Superintendent’s Update

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