons. These two teachers had collaborated with Mme deVries, SD73 District Technology Coordinator and participated in a recent professional learning opportunity about Artificial Intelligence. The results of teacher collaboration and the extended block is deeper learning linking competencies such as researching, fact checking, and understanding privacy guidelines.

Mme Erin’s Gr. 6 class was making a coding challenge for their grade 2 buddies. Mme Stafford (Gr. 2 teacher) took time to share how she was transferring learning that she had done at Aberdeen Elementary with Anthony Michel about the Seven Grandfather Teachings. The students were exploring “Honesty” and had learned about the story of the Swan (speqmíc). This legend tells of Swan resolving differences through the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and by sharing knowledge with others. Swan takes action and leadership to overcome problems. The students enter the classroom each day and place their names which are on magnets above a goal related to honesty and then discuss what they did to enact it. They had moved beyond “telling the truth”, to other related competencies such as solving problems.

Robotics Collaboration

In the District Strategic Plan, students are to develop a lifelong appreciation of learning, a curiosity about the world around them, and a capacity for creative thought and expression (Intellectual Development Priority). To support students to develop intellectually in a time of fast-paced emerging technologies, teachers need to be willing to take on new learning themselves. Read more.

The International Baccalaureate (IB)

Trustee Karpuk and Assistant Superintendent Hamblett attended the IB Diploma Programme Information evening at NorKam Senior Secondary, which included presentations by four current IB students and an IB parent. IB Coordinator Trevor Pendergast provided the overview of the IB Diploma Programme (DP), and there were over 100 parents and students who participated in this evening presentation. While this presentation was primarily focused on the DP Programme for grades 11 and 12, the upcoming Middle Years Programme (MYP) was also profiled as a new opportunity for grades 8-10 students, which starts with grade 8 students in the Fall of 2024.

Last night, there were also presentations about the TRU Trades Sampler and Hairdressing for students starting these programs in February 2024. Vice Principal Nikki Stewart, District Vice Principal Kerry Gairdner, and Dwayne Geiger Partnerships Transitions Coordinator, TRU co-led the orientation for the TRU Sampler program. The TRU Trades Sampler orientation introduced three programs (construction, mechanical, industrial samplers) to over 50 parents and students.

For the hairdressing program, Ms. Gairdner and Mr. Adrian Parker, hair stylist instructor, shared with parents and students the expectations of the program and how to be successful. This also included a tour of the La Bella Saints Salon. There are 11 students in this program.

As we engage in different parent education nights and learn about new programming, it is an exciting time. Thank you for supporting your children and the school community.

Take time to enjoy your weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from Mar. 9, 2020

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 17:15:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out how the Board hears about moms and babies at First Steps and capital approved for 2020-2021. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from April 26, 2021

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 15:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Outdoor Education, Superintendent's report, and District Student Advisory Council report. Read Board Notes here.

Day of Sucwentwecw 2021

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 19:15:00 GMT

The Day of Sucwentwecw, on April 7, is an annual district-wide event held to recognize and celebrate the Secwepemc People (Secwepemcul’ecw) and other Aboriginal people residing within the Secwepemc Territory.

“This is an opportunity for schools to continue to embed the First People’s Principles of Learning, and to address the Calls to Action as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” said Superintendent Dr. Terry Sullivan.

Now in its eighth year, the idea for the Day of Sucwentwecw was proposed in 2012 by the Kamloops Thompson Teacher’s Association’s Social Justice Committee and endorsed by the Aboriginal Education Council. It was approved by the Board of Education in 2014, well before the province revised the curriculum to include the First People’s Principles of Learning.

The theme for 2021 is ‘Learning together: In Memory, History, and Story, using Aboriginal Perspectives.’

For the second consecutive year, the day will be a virtual event due to the pandemic, with a focus on the concept of gathering and presentations of learning in all district schools. Resources have been put together for teachers that include recorded messages from local Aboriginal Leaders and elders, songs and stories, and a video of the Welcome Song performed by students from Arthur Hatton Elementary under the guidance of Bernice Jensen, Cultural Education Coordinator with the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society..

"The Welcome Song is our Secwepemc Song that is sung all over the Secwepemc Nation," said Bernice Jensen, Cultural Education Coordinator with the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society."It welcomes all of us; it welcomes the people, welcomes Mother Earth and welcomes our ancestors. The beat of the drums is the heart beat of the nations coming together strong and powerful. It’s part of our ceremony and helps us connect to the creator to offer prayers of healing and to give thanks to all. All My Relations."

"In addition to our students performing the Welcome Song, our students had an opportunity to dress up in beautiful regalia and moccasins," said Rae Bennett, Aboriginal Education Worker. "In the Secwepemce cultures, only certain pieces of regalia were displayed while dancing to the Welcome Song. All the girls wore yokes, long skirts, leggings, moccasins, and accessories. Their hair accessories had feathers and beads that matched their regalia. The boy dancers each wore vests and moccasins. The drummers and singers wore the Secwepemc colours of the medicine wheel - black, white, red, and yellow."

To see some of the videos and for more information, check the Day of Sucwentwecw page.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 03 May 2024 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

The month of May is full of hope with many special days of celebration and recognition. In this update, I concentrate on the many ways that we continue to build relationships and connections.

Sun Peaks K-9 School

Principal Boyle began our visit in Ms. Rinaldi’s Gr. 1-2 class, where prep teacher Ms. Erickson and the students shared the topics of the upcoming Spring concert songs —“Salish Sea”, Watershed”, “Life Cycle” and “Compost Bin”— which connect with the District Strategic Plan value commitment, sustainability. They were preparing to go to their practice, so on our way, we stopped to see some of the favorite spots where they love to plan, making nature their playground.

The students were just coming from recess, and they were excited about three favorite stations outside. We started at the “campfire station”, where students have made a pretend campfire, and they sit around it and sing “campfire songs”. They have also built a fort. Three students–Rex, Matteo, and Andrew– took time to show me the staged dam that was collecting water and funneling it away from the walking trails. It worked beautifully!

We visited Ms. Mann’s Gr. 2-3 class who shared how they get to colour a turtle as they do things to show truth and honesty because the turtle represents the Grandfather Teaching of Truth. The students in every class had co-developed what belonging looks like and sounds like, and they committed to acting in ways to bring alive the Grandfather Teachings to ensure that everyone feels safe to share their truths, ideas, and to be humble about learning from each other.

Ms. Schmalz’s Gr. 3-4 class was engaged in a “Math Rotation” which are stations that offer students choices of activities using white boards, manipulatives, and games to practice, in this case, division strategies. Ms. Schmalz shared that the teachers have worked together to develop Math rotation resources, and they got the idea from “Daily Five” for Literacy. They made a similar, differentiated approach of teaching the whole class, small groups, and one-on-one. They have seen positive growth in students’ math and numeracy skills as a result.

We then watched Ms. Shirley lead the K-4 students in a practice for the Spring Concert. They sang and danced “Voices of Nature”, “Salish Sea”, and the “Compost Song”. The Spring concert idea came from a picture book, “Dear Children of the Earth”. Ms. Boyle shared how she loves this story and one of the lines in their concert, “We are the future and we are counting on you” captures the theme of the book and play. It was such a wonderful opportunity to see the students so engaged in the words, actions, and dance.

We visited Ms. Nelson’s Gr. 6-7 class and two students, Kyle and Quinn, showed me how they started their own coffee business to raise money for their trip to Vernon at the end of the year. They had raised over $400 so far, and Principal Boyle and I drank some of their delicious blend and contributed to their fund. We also talked with the class as the students were working in groups on building games out of cardboard boxes.

Ms. Greer’s Gr. 4-5 class was studying lava that comes from volcanoes and analyzing the difference in rock form based on temperature and thickness of the lava. She shared pictures of her trip to Iceland, which engaged students in questioning the different rock forms. Mr. Massey’s Gr. 8-9 class was working on a project to calculate their run time by engaging in trials using a Micro:bit coding box, and sharing their projects in which they had studied boiling and melting points as well as densities of Halogens. We visited the Gr. 10-12 Academy and talked with the teacher, Ms. Caputo, who shared the AI tools of “Magic To Do” that offers guidance or coaching to students who ask a question instead of immediately doing the task.

Heffley Creek Elementary School

We first met Ms. Nelson, the steno, who shared that it had been a great morning. Ms. Silva’s Gr. 1-3 class was working on making their own books using “Book Creator”. One student, Malachi, showed me his book on fast cars, and another student, Rhaege, pointed to the pages in his book about aliens. We also read “Moose- The Story of a Family”. Most students showed me their books, which centred on the lifecycle of the chicken, starting from an egg. They had observed the lifecycle in their classroom and only recently sent the chicks to a farm. They were excitedly awaiting the same process with turkey eggs that Ms. Nelson brought in from her farm.

In Kindergarten, Ms. Dilman had just purchased a number of new centers–sorting letters, painting with watercolor from used felts, matching colours, making roadways, and creating rainbows from wax sticks, to name a few. The students enjoyed playing alone and in partners or groups of three at the centres. We ended our tour in the library where they have added $3000 worth of new books due to generous donations from the Tolko Industries.

Young Artists’ Conference — April 30, 2024

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, we are committed to students developing multiliteracies (print, visual, music, digital, drama) as part of the Intellectual Development Priority to share their talents and to explore career pathways. On April 30, 2024, we celebrated the creative young artists in our district at the Young Artists’ Conference Gallery Grand Opening Celebration at the Old Courthouse on Seymour Street. Read more.

Hairstylist Industry Dinner

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, students who are exploring hairdressing are learning about one possible career pathway, which is the Career Development Priority. On Wednesday evening, the Fourth Annual Hairstylist Industry Dinner was held at Norkam Secondary and the La Bella Saints salon. Read more.

Red Dress Day — National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQ2S+ people

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, we are committed to students developing a sense of cultural safety and humility in communities so every learner can feel safe and thrive personally and culturally. On Sunday, May 5, 2024, we encourage everyone to take a moment to honour Red Dress Day and remember the countless Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people who have experienced disproportionate violence in Canada. This year’s National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGTBQIA+ was honoured by several Kamloops-Thompson School District schools on Friday, May 3, with students, teachers, school leaders, and administrators encouraged to wear red, displaying red clothing, and create impactful and education displays. Read more.

District Parent Advisory Council

The logo contest is now finished, and the District Parent Advisory Council has selected its new logo. Read more. Also, PACs apply for their gaming grants for next year from April 1^st to June 30 and the details can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/gambling-fundraising/gaming-grants/pac-dpac-grants. If PACs would like some help to apply they should reach out to DPAC at: sd73dpac@gmail.com for support. Late applications are unlikely to be approved. This grant provides $20 per student to Parent Advisory Councils and can make a big difference to students and schools.

Thank you for all that you do to make this time of year fun and filled with engaging learning opportunities and events. Take time for yourself this weekend to rest and rejuvenate.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Consent Caf� Parent Night

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 15:15:00 GMT

Presented by Chelsea Corsi, TRU Senior Wellness Coordinator and Tanya Pawliuk, TRU Associate Teaching Professor.

Talking to teens about consent and sexualized violence prevention can be challenging. Join the Consent Café Parent Night to help enhance your skills and confidence in this area.

Our activity-based information session aims to build on parents’ knowledge and skills about consent, communication, relationships, and sexualized violence prevention and response.

Together we will:

discuss our comfort and confidence in speaking to teens about consent
participate in activities to strengthen our knowledge about consent, relationships, sexualized violence prevention and response
learn how to access evidence-informed resources and supports
connect with other parents navigating consent conversations with their teens

This session will be held at the Henry Grube Education Centre on Tuesday, November 22, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, please register here.

Board Notes from May 27, 2024

Thu, 30 May 2024 17:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Young Authors, International Education Report, and Funding For Food For Aboriginal Students. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

It has been an inspiring week of learning in many areas- literacy, numeracy, healthy relationships, sustainability and Earth Day lessons, to name a few. We also enjoyed the opening of the second child care, Happyvale and the naming of the new elementary school in Pineview Valley.

David Thompson Elementary School

Principal Gunnlaugson and I had a wonderful time meeting staff and students. Mr. Grigg, the Day Custodian, offered inspiration for how to shape a positive culture starting by meeting students at the door. He said, “I meet students every morning and share reminders like, ‘Take your boots and shoes off’ to instill respect for the school as a facility.” He explained that greeting students daily enables students to take off their boots and shoes without being asked and it creates a sense of order and cleanliness by everyone, for everyone. Wellbeing is a cornerstone value of the District Strategic Plan, and the school is gleaming with smiles and clean floors thanks to Mr. Grigg’s diligence about modeling respect for everyone and everything.

We entered Mr. Aitken’s Gr. 4 class that had just finished studying the History of Lacrosse and were reading and writing following the lesson. We continued on to see Ms. Jorgenson’s Kindergarten students who were making Earth Day posters and one student shared that “they were writing ways to be kind to the Earth.” When I asked her for examples, she said, “not littering” and “saving water”.

Ms. Svenson’s K-1 class was invested in learning about the lifecycle of a butterfly and one student showed me their live caterpillars eating and preparing to cocoon on branches. Another student shared how he used his scooter to get from one room to another. Ms. Kawa was singing about the continents and the Gr. 1-2 students happily joined in and answered questions about locations of the continents on a map. Ms. Gurski’s Gr. 1 class was learning how to use their hands and chants to recall how to make doubles. They went into math stations to apply their learning.

Mrs. Webster’s Gr. 1-2 class was focused on positive self-talk and they had worked independently and with others to create booklets of positive self affirmations. They had just finished a lesson from the EASE program focusing on social emotional literacy and resilience. Ms. Bentz’s Gr. 3 students were learning how to multiple and apply active strategies to multiply by four.

As we entered the LART room, we met Hayley who was preparing to lead the Boys and Girls Club mentorship program outside with high school buddies. We also went into their regulation room, where staff work with students on a range of activities such as using a tent, rocker, sensory mats, and a body sock. They have started with a small number of 20 students who are trying these strategies and they have learned that 75% of the students respond positively to having time in this space and engaging in a range of sensory activities designed for refocusing and decompressing.

We continued into Mr. Mattes’ Gr. 3 class where Ms. Baker was teaching Health. Mr. Cinel’s Gr. 6-7 class was working on probability, but the students stopped to share songs that were written which were extended metaphors. Mr. Marchese’s Gr. 4-5 class was eager to share a range of their lessons from growing fruits and vegetables and holding a sale to inspire students to eat healthy. Another student shared their government unit based on Elections Canada resources. Another student showed how they also studied “Great Canadians.” Ms. McCauley’s Gr. 6 class was studying personal boundaries and in deep discussion about example scenarios in which they applied their learning. Ms. Morrison’s Gr. 2-3 class was working on Earth Day poems and preparing for hot lunch. Ms. Morrison took time to share results of a professional learning session in which she learned how to make a Secwepemc mat of the seasons wheel. Mr. Covaceuszach’s Gr. 4-5 class was engaged in reading and Ms. Podovennikoff shared her work to support neurodiverse students.

Opening of Child Care, Happyvale

On Monday, April 22, 2024, we enjoyed a beautiful day at the opening of the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education’s second Inquiring Little Mind’s Child Care, Happyvale. We recognize the need for child care in Kamloops, and I am proud of the staff for their hard work in applying for and receiving New Spaces for Child Care funding. Read more.

Celebrate the First Braille Library- RL Clemitson Elementary School

Michael Barrett, an 8-year old student at RL Clemitson, along with Rebecca Anderson, his CEA Braillist have worked hard this year to create the first braille accessible library in our school district.

At the special unveiling of the braille accessible library on April 24, 2024, Michael spoke with the gathered guests who have all supported the process along the way. Michael shared, “I like taekwondo, checkers, chess and running… I started using braille when I was three. I am a forever braille user. I do everything in braille, including reading, writing, and math.” Read more.

Numeracy Professional Learning

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, numeracy is a foundational skill to develop in all students. Supporting students to develop numeracy skills happens when staff engage in powerful professional learning. Read more.

District Parent Advisory Council

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/gambling-fundraising/gaming-grants/pac-dpac-grants

If PACs would like some help to apply they should reach out to DPAC at: sd73dpac@gmail.com for support. Late applications are unlikely to be approved. This grant provides $20 per student to Parent Advisory Councils and can make a big difference to students and schools.

Budget Consultation

We engaged in our public budget presentation on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. For parents who missed it, you have access to watch it on YouTube and to provide budget feedback until April 28, 2024. More information is available here.

Have a wonderful weekend with your family and friends.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Students Focus on Inclusion and Equity

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 17:15:00 GMT

The SD73 District Student Advisory Council (DSAC) is working to help students across the district to focus on inclusion and equity practices in their schools. In a presentation to the Board of Education Oct. 28, two students from the council, both from Sa-Hali Secondary, provided an overview of the discussions and collaborations they will be pursuing through the school year.

“First, we are taking the message to each of our schools about the importance of inclusion and equity,” said Trevor Schyiak, DSAC member. “Things like peer tutoring and time set aside during the school week to facilitate connections between students and teachers are part of this effort.”

He said it might look a bit different in each school, since DSAC representatives are customizing these ideas to reflect their school’s needs.

“We are really excited about this opportunity to bring positive change,” said Olamide Olabiyi, DSAC member. “We want to honour the different ways students learn, whether they are more comfortable as visual or kinetic learners, and encourage the district to reflect this in the curriculum in ways that will improve students’ emotional and educational experiences.”

Fostering an inclusive, adaptable and accountable culture in the school district is one of the SD73 strategic plan priorities.

“Working together is the only way to ensure that we can deliver on the expectations of our communities and educational partners and provide an education that serves the needs of our youth,” states the plan.

The SDAC is working with two district leadership sponsors. Rick Kienlein is Director of Instruction for the district, and Rachael Sdoutz is Principal at Sa-Hali Secondary.

Mapping Kamloops 2020 - SKSS Visual Arts Fundraiser

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 22:00:00 GMT

Mapping Kamloops 2020 celebrates the 14^th year of this unique opportunity for youth to represent their community through artistic vision.

“Drawing and painting students created these artworks with creativity, enthusiasm, and perseverance,” said Lisa Yamaoka, visual arts instructor, South Kamloops Secondary School. “Inspired by Becky Cooper’s Mapping Manhattan collaborative project, 52 SKSS students investigated maps as places to tell stories about their community and share their own stories as mapmakers.”

Each year students seek inspiration from a theme directly related to Kamloops by infusing learning about the community through visual art. A presentation from Adam Chadwick the City of Kamloops GIS Mapping Manager set the tone for the mapping project.

Special Thanks!

The Visual Arts Department at South Kamloops Secondary School would like to sincerely thank all the members of the school and community that helped make this project successful. A special thank you to the Community Jurors who had the difficult task of selecting images for this calendar: Adam Chadwick, City of Kamloops GIS Manager; Christy Gauley, SD73 Arts Education Coordinator; Mr. Brent Thibault, SKSS Teacher, and Mr. Scott Simpson, SKSS Vice Principal. Thank you to the SKSS PAC and the City of Kamloops Arts & Culture Engagement Group for their ongoing and generous support. Also, thank you to SKSS alumnus, Amanda Johnson, Graphic Designer, for her professionalism in bringing this calendar to print.

Typically, the SKSS project is supported by the SD73 Graphics Department but this year a change in staff left Lisa Yamaoka scrambling to find someone to pull the classes’ fundraising calendar together.

“I love Lisa, she’s awesome… she was panicking, it had to happen,” Amanda Johnson said about stepping in to help her former art teacher at SKSS with the graphic design.

Support Youthful Artists

Students are hosting a community reception Nov. 20, starting at 6:30 pm, at the Sagebrush Theatre. Mapping Kamloops 2020 Calendars and postcards are available for sale at the Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops Museum & Archives, The Art We Are, and South Kamloops Secondary School. Proceeds from the sales of this calendar fundraiser will support future SKSS Visual Arts student initiatives.

Schools, Sheriffs and Mounties Stand for Anti-Bullying on Pink Shirt Day

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 22:45:00 GMT

It’s easier to stand up to bullying when you know you’re not alone -- it’s pretty easy to see who’s standing with you on Pink Shirt Day.

On February 24, numerous Kamloops students, school staff, sheriffs, and police officers will add a splash of pink to their wardrobe to show the community where they stand against stopping bullying.

“Pink Shirt Day is a reminder of what the District strives for every day, which is having programs and services that encourage healthy self-esteem and relationships, a positive sense of belonging, as well as teaching kindness, compassion and empathy,” said Vessy Mochikas, Director of Instruction, Kamloops-Thompson School District.

“The District appreciates this partnership we have with the RCMP and Sheriff Service and the leadership they're providing to create safe, responsive environments that help address bullying,” she added.

Throughout the school year, local law enforcement partners work with students to help encourage them to make safe and positive choices when faced with peer conflict.

“Bullying is an unwelcomed or aggressive behaviour that often makes a person uncomfortable, hurt or scared,” said Corporal Dana Napier of the Kamloops RCMP Crime Prevention Unit. “It can occur face-to-face, online, at school or anywhere else in the community, and its long-term effects can be devastating to victims, as well as bystanders and witnesses.”

Pink Shirt Day serves as a good reminder to parents, adults, caregivers, and school and community leaders to talk about bullying, its impacts, and what part we all can play to prevent it from continuing.

UPDATE: Forestry and Environment Careers Camp Deadline extended to Oct. 9

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 18:30:00 GMT

There’s a great learning opportunity at McQueen Lake this fall for secondary students considering forestry or environment careers.

The Forestry and Environmental Studies Camp is planned for Oct. 15 at the McQueen Lake Environmental Education Centre.

Grade 11 and 12 students can apply to attend a one-day hands-on camp to learn about careers involving ecology, silviculture, tree planting, and aquatic ecosystems on 640 acres of forest, lakes and grasslands located 16 kilometers northwest of Kamloops.

UPDATE: The deadline for applications has been extended to Oct. 9, 2020. There is a $40 fee to attend.

"We are very excited to be able to offer the Forest & Environmental Studies program at McQueen Lake in a day camp format on October 15th,with a modified format to ensure all activities are Covid-19 compliant," said Rob Wielgoz, District Vice Principal, Trades and Transitions. "This career development experience is ideal for students who value the environment, enjoy hands-on experiences, and would like to learn about numerous career opportunities in natural resources."

Students will:

learn from career experts about aquatic ecosystems
walk through the forest with an environmentalist
learn how to effect environmental change with seedlings, planting, and tree restoration with timber authorities in timber sales
dive into ecology and silviculture with a scientist
explore natural resource career opportunities and the numerous paths from secondary school to post-secondary with a post-secondary student and professor

Covid 19 Safety Preparation

All students will have individual seats and wear masks while being transported by bus to and from McQueen Lake.
Learning session are outside with Covid-19 safety protocols
The Natural Resources careers path exploration is inside with masks and Corvid safety protocols in place.
Individual lunches are being provided.

For more information, and to apply for the program, check the TNT Forestry and Environmental Camp page. Or, apply for the program here.

5th Annunal Strive to Win the Food Bank Drive

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 20:30:00 GMT

SKSS has been invited to compete in the 5^th Annual Strive to Win the Drive Food Bank Challenge. It has run successfully for 4 years, bringing in 2000-4500 lbs of food each year!

As you may know, food insecurity (insecure or inadequate access to food) is at an all time high:

Almost 6 million Canadians living in the ten provinces live in households facing some level of food insecurity.
Over half of all the food-insecure households in Canada are working households.
Households living in rented accommodation are more likely to be food insecure.
One in five children living in the provinces lives in food-insecure households.

Who: SKSS D Block Classes

What: 5^th Annunal Strive to Win the Food Bank Drive

When: Wednesday, December 6^th - Friday, December 15th

Where: Collection will take place in D block classrooms

Why: Food Insecurity is at an all time high

How: Non-perishable Food Bank items may include canned fruit or vegetables, pasta, juice, pasta sauce, beans, toiletries, soup, stew or canned chili, cereal, rice, granola bars, peanut butter, cans of tuna, jelly, honey, pickles, baby food and items, toiletries etc.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

We have acknowledged war veterans on Remembrance Day and National Indigenous Veterans Day this past week. We also lowered flags to recognize former BC Premier John Horgan who passed away from a courageous battle against cancer at the age of 65 on November 12, 2024. These celebrations reflected our commitment to living a core value of Relationships and Connections, and the Grandfather’s Teaching of love in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Kamloops-Thompson Provincial Online Learning – November 4, 2024

Principal Hembling is leading the District’s Provincial Online Learning School (POLS), which was selected to be one of only 21 such schools provincially. They offer a full range of K-12 courses to students inside and outside of the District in elementary (K-7), middle school (8-9), high school (10-12), and adult learning programs (graduated and non-graduated adults). He is supported by a wonderful office team, Ms. Smith and Ms. Wright, and Ms. Hurtgen.

I met one student, Xavier, who is currently taking all Grade 11 courses online, and he said, “I am looking forward to returning to school for Grade 12.” When I asked him why, he shared, “For graduation and all of the activities leading up to it.” Ms. Goodrich shared that students like Xavier choose to come into the school on a scheduled basis to ensure that they get the help they need. Xavier added, “It helps me keep up because I have to get my work done to have it checked.”

Mr. Hembling explained that some students, like Xavier, prefer online education as their main approach to K-12 education. He added, “It just fits the lifestyle for some students who have speciality programs like academies and they could not otherwise get the courses they want.” He also said, “Since we have become a POLS, we collaborate with multiple districts and other POLS from around the province.”

For example, Principal Hembling described how our POLS is working with SD27 to provide courses to Grade 8 and 9 students living in remote communities, for whom the hiring of subject specialist teachers has been a challenge. Our POLS is also offering opportunities for middle school teachers to work with a cohort of Grade 8/9 students twice per week via Zoom and Brightspace to teach Math, Science, Social Studies, and English.

Our POLS is also collaborating with SD74 (Goldtrail) to offer Grade 10-12 students one or more courses to supplement the offerings available at their face-to-face schools. One example is that students from Lytton are cross-enrolled to @KOOL for Career Life Education, Foods, Anatomy and Physiology, and Career Life Connections. These students are provided with support from their SD74 teachers on site, while they are simultaneously provided with curriculum and a fully qualified teacher from @KOOL.

We continue to work with students who are ordinarily residents in BC, but temporarily living elsewhere while they compete at an elite level of sport. WHL players playing in Red Deer, Seattle, Victoria, Spokane, Regina, Everett, Kamloops, Calgary, and Saskatoon have taken courses with @KOOL in the 2023-2024 school year. @KOOL also has students who are training and competing in swimming, basketball, rodeo, skiing, and mountain biking. These students are able to successfully continue their studies with @KOOL while temporarily living in Florida, Alberta, Switzerland, New Zealand, and many other countries.

We have witnessed a steady increase in students due to the breadth and depth of coursework available and the expertise of staff who offer synchronous and asynchronous learning to meet students’ learning preferences. Our enrolment has more than doubled over seven years, so many students choose POLS because it is another pathway to graduation that fits their schedules, course requirements, and ways of blending speciality programs or interests.

Kamloops School of the Arts – November 8, 2024

Principal Lloyd and I started our school visit with Mateo, a student who is known as the “office business manager” who visits the office and shares the joy of doing tasks for the principal and school secretaries. Mr. Lloyd emphasized, “It is interesting to see how Mateo has grown in his comfort level and verbal skills as he makes it a routine to come to the office. Mateo has also helped students’ leadership skills in Grade 12 because they work with him in their teaching assistance blocks.”

Principal Lloyd and Vice Principal Jeanine Traudt and I continued on our visit by stopping at the “wall of belonging” where staff share their pictures and fun facts about themselves. “This helps students and parents get to know our staff, and it’s fun.”

We visited Ms. Richmond’s Grade 2-3 class who were taste testing brownies. Ms. Norman’s Grade 2 class is reading “Stink in the Bank” while individuals practice reading one-on-one.

Mr. Crummey’s Foods class was just finishing their meal planning and preparations. I learned that Dylan, a Grade 11 student, had completed a project of a 100 day cooking video that shared what he had made for meals for 100 days for his family. This was a significant accomplishment and a testament to the importance of Foods classes to translate into real life competencies.

I then met Mrs. Coates, a Grade 1-2 teacher, and she shared a reading resource that she and Ms. Woods and Ms. Richmond had created for parents to learn the basics of how to support their children to learn how to read. This program is so well received that they had over 40 parents attend the evening before to learn these home reading strategies.

Mr. Sadik was preparing Grade 6-7 students for how to support transition times in school. Ms. Kubin, LART, was supporting a small group of students with literacy.

Mr. McCaugherty’s Grade 11-12 Physics class was working independently on completing problems. Mr. Stella’s Gr. 10 Art class was practicing origami.

Remembrance Day Ceremony

We then took part in the Remembrance Day and National Indigenous Veterans Day Ceremony.

Mr. Lloyd offered opening remarks and reminded everyone, “Remembrance Day Ceremonies have a sombre seriousness to them as we pay our respects to the men and women who have lost their lives in service of our country and the resulting freedom that we enjoy today.”

A student, Myla McGarry, shared the land acknowledgement and then we sang “O Canada” while students faced the audience and engaged in sign language for “O Canada”. This led us into hearing the choir sing, “Hands United in Peace”, followed by a drama performance, “The Paint Box”, and the secondary band played, “All Things”.

The Senior Dance students shared a dance, “Harry Patch”, in memory of Harry Patch who was the last survivor of World War One. He was 111 years old when he died. Students danced to a Radiohead song in a performance they created in his memory. We then witnessed a beautiful drama, choir, dance piece called “Reconcile” while Grade 8 students shared a speech drama.

Ms. Traudt shared remarks about the National Indigenous Veterans Day, “It is?an important day of remembrance that?honours?the contributions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people who participated in Canada’s military efforts.”

She explained, “People gather on November 11 to honour the courage and devotion of the many brave men, women and children who lost their lives in two world wars, The Great War (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945).” She added, “But it is also to show recognition to the families that still have loved ones fighting in wars overseas and who have lost loved ones on the battlefields. The hostilities of the First World War ceased on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m. the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.”

Following her remarks, secondary students presented their drama speech of “In Flanders Fields” followed by senior dance students expressing thoughts of war with a piece entitled, “All We Do”.

Principal Lloyd then shared, “You will now hear a piece called ‘The Last Post’. People will often take time to think of friends that fought in the war. Others may remember grandparents, great grandparents that fought in the war. Some people will just be quiet to show thanks and gratitude for soldiers that are still fighting in wars. After the one minute of silence, you will hear a second piece called, “Rouse”. This signals that the war is over and is a symbol of the new chance that we have to live in peace.”

They concluded the ceremony with each class placing wreaths at a cenotaph and the Junior Dance Majors performed “Awake my Soul”, followed by the Secondary Choir and a Creative Writing / Media Arts collaboration sharing, “Wanting Memories”.

This was a truly moving experience to take part in multi-modal presentations of reflections and interpretations of the history and lived experiences of those who have been in world wars and those who suffered loss. I am grateful to have ended my visit with this commemorative school-wide and school community recognition of loss, love, and the commitment to peace and hope for future generations.

Sníne Elementary Community Engagement

Disposition of Property Community Engagement

The potential sale of three properties are a focus of broad consultation. Over the past few weeks, we have hosted a community webinar (watch it here) and gathered feedback through a community survey. The survey is now closed and the feedback collected will be presented to the Board at the Regular Public Board Meeting on November 18, 2024. To stay up to date on this consultation process, go here.

Board Notes

To learn more about the Inaugural Board Meeting and Regular Public Board Meeting on November 4, 2024, please feel free to read the Board Notes here.

Take time to do what you enjoy this weekend and to spend time with those who inspire you.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

It was a wonderful week of the District Student Advisory Council meeting to review our Artificial Intelligence framework and Anti-racism action plan, the Indigenous Education Council consulting about budget, a student voice panel taking part in an Elders’ Luncheon, and community engagement about catchment changes for Sníne Elementary, which opens in the Fall of 2026. Importantly, many schools were sharing their continuation of the “Real Acts of Caring Week” (February 9-15), which fits our core values of Relationships/Connections, Well-being, Equity, Sustainability, and the Grandfather Teaching Courage in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

McGowan Elementary School – February 19, 2025

It was a delightful visit with Principal Latta, which started in Ms. Reilly’s Kindergarten classroom. The students were focused on completing an art project of a heart that will have “Be Kind” as part of it.

We then spent time with Ms. Carrigan’s Gr. 1 class and they were working on journals after visiting Save On Foods and Earls. They had gone on that trip to learn how to make chicken fingers. The trip inspired lengthy journal entries for some students. Others were reading and another student was completing a math assessment.

Ms. McCaugherty’s class was finishing making hearts and preparing to write words in the hearts that were “kind words about each other.” They were also continuing a lesson about identifying geometrical shapes.

Ms. Bone was on her prep, and she was happy to talk and take us to see her Kindergarten students in the gym. The students were enjoying playing ball with each other with Ms. Howard.

Ms. Scott’s Kindergarten class taught by Ms. Lyons was working in centres. One student, Ben, proudly showed me his rocket built out of lego. Other students played with vertical white board puzzle pieces, and others were drawing and writing cards.

Ms. Covaceuszach had students practice writing numbers in decimals on their individual white boards. The numbers represented different amounts of money.

Ms. Pawliuk was engaged in a read aloud with Gr. 2. Ms. Kossey invited her Gr. 2-3 students to predict what the book, “Oystercatcher” was about, and students related it to their background knowledge of studying Haida Gwaii.

We ended our visit in Mr. Blower’s Gr. 7 class where students were searching for current news articles of interest to learn more about. They were sharing in partners the articles on various media sites and deciding on which articles interested them the most. They then answered questions about them.

Elders’ Luncheon – February 20, 2025

Knowledge Keeper Joan Arnouse hosted the elders’ luncheon in Quaaout Lodge. Students from Kamloops-Thompson School District (SD73) and K?wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl'ecw School District (SD83) came together on a student panel to share what they most liked about school and what they found challenging.

They highlighted boys’ and girls’ groups in which they engaged in culturally significant activities such as making drums, drumming, making rattles, and learning from elders. They shared how support from Indigenous Education Workers especially had shaped who they are, and they still have long-standing relationships with them as an extended part of their families.

The students spoke about some of the challenges such as “finding it hard to sit as much as they do in the day”. One student shared, “It was nice when we had gym in the third block because it was the break that was needed.” Another student shared his strength is “sleeping too well” and “not making it to school on time or enough”

Elders and knowledge keepers took the time to share their family backgrounds, some of the challenges that they had faced growing up as well as what they most looked forward to in school such as “playing basketball” and “learning from their elders telling stories with teachings that stick with them today.

Thank you to Education Manager Diane Anthony for supporting and organizing this important annual event. The students who came told us that they would like to do this more often. One student shared, “One of my best days at school is today.”

Wishing you a wonderful weekend with many moments of relaxation and joy.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 27 May 2022 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you for honouring the anniversary of the discovery of Le Estcwicwéy? (the missing) at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. Our hearts go out to every person who is impacted.

Marion Schilling Elementary School

Vice Chair Wade, Principal Piggin, Vice Principal Chernoff, and I enjoyed seeing the buddy reading and “roll and read” game in Mrs. Patton’s class. As we walked to the next classroom, a beautiful bulletin board– ”Love Grows”-- reinforced the importance of treating everyone with love and kindness. Students enjoyed learning choice board activities in Ms. McMillan’s class. In the library, one student who was reading in a rocking chair shared that she loved the literature choices, which were displayed by a bulletin board, “Where Reading Makes Your Mind Bloom.” As we continued, Mr. Evans’ class was solving money problems, and Mr. Bell shared how his class applied for and received a trades grant and then built bean bag target boards which are commonly used at break times. Mrs. Piggin emphasized, “Everyone is engaged in learning and we focus on growing acts of kindness every day in our school.”

District Powwow at Tk’emlúps te Secwe? pemc

On May 25, 2022, Vice Chair Wade, Trustee Jules, and Assistant Superintendents Mochikas and Reilly joined together at our first District Powwow. We participated in a procession led by Tk'emlúps te Secwe? pemc Nation representatives, Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir and council members, Mr. Justin Gottfriedson and Ms. Morning-Star Peters, and District Principal Bowden. We took part in the Welcome Song and Eagle Song as an eagle soared above the arbour. We listened to speeches and took part in dancing and singing, and games throughout the morning.

Truth and Reconciliation

Today is the one-year anniversary of the announcement of the unmarked graves on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. Mr. Ted Gottfriedson Jr. said, ‘Rather than referring to the unmarked graves as ‘215’ lost lives, we think of these lives lost not as numbers but as Le Estcwicwéy? (the missing).’ Mr. Gottfriedson mentioned that children in residential schools were referred to by their number, and Elders felt that using a number to refer to the lost children would not honour them. Students and staff engaged in various activities throughout this past week to honour the missing, and to move forward in learning together about Aboriginal cultural traditions and making connections with elders and knowledge keepers.

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

We continue to have high absenteeism amongst our staff and a gradual increase in absenteeism amongst our students this past week. Interior Health has advised us to continue to emphasize the practice of daily health awareness strategies– staying home when sick, practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and making choices about wearing masks–see our District’s Communicable Disease Prevention Plan for more information.

Thank you for continuing to focus on learning while also taking time to enjoy field trips, musicals, graduation ceremonies, honours receptions, and other celebratory events.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from April 25, 2022

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 20:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Budget for 2022-2023 approved, new day care spaces, and support for a school at Batchelor Heights. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we enter the final week of October, it is hard to believe that we are almost in November. To conclude this month, I continue to share stories about Equity and Courage as well as the Priorities in the District Strategic Plan.

South Sa-Hali Elementary

Principal Mabee started in the hallway where the local Secwépemc artist, Kelsey Jules, had designed the eagle/falcon symbol with both South Sa-Hali’s and Lloyd George’s colors to show how the two schools are one French Immersion community on two different campuses. The combined logo emphasizes a focus on belonging- Ta place est ici (You belong here.).

Mme Jayme’s K-1 class was sharing their morning routine in French, asking how each student was feeling that day and when they stated their response in a complete sentence, the student put a star in their jar towards a class treat later. Mme Wigness’ Kindergarten class sang the names of the month and then discussed the upcoming field trip to the pumpkin patch. Mme Venables’ and Mme Hawes’ Kindergarten class were predicting the size of pumpkins they were going to find at the pumpkin patch that day.

Grade 2-3 students in Mme Bauhuis’ class were studying verbs and Mme Viaud’s Gr. 1 class were studying how to make numbers between 1 and 100. Mme Evelyne’s Gr. 3s engaged in a read aloud about monsters and then later created their own monsters. Mme Muraca’s Gr. 2 class engaged in differentiated literacy activities (small group reading, looking for sounds, studying vocabulary words about autumn, creating spelling words). Gr. 1 students in Mr. Hall’s class were writing sentences such as “Can I fill up my water bottle?” Mme Cornell’s Gr. 1-2 students were starting Daily Five. Mme Nancy’s and Mme Stephanie’ s Gr. 3 students were studying trees and animals who lived underneath them. Mr. Hugues’ Gr. 6-7 class was studying positive and negative numbers. Mme Magalie’s class was identifying what was bizarre or didn’t fit in a picture by using French vocabulary related to diverse spaces. Mme Hunter shared how “loose parts” activities encouraged student imagination in speaking and writing. Mme Funk’s students were writing about the school of their dreams. Mme Graf’s Gr. 4-5 students were preparing to play football. Mme Mahoney’s students were enjoying making Halloween pictures.

Drop Everything and Read in SD73

On Monday, October 23, 2023, in celebration of National School Library Day, 12,470 students and staff from 42 schools with SD73 participated in the annual Drop Everything and Read Day (DEAR). This activity illuminates the importance of literacy in our everyday lives (Intellectual Development Priority) in the District Strategic Plan 2022-2027. Read more.

Discover Day: Discover the Law

The Career Development Priority is about inviting students to consider varied careers that suit their passions and interests. The Faculty of Law, Thompson Rivers University, hosted and engaged 48 students in the career event - Discover the Law. Students tested their legal knowledge with Legal Jeopardy, met the Law Student Club, negotiated a complex legal case, and met with local lawyers.

Inquiring Little Minds Child Care Centre at Ralph Bell Elementary School

The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education looks forward to announcing the opening of the child care centre at Ralph Bell Elementary School, operated by Inquiring Little Minds (ILM), soon. Read more.

Thank you for taking a moment to recognize the positive work that your peers are doing this week. Also, take a moment to recognize something that you enjoyed doing and that you know made a positive difference for someone in your school community.

Enjoy your family and friends this weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Parent Engagement Session: TRU Education and Skills Training Program

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

Presented by Saskia Stinson, TRU Education and Skills Training Program (ESTR) Program Coordinator

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) offers opportunities for everyone in the Education and Skills Training (ESTR) program. Learn more about education and employment opportunities at this information session.

The ESTR program at TRU provides knowledge about future employment opportunities and training in a specific area for people who are neurodivergent. During the full-time, nine-month program students divide their time between classes, labs, and work placements. TRU offers certificates in: Career Exploration, Kitchen Assistant, and Retail Worker.

This workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, please register in advance here. Following your registration, you will receive the link to the meeting.

Numeracy at Board of Education Sept. 23 Meeting

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 15:30:00 GMT

The Board of Education Regular Meeting Sept. 23 was held at Sun Peaks Elementary.

Numeracy at Sun Peaks Elementary

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
September 23, 2019

EDUCATION TOPIC

Numeracy Strategies
Sun Peaks’ Principal Mike Johnson introduced Emily Fell and her team of amazing students, who under close observation by the Board, demonstrated how a variety of strategies could be used to solve 8 + 9. Keaton, Soleil, Minjun, Emma, and Sophia each found the solution using the strategies of counting on with cubes, pictures, number line, near doubles and creating tens.
Read more.

REPORTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

District Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Annual Report
Director Trish Smillie and District Principal Vessey Mochikas presented an overview of the first District Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Annual Report and its ten action items including; expanding vision screening to students in Grade 3 and Grade 6; introducing the Preventure program to three pilot schools to prevent substance abuse; and, a multi-agency plan to reduce vaping. Read the full report here.

Parkcrest Elementary / Twin Rivers Education Centre
Just 17 days after a fire destroyed Parkcrest Elementary School, Assistant Superintendents Rob Schoen and Bill Hamblett summarized actions taken on behalf of the students and school staff, and the whirlwind of meetings, decisions, and actions required at all levels. Read more.

REPORTS FROM SECRETARY-TREASURER

Audited Financial Statements
Secretary-Treasurer Stretch and Director of Finance Cassidy presented the Financial Statement Discussion and Analysis Report following a report from Mario Piroddi of BDO Canada LLP who confirmed the audited financial results for 2018-2019. Mr. Piroddi responded to questions from trustees and complimented senior administrative staff on sound financial management. Read more.

CHAIR'S REPORT

Board and MLAs met Friday, Sept. 20 to discuss the capital plan submission and vaping. A Vaping Reduction Strategy working group will be formed with Todd Stone, MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson, and Trustees Grieve and Jules.

UBCM Advocacy Committee, Chair Karpuk, Trustee Sim, Superintendent Sidow, Secretary-Treasurer Stretch and members of Kamloops City Council met to prepare for their presentation to the Provincial Government at the Union of BC Municipalities meeting, Sept.26.

Date Change: Due to the Federal Election on Oct. 21, 2019, the Board Meeting planned for this date will change to Monday, Oct. 28, 2019. Trustee Wade, Chair for Education, confirmed that this also applies to the Education Committee meeting.

TRUSTEE REPORTS, INQUIRIES, AND GOOD NEWS

As Chair of the Aboriginal Education Council, Trustee Jules, along with Superintendent Sidow have been invited to meet with the Minister of Education on Oct. 16 to discuss the Tripartite Agreement and Aboriginal student success.

Trustee Grieve reported on the opening celebration for Westsyde Elementary on Sept. 19. The new school has been fully renovated and there is a positive atmosphere amongst the 178 students and 18 staff. Principal Don Poelzer welcomed families to the newly opened school and students celebrated with face painting, a bouncy castle, and hotdogs. Trustee Grieve said, “It was such a pleasure to talk with many families who are happy with the school and the revitalization it has brought to Westsyde.” Read more.

NOTICE OF MEETINGS

Schedule of Upcoming Meetings
September 26, 2019 - UBCM
September 30, 2019 - Sun Peaks Steering Committee
October 4, 2019 - Premier's Awards for Excellence in Teaching
October 4-5, 2019 - BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting

The next regular Public Board Meeting will occur on: Monday, October 7, 2019, at 1383 - 9th Avenue, Kamloops.

Read the Full Agenda

Board Notes are highlights from the regular meeting of the Board of Education for School District No.73 (Kamloops-Thompson). Expect your next issue of Board Notes after the Oct. 7, 2019 meeting.

Copyright © School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thomspon)

Our mailing address is:
1383 Ninth Avenue, Kamloops, BC V2C 3X7

Model UN 2024

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:30:00 GMT

Are you interested in going to Vancouver Model UN this January 2024? Spots are limited so make sure you attend the meeting this Friday, September 15 at lunch in room 136

Superintendent's Update

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

This has been an exciting time of learning and preparing for celebrations and sports events in the District. Thank you for the work that you do to connect with students and to nurture their well-being – one of our core values in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Dallas Elementary School – April 15, 2025

Principal Orr and Vice Principal Nixon started our visit by sharing their “Students of the Month” bulletin board, which displays students’ pictures and names who have been honoured by their classes for virtues such as “sportsmanship” and “responsibility”. Students are nominated by others who witness acts that show these values. Ms. Nixon said, “Parents have started attending the celebrations and everyone really enjoys it.” Mr. Orr added, “It has been a surprise because we don’t tell students ahead of time, but now when they see their parents, they know they are getting an award, and it builds a sense of pride within the families and school community.”

The day starts with BOKS (a physical activities program supported by Healthy Schools BC). Grade 6 and 7 classes played a “rock, paper, scissors” relay in the gym, where each member of the team ran to meet an opponent in the middle of the gym and played a round of “rock, paper, scissors” while doing different physical activities (push-ups) until one person wins. It is an active way to start the day, and it is also a lot of fun. After 30 minutes, the Grade 6-7 students go to class and Grade 4-5 students come in to engage in a BOKS activity. BOKS has been associated with students improving their focus, mental health, and social relationships.

Mr. Ruddick had students practice their fluency with multiplication facts on a wheel, and students were checking their answers prior to going to BOKs.

Mrs. Kolasa’s Grade 6-7 class had just returned from BOKs and started by sharing the “Good Dog of the Day” story. In this case, Mrs. Kolasa said, “Today, our story is about Winston AKA Kitty.” Students enjoyed learning about a classmate’s pet, before starting their math lesson about fractions. She explained, “I like to start with a story,” and she shared, “It is Hudson’s birthday, and every student will get half a cake, and there are three students who cannot have any.” They drew pictures of the cakes and then divided them in half and determined the improper and mixed fractions that represented how many pieces of cake were eaten. The students used white boards and visuals to figure out the answers to Mrs. Kolasa’s questions.

As we walked to the next class, Mr. Orr pointed out their Dallas Hockey League bulletin board that showed how a lot of students play hockey intramurals. The students are also very involved in swimming and flag football and are gearing up to host a big Parloff event in partnership with Juniper Ridge Elementary.

We spent time in the library where primary students were working one-on-one with support practicing letter sounds. We also saw the last display left in the library from the Science Fair, and Mr. Orr noted, “The Grade 6-7 students were involved in the Science Fair and this library was filled with projects.”

In Ms. Chapman’s Grade 1-2 class, they were sitting in a circle on the carpet and practicing from the Heggerty resource. Ms. Chapman would prompt the students. For example, “How would you say ‘howl’ without the ‘l’ sound?” and the students would respond in unison, “how”. Students are learning how to listen and imagine new words from the one shared based on letter sounds left off the new word.

Mrs. Brar’s Grade 5-6 class was studying angles and they got into small groups and used tape to create shapes that had different angles (e.g., acute, obtuse, right). Some used the wall and others the desks and floor. They practiced with protractors of different sizes to measure the angles and then record them. It was an engaging way to have students apply their knowledge. These students also run the “Snack Shack” at the school. They handle the money and ensure healthy snacks are available. Mr. Orr reinforced, “This is such a help to the school community through the student and staff leadership. The students just love it!”

Ms. Pearson’s Grade 2 class was also studying measurement using large and small rulers and some played math games with cards when they were finished.

Mrs. Watson’s Kindergarten students were looking for Easter words and they had to find as many as possible and when they found one. Mrs. Watson reminded them, “Sound it out, say it, clap it, write it.” They worked hard in partners and small groups to find all of the words.

Mrs. Thompson’s Grade 3 class was focused on “Spring Egg-citement”, and Esme and Maddy shared the incubator with the eggs in it. As students reviewed the lifecycle of a chicken. Mrs. Thompson had students share their poetry. All of them had written haikus (5 syllables on the first line, 7 syllables on the second line, and 5 syllables on the third line) written about nature, and they also wrote the opposite (lowku).

Mrs. Kaczur’s Grade 3-4 class was studying fiction and non-fiction text features, and groups of students shared their results. They shared what was the same or different between fiction and nonfiction texts.

Students Dig Into Career Exploration at Heavy Metal Rocks – April 9-12, 2025

For 17 years, the Kamloops-Thompson School District’s Heavy Metal Rocks program has been offering hands-on career exploration experiences for students interested in careers in trades. This year, thirty-two Grade 11 and 12 students participated from secondary schools across the District, gaining valuable experience operating heavy machinery with one-to-one guidance and mentorship from certified operators. Willow Hart, a Grade 11 student at NorKam Secondary, described her experience at Heavy Metal Rocks as “really fun. It was interesting to be able to work on the machines with a bit of freedom.” Read more.

SKSS Destination Imagination Team Wins at Provincials – April 12, 2025

On Saturday, April 12, 2025, a team of South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) students became provincial champions at the 2025 Destination Imagination Provincial Tournament in North Vancouver. The SKSS team won first in the Instant Challenge, first place in the main World Beyond Science Challenge, and earned a Special Award for the team that showed the true spirit of Destination Imagination, by showcasing creativity, communication, collaboration, and problem solving. Grade 12 student Sadie Baker also received one of three Destination Imagination Scholarships. Congratulations to the SKSS team, including students Sadie Baker (Grade 12), Oscar Firth-Gieben (Grade 12), Martin Gjaltema (Grade 11), Calliope Leadbetter (Grade 11), Delainey Rusk (Grade 9), Harper Marchand (Grade 9), and Emma Willms (Grade 9), as well as teacher, Ms. Brandi Rusk, and teacher candidate, Giovanni Trotta. Read more.

Students Win Silver and Bronze Medals at Skills BC Provincials – April 16, 2025

On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, several students from across the Kamloops-Thompson School District competed at the Skills Canada BC Provincial Competitions at TradeX Exhibition Centre in Abbotsford. Congratulations to all the students who qualified for provincials and to the following students who earned provincial medals: Rayna Blondal (TREC) and Tarynne Gray (NorKam Secondary) won Silver in the 2D Animation competition, Ariana Groess and Alyssa Smith (Brocklehurst Secondary) won Silver in the Jr. Skills Spaghetti Bridge competition, John Tompkins (Chase Secondary) won Silver and Jensen Webster (Chase Secondary) won Bronze in the Jr. Skills Sumo Robot competition, and McKinley Journey (SKSS) won Bronze in the Carpentry competition. Read more.

Board Notes

To learn more about the Regular Public Board meeting on April 7, 2025, please read Board Notes here. To learn more about the 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget, watch the presentation from April 9, 2025 here. Feedback on the Preliminary 2025-2026 Budget is due by April 21, 2025 – learn more here.

As we end this week, about to enter into the Easter long weekend, I hope that you have plans to enjoy time outside and with family.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Battle of the Books: Reboot is Back

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 15:45:00 GMT

A group of highschoolers recently came together to participate in Battle of the Books: Reboot, a reading motivation competition for students in grades 8 to 12.

Roughly 20 students from Valleyview (VSS), Westsyde (WSS), and South Kamloops Secondary (SKSS) engaged in friendly competition which consisted of three rounds of Jeopardy.

“In between each round of Jeopardy, we had a different kind of challenge,” explained co-organizer Dianne Bell, Teacher Librarian (TL) at VSS, who has been running the program with TL Aleasha Kachel of WSS and TL Trisha Rimmer of SKSS since 2018. “This year each school had to pitch one of the books as THE book everyone should read - like Canada Reads - and in the second break, students had an escape or breakout box challenge based on the novel The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.”

In previous years, students have done a loose parts challenge based around a theme in the books and a Trashion Show, where teams had to create the costume of a character from a specific novel but only use found items - nothing purchased.

This year, the home team, Valleyview Secondary, came out victorious.

“It has been a fantastic and fun thing to help organize and it's always a great group of students to work with - every teacher's dream!,” said Bell.

Board Notes from September 13, 2021

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 15:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about in-school vaccination clinics, more FTE teaching staff for elementary, and audited financial statements. Read Board Notes here.

Youth Work in Trades Deadline Approaching

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 21:45:00 GMT

For high school students thinking about career options, maybe a $1000 and a few high school credits will help with the decision process.

According to Rob Wielgoz, District Vice-Principal Trades and Transitions with School District No.73 (Kamloops-Thompson) there is no time to waste if high school students want to make the most of their work experience and an opportunity to earn credits towards graduation.

Deadline to register is September 30. Formerly known as the Secondary Apprenticeship Program, the Youth Work in Trades provides skill development through practical, hands-on work experience.

“Students who have spent time working alongside a certified tradesperson can make those hours really pay off,” said Wielgoz. “Maybe the job was in a kitchen, or on a construction site, or with a landscaper, or salon. There are so many ways students could have earned hours that would help them qualify.”

Students can talk to their school's Trades and Transitions coordinator, or email Robert Wielgoz at rwielgoz@sd73.bc.ca.

Summer jobs qualify if they:

Were with a certified tradesperson and involved work related to a trade

Were covered by WorkSafe B.C.
Provided a paycheque or honorarium

120 hours worked = the equivalent of a high school course (4 credits) to maximum of 4 courses (16 credits)

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

To coincide with the arrival of Autumn, students are well established in their classrooms and courses and student learning is advancing in earnest. In this Weekly Update, I spotlight some of the tremendous learning resources and opportunities being developed for students by the Curriculum Department. As you will read, these stories highlight the importance of developing and maintaining relationships and connections, a core value in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Literacy - Travelling Library Collection

The people pictured here are only a few of the many who collaborated to make this resource possible. The English First Peoples Travelling Library Collection showcases wonderful, authentic Indigenous books including children’s literature, classic and contemporary novels, poetry anthologies, short story collections, and multimedia resources. These resources provide teachers and students with greater access to a wide variety of engaging Indigenous literature.

Numeracy - Primary Learning Series

The SD73 Numeracy Curriculum team is finalising the planning to offer a Primary Learning Series set of workshops, which includes a kit of resources and manipulatives to support students. Students will come to know their facts by constructing a range of increasingly sophisticated numeracy strategies. Through the repeated practice of these strategies, every student has the opportunity to become mathematically proficient.

The SD73 Numeracy Team, led by Monica Bergeron and Cynthia Morrow, is visiting classrooms this month to demonstrate using manipulatives and to work with all teachers to develop deeper thinking numeracy practices. These practices will help students develop more sophisticated numeracy strategies and become more confident mathematicians!

Raise-a-Reader

On Wednesday, September 21st, SD73 schools partnered with the Literacy in Kamloops organization and many community supporters to collect donations for Raise-a-Reader. This was another tremendously successful campaign, as the community raised $8200 cash from donations to community partners and schools on Wednesday. This number will only increase as online and corporate sponsor donations have yet to be counted. The 31 Kamloops area schools participating raised $1563 in less than 30 minutes with a few more donations to still come in - AMAZING! All rural school donations will be totaled and added to their own local community funds.

The money collected during Raise-a-Reader stays locally and goes directly to Literacy programming, such as: One-to-One Reading, Parent-Child Mother Goose, Come Read with Me, the Bright Red Bookshelves and the Bright Red Book Bus, among others. SD73 learners benefit from the ongoing strong relationship the District has with Literacy in Kamloops!

Truth and Reconciliation Week

Truth and Reconciliation week occurs from September 26 - 30, with the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation being held on September 30, 2022. This is a reminder that schools will be closed on September 30. This day honours children who never returned home, survivors of residential school, as well as families and communities impacted by residential schools. During this week, students and staff will engage in learning experiences and participate in various activities to raise awareness around residential schools and their impact.

All Candidates Forum for School Trustee Candidates - Hosted by DPAC

The District Parent Advisory Council is hosting an All Candidates Forum for school trustee candidates on September 28th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The forum will take place at the Henry Grube Education Centre, located at 245 Kitchener Crescent in Kamloops. No registration is required to attend.

I hope that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the Autumn sunshine this weekend before we begin the final week of September!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

This has been a powerful week of remembering and acknowledging the recent passing of the esteemed Justice Murray Sinclair who passed away on November 4, 2024, at the age of 73. Dr. Sinclair, a prominent Indigenous leader, former senator, Manitoba’s first Indigenous judge, and the esteemed chair of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice, equity, and reconciliation for Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Remembrance Day and National Indigenous Veterans Day

Thank you for taking part in Remembrance Day ceremonies that had local veterans share stories of loss and love, students providing remarks, stories, song, and dance–diverse ways of commemorating Justice Sinclair’s passing on November 4, 2024, National Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8, 2024, and Remembrance Day on November 11, 2024.

Barriere Elementary School – October 29, 2024: A Journey in Truth & Reconciliation

Principal Brogan shared how Paul and Thomas (Facilities Department) had assisted to install their mural in which every child and adult at Barriere Elementary had created a tile of Secwépemc beliefs and ways of living for good health.

Simpcw First Nation staff and community members shared teachings that were represented on the tiles. Mr. Brogan and the staff are very proud of this collaborative art installation. He said that it furthers their journey in Truth and Reconciliation and is a legacy for the future.

Mr. Brogan and I visited Ms. Matthews’ Grade 3 class, and they were solving a Math Mystery-Case of Trick or Treating. As Mr. Brogan asked the students about what their school stands for, they shared that students are focused on being kind, respectful, safe, and responsible. They enjoyed sharing examples such as “I was helping a friend”, “I walked with a new friend”, and “I picked up his bag when he dropped it”.

Ms. Miller was covering Ms. Bonderud’s Grade 5-6 class, and they were discussing what it means to be a leader and the ways that they share their skills as outside mentors who help students when they get hurt or need support with conflict resolution. We visited Ms. Smailes’ Grade 4-5 class who were working on a “count back” strategy. They also asked me questions about what it is like to be in my job and they posed questions such as, “What is your favourite school?” and I described how I go to every school and they each have unique strengths.

After recess, we went into Ms. Kivari’s Grade 3-4 class who were enjoying their snack. We toured the renovated kitchen through Feeding Futures funding, and Mr. Brogan shared how they prepare lunches every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and they provide free flowing snacks for all students. Annie and Angela were in the kitchen and they showed me their delicious menu, and Mr. Brogan said, “And the most important aspect is that it is made with love.”

We then visited Ms. Peterson’s Grade 1-2 class, where they were reading and students were using their favourite book choices for group reading. Ms. Fraser was teaching Phys. Ed. Ms. McGravey’s Grade 2-3 students were learning about shapes and solids, and provided examples of each when asked.

Mr. Scott’s Kindergarten class was learning about “x”, studying patterns with “x”, and he drew images that represented a word with “x” in them such as “x-ray” and “box”. They showed me a graphing exercise where they charted on a bar graph their preferred treats.

Ms. Eustache had a small reading group who talked to me about their book, which was “Trapped in Ice” by Eric Walters. They summarized key events and shared themes such as “overcoming challenges”. Ms. Eustache also shared her passion for beading and showed us her earrings and how they were made. Ms. Collier’s Grade 6 class stopped to share how they are leaders in the school, and they were proud to share examples such as being good role models, helping others, and being good lunch and outdoor monitors.

Barriere Secondary School – October 29, 2024

Principal Markides and Vice Principal Ruberg and I started our school visit by attending one of Barriere’s first Grade 7-8 drama productions. Ms. Fennel shared that the production had three parts. It began with a monologue by Georgia (Grade 9), which continued into a short play about a haunted house, and it concluded with a play about a community seeking to get rid of an evil witch with the help of a King and Queen. Mr. Markides explained that this was the first time in six years that they have been able to establish their drama class with interest from all grades. It is an exciting opportunity to continue to build this program based on students’ genuine interest and investment of time and passion in learning and sharing their learning.

Before carrying on to see more classes, we stopped to talk with Laura, the cafeteria cook and manager, who works with students to mentor them in how to plan and cook meals for students and for themselves. Laura helps them to see how this is a life skill as well as potentially a career that is fulfilling and brings joy to others. The school uses Feeding Futures funding as well as local grant funds to prepare breakfast three days a week and lunch every day. “I love what I do,” shared Laura.

We visited Mr. Fielding’s Grade 9-12 Shop program and students were working on planning, including designing an item that they had researched and pricing the materials. Mr. Fielding explained, “It is about preparing the students to know how to choose something to build and to know the cost and materials before starting the project.” The competencies of collaboration and critical thinking are developed through their work together. Students made the items which were things that they will use at home including a shelf for books and a bench.

The Food 10-12 class was making cookies, and two students, Sophie (Grade 9) and Teagan (Grade 10) were preparing for their cookies and the cookie display to be part of a contest.

Take Our Kids to Work Day – November 6, 2024

Take Our Kids to Work Day is a national event throughout Canada where students in Grade 9 are invited to attend work for the day with a family member or friends to learn about careers. SD73’s Manager of Health and Safety Melissa McGarry and daughter Naveah McGarry worked together at the School Board Office on Wednesday. Thanks to everyone who welcomed students into their workplaces this week.

SKSS Students Showcase Artwork at 19th Annual Exhibition – November 6, 2024

On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, South Kamloops Secondary School hosted a community reception for their 19th Annual Art Exhibition and Fundraiser. The Perspectives of the Grasslands Exhibition featured a collection of 50 original artworks by Grade 10–12 SKKS Art students. The students’ works were inspired by the importance and beauty of the Interior Grasslands of BC. Read more.

Sníne Elementary Community Engagement

Disposition of Property Community Engagement

The potential sale of three properties are a focus of broad consultation. Last week, we hosted a community webinar, which is available to watch here. There is also a survey (available until November 12, 2024 at noon) for you to share your views on whether the Board should consider selling these properties or other possible uses. To learn more and to provide feedback, go here.

Inaugural Board Meeting and Board Notes

On Monday, November 4, 2024, the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education held its Inaugural Board meeting and elected the positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, British Columbia School Trustees' Association Provincial Council representative, and British Columbia Public School Employers' Association representative of the Board for the 2024-2025 term. Read more.

To learn more about the Regular Public Board Meeting on November 4, 2024, please feel free to read the Board Notes here.

District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC)

Join DPAC for their 2nd annual PAC Workshop on November 14, 2024 at the Henry Grube Education Centre. This year, the workshop theme is Opening our Circle and the focus will be on the basics of running an inclusive, thoughtful, and effective parent group. You'll have a chance to connect with District mentors in treasury, fundraising, running meetings, setting up bylaws, and more. Tips will also be shared on volunteer recruitment and retention, goal setting, and school community building. The evening is open to up to four members of each PAC executive. You must RSVP to attend. Dinner, childminding, swag, and take-home tools are all included. Breakouts and info-sharing start at 5 pm, followed by dinner and presentations at 6:30 pm. Travel and hotel subsidies are provided for out-of-town schools. Please RSVP to sd73dpac@gmail.com.

This weekend, I wish you time to reflect on the past and remember those who lost their lives in war and to treasure the time that you have with those you love.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you for continuing to focus on developing relationships/connections, and focusing on wellbeing, equity, and sustainability in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Pinantan Elementary School

With a school-wide focus on Numeracy, Principal Naylor shared that the staff has been learning together through a book study, Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, and then applying what they learned in a common school-wide numeracy block. We started in Ms. Head’s Gr. 2-3-4 class working on white boards on different ways of solving addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems. Mrs. Hrycan’s K-1-2 class was also solving addition questions using ten frames and number lines. Mrs. Hrycan shared, “I find that students are so engaged when they are standing up and working together to solve problems.” Ms. Selski’s Gr. 5-6-7 class was working in small groups to choose which classroom pet would be best. They calculated each pet’s needs (food, cage supplies, cost of care). By comparing the needs of each pet, each group eventually arrived at consensus.

Mr. Naylor and I visited their new multi-age numeracy learning commons. Each class has time each week to work with partners to engage in easy-medium-hard numeracy-based activities. One student was working on his own because the multi-age room is also used as a multi-purpose space for students to work independently, in pairs, and groups.There are noon-hour clubs that play games, read books, and put together puzzles.

Layla, a Gr. 5 student, presented a thank you card from the Plant Club members (Layla, Eliza, Mikhail, Sienna, Gaven, Eleanor, Ms. Selski, Mrs. Van Laer). She appreciated support from the Student and Family Affordability Fund for their new planters and soil being used to grow vegetables to feed the school community. Layla explained, “We are growing plants inside and then eventually we will transplant them when it is warm enough.” Layla recalled that last year, the Plant Club made salads for the whole school and she shared how they will be doing that again. One of her favourite lessons learned from gardening is, “To recognize that planting seeds is almost ‘like magic’ because the ‘the plants seem to magically appear’.” The Pinantan Plant Club is an example of sustainable living by growing their own food to share in the school community. Thank you, Pinantan Plant Club!

SKSS Music

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, our students explore their talents and passions and grow in their competencies through multi-modes of communication– writing, drama, art, and music. The SKSS Music Department is super excited to hold its first post-Covid SKSS school show and is celebrating the music department's musical successes with the school population. Even though the term two students have only been playing together for four weeks, they sound amazing… Read more.

Thank you for all that you do to support your children and to help our school communities.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Effective Communication Between Parents and Schools

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 21:00:00 GMT

Presenter: Chelsea Jelic, POPARD

Families and school teams work together in a variety of ways throughout the year. Research shows that promoting family-school engagement leads to increased trust and collaboration, as well as improved student achievement and development. This session will:

Briefly review research and the new “family-school engagement playbook” to highlight important themes
Provide strategies to enhance collaboration and communication between family and school
Discuss connections between the roles, rights, and responsibilities of teaching staff, administrators, and parents.
Review how to work towards solutions in times of conflict or differences
Information on advocacy steps and supports.

This workshop will be held via Zoom on Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here. Following your registration, you will receive the link to the meeting.

Superintendent's Update

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 23:15:00 GMT

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Staff,

As new Superintendent/CEO Mike St. John commences his duties in our school district, I want to share my thanks to the Board of Education for their confidence and support during my tenure in the Kamloops-Thompson School District. Over the past seven months, I have appreciated trustees’ efforts on behalf of Kamloops-Thompson communities and their commitment to our Strategic Plan that serves as our system’s road map to support learners.

I also wish to honour staff for their contributions to the kind of future we want for our children. In partnership with families, our schools create environments that build compassion, resilience, skills, curiosity, and adaptability. Across our district, we see countless examples of positive and engaging teaching and learning dynamics. Beyond the classroom, our students continue to learn through extra-curricular activities, supported by staff and community volunteers. When we align our efforts—from the Board table to schools to home—there is no doubt that we are better together.

Thank you for what you do to contribute to a school system that works to support every child, every chance, every day. It has been my honour to join you on that journey.

Over to Superintendent Mike St. John to introduce himself.

Sincerely,

Mike McKay
Superintendent

A message from incoming Superintendent Mike St. John

I am honoured to introduce myself as the new Superintendent of the Kamloops-Thompson School District and am truly humbled by the trust the Board of Education has in me to serve this great system. It is a privilege to join a community with such a strong commitment to student learning, well-being, and public education. I look forward to getting to know our schools, staff, students, families, and educational partners. I will listen carefully and learn continually as we walk together toward knowing each learner and preparing all students for the future.

Building connections and fostering authentic relationships are foundational to developing a shared purpose. With a commitment to continuous improvement, together we will build on the significant strengths of our district while remaining focused on the Board’s Strategic Priorities and always keeping students at the heart of our work. I am excited about what we can accomplish collectively. We are committed to creating the most richly imagined, best possible learning environments so that our children run to school and walk home.

Thank you for the warm welcome I have already received. I look forward to meeting many of you in the weeks and months ahead and to working in partnership as we shape the future of learning in our district.

Finally, as I begin this role, on behalf of SD73, I offer heartfelt thanks to Superintendent Mike McKay. His leadership, wisdom, and authentic and unwavering care for students has laid the foundation for continued success for our students and schools.

Warm regards,

Mike St. John
Superintendent

DISTRICT NEWS

Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education Announces New Secretary-Treasurer Kim Morris

On Monday, December 8, the Board of Education announced the appointment of Kim Morris as the District’s new Secretary-Treasurer, starting March 2, 2026. Kim is an accomplished leader in BC school districts, with over 15 years of experience as a Secretary-Treasurer in both urban and rural school districts.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM DECEMBER & JANUARY

Starfish Backpacks Deliver Nourishment and Equity to SD73 Families

Through the Starfish Backpacks program, the Kamloops Food Bank provides nutritious, easy-to-prepare food to school aged children every Friday to help address food insecurity over the weekend. A total of 275 Starfish Backpacks are distributed every week—resulting in approximately 4,400 packs being delivered so far since September.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you for continuing to prioritize our core value commitments of relationships/connections, wellbeing, sustainability, and equity in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. It is a pleasure to share the positive stories about celebrations, graduations, and the positive contributions made by individuals, groups, and school and district staff.

OWL Award Recipients for 2023

At the Board meeting on Monday, June 19, 2023, Board Chair Heather Grieve was very proud to present these two groups: Ms. Tracy Clarke and Mr. Steven Powrie and Mr. Wayne Deptuck and Mr. Dan Sargent.

Each submission was supported by letters or recommendation, and the recipients are long-standing and amazing professionals who have been long-serving in their roles. Read more.

Westwold Elementary School

Principal Buemann, Trustee Hickson, and I visited Ms. Glichrist’s and Ms. Casponi’s classes who were learning about aerodynamics and how airplanes fly from a guest speaker. As we toured other parts of the school, Mr. Buemann explained how RL Clemitson and Westwold staff and students collaborate (i.e., ArtStarts Concerts, Track & Field) and in the upcoming week, all primary students from both schools are going to the BC Wildlife Park.

As we toured the outside of the school, Mr. Buemann introduced us to the Grounds crew (Left-Right: Trustee Hickson, Principal Buemann, Riley, Quinton, and Terry). As we viewed the hand painted logo of the tiger mounted on the outside of the school we learned that Randy (District Painter) had recreated the mural that had once been on the wall of the school. Due to aging paint and paint peeling, the painters had painted over the tiger and it had to be re-created, and the school community was grateful to have this tiger repainted as it was a longstanding logo that had historical and emotional importance as a legacy visual in the school community and local community of Westwold. In addition to this wonderful story of district and school staff coming together to celebrate the history of the school, Mr. Buemann also shared how hand carved signs on the outside of the school were also important to the community and have been restored and hung in the gym to protect them from the weather. One of them identified that the Pringle family had donated the neighboring parkland to provide the community with a playing field.

As we completed the school visit, the Gr. 4-5 students were writing and the primary students were engaged in stations. As we walked through the library, we met Ms. Eddy (Certified Education Assistant) who was working with a student on gross motor skills and a decompression break in the library. Mr. Buemann highlighted how their library had been vetted of out-of-date books, with the help of Ms. Andrea Wallin (District Library Coordinator), Ms. Lisa Imeson (Library Assistant) and Ms. Roberta Kuan (School Librarian). The school was alive with positive energy and optimism.

McGowan Park Elementary School

Principal Zryd and Vice Principal Wourms and I visited Gr. 6-7 who were studying how to decrease their carbon footprint. Ms. Ruberg’s Gr. 4-5 class was engaged in a solubility experiment, and Mrs. Underwood had her class reimagine classroom design using scale, design and legends. Ms. Abraham’s Gr. 3 class was just about to go outside to play kickball. Ms. Baerg’s Gr. 6-7 class was preparing to go to Eagle Bay with Aberdeen’s classes, and Ms. Bone’s Kindergarten class was just coming back from being at the Wildlife Park, and they were excited to describe how rubber snakes felt. One said, ‘they are smooth” and another student said, “Their skin is kind of bumpy too.” They enjoyed the visit. Ms.Covaceuszach’s Gr. 3 class was working on writing about the novel, “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes”. Some students were also working on origami and were sharing their different creations including making paper cranes and folded paper hats.

As we headed back to the office, we stopped to look at the box, “Thankful Thursdays” and I learned that this was an idea that had come from the student advisory council (SAC) based on strategies to create positivity and a sense of belonging in their school community. Anyone can put a note of gratitude in the box, and then these comments are read aloud to the school community over announcements. Ms. Zryd said that it enacts their value of positivity by promoting “an attitude of gratitude”.

Dallas Elementary School

Principal Sullivan met with Acting Principal Scott and me to discuss the school learning plan and to visit classrooms. In the Gr. 6-7 classroom, Ms. Saemerow’s class was preparing for the meetings with parents, grandparents, and or caregivers to review their scrapbook (looking back on the year) and their poetry books while also sharing their homemade muffins.

Mrs. McCarthy’s Gr. 3-4 class was working on solving an investigation into who had messed up their classroom (i.e., it was an inferring activity based on using several clues).

Ms. Pearson’s Gr. 1-2 class was involved in a game that had them use numbers and clues from words to guess people, places, and things. We met Ms. Norton who was working in the library. Then, we visited Ms. O’Neil’s K-1 class as they enjoyed snack time. Ms. Reid’s class was reading a story.

Ms. MacInnis’ and Ms. Moretti’s class were working as cross-graded partners to build towers out of newspapers. We ended our tour with Ms. Kolasa’s Gr. 6-7 class who was working on writing self-reflections about their competencies.

National Indigenous Peoples Day and Aboriginal Student Wellness Gathering

The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education honors National Indigenous Peoples Day as part of the commitment to furthering Truth and Reconciliation in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. The hearthfire is at the center of the District Strategic Plan’s symbol developed through consultation with the Aboriginal Education Council last year. On June 21, 2023, we honored National Indigenous Peoples Day. Read more.

KTTA Retirement Recognition Banquet 2023

This was a heartwarming gathering of many school and district staff, trustees, and family members and friends who came together to celebrate the 23 retirees who have served dedicated careers as teachers in our district. We appreciate the efforts that had gone into hosting this wonderful event by the KTTA Executive, Darcy Martin and 1st Vice President Teri Allen-Innis as well as Ms. Marney Bethell, President of Kamloops Retired Teachers’ Association (regrets), Sheila Parks, KTTA Past President, and Betty Karpuk (Vice President) for honoring retired teachers in our district. We look forward to staying connected to each of the retirees and warmly welcoming them back to let us know how they are doing. Congratulations on this next phase of your life journey.

Mix and Mingle Executive Employee Group and Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education

On June 22, 2023, the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education hosted the three employee groups at the Coast Hotel. This was an opportunity for trustees, employee group executives, and senior staff to celebrate the year and to reflect on the successes.

Secondary Coaches Appreciation Evening

On June 20, 2023, Chair of the Secondary Athletics Association, Mr. Walt Kirchner was the Master of Ceremonies and he opened by saying, “ We want to acknowledge and celebrate all that each of you do and have done for years for secondary students as coaches.” It was a wonderful evening and the turnout was fantastic (about 150 coaches!). Read more.

Thank you to BC Interior Community Foundation for delivering the annual Deed of Gift from the SD73 Scholarship Bursary Fund

Thank you to Teri Mochikas and Wenda Noonan (not pictured) from the BC Interior Community Foundation for presenting Secretary-Treasurer Trina Cassidy and me with a cheque in the amount of $7,331.91. These monies represent the annual Deed of Gift paid out from the School District No. 73 Scholarship Bursary Fund and go directly to the graduates who were chosen to receive a scholarship or bursary in 2023. The School District No. 73 Scholarship Bursary Fund has been held in trust by the BC Interior Community Foundation since February 2008 and has provided consistent funding for scholarships and bursaries for graduates of SD73.

Graduations

Thank you to everyone who continues to support our graduates of 2023. To read the speeches of valedictorians, Read more.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from February 10, 2025

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:15:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Education topic: Montessori, public presentations - Tranquille Valley community feedback, and Sníne Elementary project update. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we prepare for Remembrance Day, thank you for remembering and honouring those who sacrificed and lost their lives in war. Throughout November, we share stories that show the Grandfather Teaching of Love and the value commitment of sustainability, which are part of the foundational framework of the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Beattie Elementary School

Principal Orr and I visited students and staff. Mr. Orr shared, “This year we have focused on how to be good to one another, and it has been a calmer environment.”

We started in Ms. Carlson’s Grade 2-3 class who sang “Remember Flanders Fields”. We then joined Ms. Williams’ Gr. 1 class as they engaged in “mindfulness minute”. Ms. Hunter’s Gr. 2 class read aloud examples from their journals. Ms. Ratuski’s K-1 class was painting poppies. Ms. Neigel’s Kindergarten class was printing the letter, “A”. Ms. Mulhern’s class was sharing and we walked in while one student shared about studying kangaroos. Ms. de Jardin’s Gr. 2-3 students were writing. Mr. Bush’s Gr. 5 students studied federal, provincial, and local government. Ms. Kansky’s class were preparing to go to the library.Ms. Fabbro-Smith’s Gr. 4 class were learning about the “4 square apology”. Mrs. Baker’s Gr. 2-3 students were composing Remembrance Day posters. Ms. Bailey’s class participated in an auction by applying their knowledge of budgets and classroom economies. Ms. Dunstan’s Gr. 6 class created poppy moulds from styrofoam and then used them to make prints of poppies and other flowers. Ms. Baglee led a social group that reviewed rules of engagement. Mr. Dillon’s Gr. 5-6 class was writing, and Ms. Simpson’s Gr. 7 students were studying Mesopotamia, completing Math assignments, and selecting skates to prepare for their skating field trip.

Kamloops School of the Arts- Lest We Forget – Remembrance Day (Nov. 11)

On November 10, 2022, students, staff, parents, Trustee McKelvey, and I joined the community for their Remembrance Day celebration in the gym. Students took a key leadership role and led us to collectively honour and acknowledge veterans and those who lost loved ones in the World Wars or other battles. The celebration was a beautiful and poignant combination of singing, dancing, and dramatizing the messages of remembrance. Thank you to each of our school and district communities for pausing to remember for Remembrance Day on November 11, 2022.

I hope that you have a reflective and peaceful Remembrance Day. Stay well and safe.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Upcoming Parent Information Session

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 20:15:00 GMT

School Community Member Tested Positive for COVID-19 School Exposure: Jan 7 & 8, 2021

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 21:00:00 GMT

January 13, 2021

RE: School Community Member Tested Positive for COVID-19 School Exposure: Jan 7 & 8, 2021

Dear Families,

A member of the South Kamloops Secondary school community has tested positive for COVID-19. They are self-isolating at home with support from local public health teams.

We are supporting Interior Health Authority as they undertake contact tracing to determine if any other members of our school community were in contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19, and if any additional steps are required. We are following the protocol established for these circumstances:

• The health authority is performing contact tracing;

• The health authority will determine if anyone in the school community was in contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19 while they were potentially infectious;

• The health authority will determine if anyone in the school community is a close contact that is required to self-isolate.

Only the health authority can determine who is a close contact.

If you are contacted by Interior Health Authority, please follow their advice.

If you are not contacted by Interior Health Authority, it has been determined that your child is not at risk of developing COVID-19.

To ensure personal privacy rights are maintained, we will not be providing additional details.

The safety and well-being of our students, families and staff remains our highest priority. Please be reassured that our school will continue to implement the strict protocols and procedures we have in place so that children can continue to attend school as safely as possible.

Students should continue to come to school while contact tracing is underway. As a reminder, please continue daily health checks to monitor your child for illness.

We will continue to work closely with Interior Health Authority to provide ongoing communication as required.

If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19, please call 811.

Sincerely,

Walt Kirschner
Principal
South Kamloops Secondary

Board Notes from March 9, 2026

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:15:00 GMT

For updates from the regular meeting of the Board of Education, featuring Kamloops School of the Arts, District Parent Advisory Council, Accessibility Committee Report and more, read Board Notes here.

Stories from Barriere

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 17:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Many of you began Halloween festivities in your classrooms, workplaces, and homes. I wish you many moments of fun with family and friends in your costumes and as you enjoy your favourite treats on Halloween.

Barriere Elementary School

I visited Ms. Tiffany Hawkins, principal of Barriere Elementary School. She described how, when she began her role in 2019, the staff reviewed reading results and decided to implement an early reading intervention program to improve them. Ms. Hawkins stated, “Our Learning Assistant Resource Teacher (LART), classroom teachers, and I take reading groups each week. Our goal is that students spend 90% of their time reading texts at their level and to have direct instruction using research-based reading strategies.” There has been a steady increase in students’ reading results over the past two years. “We meet every two weeks to discuss students’ progress,” Ms. Hawkins shared, “This is how we can assess whether our strategies are working and build on common instructional practices.”

District Strategic Plan Update

Our District Strategic Plan 2017-2022 has been our roadmap for student success because we focused on excellence and equity. This year, we invite you to join us in re-visioning our strategic plan for the next five years. So far, over 900 participants have taken part in either focus groups or our survey to answer: What type of world do you imagine/hope that our children will create?, What skills, attitudes, and competencies will they require to make that world possible?, and How do we get them there? Focus group participants represented 25 staff, student, and partner groups. In November-December, PCG Consultants will provide an analysis of the feedback, which will help us develop our new mission and vision. Watch for these updates as they are available at SD73Connects, and join us when we have our next round of opportunities to see what is being developed and to provide your feedback.

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

We continue to focus on our daily health checks, staying home when sick, and implementing all of the health and safety measures in our District’s Communicable Disease Prevention Plan. This past week, because of everyone’s diligence, we continue to see a downward trend in our potential school exposures, which are published by Interior Health. That said, community cases in Kamloops-Thompson have been rising, so we will need to remain extra vigilant:

Wearing masks indoors and on busses
Washing hands and using hand sanitizer
Covering our mouths when we cough
Keeping respectful personal distances
Using specific entrances and exits
Limiting visitors to schools
Staying within gathering guidelines and limiting congestion within small spaces such as hallways
Using recommended HVAC filters and air flow procedures
Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting in all areas

As directed by the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Interior Health Medical Health Officers, our School District staff will continue to rely on Interior Health’s reporting of potential exposures. We rely on Interior Health only for the following reasons:

As per Public Health guidelines, not all school cases are infectious at school, so advising about these has no benefit to the school community
Public Health has the expertise to do the exposure assessment and will post on their website when the assessment is complete
Further notification beyond what Public Health provides can be harmful, promote rumours, and breach the privacy of individuals.

Thank you for your efforts to have fun this Halloween while also staying safe.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Announcement for 2023 Grad Parents

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 03:15:00 GMT

We have great news! Your 2023 Grad Committee is already hard at work, we have created a SKSS DryGrad/Prom 2023 FB page. It is a public page so you should be able to find it by simply searching “SKSS Dry Grad/Prom 2023” don’t forget to go to the page and “like” and “follow” and then you should receive a notification based on your settings when new information is posted. The goal of this page to keep you in the know about fundraising and ask questions should they arise.

Sincerely,

Your 2023 Grad Committee

Superintendent's Update

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

You made it! The end of June brings with it memories of challenges and celebrations experienced throughout this year.

Pinantan Elementary School

Principal Chris Wood began our tour in the library, where students designed spaces for quiet time (bench and nature wallpaper). Primary students were sharing their boats that they had tested for strength, capacity, and ability to float. For recess, students shared their community garden and their goal before they left for the summer was to make salad for their year-end celebration.

Intermediate students played a timed math game that tested their fluency with math facts and capacity to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems quickly and accurately. “We are preparing for our afternoon of activity and fun, and the students will meet the incoming principal. They are very excited!” shared Mr. Wood.

Clearwater Secondary School

Principal Darren Coates, Trustee Shelley Sim, and I walked through the school to see the redesigned spaces, including the workout area, which has been expanded and opened up to accommodate a class. “This space is well used by staff, students, and the community,” stated Mr. Coates.

We ventured into the world of metal works, woodworking, and digital creations. We first met a grade 10 student, Sam, who shared her coffee table made from horseshoes. A grade 10 student, Owen, had reframed a trailer by making it bigger and installing new axles. In the digital lab, Thomas, a grade 11 student, who also plays the bass guitar, piano, and banjo amongst other instruments, shared his love of designing engines using the 3D design software Onshape. Mr. Dayton Fraser, the woodshop teacher and Trades and Transitions Coordinator, shared some special woodworking projects (salmon for daycare, memory boxes).

Tyson, a grade 9 student, ended our tour by showing us his fishing net that he intends to use in Alberta to fish for pike this summer. “We enjoy a wide range of Applied, Design, Skills, and Technologies (ADST) options, and we have passionate staff and students who achieve incredible results,” shared Mr. Coates.

Congratulations Graduates of 2022

Thank you to everyone who took part in creating the pictures and contributing wishes to every SD73 graduating class of 2022. We are so proud of you! We appreciate and celebrate each of our 1,100 unique graduates.

Congratulations on Finishing the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan

After ten months of meeting with 2000+ participants (students, parents, staff, community partners), the Aboriginal Education Council, and the Board of Education, we completed the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. Thank you for making a plan that we can each connect to and walk together as our roadmap into a hopeful future. Read more…

Summer Wishes

I am so fortunate to have joined SD73 a year ago. Parents have been partners who have been strong supporters in moving Truth and Reconciliation forward and in working together through the changes in safety measures throughout the pandemic.

Thank you for supporting your children to celebrate graduations, awards, and end-of- the-year celebrations.

I wish you a summer in which you experience good health and fun-filled, joyous days punctuated by moments of peace. Stay safe. Be well. Take good care of each other.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you for making the year-end wonderful for students and staff. It has been a pleasure to attend so many events and to recognize what you do every day to make students’ lives better.

Thank you to over 2,000 parents and staff who provided excellent feedback about our newly revised District Student Code of Conduct. Thank you to 58% of all staff who participated in the 2024 District Employee Engagement Survey. I’ve provided a brief overview of survey results below with more to come in August and September.

District Student Code of Conduct – Excellent Survey Response

Thank you to the 2,599 parents, caregivers, and staff who reviewed our newly revised District Student Code of Conduct and answered the question about whether they agreed with the changes. 95% supported the changes. Every school community contributed to this survey.

Comments: Thank you for your 2,070 comments! These were very helpful, and we will provide a detailed report for administrators to share with parents in August-September (back-to-school). Some broad themes were that many secondary parents agreed with limitations of personal digital device use during class, but some parents want students to have access to communicate with devices on breaks. A number of parents wanted to know that if a device was confiscated that a student would get the device back at the end of the day. In elementary school, parents generally did not see personal digital device use as a problem, mainly because students do not own devices that they would take to school. Some parents were interested in limiting social media access and offering digital safety education.

School principals will be using the newly legislated guidelines in the District Student Code of Conduct to outline more specific approaches to implementation through their work with feedback in the Fall. This will necessarily be a “work-in-progress” as it is experienced. We expect to adjust and revise throughout the year based on what works well and requires revision based on feedback.

10th Anniversary of the Bright Red Book Bus – 34,000 Books Given Away

Thank you to Ms. Tricia Persad and Ms. Andrea Wallin for their District leadership in maintaining and identifying, collecting, and installing book collections needed for summer reading. Thank you to the Bright Red Book Bus contributing partners for supporting this initiative: Literacy in Kamloops, School District No. 73, Boys and Girls Club Kamloops, Raise a Reader Kamloops, and CML Properties.

Trustees and District staff appreciated learning that this bus has given away 34,000 new and gently used books to thousands of children and youth over a decade. The bus was originally sold for $750 by the Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops to these partners to be able to tour during summers and transition times away from school for families to continue reading. Launched with seed money from the Stollery Charitable Foundation in 2014 with encouragement from Spencer and Janet Bryson of Kamloops, the Bright Red Book Bus is a community partnership, primarily between SD73, Literacy in Kamloops, and BGC Kamloops. Other funding partners currently include Raise a Reader and CML Properties. Read more and explore the 2024 summer schedule here.

While the joy of reading is the goal of the partners, we could see the joy on the faces of those who have invested volunteer hours over years as they recounted the process of first applying to the Stollery Foundation (after being encouraged by Spencer and Janet Bryson) and receiving the original grant funds to purchase and stock the bus. This initiative has grown to include red book shelves in rural schools to share the same books across 27,000 square kilometers. I have witnessed firsthand the importance that the red bus and red book shelves have on families in our communities. Thank you for this opportunity to experience the history of this remarkable, unique literacy initiative.

Young Artists Share Their Work and Process

Ms. Jayne Latta opened the Young Artists’ presentation by sharing how on April 30, 2024, student artists in Grades 4 through 7 from every school across the District, shared their remarkable talent for drawing, painting, sculpting, weaving, and creating mixed media art. These creative young artists were celebrated at the Young Artists’ Conference Gallery Grand Opening Celebration at the Old Courthouse on Seymour Street. The Young Artists student artwork will be displayed at the School Board Office over the next year.

The most important aspect of the student presentations was how each student willingly described what inspired them to start their projects and what they learned about themselves through creating them. I will touch on a few examples to illuminate how each student developed personally through their artistic decisions and process. It was their learning about who they were and what they cared about that resonated for me.

Vaughn Smith (Grade 4, Dufferin) shared how his subject is “welding” and he enjoyed “putting nuts and bolts together”, and it was by tinkering with how the metal pieces could go together, he realized that it could be a “man”. This experimentation that was described by Vaughn as “fun” is why he enjoyed completing this striking piece.

Paisley Powell Mathers (Grade 6, Westmount) shared that her inspiration for this piece was that “no matter what people say about you, you can still be yourself.” She explored a variety of methods to create this artwork, and this kind of experimentation was also what motivated her: “To complete this piece, I used pencil crayon, water colour, marker, and sketching pencils.”

While every student’s presentation was inspiring, what struck me was how we continue to expand in media that students bring forward—sculpture, fabric art, and photography. I am looking forward to this kind of personally meaningful exploration in next year’s Young Artists’ conference and celebrations. Read more here.

OWL Award Winners – June 24, 2024

The OWL Award for Excellence in Public Education has been a Board of Education Award since 2016. This award was developed over a decade ago to recognize and honour such individuals, groups, and organizations that have enriched and advanced public education through their significant contributions that have made significant, system-wide, and outstanding accumulative contributions to public education in School District No.73 (Kamloops-Thompson) over five years or more. The OWL Award committee had a record number of 14 applications this year.

2024 OWL Award Recipient: Ms. Annemarie Watts

Board Chair Heather Grieve thanked Mr. Walt Kirschner for nominating Ms. Annemarie Watts who has 25+ years of local, regional, and provincial impact on students and public education through secondary athletics. Some examples of her service include, but are not limited to, serving as Chair of the SD73 Secondary Athletics Council and Director of British Columbia School Sports. She designed and implemented innovative programming such as Super Fit, which was used District-wide. She coached at all levels of multiple sports for her entire career. Most recently, she received the 2023 BCSS Honour Award recognizing a lifetime of distinguished service to SD73, the OVSAA, and BCSS Board of Directors.

2024 OWL Award Recipient: Mr. Brent Buck

Chair Grieve welcomed Mr. Brent Buck up to receive his OWL Award. Mr. Buck has had a 30+ year career and has served as a teacher on a letter of permission part-time, and in that time he started and popularized the Forestry Logging program that began in Clearwater Secondary, and it expanded within and beyond our District due to his leadership. While he attended post-secondary school to complete his Education Degree, he volunteered weekly for three years, offering his mentorship in classrooms within Clearwater Secondary and at multiple high schools in our District to provide a foundation of Forestry education at the secondary level.

The province recognized his contributions by sharing Board Authorized Authority courses in forestry and outdoor education, and he was called upon to offer his mentorship to other districts.

Both award winners demonstrated a system-wide impact on our District and beyond at the provincial and national levels. Read more here.

Honoring Assistant Superintendent Hamblett on his Retirement

Board Chair Heather Grieve honoured Mr. Bill Hamblett on his retirement at the end of July 2024. She shared key moments from Bill Hamblett’s accomplished 34-year career as a dedicated educator who has lived and worked in both Alberta and British Columbia and served as a teacher, vice principal, principal, and District leader. The Board provided Mr. Hamblett with the gift of an Air Canada gift card as he expects to spend time travelling back and forth to see his children and mother who live in the Lower Mainland. Congratulations on a wonderful career, Bill!

Secondary Coaches Recognition – June 25, 2024

Congratulations to the more than 300 coaches in our District who have impacted the lives of 2,000+ students in 19 sports. This is the second annual recognition event in which a number of speakers shared their remarks about the importance of sports to our children and youth, and they celebrated those who are retiring. Mr. Hamblett was honoured for his contributions for over a decade to the Secondary Athletics Sports Council. It was a night of fun with a Kahoot about sports, and time to enjoy a meal with one another.

Congratulations Graduates of 2024

Congratulations to Graduates of 2024! We had 20 graduation celebrations, including the Aboriginal Graduation and celebrations hosted for Adams Lake Band Graduation (June 17), Skwlax te Secwepemcúl?ecw Graduation (June 18), and Neskonlith Graduation (June 20). To read valedictorian speeches, go here.

Summer Wishes

I wish you a summer of seeing family, friends, and loved ones, and taking time to be well, stay safe, and enjoy many moments of complete relaxation.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Lest We Forget - A Week of Remembering Nov. 8-14

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 17:00:00 GMT

National Aboriginal Veterans Day (Nov. 8) and Remembrance Day (Nov. 11)

On November 11, 2023, we remember and honour more than 118,000 Canadians who have died in military service over 200 years. To start this acknowledgement of such an important week of remembering, schools and district departments will lower their outside flags from November 8-14, 2023.

“We will begin this week of remembering lives lost on November 8, 2023, National Aboriginal Veterans Day and hold ceremonies on November 10th to honor and acknowledge all veterans and those who lost loved ones in the World Wars or other battles,” stated Dr. Rhonda Nixon, Superintendent of Schools.

“The Aboriginal Education Council advised that lowering the flag is an important signifier of the need to remember that Aboriginal peoples had an important role in World War I and II, the Korean War, and Canadian Armed Forces. This is one way to further Truth and Reconciliation in our community,” shared Diane Jules, Director of the Aboriginal Education Council.

The Canadian government marks November 8th across Canada by hosting ceremonies in which citizens learn, listen, reflect, and stand together in silence to acknowledge the important contributions made by thousands of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit veterans who served in both World Wars and in the Korean War.

Aboriginal people have a long military history in Canada, including their integral role in Canada’s efforts in the War of 1812 against the Americans. More than 4,000 Aboriginal people served in the First World War and 3,000 in the Second World War. Currently, more than 2,700 members of the Canadian Armed Forces are Aboriginal and Aboriginal soldiers have continued to serve in many deployments like Canada’s mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014 with the Canadian Rangers.

“Aboriginal veterans have historically been prevented from honouring lost lives of friends and family members in Royal Canadian Legion ceremonies until 1951, including Remembrance Day,” said Michael Bowden, District Principal, Aboriginal Education. “It wasn’t until the mid-1990s that Aboriginal veterans and families were invited to lay wreaths or to have their own guards at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Remembrance Day.”

“Throughout history, Indigenous veterans have not always been treated equally,” said Michael Bowden, District Principal, Aboriginal Education and Veteran with his 12 year Canadian Armed Forces Service Medal. “November 8 during Veteran’s Week, serves as a reminder of the contributions, bravery, and service of Indigenous veterans made and are still making a difference to help bring peace and stability during some of our most unstable times. On November 8, to match the similar lowering of the flag on the Peace Tower in Ottawa, we will be lowering our flags at all schools in the School District.”

“There is a need to ensure that today’s youth have a fundamental understanding of what their great-grandparents, grandparents and in some cases, their fathers and mothers were called upon to do to defend the freedom and democracy that we enjoy today,” according to the Legion National Foundation Teacher’s Guide. “An understanding of the sacrifices that many Canadians made to preserve and protect our way of life.”

Local branches of The Canadian Legion encourage “youth involvement in Remembrance in a variety of ways,” reports the Legion website. “From holding Remembrance ceremonies at schools, speaking with students and youth organizations about Veterans, inviting youth to participate in community and Branch commemorative services, to inviting Cadets to help with the Poppy Campaign.”

“The war proved that the fighting spirit of my tribe was not squelched through reservation life. When duty called, we were there, and when we were called forth to fight for the cause of civilization, our people showed all the bravery of our warriors of old.” - Mike Mountain Horse, WWI Veteran

A Special Superintendent's Update: Health and Wellbeing

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Because Wellbeing is a core commitment in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, with the start of influenza season, it is timely to share important information to foster physical well-being of students and staff.

Increased Absenteeism

Increases in absenteeism is expected at this time of year during flu season. Since Nov 1, 2022, the K-12 absenteeism rate is approximately 5% higher than last year at this time.

Collective Attention on Prevention

Everyone is hearing about surges in children’s illnesses and hospitalizations in Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba as a result of the “triple threat” (COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]). Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, emphasized that we are not in the same position provincially due to higher rates of immunization. Dr. Fenton, Interior Health Officer, confirmed that in SD73, it is timely to invest in a proactive strategy of sharing preventive health strategies to support staff during this elevated trend of illness and absenteeism.

Provincial Health Guidance

In our district, we will continue to monitor absenteeism rates for students and staff and share Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry’s key messages:

Get all recommended vaccines including influenza and COVID-19 boosters; getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent serious illness
Do daily health checks
Stay home when sick
Engage in regular hand washing and hand sanitizing
Cough and sneeze into your elbow
Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, mouth, and nose.

We will also highlight Interior Health Public Medical Health Officer, Dr. Carol Fenton’s key messages:

What: respiratory season is here, but it is just the beginning.
So what: we need to prevent as many infections as we can.
Now what: Get up to date with COVID and influenza vaccinations. Stay home when you’re sick. Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control remains an excellent source of information on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases such as the flu in our communities. We encourage you to visit their website to gather more information on actionable steps you can take in your professional and personal lives to keep you and your loved ones safer.

We will continue to receive updates on how we are doing with absenteeism and preventative measures in Friday updates. Thank you for staying home when sick, getting vaccinated and keeping up with booster shots, and not being afraid to wear a mask.

Stay well and know that we will continue to improve together with “collective attention on prevention.”

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

After-School Pilot Program Empowering Girls

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 17:00:00 GMT

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Kamloops-Thompson School District No. 73 want to help high school girls to become more physically active.

A pilot project involving 240 female secondary students from six secondary schools will kick off Feb. 5, 2020 during an EmpowerHER Forum at the Tournament Capital Centre. The forum, in partnership with FitSpirit, PacificSport Interior, the City of Kamloops, and the Kamloops YMCA-YWCA, will introduce the girls to the FitSpirit experience through physical activities and connect them to an activity of personal interest.

The forum will also connect them with community organizations to help each girl find HER way to succeed in physical activity. Paralympic athlete Jessica Vliegenthart will speak at the event, bringing a message of inspiration about her personal journey with movement. Each student will be personally invited to join FitSpirit, a free 16-week after-school program, to be held at their schools.

School District No. 73 and PacificSport Interior have partnered with FitSpirit, a Montreal-based organization, offering activities designed to get girls moving to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle.

Girls from grades 7 - 12 at six schools: Chase Secondary, Brock Middle School, Valleyview Secondary, Westsyde Secondary, Norkam Senior Secondary and Kamloops School of the Arts are invited to participate in this program. They can sign up by registering at their schools' office.

“Sport and physical activity play a powerful role in helping people lead healthy, productive lives. It also has the power to drive positive change for gender equity in our society and empowers girls and women to be active participants and leaders,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “This pilot initiative is a wonderful collaborative effort designed to expand opportunities for young women and girls so they can explore their potential and enjoy the immense benefits of being active.”

Backed by a community of inspiring and dedicated girls and women, FitSpirit transforms every activity into a memorable experience with friends, role models and fun. FitSpirit has positively impacted the lives of more than 185,000 girls aged 12 to 17 since it was founded in 2007.

Kamloops is one of two cities selected in Western Canada to pilot FitSpirit.

“This is an incredible opportunity to change the current narrative around physical activity,” said Alexandra Inglis, SD73 after-school program coordinator. “We want to inspire movement, reduce barriers to participation and connect girls with some amazing role models in our community. We want girls to be excited about physical activity and to help them to find success in their own way.”

“We are so excited to be the first in Western Canada piloting this initiative. This program reaches beyond a local community initiative and illustrates that this program is an investment in the health and well-being of girls across the province,” said Katie Klassen, sport participation coordinator, PacificSport Interior.

“It is such an honour for FitSpirit to enter this new partnership with these dynamic organizations. Staying active is an integral part of young women’s physical, mental and emotional health,” says Claudine Labelle, FitSpirit President and Founder. “If girls commit to an active lifestyle in their teenage years, they are more likely to continue to be active in adulthood. For me, it’s a dream come true to provide a safe and supportive space for girls from coast to coast to pursue the fun of being physical active.”

A FitSpirit celebration event will be held at Riverside Park in Kamloops June 3. Participants will enjoy a day of physical activity and fun with friends. Every girl, regardless of skill or fitness level, will go on a 5K or 10K walk and/or run without worrying about their times.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 22:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we prepare for another lovely weekend, thank you to everyone for sharing stories of equity and courage, value commitments that are central to our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Kamloops School of the Arts

Principal Lloyd and I visited music, arts, dance, drama, and science classes. Principal Lloyd emphasized, “It is important to provide every student with opportunities to be who they are and to express themselves through the arts.” I witnessed how every student integrates the arts into their daily routines, and they were encouraged to show courage about exploring multimedia.

Mr. Simone Stella’s high school biology students explained their collaborative writing process of picture books designed to teach younger students about the properties of water. Ms. Piroddi’s Gr. 4 students studied “Peter and the Wolf”, and Ms. Williams’ junior dance class was tap dancing, and they were also preparing for Remembrance Day. Ms. Pendergast’s class explored diverse media (charcoal, paint, pastels, pencil crayons, ink) and a student named MaryJane said, “I used paint to create my picture because I don’t typically use paint.” Students were praised for having courage to try new materials to create art. Mr. Weisgerber’s junior band class played a new song, and he shared his excitement about forming a KSA drumline.Mr. Smigielski’s Gr. 8s and 9s were performing mimes, and we observed a very realistic “making cookies” mime. Ms. Gilmar’s class was in the hall making their robots move using EdScratch. Ms. Wendy Leonard told me the story of how she had gone on a salmon run and then taught about the importance of the salmon to her community to students and staff.

Family of Schools

School leaders meet in families of schools (groups of schools that stay together throughout the year to share school learning plan goals, strategies, and results). Yesterday, I took part in the South Kamloops/South Sa-Hali family of 13 schools that worked together as small groups, and their goals were to support the foundational framework of the district, to engage in professional learning as leaders, and to support the school learning plan process with staff. They also shared what they were doing in their schools and district departments to enact equity, a cornerstone value of the District Strategic Plan. School improvement through research-informed practices is the centre of their professional learning.

Bus Safety Week (Oct. 17-23)

Transportation Director Sherry Kristjanson reminded us to watch for the red flashing lights on a bus as one important way to be safe. It is bus safety week and Secretary Treasurer Cassidy is working with the Transportation Team to celebrate our work on a video on bus safety that is now used provincially. Read more.

Nov. 21 PD Day

The ministry closed schools on September 19, 2022, for the National Day of Mourning to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth ll. Because September 19 was a planned District-wide Professional Development day for all SD73 staff, it has been re-scheduled as a Pro-D day for November 21, 2022 and there will be no school for students. Read more

Enjoy your family and friends this weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from March 13, 2023

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 20:15:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Day of Sucwentwécw, District Employee Engagement Committee, and Family of Schools’ Mid-year Reviews. Read Board Notes here.

A Return to School Message from Dr. Sullivan

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 18:45:00 GMT

Hello, My name is Terry Sullivan and I was appointed as the superintendent of schools for School District 73 Kamloops-Thompson effective September 1st of this year.

I want to introduce myself and to give you some information about school start up next week. You should have received information via email this week from your child or children’s principal regarding orientation week, new health and safety protocols and the student health assessment agreement. On Tuesday or Wednesday of next week a staff member from your child or children’s school will be contacting you regarding your intentions with respect to school attendance starting next week or alternative learning models.

We are all aware that COVID-19 is a communicable disease which is being dealt with by school districts not only in Canada but around the world. It is a significant challenge for us and for you, but I want to assure you that our school start up plan has been approved by the Ministry of-Education and meets all the requirements for school start up established by the Provincial Health Officer.

Please refer to our school district website or the website of your child or children’s school to review our district start-up plan. We will continue to post all current information regarding this matter to these sites as this issue continues to evolve. Please refer to these sites frequently to remain informed.

We appreciate your support as we work together to provide an environment where children can return safely to school.

Thank you for listening.

Board Notes from September 27, 2021

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 20:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about successful LDP candidates and Board approves District Learning Plan. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from January 11, 2020

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 16:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about the Importance of Early Learning, COVID update and land disposal in Chase. Read Board Notes here.

Unplug and play Family Literacy Week

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 17:45:00 GMT

The Unplug and Play Family Literacy Week Committee is inviting schools to participate in Interior Savings Unplug and Play Family Literacy Week which takes place Jan. 25 to Feb. 1 2020. Check below for attachments providing events-related information.

Families are also invited to Family Literacy Day at the Henry Grube Education Centre on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Activities will include storytelling, interactive stations, face painting and crafts.

“Our goal is to encourage families to find a healthy balance and enjoy the many fun events and activities hosted by School District No. 73 community partner groups,” said Andrea Wallin, district library coordinator. “This has become an annual event in Kamloops-Thompson with over 5,500 students participating each year, increasing an awareness that healthy balance equals healthy families.”

Interior Savings Unplug and Play School Challenge

One way to motivate school-aged children to Unplug and Play is to offer them the School Challenge. They pledge to reduce or eliminate recreational screen time for three days. There is a daily check-list to record achievements. Many free activities are offered throughout the week for families to enjoy. A list of events will be included in the Student Challenge. Each participating school will receive a prize.

Here are some tips to make healthier choices for screen time based on information from the Canadian Pediatric Society.

Try to expose babies and toddlers to as little screen time as possible.

The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends no screen time for children under two years old.
Help older kids understand that using screens is a health issue, like eating well or brushing their teeth.
Set limits that include all screens and establish certain times and places as no-screen zones.

Use screens mindfully, as an activity you choose rather than as something that is on in the background or that you turn on as a habit.

Turning on a device should be something you turn on for a specific reason.
Get creative – encourage children to draw, write or act out their stories.

Curate your children’s media, setting household rules and co-viewing when possible.

With younger kids, select their media choices yourself, and only allow older kids to watch or play media you have approved.
Educational media is most effective when it iwatched with parents who can help to extend and reinforce learning content.

Model good media use for your kids.

Pay attention to your own media use, and think about what messages you are sending.
Think about ways to use screens together as a family, such as video chats with friends and relatives or using the internet to investigate hobbies or interests together.

Problems with too much screen time range from shortened attention spans to less time spent reading and less outdoor play. Here are some signs to look for that children may be spending too much screen time, according to the American Academy of Pediatricians.

Wanting to get on a device first thing in the morning, right after they wake up.
Complaining or throwing a temper tantrum when they are told it is time to turn off the device.
Always thinking about or talking about favourite shows, games or videos.
Sneaking a device or lying about how long they have been using a device.
Using the device to feel better if they have had a bad day.
Not getting enough sleep.
Constantly asking to use a device and always wanting more screen time.

Announcements

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 19:00:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

There will be a meeting at lunch today in Mr. Dhaliwal's room for all girls in grade 8 to 12 that are interested in playing rugby this year for SKSS.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

There will but an important meeting for ALL those students attending Vancouver Model UN in February in Mr. Topp's room (218) on Wednesday at lunch. Please bring any forms or money still owing. Please be prompt as debate meeting will follow. See you all there!

Anyone interested in being on the Production Team for this year's Spring Play please meet in Mrs. Fonseca's room today at lunch.

Anyone interested in auditioning for this year's Spring play please come to Mrs. Fonseca's room at lunch on December 12 for an information meeting.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Let the door decorating begin! The SKSS Leadership class is having a door decorating contest to get in the spirit of Christmas.....sorry, "The Holidays". Help your teachers in your A-Block classes make their classroom entrances festive over the next couple weeks and we will judge them for prizes the week before the break.

On Friday, the SKSS band students will be hosting a coffee house in the band room at lunch. Funds raised support the 2020 Music Trip. There will be snacks and hot drinks to purchase as well as live entertainment! We hope to see you all out on December 6 at lunch to support this fundraiser!

Board and card games will be held today at lunch in the drama room(135) in support of the District food drive competition. Come and show your support and bring a food bank donation. Prizes of all sorts will be given out to the winners.

The next WCT Matinee program play is the Sound of Music and will be on December 10 at 11:00 a.m. If you are registered for the program please come and see Mrs. Fonseca for more details.

TNT NEWS:

Applications are now available for a number of TNT programs and events. If you are planning to apply for Heavy Metal Rocks, Junior Fire Crew Training, RCMP Youth Academy, or Youth Train in Trades, please check the SD73 TNT Website, or contact Ms. Gillis in Counselling. These applications are due early in the New Year, but applicants are advised to start the application process early to ensure that you have all of the necessary documentation in place. See Ms. Gillis for more information.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

District Flags at Half-mast

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 19:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to the British Columbia policy for Half-masting (Section 12), the Canadian flag on all British Columbia government buildings and establishments across the province will be flown at half-mast from now (April 9, 2021) until sunset on the day of the funeral and memorial service (to be determined) to acknowledge death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Superintendents are asked to have all schools lower their flags to mark this occasion as well.

Announcements

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 19:00:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

For all girls interested in playing rugby this year, there will be a quick meeting Thursday at the start of lunch in room 121 - Mr. Dhaliwal's room. Also, the first practice will begin February 26, next Wednesday, at 3:30 pm in the gym.

Congratulations to the Senior Boys Basketball team on their win against Valleyview in the Okanagan Quarter Finals. The Titans defeated Valleyview 53-43. Maxen Adam led the way with 16 points, with Jacob Bond contributing 10. The Titans play OKM in the Okanagan Semi Finals in Vernon on Friday.

Interested in Mountain Biking this season? Come join the SKSS mountain bike team. We will be teaming up for practices with Valleyview Secondary. Races include enduros and cross-country. See Ms. Scallon if you are interested. Practices start after spring break.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

A reminder of an important meeting for all Ethics Bowl participants today at lunch in Room 218. It is important that all team members attend.

The next WCT Matinee Program Play is "Serving Elizabeth" on February 26. If you are a participant you will need to meet Mrs. Fonseca in the lobby of the Sagebrush at the beginning of long break. Please see Mrs. Fonseca for more information.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Grade 10 students are reminded that we are attending Economics for Success at TRU tomorrow.

You will need to report to your E block classes for attendance before boarding the busses. Also, Grade 10 students, please check your school email for a very important email about a survey you must complete before attending tomorrow. Read the email, follow the link, and complete the survey.

DELF: Attention all students interested in writing the DELF exam in May. Registration will happen in Portable 1 on Tuesday, February 25 at lunch. Please bring a cheque (made out to SKSS) for $60 for A1/A2 levels or $70 for B1/B2 levels. If you have written the DELF exam before, you must also bring your certification number.

The Cast and Crew for Clue: On Stage, SKSS's Spring Play, will be holding a Krispy Kreme Doughnut and Coffee Grounds sale on Friday at lunch as well as Friday and Saturday at Walmart. Please come by and support the Cast and Crew, all proceeds will go towards royalties and the sets for the show.

TNT NEWS:

Grade 10 students attending Economics for Success on Thursday, please return your media consent forms to Ms. Gillis.

Any students interested in Youth Train in Trades at TRU, a NorKam Trades Sampler, the district Hairstylist program, or the Digital Arts and Design program for next year, the deadline is this week. Please see Ms. Gillis ASAP to ensure your application is in order and you have the necessary supporting documents.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

If you are 15 years old or older, you may wish to apply for a part-time job with a new grocery store that is opening in Kamloops. There will be a job fair on Saturday, February 29 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Coast Kamloops Hotel and Conference Center on Rogers Way. Please bring a resume and references.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Raise a Reader 2020 Campaign

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 19:30:00 GMT

The Raise a Reader campaign raises funds to support these local literacy programs: One to One Reading, Parent-Child Mother Goose, Come Read with Me, the Bright Red Bookshelves and the Bright Red Book Bus. COVID-19 has changed how this important campaign will run this year. Instead of having Volunteers out in their bright orange t-shirts, hawking papers for a donation to literacy, the campaign has developed three ways you can support Raise a Reader in 2020:

Loonies for Literacy – Students, please bring a Loonie for Literacy during the week of September 18-25 (Cans to collect them will be provided).
Donate online at www.raiseareader.ca (click on the community you want to support).
Enter a team in a virtual Trivia event on September 22 (see website for more details).

Board Notes from August 25, 2025

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Disposition of Real Property and the Chair’s Report. Read Board Notes here.

District Strategic Planning Begins

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 22:45:00 GMT

October has been a month of special days, notably World Teachers’ Day (Oct. 5) and World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10). Everyone has a favourite teacher who has made a positive difference in their life. This past week, I visited Chase Secondary and Haldane Elementary Schools and learned how teachers have implemented Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), which is central to how students, parents, and staff are developing students’ positive behaviour, which contributes to their overall well-being.

Chase Secondary School

Mr. Greg Gartrell, Principal, and Ms. Erin Khelouiati, Vice Principal, emphasized how teachers have implemented PBIS common language to encourage positive behaviour. The administration posted signs with this language in the classroom, offices, library, and even washrooms throughout the school. Ms. Khelouiati said, “When students have the words right in front of them, they become problem solvers.” Mr. Gartrell agreed, saying, “I called a parent about a situation, and we discussed whether the teacher’s request was reasonable and the student’s response was respectful. So the common language of PBIS is assisting everyone.”

Haldane Elementary School

Ms. Colleen Topolovec, Principal of Haldane Elementary felt that the PBIS focus at secondary has bridged their work at elementary. Ms. Topolovec said, “It is a new school for me, and so much is already in place because teachers are student-centred and focused on PBIS. Our strong sense of belonging amongst students is the result of the everyday work of our staff, students, and parents.” Ms. Topolovec indicated that this is why student learning results continually improve. “Culture and learning go hand-in-hand. A positive sense of belonging ensures that students learn well.”

School stories, such as those just shared, have emerged from our District commitment to equity and excellence in SD73’s current District Strategic Plan 2017-2022. Every five years, our District engages our community to review and, if necessary, revise our plan. This year, we started this work with our District Strategic Planning Committee and all school leaders focusing on these three questions:

What type of world do you imagine/hope that our children will create?
What skills, attitudes, and competencies will they require to make that world possible?
How do we get them there?

Throughout this week, representatives from 25 different staff, parent, student groups, and community partner agencies have provided feedback to the District. We want everyone to have the opportunity to engage with these questions. If you are interested in sharing your thoughts, please participate in this survey.

Everyone has an opportunity to contribute until the survey closes on Oct. 22. PCG Canada will gather the responses, analyze them, and share key themes from the information provided.

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

Thank you for continuing to work as partners in our health and safety protocols in our District’s Communicable Disease Prevention Plan which include the following:

Completing daily health checks
Staying home when sick
Wearing masks indoors and on busses
Washing hands and using hand sanitizer
Covering our mouths when we cough
Keeping respectful personal distances
Using specific entrances and exits
Limiting visitors to schools
Staying within gathering guidelines and limiting congestion within small spaces such as hallways
Using recommended HVAC filters and air flow procedures
Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting in all areas

The number of potential exposures to COVID-19 in our schools has been posted on Interior Health’s website. Interior Health’s contact tracing confirms that the greatest risk of transmission is during activities taking place outside of school. As immunization continues to be the greatest protection for everyone, we continue to encourage everyone who can to get vaccinated.

As we enter mid-October, we look forward to a focus on literacy, with Dictionary Day (Oct. 16) and National Media Literacy Week (Oct. 25-30). Enjoy a good book this weekend and time with family.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Announcements

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 18:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SENIOR ULTIMATE: There will be an important meeting for ANY senior athletes interested in playing Ultimate Frisbee this year Wednesday in Portable 1 at LONG BREAK.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

On Friday, the SKSS band students will be hosting a coffee house in the band room at lunch. Funds raised support the 2020 Music Trip. There will be snacks and hot drinks to purchase as well as live entertainment! Sign-up sheets to perform are on the band room doors and open to individuals and groups. We hope to see you all out on December 6 at lunch to support this fundraiser!

There will be games hosted tomorrow during lunch in the drama room(135). Prizes will be given to winners as well. Come and show your support by bringing a food bank item and participate in the games! Let's beat Sahali and Valleyview in the District food drive competition!

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Parent Engagement Session: Talking with Teens About Substance Use

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:30:00 GMT

Presented by Angela Lawrence, District Substance Misuse Counsellor.

Research shows that quick, non-judgemental, and direct conversations with youth about substance use can have a dramatic effect on their health. This workshop will offer parents of pre-teens and teens strategies to help increase connection and trust and thus the likelihood that their teen will listen to important health information. In addition to key communication skills, parents will learn about the developmental changes taking place in adolescence and why moving from “parenting” to “coaching” may be the most effective way to talk with their teen about drugs.

This workshop will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. If you are interested in attending, please register in advance here. Following your registration, you will receive the link to the meeting.

SKSS Takes the Stage for Celebration of Learning

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 21:45:00 GMT

The South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) Music Department held their June Showcase Concert on Wednesday, June 15, the first live show at the Sagebrush Theatre in over two years.

The large ensembles included the SKSS Semester 2 Grade 8 band, Senior Concert Band, and Jazz Band, as well as smaller group ensembles of Jazz Combo, Percussion Ensemble, Vocal Feature with Jazz Band, and Saxophone Quintet with vibes feature.

A total of 50 students took to the stage to demonstrate what they have learned, performing 23 pieces for the aptly named “Authentically Live” event.

“Our senior band performed seven selections including ‘Hesitation’ composed by grade 12 band student Leo Mete and a piece called ‘Sorrow’ written by Mizuki Ona, who is the sister of one of our grade 12 band students,” explained SKSS Music Director, Michelle McRae. The group also performed ‘Raven,’ an Indigenous piece written by composer Robert Buckley in honour of the Squamish Nation.

“For many students, this was their first live show due to COVID,” said McRae. “There was an incredible energy and the audience and the students were thrilled to engage in person.”

The Jazz Combo performed on stage but also delighted guests with several pieces in the lobby as patrons entered the theatre. Tables were set up for spectators to sit and have a cup of coffee while taking in music by Keenan Brulotte (tenor saxophone), Xavier Wallace (trumpet), Gerad Wingerak (bass), and Ethan Mori (drums).

“It was quite a hit and the crowd seemed very impressed,” said McRae.

Despite the two-year hiatus, music has continued to fill the SKSS halls thanks to the efforts of Chris Spanis, SKSS science teacher, who has spent countless hours creating recordings as a way to keep the momentum alive in the SKSS Music Department.

Below is a piece called “Heat’s On” performed by the 21-piece grade 8-12 Jazz Band. Soloists are grade 10 student Keenan Brulotte on tenor saxophone and grade 10 student Elizabeth Pawliuk on piano.

Ignite! Scientific Curiosity with Discovery Education

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Did you know all SD73 intermediate students (grades 4-7) have unlimited access to Discovery Education, a world-renowned, immersive, digital experience?

Discovery Education’s Social-Emotional Learning Center presents a curated collection of hundreds of resources designed to help all students develop social and emotional competencies, cultivate self-confidence, manage stress, look at situations and issues from a variety of perspectives, and maintain their well-being so everyone can thrive.

Discovery Education offers multimodal digital content, and immersive, differentiated learning experiences that is inclusive of all learners.

In Discovery Education's Young Scientist Lab channel, find Virtual Field Trips, hear from young change makers, and find experiments that can be done at home. Access Discovery Education’s featured videos and activities in the curated collection of Science channels and simulate science experiments using Discovery Education interactives. These resources provide engaging ways for children to explore their curiosity and investigate real-world science topics.

To learn more, attend the workshop via Zoom on Thursday, May 5, from 7 PM to 8 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register HERE and you will be provided with the link to the meeting.

Presented by Isha Seth - Morgan Whitehouse (Moderator)

Board Notes from January 24, 2022

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 16:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about reports from the Superintendent and Secretary-Treasurer and Vaccination Policy Committee proceeds with vaccine status disclosure. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from September 28, 2020

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 21:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about stories from Clearwater and nominations are now open for the Owl Award. Read Board Notes here.

What Happens If There's a COVID-19 Case?

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 17:15:00 GMT

Keeping everyone safe in our schools is our biggest priority, and we are following strict health and safety measures outlined by the Provincial Health Officer and the Ministry of Education.

In the case of a confirmed or alleged case of COVID-19 in a school, the school district will follow the direction of the Medical Health Officer and will provide documentation to the health authority to support contact tracing of all individuals impacted by an exposure to COVID-19.

If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19, this how and when families will be notified.

Interior Health will contact the affected school.
Parents and guardians will be contacted by Interior Health if their child was exposed to the confirmed case while they were infectious. Staff who were in contact with the confirmed case will also be notified. Personal privacy rights and confidentiality will continue to be maintained for anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
People who are notified that they have been exposed to COVID-19 will be required to isolate at home for 14 days from when their last exposure happened.
Interior health officials will work closely with the school district to determine if further actions should be taken, and the school will support student learning while they are in self-isolation.
Based on the direction of the Medical Health Officer, it may be necessary for the school and district to communicate with the school community. SD73 and the Medical Health Officer will work together to develop a communications plan to inform the school community.
When an exposure at a school is confirmed, this will become public information. The BC Centre for Disease Control will publish COVID-19 Public Exposures on their webpage.
A “school exposure notification” does not mean all students at the school have been exposed to COVID-19. If you do not receive a phone call or letter from Interior Health, your child should continue to attend school.

Board Notes from February 22, 2021

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 22:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Anti-Racism & Human Rights Education in Action along with an implementation Plan. Read Board Notes here.

Back-to-School Attendance Numbers

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 15:15:00 GMT

During the first week of the voluntary, part-time return to school for students across BC, attendance by students at all SD73 schools ranged from about 11 to 18 per cent per day.

“We had a total of just over 4,000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 who attended school on-site from June 1 to June 5,” said Trish Smillie, SD73 Assistant Superintendent, Elementary.

For the week, student attendance for elementary schools ranged from 75 to 20 per cent. For middle and secondary schools in the district, attendance ranged from about 35 to 12 per cent.

Beginning June 1, students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 were able to attend school up to 50 per cent of the time. Students in Grade 6 to Grade 12 were able attend up to 20 percent of the time.

The exceptions to these restrictions are students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 who are enrolled in a 5 day per week program as children of Essential Service Workers, or students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 who are enrolled in a 5 day per week program as priority learners.

The Ministry of Education is tracking student attendance to determine how many are coming to class, without penalizing students who are not attending.

Principal's Message May 20th, 2020

Wed, 20 May 2020 22:00:00 GMT

Good morning to our SKSS community. I hope that you are all well and it is nice to
see this beautiful spring weather upon us. I wanted to reach out to you to share with you
our current planning with regards to the Ministry of Education's "Restart Plan" for
students in B.C. I truly apologize for the delay with this correspondence, but we have
had so many changes from the Ministry of Education that I wanted to be sure of our
plan before sharing it with our Titan’s community. The decision by the Ministry of
Education to return to a modified framework of in-class learning is guided by science
and the thoughtful attention of our Provincial Health Officer. The Ministry of Education
has now confirmed dates and expectations and we can now begin identifying who our
priority learners are at South Kam and the voluntary support plan that we can offer
those students on our campus. We define Priority learners as students who are
currently disengaged from their learning plans and are not participating to the level
required to successfully complete the current courses that they are enrolled in. Over the
next week, our school based support teams will focus on and contact all Priority
learners with special attention to any current grade 12 students who require additional
support to ensure course credits and requirements for their Dogwood Diploma. Our
proposed date for a scheduled return for these learners will be June 1st. It is important
to note that any on-campus student supports for our Priority learners are 100%
voluntary.
Until further notice, all other SKSS students will continue with our current distance
learning model until the end of this current school year in June. Our collective goal is to
support both our Priority learners and our on-line learners with a model that is respectful
of the current Ministry of Education requirements and is also student-centered to meet
the individual needs of all of our students and families.
We will also be returning to the option of dropping off and picking up class materials in
our gym. This opportunity will start up on May 25th and students will be able to access
the gym from the west entry double doors only. The main school building will not be
open for students. Your individual teacher(s) will communicate directly to you for their
course expectations.
For the parents/guardians of our SKSS Grad class, we are finally in a place to share
with you the dates and logistics with regards to our planning for our SD #73 Video
Grad/Commencements. We confirmed today that we will have use of the Sagebrush
Theatre from June 15-19th to accommodate our adapted SKSS Commencement
ceremonies. We will be scheduling 10 minute time slots per grad to have your
commencement video recorded and allow time for you to exit before the next grad
arrives on stage. Our collective planning will be guided by regulations within the current
Ministry of Health requirements. We appreciate your patience with our planning. This
has indeed been a difficult event to organize with so many guidelines to be mindful of
everyone's health and safety. I want to let each of you know that it is our biggest priority
with our commencement planning to ensure that we have this opportunity safely
provided for all of you, and your immediate family, to celebrate and recognize each and
every one of our amazing grads. We have always prioritized celebrating student
learning and excellence on our campus. This will not change as we work towards
planning this unique Grad Commencement recognition. Now that we have our dates
and facility, Ms. Mattes and her team will begin organizing all aspects of our
commencements. Instructions will follow next week regarding sign-up times and
procedures. Attendance at this event is limited to immediate household members and
grandparents only. This expectation must be followed to be in accordance with
provincial health regulations. A reminder for our grads that if you have not paid your
grad fees to please take care of this by contacting Ms.Robinson in the main office. Full
payment of these fees is required to participate in our commencements. Please contact
Mr. Kirschner if you have any further questions or concerns. In speaking with
Ms. Mattes, her goal is to have a detailed commencement plan to all grads and their
families by the end of the day on Monday, May 25th.
Take care and continue to be safe as we work towards the next phase(s) of our BC
Restart Plan.

Mr. W. Kirschner

Announcements

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 18:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

There will be an important meeting for all Ethics bowl participants today at lunch in Room 218.

Grad clothing online sales close soon: deadline to order is today. Don’t miss out! Please see the Grad board for more information.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Board Notes from February 23, 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:15:00 GMT

For updates from the regular meeting of the Board of Education, featuring District Employee Engagement Committee Report, Owl Award and Board Award of Recognition and more, read Board Notes here.

Provincial Leaders Congratulate All BC Students and Grads for This Successful School Year

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 22:15:00 GMT

The Premier, Minister of Education, Provincial Health Officer and graduates offer their congratulations to all 600,000 B.C. students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 as the unprecedented school year comes to an end.

B.C. kept schools open and safe in spite of the pandemic in 2020/21. A special shout out went to all Grade 12 graduates. As the Class of 2021 – provincial leaders celebrate their resilience and determination - saying it will never be forgotten.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 24 May 2024 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we enter June, we are embracing a time of celebration and special events from Graduations to the District Honours Awards for students, and District Long Service and Retirement events for staff. I look forward to seeing you at these events and enjoying the successes of everyone in the District.

Welcome the New Assistant Superintendent of Inclusive Education

Michelle Mattes is the successful candidate for the role of Assistant Superintendent of Inclusive Education, which begins on August 1, 2024. After taking part in a competitive, national competition for the position of Assistant Superintendent of Inclusive Education, Michelle was the chosen candidate. She has had a rewarding 20-year career as an educator in diverse roles focused on Inclusive, Indigenous, and Alternate Education. She has served as the District Principal of Safe and Caring Schools, District Secondary School Services Coordinator, and as a Principal, Vice Principal, Counselor and Teacher within the Kamloops-Thompson School District. Read more.

Blue River Elementary School- Lights, Camera, Action!

Thank you to Principal Mathieu and Vice Principal Gauthier for working with students, staff, and community partners to create a promotional video of their school. Filming took place both in the school and outdoors and showcased the school and community learning connection.

Students were filmed playing guitar with Mr. Cudmore, reading stories with children in the community, and learning about plants they are growing from seed for the community garden.

Despite the rain the students were filmed at the community garden and at Blue River, where they talked about releasing the salmon that they raised in partnership with Simpcw. PAC, staff, students, and parents participated in the filming. A community meal was shared with all involved at lunch break.

Students Enjoy the Gauss Math Contest

One of the goals of the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan is to provide diverse learning opportunities to ensure an entry point for all learners that promotes a positive mathematical mindset and conceptual understanding. Participation in the Gauss Math Contest and Team Challenge provides one such opportunity around enrichment in mathematics for Grade 7 students. The Gauss Math Contest is a national event developed by the Center for Education in Mathematics and Computing at the University of Waterloo. The contest aims to grow students' interest in mathematics in a fun and accessible way. Students aim to solve questions, centered around a common curriculum from across Canada, that provide intriguing problems designed to test their ingenuity, logical thinking, and problem solving skills. Read more.

Preparing to Celebrate Pride Month in June

We celebrate Pride Month as one key strategy to ensure that we bring alive the District’s Cultural and Identity Priority, where every learner will feel safe and thrive personally and culturally.

Pride Month is an international celebration of coming together as a community to show support for students, staff, parents, and community members who are part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and additional sexual orientations and gender identities). In 1969, members of this community fought for their rights when riots and violence erupted and since that time, politicians internationally have declared and supported Pride Month. In our District Strategic Plan Cultural and Identity Priority, we aim to ensure that every student feels safe and thrives personally. Through consultation with 2,000+ students, staff, and community members in 2021-2022, we learned that, sadly, students do face barriers to feeling accepted, included, welcome, and safe in our schools. Therefore, we chose to commit to equity: removing barriers and creating environments that provide accessible and empowering opportunities for all students and staff to thrive. Read more.

Thank you for your dedication and passion to attend student celebrations and events, and to honour staff who have provided long term service and/or who are retiring this year.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Learning Begins: Be Mindful of the Challenges

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 23:00:00 GMT

On March 17 the people of British Columbia learned that in-class learning in schools throughout the province was suspended due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This week, a full week ahead of the vast majority of BC school districts, learning has begun for the 15,500 students throughout SD73.

We are especially focused on preparing grade 12 students for graduation, protecting our vulnerable learners, ensuring the children of our essential workers are supported, and that our plan is sustainable for our staff, our students and their families.

Parents can be assured that there will consistency between all schools in the development and implementation of Continuity of Learning Plans while also providing flexibility for teachers to best meet the needs of their students.

It is important to remember that SD73 is not providing a full-service model of education. Providing learning opportunities for students and monitoring their progress is our professional responsibility and we will all do that to the best of our ability as we navigate these uncharted waters together. Teachers are connecting with each family and/or student and taking the time necessary to develop meaningful learning opportunities for our students. If you are unsure about how to proceed with your child’s learning, please do not hesitate to contact your local school principal or classroom teacher.

The challenges of moving a large education system from classroom learning to learning from a distance cannot be understated. We all must be mindful of the challenges that our communities are facing and be patient and kind with one another as we address this global health emergency together. Reach out to your neighbours and family and do not be afraid to seek support from our school personnel if the pressures are just too much at this time. We are happy to listen and direct you to one of our professional counsellors or community services.

We are grateful for the efforts of our healthcare professionals and first responders and plan on beginning the Essential Services Worker Program (ESWP) on Thursday, April 2. The first priority for the ESWP is our front-line health care workers. The program will be at two school locations, Pacific Way and Lloyd George Elementary. The ratio of students to adults will be very low to ensure we follow the guidelines set out by our Medical Health Officers. As our staffing resources increase, consideration will be given to increasing the number of ESWP classrooms to expand access to the children of emergency and civic workers.

We know that every student eligible to graduate from Grade 12 wil receive their Dogwood diploma. We also know that graduation ceremonies are an important rite of passage for our students and their families. I’d like to reassure all grade 12 students and parents throughout the district that it’s too early to make a final decision regarding graduation ceremonies.

On March 27, we heard from our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, that we are beginning to see the positive effects of social distancing and she urged every citizen to ramp up their efforts and remain at home. We urge every parent to ensure their children practice social distancing and refrain from gathering in groups. If we remain united in our efforts, we will all contribute to protecting our loved ones, and our essential service workers who are sacrificing so much for our health and safety.

SD73 Begins Work on its School Re-Start Plan for September

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 20:00:00 GMT

In response to the Ministry of Education and Provincial Health Office announcement that the province will be moving to Stage 2 in its Re-Start Plan for September, the District is taking immediate steps to plan for a safe return to school for all students and staff.

“We now have a path forward to begin detailed planning in order to provide the answers parents and students will be looking for, and it provides us the flexibility we need to do what we can to get our students back to school in September,” said Board Chair Rhonda Kershaw. “I am confident our senior staff and planning team will put together a solid and workable plan in the coming weeks.”

“Schools play a critical role in the health and well-being of children,” said School Superintendent Alison Sidow. “We know the uncertainty over what September will look like is difficult for families and for our staff as we move forward. Every stage brings challenges and that’s why we know it is critical that we stay in touch as much as possible. We expect to begin providing answers to specific questions as early as the second week of August.”

Sidow said the District had a preview of what it will be like to return to school thanks to the efforts of teachers, support staff and administrative staff in June. She acknowledged their work, saying it goes a long way to helping the district get ready for this next stage.

The District has adapted to implement public health and infection prevention and control measures including staying home when ill, physical distancing, minimal physical contact, hand hygiene and frequent cleaning and disinfection.

Touchless water faucets are being installed in all SD73 schools, and the District is investing, with the financial support of the Province of British Columbia, just over one million dollars to add 17 more daytime custodians to our custodial staff. These are just some of the measures being taken to ensure the safe, full-time return of students and staff.

“We are grateful for the financial support of the province of British Columbia specifically the Ministry of Education for providing 45.6 million dollars for enhanced cleaning measures including custodial staff, funding for personal protective equipment, adaptive technology and software to support students across the province,” said Kershaw.

The District will be working closely with school leaders and its partners to develop its School Re-Start Plan for September.

Students and parents can expect to hear regular updates about what’s being planned, how it will affect them, and how they can get ready for September, beginning immediately.

Parkcrest Elementary Closed until Further Notice

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 03:30:00 GMT

District Superintendent of Schools Alison Sidow and district administrative staff have contacted staff and parents to let them know Parkcrest Elementary School has been extensively damaged due to a fire during the late afternoon of September 5.

Until further notice, Parkcrest Elementary School will not be open to students. Families are asked to make alternate arrangements for the supervision of their children beginning Friday September 6, and for the following week, September 9 through to September 13. District staff are developing a plan to ensure the emotional well-being and education of students.

"The loss of Parkcrest Elementary is devastating to students and staff who worked and learned in the building," said Sidow. "Children may experience varied reactions to this event, including trouble sleeping, concentrating or listening."

If a child becomes more irritable, sad, angry or worried as they think about what happened, Sidow said the first important step is to listen and pay attention to what they say and how they act, and remember that they may also show their feelings in non-verbal ways.

"Listen, observe, and note any changes in behaviour," she said. "Let them know that we are working to get them back to school as soon as we can. Please reach out to Principal Catherine Gorman if you have any concerns or would like to access counselling for your child."

Emotional support was offered during the evening hours of September 5 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Parkcrest Avenue.

Please stay tuned for more updates as they are available.

Parents as Education and Career Coaches

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 19:45:00 GMT

Virtual Zoom session October 21, 2020. See attachment for details.

Board Notes from Sept. 09, 2019

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 21:15:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Trustees allocated $70,000 from the district business company, Global Education, to replace classroom and school supplies at Parkcrest Elementary lost in last Thursday’s fire. This and more from Monday's meeting. Read Board Notes here.

Raising Digitally Responsible Youth

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:00:00 GMT

Raising children in a digital era can seem overwhelming at times. Technology has entered our lives at a rapid pace over the past several years and continues to evolve. The reality is that apps and technological devices will change, but the behavior stays the same. Moderation is key to managing technology use in our homes. This does not need to be an "all or nothing" approach with either absolute prohibition or full unchecked usage.

It is beneficial to maintain an open, transparent, and ongoing dialogue with our children regarding the internet, technology, social media, and video games Remaining approachable could be the difference between whether our children come to us when issues or uncomfortable situations arise rather than feeling alone in the process of going to their peers to seek comfort and advice instead.

Technology is here to stay, whether we like it or not. The digital reputation of today's students, or how they choose to represent themselves online, is being evaluated and assessed by future employers or admissions departments. The goal of this parent guide is to help introduce the major social media platforms, video games, and relevant trends that are either being used already or have the potential to be used by our children.

Stay the course. We want to prepare our children for their tech-infused futures and walk down this digital journey alongside them.

For more information please see Raising Digitally Responsible Youth: A Parent's Guide.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 22:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

We started the week by acknowledging Earth Day on April 22 and Administrative Professionals Day on April 23. Students took part in the Junior Fire Crew Workshop from April 23-26 and Battle of the Books on April 24. These events enable students to explore possible career pathways and to engage in reading alongside others in the District. Intellectual Development and Career Development are key priorities in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Bert Edwards Elementary School – April 24, 2025

Principal Edstrom and Vice Principal Wiebe showed how they have students exploring their identities in a new project highlighting countries of the world on the wall. “We plan to have a Cultural Diversity Day and to have students share who they are—their families, traditions, celebrations, and histories. We aim to have this become a community in which we learn and share about our identities,” explained Ms. Edstrom. “The idea stemmed from having students in the school share who they are and where they or their families are from to feel welcome and included.”

She also shared the salmon run wall display, which involved everyone engaging in an activity about “respect” on the Day of Sucwentwécw on April 7, focused on the theme, “The Bonds of Respect that Bridge Us Together”.

Principal Edstrom said, “Students shared what respect looked liked and sounded like to them. Some drew pictures because the goal was to understand what respect means to our community.” This day is specific to our District and the intent is to recognize and celebrate the history of the Secwépemc people and other Indigenous people residing within the territory of Secwepemcúl’ecw. The students also learn a Secwépemc word of the day, which was also on the wall near the salmon run bulletin board.

We discussed a bulletin board done by the Kindergarten team, Ms. Bowden and Ms. Farber. They showed pictures and captions about their students’ learning in STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Their students were collaborating to solve real world problems about shadows (how they are made and what happens when different objects are used to block light), and how to make a catapult. “This team engages their students in outdoor learning as part of being a science-focused school,” shared Ms. Edstrom. “They are always accessing the outdoors to have students explore key concepts in Science and other subjects.”

We visited Ms. Denison’s Grade 1 class. Ms. Denison differentiates students’ reading choices by not only the difficulty of texts students read but also by who they read with (students read with her, the Learning Assistance Resource Teacher, and independently), and students are exploring texts that range in genres and topics.

Ms. Adams’ Grade 1 class was practicing “Roll and Read”. Liam, a Grade 1 student, shared how the activity works—he rolled a die and the number that showed was the column of words he was to read. Once he read the word, he placed a rock on it. “Sometimes we just draw a circle around the word,” said Liam. Ms. Maposa, a student in TRU, was assisting students with this strategy. Ms. Adams shared her views of the value of the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI, pronounced “you fly”) reading resources for teachers and students which are designed to improve literacy outcomes for children learning to read. She explained. “The value of the program is that it is systematic, based on reading research, and it enabled her to develop her own resources (e.g., sentence strips that students write and then read at school and home). Before I left her class, Anneaka (Grade 1 student) read words on her magnetic board.

Mr. Wood’s and Ms. Unsworth’s Grade 6-7 students were studying crystallization by dipping wooden sticks in sugar and then predicting by drawing before and after pictures of what they thought would happen when they dip their sticks in water. Students shared their drawings and discussed why some of them predicted different shapes of the before and after pictures.

The students were engaged in considering what water would do in terms of the “after” effects. Mr. Wood said that they take time to predict before doing the experiment to ensure that students are curious about the process.

Mr. Hummel’s Grade 4-5 class was working with Mr. Donnelly, a TRU teacher candidate, who was helping students to study how many times numbers go into whole numbers (division and multiplication) using a “Dungeon and Dragons” game concept. The students were very engaged because Mr. Donnelly had set the context for this lesson with compelling visuals and music. The TRU teacher mentor, a former principal, was also observing the lesson.

This was a wonderful visit with Principal Edstrom and Vice Principal Wiebe, and I was glad to have had this opportunity to learn about the vibrant learning in their school community.

Raft River Elementary: Leading the Way in Sustainability on Earth Day – April 22, 2025

Raft River Elementary School in Clearwater, BC is taking some exciting steps toward sustainability (one of the core values in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan). This year, staff and students launched an Eco Club. Under the leadership of Ms. Elizabeth Shook and a dedicated team of teachers, including Ms. Victoria Cooke, Ms. Christina Scrivner, and Ms. Jayanthi Saravanan, the school is working toward achieving Platinum Certification from Eco Schools Canada. One of Raft River’s standout initiatives is the Goose Paper Drive, an innovative project that encourages the reuse of partially used paper. Read more.

Board Meeting

To learn more about the 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget, watch the presentation from April 9, 2025 here. Results from feedback on this preliminary 2025-2026 Budget will be shared during the Regular Public Board Meeting on April 28, 2025 at 7:00 pm. Please watch it here.

I hope that you enjoy your weekend as we come to the final week in April and start May. Hopefully, you will find some time to enjoy the warm weather.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

French Language Students Achieve Certification

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 18:45:00 GMT

More than 50 district secondary students will be recognized by the French Ministry for National Education for their French language skills.

Having successfully completed a rigorous international examination process, they will be awarded a DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue française), certifying their competency in a language that is not their mother tongue.

“Our district offers students the opportunity to challenge four levels of the DELF exam: A1, A2, B1, B2,” said Lana Blais, Vice-Principal - École Secondaire South Kamloops Secondary School. “A1 is a beginner level of French, while B2 is the most advanced of the school-age exams. Two further levels (C1 and C2) can be challenged at the university level. The DELF exam has been offered in a large scale in our district since April, 2015.”

Blais says there are two school level sittings of the DELF exam every year, in November and in April. In SD73, both immersion and core French students challenge the exams. The voluntary exam is written by students in grades 8 through 12. They pay a small fee to challenge the exam and they select which level they feel most prepared for—a decision usually made in consultation with their French teachers.

Core French Students with DELFs

Three examples of Core French students who have earned their DELFs are Jessica Orr and Emily James, both in grade 12, and Lauren Corbet, in grade 11, who are all students at Valleyview Secondary.

“Jessica and Emily have completed five years of French courses and Lauren four years,” said French Language Teacher Emily Gillis from VVS. “The girls are all excellent French students and demonstrate great critical thinking, tenacity and a commitment to learning.”

Gillis said these students made the most of their class opportunities to speak in French, listen to French and acquire the language.

“In addition, the girls and I spent fifty per cent of our lunch times during quarter 1 and the start of quarter 2 together in order to prepare them for the exam,” she said. “They worked very hard to ensure that they had the necessary vocabulary, grammatical structures, accent and confidence to complete the exam. I am extremely proud of them.”

French Immersion Students with DELFs

“We have seen a steady increase in the past years with the number of students choosing to write the DELF, almost doubling our numbers each year,” said SKSS French Language Teacher Alysia Francis.

“With the new curriculum, we have introduced four new courses in the past two years, including Media Studies 11, Francophone Film & Literature Studies 11, Political Studies 12 and Francophone History and Culture 11.”

Francis said these authentic learning situations offer an immersive experience for Grade 12 students which helps them feel confident in their abilities in French. This also includes, when it’s safe to travel, opportunities to attend Carnaval in Quebec.

“Immersion students do not need the DELF to graduate. If they complete their Immersion program, they will graduate with a bilingual dogwood,” she said. “Still, we are seeing many of our students attempt, and achieve, the B2 level.”

The Benefit of a DELF certification

Blais said successfully challenging the DELF exam offers many benefits to students.

“The first and most important benefit is a sense of pride and validation of their language skills. They have completed a challenging exam and communicated in their second language often with someone they have never met,” she said. “The certificates the students receive are valid for life and can be used for job applications and may even meet some university language requirements. Students receive four external secondary credits for each of the exams they complete.”

DELF Clubs help students prepare

Many secondary schools offer DELF clubs to help students prepare for the activities they will encounter during the exam. Each exam is divided into 4 sections: a listening component, a reading component, a writing component, and an oral interview.

The essential role of DELF examiners

DELF examiners receive intense specialize training that allows them to assess this exam. Examiners are also evaluated and certified for each level they are authorized to assess. SD73 is lucky to have a very large team of 22 examiners.

“It is important to have a large team, as each candidate is assessed by two examiners who must come to consensus about which mark is the most accurate reflection of the candidate’s abilities,” said Blais. “DELF is very important for the teachers who are trained as examiners as they must hone their evaluation skills and have collaborative discussions about the language skills being presented before them.”

Teachers preparing students in their classes to write the exam reflect on the communicative skills most needed by students and consider how to best impart those skills. The question they ask is “What is our goal for language learners in SD73?”

Kudos

These exams were held under the strictest of COVID protocols and were administered by DELF-trained French specialists from our district and community,” said Franzi Karlen, District Language Coordinator. “Congratulations to the students, and a heart-felt thank you to their dedicated classroom teachers and our fantastic exam team. Bravo! The next DELF exams begin April 12, 2021.”

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 30 May 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents & Caregivers:

Developing positive relationships and connections is a core value in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. At events like District Honours, school celebrations, or graduation ceremonies, it is evident how much students appreciate friends, family, and staff as they move to a new grade, school, or a post-secondary/career pathway after graduation.

Sa-Hali Secondary 50th Anniversary – May 23, 2025

I visited Sa-Hali Secondary’s 50th Anniversary Open House last Friday and it was spectacular. They had taken the time to gather decades worth of sports jerseys, yearbooks, pictures, and even found vinyl records of songs recorded at Capitol Records in California by students and staff. Present and past staff got together to have a picture taken.

Drama students performed a play, and art students had taken art from murals over the years and created the letters of the school’s name using the artwork. Thank you to Sa-Hali staff and students for going the extra mile to commemorate the traditions of their school community over the years. Read more.

Westsyde Elementary School – May 27, 2025

Principal Scott and I visited classes, and our first stop was to see Ms. Huva, Learning Assistance Resource Teacher who was sharing a new card game as part of the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching reading (structured literacy approach including the reading and writing of letters, sounds, blends, words). In this case, the card game was similar to Uno, where the students are dealt cards and they are to match them to the sounds in the dealer’s card (e.g., bin). The object is to get rid of cards, and Reese and Izzie enjoyed the game.

Ms. Murray’s Kindergarten students were doing “Cosmic Yoga” when we observed. It was dark and they were each on mats and watching and copying a yoga instructor online. After that, they were going to have story time.

Ms. Dunn’s Kindergarten class was watching her measure different objects on a screen and they were sharing the length in cm of each object.

Ms. Glassel’s Grade 1-2 class was engaged in different literacy activities. Some were reading alone or gathered at the listening center. Others were practicing numbers, letters, or spelling. Ms. Boulter’s Grade 2 class was engaged in independent reading and responding to texts. One student, Jameson, explained that he loves “Albert Einstein” and he was learning about the theory of relativity.

Ms. Leblanc’s Grade 2-3 class were reading independently while Ms. Leblanc engaged in guided reading in small groups. Paisleigh showed me how their class had many of Mo Willems’ “Elephant and Piggie” books, and we shared favourite titles.

Mr. Martin’s Grade 7 class was just about to head out to go biking, and they had just finished working on their skateboards.

Ms. Kristjanson and Ms. Schneider’s Grade 4-5 classes had been learning about Secwépemc cultural traditions and histories. From that learning, they got together in partners and small groups to create scenes in a Secwépemc village. Ms. McCleaf, Indigenous Education Worker, supported this activity and commented that it is an excellent way to have students be creative and to talk about what they learned while making their village.

Two Grade 5 students, Aleigha and Mikaela, shared their idea of creating a “diversity book shelves” in their library. They got the idea from being in the school’s inclusive club. They had a range of easy to higher level reading books, including graphic novels.

Ms. Flamank, librarian, was with the Grade 5 students in the library as they created a planet to land on and learn about. Onyx, Tanner, and Jayde were working together to study Saturn as their destination planet. Our last class was Ms. Chretien’s Grade 3-4 class who was reviewing sentence punctuation as part of their writing lesson.

In the hallway, we met Aaron Goldade and his teammates who had just returned from Track and Field. Aaron won First Place for running the 1,000m race. They were so proud of how well they had done, and Aaron said, “I didn’t pay attention to anything, I just ran my hardest.”

Thank you, Westsyde Elementary for a warm welcome and amazing visit!

Haldane Elementary School – May 29, 2025

Principal Simpson had started his day playing hockey with a group of students before school started. He shared, “I do this to have a positive way to get to know the students, and we have a connection when they need a break.” We started our visit in the gym, where Vice Principal Wielgoz was teaching Kindergarten with half playing hockey and half playing basketball and hoops.

Ms. Huddart was teaching sight words and students were on the carpet and reading them together. One student came over to share the names of animals in Secwepemctsín. We then went to Ms. Kreutzer’s Grade 1-2 class who was engaged in calendar activities and included sharing time. One student shared how much he enjoyed going to hockey tournaments in Kelowna and then Surrey.

Ms. Hebert’s Grade 2-3 class was at literacy stations including technology, reading, hands-on, and small group reading. Everyone was highly engaged and enjoying their literacy activities. Ms. Liz Charleyboy was supporting one student with reading, and she was dressed up for medieval days and was wearing a suit of armour.

We visited the sensory rooms and how the activities and space had been redesigned with the support of District Principal Brady and Haldane staff working together. They have created activities and added equipment such as a “squeeze machine” for students who need them.

Ms. Fraser’s Grade 5-6 class was creating French menus and designing their plates, food, and even had Visa machines to be able to process orders for their French cafe. Ms. Fraser also shared how they have used “tableaux” to create frozen drama scenes to depict what happens in history (i.e., students study about World War II and then work as a team to create a scene and have a narrator share what is happening).

Mr. Craig Adams shared what he was teaching students in Secwepemctsín, including using a calendar to teach numbers, sequence, colors, and seasons. He also explained the alphabet chart. He teaches at both Haldane and Chase Secondary and I later saw his class in Chase Secondary. I ended my visit by meeting Danny who is one of the community members who serves breakfast daily in Haldane. He showed how he picks up donated bread as well as using Feeding Futures funding to make sandwiches and fruit snacks for students.

Chase Secondary School – May 29, 2025

Principal Gartrell and I started in Mr. Adams’ Secwepemctsín class, and students had integrated language and arts. Graydon and Aiden shared their beading work. Graydon said, “I made UBC because I like going there for basketball and I made ‘KD’, which represents Kevin Durant, a basketball player.”

Ms. Cash shared a picture of her grandmother, Catherine Kenoras, and said, “We have Elder Doreen come in and teach students how to use cedar root and birch bark to make baskets.” These activities inspire language use while creating and sharing about them.

Mr. Bakker’s Grade 7 band played “Fire Edge” that had a lot of energy with chanting, stomping, percussion, and full band instrumentation to depict a fire ball’s energy at the edge of Earth. Mr. Bakker had taken the students to Whistler to play and explained how the band program has grown to include more than half of the students in Chase Secondary.

Ms. Swain took time to share what she had developed with grant funds from “Book Dreams”—multiple mobile book shelves and hundreds of books. Ms. Swain had also designed a mobile seating unit that housed books. She had designed and made cushions for this unit based on her background in upholstery. Her commitment and dedication to the development and support of the library in both Haldane and Chase Secondary is commendable and much appreciated by students and staff.

Mr. Kanigan’s Chemistry 12 class was studying organic chemistry. They had also gone on a field trip to a water treatment plant as part of their studies. Mr. Seibel’s Grade 9 Inquiry class had taken part in investing as part of Junior Achievement. They were competing against some local schools including Valleyview and Brocklehurst Secondary. They were at a high ranking because of their acumen in investing wisely.

National AccessAbility Week – May 25–31 2025

This week was National AccessAbility Week and this year’s theme was “Breaking barriers together: Paving the way for an inclusive future.” École Lloyd George Elementary celebrated National AccessAbility Week with their annual Duchenne Walk, honouring classmate Jude with a ‘Hats Off to Jude’ theme. Students and staff wore their favourite hats and walked to SKSS, where Jude will be attending next year. Read more.

District Honours – May 29, 2025

I had the honour to attend the 47th Annual District Honours reception last night. It was a wonderful evening celebrating this year’s top graduating students who have not only achieved academic success but have also demonstrated commitment and excellence in extracurricular activities such as sports, fine arts, trades, and volunteering. Read more.

Celebrating Pride Month – June 2025

As we prepare to enter June, we are excited to celebrate Pride Month. As a District, we are focused on creating safe and inclusive spaces where all students and staff can thrive. Pride Month is a time to honour and celebrate the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and other (2SLGBTQIA+) communities. Read more.

Board Notes – May 26, 2025

To learn more about the Regular Public Board meeting on May 26, 2025, please read Board Notes here.

As we prepare for end of year recognitions, awards, and graduation ceremonies, I look forward to connecting with many of you at these upcoming celebrations.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

In February, we focus on Real Acts of Caring Week (February 9-15). During this month, not only do we focus on acts of kindness and caring, we also highlight stories that connect to the values of equity and courage in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Aberdeen Elementary School – February 5, 2025

Principal deVries, Vice Principal Haw, and I visited Mrs. May’s Grade 3 class as they were engaged in language and literacy activities. One group was at a listening centre using a Yoto Mini that has cards that have stories, songs, and activities used by the group and continued from where they left off the last time that they were together. Others were solving puzzles and writing reflections on their learning.

We visited Ms. Woodley’s Grade 4-5-6 Montessori class who were involved in exploring different texts in literature circles. There were two classes that flowed between the two classrooms, and the students had committed to reading varied books and were engaged in reading in groups and responding individually. They wrote about their text-text, text-self, and text-world connections with what they read and themes in the texts. While most groups were reading, a couple of groups were working on mathematics, including prime factorization.

Mrs. Gliege’s Grade 2-3 class was engaged in Science lessons about force and motion. Students were comparing how much force is needed to push different objects in certain directions.

Mrs. Abate’s K-1 class was in “sharing time”, and one student had brought his toy raptor and he enjoyed encouraging questions about the toy that required him to share how it works and why he likes to play with it. It was a time when the students who share develop competencies of asking good questions, listening, and extending their questions based on others’ responses.

Mrs. Wojak’s Grade 4 class was practicing realistic drawings of natural objects of their choosing. Some had selected fruit and others had chosen faces. One student shared how she had never drawn an eye before and the eye was like “looking into someone’s heart and soul” and another student had selected an owl because he likes owls.

We went outside with Mrs. Salewich’s Kindergarten class who were blowing bubbles and learning what happened when they tried to blow bubbles in cold temperatures outside. Many students had successfully blown bubbles that floated in the air when we first arrived outside. As the temperature decreased, the bubbles began to freeze and it was fun for them to see the change in the way the bubbles looked.

Fly Fishing at Kamloops School of the Arts and Brocklehurst Secondary School

Local fly fishers from the Kamloops Fly Fishers Association are sharing their love of fly fishing and the importance of environmental stewardship with students and staff at Kamloops School of the Arts and Brocklehurst Secondary School. Both schools offer Fly Fishing Board/Authority Authorized Courses that provide unique experiential learning opportunities for Grade 10-12 students as they learn the science and art of fly fishing while also gaining valuable life skills. Read more.

District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC)

New alert from the BC Gaming for PAC Gaming Grants: All PAC's in BC must have a business BCeID to apply for the 2025-2026 grant for your school. To find out more or for help getting this important step completed, please see the DPAC webpage. Don't delay in getting your BCeID.

Take time to rest, relax, and rejuvenate this weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Why Band is So Cool

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 19:00:00 GMT

The band program is growing at South Kamloops Secondary, and Music Teacher Michelle McRae believes it's because her band classes are having so much fun through the pandemic.

“They have drive and ambition, and they love to play music,” she said. “There have been no band trips, they have not been able to play many live performances (except outside, for fellow students), but they are so genuinely happy when they play together, it’s getting noticed.”

McRae the band has held three different concerts outside with various groups performing, so each time, the student audience sees different groups. Other students have taken notice throughout the year.

“They’re seeing how these band students are creating a family of kids, a safe place for each other, a home away from home,” she said. “They come and ask, ‘how can I join?’ and I tell them, everyone is welcome.”

As a result, the band program is growing from four to five classes for next fall.

Four students from the SKSS Senior Band explain why they love playing in school band.

Graeme Hanks, Grade 10

Trumpet

For Graeme Hanks, playing music during the pandemic has opened up the world of arranging music.

“I love working with soundtracks like ‘Narnia’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’,” he said. “Working with existing music and re-writing different parts for different instruments.”

Several members of his family play music, and they spent time together playing pieces Graeme had arranged.

He’s still exploring how music could be a part of his career path, and in the meantime, he is having a lot of fun with the music.

“It’s not a class, it is a community,” he said. “Everyone gets excited before a concert, and everyone gets nervous. You have the grade 12s helping out the grade 8s and 9s, helping each other to find a consistent practice and focus.”

Leo Mete, Grade 11

Drummer - Percussionist

Leo Mete has been playing in a school band since grade 7.

“I always liked playing drums,” he said. “Playing in this band has been challenging, and it has helped me become better.”

During the pandemic, he has developed an interest in composition.

“I have become more curious, I guess I always listened for the details in the music, and composing is the next level, being able to appreciate and understand how a school band comes together and writing a part for each instrument.”

Leo would like to attend the University of Toronto after graduation, where he would like to study music and composition.

“There are lots of different directions music can take you,” he said. “Band isn’t for everyone, but if you have a passion for it, you should go for it.”

Senora Dunford, Grade 12

Instrument: Euphonium and Trumpet

Senora is heading to the University of Victoria (UVIC) to study music, with the goal of becoming a music teacher.

She began in band playing the trumpet, but a few years ago when there was a need for someone to play the euphonium for some pieces, she volunteered to learn that instrument.

“I tried it, and I really liked it,” she said. “I love the full, rich sound of it, and I like the role it plays in the band, supporting the sound. It’s a foundation for the music.”

Despite the pandemic, and the restrictions that kept the band apart through the spring and summer of 2020, and the limits that continued through this past school year (including being unable to perform for live audiences), Senora said the band kept going.

“It’s been a weird year,” she said. “But we made it work. Being in the band, being a part of something, really helped because even though I was playing by myself, I was still a part of this community.”

Xavier Marican, Grade 12

Instrument: Saxophone

Xavier is also heading to UVIC, to study classical saxophone performance in the fall.

“I am particularly drawn to the saxophone because of its place in the culture of classical music,” he said. “It hasn’t been around as long as music has been made. It is newer. So the music that has been written for it defines what is new and exciting about the world of classical music right now, and it is exciting to be a part of it.”

His long-term goal is to study in Europe, and eventually to foster saxophone quartets and offer musical clinics in high schools.

"I have had a bit of experience with that here coaching our saxophone quartet,” he said. “Getting these really talented musicians together and offering them the resources they need to learn just how amazing it is to make really great music has been so fulfilling to me, I want it to be at the core of what I do.”

Here is the SKSS Sr Band playing ‘Game of Thrones’ for fellow students June 18.

Here is the SKSS Sr Concert Band and Jazz Band’ 2021 Final Concert, held at the Sagebrush Theatre.

Work Underway on the SD73 Education Re-start Plan

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 18:00:00 GMT

Just six-weeks after the completion of June’s successful return to school in the midst of a pandemic, school leaders from across the District are hard at work developing the SD73’s Education Re-start Plan. This plan will outline how schools are to be organized for students returning to in-class instruction this fall and the health and safety measures put in place to minimize the transmission of COVID-19.

“Monday, the senior team finalized the guidelines to support schools in the development and implementation of their re-start plans,” said Alison Sidow, Superintendent of Schools. “Our principals and vice-principals returned from vacation yesterday and we have begun to finalize the plan in preparation for consultation with our partners.”

Following the direction of both the Ministry of Education and the Provincial Health Office, SD73 will put the plan together this week, and share it with partner groups for consultation and feedback. The plan is scheduled to be reviewed by the Board of Education on Aug. 19 and submitted to the Ministry of Education by Aug. 21. On Aug. 26, the District will communicate the plan to parents, staff and the wider community.

“We understand the anxiety faced by students, their families, as well as our staff as they wait for news of the final plan,” said Sidow. “We know there are concerns and that’s why we have a process for taking questions. We are listening and addressing these concerns with as much detail as we can until we have a final plan approved by the Ministry of Education and Health Authority. These questions are important, and we are committed to working with each family who requires additional information to make an informed decision about sending their child back to school this fall.”

The District developed its own deep cleaning and safety protocols for the partial return to school in June and have added 17 daytime custodians to its roster to ensure surface cleaning is done routinely throughout the day. These measures are being refined to reflect the government’s new guidelines for September.

“We are following the government’s guidelines to provide a safe learning environment for our students and our staff. We saw how the plan worked in June and I am confident in the Ministry’s direction. I believe in our school leaders’ abilities, and I am looking forward to sharing a finalized plan with our community on Aug. 26,” said Sidow. “In the meantime, the focus is on getting the plan together, and making sure we address everyone’s concerns.”

The SD73 website has posted a FAQ to its parents’ resources page. The FAQ will be updated regularly. Questions can be emailed to returntoschoolFAQ@sd73.bc.ca.

Announcements

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 18:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

Anyone who has talked to Mrs. Fonseca about doing crew for the Christmas Play please come for a meeting in room 135 at lunch on Friday.

Anyone interested in auditioning for this year's Spring play please come to Mrs. Fonseca's room at lunch today for an information meeting.

Reminder that Dry Grad will be hosting a bake sale next Tuesday, December 17 at lunch.

There will be a newspaper club meeting in room 110 at lunch today. See you there!

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parent and Caregivers:

In November, I will focus on the value of Sustainability (embracing our responsibility to contribute to a sustainable environment), the Grandfather Teaching of Love (giving positive messages to those around us and accepting them for who they are), and stories about the District Priorities in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Barriere Elementary School

Ms. McLaren is the first person who greets families when they enter the school, and I also met Ms. Collier. Both shared a warm welcome and made the start of my visit very inviting, one where the Grandfather Teaching of Love was apparent in the smiles and kind words. I then walked with Principal Brogan and met Ms. Sallenbach who shared the best part about being at Barriere Elementary is the staff and how inclusive they are. I witnessed Mr. Brogan sharing his usual “good morning” with classes in which the students shared examples of how they were living the values of the school - Being kind, respectful, responsible, and safe.

We started in Ms. Oates’ Gr. 3-5 class who told me that they were excited to write about what they did last night (Halloween) in their journals. We then went to Ms. Matthews’ class who were taught by Ms. Kivari who explained how they had just finished with their “spirit buddies” and shared what they did last evening. Ms. Levin’s Gr. 2-3 class as led by Mr. Beaudry (Teacher On Call) was reading and creating with blocks. Ms. Smailes’ Gr. 5-6 class had completed Tim Burton-inspired drawings and they were joining another class to practice for their Remembrance Day poetry about “Why Wear a Poppy?” We then met with Ms. Eustache (Aboriginal Education Worker), and she shared how she had been designing wall murals with students to Indigenize the environment and how she enjoyed engaging in cultural activities with students. She emphasized how appreciated she feels in the school.

As we concluded our visit, I witnessed differentiated literacy instruction in Ms. Peterson’s Gr. 1-2 class who were engaged in word work, guided reading, and literacy stations. Mr. Scott’s Kindergarten class was applying their concept of number in Bingo, and they read the morning message using left to right directionality, beginning letters to guess words, and then explored the letter “w”.

Barriere Secondary School

Principal Tyler and I first met a Gr. 11 student, Jesimae, who is working on the school yearbook team. She shared that since students have become directly involved in creating the yearbook, students are more invested in signing and sharing their best memories in the book. She also felt that having the Media Design students create the front and back of the book also inspired more demand to want a copy. We then visited Ms. Nomm’s Social Studies’ class in which students had explained how human and environmental factors influence society. Ms. Minaker’s English class, which was supported by Ms. Zerr, was researching the 94 Calls to Action as a way to set the stage for opening a storytelling unit. We then met with Acting Vice Principal Ruberg who shared his enthusiasm for being at Barriere Secondary.

We engaged with students in Mr. Gregory’s Pre-calculus class, and he was teaching graphing and students were exploring how their problem solving resulted in different graphs using the desmos app. We also discussed how AI technologies enable pictures of a problem to turn into computer-generated solutions that do not always read the handwritten problems as intended. There is a community of secondary teachers examining Artificial Intelligence tools and how they impact teaching and learning. We visited Mr. Whitmore (Teacher On Call) who was teaching science and students were working on an “Element SuperHero” project. Ms. McDougall (Learning Assistance Resource Teacher) was working with a student. Ms. Pellegrino’s Gr. 9-11 Foods students were roasting pumpkin seeds from the pumpkin carving done earlier in the week.

As we walked to the grade 7 wing, we stopped to see the delicious meals (perogies, cinnamon buns) that Ms. Mairs was preparing with Zoe Kershaw, a student helper, who helps Ms. Mairs with cash and other duties in the cafeteria. We also met with Gr. 7 students and the teachers (Ms. Brake and Ms. Davis) who were assisting with long division problems.

BC Anti-racism K-12 Educator Network Summit

As outlined in the District Strategic Plan 2022-2027, School District No. 73 (SD73) is committed to removing barriers and creating environments that provide accessible and empowering opportunities for all students and staff to thrive. Over the last two years, SD73 has actively participated in a provincial working group to develop an anti-racism plan at the provincial level. Last spring, District Principal Bowden and Assistant Superintendent Mochikas presented on the anti-racism work they have been doing in SD73. They highlighted their efforts which included developing and purchasing resources, developing lessons, promoting student voice, reporting acts of racism, helping school teams respond to acts of racism, and developing videos to help educators understand components of discrimination and racism.

Educators and students from school districts across the province came together for the BC Anti-racism K-12 Educator Network Summit held on October 26-27, 2023. District Principal Bowden, along with Coordinator of Aboriginal Education Chelcy Ross and students Elli Ross, Mikey Friesen, and Dakoda Kelm, participated in this provincial event where they not only had the chance to listen to speakers and representatives from a few districts but also had the opportunity to make presentations themselves. Read more.

SD73’s “Take Our Kids to Work Day”

Take Our Kids to Work Day is an annual national program in which Grade 9 (or equivalent) students are hosted by parents, friends, relatives and volunteers at workplaces across the country every November. The Take Our Kids to Work Day program aligns with our Career Development Priority outlined in the District Strategic Plan 2022-2027 by helping students connect school, the world of work, and their own futures. More than 250,000 students and 75,000 organizations take part every year across Canada, from Nunavut to Newfoundland participate in the program.

On November 1, 2023, Annika Dean, Grade 9 student from South Kamloops Secondary had the opportunity to experience the day in the life of a SD73 CUPE Staffing and Benefits employee. Annika is interested in a career in finance or human resources so it was fitting that she spent the day at the School Board Office with her mom, Jaime Dean. The highlight of her day was spending time with Director Tallon and learning about budgeting. Read more.

District Honour Band and Choir Concert

This year, the District Honour Band and Choir started their auditions in September. After selecting their members, they consisted of 37 Band Members and 19 Choir Members who dedicated late-night practice sessions throughout October, including three intensive full days from October 30 to November 1, 2023. This all came together with a concert scheduled for the evening of November 1, 2023.

During the late-night practices, students collaborated with dedicated community members and teacher volunteers from across the District, who displayed exceptional effort and care while working alongside these talented and committed students. During the final three days of practice, the students had the privilege of working with guest conductors Janine Webster and Frances Roberts, who helped fine tune the music that was to be performed. There was a lot of passion and energy put into every note of the concert.

The concert was a testament to the immense passion and energy invested in every single note, resulting in an unforgettable musical experience.

It has been a wonderful start to November, and I want to share how much I have learned by talking with you in schools and departments and by witnessing firsthand how you make a positive difference in the lives of students, families, and staff. Thank you for being invested in what you do.

Take time to rest and rejuvenate this weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

In the second week of February, heartwarming stories continue to illuminate examples of positive relationships/connections, wellbeing, equity, and sustainability– core value commitments in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Arthur Hatton Elementary School

Principal Johnson and I first met with their Learning Assistance Resource Teacher (LART), Tanya Elwood who was creating social-emotional learning resources for students. Ms. Bos’ Kindergarten class was engaging in “mental superpowers” (mindfulness strategies) to continue to improve their mental wellbeing. Ms. McMillan’s Gr. 2-3 class was writing spelling words and working together with partners to practice them. Ms. Pratt’s Gr. 1’s were engaged in mindfulness strategies, and Ms. Bailey’s Kindergarten class had some students painting and other students drawing fish tanks after learning about them. Ms. Silva’s Gr. 2 class was writing in their journals, and Ms. Fehst’s Gr.4 class was in a literacy block and students had chosen different activities (writing, reading, digital composing). Ms. Zander’s Gr.5-6 class studied different types of conflicts and was applying them to understanding the novel, “Hatchet.”

Ms. Hamer-Jackson was on her way to a classroom and while on her way explained how she supports martial arts programming for students. Principal Johnson proudly held up the shirt that their school made for this group– “Arthur Hatton Martial Arts”. Mr. Denby’s Gr. 5-6 class had prepared presentations on endangered animals and were sharing them with Ms. Sweeney’s Gr.4-5 class. Principal Johnson shared, “I continue to enjoy the strong collaborative team we have at Arthur Hatton, and we are focused on ensuring that everyone knows they belong at Arthur Hatton.”

Westsyde Secondary School

Principal Preymak and I began in Ms. Bernes’ LART and sensory rooms where students were working independently and one-on-one with staff. Ms. Beeds’ Math students were collaboratively problem solving at vertical white boards. She explained, “I think that it’s the lack of permanency of the writing on white boards that enables learners to take risks.” Mr. Comita was guiding groups of students through course selection to assist them to plan their secondary learning journey.

Ms. Kachel and Ms. Piccini shared their Black History month bulletin board, literature selection, and how students lead in the process. Before leaving the learning commons, Mr. Skalski, Computer Technician, was assisting with tech support and was praised for his reliability. As we entered the hallway, a group of grade 12 Psychology students asked Principal Preymak to participate in a short term memory experiment to assess whether numbers that have a context (e.g., “911”) are more easily remembered than numbers that do not.

Mr. Beeds’ Biology students were studying the atomic structures of fats by using manipulatives. Mr. Beeds also runs the school Climate Action Club, and he commented, “There are more students this year than last, so students care about sustainability.” Students had put on a thrift shop in which those who donated traded items and this was a very popular recycle-reuse-repurpose activity led by this club. Mr. Howard’s Gr. 9-10 shop class was planning how to make metal plant hangers, and Mr. Connolly’s Gr.9-10 class were designing cutting boards. At a different time, he shared how he led staff through the same project and they were reminded of what it felt like to navigate discomfort with unfamiliar technologies and processes.

Ms. Preymak’s Science 9 class was studying lab safety, and Ms. Ferns’ Textiles class was cross-stitching. Ms. Olstad’s Gr. 8 English students were reading, and Ms. Reid’s Gr. 9 English class was studying conflict in “Coach Carter” by wondering whether the coach was “too hard on the students”. Principal Preymak said, “We are using learning literacy strategies across grades and subjects and this has been helpful to have our English teachers support this learning with staff.”

MindUp for Mental Health at Summit Elementary

In our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, wellbeing is a value commitment that is central to who we are and we engage in programming that contributes to physical, mental, emotional, and social wellness strategies to help students lead well-balanced lives. Read more.

SD73 District Honour Band and Honour Choir at Sagebrush Theatre

On the evening of February 8th, 2023 at the Sagebrush Theatre, 59 secondary music students from across the district performed in the District Honour Band and Honour Choir Concert. The program is a tradition that has been going on for more than 40 years, and is a prestigious event that allows music students the opportunity to expand their musical abilities. Read more.

Enjoy some well-deserved time to get outside and enjoy the weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Announcements

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 19:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

There will be a meeting for all boys interested in playing rugby this season in Mr. Barker's room Friday at lunch. That is for any boy in grade 8-12 that would like to play rugby this year. Please come to room 221 tomorrow at lunch.

All girls in grade 8 to 12 interested in playing rugby this year for SKSS there will be a meeting today at lunch in room 121, Mr. Dhaliwal's room. If you cannot make the meeting please see Mr. Dhaliwal for the information.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

Semester 1 Art students are reminded to pick up project work ASAP! You have until the end of the week, thank you.

Ms. Scallon’s Semester 1 students, please pick up your wood projects by this Friday.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Open to all SKSS students, come and make art at Art Night tonight from 6-8 pm in Room 117. See Mrs. Yamaoka for details.

Aboriginal Girls Group on today at 11:45 am.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Announcements

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 21:30:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

Congratulation to the Grade 9 Silver Girls Basketball team on winning the City Championship Game against Brock last night. The girls played a great game and are off the Okanagans next week! Way to go Girls! Reminder for the girls to meet in Ms. McInnes' room at lunch time today.

Congrats to the Jr Boys Gold basketball team on their hard fought 45-40 win over Westsyde last night. The boys will take on St-Ann's in the west zone quarter finals Friday night at 5pm. Good luck boys!

Any students interested in playing tennis this year for South Kam are asked to come a meeting today at lunch in the gym.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

If you are in grades 9 or 10 and would be interested in participating in the France three month exchange program for 2021, then please attend a meeting today at lunch in portable #2.

Ms. Rondinelli’s Semester 1 students, please come to room 124 to pick up your projects by this Thursday.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Aboriginal Boys Group today from 2:00-3:00 in room 116. The Day of Sucwentwecw (sook-when-twa) planning meeting today for staff in Mr. Wilson's room. Aboriginal Girls Group Thursday from 11:45-12:45 in room 116.

All of Mr. Barker's first semester Science 8 students are asked to pick up their science fair display boards from the science hallway this week if they would like to keep them. Any boards not picked up after the week will find their way to the recycling bins.

There will be a PEP RALLY on Monday during 3rd block. All athletes are asked to attend. All basketball teams are asked to wear their FAMILY shirts to the event.

If you are a grade 12 student thinking about taking Science at TRU this fall, there is a great opportunity coming to you soon! On February 7^th, the non-instructional day, you can go to TRU and see a first year science lab or lecture. The best part, you collect career-life exploration hours while you do it. You need to pre-register, and space is limited so sign up soon. Please see the poster at the office for details.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

If you are interested in attending NVIT in the future, representatives will be here at lunch on Tuesday, Feb. 18th to answer any questions that you may have regarding their institution.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

How a Summer Trades Job Pays Off for Students

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:30:00 GMT

Families of students working in trades-related summer jobs need to know their students can earn more than wages. They can also earn credit toward their high school diploma, credit for apprenticeship hours, and a $1,000 Youth Work in Trades Award.

“We want families to know that if they have a student aspiring to work in a trade, there are more benefits available through their trades-related summer job than the money they will earn,” said Rob Wielgoz, District Principal, Trades and Transitions.

A student with a summer job in a trade can qualify for additional benefits if they are:

working with a certified trades person,
doing work related to a trade,
working in a workplace covered by WorkSafe BC,
being paid via a paycheque or an honorarium.

“Students who work alongside a certified tradesperson can make those hours really pay off,” said Wielgoz. “Maybe the job is in a kitchen, or on a construction site, or with a landscaper, or in a salon. There are so many ways students can earn hours that will help them qualify.”

For every 120 hours they work in a certified trade, a student earns the equivalent of one high school course (4 credits), up to a maximum of four courses (16 credits).

Students who complete 900 hours of trades-related work and graduate with a C+ or better average will receive a $1,000 award from the government for trying a trade.

If a student pursues an apprenticeship in the same industry, the Youth Work in Trades hours can be applied towards the work hours they require to become an apprentice.

To receive these additional benefits through the Youth Work in Trades program, students will need to register by September 30, 2021.

Students can talk to their school's Trades and Transitions coordinator, or email the Trades and Transitions team: tnt@sd73.bc.ca.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Today is Earth Day, which reminds us that on April 22 annually people internationally acknowledge the importance of sustaining our natural resources and environment.

NorKam Senior Secondary

NorKam Senior Secondary is one example in our district of how school leaders go beyond celebrating Earth Day as a single day to developing a culture committed to the sustainability of environmental resources. Principal Brady honoured Grade 12 students in Ms. Epp’s Chemistry 12 class who completed a “Climate Change Action Project” in second term. These students investigated climate change problems, researched root causes and possible solutions to them, and then acted on and shared with others what they found. Developing competencies such as critical and creative thinking, communication, and environmental stewardship by solving such challenges nurtures students’ curiosity to pursue innovative environmental projects. The school leadership team has been highlighting outstanding projects such as “Monkey to the Rescue” about ecosystems, endangered animals, and deforestation. Ongoing celebration of students’ climate change research honors the spirit of Earth Day which is to see every day as a celebration of our Earth’s precious resources.

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

On April 20, 2022, we revised our District’s Communicable Disease Prevention Plan which enacts safety measures in the Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings, Provincial Health Officer orders, and public health guidance from BCCDC and Interior Health.

Summary of safety measures that will continue in schools and district facilities:

Daily health awareness check (language change from Daily Health Check), which refers to staying home when sick
Practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
Continued regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces, including water fountain mouthpieces
Practice strategies to create space between individuals when gathering or working together while also adhering to preferred educational approaches
Sign in for visitors, but the additional information (i.e., whether you have done a daily health check) and/or contact information is no longer required by public health
Wearing a mask is a personal choice, which is to be supported and respected
Going on field trips and avoiding locations that place additional safety measures that could cause some students not to participate

Enjoy time with friends and family as you enjoy the outside and some rest and rejuvenation.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

How Health Checks Work

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 22:15:00 GMT

For parents or caregivers with questions about the Acknowledgement to Complete Daily Health Check, it’s worth taking a closer look at what they need to know about assessing the health of their child(ren) every morning. This is what they acknowledge actions they will take regarding key symptoms of illness, if there is a confirmed contact with COVID-19, or if there is international travel.

Key Symptoms of Illness

What does that look like, and what happens if a child has one of the symptoms, such as chills or a cough? The simple answer is that for all the listed symptoms, excluding fever, parents acknowledge they will keep that child home for 24 hours from when the symptoms started. If the child’s condition improves and the child is feeling well enough, they can return to school. Parents should seek a health assessment if: the symptom persists, or worsens; if the symptom is a fever; or if the child has more than two symptoms.

Students who experience seasonal allergies or other key symptoms that are related to an existing condition can continue to attend school when they are experiencing these symptoms, as normal. If they experience any change in symptoms, they should seek a health assessment.

Here is the list of symptoms parents and guardians are asked to check for:

Fever
Chills
Cough or worsening of chronic cough
Shortness of breath
Loss of smell or taste
Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting

A health assessment includes calling 8-1-1 or a primary care provider like a doctor or nurse practitioner. If a health assessment is required, the child should not return to school until COVID-19 has been ruled out and symptoms have improved.

Confirmed Contact

If a child is a confirmed contact of a person who is confirmed to have COVID-19, parents acknowledge they must keep the child home, self-isolate, and take direction from Public Health.

International Travel

If the child(ren) have returned from travel outside of Canada in the last 14 days, parents acknowledge the child(ren) will stay home and self-isolate for at least 14 days from their arrival in Canada; or 10 days after the onset of symptoms, whichever is longer.

SD73's 2022-2023 Draft Annual Budget Revealed

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 18:30:00 GMT

School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) Board of Education presented its draft budget and priorities for the upcoming school year.

An estimated $207 million, the 2022-23 Annual Budget is comprised of three different funds: Operating, Capital, and Special Purpose.

Operating Funds are approximately 84% of the overall annual budget and are dedicated to staffing, programming, supports, and services enabling students to meet or exceed literacy and numeracy expectations, to transition grade-to-grade on time, and develop competencies to achieve their life goals through career programming. Operating funds also enable sought-after programming such as the RCMP Youth Academy. These experiences exemplify how SD73 supports learning opportunities and environments for students to thrive.

Capital Funds comprise approximately 6% of the overall annual budget and support facility upgrades, childcare spaces, and purchasing of portable classrooms. Exceptional growth in the community and region has put unacceptable pressure on a number of neighbourhood schools. With enrolment numbers climbing by the equivalent of a medium?- sized elementary school each year, SD73 has required 13 school catchment area changes since April 2021 and the re-opening of two schools in five years.

Special Purpose Funds are 10% of the overall annual budget and are targeted by the Ministry to their intended purpose such as CommunityLINK (e.g., food security), Classroom Enhancement Fund (Teachers), Support Staff Learning Improvement Fund (Certified Education Assistants), Early Learning (e.g., Seamless Day), Mental Health, and School Generated Funds (school activities, fundraisers). These targeted funds provide much-needed services and should ideally be part of operating funds.

Key initiatives:

Growth:

Enrolment, Safety & Cost Pressures:

Teacher Staffing
Additional custodians for increased space
Continued COVID-19 enhancements – day-shift custodians and MERV13 HVAC filters
Cost escalations – benefits, fuel, parts, utilities, custodial supplies

2022-2023 Draft Annual Budget – Summary
	Amount
Operating Fund	173,117,257
Capital Fund	13,486,863
Special Purpose Fund	20,534.89
	$207,139,013

Please review the 2022-2023 Draft Annual Budget and offer your feedback at budgetfeedback@sd73.bc.ca by April 19, 2022.

Board Notes from October 21, 2024

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 21:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Mental Health in Schools, Inclusive Education Staffing, and United Way Communication. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from November 6, 2023

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 20:00:00 GMT

From the inaugural and public meeting of the Board of Education. All about Class Size and Composition Web Form Report and Naming of the New School in Pineview Valley. Read Board Notes here.

Your Class of 2020 Grad Video is Here

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 17:45:00 GMT

Dear Class of 2020: Your Grad video is here. We wanted to capture ‘Essential Grad 2020’ for posterity for you and your classmates, since you were unable to share this experience with each other. We know it was not optimal, but we know it was important, and that’s why we’re happy to present these ‘crossing the stage’ moments for you to keep and share.

We hope you enjoy this unique gift. The District’s celebration of Grad has never happened this way before – and the opportunity to meet, one-on-one with its students and families in these settings created many unlooked-for and memorable moments for everyone.

SD73 & Kamloops Regional Partners Sign VTRA Interagency Protocol

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 21:30:00 GMT

School District No.73 (Kamloops-Thompson) in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Safer Schools, has developed a specialized Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Protocol to address the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to potential threats in schools and communities.

Representatives from SD73 and its five partners from the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Lii Michif Otopemisiwak Child and Family Services, Secwepemc Child and Family Services, RCMP Kamloops Detachment and Kamloops Fire and Rescue signed the agreement and declared their continued commitment to participate in specialized VTRA training and the Protocol’s implementation in future emergency situations affecting schools and communities.

By signing the protocol, the partners pledge to involve children, youth and their families in planning for services and supports and to recognize that each child and youth has unique strengths and needs that should be considered when developing an appropriate support plan.

“Our work together is a process of learning, listening and understanding one another,” said Alison Sidow, Superintendent of Schools. “We are committed to working together to help children and youth become happy, healthy, active, involved, and caring members of the community.”

The Protocol’s development reflects multi-disciplinary, scientific research which includes insight from medical and mental health professionals, law enforcement and specialists in the field of threat management. The Protocol has been adopted by organizations across the country including mental health institutions, police services, children’s aid societies, probation offices and hospitals. The Protocol promotes common language and understanding of the VTRA model, makes use of a broad range of expertise and solidifies the importance of timely collaboration about children or youth who pose a risk of violence towards themselves or others.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you for supporting as parents everything we do at the school level to ensure that students’ environments and learning opportunities are inclusive, caring, and engaging. When I meet students in schools and at District events, they often share stories of how much they enjoy school. Connecting and relationships is a core commitment of the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

District Employee Engagement Results 2024

Thank you to the Transportation Department for their willingness to share the passion for what they most enjoy about their work last week, which is in this story now posted on our website.

George Hilliard Elementary School - October 11, 2024

Principal Topolovec shared how much she appreciates the supportive families and staff at George Hilliard. She highlighted how older students act as supervisors during recess and they take their responsibility to be positive role models very seriously.

They have committed to leadership training for these students, and their focus is on being kind and showing respect on the playground, in the field, and inside the school.

We started our classroom visits in Mr. Rhynold’s library, where he shared new resources and how much he enjoyed setting up the new space. We then met Steve Johnston who was cleaning in the hallway, and he stopped to share that he was a student at George Hilliard and pointed to his family home across the field. He was excited to share, “I really liked this school as a student because it was so connected to where I lived and we played every day. What makes this place even more special is that a Grade 6 student’s grandfather is the first custodian at the school.” The school has a sense of community and pride amongst students and staff that can be felt and it is evident in the stories shared.

Ms. Goddard’s Kindergarten students were listening to a read aloud of the picture book about giving thanks, which fit the time of year as it was right before Thanksgiving weekend. She shared how they had done a “wonder walk” and chose items from outside to make pictures for Thanksgiving. Ms. Ficke’s Grade 1-2 class was also reading about being thankful and locating the “tricky” words. Ms. Jacobsen’s Grade 5-6 class was focused on what happens in a soft start to share with the two teacher candidates Maddy and Marlee.

“Softs starts” involve activities that engage students in different ways: Monday–surveys, “Tech” Tuesdays, Wednesday–Math Games, Thursday–Art, and Friday–Reflections on important topics.

Bert Edwards Science and Technology School’s Annual Rivers Day – October 11, 2024

On Friday, October 11, 2024, Bert Edwards Science and Technology School hosted its 13th Annual Rivers Day. Students, teachers, staff, and community partners gathered along the banks of the North Thompson River to learn about Kamloops’ local rivers and waterways, Indigenous perspectives, industry connections, the science of rivers, and how everyone can impact local rivers in a positive way. Read more.

TRU Open House – October 19, 2024

The Systems Development priority outlined in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan includes a commitment to building community partnerships and we are proud to have a strong community partnership with Thompson Rivers University (TRU). Students, parents, and guardians are invited to attend TRU's annual Open House on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 9 am to 2:30 pm. The TRU Open House offers an opportunity to discover over 100 booths, displays, and hands-on activities showcasing TRU’s wide range of programs. 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.

As you enjoy this weekend, I hope that you take well-deserved time to rest and relax, and to reconnect with friends and family.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Board Notes from April 12, 2021

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Long-Range Facilities Plan and Proposed Reviews of 4 Catchment Boundaries. Read Board Notes here.

Youth Buffalo Drop-In Thursday

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 00:30:00 GMT

Please see the attached program flyer sent on behalf of Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 18:45:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

I am grateful for a wonderful first week of October and what promises to be a seasonably warm Thanksgiving weekend. This week, we celebrated World Teachers’ Day (October 5) and stories about value commitments in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

2022 Prime Minister’s Teaching Excellence Winner

Mr. Brandon Bell received his Certificate of Achievement sponsored by Ms. Sarah Gjaltema who said, ”When I saw this award, I thought of Brandon because of his innovative ways of engaging students in learning.” Principal Deb Piggin and staff, students, and parents at Marion Schilling Elementary School are proud of Mr. Bell’s accomplishments. Left to right: Dr. Rhonda Nixon, Superintendent, Ms. Sarah Gjaltema, CEA, Mr. Brandon Bell, 6/7 Teacher, Mr. Grant Reilly, Assistant Superintendent. Read more

Sharing Teachers’ Stories of Inspiration, Dedication, and Courage

In honour of World Teachers’ Day, we are celebrating teachers who shared their stories of why they entered and stayed in the profession, and how they continued to thrive because of their dedication and courage during the global pandemic. Ms. DeNara Levin illuminates the beauty of teaching and learning in Blue River. Read more

Savona Elementary School

Principal Galloway and I visited Ms. Regan’s Gr. 5/6/7 class who were engaged in making a Thanksgiving project, Ms. Walker’s Gr. 2/3/4 class who were solving equations, ordering numbers, and playing problem solving games, and Mrs. MacBurney’s and Mrs. Fulton’s K/1 class was engaged in letter-sound writing and reading activities.

Parkcrest Elementary School

Principal Gorman and I visited Ms. Shantz’s class who had designed their salmon art projects after going to the Salmon Run earlier in the week. Ms. Ellingsen’s class sang and drummed the welcome song and shared their Thanksgiving poems. Mrs. Bouchard involved Ks in examining emotions. We took part in multiple classes singing “Just One Candle” for Remembrance Day with Ms. Quast leading the choir. We also shared in the study of ““Stone Fox”” and Daily Five activities.

District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC)

Parents are invited to attend the DPAC general meeting on October 18th: Join the Zoom Meeting–ID: 849 6862 0676 Passcode: 456446.

Kamloops Thompson Children’s Honour Choir Auditions

Kamloops Thompson Children’s Honour Choir Auditions are taking place on Dec. 6, starting at 3:30 pm; please contact Cyndy Olsen to schedule an audition for your child. Ktchildrenschoir@gmail.com or cell 250-682-0303

Thank you for making our school start up a success. Take time to enjoy your family and friends this Thanksgiving weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 22 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you to parents and caregivers who have been patient, kind, and responsive as we have lived through high student and staff absenteeism and functional closures. We appreciate everyone adhering to the safety measures, checking for symptoms, and staying home when ill. While working through an admittedly challenging time, we have proven that we are here for each other, as a district-school-home partnership.

École Lloyd George

When I visited École Lloyd George Elementary School, Principal Mme Carol DeFehr shared their administrative team’s aim, which emerged from reflecting on the Seven Grandfather Teachings - To build a community of Student Success by focusing on the teaching of Humility and Bravery. When we walked through the school and met with staff and students, Mme Michelle Cauchon, the teacher librarian shared how she, Library Assistant Mme Andrea Schafthuizen and Aboriginal Education Worker Mme Brenda Jules have enjoyed creating “Aboriginal Calendar Kits” based on significant traditional Secwépemc cultural events and practices. She explained how she was humbled by seeking input from the Knowledge Keepers in our community such as Jackie Jules, Cultural Coordinator at the Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park and Quanah George, Tk? emlúps te Secwépemc Community Member. Mme Cauchon has enjoyed collaborating and is energized by making these kits. The kits are still evolving as artifacts are found for each month. Mme DeFehr stated that Mme Cauchon illuminates their school motto - “Our role has been to remind all that “On ne cesse jamais d’apprendre” (We never stop learning).

Consultation about Vaccination

Based on suggestions by the Vaccination Policy Committee, on January 10, 2021, the Board passed a motion to direct administration to collect voluntary self-disclosure of proof of vaccination from employees beginning January 24, 2022. A notice will be sent to all employees to provide steps for how to submit proof of vaccination. This past week, we consulted with employee groups, the Aboriginal Education Council, parents, and partners on a draft operations procedure to collect mandatory proof of vaccination.

Interior Health Thresholds and Letters

Interior Health has requested that districts send letters home when absenteeism thresholds are reached:

one or more classes in a school has/have an absenteeism rate of 25% or greater; and/or
a school’s absenteeism rate exceeds 10% of the historical absenteeism average for the school for two consecutive days.

When a family receives a letter based on their school reaching one or more of the above thresholds, the letter means that Interior Health’s “potential activity signal” criteria has been met. Reaching these criteria means that our district staff are in contact with the Interior Health Rapid Response Team to review what might be done to further mitigate spread of the virus.

When more than 25% of staff in a school are away, this is a threshold for our district and school leaders to enact our Continuity of Operations Plan. The Continuity of Learning Plan sets out the steps clearly for moving from face-to-face education with enhanced measures to one of three other scenarios, if necessary.

Safety Measures

The District Communicable Disease Prevention Plan continues to reflect any changes based on provincial safety measures and K-12 guidelines. Every school has a revised communicable disease prevention plan posted on their website. The BC Centre for Disease Control website is also a good resource for frequently asked questions related to COVID-19. We also have a Frequently Asked Questions section of our website.

Thank you for continuing to complete the daily health checklist or use the K to 12 Health Check App. As we continue to work collaboratively, thank you for your generous spirit, patience, and kindness.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Announcements

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 19:00:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

Attention all grade 10 and 11 football players. Indoor practices start this Saturday at the Soccer Dome. You must pay your fees to Mr. Lancaster before Thursday.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 22:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you for a wonderful start to a new school year. There is a renewed sense of positive energy for staff, students, and families in these first days back to school.

New 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan

I will continue to share district and school stories that show our new District mission in action– Supporting learning opportunities and environments which inspire students to thrive. Students thrive when we commit to four core values: connections/relationships, well-being, equity, sustainability, and the 7 Grandfather Teachings. In weekly updates, stories will highlight one core value and one Grandfather teaching.

September: Connection/Relationships and Humility

In September, I will highlight the importance of developing strong relationships and connections that strengthen learning and growth, and Humility–our ability to compromise and to be humble, and honour each other’s ideas, values, and needs.

New Playgrounds: Ralph Bell and Heffley Creek

Principal Jennifer Boyle of Heffley Creek Elementary School, commented, “It was so wonderful to see all of the families from the community enjoying the playground last week!” Playgrounds inspire students to connect to new and old friends while exploring these vibrant play spaces.

Students and parents have grown in their excitement as they watched the development of new playgrounds at Heffley Creek and Ralph Bell Elementary Schools.

In the picture (above), Facilities staff (from left: Vic Khara, Brad Simpson, Kodi Taylor, Steven Reekie, John Kerssens, Ken Spivak, Robin Hodgson, Quinton Harasemchuk) stand together as a dynamic and productive team.

The replacement of playgrounds, while seemingly straight forward, requires a dedicated and coordinated team approach. Quinton Harasemchuk, SD73 Grounds Manager, and the grounds crew spent approximately 3-4 weeks during the summer months to ensure the old playgrounds were safely removed from the sites and the sites were reviewed for proper drainage.

In the case of Ralph Bell Elementary, the site of the new playground structure required the installation of a minor retaining wall on the North side due to the sloping topography within the space, along with improvements to the drainage.

The SD73 grounds crew delivered over 100 tons of dirt to Ralph Bell to level the space. To ensure accessibility and safety for all students, Manager Harasemchuk and his team paved a walkway from the school building to the playground, installed engineered wood fibre around the structure, and ensured a rubberized coating was placed beneath the accessibility swing. Often when a project is initially planned, unforeseen work is required resulting in changes to the scope of the project, timeline for completion, and the budget.

As I learned about and reflected on their highly collaborative process and the complexities that arise as they engage in their projects, I am humbled by the sophistication of these projects involving intricate planning, designing, repairing, and building to cocreate what has become a magnet of student and family excitement.

I am grateful for all that this team has done to create learning opportunities and environments that inspire our students to thrive!

Communicable Disease Prevention Guidelines

We continue to focus on ensuring the health and safety of students and staff in our SD73 Communicable Disease Prevention Plan. Some reminders:

Stay home when sick
Practice the daily health check and follow health advice
Wearing a mask is a personal choice
Practice good hand hygiene (wash hands, use hand sanitizer) and good respiratory etiquette (cover mouth when coughing; wash hands after coughing or sneezing)

As we celebrate our first week together, please take that positive energy into the weekend with family and friends.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Board Notes from August 31, 2020

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 17:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about the Re-start Plan and an update on the Summer Learning Program. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from March 10, 2025

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about District Anti-Racism Action Plan, Appointments to the Indigenous Education Council, and School Calendar Consultation and Approval. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from May 11, 2020

Fri, 15 May 2020 15:15:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Young Artists’ Virtual Gallery and return to school update. Read Board Notes here.

Announcements

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 18:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

Jr. and Sr. Boys Rugby, here are your tryout dates!

Sr. Boys will have practice this coming Monday at 3:30 in the SKSS gym and Thursday at the same time in the KSA gym.

Jr. Boys will have practice Tuesday at 3:30 and Wednesday at 5:30 pm and both days will be in the KSA gym.

These are tryout days, so make sure you’re there if you’d like to play this year and if you can’t attend; please see Coach Barker ahead of time.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

On Thursday March 5, the Peer Tutoring group welcomes people from all grades to attend games day at lunch in the library. There will be lots of games, snacks, and plenty of fun. Don’t forget to bring a friend!

Ethics Bowl participants are encouraged to meet in Mr. Wilson’s room 112 today at lunch to plan and strategize for Saturday’s Ethics Bowl at TRU.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

All students who wish to volunteer as a youth mentor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters are reminded to return their application form to Ms. Dumbrell in the counselling office by 3 pm today. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a mentor to an elementary student.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 23:30:00 GMT

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)

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

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost the end of September. Students and staff are preparing for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30). Barb Hamblett, principal of Valleyview Secondary, recounted how they are furthering Truth and Reconciliation in her school.

Truth and Reconciliation in Valleyview Secondary

Principal Hamblett explained, “We have a committee called Téxemnem-kt meaning ‘paddling together’, which includes representatives of diverse stakeholders in our school community.” The power of this committee is that they have been together for some time working on improving Indigenous education for students including “searching for opportunities to teach where we haven’t gone yet.” This year, in preparation for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, this team recognized the work they have been doing to understand the impact of residential schools, but they felt they needed to start learning more about some of the root causes of residential schools. Through a video project last year, students expressed curiosity about the Indian Act and the impact it continues to have on people today. They prepared a menu of learning choices for classes including Bob Joseph’s interview about his book, 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality (2018). As each class lives their learning together this week, they will write their thoughts using an iceberg to go from their initial learnings recorded on the “surface of the iceberg” to their “deeper learnings”, with evidence, which are recorded on “lower levels” of the iceberg. This focus on learning together about the Indian Act and the impact on Indigenous people today will prepare the students to consider lessons learned prior to lowering the flag in honour of our first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in our district.

COVID-19

On September 21, 2021, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry stated that broad school notifications about COVID 19 cases in schools had caused anxiety last year, which was the reason for not continuing school notifications this year. After our first few weeks of school, she concluded “that parents require an authoritative source to understand what is happening at their children’s schools.” Dr. Henry indicated that Interior Health plans to notify parents about COVID cases in schools. Superintendents take direction from Public Health, the Ministries of Health and Education, and BC’s Public Health Officer in the area of Health, and we will follow the recommendations once released about how these broad notifications will happen.

We have updated our District’s Communicable Disease Prevention Plan regarding spectators at secondary sports events. Although the school year started off with no spectators, the District has now completed its review on how to safely operationalize secondary athletic events with spectators. Regional restrictions remain in place for the Interior Health Authority, which has placed restrictions on spectators and event sizes:

Indoor events are not to exceed 50 persons present (spectators)
Outdoor events are not to exceed 100 persons present (spectators)

Interior Health vaccination clinics in secondary schools continue and are listed here.

I appreciate your patience in working through the changes to our COVID-19 protocols as we live them. As we enter into this last week of September, everyone’s efforts to come together as a community and to share uplifting stories about Truth and Reconciliation has been and will continue to be inspiring.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from Feb. 10, 2020

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 23:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about how the Board gets behind KPAC and school calendar consultation is underway. Read Board Notes here.

SD73 Celebrates Graeme Hanks - Loran Scholar 2023

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 17:30:00 GMT

Board Chair Grieve and Superintendent Nixon congratulated Graeme Hanks, a South Kamloops Secondary grade 12 student, on achieving the prestigious national Loran Scholar Award. They greeted Graeme and his mom, Ms. Hilary Yoshida, at South Kamloops Secondary School on April 6, 2023 at 9:00 am.

Graeme has taken part in a multi-tiered robust application process to achieve this award, and he is one of two Loran Scholar winners in our district with the other winner, Ila Campbell of Valleyview Secondary School in 2022.

Out of 4800 applicants, Graeme was shortlisted to an exclusive list of 500 applicants. He prepared and submitted a video which was selected along with 250 applicants from the original pool of 500 applicants. Graeme was then invited to participate in online interviews with the Loran Scholarship committee. From there, he was successful, which resulted in Graeme being placed into the semi-finalist level with 90 applicants. He took part in another round of interviews and then took part in the final step, which was a round of national interviews. He persisted in this rigorous process and was selected at this final step to become one of the exclusive 36 Loran Scholars in Canada in 2023.

In speaking with Graeme, he said, “I am most proud of the positive impact I have had at my school and in the local community. I am looking forward to attending university and am excited to experience new opportunities as a Loran Scholar.”

Graeme’s mother, Hilary, shared, “I am proud of Graeme and what he has accomplished. He has worked hard to achieve his goals and I am grateful for all the support he has had at school and in the community.”

In this process, Graeme demonstrated academic excellence, character, service leadership and leadership potential. He described some of the roles in which he had exercised service leadership within his school–as the Co-president of the Environmental Club, an elected member of the Principal’s Council, a peer tutor, and the co-founder of the SKKS Choir.

These roles have enabled him to share the importance of student voice shaping school actions and initiatives ranging from those impacting the environment, fine arts, and social justice (helped to develop the dress code AP) within his school and local community.

Being a volunteer Judo instructor and restarting the junior program at his club also reflected Graeme’s investment in others developing skills and habits to being physically well. He also dedicated many lunch hours to assisting students with math and science homework to ensure their success. Graeme has been a “Link Crew” leader who supports new students to get to know the SKSS school community and to develop friendships.

Principal Walt Kirschner said, “I couldn’t be more proud of Graeme, who is known for his leadership, commitment, and support for many student centered initiatives at South Kam. Graeme has earned the respect of his classmates and our staff as he strives to use his education as a platform to build capacity at SKSS and within our greater Kamloops community. Our Titan Nation is very proud of Graeme as we all know that his contributions will soon focus on a global perspective once he graduates and begins his port secondary studies this fall as a Loran Scholars Foundation Award recipient.”

Graeme will be matched with a career mentor as part of this program. Given his interest in becoming an engineer, he is hopeful to be paired with someone who is in the network of scholars in aerospace, biomedical, or physical engineering. Graeme is a well-rounded student, and he enjoys reading, playing the piano, ultimate frisbee, and soccer. We also learned that he is a “dungeon master” in Dungeons and Dragons.

Graeme is joining 134 scholars across 18 universities in Canada. He will be starting this journey with a four-day workshop in August with new and experienced Loran scholars. Along with these opportunities to develop a network of mentors and peers in his early post-secondary career pathway, he has won $100,000 (total value) and will receive an annual living stipend of $10,000, a tuition waiver of up to $10,000 annually from one of 25 partner universities, personal mentorship from a Canadian leader, experiential learning through summer work experiences in three different sectors with funding up to $14,000, an orientation expedition through Algonquin Park, annual retreats and scholar gatherings, and a lifelong membership in a community of values-driven individuals.

We couldn’t be more proud and excited for Graeme, and we look forward to seeing what he learns and where he will go as a future SD73 alumni. To learn more (https://loranscholar.ca/our-scholars/).

2019 - A Remarkable Year for SD73

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 17:30:00 GMT

For many of us 2019 will be remembered for the fire that destroyed the Parkcrest Elementary school in early September. We will also remember the many milestones and achievements of students and staff during this remarkable year. Looking back over the nearly 200 stories posted on our website, we know these capture only a small sampling of the amazing things happening in our district every day.

This year-in-review offers a compilation of the most compelling story of the year, How SD73 Restored the School Year in 11 Days. It also offers highlights from each month that reflect the way our efforts met our priorities during the year. These include ensuring every student acquires strong foundational skills and core competencies, and connecting students to their passions and interests. They also include honouring the Aboriginal worldview and perspectives, fostering an inclusive district culture, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring sustainable use of our resources.

In particular, we note opportunities for our learners through consultation, expansion and completion rates. The decisions to re-open Westsyde Elementary School and to keep the Westwold school open both included consultation processes with our communities in the early part of the year. The announcement of the expansion of ValleyView Secondary school in April and news from the Ministry of Education that we are seeing the highest completion rates ever among all our students including Aboriginal students, were high points.

JANUARY 2019

SD73 plans consultation to re-open Westsyde Elementary School this September

School District 73 began the consultation process to re-draw the David Thompson Elementary catchment area and re-open Westsyde Elementary School for September 2019.

Climate Change Activist’s Optimism Inspires Sa-Hali Students

The world’s most difficult challenges can be solved by the current generation of students, according to Steve Lee. He is a climate change activist, a United Nations policy advisor and the executive director of the Foundation for Environmental Stewardship.

FEBRUARY 2019

Students’ Voices will Connect us to Ancient Wisdom in Nature

Some Chase Secondary School students in Grades 9 - 12 participated in a provincial pilot program to create a new way of experiencing a B.C. park.

KSA Students' Performance with Foreigner a Crowd Pleaser

Kamloops School of the Arts students helped Foreigner Rock the crowd at the Sandman Centre Feb. 24.

MARCH 2019

Vancouver Foundation Grant for $246,000 Awarded to Four Directions Secondary School

The Vancouver Foundation awarded a $246,000 Systems Change Grant to the Four Directions Secondary School.

Steady and Prudent Business Management Means More for SD73 Students

Directors of the School District No. 73 Business Company (SD73BC), presented a $100,000 dividend cheque to the Board of Education at its regular Mar. 11 meeting.

Westsyde Elementary School to Re-Open September 2019

School District No. 73 Board of Education voted unanimously to reorganize the catchment area for David Thompson School and reopen Westsyde Elementary for the 2019-2020 school year.

KSA student wins 2019 Rotary Grade 6/7 Speech Contest

Mandisa Volo, a grade 7 student from Kamloops School of the Arts, won the 2019 Rotary Grade 6/7 Speech Competition in Kamloops. She won by beginning and ending with her own poetry.

Dust-Collectors, Boilers and Buses in Sight for SD73

School District No. 73 will target school safety, transportation and energy efficiency with the $1,781,139 funding announced by the Ministry of Education.

APRIL 2019

Valleyview Secondary School Expansion Announced

A sea of red greeted Rob Fleming, Minister of Education when he arrived at Valleyview Secondary to announce the Province spending $32.7 million for a significant expansion to the school by September 2022.

Putting Faith into Community Schools

A large heart remains at the centre of Clearwater’s shrinking Sikh community. Part of the proceeds from the sale of their temple, $40,000, were donated to Raft River Elementary ($10,000) and to Clearwater Secondary ($30,000) schools.

SSS Student Selected to Attend National Youth Summit

Sarah Seymour is going to Ottawa to lend her voice to the development of Canada’s National Youth Policy.

VSS Student Wins $25,000 Scholarship

Jonah Saemerow tapped into a difficult problem, suggested a solution, and was awarded a $25,000 STEAM Horizon scholarship.

MAY 2019

BC Architect Firm to Bring Cutting-edge Design to Valleyview Secondary Expansion

A British Columbian firm with over 80 years of collective experience will design Valleyview Secondary’s $34.45 M expansion.

Arthur Stevenson Students Win Golden Star Award

Arthur Stevenson Elementary School is one of six recipients of the Golden Star Award from the B.C. Retired Teachers’ Association.

Starfish Backpack Program Wins Award

Sally Zryd and Beth Dye, members of Kamloops-Thompson Principals and Vice-Principals Association, announced the Kamloops Food Bank was awarded the 2019 BC Principals' & Vice-Principals' Association Partnership Award.

JUNE 2019

Sagebrush Theatre Repairs Underway Immediately

School District 73, the City of Kamloops and Western Canada Theatre announced work begins on the repairs to the Sagebrush Theatre roof.

Recognition for Former Superintendent

Karl deBruijn, an educator and leader who spent 40 years with the school district received an honorary degree from Thompson Rivers University.

Story Trail with Secwepemctsin Language Students’ Voices

The Tsutswecw Park Story Trail featuring Chase Secondary students and teacher voices opens.

The Long-Awaited Launch for Brock Middle School Students

After months of carving and carting away wood chips, and learning about the Secwepemc culture and tradition that goes into its making, Brock Middle School launched their canoe.

JULY 2019

SD73 Students Among NYT 2019 Blackout Poetry Winners

Kamloops students Shreya Sharma and Gracie Dempsey are awarded poetry prizes.

SD73 Finalists for Premier’s Awards are Helping Build Community

School District No. 73 is well represented with four 2019 finalists chosen for the Premiers’ Awards for Excellence in Education.

SD73 and Kamloops Music Collective Announce Formal Agreement

School District No. 73 (SD73) and the Kamloops Music Collective (KMC) announce a formal agreement that will benefit Kamloops youth and SD73 students through music programs.

AUGUST 2019

Westsyde Elementary is Ready for Students

Students attending the re-opened Westsyde Elementary look forward to newly-refurbished surroundings. District crews spent about 9,000 hours renovating the structure this summer.

SD73 Takes Pride in Our Learners

The SD73 banner carried by district staff during the Kamloops 2019 Pride Parade says it all.

SEPTEMBER 2019

How SD73 Restored the School Year in 11 Days

When the Parkcrest Elementary School building was destroyed by fire in September 2019, the Kamloops-Thompson School District No. 73 team moved quickly to restore the school year for displaced students and staff.

United Way Names SD73 ‘Organization with Most Impact’

School District No. 73 was singled out at the United Way 2019 campaign launch for its contribution to ‘Feeding the Future.’

OCTOBER 2019

Jordan Smith Wins Premier's Excellence in Education Award

Kamloops Teacher Jordan Smith received a Premier's Award for Excellence in Education during a ceremony at Government House in Victoria Oct. 4.

Sa-Hali Secondary Designated as a UNESCO School

Sa-Hali Secondary has achieved international status as a UNESCO-designated school. It is one of only three schools in BC, and 90 in Canada to achieve this designation.

Fire Response Phase Two Rests with Maintenance Crews

Getting displaced learners and staff into the Happyvale building by Christmas is going to be a great present for everyone involved – in particular, for the SD73 Maintenance and Building department.

Aberdeen Playground Open

The wait is over for Aberdeen Elementary students, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony opening their new playground.

NOVEMBER 2019

Valleyview Secondary School Expansion Plans Revealed

Staff and some students at Valleyview Secondary were shown the initial version of the expansion plans for their school Nov. 27.

CUPE 3500 and SD73 Ratify Three-year Contract

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3500 voted 85 per cent in favour to ratify a collective agreement with School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019.

Beth Dye Awarded RCGS Camsell Medal

TREC vice-principal Beth Dye was recognized for her outstanding volunteer work with the Royal Canadian Geographic Society at an event in Ottawa.

SD73 Completion Rates Reach All-Time High

Completion rates for students in School District No. 73 have reached an all-time high in the district, according to BC Ministry of Education stats.

DECEMBER 2019

SD73 & Kamloops Regional Partners Sign VTRA Interagency Protocol

Music Educator Honoured with Owl Award

Robert Hogeveen, a long-standing advocate for music education was recognized with the Owl Award for Excellence in Public Education for his contributions to learning throughout the region.

Students Sharing Good Cheer

‘Tis the season, and in schools across the district, students and staff are going that extra mile to give hope and comfort to those less fortunate.

Sound of Music Experience Resonates

Six district students lent their voices to the spectacular The Sound of Music production by the Western Canada Theatre (WCT), which wrapped up Dec. 10, following its last performance.

Board Notes from May 1, 2023

Fri, 12 May 2023 19:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Young Authors and Brocklehurst and North Shore Future Growth Advisory Committee. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 15:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we savour the last days of summer, thank you to staff, students, and parents who have been working hard to prepare for back-to-school.

District Strategic Plan

As we begin living our new 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, our mission is– Supporting learning opportunities and environments which inspire students to thrive. Students thrive when we create environments that foster our four core values: connections/relationships, wellbeing, equity, and sustainability, and 7 Grandfather Teachings. In weekly updates, I will share stories that highlight one core value and one Grandfather teaching.

September Stories

Throughout September, stories will highlight:

Connections/Relationships: Building meaningful relationships that support and strengthen learning and growth.

Humility: Kelsey Jules, a Secwepemc artist, designed pictures to show the Grandfather Teachings. She created Coyote sk?lep, which represents Humility tkwekweltkstsút-kt and is known to be the trickster and teacher in the Legend of how Coyote and Bear made day and night. Coyote had to compromise with bear who wanted night all the time while coyote wanted day. Their ability to compromise depended on having humility or being humble and valuing each other’s ideas, values, and needs.

Summer School

The District hosted its annual Summer Learning Program from July 4 to July 22 with 401 elementary and 87 secondary students. Enrolment was the second highest it's ever been at summer school.

Principal Hembling stated, “The success of the summer learning program was enhanced by the positive relationships that developed between staff and students. Summer school requires that both staff and students give up some of their summer vacation for the sake of learning, which is a significant commitment. Teachers see the positive results for students, and students experience their own success as a result; it is truly community-building for everyone involved.”

Kamloops Pride Parade

Board Chair Heather Grieve, Vice Chair Meghan Wade, and Trustee John O’Fee joined staff, students, and parents in the Kamloops Pride Parade on Sunday, August 28, 2022. The city streets were filled with the joy of waving, clapping, singing, and dancing. Accepting each other for who we are depends on humility– seeking to understand our similarities and differences as opportunities to learn and grow, and to celebrate diversity.

Assistant Superintendent Mochikas, who encouraged and supported district participation in this event, shared, “The pride parade is an important event in our community and for our district. It's a great way to visibly celebrate and support students and staff identifying as LGBTQ2S+ and for them to know they are free to be their authentic selves.” Read more.

Ralph Bell Elementary School Reopening

On September 2, 2022, Board Chair Heather Grieve, Vice Chair Meghan Wade, and I visited Ralph Bell to celebrate the efforts of staff who have worked so hard to prepare for a wonderful start-up. Principal Hawkins has been touring more than 40 families this week, and she commented:

“I am so thankful for our District staff who have been painting, re-flooring, building, and moving brand new educational resources into our school. A school reopening is about coming together to create a place of welcoming, caring, and belonging. I can already feel this positive energy, and I am so excited for the first day of school.” Read more.

Communicable Disease Prevention Guidelines

On August 25, 2022, we received the updated Provincial Communicable Disease Guidelines for K to 12 Settings and revised our SD73 Communicable Disease Prevention Plan. Some reminders for back to school are:

Stay home when sick
Practice the daily health check and follow health advice
Wearing a mask is a personal choice
Practice good hand hygiene (wash hands, use hand sanitizer) and good respiratory etiquette (cover mouth when coughing; wash hands after coughing or sneezing)

Enjoy the long weekend! We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Announcements

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 19:30:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

The Senior Boys and Girls both defeated Sahali last night. The #8 Provincially ranked Girls crushed Sahali 76-45. The Titans were led Fiona Brisco with 19 points. The Senior Boys demolished Sahali 68-50. The boys were led by Maxen Adam with 23 points.

Attn Curlers: There will be short but important curling meeting TODAY at lunch in Ms. Thompsons Foods Room. All curlers please attend!

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

Are you smarter than a 7th Grader? If you think you are when it comes to Geography, The Geography Challenge might be for you. If you are in grades 8-12 please come to a short meeting Monday at lunch in Ms. Rusk's Room. K216. I will explain the format this year. If you are a National Winner you could represent Canada at the Worlds in Turkey.

Ms. Rondinelli’s Semester 1 students, please come to room 124 to pick up your projects. Thank you!

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Report Cards go out today in Block H at 2:45 pm! Distribution Lists have been posted around the school on the main floor on purple or white paper. Take a look so you know where to pick up your report card this afternoon.

Aboriginal Girls Group meets today from 11:45-12:45 in room 116.

There will be a PEP RALLY on Monday during 3rd block. All athletes are asked to attend. All basketball teams are asked to wear their FAMILY shirts to the event.

If you are a grade 12 student thinking about taking Science at TRU this fall, there is your last chance to sign up! On Friday, the non-instructional day, you can go to TRU and see a first year science lab or lecture. The best part, you collect career-life exploration hours while you do it. Please see the poster at the office for details.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

If you are interested in attending NVIT in the future, representatives will be here at lunch on Tuesday, February 18 to answer any questions that you may have regarding their institution.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Mental Health Literacy for Parents

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 16:30:00 GMT

Presented by Lauren Matthews, Director of BC Inclusive Post-Secondary Education at STEPS Forward.

This session is geared for parents and people who work with youth. Good mental health starts with an understanding of the brain and its primary roles. This session will introduce parents to the basic concepts in establishing and maintaining positive mental health with their children. Topics will include:

The teenage brain
Common myths about mental illness
Teenage stress
Promoting positive mental health in my child
Getting help

This workshop will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, September 27, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here, and you will be provided with the link to the meeting.

Announcements

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 19:00:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

The Senior Drama Class will be performing monologues from Spoon River on Wednesday & Thursday at 7:00 pm in the Senior Drama Room. Tickets are $5 and include dessert and coffee. Anyone interested in tickets can see Mrs. Fonseca or one of the Senior Drama Students.

A reminder to grade 12 students that Grad photo orders are due back to the office by Monday, February 3. Also, there is a sign-up sheet now in the office for grad photo retakes for those who missed out the first round or would like a retake.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Family Support Institute of BC (FSI)

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Do you have a family member with a disability?

Do you support individuals with a disability?

The Family Support Institute (FSI) has volunteer Resource Parent/Resource Peers (RP’s) who will support by:

Providing emotional support
Guiding you to community resources
Attending meetings with you, taking notes, debriefing
Mentoring and coaching on advocacy
Providing training opportunities
Sharing successes, celebrating families, and more
Learning about our peer-to-peer/family-to-family support model

This workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, September 20, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here. Following your registration, you will receive the link to the meeting.

Fair Notice for Students & Parents

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 18:30:00 GMT

Please see attachments below for our Fair Notice Letter for Students and Parents 2022-2023.

BC Gov't Advises Against Travel Outside Canada

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 17:45:00 GMT

Late Thursday (March 12) afternoon, the BC Government advised against all non-essential travel outside of Canada due to the growing COVID-19 outbreak. Anyone who travels outside Canada will be required to stay home from work or school for 14 days upon their return to the province. School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) will be providing more information Friday (March 13) about what this means for students and their families, and for SD73 staff. We will provide a more detailed update as soon as the information is made available by the medical health officer and the Ministry of Education.

See the BC Government announcement here. https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0077-000484

Board Notes from Nov. 4, 2019

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 17:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about results from the mid-term inaugural meeting, the District Learning Plan and new Board policy manual. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we conclude April, students share their strengths and talents in the Young Authors’ Conference, the Young Artists’ Conference, and Girls Explore Fire Crew, to name just a few learning opportunities. In each of these examples, students pursued learning from mentors in the fields of interest (creating art, composing texts, fire prevention and firefighting). Exploring passions independently and then seeking to continually improve is central to excelling in Intellectual Development, a key priority in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. This week’s stories illuminate how mentorship is about seeking relationships and connections with adults who inspire students to learn, adapt, and apply new skills and strategies.

36th Annual Young Artists’ Conference

On Wednesday, April 25, 2023, Board Chair Grieve and I were honored to speak at the 36th Annual Young Artists’ Conference. Trustees Hickson and Kang joined Ms. Janet McCloy, District Fine Arts Coordinator, in celebrating young artists and their friends, families, and caregivers who gathered in the old courthouse to see students’ artwork. This year, the artwork ranged from two- to three-dimensional pieces. The addition of three-dimensional art was new, and students explored in varied media including clay, metal, wood, and textiles. Everyone at the School Board Office is looking forward to enjoying select art pieces that will be presented to the board at the Regular Public Board Meeting on June 19, 2023. These art pieces will be displayed in the School Board Office for one year. Thank you to Principal Jayne Latta, Chair of the Young Artists’ Conference Committee who has shared more details about how these students continue to learn from artists for a whole day on April 28th at TRU. Read more.

44th Annual Young Authors’ Conference

On April 28, 2023, SD73 students are gathering at TRU to meet with published writers who offer to mentor young writers as they consider their next steps with varied writing pieces. Over 275 Gr. 4-12 students took part in this creative writing workshop based on these young writers’ submissions of creative writing pieces that were selected for the mentorship opportunity. Thank you to Literacy Coordinator Tricia Persad, District Principal Deanna Brady, and Literacy Resource Teacher Mike Carson for writing about this day. Read more.

Trades and Transitions - Girls Explore Fire Rescue

The SD73 Career Development department works with many valued community partners to help students explore their sense of self and who they want to be in the world. On April 24th, Professional Development Day, 26 young women joined Kamloops Fire Rescue to participate in the first Girls Explore Fire Rescue event. Students learned fire suppression techniques, participated in fitness training, put out controlled mock fires in the training house and the training car, learned about vehicle extraction using tools like “the jaws of life” and had the chance to talk with female firefighters about working in the field. Thank you to Kamloops Fire Rescue, District Vice-Principal of Career Programs Kerry Gairdner, and District Trades and Transitions Coordinator Sheila Brown for providing this career experience opportunity.

Administrative Professionals’ Day

On April 26, 2023, we took time to acknowledge office and support staff who help us to manage our schools and departments seamlessly. We know that life in our schools and district departments is brightened by those who make the day-to-day flow of our work easier by lending a hand, greeting visitors, welcoming new students and staff, fixing things, installing electrical, putting in playground equipment, tending grounds, addressing facility issues, delivering mail, setting up concerts, taking pictures, putting out food, and the list goes on. A heartfelt thank you for all that you do each day.

National Day of Mourning

Every facility lowered flags to half-mast today in honor of those workers who have suffered serious injury or lost their lives through a workplace accident or tragedy. This day is also a day to collectively renew our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent injuries, illnesses, and deaths.

Thank you for supporting this day and for participating in it by lowering your flags and continuing to share your care, empathy, and commitment to staff wellbeing, which is a core commitment in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

As you start your weekend, remember to take time for you–you matter.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

It’s hard to believe that we are almost at the end of February. It has been a wonderful week with a new school funding announcement for the Pineview Valley community, Pink Shirt Day events, and school visits which show the power of connecting, developing relationships, nurturing wellbeing, and ensuring equity, core value commitments in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

South Sa-Hali Elementary School

Principal Mabee and I started our visit with a review of the school learning plan goals, and she informed me that ensuring a strong sense of belonging is one goal the school has been working hard to define and develop. Principal Mabee was wearing pink, and she said, “I wear something pink all month to signify that treating each other with kindness is to happen every day, not just on Pink Shirt Day.” She pointed to a bulletin board where they have been collecting and celebrating acts of kindness all month. This month they are also exploring “Neuroplasticity” (how the brain grows and develops as we use it) and how it helps to develop their “Growth Mindset.” We walked into the Library Learning Commons, where Mme Hunter, their teacher librarian, was teaching students how to use text features in their textbooks by modelling the process. M. Hall’s grade 1 class was celebrating Hundred’s Day, and some students dressed up, imagining they were 100 years old (left,Lincoln; right, Mme Mabee).

Mme Funk’s students were located in multiple places to practice their upcoming Science Fair presentations, and Principal Mabee and I learned all about flowers that last the longest from two students, Kaitlyn and Madeline, who agreed to share their research.

We continued to walk around while students were on their lunch break. I learned that the PAC has been very helpful and dedicated to contributing to educational resources such as “loose parts” used by students to help build stories and for imaginative play during recess and lunch, especially on cold days.

Logan Lake Elementary School

Principal Collins held up a pink shirt, “Always Choose Kindness” that students ordered for Pink Shirt Day. Then, we went for a walk in the elementary school just before lunch.

Ms. Scarr’s class had just studied, “How to Be Kind” and they were writing. One student, John, shared how he had helped the class to learn about making Chinese Lanterns, and the class really benefited from asking him questions about what his family traditions are for Chinese New Year.

Ms. Balson’s K-1 class was building number lines, making numbers with playdough, and counting with manipulatives. As we left the classroom, we stopped to see the sensory room that they have been working on for students to develop gross and fine motor skills, and to engage in tasks to refocus and take a mental break. Students reported really liking their time in that room. We ended with Ms. Collins’ class that was reading, and we met a student, Bre, who shared one of her favourite books by Mo Willems, “We Are in a Book!”

Logan Lake Secondary School

As we transitioned to the secondary school, we started outside and met the students who were working outside in the Youth Train in Trades welding program. Even though it was a cold day, the students assured me that nothing could stop them from focusing on their projects. This year, there are nine grade 12 and three grade 11 students. Principal Collins introduced me to Mr. Michael Grainger and Mr. Dwayne Geiger, TRU staff who have been instrumental in helping to inspire these students in their program.

We visited Ms. Mackay’s Gr. 5-6 class as they worked on comic books, IXL reading, and dividing decimals. As lunch began, we passed through the gym where Mr. Daley, Ms. Cardinal, and Mr. Smith were playing basketball with students.

Pink Shirt Day- Feb. 22, 2023

Our schools and departments celebrated being kind and caring to ensure that everyone is accepted for who they are in inclusive environments Read more.

Enjoy your weekend and stay warm!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Staff,

I hope everyone enjoyed a restful and refreshing Spring Break and had time to connect with family, friends, and loved ones. As we move into the final stretch of the school year, I am grateful for the energy and optimism that spring brings to our schools and community.

My first few months as Superintendent have been filled with learning, listening, and meaningful connections. I have been warmly welcomed across the district, and I want to sincerely thank students, staff, families, and community partners for your generosity, openness, and willingness to help me learn.

One of my earliest and most memorable experiences as Superintendent was attending the opening of The Gathering Kitchen at NorKam Secondary. It was a powerful reminder of the strength of partnerships and connections across our district and that our schools are places of belonging, learning, community, and nourishment.

Spring also marks an important time for engagement as we welcome and value broad system consultation in the 2026-2027 Budget development process. Along with consultation opportunities with our partner groups, we recently hosted an online budget information session for all parents and staff. Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate—if you were unable to attend, a recording is available here.

I encourage you to join us for our upcoming online information session on April 20 where we will be sharing a preview of the 2026-2027 Budget priorities. Your feedback and insights are essential as we navigate budget decisions together and continue to prioritize student learning and well-being.

This week, we were thrilled to welcome students and staff back to Westmount Elementary following the fire last October. Seeing the Westmount community return to their school has been a heartening milestone and a tremendous example of taking care of each other. I am deeply appreciative of all who worked relentlessly to complete the remediation work ahead of schedule and the school staff and PAC who supported students so well throughout the last few months.

I also want to thank the Parkcrest, Kay Bingham, and George Hilliard elementary school communities for so graciously welcoming Westmount students and staff. Your kindness and collaboration truly exemplify the spirit of this district.

As we head toward this very important stretch of the 2025-2026 school year, there will be many opportunities to come together to learn, celebrate, and reflect. I look forward to continuing to connect with students, staff, families, and community members in schools and at events across the district in the coming months.

Thank you for all you do each day to support our learners in SD73. I’m inspired by what we can accomplish in the weeks ahead. I wish you a wonderful Easter long weekend.

Warm regards,

Mike St. John

Superintendent

2026-2027 BUDGET CONSULTATION

The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education is inviting feedback from staff, parents, caregivers, students, and SD73 school communities on the 2026-2027 annual budget. Learn more about budget consultation and ways to share your feedback here.

Please join us for our upcoming budget consultation online information session to learn more about the budget, ask questions, and share your feedback.

Public Budget Consultation – 2026-2027 Budget Preview:

Monday, April 20, 2026, at 6:30 PM

Online Access: Join the webinar on Zoom here (Passcode: 954087)

What to Expect: An overview of the 2026-2027 budget priorities that will go before the Board for initial approval on April 27, 2026, followed by information on how to provide further feedback.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MARCH

From Titan to Lion: SKSS Honours Football Alumnus Jacob Bond

On March 9, South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) brought together students, staff, alumni, and community members for a special ceremony celebrating both the past and future of Titans football. The event honoured SKSS alumnus and CFL player Jacob Bond, who is the first Kamloops player to compete in the Canadian Football League in more than 25 years.

Read more here.

RCMP Youth Academy Offers Immersive Look into Law Enforcement Careers

From March 11–15 at Pineridge Education Centre, secondary students from across the district took part in a challenging and immersive learning experience at the RCMP Youth Academy. Students got a realistic look at careers in law enforcement through hands-on training, real-world scenarios, and learning from the RCMP and community partners.

Read more here.

Skills Canada Cariboo Regional Skills Competition

On March 6, 2026, Thompson Rivers University hosted the annual Skills Canada Cariboo Regional Skills Competition, bringing together Grade 11 and 12 students to demonstrate their technical abilities and skills in a range of trades through hands-on challenges. Congratulations to all the students who earned medals at the 2026 Cariboo Regional Skills Competition.

Read more here.

Arts in the High Country Highlights Excellence in Music Education

Arts in the High Country returned to the Sagebrush Theatre on March 3–4, 2026, bringing together student musicians from across the district for two inspiring days of music and learning. This year, 22 ensembles from elementary and secondary schools participated, highlighting excellence in music education, student performance, and the vital role arts education plays in our district.

Read more here.

UPDATES FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

To learn more about the February and March Board Meetings, read the latest Board Notes here. The next Regular Public Board meeting will be Monday, April 27, 2026, at 7:00 pm at the School Board Office.

Call for Nominations: 2026 Owl Award & Board Award of Recognition

The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education is pleased to invite nominations for two district awards that celebrate the people and organizations whose dedication strengthens public education across our school communities.

Owl Award for Excellence in Public Education

Nomination deadline: April 20, 2026

Learn more here.

Board Award of Recognition

Nomination deadline: May 1, 2026

Learn more here.

SKSS Students Showcase Artwork at Perspectives of the Grasslands Exhibition

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 19:30:00 GMT

Story provided by Chelsea Isenor, Director of Communications and Board Administration

On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) hosted a community reception for their 19th Annual Art Exhibition and Fundraiser.

The Perspectives of the Grasslands Exhibition featured a collection of 50 original artworks by Grade 10–12 SKKS Art students. The students’ works were inspired by the importance and beauty of the Interior Grasslands of BC.

Over three weeks in October, students investigated artistic styles as a way to connect to their community and the grasslands theme while creating their art works. For some students, this was the first time they used acrylic paint and the project offered them a new opportunity to publish and share their artwork in public.

At the opening reception on Wednesday evening at the Sagebrush Theatre, SKSS Principal Chris Preymak welcomed the crowd of parents, friends, family, and community members and shared praise for the talented student, “as I look around at the artwork, what stands out to me is the authentic learning and seeing students’ voices and perspectives in the paintings. These works add a richness to our community and school.”

Art teacher Ms. Lisa Yamaoka shared, “This project started as a way to investigate student learning about the place we live. We wanted to give students real life experience in the visual arts starting with research and learning, exploring techniques, developing and articulating artist statements, curating an exhibition, and then publishing and fundraising.”

Students also shared about their learnings from the project, the importance of the grasslands themes, the challenges of starting with a blank canvas, and how they brainstormed and developed their ideas.

Artworks on display featured visuals of landscapes, animals, wildfires, and local areas with themes connected to beauty, relationships, climate change, and Indigenous perspectives.

Grade 12 student Christine Douglass described the piece titled Mother Nature’s First Love (pictured): “The personification of the sky and grasslands touching noses lovingly, symbolizes the mutual relationships between the water cycle and the grasslands. They help each other regulate and nourish, which are the similar qualities of a loving relationship. The warm and cool colours of the sunset and sky symbolize the complexity of romantic relationships.”

Grade 12 student Bryce Needham’s piece titled Winter’s Embrace (pictured) depicts “a red fox in the snow to capture the beauty of winter, which I’ve loved despite the cold. Red foxes have always fascinated me; I remember learning in second grade that they curl up with their fluffy tails for warmth in winter. I hope this image conveys the warm memories that winter brings me and resonates with others.”

Grade 12 student Rhys Long’s piece titled Edith Lake (pictured) is “a representation of the beauty and subtlety of the grasslands. It is the recreation area of Edith Lake, a popular fishing stop near Kamloops that is known for its beauty. The water is a signature green for its real life counterpart has dark water. Overall, the beauty of the grasslands, captured within this painting, is a showing of peacefulness and connection to the land.”

Each of the students' artworks is a stunning example of how taking creative risks can benefit student learning.

The exhibition theme around grasslands that guided each work of art reminded students of the vital role that art has in our community. “Through art, we can open conversations, share different points of view, and learn from each other,” shared Ms. Lisa Yamaoka.

The SKSS Perspectives of the Grasslands Art Exhibition is on display at the Sagebrush Theatre lobby until December 9, 2024. The 2025 SKSS art calendars and postcards are available for sale at The Art We Are, Kamloops Art Gallery, and the SKSS Main Of?ce.

Reflections from the National Day of Truth & Reconciliation

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As October begins, we reflect on our experiences leading up to the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30). On Monday, September 27, staff engaged in professional learning about Truth and Reconciliation and throughout the week teachers taught age-appropriate lessons supported by the District Aboriginal Education Department. On Wednesday, September 29, principals and facility supervisors lowered flags to half-mast to honour residential school survivors and children who did not return home, and to prepare for our first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Ms. Katrina Sewell, principal of A.E. Perry Elementary, recounts her story of inspiring professional learning.

Truth and Reconciliation

AE Perry Elementary’s Aboriginal Education Workers (AEWs), Ms. Kelsey Jules and Ms. Rae Bennett worked with Mr. Peter Michel, District Aboriginal Youth and Family Consultant, to lead A.E. Perry staff in a Kairos Blanket Exercise. Katrina emphasized that the emotional experience of learning firsthand about truths that may have been previously unknown and taking part in the physical, dramatic living of these truths enabled staff collectively to feel the impact of the tragic history of residential schools. Ms. Sewell also highlighted that she found that District Principal Mike Bowden’s lessons about territory acknowledgments were appreciated by her staff. She stated, “It was powerful to think about a land acknowledgment ‘as reconciliation’ when it comes from the heart and demonstrates an effort to understand the history and relevance of the land of the First Peoples. It was an opportunity to think again about when we say land acknowledgements and how we use them. The whole day was a success and I was grateful to have this time to prepare for our first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.”

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan and COVID-19

We are pleased that Interior Health will resume posting potential COVID-19 exposures at schools on their website.They will not share numbers of positive cases per school or differentiate between staff/student cases. While parents have asked school administrators to send school community notifications each time there is a potential exposure, Dr. Mema, Interior Health Chief Medical Health Officer has directed against this practice because Interior Health notifications are sent to those who are directly impacted. Therefore, sending notifications of potential exposures to everyone in a school community who are not directly impacted only serves to cause unnecessary anxiety.

On October 1, 2021, the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that all students from K-12 will be required to wear masks in school as of Monday, October 4, 2021. The mask mandate will continue until further notice. This decision was made by the Ministries of Education and Health, and it is directly connected to the rising numbers of cases in the K-3 age group. While the number of potential exposures to COVID-19 in our schools has increased, Interior Health’s contact tracing confirms that the greatest risk of transmission is during activities taking place outside of school. The Ministry of Education has updated the Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings with this change in measures for schools.

Ensuring students, staff, and visitors stay home when they are sick continues to be one of the most effective personal measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from our communities into our schools. After vaccinations, completing and following the directions of the Daily Health Check is one of the strongest individual measures each of us can take to limit COVID-19 in our schools.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our work as a district community in Truth and Reconciliation. We value your dedication and passion, and we look forward to more inspiring stories as we co-create a hopeful future, together, for all students and staff.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

South Kamloops Secondary Students Won the 2024 National Ethics Bowl in Winnipeg

Mon, 06 May 2024 21:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) students, who have won the Canadian National Ethics Bowl in Winnipeg on May 4, 2024. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights hosted twelve finalists of the approximately 150 original teams in a competition that occurred over an intense two days.

“We are so proud of the South Kamloops Secondary School Ethics Bowl Team taking home the title of National Champions in 2024!” shared Superintendent, Dr. Rhonda Nixon. “SKSS joins the NorKam Senior Secondary team who were National Ethics Bowl champions last year. This is a significant accomplishment two years in a row.”

Among the winning team were Grade 10 and 11 students: Jorden Atherton-Wyatt, Maeve Belomon, Izumi Heyland, Ava Rieger, and Yusra Rahman. SKSS teacher, Mr. Graeme Hallett supported students by being their mentor, coach, and key supporter during challenging moments. The depth of the team’s philosophical knowledge put into practice, their ability to support each other’s statements, and their unflappable demeanor were some of the key facets that made the difference over the course of the competition. “They worked hard for this,” said Hallet, “They’re amazing.”

An Ethics Bowl is both a collaborative and competitive event, where teams discuss current ethical dilemmas of social, political, economic, scientific, or cultural nature. Prior to the day, all “bowlers” research and develop the cases and arrive at the Ethics Bowl prepared to discuss their ideas and to listen to other perspectives.

Students were evaluated on communication, use of relevant information, critical thinking, and collaboration, among other academic skill sets. Some examples of the issues SKSS competitively discussed were: civil disobedience, AI art, compassionate robots, territorial acknowledgements, and the monarchy.

"Ethics bowl participants must be able to give and take criticism without hostility, which requires considerable discipline. When flaws in ideas are revealed, participants need both the knowledge base and the intellectual flexibility to modify complex ideas in real time. They navigated these challenges with grace and swift intellect,” said Graeme Hallet, teacher.

“I stayed in touch with Mr. Hallet throughout the three days they were in Winnipeg,” said Walt Kirschner, Principal. “It was very exciting to have a South Kam team participating at a national level event, and then to win the event with such a young team was amazing. Our Titan Nation is so proud of the courage, resilience, and dedication that our students and sponsor teachers displayed with this national championship performance.”

“It is an amazing accomplishment for this team and the district. I am so proud of the staff who supported them, and the students who developed their collaborative skills to such a high level,” said Bill Hamblett, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education.

Board Notes from April 22, 2024

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 20:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Kamloops-Thompson Strings Program, Accessibility Committee Report, and Naming of the New School in Pineview Valley. Read Board Notes here.

Principal's Message

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:45:00 GMT

Good afternoon to our South Kam community.

I wanted to update all of you with regards to our faculty and support planning for our students at SKSS. We had our first faculty and support staff meeting this morning and I was very impressed by the level of focus and commitment shared by all of our staff with regards to the designing, planning, implementation and supporting of the Continuity of Learning Plans for your son/daughter. As educators, we are mindful of all of the challenges that are present in our community and in each of our homes. I can assure you that as we move forward with our planning, our staff are fully committed and focused on developing Continuity of Learning Plans that will be both engaging and student-centered and will respect the diversity of our learners and teachers who are delivering the curriculum. There is not a teaching or leadership manual with regards to delivering an educational program during these challenging times, but our collective goal will be for our staff to reach out to each of you by the end of this week to explain the context and platform as to how they will deliver their courses to your son/daughter. It will be very important for our staff to have the most up to date email and contact information from your home to expedite work from our teachers and support staff. Please confirm this with your son/daughter as teachers will begin contacting all of you by the end of this week. Demographic changes can be called into our school at the main office at 250.374.1405 or skss-office@sd73.bc.ca.

Clearly our Continuity of Learning Plans will look different from each individual teacher and that will reflect both the platforms that they are using to communicate with your son/daughter as well as the uniqueness of the strategies, tasks and assessments that will be a result of their individual planning. As we move forward into next week when the work starts for our students, teachers will be in contact with them at least twice per week and this will allow for ample communication to the tasks at hand. Our staff will be working remote from home so your best means of communication with be through email. All of our staff email addresses are listed on our SKSS website.

For SD #73 updates, please check our website daily for information from both the province and from the Supt's office.

As we collectively work through this unique period of time, I would ask all of you to take time for yourselves and your kids both with and beyond our learning plans. Our physical, emotional and social needs are also a significant part of our mental well being and health. Being mindful of social distancing, health and hygiene, it is also important that we take time for ourselves and family and be assured that our staff will take care of the teaching and learning.

Each month in my principals note with our newsletter I always highlight a "Titans Call-out" for something special on our campus. It goes without saying that My Titans call-out for this month goes out to all of our health professionals, IHA supports, retail supports and community agencies who are working so hard and diligently to making sure we are all safe and provided for. We have lots to be grateful for and our positive Titan thoughts and best wishes are extended to everyone to be safe and supportive during this heightened time of need and care.

Take care and be safe,

Walt Kirschner
Principal

Announcements

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 18:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

Ultimate Frisbee: Any students in Grades 8-10 interested in joining the Junior Ultimate Frisbee team, there will be a meeting at lunch in Mrs. Buemann's room, #224. That's today at lunch! This is a Co-ed sport, all are welcome!

Any grade 8-11 boys interested in playing basketball next year are asked to come to an important meeting at LONG BREAK on Wednesday.

All Titans interested in playing badminton this spring season, please come to room 115 at lunch today for a meeting. Please bring a pen or pencil.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

There will be a newspaper club meeting today at lunch in room 110.

There will be an important meeting for all Ethics bowl participants on Wednesday at lunch in Room 218.

Grad clothing is on sale online this week until Wednesday. Please see the Grad board for more information.

The next WCT Matinee Program Play is "Serving Elizabeth" on Wednesday. If you are a participant you will need to meet Mrs. Fonseca in the lobby of the Sagebrush at the beginning of long break. Please see Mrs. Fonseca for more information.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Are you in need of a nice warm drink to warm up on a cold winter’s day? Every Thursday at lunch for the next couple months the SKSS Band will be selling hot chocolate in the main hallway. Proceeds will go to their trip in April. Bring your own mug and save 50%!

DELF: All students interested in writing the DELF exam in May. Registration will happen in Portable 1 today at lunch. Please bring a cheque (made out to SKSS) for $60 for A1/A2 levels or $70 for B1/B2 levels. If you have written the DELF exam before, you must also bring your certification number.

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Any students, who are graduating in June 2020, who would like to pursue a career in clean energy at a post-secondary school are invited to apply for the Clean Energy BC scholarship. Students must write a 500 word response to the question: "Why is clean energy important to me as a young person in BC?" Applications are due on May 14, 2020 and more information is available in the counselling office scholarship drawer.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Board Notes from February 27, 2023

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 20:45:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Early Learning, Reports from the Secretary-Treasurer, and Board Chair's Report. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from May 26, 2025

Thu, 29 May 2025 23:15:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. To learn about the Logan Lake Student Panel, Safe Graduation BCLDB Funds, Pronvincal Online Learning School Progress Report, and more, read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Join me in celebrating the excitement and vibrancy of learning during the day and in the evenings at schools and community venues. We continue to focus on building connections, while nurturing wellbeing, sustainability, and equity as core commitments in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Kay Bingham Elementary School

As I walked into the school, Ms. Hebner from Kamloops Music Collective was leading a large group of students to play tub drums. This was a wonderful, energetic way to start the day.

Principal Caputo and I then visited Ms. Aaltonen’s Grade 1 class who were engaged in varied literacy activities—some were completing a written prompt: which dessert is best (choosing between ice cream and cupcakes). Jackson (student) shared how much he loved blue, purple, and orange ice cream with his grandpa.

Liam, another student, walked me into the hall to share his sister’s art for the Heritage Stamp contest. He was so proud to share her talents!

Ms. Read’s Kindergarten class was working on word sounds by listening to clusters and then identifying key sounds. For example, in “door” and “floor”, they said all together, “It’s ‘or’”. Ms. Petty’s and Ms. Ellis’ K–1 class was reading independently, in partners, and small groups. A few students were labeling key vocabulary words and coloring pictures that matched them.

Ms. Henderson’s and Ms. Bujas’ Kindergarten class was washing their hands to get ready for recess. They stopped to share their “I wonder” pictures, which were beautifully painted. Ms. Young (Learning Assistant Resource Teacher) was working with a small reading group. Mr. Johnson and Ms. McCowan were in the library and students had just chosen books and were reading. I spoke with one student who had selected two books about the history of Kamloops, and others who had a range of popular series novels and graphic novels.

Ms. Kelly’s Grade 5–6 class were heading outside for recess. After recess, Ms. Hebner was working with Grade 4–6 to play ukuleles. They played three notes and a number of songs. Ms. Brennan and Ms. Pye’s Grade 6 students were responding to a picture prompt to describe and then write their inferences about what was happening in the picture.

Liam (student) wanted to share how important the mood meter is to the class and as he shared that each day, each student puts their magnet on a word to describe how they are feeling that day, it was good because “the teacher will talk to you if you choose ‘sad’”, and “it lets us know when someone wants to be ‘quiet’”. Wraiden added, “it is important to see if you can have a better day, too.” Liam and Wraiden also showed how every student has a sticky and writes a personal goal for the day on it. As we continued, they shared how they all knew each other because Ms. Brennan requires them “to switch table groups every day.” A small group of students were planning the “Fun Day” and organizing the logistics of the day. This kind of leadership helps them to own the day and to lead it proudly.

Mr. Cory Swain, plumber, was working on the sink, and he shared that it has been a “group effort” to finish the kitchen. Crystal had designed and installed the shelving, and Ms. Mattes approved a new dishwasher, which Mr. Swain said he was installing that day.

Ms. Vermey’s Grade 1–2 class was engaged in music and Ms. Gardner was supporting. Overall, it is a busy day of learning at Kay Bingham, and students and staff were enjoying themselves.

Sníne Elementary School Groundbreaking Ceremony

On Monday, June 3, 2024, the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education marked the start of construction on Sníne Elementary School with an official Groundbreaking Ceremony. Sníne Elementary, the Kamloops-Thompson’s newest school, will be located in Pineview Valley. This school has been a priority for the District since 2014-2015, due to notable enrollment growth and space pressures in nearby schools. Read more.

Cariboo Mainline Student Wins Bronze at a Canada Wide Science Fair

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, the Intellectual Development priority aims to provide opportunities for students to develop the ability to analyze critically while learning reason and to think independently. Participation in Science Fairs is one way that students can develop these skills while learning to discover, experiment, and innovate. The Canada Wide Science Fair (CWSF) is an annual event hosted by Youth Science Canada that celebrates the top 400 students across Canada with exceptional projects in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and innovation. For 62 years, CWSF has brought students from all across the country together to discover, innovate, and inspire each other. Read more.

Barriere Secondary student wins Bronze at the 2024 Skills Canada National Competition

The 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan has the mission of “supporting environments that provide accessible and empowering opportunities to thrive.” Barriere Secondary School’s Alexis Nelson recently won a Bronze medal in Welding at the 2024 Skills Canada National Competition in Quebec. Skills Canada promotes skilled trade and technology careers to Canadian youth. Each year, more than 500 Canadian youth compete in over 40 skilled trade and technology competitions at SCNC. Read more.

Kamloops-Thompson School District Celebrates Aboriginal Graduation

On Monday, June 3, 2024, we had the privilege of taking part in the annual Aboriginal Graduation ceremony with over 250 Aboriginal graduates. Thank you to District Principal Bowden and the organizing committee for preparing student emcees to lead us, and for the ceremonial procession with drummers and a welcome that provided an opportunity to connect with graduates and their families. I look forward to this graduation at the start of grad season because it is a spiritually moving processing that grips our minds and hearts. Read more.

Thank you for participating in special projects, field trips, and events to make learning enjoyable and to celebrate the successes of students in graduations and awards ceremonies.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 23:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you for your focus on relationships and connections, wellbeing, equity, and sustainability, core value commitments in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. As we enter into the two-week Spring Break, many staff, students, and parents are traveling or staying home to take time to relax and rejuvenate. Others are working and enjoying the change of pace to focus on projects while also appreciating the longer days.

Westmount Elementary School

As I entered the school, Mr. Laboucan was working with a few students to take down the tipi to prepare for their upcoming book fair. As we started our classroom visits, Principal Styles and I met Jamie Garbutt, City Sustainability Coordinator, who was placing composting and recycling bins in the school. She shared, “We are very lucky to work so closely with students to address sustainability.” Mr. Styles remarked how they are fortunate to be receiving a grant from “Farm to School BC”, and they have used it to purchase a compost tumbler.

As we continued, Mrs. Caputo was engaged in an experiment with a balloon and candle showing how when she added baking soda to a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2) to be released. The balloon formed a seal around the bottle, and the gas produced couldn’t escape, so it filled up the balloon. The Gr. 2 students absolutely loved this experiment, and they asked to do it multiple times.

Next, we met Ms. MacDonald who was teaching Kindergarten, when she took a student, Henry P., to a wall chart of lists of facts that the class had developed about various animals. Henry had designed a bear out of painted boxes, and called it “Grizzy”. Ms. MacDonald assisted Henry to tell a sequential story from Grizzy’s point of view and then used the app, “Chatter Pix”, a software that animated his digital picture of Grizzy so that Grizzy’s lips moved to tell the story that Henry had created.

Ms. Evans and Ms. Williams were teaching Gr. 1 students to identify healthy and unhealthy snacks. Ms. Torchia’s Gr. 1-2 class was studying money trees to learn about needs versus wants.

Mr. Bigham’s Gr. 6-7 students were studying windmills. They tested the strength by how much weight a windmill could lift, starting with one, and then two, three, four, five, and six marbles. He taught students how to research the cost of building their windmill by starting with $3M and then having 1M to add items to them. Everyone was engaged working together to test for other variables such as time to lift objects.

Ms. Zirnhelt’s Gr. 3 class had been making arrays. They stopped to show me different ways to make 6 and then how to multiply using concrete representations of different numbers. It was close to lunch time, and as we proceeded down the hall, a child named Fynn said, “This is a great school! He [meaning Mr. Styles] is great!” We stopped to visit Ms. Ault’s gr. 3-4 class, and they were eating lunch and enjoying their afternoon.

Jesse Lipscombe’s #MakeitAwkward Campaign in SD73

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, we are committed to every student feeling safe, included, and welcome in our schools (Human and Social Development Priority). To accomplish this– equity: removing barriers and creating environments that provide accessible and empowering opportunities for all students and staff to thrive– is a cornerstone value. Read more.

Kamloops-Thompson’s Art in the High Country 2024

In the 2022-027 District Strategic Plan, we are committed to students’ intellectual development in multi-modal (print, digital, music, drama) literacies. On March 5^th and 6^th, SD73's Art in the High Country 2024 exemplified how students in grades 5 to 12 are keen to grow and share their passions and competencies in a wide range of performance literacies showcased at the Sagebrush theater. Read more.

La Bonhomme Carnaval at Summit Elementary School

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, in the Intellectual Development Priority, our Board values rich language learning and development in all languages through curricular and extracurricular activities. Read more.

I hope that you are looking forward to many days of fun, relaxation, and rejuvenation. For those who are traveling, I hope that you stay safe and arrive in your locations as expected, with your luggage.

Have a wonderful Spring Break!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Board Notes from May 12, 2025

Thu, 15 May 2025 23:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Young Authors Conference, Public Presentation by Lisa Johannesen from Foundry Kamloops, and Sníne Elementary Community Engagement Results and Plans. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from November 23, 2020

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 21:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about student advisory council connects and an update to early closures. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Many of our staff and students will be starting Spring Break this weekend, and others will be enjoying work that has a different rhythm and pace over the next two weeks. With more daylight and Spring conditions, I hope that everyone takes time to enjoy outside activities.

Rayleigh Elementary School

Principal Shaun McKenna introduced me to the Kindergarten class that had made leprechaun traps for St. Patrick’s Day. One student shared, “The way you catch a leprechaun is to put shiny, colourful treasures in your box.” Their enthusiasm was contagious as students shared their inventions. As we entered a band class that was practicing scales and preparing for their newest musical score, the grade 6 students played together like an experienced junior high band. Principal McKenna explained, “The reason why these students play well is because of their wonderful teacher and that they start in grade 4.” He modelled how students start on “ beginner” wind instruments. Rayleigh’s Random Acts of Kindness interactive bulletin board was designed by Ms. Crawford. There was no end to the many examples of how their community celebrates together and fosters a culture of care and kindness.

National Nutrition Month and the Launch of Hands-on Food

March is Nutrition Month and this year School District No. 73 is celebrating with the launch of the Hands-on Food resource, developed in partnership with Farm to Schools BC and Interior Health.
Hands-on Food is a locally created and developed food-literacy website designed with and for elementary teachers. From growing, to cooking and preserving, to recovering waste, these hands-on lessons provide students with the opportunity to dive deeper into the curriculum and experience the “doing” of sustainable food practices. This month, teachers can apply for a $500.00 grant to support growing seeds and cooking in the classroom. For the grant application form, click here. Get started today! A big thank you to all those who contributed to this project and an extra big thanks to the SD73 teachers and staff who took the time to mentor, pilot, and prototype lessons. Find out more here.

Continuity of Learning and Communicable Disease Prevention Plan (COVID-19)

On Thursday, March 10, 2022, Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced changes to safety measures for K-12 schools, which are detailed in the Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings. These changes start on the first day of Spring Break, which is March 21, 2022, in our district. Employees who work over Spring Break will have a head start on students who will experience these changes upon return to school after Spring Break on April 4, 2022.

Budget Consultation

The school district is undertaking a public consultation process to inform its stakeholders on its budget priorities and how they align and support the District’s vision. You are welcome to attend the budget presentation on April 5, 2022, and are encouraged to submit questions and feedback based on the budget priorities presented. Find more information or register to attend here.

Thank you for your dedication and collaborative efforts to stay strong as a community. It has been a challenging time with the changing landscape of the pandemic, and pulling together has been the signature strength of SD73. As we enter the last week of March, we can see signs of Spring, which brings hope. Continue to look for the best in each day and enjoy your time with friends and family.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

February Deadlines Approaching for some Trades and Transitions Programs

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 18:15:00 GMT

It’s decision time.

If you are a student in grade 9, 10 or 11 and you are considering a career in any of the areas outlined below, please be aware you need to apply by Feb. 21, 2020 for some Trades and Transitions programs offered in the district.

To learn more about Secondary Programs of Choice, parents, guardians and students are invited to an information session at the NorKam Senior Secondary School cafeteria, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Feb. 11, 2020.

Trades Programs

Trades Sampler programs are available to all district students in grades 10 to 12. This is a single semester program providing 16 credits earned through hands-on skills and an introductory understanding of a cluster of related trades, taught by Red Seal trades instructors. The three samplers include construction (carpentry, plumbing, electrical and construction), mechanical (automotive, heavy duty and motorcycle technician, and welding), and industrial (millwright, steamfitter/pipefitter, sheet metal, instrumentation) trades clusters.

Students in grade 12 with a goal of entering a specific trade can attend a Trades Foundation program at TRU through the Youth Train in Trades program, receiving high school credit as well as the foundation program certification. The school district covers the tuition cost of the program.

Digital Arts and Technology Academy (formerly Digipen)

Students entering grade 11 or 12 who are planning a potential career in the software industry may be interest in the Digital Arts and Technology Academy hosted at Sa-Hali Secondary. Student in the program spend one semester at Sa-Hali, immersed in the world of digital design, graphics and software development. Taught through the lens of digital game development, students receive 4 courses of high school credit as well as 4 courses of university credit at TRU towards the completion of a B.Sc. in Computer Science.

TRU Start Programs

TRU start programs are available to all district students in grade 12. In partnership with Thompson Rivers University, students earn a full year of grade 12 elective credit while attending a diploma program at TRU, with tuition funding provided by the school district. This transition opportunity is available for the Health Care Assistant Diploma, Early Childhood Education Diploma, and the new to our district Police and Justice Studies Diploma programs at Thompson Rivers University.

Students entering grade 11 who are interested in a rigorous academic-focused university preparation studies should consider the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. Students will earn advanced credits towards post-secondary degrees at numerous universities – including Thompson Rivers University - while in the IB Programme, an internationally recognized university prep program.

TRU Start Courses

For students who want to start their post-secondary training in grade 12, the TRU Start course program offers gives students the opportunity to take a university course each semester, which can then be placed on their high school transcript for elective credit. Students can apply for funding covering the costs of tuition and books. For more information, check the TRU Start page.

For more information on any of these programs and to understand the options students have in grades 10, 11 and 12 and for application forms, see the district Trades and Transitions site.

Honour Band & Choir Concert

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Announcements

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 19:00:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Timetables for semester 2 will be given out on Monday, January 27 first thing in the morning (8:35 am). Students will see their homeroom (Block A) teacher to get their new timetables.

A reminder to students to please return any library books you are finished with or no longer reading.

Any Grade 12s who missed getting a TRU crewneck sweater will have another opportunity on Wednesday, January 29 at lunch in the main hallway.

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we engage together in many activities throughout October, I will focus on stories about Equity and Courage and profile the Systems Development Priority which is about the operations side of the school district (Finance, Human Resources, IT, Facilities, Transportation) throughout the year. This priority and our core values are further explained in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

World Teachers’ Day – October 5, 2024

This year’s World Teachers’ Day theme, Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education reminds me of the important voice that the KTTA Executive have in our district. President Darcy Martin and Vice President Laurel Macpherson meet with us regularly to share perspectives of teachers on all matters from the personal digital device survey, district administrative procedures, budget, and teacher’ needs and concerns, to name a few.Teachers’ voices and perspectives matter to ensure that students’ needs are met through high quality education provided by all educators.

Please take time to share your gratitude for all that teachers do for our children. They are there with welcoming smiles, encouraging words, and teaching lessons to advance students’ learning every day. Teachers ensure the wellbeing of each child and generations of educated citizens who strive to make the world a better place. Thank you, teachers, for everything you do!

South Kamloops Secondary School – October 2, 2024

Principal Preymak and I visited Ms. Richter’s English First Peoples Grade 12 class. Students had read a chapter about transformation of animals into humans and humans into animals. Evidence of the significance of transformation can be found in some origin or creation stories. These stories usually tell of an ancient time when people and animals could communicate and transform shape. Discussion centred around the meaning of this transformation theme and connection to Indigenous ways of knowing and being through story.

Mr. Wilson’s English First Peoples Grade 12 class was studying Secwepemctsín.

We then stopped to talk with Ms. Hefington and Ms. Hanson, Aboriginal Education Workers, and they were completing the 1701 process to ensure student enrolment is correct. When I asked what they are excited about, they each shared the projects that they do with student groups. For example, making a video or ribbon skirts, and participating in the Lahal tournaments were examples of learning opportunities that they found students appreciated for their cultural teachings, and they looked forward to doing them again. They also support a drumming group that includes students from Valleyview, one that is led by Ms. Thomas.

Ms. Spada, a Teacher Teaching On Call, was teaching Grade. 8 band. The students willingly played a couple of songs, and they were simply excellent – great energy, focus, rhythm, and timing. Thank you Grade 8 Band!

We then visited Ms. Yamaoka who was sharing how her Art class had taken part in a study of the grasslands by learning about them from a presenter who works for BC Grasslands Conservation Council. Students were sketching, painting, and writing about personal and societal connections to grasslands. What an inspiring study involving multi-literacies – reading, listening, viewing, writing, drawing, sketching, painting, and digital representations. They will be creating a calendar, and everyone is looking forward to it.

Ms. Hilaire’s French Social Studies 10 class was discussing and researching the locations of World War I on a map. Ms. Rusk’s Grade 11-12 20th Century World History Class was studying the Russian Revolution. Ms. Rusk stopped to share how enthusiastic she is about this year because of the students she gets to work with every day at SKSS.

Behavioural and Digital Threat Assessment Signing Ceremony – October 2, 2024

Thank you to District Principal Carmichael and Assistant Superintendent Mattes who invited me to join partners in signing our new Behavioural and Digital Threat Assessment Interagency Protocol, formerly known as the Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Protocol. Thank you to the partners who came together at the Henry Grube Education Centre to pledge our collective commitment to working together to reduce safety risks and to respond in timely and trauma-informed ways when such events happen. Read more.

Leadership Development Program – October 2, 2024

Thank you To Assistant Superintendents Carson, Mattes, and Reilly for organizing and supporting the community of Leadership Development Program Candidates (LDP) to meet for the first time this year. This year’s LDP candidates are: Amanda Jensen, Elise Hrycan, Andrea Dwyer, Tory Cardinal, Morgan Whitehouse, Morgan Kolasa, Jessica Baker, Denise Underwood, David Lam, Christina Gauley, Cheryl Volkaert, Brian Badgero, Ashley Moore, and Amber Dixon. They will be engaging in a series of ongoing professional learning about instructional and operational aspects of leadership within our District. The professional learning topics the LDP cohort will be engaging in this year include: Safe and Caring Schools, Curriculum Implementation, Equity Transformation Cycle, Human Resources Strategies for Instructional Leaders, and Financial Planning for Educational Leaders.

National Principals’ Month (October) and Principal and Vice Principal Professional Learning – October 3, 2024

Thank you to principals, vice principals, and district leaders who engaged in reflection on employee wellbeing and recognition and how to continue this work in meaningful ways this year.

District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC)

Board Notes

For those who would like to keep track of major events discussed at Board meetings, I will reference Board Notes (summaries of board meetings), which are available on the District website under “Our District/Board” under “Board Communications”. See Board Notes for the Regular Public Board meeting on September 23, 2024.

Thank you for all that you do and please continue to recognize each other and to enjoy time to rest, relax, and rejuvenate this weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Raise a Reader 2022 Campaign

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 21:00:00 GMT

It’s time to start collecting your loonies – Raise a Reader day is fast approaching!

The 15^th annual Raise a Reader fundraising and awareness campaign supports family literacy programs in BC. The tradition will continue on September 21 in partnership with our local newspaper, Kamloops this Week.

The most effective way for SD73 families to make a difference is by participating in Loonies for Literacy, an elementary school-level initiative where students bring in a loonie on or before September 21, 2022 to help support the cause. Last year, the District raised $2,289.90 in just 30 minutes by collecting loonies and other monetary donations.

“The ‘Loonies for Literacy’ fundraising idea was created during the COVID years under the leadership of District Early Years Coordinator, Marianne Vande Pol, and her SD73 Literacy team,” said Trustee Joe Small during his report to the Board of Education on Monday, September 12.

Created by the Vancouver Sun newspaper in 1997, the programs and services provided by funds raised empowers children and families with tools to improve their reading skills. These skills are the foundation for lifelong learning that affects the quality of life and the health and social economic well-being of individuals and families.

Locally, all the money raised on September 21 in the two-hour period between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. will go towards programs like One-to-One Reading, Parent Child Mother Goose, Come Read with Me, the Bright Red Bookshelves and Bright Red Book Bus, plus adult programs at the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre and senior digital literacy assistance at local libraries.

By partnering with Postmedia, the Province of British Columbia, Decoda Literacy Solutions, and with support from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, to-date the campaign has generated$1.3 million to support literacy initiatives in the Kamloops-Thompson area.

For more information, visit:

Literacy in Kamloops Facebook page
Raise a Reader Kamloops Facebook page
And pick up a print edition of the September 21st Kamloops This Week

Board Notes from May 6, 2024

Thu, 09 May 2024 22:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Board Recognition Award Presentation, District Student Advisory Report, and Financial Projections. Read Board Notes here.

An Update on the Student and Family Affordability Fund in SD73 for Parents

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 20:00:00 GMT

In the 2022-2023 school year, SD73 families benefitted from accessing $760,237 of the $1,656,000 Student and Family Affordability Fund provided by the Ministry of Education and Child Care for food and fees for courses, school supplies, activities, athletics, and field trips.

This year, the School District carried forward $746,000 of the Student and Family Affordability Fund to support families with school fees. These remaining funds are available to assist students and families with the following fees:

School Supplies
Course Fees
Enhancement Fees (i.e., Woodwork, Foods, Textiles, Band, etc.)
Academy Fees

New and existing food and snack programs will continue to be offered at your school through the Ministry’s new Feeding Futures Fund.

There are two ways to access fee assistance: online through SchoolCash Online or by completing a paper copy of the fees form at your school. If you require more information about or assistance with accessing SchoolCash Online, please contact your school’s secretary or visit your school’s website. The District Finance Department expects that if all families access the fund for these fees, the remaining funds will be fully used. The District will monitor the use of the Student and Family Affordability Fund from September 5 - November 30, 2023. Depending on the amount remaining on November 30, 2023, assistance with additional fees will be considered. The additional fees may include:

Second Semester Fees
Athletic Fees
Field Trip Fees

There will continue to be two methods to access this fund: SchoolCash Online and paper copies of forms in your school office. We appreciate that the Ministry of Education and Child Care has allowed us to carry forward the unused portion of the Student and Family Affordability Fund to continue to offer support to students and families for the 2023-2024 school year.

If you have any questions, please contact your school principal.

Board Notes from Dec. 16, 2019

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 17:45:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out who won Owl Award and hear the honour Choir. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from Apr. 27, 2020

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 15:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about StrongStart online and the approved 2020-2021 budget. Read Board Notes here.

Parent Engagement Session: Examining Eating Disorders

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 19:30:00 GMT

Presented by Child and Youth Mental Health Eating Disorder Clinicians

Join Child and Youth Mental Health Eating Disorder clinicians as they examine eating disorders, what they are and what you can do.

In this session, you will:

Examine what an eating disorder is
Review the signs and symptoms to watch for
Explore what to do and how to respond
Identify supports available in the community

This workshop will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, please register in advance here. Following your registration, you will receive the link to the meeting.

Board Notes from November 20, 2023

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 22:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Mental Wellness, District Employee Engagement Committee, and Family of Schools’ Mid-Year Review. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

These past two weeks have been about taking time to express kindness and care for each other. On February 23 (Pink Shirt Day), we continue with this theme of support for one another by celebrating diversity in our communities. Please take time this week to show others that they matter and are accepted for who they are. Every person is unique and brightens our lives.

Pink Shirt Day (February 23)

Markus Arella, a grade 9 student at Kamloops School of the Arts, has designed the motto, “Don’t be mean. Be magical!” This image and motto reminds us to stand together against bullying and to be an advocate for kindness and inclusivity by wearing pink on February 23, 2022.

Logan Lake Elementary and Secondary Schools

Principal Ron Collins and Vice-Principal John Blakley shared their focus on engaging students through personalized learning opportunities. In Mrs. Humphrey’s class, students were playing a spelling game with their words for the week. One student commented, “It is the best way to learn because she tells me a word and then I want to get it right to move forward on the game board.”

When we met with high school students who were video conferencing with a class from Clearwater Secondary, they commented, “It is just as good as learning face-to-face.” When asked how it is just as good, the students said, “We can easily ask questions or get help, and we can also help each other without disturbing the other class.” As we completed our tour, Principal Collins commented, “It was important to me that intermediate students experience the Applied Design, Skills and Technology (ADST) program which offers them woodworking, cooking, textiles, drama, and art at a young age to see what they might want to learn more about once they are in high school.” We talked with grades 5 and 6 students who were making simple machines that were researched in their English language arts classes. Logan Lake students have many diverse learning opportunities to explore their passions, and everyone was fully engaged in their learning.

Aboriginal Education and the BC Métis Federation

Assistant Superintendent Mochikas, District Principal Bowden, and I met with representatives from the BC Métis Federation. The District is collaborating with this partner organization to enhance curriculum that results in increasing awareness regarding Métis knowledge, language, and culture. I am sharing a link to curriculum resources available through the BC Métis Federation.

Leading Courageous Conversations about Trauma

On February 14, 2022, there was a session led by Alex Venet, author of Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education (2021). While there were many thought-provoking ideas in this session, one that struck me was “You have to feel it to heal it.” The idea was that we need to listen and to learn from the individual in pain to see past attempts to “fix” the pain and instead to understand what we might do to address the sources of it that are within our control (practices, policies, processes). If you would like to access the session, a video will be made available next week.

Continuity of Learning and Communicable Disease Prevention Plan (COVID-19)

This past week, our student and staff attendance has returned to what is typical for this time of year. Simultaneous to these normal absenteeism rates, the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, announced the relaxing of restrictions in Public Health Orders for the community and K-12 settings.

The following changes will take place in schools starting today:

School gatherings and events.

There are no capacity limits on school gatherings and events where attending staff, students, and necessary volunteers are all from the same school. This includes:?

Large gatherings, like school assemblies
Staff gatherings, like meetings or professional development activities

At gatherings between schools, or school events involving participants or spectators from outside the school, limit attendance to 50 people or 50% operating capacity (whichever is greater). This includes:

Arts club performances, like a play or recital
Sports games and tournaments

Spectators (e.g., parents, caregivers, peers), may be present for gatherings and events (e.g., attend performance club theatre productions, inter-school sports games and tournaments, etc.) within capacity limits.

Proof of vaccination. Proof of vaccination is not required for attendance at school-led gatherings and events.

Visitors. Visitors are no longer limited to those supporting activities of direct benefit to student learning and wellbeing.

More information on these changes can be found on the Ministry of Education’s Covid-19 Safe Schools website.

Enjoy your friends and family on this wonderful Family Day Long weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Gaming Concerns, Balance, Addiction & Opportunities for Parents

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 21:15:00 GMT

Presented by The White Hatter

Gaming is a massive industry that for many young people is their primary mode of entertainment and hobby. For some, gaming can even lead to a career in the industry. However, this activity is not without problems that can lead to challenges in having a balanced lifestyle. Harnessing gaming in a safe and effective way can provide many opportunities for gamers of all ages.

In this session, The White Hatter will provide guidance to families on creating healthy gameplay while delving into research, stories, and firsthand examples of the positives and negatives in this industry. They will also examine the research surrounding the debate around addiction. This program addresses:

Problematic Gameplay

How much is too much gameplay
Age appropriateness
Staying safe in online games

Opportunities

What benefits can come from gaming
Jobs of the future

Addiction

Prevalence
Research

This workshop will be streamed live on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and includes a Q&A segment. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here. Following your registration, you will receive a presentation link and password to the meeting.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 15 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers

We have had a very successful week with lower student absenteeism than what has been experienced historically. Thank you for having your children stay home when ill and for putting health and wellness first for everyone. While this is a time of uncertainty, our District Continuity of Learning Plan and commitment to existing and enhanced safety measures has been effective.

District Student Advisory Council

On Wednesday, January 12, our District Student Advisory Council, a group of secondary student leaders from every secondary school in our District, reviewed five-year trends for SD73 high school students’ sense of belonging. They found that a sense of belonging declines in grade 10 and increases in grade 12.

Some ideas about why the decline happened in grade 10 were:

change to a new location is hard (i.e., experiencing a new environment and social group) often created a feeling of loneliness and alienation (not belonging);
work often started in grade 10 and this was another change to adapt to while learning expectations of grade 10;
life becomes more serious in grade 10 because they are having to decide what to do for a career and set up their schedules to achieve it. Looking forward is pressure-filled.

Some ideas to improve this decline in grade 10 were:

sharing these trends to show that if someone in grade 10 feels that they do not belong when they enter high school, “they are not alone” and “they are normal”;
creating transition events (e.g., host a virtual “Link Day” for the students who will be entering high school to meet each other and to engage in team activities);
getting to know who they are (passions, values) can help to ground them so getting involved in clubs and teams is helpful;
seeing “school as a tool to pursue one’s passions” rather than “absorbing information”;
reframing school as a time to discover passions instead of studying to get high-paying jobs is what will fuel a sense of identity and belonging in school.

Deputy Minister Communication- Rapid Antigen Tests

Deputy Minister Christina Zacharuk and Dr. Réka Gustafson, Public Health and Wellness and Deputy Provincial Health Officer were on a Zoom call with superintendents today to share the anticipated news that rapid antigen tests will be distributed to school districts next week. The goal is to provide staff with tests so that when symptomatic, they can determine whether they have COVID and to discern, with health advice, when to return to work. This starting point is to ensure program continuity for students, and it was considered another tool, not a required tool, to remain operational during this Omicron variant wave.

Interior Health Communication

Superintendents received a letter from Interior Health (IH) confirming that contact tracing and public notification of potential exposures is no longer feasible or effective. As shared last week, Omicron is infecting individuals much faster than previous strains of COVID-19 and incubation periods are shorter, which makes calling those infected to be too slow. By the time calls are made, positive cases have been in close contact with others and symptoms have already resolved or increased. The direction from Interior Health for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is to self-report a positive test, self-isolate, and notify close contacts. This information, along with examples of close contacts, can be found on the Interior Health website .

Supporting Immunocompromised Learners

As indicated in the District Continuity of Learning Plan, students who are immunocompromised and/or have complex medical issues will be supported. For short-term absences, teachers will continue to support learners, with assistance from school teams. The District Home Hospital services team can provide additional support, if needed. Students requiring support for long-term absences can work directly with their school principal. School leaders will communicate with their respective Assistant Superintendent regarding programs and services that are available.

Existing safety measures

Continue to complete the daily health checklist or use the K to 12 Health Check App;
Ensure that students and staff stay home when they are sick or have symptoms;
Use available space to spread out and to respect others’ personal space;
Students and staff wear a mask when in schools or riding a bus;
Regular and effective hand washing and/or sanitizing;
Clean and disinfect surfaces at least once a day.

Enhanced safety measures

Continue to emphasize the completion of the daily health checklist or use the K to 12 Health Check App;
Continue to stay home when sick or have symptoms;
Continue to maintain personally respectful space between individuals;
Continue to wear a mask when in schools and when riding a bus;
Continue regular and effective hand washing and/or sanitizing;
Continue cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces at least once a day;
School events and assemblies will be virtual;
Adult-only meetings (e.g., staff meetings) will be virtual, whenever possible;
Visitors to the school will be limited to those who provide direct benefit to student learning and wellbeing (e.g., teacher candidates, meal program volunteers, etc.);
Spectators at school events, including sporting events, are not permitted;
School classrooms will be reconfigured to maximize the amount of personal space available;
Break times will be staggered and students will use outdoor classroom doors to reduce the congestion in hallways and shared spaces during transition and break times;
Restrict the sharing of food among students.

Enjoy your weekend after a successful return to school.Take time with family and friends while staying safe.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Teamwork: An Essential School Cleaning Strategy

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 16:15:00 GMT

Staff, teachers and students are showing how teamwork is essential to keeping schools clean during the pandemic.

Teamwork and Support

There has been a shift in the way students and staff move through their day. District Manager Allen Blohm said there has been a big change in student behaviour, particularly among grade 11 and 12 students.

“Hallways are not busy. With multiple entrances, staggered breaks, no locker use and the shutdown of gathering spaces like cafeterias, there are no crowds of students in the hallways,” said Allen Blohm, District Manager of Operations. “This is even true in schools with large populations of students, like NorKam.”

The focus on cleaning high touch points at least twice a day has been a challenge in larger schools.

“In smaller schools, our custodians are able to clean the building in 90-minute cycles, which means some of them are being cleaned up to three times a day,” he said. “In larger schools, it’s happening with the assistance of teachers and students.”

The NorKam library gets cleaned in the morning and at noon, and students are stepping up here, too.

“We have wipes that students use to wipe down their Chromebooks and work areas,” said NorKam teacher-librarian Greg Hafeli.

“I try to get to every surface twice a day as a minimum,” said Allan Bancroft, a custodian at NorKam. We have also had bus drivers coming in to help with the cleaning, to make sure the school’s 17 bathrooms get cleaned twice a day. There are hand sanitizing stations set up and maintained at the four entrances to the building.”

“My students are really good at sanitizing,” said Jo-Anna Allen, a NorKam teacher. “They clean their tables and chairs at the end of each class and sometimes before class. They wash their hands before class at the sinks, they use hand sanitizers, they are all wearing their masks, they stay in their groups and they stay physically distanced as much as possible. It’s good.”

“In our classroom our students no longer have access to the kitchen or the microwaves, said Deb Dillman, NorKam district resource teacher. “They have their own bathroom, and they do extra cleaning. Everything gets sprayed down several times a day.”

Only products that meet rigid criteria are approved for use in the District. The products being used are RMC Enviro Care Neutral Disinfectant and Wood Wyant Saber Vert2Go Concentrate. These products are purchased with scent considerations such as scent-free or reduced scent.

“I take it very seriously,” said Bancroft. “I would feel bad if anybody here got sick, so we are doing the best we can to make sure everybody’s safe. That’s the bottom line.”

Kids at Work In District

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 16:30:00 GMT

When Kate Chamberlin walked into the SD73 School Board Office on Wednesday November 2, she didn’t know what to expect.

“It was crazy the amount of different jobs there are in the small spaces in this building,” she said. “It looks a lot smaller from the outside.”

Kate was participating in Take Our Kids to Work day. As a grade nine student at South Kamloops Secondary, she decided to spend the day with her aunt, Micah Strecheniuk, the SD73 Disability /Attendance manager.

It’s a national program hosted by parents friends relatives and volunteers across Canada, and it gives students a chance to explore different careers.

“I am interested a career in health care, like physical therapy and nursing,” said Kate. “Because my Dad’s work, at the hospital, is unable to participate due to Covid, I decided to come and spend the day with my aunt.”

Kate spent the day learning about communications, transportation, and human resources jobs.

“It’s not health-related, really, but there are parts to these careers I can see now would be useful to be aware of in a health care setting,” she said. “For example, human resources and building relationships and communicating with people is important in every career.”

“The more students understand about the jobs of their parents and relatives, the more informed the decisions about their own future career,” said Rick Kienlein, Director of Instruction, Secondary.

For more information, visit the website at www.thelearningpartnership.ca

Schools Are Closed - Plans for Continued Learning Underway

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 16:15:00 GMT

Schools remain closed to the public as School District No. 73 makes plans this week with school staff to address the learning needs of students over the next several months.

Principals and managers are reaching out to staff starting today after the regular one-week spring break to provide them with a schedule for attendance to ensure social distancing measures are followed. Additionally, the district has scheduled a minimum of one custodian during the day for continuous cleaning and disinfecting, and additional support staff will be reassigned exclusively for surface cleaning.

“We are asking parents to please reassure your children that their teacher will be in touch with them very soon with a plan to reconnect them to their learning,” said Alison Sidow, Superintendent. “These are challenging times for us all, but I am confident that our amazing and dedicated staff will have many innovative ideas to ensure the children in our care continue to learn.”

SD73 is also requesting parents to ensure their children are practicing social distancing. “We are taking tremendous efforts to protect our students and staff at this time, yet many youth are gathering in large groups at beaches, in the outskirts of town, and on the playgrounds despite the advice from the Provincial Health Officer,” said Sidow.

The district is working on an expedited plan to have most of its school-based staff work from home. This option, however, is not possible for everyone. Additional precautions have been taken for employees who will remain on their regular work schedule including custodians, maintenance, IT, HR, communication, and finance staff who are doing everything they can to keep the organization running safely and smoothly.

“I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for all of us to remain calm, to be safe, and to be kind to each other during this these unsettling times,” said Sidow, in a message she sent to all staff on Sunday, March 22.

“I have been assured by a Medical Health Officer from Interior Health, that there are no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in either our staff or our students at this time and I applaud those who have self-isolated when experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms as recommended by our Provincial Health Officer.”

In the wake of the news that in-classroom instruction was suspended, the district has been developing a continuity of learning plan to ensure students remain connected to their teachers and continue to learn. There is a particular focus on preparing grade 12 students for graduation, protecting vulnerable learners, and ensuring the children of essential workers are supported.

As preparations are underway to support student’s learning from a distance, schools will not be open to students or the public. Parents are asked not to return to school to pick up resources or personal effects unless contacted by their child’s teacher or principal. A schedule will be prepared by each school to allow for the safe pick up of resources and personal belongings that follows the social distancing guidelines set out by the Provincial Health Officer.

Your Child and the New Competency Based IEP

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 21:30:00 GMT

Due to technical difficulties, we have rescheduled the March IEP Parent Engagement Session to April 11:

Does your child have an Inclusive Education Plan (IEP)? If so, then this session is for you. SD73 is rolling out competency-based IEPs in September 2022. Learn how competency-based IEPs are similar and yet different from the current education plans being used. You will also learn more about how you, the parent/guardian, will be a significant stakeholder in the development of the new competency-based IEP process.

Presented by Pam Gurney, Inclusive Education Services Coordinator.

The workshop will be held via Zoom on Monday, April 11, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here, and you will be provided with the link to the meeting.

Announcements

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 18:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

Anyone interested in auditioning for this year's Spring play please come to Mrs. Fonseca's room at lunch on December 12 for an information meeting.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Let the door decorating begin! The SKSS Leadership class is having a door decorating contest to get in the spirit of the holidays. Help your teachers in your A-Block classes make their classroom entrances festive over the next couple weeks and we will judge them for prizes the week before the break.

Today band students will be hosting a coffee house in the band room at lunch. Funds raised support the 2020 Music Trip. There will be snacks and hot drinks to purchase as well as live entertainment! We hope to see you all out to support this fundraiser!

Party games, like water pong and flip cup, will be held at lunch in the drama room. This will be the final day of games in support of our District food drive competition. Come and show your support and bring a food bank donation. Prizes of all sorts will be given out to the winners. But most importantly, the winners will receive bragging rights of being the best baller.

The next WCT Matinee program play is “The Sound of Music” on December 10 at 11:00 a.m. If you are registered for the program please come and see Mrs. Fonseca for more details.

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Electric School Bus Now Running in Kamloops-Thompson

Fri, 28 May 2021 17:00:00 GMT

A new electric school bus is now part of the fleet in the Kamloops-Thompson School District as one of 18 delivered to 13 school districts across the province this month.

“This is an important milestone in our commitment to sustainability in the Kamloops-Thompson School District,” said Rhonda Kershaw, Board Chair. “We are grateful for the funding for this e-bus, and for the opportunity to provide cleaner and healthier transportation to our students while reducing our carbon footprint.”

Electric school buses produce zero emissions and support CleanBC’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2030. They cost more than diesel buses, and even with the additional CleanBC funding, school districts are required to put in some of their own capital.

The total cost of the bus and its charging station is $387,017. The Ministry of Education is contributing $140,544 and CleanBC is contributing $119,358. A carbon-neutral rebate ($65,000), a GST rebate ($11,323), and a charging station rebate ($6,000) applied to the total cost, means the cost to the District is about $45,000.

“The plan is to trial one bus to determine how it performs in our climate and terrain,” said Superintendent Dr. Terry Sullivan. “Assuming the trial is successful, we would add more electric buses as funding allows.”

A diesel-powered school bus costs about $150,000.

It is estimated there will be a 40 per cent decrease in maintenance costs for the electric bus, and considerable fuel cost savings.

“A diesel school bus will travel about 550 kilometers on $175 of diesel fuel while charging the electric bus will cost about $50 in electricity,” said Transportation Manager Sherry Kristjanson. “The range of an electric bus with a full charge is about 220 kilometres.”

Kristjanson said the e-bus range can potentially be greater, depending on the use of the regenerative braking feature, which means that when the driver’s foot is lifted slightly off the accelerator pedal, there is some regeneration of power to the bus.

The new 76 passenger e-bus will initially be used in Brocklehurst and North Kamloops, and for some field trips. It’s a high-tech addition to SD73’s fleet of 84 diesel buses that travel an average of 9,100 kilometres each day transporting more than 4,300 students on 64 routes in the communities of Barriere, Chase, Clearwater, Kamloops, Savona, Westwold, and Vavenby.

CleanBC is the government’s plan to reduce carbon pollution and build a cleaner economy for people throughout B.C., through more than $2 billion in provincial funding over five years.

Bus Drivers Helping Clean SD73 Schools

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 22:00:00 GMT

A contingent of school bus drivers are helping School District No. 73 Kamloops-Thompson facility and operations staff clean schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A bus drivers’ usual workday cannot be delivered remotely, so this keeps those able to work during the pandemic, employed for the district in a meaningful way,” said Allen Blohm, operations manager.

Transportation manager Sherry Kristjanson said while some drivers are off due to compromised immune and health issues, and some are self-isolating, about 40 bus drivers have been assigned a school to clean, and they work their usual shifts each week day.

“I am so impressed with our bus drivers who are willing to help out where needed,” said Kristjanson. “I know they would be thrilled to get back to their normal day to day work but until then they are just happy to be pitching in where they can to help our district as we navigate through these challenging times.”

“It’s awesome,” said Doug Marchuk, a school bus driver for the district. “It’s great to know we are doing something for the kids even now, by helping make sure the schools are clean and healthy for them.”

Marchuk has an affinity for the school he’s working at, South Kamloops Secondary. He graduated from the school with his brothers, his mother was a secretary at the school, and his father was a groundskeeper there. His children graduated from SKSS, too.

For Rick Popoff, also a school bus driver for the district, this work is making the best of a challenging situation. He and fellow driver Dave Taylor are currently cleaning books in the library at Sa-Hali Senior Secondary.

“It’s a very labour-intensive project, making sure the cover of each book is wiped clean,” said Popoff. “It’s going to take a while, but it’s an important job.”

“I really appreciate they were willing to step in,” said Blohm. “We needed this extra cleaning done, and their efforts means we are able to maintain a high level of cleaning in our schools.”

Indigenous Parent and Caregiver Engagement Session #3

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 19:30:00 GMT

Join us for our next Indigenous Parent and Caregiver Engagement Session in-person at the Henry Grube Education Centre or virtually via ZOOM on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 from 5:30–7:00 PM.

This engagement session will include a presentation from Suzette Prince from Secwépemc Child & Family Services and storytelling with Secwepemctsi?n Language, History, and Cultural Educator Jackie Jules from Secwe?pemc Museum and Heritage Park.

Attendees can choose a literacy gift – options include:

Porcupine by Mike Bowden: Kú7pece (Porcupine) has always struggled with his emotions and pushed his relations away. Kú7pece does not like this part of himself and wants to explore his identity and learn more about himself, his family, and the land. To connect with his relations and his friends, Kú7pece decides to build a gathering place: a c7ístkten? (winter home). This is a place he is hoping his relations can gather and learn about each other through sharing stories. However, Kú7pece traps the sun and soon gets distracted by the sun’s heat and light. So much so, he forgets who he is and his purpose. Soon he is trapped too and cannot see that he is neglecting his responsibilities. It takes the sacrifice of his relations and friends to help him realize he was trapped in his own reality. Once he realizes the lesson of the sacrifice of his friends – that they were trying to help him reconnect to his own place and purpose – he uses all his courage to turn away from the sun’s heat and light. Slowly, he remembers his identity, purpose, and responsibilities. In the end, Kú7pece finds himself again and reconnects with his relations to gather to tell stories, learn from each other, and support one another.
Chief Goose by Mike Bowden: Kúkwpi7 K?wsucw (Chief Goose) is the leader of the k?wsucw (geese). As a leader, he relies on doing things the way his people have always done and does not want to change anything. But his people are not prepared for the long winter and Kúkwpi7 K?wsucw realizes it is time for him to be a true leader. Following ancient protocols, he first consults the great spirit for guidance and wisdom. Then he begins the journey to lead his people in search for a better place to live during the long winter season. Through trial and error, he learns that listening to others and allowing his people to help him lead is the path to the well-being of the k?wsucw.
Bear and Coyote by Mike Bowden: Kenkéknem (Bear) and Sek?lép (Coyote) are both busy preparing for the long winter months ahead. Kenkéknem eats berries while Sek?lép dries salmon and bakes Bannock. They have always done this separately and do not want to share with each other. However, this year Kenkéknem is curious about what Sek?lép is doing, and he is also very hungry. Kenkéknem's curiosity and hunger soon get them both in trouble. This forces them to work and learn together to find out how to solve their problem. In the process, they learn through shared experiences and reflect together. They then discover that they have many new stories to share and new ways to prepare food together.
The Journey Forward, A Novella On Reconciliation by Monique Gray Smith & Richard Van Camp:

- When We Play Our Drums, They Sing! by Richard Van Camp: This is the story of 12-year-old Dene Cho, who is angry that his people are losing their language, traditions, and ways of being. Elder Snowbird is there to answer some of Dene Cho’s questions, and to share their history including the impact Residential schools continue to have on their people. It is through this conversation with Snowbird that Dene Cho begins to find himself, and begins to realize that understanding the past can ultimately change the future.

- Lucy & Lola by Monique Gray Smith: Lucy and Lola are 11-year-old twins who are heading to Gabriola Island, BC, to spend the summer with their Kookum (grandmother) while their mother studies for the bar exam. During their time with Kookum, the girls begin to learn about her experiences in being sent — and having to send their mother — to Residential school. Ultimately, they discover what it means to be intergenerational survivors.

Indigenous Parent and Caregiver Engagement Session #3

When: Tuesday, March 11, 2025, from 5:30–7:00 PM.

Where: In-person and on Zoom

In-Person: Henry Grube Education Centre, 245 Kitchener Crescent, Kamloops, BC. Refreshments and treats will be provided for guests who attend in-person.
Zoom: Virtual attendees will receive an email with the Zoom link prior to the engagement session and the book will be delivered to the school your child/children attend.

If you are interested in attending, please register in advance here.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

As we are coming to the end of June, many of you, along with students, are finishing projects and attending goodbye celebrations. I hope that you are enjoying these celebrations and the time to reconnect and spend quality time with friends and family.

Four Directions Program

District Principal Mike Bowden, District Vice Principal Mike Faisthuber, and I were fortunate to take part in the annual report on the Four Directions program. This program is for Indigenous students who seek to have individualized programming that is relevant and engaging curriculum infused with cultural experiences, knowledge, and teachings. Ms. Courtney Bruin, Ms. Jordan Smith, and Ms. Laverne Tremblay are a strong team who are committed to ensuring that every student in the program has experiential learning (creating concrete planters and wooden birdhouses, as examples) that enables them to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

They also attended a trip to Vancouver where they met the owner of Salmon and Bannock Restaurant, who welcomed the students to help cook and to learn about key menu items. They engaged in a traditional welcome to the territory by Dallas Gus from the Squamish Nation, and then they made cedar bracelets using traditional Indigenous practices. They engaged 34 students (5 from Grade 9, 8 from Grade 10, 11 from Grade 11, and 10 from Grade 12) in curriculum-based projects that emerged from the theme, “thriving”.

Skylar Isador-Oakes (Grade 12) is one of the Four Directions students, and he willingly posed for us because he recently won the Vincent Spina Award, which is for “a young person who has faced many obstacles in life, but has demonstrated that a positive attitude and true effort can bring personal joy and fulfillment.” In honour of Vincent’s effort, his parents, Ross and Marg Spina, have created this award to recognize others who have faced obstacles on their way to attaining their educational goals and dreams.

Skylar shared how he plans to continue in post-secondary, and he would not have been able to do that without taking part in Four Directions.

Twin Rivers Education Centre

Principal Mike Johnson and Vice Principal Cherie Finley and I first met with “Chef Robear,” Robert Arychuk, who was making a chicken dish in preparation for serving lunch to students. Students look forward to the delicious dishes served daily and enriched because of the Feeding Futures funding. When I asked how this funding has helped, Chef Robear shared, “It has enabled me to offer more selections, more often.”

Mr. Noble’s Grade 9–12 Humanities class was working on Social and English assignments to finish the year. Izzy (Grade 11) had taken part in Youth Train in Trades, and she explained, “I took most of the certificates offered such as First Aid and WHMIS training courses to add to my CV.” Rayna (Grade 11) shared how when the TRU adviser came to their school, she discussed the possibility of taking programming to lead towards a career in Digital Arts. She found out that Valleyview offered the DATA speciality program, and she was accepted to attend next year. Trae (Grade 12) is hoping to get into a trades program to get his Red Seal in Carpentry. He was finishing English 12 and will soon graduate.

Rayna, Annabelle, and Jayce are three students who worked with Ms. Geri Thomas and Ms. Lisa Bucher to design and prepare a mural for the outside of the Aboriginal Education Portable. This mural was thoughtfully developed with a book (to represent learning and knowledge) and with animals that represented the Seven Grandfather Teachings. They worked with a local artist named Nate who helped to teach them about the artistic use of spray paint to create a professional graffiti design. Each of the students shared how they chose to design the inside of their animal with symbols that were meaningful to them. For example, Rayna made white water rafting inside of the bear because to go white water rafting takes “courage” which is what bear means. Jayce described how he chose two hands together to show what it means to be humble. They had decided to use a sasquatch animal and he chose it because of what it represented, “Humility”.

The students in the Humanities class, including these three students, shared how being at TREC has been what helped them succeed. When they each elaborated on why, the key ideas shared were that this environment is calmer with fewer students, they can get more help when they need it, and they choose where and when to work on courses at their own pace.

Mr. Cody Hilton was teaching Math and Science, and he had only a couple of students finishing their assignments for the year. I spoke more with Annabelle who is taking Physics 11 and Chemistry 11, and she has already been accepted at TRU to take her Bachelor of Science Degree. Her goal is to study traditional and Western medicine to see where they intersect. “I want to make a bridge between the two, to help Indigenous people who do not alway trust Western doctors to see how they can make connections to Indigenous approaches.”

Ms. Amanda Big Sorrel Horse and Ms. Geri Thomas, and other staff members worked on making 22 food hampers to send out to families over the summer. They have been instrumental to support families throughout the year. Feeding Futures funding has supported this initiative. Ms. Fletcher and Ms. Kehler were working hard to prepare for the Grandparents’ tea which was set to take place in the afternoon.

Barriere Mural Unveiling

Barriere Elementary School is celebrating their 60th Anniversary. Students, staff, and community members have created tiles to show their love of the school—when placed together, the individual tiles make a beautiful mosaic.

Y7ucwmentwécw (pronounced Yucw-men-twe-kuh)—translated from Secwepemctsín, meaning “getting used to one another”—is an art project intended to symbolize acceptance and reconciliation. The Y7ucwmentwécw mosaic is the result of a collaborative project that involved students, staff, and PAC families from Neqweyqwelsten School and Barriere Elementary School. Read more.

Band Graduations

We experienced band graduations to celebrate the Grade 12 students who are moving into the next chapter of their lives at the Adams Lake Band (June 17), Skwlax Te Secwepemculecw (June 18), and Neskonlith (June 20). The gift of the blankets for each grad is a tradition of honouring them and their achievements. Thank you to the band managers and coordinators who organized these beautiful ceremonies.

KTTA Retirement Recognition

We experienced the wonderful words of teacher retirees who came together to celebrate their careers in which they gave selflessly to students and families, and expressed their gratitude for doing what they loved every day. Thank you to Ms. Darcy Martin (President) and Ms. Teri Allen-Innis (Vice President) who opened with remarks that truly honoured teachers.

National Indigenous Peoples Day

On June 21, for National Indigenous Peoples Day, our District recognizes and celebrates the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada. Every school in the District described what they are doing to commemorate this important day. Some examples include field trips, sharing the Welcome Song, and starting the day with the acknowledgment of National Indigenous Peoples Day and its importance as part of the Canadian government’s commitment to “Celebrate Canada”. Teachers will be doing various lessons acknowledging Indigenous Peoples and cultures that have made significant contributions to our society. Read more.

I hope that you enjoy a wonderful weekend.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

District Aboriginal Student Leadership Council Creates Utopia

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 16:30:00 GMT

Members of the District Aboriginal Student Leadership Council have created their own utopia just in time for National Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

The group of ten students recently wrote, recorded, and produced their own music video through Mobile Production Studio’s N’we Jinan, an organization that develops, implements, and executes artistic and educational programming in First Nations communities and schools.

N’we Jinan music producer Milan Andre Boronell recently told CBC Daybreak Kamloops host Shelley Joyce about the process: “it’s honestly mind-blowingly incredible. With every experience, I try to not micromanage or plan too much ahead and the spontaneity and energy and connection of every community and group of youth inspires the process, fostering a trusting energy that allows people to open themselves up.”

The entire intensive creative process takes four days to complete and involved nine Aboriginal students from Chase Secondary, SKSS, Norkam, Brock Middle, @KOOL, and Sa-Hali Secondary.

The creation and writing of the song is completed on day one, the song is recorded on day two, and the video production rounds out the third and fourth days.

“It’s a lot different than you’d think,” said Marilyn Lysons, grade 8 Brock Middle School student and participant in the project. “You’d think it would be really easy and at times, it is, but when you’re listening to the background music and trying to write down your lyrics, it can be quite challenging because nobody knows what way they want to do.”

Lysons’ cousin also helped create a previous N’we Jinan video, which inspired her to want to take part in the unique opportunity as well.

Contributor Zayn Haskil, grade 8 @KOOL student, discussed overcoming his fears while participating in the creation: “Before this, I never had a lot of courage. I couldn’t sing in front of people for the life of me but this experience has helped with that.”

Sharing credits on the song with Lysons and Haskil are students Ayla Stad, Akita Abraham, Caitlyn Campbell, Mikey Friesen, Hazel Jack-James, Keila Paul, and Rain Dunstan.

“Vulnerability, love, and supportive energy – that’s really the ingredients to all of these projects,” said Boronell.

“This is excellent evidence of the importance of the fine arts in enabling students to communicate how they are and who they are becoming and yet another example of student voice leading the way in SD73,” said Rhonda Nixon, Superintendent of Schools.

Board Notes from October 16, 2023

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 21:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about School Learning Plan Highlights, Student Enrolment Report, and School Bus Safety Week. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from February 6, 2023

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 21:45:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about Family of Schools, District Employee Engagement Survey, and Long-Range Facilities Grant Report. Read Board Notes here.

Board Notes from January 23, 2023

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 16:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Human Rights and Anti-racism Education, and Mid-Year review District Strategic Plan. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 02 May 2025 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

It is hard to believe that we have started the second last month of school! In May, our stories highlight the many events, ceremonies, and special learning opportunities that help everyone to develop strong, positive Connections and Relationships (one of the core values in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan).

Official Day of Remembrance and Mourning: Lapu Lapu Tragedy: May 2, 2025

Premier David Eby has declared Friday, May 2, 2025, an official day of remembrance and mourning for the victims of the Lapu Lapu tragedy, providing the people of British Columbia an opportunity to come together, grieve the loss of innocent lives, and recognize the contributions the victims made to their communities and the province. An online book of condolences for the victims’ families is available for signing until the end of day on Monday, May 5, 2025.

A.E. Perry Elementary School – April 30, 2025

Principal Mabee and Vice Principal Plummer were dressed up as “Thing 1 and Thing 2” from Dr. Seuss for “Dress up as your Favourite Book Character Day”, which coincided with Canadian Children’s Book Week (April 28–May 4, 2025). Students loved to touch their blue hair and guess which book they were from.

Mrs. Plummer shared how every day on morning announcements, they have students share biographies of famous people from different cultures. This month was Sikh Heritage Month, so each morning they showcased a famous Sikh Canadian. They also display facts about the people they reference on the announcements. It is their goal to highlight the variety of different cultures and over 35 languages represented in their school, in hopes of helping every family to see itself in the school’s artifacts and practices.

Before we started our classroom visits, we discussed the school’s continued focus on improving both primary and intermediate literacy—the teachers have been using and sharing resources, such as the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI, pronounced “you fly”) reading program.

We started in Ms. Minaker’s Grade 1 class, where Ms. Fennell, Indigenous Resource Teacher for the District, taught the students how to play a game her grandmother had taught her, and students watched her roll dice and then match beads to the number of rolled, and then the students played in small groups.

Ms. Cattermole’s Grade 5-6 class, students were engaged in building kites, while some students finished their string art and others were reading. One student, Marcus, had brought his dad’s book about Physics from home, and he shared a fun fact about how nuclear fission works.

In Ms. Pereversoff’s small group of Grade 1 students, she had them decoding “ng” words and writing “bang”, “king”, and “ding” as examples. In Grade 1, Mrs. MacPherson was working with a small group to engage in reading, speaking, and writing experiences about blending consonants. They were looking for consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant (CVCC) words in the text, and reading them together.

Ms. Underwood’s Grade 6 class was studying French and completing a quiz of the French alphabet. Ms. Hunter’s Grade 1 class was engaged in a directed drawing lesson that invited students to draw in stages as it was modelled.

We stopped to see Ms. Bennett, an Indigenous Education Worker, who shared the many activities that she prepares for small groups of students throughout the school. She works with over 125 Indigenous students in girls groups, boys groups, and cultural games groups. She is passionate about creating spaces where students develop connections and can decompress through puzzles, playing games, colouring, and learning about their cultural backgrounds, practices, and histories.

Ms. Danyluk was preparing her Kindergarten class for Baby Marcus who they called their “tiny teacher”. Baby Marcus is part of the Roots of Empathy program in which students learn about what it means to care for a baby and about developmental milestones of children as they grow up.

Mrs. Bymoen was in Mrs. Shull’s Kindergarten class. She was teaching them about the “st” sound at the end of “roast”. Mrs. Barrow’s Kindergarten class was engaged in “show and share”.

Mrs. Cowan had students gathered around three jars with water of various temperatures and food colouring in them. The students predicted the impact of the water’s temperature on the molecules in each jar. They predicted that the heat would make the molecules move faster and spread the colour more quickly. The conversation continued around how to make molecules move and change. Ms. Anderson’s Grade 2 class was engaged in varied computer math games.

Ms. Plummer shared the plan for their Literacy Project designed to offer greater intervention and enrichment for Indigenous students over the next 8 weeks. We had a wonderful visit, and the students and staff were enjoying rich learning together.

Young Artists’ Conference and Arts Evening – April 30, 2025

I attended and spoke at the 38th Annual Young Artists; Gallery Grand Opening at the Old Courthouse in Kamloops. Grade 4-7 students had submitted their artwork for consideration for awards. It was less about the submission of artwork for the potential to earn top standing in a competition and more about the learning. One student commented, “I chose to take photography as one of my workshops at TRU today because I wanted to learn about that form of art.” When asked if she expected she might have a career involving the arts, she said, “No, but it is my passion.” The students had submitted a wide variety of artwork, including drawings, charcoal sketches, water paintings, oil paintings, fabric art, and three dimensional art, to name examples.

The important part of their submissions was the personal stories shared alongside their artwork. These small stories illuminated how personally important many of the pieces were to the young artist. Themes such as adventure, love, sadness, loneliness, fear, and loss, as well as celebration and acknowledgement of nature and peace were prevalent.

Elementary Battle of the Books – April 24, 2025

Last Thursday, 69 teams from elementary schools across the Kamloops-Thompson School District competed in the 37th annual Battle of the Books. Congratulations to all the student teams who participated and to this year’s Battle of the Books winners: the Grade 3/4 winning team was Raft River Elementary, the Grade 5 winning team was McGowan Park Elementary, and the Grade 6/7 winning team was from Pacific Way Elementary. Thank you to all the Teacher-Librarians and staff who planned and organized this year’s event. Read more.

Junior Fire Crew – April 23–26, 2025

Last week, 19 Grade 11 and 12 students from across the Kamloops-Thompson School District participated in Junior Fire Crew—an annual career exploration event offered by the District’s Trades and Transitions program in partnership with BC Wildfire Services. The purpose of the program is to provide a professional and engaging learning environment to introduce students to fundamental wildland firefighting skills and knowledge used by the BC Wildfire Service. Over the four-day workshop, students gained hands-on training and real-life insight from wildfire fighting professionals in the classroom and in the field in an experience the students described as “fun but challenging.” Read more.

National Principals’ and Vice Principals’ Day – May 1, 2025

Thank you to all of the school and district principals and vice principals for what you do every day. You ensure that schedules and events run smoothly, that you know the staff, students, and families, and you celebrate the many good things that happen in classrooms. You are there through the good and hard conversations, and through it all, you execute consummate professionalism and empathy. We appreciate you for all that you do and give every day.

Board Notes

To learn more about the Regular Public Board meeting on April 28, 2025, please read Board Notes here. To learn more about the 2025-2026 Budget, please watch the 2025-2026 Budget presentation here and read more here.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Board Notes from Jan. 13, 2020

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 21:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about the conclusion of the Parkcrest Fire Investigation and support for a foundry. Read Board Notes here.

Your Child and the New Competency Based IEP

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 20:15:00 GMT

Presented by Pam Gurney, Inclusive Education Services Coordinator.

The workshop will be held via Zoom on Monday, March 14, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, you are asked to register here, and you will be provided with the link to the meeting.

Board Notes from December 9, 2024

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:00:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Out-of-Province Field Trip, Feeding Futures Fund, and Kamloops-Thompson Honour Choir. Read Board Notes here.

Fair Notice Letter for Students and Parents 2023-2024

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:15:00 GMT

Please see attachments below for our Fair Notice Letter for Students and Parents 2023-2024.

Two Significant Speakers on Indigenous Issues for Non-Instructional Day Feb. 5

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 17:00:00 GMT

Educators will hear presentations from two well-known presenters, who will speak about Indigenous issues during the district-wide non-instructional day Feb. 5.

Dr. Kevin Lamoureux is a University of Winnipeg professor and co-author of Ensouling our Schools, about creating inclusive spaces for all students. He is recognized as a passionate advocate for reconciliation. He has served as associate vice president at the university, as education lead for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and as scholar in residence for several school divisions. His morning session with district educators will address reconciliation and contributing to an even better Canada for all children to grow up in.

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond is from the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in Ontario. She is a Canadian lawyer, judge, and legislative advocate for children’s rights. Turpel-Lafond was the first Treaty Indian to be appointed to the judicial bench of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan.

She was appointed in 2006 as BC’s first representative for children and youth, an independent position reporting to the Legislative Assembly. She was re-appointed to a second 5-year term in 2011.

Time Magazine has twice bestowed honours upon Turpel-Lafond, naming her as one of the '100 Global Leaders of Tomorrow' in 1994, and in 1999 as one of the Top 20 Canadian Leaders for the 21st Century.

She has recently completed a government-appointed review, In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care. Although her report was directed to systemic racism in health care in BC, it made many connections and recommendations around the education system. She will be speaking to that report and the implications for education during the afternoon session.

"Given the involvement of Chair Diane Jules and her remarkable leadership, I am most happy to accept the invitation,” said Turpel-Lafond. “I know there are many positive things the District is doing, and I really value this hard work."

“We are very excited that we have two significant keynote speakers,” said Michael Bowden, district principal, Aboriginal Education. “This will make a powerful day of learning, and a great way to kick off February as Diversity Month. Not only do both speakers address the District’s Indigenous action plan, they will also directly speak to addressing anti-racism as a part of that plan.”

Announcements

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 19:30:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

The silver girls basketball team won their first game of the Chilliwack tournament this morning 25-20 over the Sardis Falcons and Ai Holmes was the game all-star. They play their second game later this afternoon. Good luck ladies!

The Jr boys Gold basketball team travels to Vernon to play in the Kalamalka Lakers invitational this weekend. Their first game is against the home team at 7pm. Good luck boys!

All football players in grade 10 and 11 who are planning on playing senior football next year need to bring their winter practice fees to Mr. Lancaster.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

Grad photo proofs have arrived! Please come to the office to collect yours today. If you are ordering pictures, please return your order form with payment to the office by the deadline Monday, February 3.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

The Drama Club is holding a bottle drive to raise money to cover the production fees for the Spring Play. Any donations would be appreciated and can be brought to the Room 135.

Auditions for Clue On Stage, the Spring play will be held from 2:10-4:00 pm next Wednesday, January 15 in Room 135. If you have signed up for auditions make sure you show up on your day. If you would like to sign up for auditions, see Mrs. Fonseca.

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

If you are in Grade 12 and graduating this year, the TRU marketing dept. will be distributing free TRU crewneck sweaters to all grade 12s at lunch on Friday, January 17 in the main hallway.

Any current Gr. 11s that are considering attending University of Alberta after they graduate, are invited to attend a weekend boarding opportunity from May 29-31st, 2020. This is your chance to test drive U of A prior to actual attendance. If you are interested, please see Miss Cavlek in Counselling.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Board Notes from September 8, 2025

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 21:45:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about the Leadership Development Program, Feeding Futures, and National Food Program. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 00:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Throughout the month of March, we are focused on sharing stories about Sustainability and Honesty as well as our other core values: Relationships/Connections, Equity, and Well-being in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Marion Schilling Elementary – March 5, 2025

On Wednesday morning, I visited Principal Piggin, and she was coming back from a presentation for Grade 7 students done by Valleyview Secondary School about what to expect next year. She remarked how excited the students were about the many different opportunities and choices to explore academic courses, fine arts programs such as band, and extracurricular activities. They were fully engaged in a review of courses and started their course selection for Grade 8.

Our first visit was to see Ms. Ewert who was teaching a K-1 Phys. Ed. class, and they were enjoying a collaborative running game.

We then took part in Ms. Thomas’ cultural activities class with Kindergarten students who were reviewing the Secwepemctsín alphabet. Secwepemctsín is an oral language that consists of 43 consonants and 5 vowels, and students and staff know words that rely on individual sounds and blends. Ms. Thomas also works with Grade 5, 6, and 7, and we are so very fortunate to have her teach our students and integrate language into their understanding of Secwépemc culture and history.

We then visited Mr. Bell’s Grade 7 class. They were designing their keychain fobs for 3D printing for the whole school. They worked collaboratively to pair certain Grandfather Teachings with each grade level, and they designed the tags with images and words that matched the specific Grandfather Teaching for the grade. Mr. Bell said, “By the end of Grade 7, every student will have studied every Grandfather Teaching, which is part of our District Strategic Plan.” Staff and students wear the tags on their items like keychains, shoes, bracelets, and necklaces.

Mr. Ngo’s Grade 6 students were working in the classroom and in the hallway spaces in collaborative groups to develop presentations about the reproductive system as part of Science.

Grade 2-3 teachers were working with literacy groups. They get students together from different classes who read at a similar level. In this way, the students get to know different students and teachers as well as approaches to teaching literacy strategies. The students move to different groups as their reading improves. The literacy results in the school have reflected increases in reading supported by the small group intervention time. Mrs. Piggin said, “The groups are fluid and students move into different groups based on their progress, and this has benefitted many students.”

Mr. Desaulniers’ Grade 3-4 class was taking part in Daily 5 by reading, writing, and engaging in conferences with him.

Mr. Dell’s Grade 4-5 class was working with a teacher candidate from TRU, Mr. Montagliani, who was helping students with how to determine the cost of different items. Mr. Dell said, “I really enjoy working with new teachers because I had good mentors, so I like to give back.”

Ms. Patton’s K-Grade 1 class was just returning from Phys. Ed. Prior to their return, Ms. Patton shared the value of starting their year with visual journals that enabled them to see progress from dictated text (where a staff member writes text for the student) and drawings with letter-based labels at the start of the year to writing words and sentences by mid-year. Ms. Piggin shared, “Both the students and parents enjoy seeing the progress from the start of the year until now when they come in for learning conversations.”

NorKam Secondary Wins Gold in the TRU Robotics Championship!

We are so proud of the Robotics team at NorKam Secondary for winning Gold at the TRU Robotics Championship today!

Congratulations to Mr. Dewald Van Der Merwe for leading this team:

Chidera Lawson, Jonathan Kuang, Daniel Cazares (Middle Years Programme) and Maelle Pierce-Aumack (regular program). Thank you for your hard work and for sharing your talents.

Pink Shirt Day Letters – Westsyde Elementary School

Ms. Schneider shared letters that her Grade 4-5 class had written about Pink Shirt Day, which falls during their “Great Kindness Challenge Week”. She shared how she talked with her class about kindness and appreciation and decided to write letters to me.

I feel incredibly honoured and privileged to have been able to read the letters, and I enjoyed them so much that I will highlight some of the verbatim insights and fun facts shared by these students:

“I love Westsyde Elementary cause we are so kind. I love Art and French. The staff are so nice and caring. Mr. Scott is amazing and good at magic. Fun fact: I love to ski.”

“My favourite part of school is getting to see my friends. All the staff are so kind. A fun fact about myself is that I love volleyball, drawing, thanks again!”

“I love Westsyde Elementary School because on Fridays, we get to do Art and Gym! Mr. Scott is so helpful and nice. He helps with soccer! Overall, our school is so much fun!”

“I love all the fun sports we do run by Mr. Scott and all of the PAC hot lunch days. All of the staff make a difference in my life because they are always helping me with work or when I’m hurt.”

“I think the school is amazing!!! I am in Mrs. Schneider’s class. My favorite part of the school day is Math!!! A fun fact about myself: I play football and soccer. I’m the QB in football!!”

“I love Westsyde Elementary cause it makes subjects fun! I also like diversity. I also like being with my friends!”

“Westsyde is so kind and generous. I love P.E. and sports. My favorite sport is soccer. The staff are so nice and smart.”

“Westsyde Elementary is an amazing place because we have amazing staff! Mr. Scott is awesome in his leadership. Something cool about me is that I am a huge traveller and I’ve visited Europe 3 times!”

“I love my school because 1. The playground 2. The staff 3. hot lunch. Mr. Scott helps out a lot with sports. It’s cool! The come read program is amazing. I went from level 1 to 4 in a month!”

“I don’t have no pets because of my allergies. I like video games and biking.”

“I love Westsyde because we have so much kindness. I have 1 dog and 2 cats and 4 chickens. I have a mom and dad and my teacher is Mrs. Schneider. My principal is Mr. Scott. I feel like he makes our school have a lot of kindness.”

“My favorite part of the day is Math, Science, and Gym. Mr. Scott is one of the most kind people. One thing that is special about me is I have freckles and red hair.”

“My favorite part of the school day is Science. Mrs. Flamank is super nice and helpful. The staff are so friendly.”

“I love Westsyde Elementary because this school is very inclusive and we do so many cool things. At first, I thought I wouldn’t have any friends, but then a teacher from my old school came the same year.”

“I have a secret handshake with Mr. Scott.”

“I love Mrs. Schneider because she is the best teacher ever! And she also helps when we need it!”

“I’m pretty sure that you’re not going to read this. Anyways, I am writing this because I was supposed to write about wut I love about the school…PS Please upgrade the playground.”

Thank you wholeheartedly to Westsyde Elementary students in Ms. Schneider’s Grade 4-5 class. I loved hearing about your day through your writing, and I am more convinced than ever to keep visiting Westsyde Elementary School.

Have a great last week before Spring Break!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 13 May 2022 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you to students, parents, staff, and community partners for seeking opportunities to learn together and to highlight the gifts and talents of those in our district community.

Westsyde Secondary School

Principal Preymak, Board Chair Grieve, and I learned from Ms. McVittie’s grade 9 English students who shared slam poetry, Ms. Hallstrom’s math class who engaged in collaborative problem solving, Ms. Richards’ students who designed and painted skateboards, Mr. Sawka’s drama students who were sword fighting, and Ms. Kachel’s and Ms. Piccini’s library resources that drew from student choice and inspired student engagement. We visited many more classrooms that inspired each of us as well as stopping at the Westsyde Hall of Fame where alumni are celebrated for their many gifts and talents in sports, medicine, and education, to name a few.

David Thompson Elementary School

It was Track and Field Day at David Thompson Elementary, and Principal Linfitt, Board Chair Grieve, and I marvelled at Mrs. McCauley’s long jumpers. We enjoyed Ms. Morrison’s literacy block, Mrs. Bentz’s skipping challenge, Mrs. Jorgeson’s Kindergarten class studying animals that lay eggs, and Mr. Marchese’s high jumpers. Principal Linfitt explained that “Connecting and getting together to do regular track and field activities and eat hot dog lunches has lifted the spirits of students, staff, and parents.”

Young Authors’ Conference, May 5-6, 2022

With literacy a key priority, intermediate and secondary students engaged in the annual Young Authors’ Conference held at TRU in collaboration with SD73 staff, students, and parents. Read more…

Girls Exploring Trades and Technology (GETT), May 11, 2022

Forty-six grades 6 to 9 female students from across our district participated in this event hosted by TRU School of Trades and Technology. These students gained hands-on experiences in a variety of trades led by TRU Red Seal instructors and supported by SD73 senior female students who are involved in trades-related programs. The TRU Women in Trades Program participants also provided mentorship during the day. Female industry leaders shared stories of their journeys to shed light on the opportunities available to young women.

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, May 17, 2022

Tuesday, May 17^th is the 20^th year of recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Students and staff are encouraged to wear their SD73 pride gear to show support and acceptance for all students and staff. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of LGBTQ2S+ equality and engage in constructive and positive public dialogue to counter homophobia and transphobic behaviour.

Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

We practice daily health awareness strategies– staying home when sick, practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and making choices about wearing masks–see our District’s Communicable Disease Prevention Plan for more information.

Thank you for all that you do in working, learning, and enjoying time together in SD73.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Orange Shirt Day 2020

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Orange Shirt Day 2020 is coming – on Wednesday, Sept. 30 – and schools are being invited to register for this free, online event from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Schools can also register to receive free resources from Monique Gray Smith, a Canadian writer of children's and young adult literature. She is an international speaker and consultant of Cree, Lakota and Scottish descent, based in Victoria, British Columbia.

The District will provide every school library with a copy of the book, Red Wolf, which includes teacher resources as a follow up to Orange Shirt Day. These books will arrive in schools in early October. The Aboriginal Education department is asking schools to send the district a brief description on what they did for Orange Shirt Day so we can report to the Board of Education and the Aboriginal Education Council.

The communications team is asking that schools tag the District, #SD73 in their social media, we will share their messaging across our channels.

What is Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake, BC, Canada. It has now become a National event to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. Chief Justice Murray Sinclair challenged all of the participants to keep the reconciliation process alive.

“The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30 opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools,” said Mike Bowden, District Principal, Education. “It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation.

“A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. It is also an opportunity to look at the power of resiliency, inclusion, and working together for a better future. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.”

The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes and sent to residential schools. It is also an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the coming school year and for our schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Board Notes from September 23, 2024

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 16:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about School Learning Plans, Child Care Expansion Plan, and District Employee Engagement Committee Report. Read Board Notes here.

Parent Information Session: District Career Programs and Events

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 20:15:00 GMT

Presented by the SD73 District Career Development team

Dear Parents and Guardians of students in Grades 9, 10, and 11,

Are you interested in learning about career opportunities for your child? Join us for an exciting presentation to learn about Career Programs and Events, including Trades Foundations programs and events such as Junior Fire Crew that we offer in partnership with BC Wildfire!

During November, staff from the District Career Development team are presenting information to Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 students about Career Programs and Events.

Please join us for a virtual webinar on November 26, 2025, from 6:00–7:00 pm where you will learn about District Career Programs and Events offered by SD73. This is a follow-up session to the presentation students received in November.

SD73 Career Programs & Events

Date: Nov. 26, 2025
Time: 06:00 PM
Virtual Information Session on Zoom: https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/67045878107 (Meeting ID: 670 4587 8107)

Please join us to hear about exciting career opportunities for your child!

Art Is the Literacy of the Heart: Exploring the Importance of Place in South Kamloops Secondary School Art Classes

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 17:30:00 GMT

Students express themselves through multi-modes (print, visuals, drama, music, digital), and a famous educational researcher, Elliot Eisner is attributed with stating, “Art is the literacy of the heart.”

South Kamloops Secondary School (SKSS) Art teacher, Lisa Yamaoka, shared how she provided learning opportunities to students designed to invite them to investigate personally meaningful aspects of place. Students created acrylic paintings, shared their work in a group exhibition and published a 2023 calendar as a fundraiser for future Visual Arts initiatives at SKSS.

Inspired by significant places, South Kamloops Secondary art students interpret the concept of place as a way to connect to our community and share about their learning. The theme, Places & Spaces, focuses on artistic impressions & personal experiences of the amazing places in and around Kamloops, BC.

After investigating personally meaningful aspects of place, students created acrylic paintings, shared their work in a group exhibition and published a 2023 calendar as a fundraiser for future Visual Arts initiatives at SKSS. The annual calendar program provides an opportunity for students to represent our community and develop their learning through a real-life experience in Visual Arts.

On November 9^th, 2022, we invited our family, friends and community to celebrate our artwork with a group of over 50 student paintings. It was exciting to gather together and enjoy the artwork created by our students. In addition to this exhibition, a collection of the images will be shared with local Seniors on display at the Residence at Orchard Walk.

For those who would like to access our 2023 calendars and postcards, contact the South Kamloops Secondary School Main office, The Art We Are, Kamloops Art Gallery Store.

Thank you for sharing progress in literacy through art on the Intellectual Development Priority in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Announcements

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 19:00:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Timetables for semester 2 will be given out on Monday, January 27 first thing in the morning (8:35 am). Students will see their homeroom (Block A) teacher to get their new timetables.

A reminder to students to please return any library books you are finished with or no longer reading.

Any grade 12s who missed getting a TRU crewneck sweater will have another opportunity on Wednesday, January 29 at lunch in the main hallway.

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Any current grade 11s that are considering attending University of Alberta after they graduate, are invited to attend a weekend boarding opportunity from May 29-31, 2020. This is your chance to test drive U of A prior to actual attendance. If you are interested, please see Ms. Cavlek in Counselling.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

March is a month that highlights stories that show our core value of sustainability and the Grandfather Teaching of Honesty as lived in schools and district departments.

Kay Bingham Elementary Welcome Video

On Friday, February 23, 2024, Kay Bingham students and staff worked together to develop a script to share the best of their school for students and families coming to join their community in September 2024. They emphasized the importance of on-the-land teachings and cultural experiences in Aboriginal education through the leadership of the Aboriginal Education Worker, Mr. Lysons. They shared the wide range of curricular and extracurricular activities and played the Welcome Song together outside as one example.

Pacific Way Elementary School

Principal Blais and I started our school visit with a presentation by several students (Chloe, Hartley, Kyla, Sophie, Kenzie, Tori and Kaia) about their sustainability project on composting. The two grade 7 teachers, Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Wiwchar, often co-teach to encourage students to cooperate on student-led projects. They have had a lot of success in submitting sustainability project ideas and securing grant funding to develop those student-led projects.

Principal Blais and I continued in Ms. Wassing’s K class where it was snack time, and then Mrs. Anderson’s K class where they were studying family models and drawing and writing about their families. Ms. Gundel’s K class was beading and Ms. Thoms’ class was engaged in spelling. As we walked to the next class, we met with Vice Principal Bluhm who shared how she had a project where students learn about different countries on announcements with the “Guess the Country” contest. At the end of week, she challenges students to find a student from the school who is from or has visited that country and learn from them.

Ms. Greenwood’s K-1 class was dressed in pirate wear and they were in the middle of their hundred’s day activity solving math problems to 100. Ms. McLaren’s Gr. 2 class was watching one of the videos from the Diversity video resource developed by the District team. The one that they had enjoyed was a lesson about strengths using feet. Ms. McLaren said that she finds the lessons to be easy to follow and works them into existing lessons.

Ms. Finch’s Gr. 2-3 class was engaged in a read aloud, and we then met with Ms. Hill, Learning Assistance Resource Teacher, who was working on Individual Needs Assessments. Ms. Galloway’s Gr. 3-4 class was buddy reading and Ms. Galloway shared the results of a logo contest that she had done last year with students. We ended our visit in Ms. Noble’s Gr. 2 class studying precipitation and informational reading text features.

Westsyde Elementary School

Principal Scott and I began our day in Ms. Boulter’s Gr. 2 class engaged in a reptile scavenger hunt by learning about facts and applying them to questions in different locations around their classroom. Ms. Glassel’s Gr. 1 class was studying career education and developing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-oriented, Timely) goals. Ms. Dunn’s K-1 class and Ms. Connolly’s K class were working in centers (building, reading, writing, role playing).

Ms. Kristjanson’s Gr. 4 class was making forts using clay and popsicle sticks. Ms. Schneider’s Gr. 4-5 class was making medicine pouches and studying traditional Indigenous medicines such as sage and the importance of them in ceremony. Mme Demers’ Gr. 6 class was watching a video about the history of Pink Shirt Day to understand why pink shirts gained popularity and what it means to participate in Pink Shirt Day. They learned how two students in Nova Scotia had encouraged others in the school to wear pink shirts to signify their stance against the bullies who had mistreated another student for wearing pink. Mr. Berezowkis’ Gr. 6-7 class was engaged in Social Studies and some students were completing their Heritage stamps.

As we were leaving that class, a student, Terry, stopped to share the best things about Westsyde Elementary School-- “The teachers are nice and calm”, and he appreciated the many extracurricular options for students– “Basketball, Strings, and D&D.” He also highlighted “how much he liked his principal, Mr. Scott.” We then observed Ms. Mackenzie’s Gr. 3 class who were sharing summaries of stories using paragraph frames. I also learned how Ms. MacKenzie enjoys leading students in how to understand and apply the scientific process and helping them to participate in science fair.

Mr. Martin’s class was enjoying a presentation by Mr. Heal and his students from the secondary music classes at Westsyde Secondary School. Students are looking forward to starting their learning on different instruments.

South Kamloops Secondary Jazz Band

I received a letter this week from a proud parent of a student in the SKSS Secondary Jazz Band. She shared the wonderful news of the band preparing to showcase its talents in a national competition in Toronto by fundraising $14,000 at “Jazz Night in the City” held at the Coast Conference Centre on Feb. 16, 2024. Parents, students and the teacher, Mrs. McRae have been steadfastly committed to making this event a huge success. Congratulations to Ms. McRae and the dedicated students who have refined their talents to compete at a national level.

Pink Shirt Day- Feb. 28, 2024

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, our Cultural Identity Priority reinforces the need to ensure that every student feels safe, welcomed, included, connected, and has a sense of belonging in their schools. Wednesday, February 28, 2024 marked the 17th Pink Shirt Day provincially, and it was an opportunity to celebrate diversity and inclusivity. Read more.

District Parent Advisory Council

Retention, Recruitment and Wrap Up - The 3 R's of PAC Succession Planning: Join our DPAC executive to talk all things wrap-up for your PAC! We'll talk about best practices for closing out the school year strong, completing your obligations, hanging on to volunteers for a strong Fall start, AND recruiting new people next year! A combo of short presentations and open conversations, this social and idea sharing evening is open to any of your PAC members that would like to come!

RSVP required (just your school and number of attendees) to sd73dpac@gmail.com

As we start the first weekend in March, I hope that you enjoy getting outside and spending time with pets, family, and friends.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Post Secondary Information

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 20:00:00 GMT

Grade 12 students starting the scholarship application process should start on the Scholarships and Bursaries Page of the SKSS website (Path to Graduation ==> Scholarships and Bursaries):

http://skssscholarships.weebly.com/

Watch the video, view the slide show, and review the spreadsheet of last year's awards.

Keep in mind the four main levels of awards:

Large National Awards (search online for Loran Scholars, TD Scholarships for Community Leadership, Schulich Leader Scholarships): These awards have online applications and only the Schulich requires a school nomination (due in January).
Post Secondary Entrance Awards: These awards have different criteria and deadlines. Pay careful attention to the information on the website of the PSIs to which you are applying.
SKSS School and District 73 Awards: these both have common application packages (requiring an individual cover letter for each award applied for) and are due May 1, 2022 at 3 pm. The application packages will be available at some point in February or March.
Independently administered awards through community agencies; parents' employers, professional associations, or unions; community activity groups; local businesses; etc. Applications for some of these awards are in our school filing cabinet (in the Counselling office) and/or can be found online.

Many (most) awards consider community service in addition to grades. For volunteer opportunities, consider school clubs, other needs in the school, or consult the board outside the Counselling office. One side is volunteer opportunities and one side is current scholarship info.

Board Notes from June 16, 2025

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 22:15:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about Young Artists' Conference, Owl Awards Celebration, and OMRIE Indigenous Student Summit. Read Board Notes here.

FASD Sexual Health Pep Talk and Care for the Caregiver

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 16:45:00 GMT

Presented by POPFASD

Join a special presentation by the Provincial Outreach Program for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (POPFASD) for an in-person Parent Engagement Session. This session will incorporate discussions and resources on two critical subjects: FASD Sexual Health and Care for the Caregiver. Delving into these topics will provide attendees with insights and strategies to navigate these complex areas with confidence and compassion.

This free Parent Engagement Session workshop will be held in person at the Henry Grube Education Centre (245 Kitchener Crescent) on Monday, April 22, 2024, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

Celebrating Day of Sucwentwecw During the Pandemic

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 20:15:00 GMT

This year’s Day of Sucwentwecw, on April 7, was different for students across the district.

Usually, it is a day dedicated for them to invite an Elder, Knowledge Keeper or representative from one of the local bands in the Secwepemcul'ewc to be witness and welcomed. It is meant to be a day for students to share their learning, to learn more, and to participate in reconciliation with Aboriginal people through respect and acknowledgement.

Today however, during this global pandemic, The Day of Sucwentwecw was spent from a distance, acknowledging together, from the heart. Online resources and stories shared among teachers were then shared with their students.

“Sucwentwecw, the Secwepemctsin word for acknowledging one another, is an initiative that recognizes and celebrates the Secwepemc people and the other Aboriginal people residing in the Secwepemculecw,” said Mike Bowden, District Principal, Aboriginal Education. “This year, we acknowledge and celebrate our elders by simply thanking them in our hearts. Keeping them safe, and protecting everyone’s safety, while taking thought for their teachings, we are keeping the spirit of this day alive for all of us.”

One example of numerous resources being shared between schools and among educators to help bring the experience of the Day of Sucwentwecw into learners’ homes is this storytelling video, by District Aboriginal Resource Teacher Kenthen Thomas.

The idea for the Day of Sucwentwecw was proposed in 2012 by the Kamloops Thompson Teacher’s Association’s Social Justice Committee and endorsed by the Aboriginal Education Council. It was approved by the Board of Education in 2014, well before the province revised the curriculum to include the First People’s Principles of Learning.

Jordan Smith Wins Premier's Excellence in Education Award

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 16:30:00 GMT

Kamloops Teacher Jordan Smith received a Premier's Award for Excellence in Education during a ceremony at Government House in Victoria Oct. 4. She won the award in the category of Indigenous Education.

Smith is a teacher and program coordinator at Twin Rivers Education Centre and an Aboriginal School of Choice, Four Directions school. Smith works hard to connect students with Indigenous culture and history and to create an environment of safety and belonging. Each year, she identifies a thematic focus that connects experiential learning, art, community involvement and field trips to an elective course that all students are enrolled in. In keeping with the theme, students engage in a variety of hands-on learning opportunities such as traditional fishing, gathering with local Elders and working with Indigenous artists. This year, she secured a Vancouver Foundation grant to pilot a program designed to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing alongside western curriculum by involving family, Elders and knowledge keepers.

She is one of 10 award winners, chosen from among 140 nominees, four from SD73, in the second annual Premier's Awards for Excellence in Education. Along with Smith, SD73 finalists included:

Ivy Chelsea, Indigenous Education

From Chase Secondary School and Haldane Elementary School, Ivy Chelsea is a Secwepemctsin language teacher focused on expanding the reach of the language to as many people in the district and the community as possible. She led Tsutswecw Park Story Trails, a pilot with BC Parks Foundation, involving her Grade 9 - 12 Chase Secondary School students in creating a new way of experiencing a B.C. Park.

Carol DeFehr, School Leadership

Principal at Juniper Ridge Elementary School, Carol DeFehr's

An innovative leader in her school community, DeFehr has a passion for education and is committed to honouring each and every child. She implemented a slogan, #alwaystry, speaking to her supportive vision for student success, and communicating to students, parents and staff her belief that learning can be challenging, mistakes are part of the process, and perseverance is critical to making positive gains. To encourage students to push themselves toward academic success, she instituted a principal’s recognition program, regularly honouring their efforts to go above and beyond in their classwork. She also works to cultivate students’ positive social development and goes to great lengths to communicate with parents, so they can play an active role in their child’s success

Denise Underwood, Technology and Innovation

From McGowan Park Elementary School, Denise Underwood has emerged as a technology education leader within her school and the district. With a BC Grant on a Synergy Project, she worked with students who used ipads and apps to create multi-layered digital mandalas to build positive personal and cultural identities. A Farm to Table Grant allowed students at McGowan to work on The Great Chicken Project involving live animals. They monitored egg production, feed and care, and other aspects of digital farming. She facilitated the Lego Robotics club, Skills Canada cardboard boat races, and incorporated research-based practices into her teaching. She has also been involved as a mentor in the district’s Tech Mentor program.

Winners of this year's awards received a commemorative work of art by Claire Jorgensen, a 17-year old Reynolds Secondary student from Victoria. They also received a $3,000 personal bursary for professional learning and a $2,000 contribution to their school community for professional learning.

SD73 Finalists for Premier's Awards are Helping Build Community

Vancouver Foundation Grant for $246,000 Awarded to Four Directions Secondary School

Trades and Transitions to host Industry Career Fair

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 17:00:00 GMT

School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson)’s Trades and Transitions (TnT) department is hosting an Industry Career Fair for students and employers on Wednesday, April 20 at the Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre.

The purpose of the event is to support students in grade 10 and 11 with their career exploration in the Trades and provide introductions to employers seeking part-time and summer students in the Trades.

Students who meet the event admission requirements will work with their school-based TnT coordinator to create a professional, trades-focused resume. Each student chosen to participate will have a one-on-one resume workshop with the District Career Education Coordinator.

The Career Fair evening will consist of dinner, where students will be seated with local industry leaders in their preferred career cluster of construction, mechanical/industrial, or hospitality. During dinner, students will learn about the Youth Work in Trades program, where students working with a journeyperson or Red Seal Tradesperson can earn high school credits and potential at a $1,000 award. Following dinner, students will have a chance to network with employers to find a great work fit.

The deadline for students to register with their school-based TnT Coordinator for the event is April 1. Interested employers should contact Sheila Monkman by phone at 250-819-2472 or by email at smonkman@sd73.bc.ca.

SKSS Music Department's first post-Covid School Show

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 17:15:00 GMT

The SKSS Music Department is super excited to hold its first post-Covid SKSS school show and is celebrating the music department's musical successes with the school population. Even though the term two students have only been playing together for four weeks, they sound amazing, and are ready to showcase their talented kiddos!

Grade 10 student, Jakob Stobbe, says, "We are going to show our peers that we put tons of effort into what we do. Our jazz band students and our teacher are dedicated to 7 am rehearsals and we aim to sound amazing! The nerves for a school show are intense...we are playing for the people we try to build relationships with. There is more room for judgement, so we want to do really well."

Five ensembles performed for staff, students and parents on Thursday, March 2nd at 11:30 am in the school gymnasium. The show highlights the strength of SKSS music students and celebrates their musical successes.

The Concert Band 9 performed "Batman, Generations" and "Louie Louie," while the school choir sang two jazzy numbers with members of the jazz band's rhythm section including, "Send Down the Rain" and "Jazz Cantate."

The Sr. Concert Band performed, "The Simpsons" and a beautiful earthly soundscape number called, "EarthDawn." The Jazz Combo performed "Afternoon in Paris" and the SKSS Jazz Band ended the show with, "Moves Like Jaggar," "Take five," and a funk number called, "Buckjump."

Grade 11 student, Alex Corke, shares, "It's exciting to play for our peers, knowing that the majority of them are not able to hear what we are working on every day in our classes."

Grade 11 student, Helen Percy, shares, "There's a higher judgement factor to play for your peers, so it's exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time."

Announcements

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 19:00:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

Congrats to the Grade 9 Girls Basketball team on placing second in their tournament this weekend. It was a tough loss in the final but the girls determination and dedication showed all weekend. Way to go girls!

Congrats to the Jr Gold boys basketball team on winning the Kalamalka Lakers tournament this past weekend. The boys destroyed both Vernon teams and then beat Valleyview in the finals to capture the tourney. Way to go boys!

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

Principals’ Council is holding a contest for a Snapchat filter. Principals’ council will pick the top 5 filters and then a student vote will be held to decide which one will be submitted. Guidelines will be posted in the office. The deadline to enter is February 5.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

TNT NEWS:

The due date for RCMP Youth Academy applications has been extended until this Friday, January 17. If you are interested, please have all forms in to Ms. Gillis by Thursday afternoon.

Other deadlines coming up: Heavy Metal Rocks apps are due January 23, so please have all forms in by Tuesday January 21.; Junior Fire Crew applications are due February 10 -- all documents in to SKSS by Friday, February 7.

COUNSELLING NEWS:

If you are in Grade 12 and graduating this year, the TRU marketing dept. will be distributing free TRU crewneck sweaters to all grade 12s at lunch this Friday in the main hallway.

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Board Notes from September 26, 2022

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 17:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. All about School Calendar Early Closure Adjustments and Student and Family Affordability Fund. Read Board Notes here.

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 21:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

I hope that everyone enjoyed a fun-filled St. Patrick’s Day, which is also the last day before a two-week Spring break! Over the break, I hope that you enjoy the longer days and engage in outdoor activities with friends and family as you focus on your own and others’ wellbeing, a cornerstone value in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Sun Peaks K-9 School

Principal Boyle met me at Mr. Massey’s Grade 8-9 classroom and the students were engaged in a performance task to assess their stride, distance, and speed when running certain distances using micro:bits (coding technology). Students were working collaboratively and considering whether changing stride length would impact pace and time in their hypothetical race. As we continued to the skating rink, I learned that this is a newly finished facility that had been open to students and their families, which has been a location for after school gatherings as well. Today, K-5 were skating, and I met several parents who were helping to tie skates and to supervise along with staff.

We carried on to the next school to meet Ms. Erickson’s Gr. 6-7 class who were writing stories. Ms. Erickson had colour-coded the different types of sentences to show how creating sentence fluency requires varying sentence types. I spoke with a few students who had selected different inspirations for their stories such as women’s empowerment. Mr. Wiebe’s Gr. 3-4 class was studying river forms and he used Google Earth to help students to see where they were and how the North and South Thompson Rivers flow into the Fraser River. Ms. Schmalz’s Gr. 3-4 class had been studying division, and they were about to take a quiz to inform them about their readiness to move into new learning. We stopped to talk about the next aspects of going to school in Sun Peaks. Calvin shared, “I liked the bike park near my last school, and I like to ski and bike at this school.” It was a surprise for Calvin to learn that his stamp had been selected as the winner for their school. He explained, “I chose Terry Fox because he teaches us to face tough challenges and to persevere.” This was very recent news, so the class was proud of Calvin and clapped for him.

Heffley Creek Elementary School

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, students and staff are committed to wellbeing. K-3 students were creating leprechauns for St. Patrick’s Day, and then they took a fitness break. A brand new obstacle course involved students in running, jumping, balancing, doing squats, jumping jacks, and crunches in small groups. After that fitness break, they couldn’t wait to finish their artistic creations. I spoke with the school secretary, Ms. Haney, and she shared that she loves to be at the school every day because the students and families are so invested. We reviewed a mural that showed the long history of Heffley Creek dating back to 1923, with a picture of the original school house in the centre.

Five Schools in SD73 Benefit from the Outride Bike Program

Our District mission is to ensure that every student is supported with environments and learning opportunities that ensure that they thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. To accomplish this mission, some schools became interested in grant opportunities through the Outride Bike program, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth through cycling. Read more.

Anti-racism Contest Winners

SD73 students participated in the second annual HGEC Library Learning Commons Anti-Racism Poster Contest in February. The goal of the poster contest was to encourage students to celebrate and honour diversity and multiculturalism in School District No. 73. Our theme this year encouraged students to reflect on how diversity makes our community stronger. To learn more about the contest winners, Read more.

Knowledge Keeper, Joan Arnouse Celebrates Retirement

Knowledge Keeper Joan Arnouse supported us to shape our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan around the Seven Grandfather teachings and the hearthfire (gathering place). If you would like to learn more about this process, watch the District Strategic Plan videos here. We wish her every success and to stay well on the next phase of her life journey.

TNT Industry Career Fair

Almost 100 students from across SD73 gathered at the Coast Hotel and Conference Centre on March 7^th for this School District initiative: A Career Fair connecting trades-minded students with 23 local employers. Read more

Coordinator Café

SD73 is focused on continuing to improve students’ life chances to thrive socially, emotionally, academically, and physically. Hattie (2013) had researched factors correlated to student success and found that professional learning supported collective teacher efficacy, which had a very high effect size rating (1.52). School leaders continually inquire into how best to support teacher efficacy. Read More.

Student and Family Affordability Fund

The Student and Family Affordability Fund continues to be an important way for families to access funds for food, fees, field trips, and other items that will alleviate financial pressure. Please ask your school administrator about the fund or email Marie McGivern: mmcgivern@exc.sd73.bc.ca. For more information about the fun. Read more.

Have a wonderful Spring Break!

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Fri, 12 May 2023 23:30:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

In May, we are highlighting stories about connections/relationships and the Grandfather Teaching of Courage in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan. It was National Mental Health Awareness Week (May 1-7) and the Moose Hide Campaign (May 11). We stand together to support our core commitment to student and staff wellbeing and to voice our collective stance against gender-based violence.

I was also fortunate to go to three schools this week, two in North Thompson, and one in Westsyde.

Westsyde Elementary School

Principal Conroy and I started outside where we met with students who were reading on the grass and enjoying their “lunch hour mobile bookshelf” that was designed by one of the Certified Education Assistants, Ms. Pelland. Ms. Pelland had taken the time to paint pictures and quotations on the book shelf, which made it special for the students.

We then met Ms. Connolly’s K-1 class as they were visualizing during read aloud time. Mr. Martin was teaching Phys. Ed. to Gr. 5 and 6 students, and Mr. Conroy shared that he was looking forward to their new banner for their Tier One Competitive Girls Basketball team, which will be displayed in the gym. Ms. Langford’s Gr. 4-5 class was engaged in a video and activity about senses. Ms. Kristjanson was working with students to identify a Métis sash in a book. Ms. Schneider’s Gr. 5 class studied body systems, and she challenged them to work hard to win the “Schneider Cup”. Ms. Gill was in the library and she shared her role in the school, and then we visited Mme Demers whose students engaged in French charades.

Raft River Elementary School

Principal Mathieu, Vice Principal Gauthier, Trustee Sim, and I toured classrooms and visited with staff and students. Ms. Carter’s Kindergarten class was making words and Ms. Horne’s Kindergarten class was learning about patterns, time, and number sense in numeracy stations.

Ms. Harvey’s Gr. 6-7 class was in the gym. Ms. Gauthier worked with a literacy group, and they shared how they made new words by replacing the beginning consonant.

Ms. Johnson shared her book, “The Kindness Quilt” and Ms. Mathieu stood proudly by the school’s creation of their own kindness quilt. We carried on into Ms. Lourenco’s K-1 class engaging in literacy stations (guided reading, listening, digital reading). Ms. Graffunder’s class was focused on literacy. Ms. Cooke was in the same classroom and conducted a small group guided reading lesson. Ms. Green played the “swat it” word game. Ms. Shook’s Gr. 3-4 class was enjoying snack time while she met with students individually to see if they could measure certain shapes. Ms. Kerr’s Gr. 4-5 class went to the library, and Ms. Craik’s class studied poetry.

Clearwater Secondary School

Principal Coates, Trustee Sim, and I started in their new school health clinic which enables students to take medical appointments in their school. This is a new and vibrant partnership aimed at increasing student and family access to health services.

Two students prepared snacks for all students, and we witnessed how this collaborative effort is much appreciated by those who lined up to enjoy a morning snack. The students also make muffins that they send to Raft River. During the silent reading block, Ms. Guilo’s Gr. 9 class was studying a unit in French. Ms. Mayer and Ms. Ziesta worked together with a few students to share how taking time to engage in Art fuels students’ passions. Caitlyn (Gr. 11) shared her portfolio with me, and her sister, Courtney, showed us her felt pen drawings.

As we entered the hall, a student, Alexander, was heading downstairs to work on the mountain bikes to prepare them for class. We then visited the flex program and Ms. Ludbrook shared that they have the highest number of graduates from their program to date, and she noted that more students access this program now that it is in the school. We entered into the wood working shop, and students were making memory boxes and Mr. Fraser explained how these boxes meet the needs of families who lose their unborn babies. The students are very invested in choosing symbols to engrave in the boxes to bring love and kindness into the hearts of those who receive them. As we wandered through the wood working class, we met with Noelle who shared her unique modern table design. Thomas worked nearby on designing joints for pipes, and beside these students were students working on cars. One student, Andrew, shared how he had dropped his car lower and designed the gear shift and inside knobs to be unique.

A Great Finish to SD73’s Battle of the Books

It was an exciting finish to the Battle of the Books elementary reading motivation program this year! 28 schools participated in the program, and nine schools made it to the District Battle hosted on April 27th at the Henry Grube Education Centre. Read more.

SD73 Students Attended Geneskool

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, our District Mission is to provide students with learning opportunities and environments that inspire students to thrive. Hundreds of enthusiastic senior science students from all over School District 73 attended Geneskool, by Genome BC, at Thompson Rivers University during the first week of May. Read more.

Kamloops Thompson Honour Choir - Audition

Looking for a fun and exciting activity for your child? Give them the gift of music with our children's choir audition! Sign-up is now open Tuesday, May 16, 2023, for children currently in grades 2-6. Please contact Cyndy Olsen, Kamloops Thompson Honour Choir Manager, at kthchoir@gmail.com. Read more.

Thank you to everyone for making school visits authentic and for enjoying the time with students, staff, and trustees. I hope that you stay cool this weekend while also enjoying the warm weather.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Superintendent's Update

Sat, 16 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

Thank you for your support of winter concerts. The busyness of this season brings so much joy to students, staff, and families. I appreciate your time and effort to bring your children to practices and events. There are many student and staff success stories to share as we approach the holidays.

SD73 Celebrates the Winners of the Zoom 48 Hour Film Festival in Vancouver

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education values relationships and connections, and students’ accomplishments in the Fine Arts- music, art, dance, drama, video/film, games, multimedia advertising and entrepreneurship, and digital technologies. Elias Humphrey and Bre Mayall, two talented student filmmakers from the Kamloops School of the Arts Media Arts Program successfully competed in the Zoom 48 Hour Film Festival Read more.

Bert Edwards Science and Technology School

Principal Edstrom and I talked with Mr. Wiebe at the start of our visit, and they shared how much the school community was looking forward to the winter concert this week. We then visited Mr. Hummel’s Gr. 4-5 class who were working in stations (Directed Drawing using iPads, stacking cups, and Lego, to name a few).

We spoke with Ms. Rose, the Aboriginal Education Worker, who shared that she has been involving the school in drumming. The Gr. 6 students designed drums with the Seven Grandfather Teachings which are central in the District Strategic Plan. She also explained how she looked forward to beading with Gr. 1-6, and how she plans to start a community beading club to follow.

Ms. Campbell’s Gr. 3-4 class was examining rocks and predicting what the signs of erosion would be and how erosion would impact various factors such as the weight of their rocks. Ms. Campbell shared how she had borrowed a rock tumbler and would conduct this class experiment throughout the next month.

We spent time with Mr. Wood and Asher, a grade 6 student who shared his talents and gifts in coding by showing us a multi-level game that he had created. He based the design of the game on “Flapping Bird”, a video game that he had enjoyed. Asher shared that he was a “self-taught coder” and remarked how trying to create higher levels of difficulty caused him to learn through trial and error. He showed us how he makes his bird character fly through boxes and tunnels and when the bird navigates enough challenges successfully, it gets a hat. As the challenges increase, the hats change. It is truly a remarkable game.

Mr. Wood and Ms. Unsworth had created a large map on their classroom wall that displayed their class project in which students joined together in groups that eventually became cities. In the development of cities, they negotiated boundaries and eventually designed the political system and economies within which their cities would run. This is an integral part of global systems and governance in Gr. 6.

Valleyview Secondary School

Principal Carmichael and I visited classrooms in Valleyview Secondary School, and we started in the front office by reviewing the change from “late slips” to “welcome slips” and how the reason for this change is to foster a sense of care, belonging, and welcoming to start a student’s day. We then stopped at the staffroom door, which displays and staff-created land acknowledgement. Mr. Carmichael shared that they are committed as a staff to developing personal land acknowledgements to develop greater collective and individual understanding of and learning about the unceded territories of the Secwe?pemc peoples.

We met with Aboriginal Education Worker, MJ Johnson, who explained that her role is not only to be involved with students and families when individuals require additional support, but she is also committed to working with all students in classrooms to learn about Aboriginal culture, teachings, and traditions. She has a room where she meets smaller groups of students and has developed a food program hub where students not only contribute to the organizing with the Boys and Girls Club, but they promote access to anytime, stigma-free snacks.

We then observed Ms. Magliocch’s Drama class that was volunteering answers to what they could do when in a production and needing to “invent in the moment”. We entered Ms. Daniels’ band class which had just finished and spent a few moments with her to learn about her role teaching not only music classes, but also online learning through @KOOL. We met with Mr. McIntosh as he was going to teach badminton and then observed the students as they were practicing doubles. Mr. McIntosh also shared ideas for supporting coaches and expanding athletics programming.

Mr. Turner was teaching Chemistry and students were completing work in multiple units including Environmental studies. As we left that class, we met with two Gr. 11 students, Emily and Asa, who were working on a project that required them to describe a branded item for their New Media class.

Ms. Thomas was teaching Secwepemctsín through a short story study of a book, Shuswap Stories. Students were sharing reflections on the characters’ choices about gathering medicines for varied purposes and the locations in which they found them using a combination of English and Secwepemctsín.

Next, we visited Ms. Barendregt’s Data program 11 and 12 class, which are part of the SD73 Digital Arts and Technology Academy (DATA). The students were working on planning their final project, which involved them in considering the strengths and how to assign roles (i.e., producer, artist, writer, coder, etc.) to their group members. I spoke with several students who shared their plans:

Tyson: was digitally modeling a duck as a character for a game.
Lukas, Das, and Jimy: were working on different parts of the game, “Bink’s Rising” which was part of their gaming theme, “Parallel Worlds' ”. The main character, Bink, travels to different parts of a world (above and below ground leveL) and the goal is to navigate obstacles to gather stars.
Davis and Jimy: are working on “Peavy Mart” based on their friend’s job in a Peavy Mart who tries to stop them from stealing in the digital Peavy Mart World. The interesting connection is the use of blending digital and real world characters.
Teagen: shared “Gonzo’s Delivery Service”, a game that has Gonzo move a box so that the box can be used for jumping and moving to different levels in the universe. The ultimate goal is to deliver the packages in the game. She had made it into ten levels.
Paris: had not yet titled the game, but the object of it was to have a bat fly to certain places for points. The bat has a bird-like flow to the way it flies, which was inspired by her love of birds in flight. Paris explained that she loves the artistic aspect of game development more so than the coding tasks.

Each student found being in the DATA academy as a passion and one that would shape their interest in certain careers. It was clear as we worked alongside students in this program that they were developing the competencies of collaboration, and creative and critical thinking.

Kamloops Thompson Honor Choir Performs for the Board of Education

On Monday, December 11, 2023, the Kamloops Thompson Honor Choir performed for the Board. They had a wonderful mixture of multi-part harmonies, drama, and dance as part of their exhilarating performance. This choir began over forty-five years ago, and it is a well-loved tradition for them to perform for the Board of Education. Read more.

SD73 District Numeracy Learning with Carole Fullerton

In the 2023 Enhancing Student Learning Report/District Learning Plan, we are committed to capacity building through professional learning, which is essential for system-wide improvement. Read more.

SD73 Collaboratively Building Innovative and Inviting Library Learning Commons

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, the District Mission is to provide learning opportunities and environments that inspire students to thrive. A central learning environment in most schools would be the school library or learning commons areas. Read more.

SD73 Discover Days - Engineering

In SD73, 40 grade 10-12 students experienced a “Day in Engineering” hosted by the Engineering Department at Thompson Rivers University. Read more.

Kindergarten Information Nights

Thank you for putting in the extra time supporting events at your schools and for enjoying the hustle and bustle of December. Take time to relax this weekend and enjoy getting outside.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent

Announcements

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 18:45:00 GMT

ATHLETICS:

Congratulations to all of the curlers competing in the Open High School Bonspiel this past weekend! Both SKSS teams finished the round robin with a 4-1 record! The top 3 teams finished 4-1 so it came down to a sudden death draw off for placing! SKSS 2 skipped by Patrick Betker finished 2nd and SKSS 1 - skipped by Holly Hafeli finished 3rd!! Way to go Titian Curlers!

Congratulations to the Grade 9 Girls Basketball team in winning their tournament this weekend. They had a hard fight to the end with Sydney Fraser getting the final basket to win by one point with 20 seconds left in the game.

All grade 8 boys AND girls basketball players please report to room 120 at the start of lunch today for a short meeting. That's in the computer room across from Mr. Dhaliwal, at lunch for grade 8 boys and girls basketball.

SKSS GROUPS & ACTIVITIES:

Anyone interested in auditioning for this year's Spring play please come to Mrs. Fonseca's room at lunch on Thursday for an information meeting.

Tomorrow is the WCT Matinee Program's performance of “The Sound of Music”. If you have registered for this please meet Mrs. Fonseca in the Lobby at 10:50 a.m. You will need to leave your D-block class early.

Dry Grad will be hosting a bake sale on December 17 at lunch.

NOTICES TO STUDENTS:

Bannock Sale this Wednesday at long break and lunch in the main hallway.

TNT NEWS:

COUNSELLING NEWS:

Bonne journée! Have a great day!

Board Notes from November 28, 2022

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 16:30:00 GMT

From the regular meeting of the Board of Education. Find out about CommunityLINK Annual Report and Indigenous Graduation Requirement. Read Board Notes here.