Superintendent’s Update

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

It’s a lovely end to “Real Acts of Caring Week” (February 9-15) and Hundred’s Day celebrations. During February, we’re highlighting Relationships/Connections, Well-being, Equity, Sustainability, and the Grandfather Teaching Courage in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Kay Bingham Elementary – February 12, 2025

Principal Caputo and I started our visit in Ms. Aaltonen’s K-1 class. They had just come in from recess and had some quiet time coloring while some students completed assessments at a side table. Ms. Aaltonen explained how the students were engaged in “mindful colouring” to focus on their colouring and enjoying letting go of any worries.

Ms. Petty’s and Ms. Henderson’s Kindergarten class was singing a Valentine’s Day song. They were in a circle with their hands behind their back and as Ms. Petty sang, “Who is my Valentine?” all the students echoed her pitches. When she would go around the circle, she placed the valentine in one of the student’s hands and then that student sang, “I am your Valentine.” The song was enjoyed by everyone.

We then visited Ms. Allan’s PHE class, where Grade 1-2 students were playing balloon ball, which they bounced from different parts of their bodies as the teacher gave directions. They were fully engaged in this game with a lot of running, jumping, and being careful to keep the red balloons in the air. Ms. Caputo said,” This is such a good exercise for them as they start their afternoon. It helps them to maintain their focus by getting their energy out in a positive way.”

Ms. Covaceuszach’s and Ms. Gardner’s Grade 3-4 class was engaged in an activity break and when the screen said “The floor is lava” each student found a way to move off of the floor onto desks and chairs. The rest of the time, they engaged in various exercises. She then had them start a Pentomino Challenge to teach how to problem solve using geometric shapes.

Mr. Johnson and Vice Principal Primus’ class were participating in a team work exercise where each team of Grade 4-5 students put together a tower using certain materials, and then they had to identify what it looked like, sounded like, and felt like to work together as a team.

While engaged in this activity, one student, Alex, shared with me that it was his birthday. He proudly explained his plans and that he loves his shirt that can be purchased online. Maya wrote me a very sweet little note to introduce herself and welcome me to the school. When I asked her why, she said, “Because we do that here and we get to know people in class.” Thank you to the staff and students who work together to make this environment one that is fun, caring, and inclusive.

Ms. Brennan’s Grade 6-7 class was working on their “Books of Knowledge”. A few students shared that when they read, they summarize important points in their own words. They shared the different kinds of reading that they have been doing.

As we went further down the hall, some of the Grade 6-7 students had “trust” passes that they wore around their necks to work in the hall. They shared that they had earned these passes by proving that they can be trusted to do their work independently and to follow directions and be respectful when with others. They also took time to share about their school’s “Kindness Challenge” which was where each class worked hard to get adults to notice them doing acts of kindness. When a class fills up their t-shirt with these notes of noticing and celebrating acts of kindness, they get a class treat.

Ms. Pye’s Grade 6-7 class was in the library creating cue cards for their upcoming drama performance, “The Magic Pallette”. Ms. Bittante had done a lovely job making the library a very inviting place with positive quotations and hearts. Ms. Kelly’ s Grade 6-7 class was preparing to go on a field trip to a mine, and they were studying different careers including being a mining engineer and a safety coordinator. Ms. Wessel’s Grade 1-2 class was being taught by Ms. Murray who had done her practicum here to become a teacher just two years before. She was modelling for the students how to create secret messages in their heart drawings that can be shown using an art technique that reveals the messages. Ms. Chand was on her prep, and she took time to share what she was doing for “100 Day” (writing about 100 ideas learned, as one example). As we completed our tour of classrooms, we ended our time in Ms. Wishnowski’s Grade 2-3 classroom and they were finishing their Valentine’s Day holders.

Digital Arts and Technology Academy – February 13, 2024

In the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year, 19 students from secondary schools across the District participated in the Digital Arts and Technology Academy (DATA) at Valleyview Secondary. Since 2013, this district-wide academy has offered unique opportunities for Grade 11 and 12 students to develop relevant skills in digital art, computer programming, video game design, and project management. Program instructor Rebekah Barendregt and DATA students recently shared their experiences in the program at a Regular Public Board Meeting. Read more.

Rayleigh Elementary Students Connect with Seniors on Valentine’s Day – February 14, 2024

Earlier today Ms. Jasmine Rempel’s Grade 2/3 class and Ms. Christy Gauley’s Grade 6/7 class from Rayleigh Elementary visited The Shores Retirement Residence to share songs, stories, and compassion with seniors on Valentine’s Day. The student shared two songs, ‘You Are Enough’ and ‘What a Wonderful World,’ and then handed out cards as a way to extend their school's compassion project into the community. The event offered students and seniors the chance to create meaningful connections by listening to each other's stories and learning new things about each other’s interests and lives. Read more.

Parent Information Night: IB Middle Years Programme

Next week, families of students in Grade 7 or Grade 8 in the Kamloops-Thompson School District are invited to attend an informational meeting for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme at NorKam Secondary School. Read more.

Board Notes – February 10, 2024

To learn more about the Regular Public Board Meeting on February 10, 2025, please feel free to read the Board Notes here. Based on feedback from the District Parent Advisory Council, we have revised the Board Notes to be more like a newsletter format. If you have time, please let us know what you think of the new format here.

This is a well-deserved long weekend, and I hope that you truly enjoy it.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD
Superintendent