This October was glorious in its sunny weather and the sunny disposition of so many students who actively engaged in learning together with one another. October 5 was World Teachers’ Day, a day to reflect and be grateful for the important work that teachers do in our school district and in our communities.
Some of this month’s learning activities were related to physical literacy through participation in team sports like cross country running, volleyball and other activities that promote physical literacy. Middle and secondary school students from across the district participated in the Kootenay Zone Cross Country Championships on October 26 at the Salmo Ski Hill. This was the first time Salmo Secondary hosted the event. A heartfelt thanks to the Salmo Secondary staff and to the student, family and community volunteers who helped make the event a success for the more than 100 students who participated. Congratulations to the 45 students who qualified for the Provincial Championships.
Some learning this past month was more reflective, such as at Erickson Elementary where all classes undertook projects to better understand the experience of Residential School students. Other learning was more experiential and related to food, such as “scaring hunger” at Canyon-Lister Elementary where students collected donations for the local food bank or at Wildflower School in Creston where students visited local farms to learn about growing, processing and harvesting food to promote food security.
Even children not yet enrolled in SD8 schools had the chance this past month to embark on their learning journey through the new StrongStart Program launched at South Nelson Elementary School in coordination with Kootenay Kids. I welcome all our StrongStart families in each of our 13 programs and our new South Nelson families in particular.
Together, the pieces collected in this month’s report highlight that our students learn in multiple ways whether by moving their bodies, by reflecting on information shared with them in the classroom by educators and those with lived experience, or from experiencing their communities firsthand. We are very fortunate to be learning and working together in SD8.
