School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
RECOGNITION OF STUDENT/SCHOOL SUCCESS
March 10, 2008
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) extends congratulations to the following students/groups for
these outstanding examples of success for February:
CARMI ELEMENTARY
With the many healthy, physical activities happening at Carmi, it must appear as if everyone has
made New Year’s resolutions!
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Action Schools is back with fun-filled exercises to music and a video on Tuesday and Thursday
mornings.
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Grade 3 students are swimming and many classes have been skating.
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Grade 5 students had their first cross country skiing experience on Feb 19th, which was enjoyed
by all.
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Basketball has been very popular this year for both grade 4 & 5 students with practices during
noon hour and before school begins (forty- eight students take part regularly!)
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Congratulations Carmi’s Basketball Team! The team was well dressed (new jerseys) which
explained why the team was full of Carmi spirit. Many thanks go out to Carmi’s PAC for
purchasing the jerseys and to the talented Marlene Jones for creating them.
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In January the importance of reading was emphasized as the entire school participated in “Stop,
Drop, and Read”.
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The reading events culminated with a “Read-In”, followed by Carmi’s first “Spelling Bee” on
February 1st.
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Carmi’s School Progress Report is up-to-date and will soon be up on the School and District’s
website. It is great to see the progress of both students and the school. Once again it takes the
hard work of staff, students, parents, community and district working together to make this
happen.
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Grades 1 and 2 students culminated their medieval unit with a Medieval Open House for parents
that included supper, entertainment and an opportunity to view amazing castles that the students
created.
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The Carmi CARES Carnival was held in February, which turned out to be a fun event for
everyone.
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Plans continue to be underway for the Penticton Centennial Celebration at Carmi. Students are
learning Centennial songs. Grade 5 students have done a lot of research to create Centennial
banners at Carmi with help from local artist, Glenn Clarke.
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The Penticton Vees were at Carmi to read to students and to have their annual floor hockey
game with the Carmi students.
Basketball in Action
Read-In
Medieval Open
House
Spelling Bee
COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY
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Grade 5 Columbia students were supposed to go Cross-Country skiing on February 7th.
However, due to unfavourable weather conditions, the trip had to be cancelled at the last
moment. Nonetheless, the students had a great day just the same. They started the morning
with some team games in the gym. Then, later in the morning, they did some hill sliding, as well
as building some incredible snowmen. They topped the afternoon off with a video that they had
earned through the Accelerated Reading Program, and, all in all, had a fabulous day in spite of
having their ski program cancelled.
GIANT’S HEAD ELEMENTARY
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Show and Share - February 21st. Giant’s Head teachers and students gave out invitations to
everyone to visit classrooms where there was a variety of student displays to enjoy.
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Valentine Crafts - This interactive workshop included experimenting with various Valentine’s Day
crafts to make one-of-a-kind gifts for the special people in their lives.
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Family Valentine’s Dance - The very well attended Valentine’s dance was sponsored by PAC as
a fundraiser for the new Playground equipment. DJ Music was put on by one of the Summerland
parents, Alpha Woldenga. Lots going on with door prizes, popcorn sales and a bake sale.
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The grade 5 Special Events Ambassadors also held a 'Snug with your Bud' day on Feb 22nd.
Children wore their PJ’s and brought their favourite stuffy and blanket to school. Buddy classes
gathered in the gym at different times throughout the day to snuggle with their big/little buddies to
read their favourite books and enjoy snacks provided by PAC.
Snug with your Bud
HOME LEARNERS’ PROGRAM
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In February, the Home Learners' Program celebrated with Brennan Phillips, who won the
school-wide spelling bee. He goes on to the Regional CanSpell Spelling Bee in Kelowna
next month. Brennan is no rookie, though, as he placed 2nd at the regionals last year and
went on to Ottawa for the finals. The Home Learners' Program and Brennan's parents are
hoping for a repeat performance this year!
Brennan Phillips
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As well this month, the students took part in cross-country skiing at Nickel Plate Nordic
Centre, where they enjoyed getting out in the beautiful winter sun.
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The school also hosted their popular Valentine's Day craft day where students made edible
bouquets in vases.
KALEDEN ELEMENTARY
Kaleden has been very busy in February – some of the highlights include:
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Cross-country skiing
Inter-school basketball games in their new jerseys (thanks to PAC)
Playing hockey and reading with the Penticton Vees
Celebrating Random Act of Kindness Week and Valentine’s Day
Completing the school wide writing and reading assessments
Cross Country Skiing
Penticton Vees
Valentine’s Day Artwork
KVR MIDDLE SCHOOL
KVR Success Stories For February:
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KVR Leadership students held a talent show on February 28th with 16 acts and over 75 students
and teachers performing. It was a fantastic event!
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The grade 8 girl’s basketball team won the South Zone Championship winning the right to
represent the South Okanagan at the Provincials March 6, 7, 8, 2008.
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24 KVR students toured Quebec City and Montreal during Carnival for 5 days in early February.
This wonderful opportunity gave the students a chance to experience French outside the
classroom. The students also learned first hand the history of Quebec and to see how the
people of Quebec cope with the cold temperatures and snow of winter. This yearly activity
creates the excitement that language acquisition and use brings for students.
NARAMATA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Naramata Elementary has been busy in February:
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The grade 5 students and parents hosted a community Spaghetti Dinner & Loony Auction on
February 21st. All proceeds from this event will go towards covering the expenses of a trip to
Science World in Vancouver late June.
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Naramata Rattlers’ Basketball - The Naramata School basketball season has begun and
everyone is looking forward to a great season of fun & fitness for all the participants. The team
is coached by Mr. Redden & Mr. McBryde.
PARKWAY ELEMENTARY
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Parkway students in grade 1- 5 took part in the School Safety/Anti-Bullying program called
The Power of One. Students learned about the different components of bullying and how they
could help to solve such problems. Upon completion of the program each student signed a
pledge poster affirming that they wished to keep Parkway as a bully-free school.
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The Parkway grade 5 students, their parents and their teachers hosted the annual Spaghetti
Dinner and Loonie Auction. This was a very successful fundraiser and social get together for
the students and parents of Parkway.
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A number of students in the Parkway Early Literacy Program and One-to-One Reading
program have shown significant gains in reading achievement and skills over this past term.
Students, parents and volunteers have worked hard during the day and in the evenings, at
home and at school to bring about this positive news.
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Grade 5 leadership students organized and publicized two special events in February. The
Wear Pink to Fight Bullying Day was held in conjunction with Valentine’s Day (it was the
fourth such Thursday this year) and Pajama Day was organized for February 20th as a Spirit
Day. Both days were student inspired and very successful!
PRINCESS MARGARET SECONDARY SCHOOL
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The Senior Leadership Class hosted a big fundraiser entitled ‘Hoops for Hearts’ where over 50
students participated. The fundraiser was very successful as they raised approximately $500.00
for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
PENTICTON SECONDARY SCHOOL
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School District No. 67 and Penticton Secondary School are extremely proud of Russ
Stasiuk who recently won the prestigious ‘Premier’s Award for Teaching Excellence’ which
was held recently in Victoria:
Premier’s Awards for Teaching Excellence
Russ Stasiuk
Biography
Russ Stasiuk currently teaches Art, Photography, Film and TV, Animation and Media at Penticton
Secondary School.
Russ Stasiuk has been teaching for 27 years and in this time has made significant contributions to the
development of new and educational programs for his school. For example, Russ developed
Photography, Film and Media, Ceramics, and Art History Programs. Russ also created the Pen High
Arts and Media Education (PHAME) program, a student-driven digital media and arts production
company that has won numerous provincial and national awards.
Russ also contributes to student achievement outside of the classroom, taking students on art
excursions to Vancouver and San Francisco and could often be found working evenings and
weekends to support students to complete filming or editing project. Russ has also an active member
of the community and served on the Penticton Art Council. Congratulations Russ!
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Kyle Harms raised $2,298 through his Charity Hockey event for the OSNS Child
Development Centre.
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Junior Girls Basketball Team have gone through their entire season with an undefeated
record.
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The grade 10 Boys Basketball Team placed 2nd at the Valleys and are off to the
Provincials.
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The ‘Give a Girl a Smile’ project is now a registered charity and has a goal of raising
$10,000 for dental work for needy girls in the school. Website Address for more
information or donations: http://www.givemeaning.com/project/helpericasmile
QUEEN’S PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
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Queen’s Park Floor Hockey Tournament was a huge success with over 60 students taking part
with many parents out to enjoy the game. They also had a number of Alumnni back to help ref
and coach the games – which made the event even better!
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Queen’s Park completed their School Progress report update for the first part of the year. The
staff had 3 working sessions together to update and discuss their goals.
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The grade 5 students had a great day of cross-country skiing in February at Nickel Plate with a
great many parents along for the trip.
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The school held the first Annual Indoor House Team Fun meet in February and it was a huge
success. The house team captains ran the event and did an excellent job organizing it. It was a
super day all around!
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The fourth Movie Night of the year went very well. They had over 90 parents and students out for
the event and everybody had a great time!
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The grade 4 students all completed their FSA exams in February.
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The Kindergarten class enjoyed a month of guest readers in their classroom. They really enjoyed
having a variety of different people reading stories to them each day.
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The Ready Set Learn program was another big hit this year. Mrs. Stewart did another
outstanding job!
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Ms. Woodd's class enjoyed another visit from Baby Luke this month as part of their Roots of
Empathy program. The students learn so much as they watch Luke grow from a baby to a
toddler.
SKAHA LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
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Grade 8 students attended an elective orientation session at Maggie as a preliminary step in
their transition in September to grade 9.
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Grade 6 Leadership students put on a ‘Fan Gear’ day where students wore clothing of
various teams that they cheer for.
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Grade 7 students enjoyed three days of downhill skiing.
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Grade 8 students went to Maggie to listen to guitarist Don Alder.
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Grade 8 Leadership students hosted a ‘Mr. and Mrs. Irresistible’ Day for the school.
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Three teachers attended the Faye Brownlie Leadership for Learning workshop in Kelowna.
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Skaha hosted a basketball play day for grade 7 girls.
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Maggie counselors attended Skaha to speak to grade 8 students about course planning for
next year.
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Mr. Lance Zablotney and Mr. Tony Biollo each received a letter from Premier Gordon
Campbell commending their work on the Accelerated Reading Program at Skaha Lake
Middle School. Mr. Campbell wrote that “projecting a circulation of 18,000 books this year for
a population of 500 students is wonderful news and a great validation of the program.
Instilling an appreciation of books and creating a “reading culture” at Skaha Lake Middle
School among students already tuned into the internet age is a great accomplishment.” An
enormous thank you to grade 6 teacher, Mr. Barry Loewen for bringing this to the premier’s
attention.
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Skaha Lake Middle School hosted a Citizenship Ceremony on February 14th
36 people were sworn in as new Canadian Citizens.
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Scott Edwards hosted a Susan Close workshop in his classroom on February 18th. Five
Skaha Lake Middle School teachers attended this session.
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A wonderful Valentine’s Day luncheon for Terri McMillen's grade 6 class was held on
February 14th. This was an exercise in social responsibility where students took
responsibility for certain aspects of putting on the luncheon. Tribes activities were tied in with
this luncheon.
SUMMERLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL
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Summerland Science Fair:
Kendal Etchison- and her project De-Salination
with Colleen Stewell from the Summerland Credit Union.
How Do Guitars Work demonstration by Phillip
Schaffner and Riley Greenwood with Jane
Thielman from the Summerland Research
Station.
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Summerland Middle School gym was a beehive of activity with over 100 projects on display.
Students in grades 6, 7 and 8 spent the last few months researching, conducting studies and
preparing their presentations of various projects. The Science Fair was held on February 18th.
Projects were judged by the SMS staff as well as 60 judges from the community. The day was a
huge success with over 25 projects moving on to the district level. From the districts
Summerland Middle School had over 25 projects receive various awards and four projects
moving on to the Regional’s.
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Accelerated Reader - with Literacy as one of the school’s goals, it was exciting to see
Accelerated Reader continuing to be very successful and used school wide. Twelve students
reached the 100 Point Club in Term II for AR. Forty-nine students reached the 50 point Club.
Students are reading books and points are accumulated from reading various books. Teacher
Librarian Holly Colquhoun is tracking data on circulation and reports and was amazed at the
jump in the number of books that are being signed out and read by students.
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Tablet Project - Summerland Middle School recently had technology updates with 30 tablets.
Under the direction of Holly Colquhoun, Literacy and Technology teacher classes have done
various pilot projects. One grade class is involved in literature blogging, where they discuss
books online with other members of the class. Students in grade 8 English are also involved in
creating music videos, after a study of poetry and music lyrics. They are creating personalized
music videos focused on imagery and metaphors.
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Grade 7 students and teachers were involved in a Mesopotamia unit where they did Google
Maps and then used the united streaming videos so students had access to watch videos
independently. Following research students wrote on Microsoft word on “The Day of....” an
individual from Mesopotamia.
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The tablets are used on a regular basis to research, writing through Microsoft as well as multi
media and power Points.
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Transition Visit – On February 29th, a number of grade 9 teachers from SSS visited Summerland
Middle School. They were ‘buddied’ with grade 8 teachers from Summerland Middle and spent
the morning in various classrooms, watching and taking part in the various lessons. The SMS
teachers then joined SSS staff for lunch at SSS and spent the afternoon in various classrooms at
Summerland Secondary. It was a unique opportunity for both groups of staff to experience the
culture and climate of each school and get to know each other as well as collaborate and
dialogue on curriculum and transition issues.
SUMMERLAND SECONDARY SCHOOL
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80 students (backstage to the front of the house) from SSS performed GREASE! The first show
was February 19th and was completely sold out. The play will be going on through the first week
of March and has been all the buzz around the school for the past month. It does help that the
performers have been heard on the PA a number of times and that they were previewed at a
recent Rocket Rally... this production is enormous and involves so much of the school…
TROUT CREEK ELEMENTARY
During the past month, the staff and students have been busy with the following events:
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Active fitness sessions for Kindergarten to grade 5 students each Monday, Wednesday and
Friday conducted by Ms. Thorp and her grade 4 students.
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Strong participation at the intermediate noon hour games; by the Eagles, Falcons and Hawks.
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Informal report card received by each child/parent to update on student progress this term.
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Lots of winter crafts created by students during the noon hour Craft Club.
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Guitar Club lessons offered with Mrs. Jang for interested primary and intermediate students.
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Opportunity for students in grades 1-5 to join in a noon hour choir club; practises held every
Friday.
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Staff participated in a series of professional development sessions with the School District’s
Literacy Helping teacher on Adrienne Gear’s reading comprehension strategies.
UPLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
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Uplands Literacy Day was a huge success! Families went to the school in the morning and read
stories - pyjamas, stuffies, sleeping bags and blankies were optional. It was a fun morning for
everyone involved.
Literacy Day
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World Floor Hockey League is up and running Tuesday’s and Thursday’s.
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Basketball Monday and Wednesday and Open Gym on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.
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Uplands hallways are filled with watercolours modelled from Monet, weavings modelled from
Suki's Kimono, tissue art painting and contrast art with paper – such talent!
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Uplands hosted a SMART Demonstration class that was most informative to all who attended.
The students were wonderful teachers!!!
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Lego Day in the gym was a lot of fun.
WEST BENCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
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On February 8th the school had their wonderful Wildcat Hundred's Day. Students participated
in a number of activities in their teams led by the Leadership Class. It was a great morning to
rotate through the Hundred Day events. Later that evening they had a salute to Penticton and
West Bench with the ‘Decades Dance’. The band One 2 Many played which was special
considering the rhythm guitar player was a former grade 5 teacher (Dan Major) and the rest of
the band all have had children who have gone to West Bench. It was a great time. The
Decades Dance was a huge success!
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The grade 5 students went skiing at Apex.
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The West Bench basketball team played with Parkway, Wiltse and Carmi. A great time was
had by all – all students learned a lot and had a fun time too.
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The Penticton Vees visited the school. They did a great job reading to all the classes and
answering questions about their love of hockey. They played a game with the student team
made up of students from grades 1 to 5. The result was a tie!! Go Wildcats and VEES!
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The school held their Random Act of Kindness Week the same week as Valentine’s. They
announced the names of students over the PA who had been awarded Wonderful Wildcat
Awards and students composed messages to remind everyone to be kind. They had the
Random Acts of Kindness Celebration on Friday with the students rotating through different
activities - it was a wonderful day and week. The students continue to do Random Acts of
Kindness at school and at home.
WILTSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
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Throughout the month of February six staff members and their students immersed themselves in
SMART Learning. Some are building on their previous knowledge and others are simply getting
their first taste of this exciting framework. Teachers participated in the “Learning Rounds” offered
by Susan Close and the local demonstration teachers. Immediately after returning to the
classroom teachers began working with Learning Sequences, trying new tools and fine-tuning
strategies. Participants from across the District then met for a second time to debrief and share
their experiences. It was a wonderful opportunity to ask questions, share successes and offer
insights to others. The staff at Wiltse Elementary are excited about the second round of
classroom demonstrations which will further their understanding of SMART Learning. They
anticipate the release of Susan Close’s book in May and are eager to create a learning
community at Wiltse which will support teachers as they continue on this professional journey.
It’s an exciting time for Literacy!