School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) RECOGNITION OF STUDENT/SCHOOL SUCCESS

February 8, 2010 School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) extends congratulations to the following students/groups for these outstanding examples of success for January: DISTRICT The British Columbia Innovation Council and its partners annually provide awards to outstanding students in the province’s secondary schools. The awards encourage and support students to continue their education in science, technology and business programs at BC post-secondary institutions and pursue careers in BC’s technology industries. BCIC and the BC Science Teachers’ Association recognize secondary school students who have achieved outstanding academic performance in science subjects at the senior level. The awards are non-monetary. All the recipients are to be congratulated on their excellent achievement: Emily Kate Filek Penticton Secondary Naomi Fredeen Summerland Secondary Chris Cochrane Princess Margaret Secondary Shelley Sidhu Princess Margaret Secondary COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL • Family Literacy Day was celebrated at Columbia by an invitation extended to parents and grandparents

to join students in a reading morning. Students loved to ‘drop everything and read’ with family.

Columbia School’s recent Ready Set Learn! session was a busy time for families. Twenty-five preschoolers and their parents participated in small-motor activities, finger rhymes, and story time. The highlight was when the kindergarten students were the ‘big buddies’ and were able to show the younger children around their classroom, and lead them in station activities.

KALEDEN ELEMENTARY

On Monday January 25th, the Olympic Torch and Olympic fever came to Kaleden. The grade 4/5 students went to Penticton, but the rest of the school saw the torch pass on highway 97. Students serenaded the torch with a version of “This Land is Your Land”. Kids dressed in Red and White in support of all the Olympic Athletes.

Family Literacy Day at Kaleden Elementary

Students and staff celebrated Family Literacy Day by dressing up in their “Jammies” and doing a school wide Buddy Read.

McNICOLL PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL • The Drama Club just performed 6 shows of the play "Lockers" to over 1000 students in the district;

including two evening shows. Congratulations to all the students as well as Mrs. Philpotts, Director and Miss Barber, Choreographer/ Assistant Director. Here was some feedback:

Congrats to everyone involved in our school production this year; LOCKERS by Jeremy Kruse. The show involved a series of ‘vignettes’ about middle school life. The students performed six shows over two days including two sellouts! A comment from a teacher who brought her class from another middle school summed up the performance: We took our students to see "Lockers" today at the Cleland Theatre. It was the best presentation I have seen in a long time for several reasons, the subject matter was perfect for our age group and your young actors gave very polished performances that held the attention of our students throughout the play, from beginning to end. Anyway, nice job McNicoll drama department, staff and students. Thank you for a great show!

• McNicoll Park students continue to serve the community and have been busy collecting items for the

Adopt-A-Family. Each class was given a list of non-perishable items to collect as well as ask for a loonie per student donation to buy the perishables (using a gift certificate). This has been a yearly project that the school has undertaken and is greatly appreciated by the community.

PARKWAY ELEMENTARY • Mrs. Tunnell and Mrs. Raitt's classes continued to work on their On Line Literature Circles in

the computer lab. This process is completed each Monday. • The Multi Cultural Club met once again for another successful turnout. • Two basketball practices were held and students enjoyed a great game at Trout Creek

Elementary. The students played very well. • Mr. Clarke held two talent show practices - the student performances looked very promising. • School Spirit Day this month was Crazy Hair Day. The students and staff outdid themselves

and the photo’s taken were priceless. A huge thank you to everyone who participated. • Teacher, Mrs. Morgan took the grade 3 students to swimming lessons. The grade 4 students

went skating that same afternoon. It was a fun day for all students.

• On Wednesday’s - DPA time and the students gathered in their house teams for some great

exercise! • The parent ‘Write Out Loud Workshop’ was very well attended on Thursday night in the

library. • Teacher, Mrs. Byrnes' grade one class had a FRIENDS parent meeting on Tuesday night

and everyone really enjoyed the workshop! PRINCESS MARGARET SECONDARY SCHOOL • Princess Margaret Secondary had no less than five members of the school community that will be

official Olympic Torch Bearers: Two Current Students: Jake Huff and Wynona Paul One Staff Member: Tim Haberstock Two 2009 Maggie Grads: Chris Cochrane and Susie Welch Susie Welsh will light the official flame at the SOEC on January 25th.

The staff and students were very proud to have such a strong representation from the school community. PENTICTON SECONDARY SCHOOL • Pen High students responded very quickly to the Haitain earthquake and have raised $900.00 to date.

The students hosted a bake sale, partnered with Princess Margaret to host a coffee house at the Can Coffee House and have been challenging students to give up a coffee or pop for the cause.

• Link Crew students organized and hosted three very successful Cocoa and Cram nights where senior

students tutored junior students after school in preparation for exams. Over 50 students turned out each night along with many teachers and helping students.

SKAHA LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL

• DARE Graduation for the grade 6 students on January 14th

• On January 25th, the Olympic Torch Relay passed right by Skaha Lake. Students, dressed in red

and waved Canadian flags will cheer on the runners. Students were then fortunate enough to be bussed to the South Okanagan Event Centre to watch the exciting Ceremony.

• “Masabo”, a West African music and dance ensemble form the Ivory Coast performed for the

students on January 26.

• On January 28th, the first transition activity between Princess Margaret and Skaha Lake Middle School took place when the grade 8 students went to Maggie to attend the “Elective Fair”. This is an opportunity for the students to hear presentations from teachers and view facilities in order to give them more information when deciding what elective courses they might sign up for next year.

• Donovan Tildesley, a blind five time Para-Olympian medalist in swimming and motivational speaker

addressed the students on January 29th on the topic “that despite having a disability, anything can be done if you put your mind to it.”

SUMMERLAND SECONDARY SCHOOL

• Summerland Secondary School IS known for its competitive basketball program, but not for "very

strong" basketball teams. This year is different! The senior girl Rockets have won 13 of their last 14 games (both in league and exhibition play) as well as clinched top spot in the South Okanagan Double "A" League standings! The girls’, led by grade 12 co-captains Vanessa Zailo and Lisa Isaak, have defeated Maggie three times and Oliver twice in their successful run.

The Rockets rely on strong "team" play and boast a balanced squad of both grade 11 and 12 players, which should make for a good team next year too! Their big game coming up soon on Wednesday, February 3 (5pm) when Summerland hosts the first place championship game; the winner will host the Valley Championships the following weekend.

UPLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL • Basketball practices and games with other schools • Open Gym • Teachers’ Pro-D. (Jan. 5th – Topics: SMARTBoard, Kidspiration Program, Book Flix) • Assemblies and Block X: January’s theme – Appreciating Differences - Students met in family (cross-

graded groupings) to do activities related to the theme and this will be further enhanced through multicultural activities and each class representing a different country for the Olympic Event in February

• Lead up activities and assemblies for Uplands Olympic Day on Feb.19th • Spelling Bee for Canwest Canspell: Nicki Bijvoet - winner, Stefan Queen – runner up • Multicultural Club • Penticton Vee’s Visit, Read to Succeed and Floor Hockey Game on Jan. 13th • Aboriginal Education Cultural Activities (beading and dream catchers) • Accelerated Readers (Awarded with T-Shirts for earning over 100 points!) • Hot Lunches and Fruit & Veggies program • “Lockers” play by McNicoll Park Middle School held at Cleland Theatre (for intermediate students) • Development of School Inquiry with Literacy and Social Responsibility Plans

• Creating 1:1 Reading and Home Reading Guide which will be given to families on Family Literacy Day • Hot Chocolate & Cookie Day to both celebrate the success of the SOAR social responsibility program

and to practice it globally by fundraising for the people in Haiti • Olympic Torch Relay was held on January 25th • Cultural Performance was held on January 28th • Classroom Expeditions for grades 3 and 4: Jan. 25th and 26th – Communities and The Arctic • Lego Day on January 29th

Penticton Vees Read to Succeed

Floor Hockey Game Uplands

January 13th

WEST BENCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL • The Wildcats girls’ and boys’ basketball teams played some great games with Uplands Elementary and

Naramata Elementary. The Wildcats were super ambassadors for West Bench Elementary.

• West Bench celebrated their recycling effort at the school by having their annual Recycling Celebration Swim. The Wildcats had a great time.

• The Wildcats were entertained by the fabulous African Dance Troop Masabo. They had all the kids

dancing to their African beat - even the teachers were dancing too! • The grade 4 and 5 classes went to see the McNicoll Park Middle School production of “Lockers’. The

students really thought the show was excellent. • Students were recognized at the Award Assembly and participated in the Sing-a-longs. • Additional episodes of the Making Character Count Program were reviewed. The Wildcats were

learning about respect and taking responsibility. • The grade 4 and 5 classes went to the Torch Relay. Many parents took their primary children to watch

the torch as well. • West Bench really benefited from their Annual Buddy Reading Family Literacy Day. The students read

with their buddy classes while enjoying a snack and refreshments.

• West Bench began Honouring their ‘Families Program’ January 14th. The program was very well

attended. The program is for the Aboriginal families and the goal is to have families more comfortable with the school and to have the chance to talk to other parents about the rewards and challenges of being a parent.

WILTSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL • On January 22nd students, staff, parents and guests joined together to read in support of “Family

Literacy Day”. Dressed in their best PJ’s and robes, students shared their favourite stories with stuffies while cuddled up with warm blankets and pillows. What a great way to start the day!

• Eighteen students entered the Wiltse Spelling Bee at the Monday Morning Assembly on January 18th.

These courageous students practiced for weeks before the contest and did extremely well. The student who correctly spelled the word in the last round this year was student Taylor Epp (grade 5) and he has earned the opportunity to represent Wiltse at the Okanagan Canwest Regional Spelling Bee in Penticton in February. The first runner-up was Kyra Wallace (grade 5) and second runner-up was Marcus Grainger (grade 2). Congratulations to all students who took on this challenge!

Kyra Taylor Marcus

• In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Wiltse families have donated coins to be sent to

help those in need. Grade 2 students have sorted and counted $641.25 dollars - the Canadian Government matched the amount – which was a incredible success story!

Staff members participated in another campaign by sending candles in tin containers to provide Haitians with light and “insect-free” containers for food storage.

• Grade 4 and 5 players from Wiltse were fortunate to have

Penticton Secondary’s Junior Volleyball team join them for a celebration event that included drills, demonstrations and a pizza party. Thanks to all the coaches for making this happen!

• Mr. Carriere (grade 3 teacher) asked students for their homework to find out about the City of Penticton

Government. One clever student (Lily Hurst) went home, went on-line and found the Penticton's web-site. She found Mayor Ashton's name and a link to ask questions of him, clicked the link and asked if he would come to her class. He replied, said he would and gave a lesson on municipal government. The conversation was excellent. Mayor Ashton answered all types of questions from the students.

Mayor Dan Ashton visited with Grade 3 Students