School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
RECOGNITION OF STUDENT/SCHOOL SUCCESS
June 9, 2008
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) extends congratulations to the following students/groups for
these outstanding examples of success for May:
CARMI ELEMENTARY
May was another exciting, productive and rewarding month at Carmi. Highlights include:
•
Grade 1- 5 Cross Country Running every morning (with some staff getting involved too!)
•
Many students placing in the top 20 and doing their personal best at the Kaleden Cross Country
Run on May 30th
•
Kids on the Block performance on May 8th
•
Mother’s Day Craft Day hosted by PAC on May 9th
•
Mrs. Bingham’s grade two class and Mrs. Johnston’s grade 5 student leaders bringing their
entertaining performance (from Carmi’s Centennial Celebration Concert) to the city-wide Hello
Tomorrow performance at Cleland Theatre on May 8th and 9th. Everyone was so proud of the
students’ dedication, effort and talent!
Grade 2 Students Performing The Canoe Song
•
A Kindergarten Mother’s Day Tea on May 9th
•
A grade 4 class attended the Pow Wow at Skaha Lake Middle School on May 14th
•
All K-5 students enjoyed the Children’s Festival on May 23rd
•
Excellent Track and Field practices to prepare for the Meet on June 4th
•
Assessment for Learning in reading, writing and math – it is rewarding to see how students have
progressed throughout the school year!
•
Grade 5 Destination Conservation Team completed their Lights Out project, did an amazing
performance at an assembly and awarded their first “Lightbulb Trophy” to Mrs. Bingham’s grade 2
class.
Happy Birthday Penticton!
Grade 5 Student Leaders Performing O Penticton
COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY
•
The Columbia PAC did an incredible job with the Tupperware Fundraiser they organized at
Columbia, raising over $700.00. A big thank you to everyone who purchased the Tupperware as
well as the parents for supporting the school.
GIANT’S HEAD ELEMENTARY
•
The grade 5 Leadership Conference had four sessions put on by the leadership students
from McNicoll Park Middle School, Summerland Secondary School and Summerland Middle
School as well as a grade 12 student from Summerland Secondary who is a member of the
Summerland Asset Development Group. Giant’s Head Elementary PAC sponsored the lunch
and recess snack.
Here was a sample of what the conference looked like:
GRADE FIVE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2008
TIME:
8:50 – 9:00
9:00 – 9:15
9:20 – 10:05
10:05 – 10:30
10:35 – 11:20
11:25 12: 10
12:15 – 1:00
1: 05 – 1: 50
1:55 – 2: 05
2:05 – 2:30
SESSION:
SESSION A
SESSION B
SESSION C
SESSION D
SHAPE OF THE DAY
EVENT:
NAME TAGS & ASSEMBLE
OPENING
SESSIONS A, B, C, D,
NUTRITION BREAK
SESSIONS A, B, C, D
SESSIONS A, B, C, D
LUNCH
SESSIONS A, B, C, D
CLOSING
REFLECTION
SESSIONS
DESCRIPTION:
“What Good Leaders Need to Know”
Student from SSS, under the direction of
their teacher Jane Stead, will stress,
through a series of physical activities,
cooperation, communication and team
building skill.
“Play Safe be Safe”
Kerissa/Summerland Asset Group.
Kerissa produced a short video on
bikes, internet and street safety. Her
session will include discussion on
accident prevention.
“Coming Together”
McNicoll Park asset group under the
direction of teacher Leona Tank will be
looking at how to achieve a goal through
teamwork and communication.
“ Moving to the Middle Made Easy”
SMS leadership students, through the
direction of Darcy Mullin will include
Tribes activities and a slide presentation
on events at the middle school
LOCATION:
Own Classroom
Gym
See rotation chart
Gym
See rotation chart
See rotation chart
Gym
See rotation chart
Gym
Own Classroom
LOCATION:
GYM
RM 22 Mr. Kennedy’s
RM 23 Windowless
Portable 2 Mrs. Nehring’s room
BLUES
TEACHER LEADER:
Mrs. Nehring
COLOR GROUPS
REDS
ORANGE
TEACHER LEADER:
TEACHER LEADER
Mrs. Brickenden
Mr. Kennedy
GREENS
TEACHER LEADER:
Mr. Dunbar/ Mrs. Hoole
Mr. Kennedy’s class
Jordan Bendixsen
Brandon Bone
Desiree Duck
Marisol Gilman
Patrick Jonsson-Good
Chad Lemke
Gareth Rosser
Danielle Valcourt
Hannah Wright
Kevin Greenwood
Shailey Klassen
Foster Maddock
Janelle Rumball
Alexander Van Herwaarden
Makenzie CosgroveNetherton
Jack Holman
Taylor Ledoux
Dayvi Nelson
Andrew Sherlock
Cameron Walton
Brayden Jones
Abhi Lekhi
Sydney Peterson
Meghan Turko
Austin Warkentin
Mrs. Brickenden’s Class
Nick Haist
Chelsey Larose
Tanner McNabb
Eric Scherban
Connor Wardley
Victoria Cuneo
Christine Dunn
Justine Houde
Justin Lorenson
Riley Ledoux
Aidan McLuskey
Tanner Weaver
Bryce Grayston
Chase Kardosh
Julia Solar
Emily Okabe
Cawston Tower
Tiana West
Emma-Lee Freistadt
Gabrielle Lucier
Lucas Miller
Gurek Rathore
Caitlin Slade
Brianna Ure
Thomas Bergman
Krista Goss
Quentin MacDonald
Josie Montgomery
Nathanael Sacchetti
Haley Smed
Nik Wackerbauer
Talysha Bradshaw
Travis Gowing
Cassidy McCullough
Seth Morgan
Sukhmeet Saran
Mia Smyth
Luke Wagner
19- 9 /girls
10 /boys
19 9 /girls
10 /boys
19 8/ girls
11 /boys
Anthony Hoey
Rachelle Nielsen
Mark Moody
Rachael Smith
Shila Weaver
Richard Xiang
Mrs Nehring’s class
Nic Felker
Tina Kelp
Katelyn Michaud
Andre Ota-Demers
Jacob Schatz
Rhys Swenson
Taylor Workman
Totals:
19- 8 /girls
11 /boys
ROTATION CHART
TIME:
8:45-9:00
9:00- 9:15
9:20:-10:05
10:05- 10:30
10:35- 11:20
11:25 – 12:10
12:15- 1:00
1: 05 – 1:50
1:55 – 2:05
2:10- 2:35
SESSIONS
Assemble color
groups/ name tags
Opening
Session A
Session B
Session C
Session D
Nutrition Break
Session A
Session B
Session C
Session D
Session A
Session B
Session C
Session D
Lunch Break
Session A
Session B
Session C
Session D
Closing
Reflection
COLOR GROUP
All
LOCATION
Classroom
All
Blue
Red
Orange
Green
All
Green
Blue
Red
Orange
Orange
Green
Blue
Red
All
Red
Orange
Green
Blue
All
All
Gym
Gym
Room 22
Room 23
Room 18
Gym
Gym
Room 22
Room 23
Room 18
Gym
Room 22
Room 23
Room 18
Gym
Gym
Room 22
Room 23
Room 18
Gym
Your Classroom
HOME LEARNERS’ PROGRAM
•
The Home Learners’ Chess Club, sponsored by the PAC, has had a very successful year.
Each Monday, over 20 students gather at the Annex to play chess. Students from as young
as five up to 16 years old are challenging each other in games, and learning new strategies.
HLP parents supervise and teach students the intricacies of chess but mainly they are all
there to have fun!
Home Learners’ Chess Club
KALEDEN ELEMENTARY
Kaleden Elementary has been very busy in May. Some of the highlights include:
•
All students have been learning from a local artist in an Artist in Residence program. It’s been
fun – especially learning how to felt with wool.
•
Wrapping up the One to One Reading Program for the year.
The school has managed to involve more than 45 students
during the year thanks to the help of the volunteers.
•
Participating in the Aboriginal Education Building Cultural
Bridges event. It was educational and a great way for
students to learn more about the Okanagan culture.
•
Having fun at the Children’s Festival.
•
Celebrating Crazy Hair Day!
•
Practicing for and participating in the Kaleden Run. This annual event involves approximately
450 students from grades 4 and 5 throughout the district.
•
Getting all of the many assessments completed – on time and in a way that allows the school to
reflect on their practice as well as help students with their achievement in school.
Aboriginal Education Building
Cultural Bridges Event
KVR MIDDLE SCHOOL
•
On Wednesday, May 7th the closing event for 2008 Youth Week took place at the Cherry
Lane Shopping Centre. Nominations from each of the middle and secondary schools were
collected for the 2008 Youth Recognition Awards.
The following list of students were nominated by their peers or teachers to recognize them for
their positive attitudes, special talents, willingness to give hours of their time towards making
life better for others and for leading by example:
James Taylor
Lisa Welch
Gabrielle Levesque
Emily Weaver
Julia Brown
Stephanie Galata
Bailey Garnett
Morgan Romano
Dillan Savard
All of these young people should be congratulated for their efforts and achievements. KVR
had an especially high number of nominees from their grade 7and 8 leadership class, making
the choice for the one award very difficult! Each of the nominees received a letter and
certificate of recognition. Gabrielle (Gabby) Levesque received a plaque.
2008 Youth Recognition Award winner: KVR School: Gabby Levesque
•
The grade 8 students welcomed Stockwell Day MP on May 21st. The MP met with the grade
8 students and teachers and discussed social responsibility, democracy and the workings of
government. It was a very beneficial visit.
McNICOLL PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL
•
Two talented girls from McNicoll Park Middle School made the cuts for the BC Summer
Games Fastball Team:
Erin English
&
Kassie Keir
Both grade 8 students will be members of the team that will compete in the games this
summer in Kelowna!
NARAMATA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
•
Naramata Elementary hosted a very successful Annual Art Show. The “Gallery Opening” (with parents
and community invited) started with an exciting Silent Auction joined in with entertainment and
refreshments. The grade 5 students hosted a bake sale within this event to help fundraise for their
June field trip to Science World in Vancouver. The entire school was filled to capacity with artwork that
was created by the students and local artists. All in all it was a very successful event showcasing the
various artistic talents of the community.
•
The community celebrated its 85th Annual May Day Celebration on May 19th at Manitou Park. Many
of the students took part in this long-standing Naramata tradition. Students in grade 2, 3 and 4
worked very hard to learn the five May Pole dances under the direction of Mrs. Hancock. The grade
1 students took part as the official honour guards and flower girls.
The grade five girls served as the May Day Royalty:
Meg Cumming
Breanna Gowe
Gabby McDougall-Guillen
Amanda Prowse
Kathleen Skilton
Kylie Watson
Dionne Jones
Haylee Robertson
Sarah Kirschmann
Ashley Rudolph
The May Day Royalty took part in a series of workshops which emphasized developing self-confidence,
learning important life long skills, and most importantly having fun and working together as a group.
The girls gave short speeches about themselves and why they wanted to be a part of the May Day
tradition. One of the students was elected to be the May Queen ‘Meg Cumming’ and ALL of the rest
of the girls were called May Royalty. It was a wonderful event.
•
The Naramata Community Fund Society, with the support of the Naramata school and the Recreation
Commission, once again sponsored an event to heighten the involvement of the grade 5 boys in the
traditional May Day festivities. Under the direction of Brent Rowland the boys were able to continue
with the tradition of soap box racing:
Grayson Bukkos
Ben Robertson
Zack Hawkins
Laurenz Schirrmeister
Brandon Locket
Riley Smith
Liam Patterson
Jack Upton
The boys worked together in teams to assemble, test & paint soap box racers from kits. Permission
was obtained to hold the soapbox races on Ellis Street (between McGibney & 8th Street). Awards for
the winners were given out the morning of the May Day Festivities. 8 grade five boys took part in the
races. Laurenz Schirrmeister was the Winner.... with Liam Patterson coming in a very close
second.
Some participants Jack Upton on the right
and Brandon Locket on
the left – enjoying the
race…
•
The Math League Contest challenged students to show their understanding of basic principles through
numerical and word problems that encourage an open, flexible approach to problem solving.
This year’s participants included:
Stu Carlson
Cam Gunning
Jack Upton
Cole Davies
Jessica Henderson
Laurenz Schirrmeister
Joshua Gowe
Eric Doroshuk
Meg Cumming
Jacob Kirschmann
Breanna Gowe
The top finishers were Breanna Gowe (grade 5 contest) and Cole Davies (grade 3/4 contest). Great job!
PARKWAY ELEMENTARY
•
Students from Kindergarten to grade 5 received lessons in skipping during the first week of
May. Since that time there has been an explosion of trick skipping and skipping games on
the playground during breaks. They now have some wonderful skippers at Parkway!
•
Parkway grade 5 students attended the Skaha Lake Middle School ‘Pow Wow’ as well as a
field trip to the O’Keefe Ranch, Vernon Science Centre and Okanagan College. Gone for the
entire day the students displayed great behavior and demonstrated a lot of learning. These
visits were an excellent learning experience for all students.
•
Two Ready Set Learn sessions were held for preschoolers and their parents. Parkway
Elementary staff are looking forward to these families joining the Parkway Community.
•
Students in all grades are finishing their Art work up for the BBQ and Art Show scheduled for
May 29th. This is always a popular activity at Parkway.
PRINCESS MARGARET SECONDARY SCHOOL
•
Congratulations to Brendan Chapman for the idea and presentation to City Council regarding
the alternative travel day with regards to ‘No Gas’ Day that Princess Margaret has
organized. The City’s Transportation Committee held a meeting and commented on the
excellent job Brendan did in getting full support by City Council for the free bus day on May
23rd.
•
Princess Margaret is the first school in Canada to be hosting a Muscular Dystrophy walk.
The walk on May 28, 2008 will not only raise money for Muscular Dystrophy, it will help
create awareness and educate the staff and students about this disease.
PENTICTON SECONDARY SCHOOL
•
Every year, the British Columbia Innovation Council (BCIC) awards two TRIUMF High School
Fellowships, a $3,000 award and the opportunity to participate in a research project at
TRIUMF - Canada’s national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics. A Southern Interior
high school student has been named a winner of the TRIUMF High School Fellowship—an
award recognizing rising stars when it comes to science. Sen Mei, a grade 12 student at
Penticton Secondary School, will be heading off on a summer physics exploration at TRIUMF
and we believe his story would make a great education/community feature!
•
At the National Science Fair in Ottawa, Nicholas Randall from Pen High won a gold medal
(second year in a row), which includes $1500.00 in cash, a certificate and a $2000.00
scholarship to the University of Western Ontario. Nicholas' earnings over the last 4 years
(that he has attended the National Science Fairs) have added up to over $10,500 in cash and
scholarships. All of the other finalists won medals except for one set of students who had to
settle for an all expenses paid trip to Australia for 12 days to attend a youth forum in
Canberra and $750.00 in cash each!
QUEEN’S PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
•
The Family Fun Night and Book Fair. They were both a huge success with most of the
families coming out and participating.
•
The Books for Breakfast program wrapped up this month and once again, it was another very
successful group. Over 12 parents took part and they all really enjoyed the experience.
•
The new Playground has been completed. The students started using and enjoying the
playground this month. The trees and picnic tables will be put in place in the near future. A
Grand Opening will take place on June 2, 2008.
•
Mike Townly is once again leading the Track and Field practices for the grade 4 and 5
students. The students really enjoy Mr. Townly’s expertise.
•
Queen’s Park held their 3rd Annual Talent Show in May and had 11 excellent acts participate.
The students loved it!
•
The grade 5 class has once again planted bedding plants and other shrubbery in the court
yard. These bedding plants were assisted by some donations from WalMart.
•
Two classes travelled to O'Keefe Ranch in Vernon and enjoyed a great experience.
•
Students from two classes went to the Pow Wow at Skaha Lake Middle School. Staff and
students commented that it was the highlight of their year!
•
The literacy, numeracy and social responsibility assessments were completed in May.
•
The grade 4/5 students took part and did very well in the Kaleden run and the grade 3
students took part in the West Bench run as well.
SKAHA LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
•
The Book Fair raised $1100.00 for new books for the library.
•
Skaha placed first, second and third at the South Okanagan ‘Environmental Mind Grind’.
Dana Klamut, Ashleigh Snell and Andrea Gillespie finished first overall claiming a prize of
$500.00. Heather Cochrane, Jade Mathies, and Anmol Toor placed second and claimed
$100.00 Katherine Harris, Ailsa Craig and Sohail Sidhu placed third.
•
29 grade 8 drama students put on a fabulous performance ‘The Yearbook’. Students
performed for all grade 6, 7 and 8 students as well as doing two evening performances
for family members.
•
30 grade 8 students attended the Shakespeare Festival in Summerland with Drama
teacher Joanne Fraser.
•
Kris Jack and Rhea Dupuis put on a Regalia Demonstration for all grade 6 students in
anticipation of the POW WOW.
•
‘Red Thunder’ dancers from Alberta performed at Skaha Lake Middle Schools POW
WOW. The event was attended by all Skaha Lake students as well as Aboriginal
Education middle and secondary students from around the district. The performance was
repeated for a number of the elementary schools in the afternoon. This cultural
experience was preceded by lesson plans taught by teachers for an increased
understanding of the dances.
•
Grade 7 and 8 jazz bands put on an evening coffee house for parents. The event raised
over $400.00 for the band. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performances.
•
Skaha Drama students performed at the Celebration of Student Achievement Event on
May 28th.
•
Grade 8 students spent two mornings with their peer mentors at Maggie.
•
Grade 6 students went on a bike trip along the KVR line along Skaha Lake.
•
The Aboriginal Education students enjoyed a field trip to Spotted Lake.
•
44 band students went on a trip to Edmonton to perform for various elementary schools.
They also went to the Telus World of Science Centre, the West Edmonton Mall and a
movie at the IMAX Theatre.
SUMMERLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL
•
On May 16th the Summerland Middle School Leadership Class ran their first ever ‘Hoops for
Heart’ event. It was somewhat unconventional, as the students chose to run a Healthy Living
Fair instead just the traditional basketball.
The students began promoting the event a month ahead of time, creating a display in the
trophy cases in the front of the school. Students also created a number of multi media
presentations intended to raise awareness around Healthy Living and the Heart and Stroke
Foundation.
Students felt the best way to raise money and awareness was to challenge classes to
compete against each other in terms of fundraising and activity levels the day of the event.
The results were spectacular - the school raised over $2800.00 for the Heart and Stroke
Foundation and every student in the school participated. Planning is already underway on
how to “raise the bar” for next year.
SUMMERLAND SECONDARY SCHOOL
•
On May 5th Roman Blomme was in Surrey participating in the 25th annual public speaking
th
contest ‘25 Annual Concours d’art oratoire’. He was chosen as best presenter from
the students in late April (judged in class by two French speaking adults: Daniel Blais and
Dominique Gaury). Roman Blomme took 1st Place in Surrey and will be representing BC in
Ottawa (National competition) later this month. All expenses paid!
•
Naomi Fredeen just returned from the National Science Fair in Ottawa. She won a bronze
metal in the "Senior Mathematical/Physics projects" category as well as two entrance
scholarships to Ontario Universities. She is currently deciding whether or not to continue with
a more in-depth approach to her current project next year, or begin work on a completely
different project. She's also contemplating participation in the International Science Fair this
year.
TROUT CREEK ELEMENTARY
Trout Creek Elementary was busy in May with:
•
An outstanding art presentation by Canadian artist Ted Harrison was enjoyed by all
students.
•
The demolition of the old playground equipment began so the site can be prepared for
the new equipment purchased by the PAC with funds collected through donations, grants
and fundraising events.
•
The grade 4 and 5 students interested in participating in the cross country running team
began practicing every Thursday at noon with coach, Barb Thorp.
•
An excellent program enjoyed by all students who attended the Okanagan Symphony
concert.
•
Completion of the skipping lessons and the Annual Jump Rope for Heart events; this
year students donated $261.29.
•
Since the end of January, grade 4 and 5 students have read over 10 million words in
novels utilized by our Accelerated Reading program!
•
All students and staff enjoyed interesting guest speakers at the Earth Day Celebration.
•
A great presentation by Science World staff and their traveling show “What’s The Sound”
was greatly appreciated.
•
An enjoyable cultural concert by Kaleidoscope Theatre who presented ‘The Boy Who
Learned to Fly.’
•
Teachers learning more about the art curriculum during the Professional Development
Day.
UPLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
•
Uplands Elementary had an awesome event with Meadowlark Festival, Holly Arntzen and
Voices of Nature Concert at the Cleland Theatre. Uplands School students with the teaching
of Mrs. Salting and Ms. Street were the backup for Holly and her Dream Band.
Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright
•
All classes were involved in a presentation from Terasen Gas. The school is on a main line
for the gas company so students learned about Gas Safety.
•
Uplands Students continue to run three times a week. They now have parents joining in for
this event!
•
Most classes will enjoy Children's Festival on May 22 and 23.
•
Grade 4 and 5 students had a hands-on presentation from the Scientist in Schools Program on
May 7th.
•
All classes enjoyed a fabulous presentation with an important message from Kids On the
Block.
•
Uplands Elementary Aboriginal Students will have their recognition ceremony on Wednesday,
May 21st.
•
Grade 5 transition to Middle School has begun with grade 5 students attending a Leadership
Conference with Mr. Holowaty and Ms. Monday coming to the school on Friday. A student
with special needs is also attending McNicoll Park Middle School three mornings a week and
is completing his tasks with ease.
•
Over 60 teachers, CEAs, Principals from all levels attended a SMART Learning Workshop at
Uplands School. The SMART Learning Lead Team did a terrific job of presenting an
overview of SMART Learning Strategies.
•
BC Book Prizes Tour - Ruth Campbell, Illustrator of the children's book Elf the Eagle, came to
the school as part of the BC Books Tour. Mrs. Campbell shared her work as an illustrator.
This was also the opportunity for grade 5 students to accept a large cheque for $500.00 from
Colin Campbell, the Manager of the Penticton London Drugs location, for BC Books for the
library. Thank you to BC Book Prizes and Colin Campbell for the generous gift and to Ruth
Campbell for sharing her talents with Uplands students and staff.
•
The playground fundraising initiative has reached its goal of raising $50,000. Mrs. Bull
(UPAC Co-chair) and her committee is looking at options regarding playgrounds. It is hoped
that the playground will be put in and ready to go by September 2008. The playground will
be located on the west side of the school by the primary wing.
•
The Scotchburn family celebrated the arrival of Brandon Gregory on April 1st, 2008. Jody
and Brandon have made several trips to the school and Kindergarten class to show all are
doing very well. Congratulations Mrs. Scotchburn and her family.
•
Uplands Elementary celebrated Earth Day with an Earth Day Assembly led by Mrs. Kantz
and her grade 5 students. The assembly featured songs and poems by Mrs. Watkins's grade
2/3 class and Mrs. Hennen's grade 1 class. Students were also encouraged to bring a litterfree lunch by recycling or re-using. Many students were successful with this challenge.
•
The Spring School-wide running is back at Uplands. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at
11:50AM students, staff and some parents are out for a warm-up, a lap of the field and about
a 1km run through the neighbourhood. It has been noticed that students are running faster
than they did in the fall.
•
Uplands Cross Country Running Team...Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:00AM about
40 grade 3, 4, and 5 students with Mrs. Watkins and several parents are training for the
Kaleden Run as well as West Bench Elementary grade 3 Cross Country Run. Keep up the
great running!
WEST BENCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
•
Frank Whitney from Science World's "Scientist in the Classroom" Program came to West
Bench and did a wonderful presentation to the Wildcats on the topics of oceans and global
warming. The students and staff enjoyed the presentation and learned a lot about our
oceans and the need to take care of them.
•
The school participated in the Jump Rope for Hearts Day on May 9th. Not only did the
students jump rope, they also did hopscotch for hearts and basketball for hearts activities. It
was a lot of fun and a wonderful way to raise money for charity.
•
The Destination Conservation Team has been working very hard making sure that the school
is saving energy. School posters, talks at the assemblies and data presentations have been
undertaken by the DC Team and they are finding that their campaign for classes to be "A
Hero For Zero" have classes turning off their lights in their rooms and in support rooms when
they are not using them. They celebrated with the rest of the District at the DC Celebration
on May 15th.
•
The teachers are busy testing their children this month. The students have all completed a
School Wide Write and the teachers have been getting together to mark and discuss the
children's learning and what they need to work on for next year.
•
West Bench had another successful West Bench BBQ. It was a lot of fun with a great turn
out. This year they had face painting and necklace making as well as amusement stations
run by Par-T-Perfect. They all had a wonderful Wildcat time and it was nice to see families
getting together with friends, enjoying each others company.
WILTSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
•
One highlight from the very busy month of May was the success of the Destination
Conservation team “Wiltse Eco-Warriors”. Destination Conservation is about making schools
more energy efficient and everyone worked together as a team to help Wiltse school help the
environment.
Following the first Destination Conservation workshop a group of five grade 5 students were
extremely enthusiastic about designing, implementing and carrying out a campaign in the
school. They brainstormed many ideas and decided that an area that they could improve on
would be to reduce the number of rooms that had lights left on when no one was using them.
They took an initial survey of 25 rooms, including classrooms, shared areas and staff offices.
After looking at the results it was evident that the school could improve! They came up with a
campaign name, made posters and presented their findings at a school Assembly.
Approximately 6 weeks later they conducted another survey and compared their results.
Here is what they found:
• Survey 1:
38 times rooms were empty with the lights on
• Survey 2:
19 times rooms were empty with the lights on
• The school reduced the number of times rooms were empty
with the lights on by 50%
At another Assembly, Wiltse Elementary presented their results to the school along with a
dance choreographed by the group to the Nelly Furtado song “Turn Out the Lights”. It was
entertaining and told a story about the battle between darkness and light. Students designed
costumes to reflect their “side” and amazed the audience with their “glow stick” dance in
complete darkness. They learned that the campaign did make others aware of the wasted
electricity and encouraged them to be more conscious about times that the school can
conserve. Everyone worked together to make an effort to use lighting more wisely.
The team, comprised of Nicole Chickloski, Samantha Schimmer, Colin Eden,
Blake Holowaty and Kenzi Haberstock, was awarded “Most Thorough Campaign & Attention to
Detail” and School District No. 67 was awarded School District of the Year for BC and Alberta.
The school is proud to have been a part of this great accomplishment and they look forward to
producing a new team in September!