Superintendent’s Update

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 Sucwentwécw – April 7, 2025

Day of Sucwentwécw 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

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.

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