Beloved Chase community member, Fran Connett, receives the first Board Award of Recognition

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On Monday, May 6, 2024, The Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education joined together with the Chase Secondary staff and district community to honour Fran Connett with the first ever Board Award of Recognition.

“I was pleased to honour Fran Connett on behalf of the Board of Education with the first Board Award of Recognition,” stated Board Chair Heather Grieve. “On April 8, 2024, the Board learned that in the review of the OWL Award Committee applications that the Committee felt that there was a need to introduce an award that recognizes individuals who have significantly impacted public education within the district community because of service that has resulted in bringing the core value commitments of the District Strategic Plan alive. At that meeting, the Board passed a motion to start the Board Award of Recognition with Fran being the first recipient.”

“As the Chair of the OWL Award for Excellence in Public Education Committee, I am so proud of committee members for recognizing the need for a District Awards program for staff, and bringing forward Fran Connett as the first recipient,” shared Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Nixon. “During Monday’s event, the community heard all that Fran has accomplished in terms of immeasurable, positive impact on individuals through her relationships and connections over the years in the Chase community and in the district.”

For over two decades, Fran Connett has made a profound impact on the lives of countless students, staff, and families in the community of Chase. Fran is a dedicated individual who runs the Chase Secondary School cafeteria—she is committed to ensuring no student goes hungry, serving nutritious and hearty breakfasts and lunches, and doing it all with kindness, generosity, and a smile. Her impact goes beyond the food she serves, as one community member shared, “she is the grandmother of our school and she made everyone feel like they belonged.”

As Fran prepares for retirement, her community was excited to celebrate her and all that she has given to the students of Chase Secondary School. Principal Greg Gartrell organized a community celebration on May 6, alongside the School Board meeting at his school, to honour Fran’s immeasurable impact and join the Board of Education in honouring her with the Board Award of Recognition. In Greg’s words: “Tonight we are acknowledging Fran Connett, lovingly known as Frannie in our community, who has served students at our school cafeteria for the last 20 years. She does so much more than just serve food, she serves love, and she is a person that everybody knows they can go to in a time of need. Frannie’s been here for everybody in our community for the last 20 years and we just want to make sure she knows how much she’s appreciated.”

The recognition event was filled with energy and love from the community as community members, friends, family, and students filled the Chase school gym to celebrate their beloved community member.  At the event, after being honoured with the Board Recognition Award, Fran expressed feelings of being overwhelmed with emotions and grateful for the honour. While little words were shared, emotions of gratitude were felt by all in the room.

Fran’s positive and immense impact on Chase, and specifically Chase Secondary School, will be felt throughout the community for generations to come. As Diane Jules, Aboriginal Education Council Director and Trustee of the Kamloops-Thompson School Board, explains, “Frannie is a legend. Even though she won’t be in our kitchen with our students anymore, her name will resonate in the hallways for generations to come. No one will ever beat Chase Secondary Frannie. Kukwstsétsemc Frannie for everything you’ve done for all of our children.”