Superintendent’s Update

Posted On Tuesday November 04, 2025

Dear parents and staff,

I heard Wade Davis speak a few years ago. He is a BC-born cultural anthropologist, ethnobotanist, photographer, and writer. His impressive résumé and life experiences made for an enjoyable and impactful learning session. One comment he shared has stayed with me over the years. It isn’t original to him, but it frames his approach to many things, and he provided examples from his renowned career as a photographer. He said, “If you believe it, you will see it” and explained his approaches to capturing images in nature that tell a powerful story.

I was reminded of that as we all navigated our way through the recent fire at Westmount Elementary School. There was upset and anger, feelings of loss and trauma. There were, and continue to be, challenges as the school, the district, and families adapt to new routines that will be in place until the Westmount remediation is completed.

But there was also a belief that “we can do this.” It was evident in the work of the Westmount principal and staff who received the news on Sunday morning and were confronted with many unknowns. By first thing Monday morning, the Westmount team were developing detailed and thoughtful plans that would support learners. Staff at the district level explored and designed options for learning spaces, teaching and learning materials, transportation, and countless other details in preparation for students and colleagues arriving at their new host schools. Those schools — Kay Bingham, Parkcrest, and George Hilliard — rallied on short notice to provide a wonderful welcome to their guest learners and staff.

Our Operations Department and contractors were on site at Westmount as soon as our RCMP and Kamloops Fire Rescue partners gave permission for access. We all want the school to be up and running again as soon as possible.

So… “If you believe it, you will see it.” Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to addressing a very challenging situation and has brought skill, hope, and resilience to the teamwork that was and continues to be essential. When members of the senior team met with the Westmount PAC president last Monday, we were grateful for a conversation that was supportive and so very clear about the powerful sense of a neighbourhood that has rallied around their school community. 

“If you believe it, you will see it.” Below are two photos that do a beautiful job of highlighting the sense of team, community, and welcome that greeted the students and staff when they arrived at one of their host schools. While local, national, and global challenges can seem relentless, it is good to believe in the common good and see examples that reinforce what community can and should look like.

One additional Thank You to offer: the team at Kamloops Fire Rescue responded quickly and effectively in the early hours of Sunday, October 26. Their rapid actions decreased the severity of the fire and allow us to plan for a return to Westmount sooner than might otherwise have been the case. We are grateful to the crews that attended and to all of the 165+ dedicated KFR personnel who work hard every day to ensure that the communities we serve are as safe as they can be.

Sincerely,

Mike McKay
Superintendent

Read more about how Westmount Elementary staff, students, and families found strength in their community and came together to help students successfully and positively transition to their new temporary classrooms at Kay Bingham Elementary, Parkcrest Elementary, and George Hilliard Elementary last week.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

On Monday, November 10, schools across the District will be honouring Remembrance Day (November 11) and Indigenous Veterans Day (November 8) with school-wide ceremonies and assemblies featuring student performances, music, poetry, and guest speakers.  

The act of Remembrance is one of the most important ways we can honour and thank Veterans for their sacrifices. Lest we forget.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OCTOBER

McQueen Lake Forestry and Environmental Studies Camp 

On October 2-4, Grade 11 and 12 students from across the District participated in hands-on learning about Natural Resource career pathways at the McQueen Lake Forestry and Environmental Studies Camp. Read more here.

School Bus Safety Week

October 20–24 was School Bus Safety Week. This year, we connected with the SD73 Transportation department to learn more about school bus drivers’ memorable moments and safety tips. Read more here. 

UPCOMING EVENT

Safer Schools Together Remote Session:

Establishing Safe, Caring, and Respectful Digital Communities

November 12, 2025 at 6:30pm

In partnership with the Ministry of Education and Child Care, this free online session covers all things digital — from how to be a good digital citizen, the consequences of cyberbullying, and concerns about the use of social media platforms, smartphones, and artificial intelligence. Learn more and register here.

UPDATES FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

At the October 27, 2025, Annual Public Board Meeting, the Board of Education conducted their annual trustee elections, reelecting Trustee Heather Grieve as Chairperson, Trustee Rhonda Kershaw as Vice-Chair, Trustee Kathleen Karpuk as the BCSTA Provincial Council representative, and Trustee Cole Hickson as the BCPSEA representative. To learn more about the October Board Meeting, read the latest Board Notes here.

The next Regular Public Board meeting will be Monday, November 24, 2025, at 7:00 pm at the School Board Office.

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