District Newsletter

Rather than replacing creativity or human connection, artificial intelligence (AI) is helping teachers at Constable Neil Bruce to enhance differentiation and student agency. To meet their school goal to nurture all students’ learning needs by providing multiple entry points that keep them at the centre of their learning, many teachers at CNB are designing “low floor, high ceiling” learning tasks, and AI is a tool that supports this work. "Low floor, high ceiling" activities are accessible to all students (low floor) yet open-ended and challenging enough for deep exploration (high ceiling). Whether it’s a hands-on science inquiry, a writing piece with creative choice, or a math challenge that invites multiple strategies, these tasks are designed to meet students where they are and encourage growth from that point forward.

Teachers are using AI to:

• Generate multiple versions of a task or text at varied levels of complexity.
• Ask AI how it might introduce or open a lesson in a way that sparks curiosity and inquiry.
• Brainstorm ideas for how a traditional assignment could be reframed to invite more student choice and creativity.
• Model brainstorming or idea organization to support reluctant writers.
• Provide quick feedback loops so students can revise and reflect in real time.
• Explore multiple perspectives, examples, or prompts that extend thinking for advanced learners.

By thoughtfully integrating AI, CNB teachers are freeing up time to focus on building relationships, offering encouragement, and helping students make meaning of their learning.

Thank you to the many students and staff who deepened cultural understanding in our schools by leading learning and celebrations of Diwali from Oct. 18-23. Students led joyful celebrations at schools like Pearson Road Elementary and Rutland Senior Secondary, wearing traditional dress and sharing culture with their peers and teachers.

Thank you to our Central Okanagan educators who helped coordinate and facilitate Innovate-ED in Vernon on October 24th. The BC educator-led innovation and ed-tech conference had the ongoing theme “Students @ the Centre" and highlighted practical learning in AI, digital wellness, digital citizenship, and STEAM through an open-format design that encouraged cross-district collaboration.

Mount Boucherie Secondary’s Dual Credit Hair Academy and the Rutland Senior Secondary Leadership Academy joined forces this year, shaving heads and serving up food to raise funds for the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope. The collaboration brought students, staff, and community members together to support cancer research, showing the power of teamwork, compassion, and community spirit; qualities both academies try to model for their students.

Staff and students across our schools are cheering for Canada's only MLB team as they compete in the World Series for the first time in 32 years. Once-in-a-generation moments like these fuel a sense of shared national pride and ignite interest in sport for learners of all ages. Here's the staff at HGE showing their support!

CBC Radio-Canada s'est rendu à l'école intermédiaire KLO pour diffuser l'histoire de leur ferme modulaire à l'échelle nationale !

Multiple local media helped us spread the word about stopping for school buses that have their alternating red lights turned on and stop signs extended. Read more here and remind people you know that when "We Stop - You Stop!"

Trustee Valene Johnson was elected Board Chair at the Board's Annual General Meeting on Oct. 29. Welcome to Chair Johnson and Vice-Chair Desrosiers!

At the October 15th Public Board Meeting, the Board of Education was excited to recognize École Casorso teacher Helen Park for receiving the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence - Certificate of Achievement.

Read more here.

from left to right: CEA Josalyn Villar, K/Gr.1 teacher Helen Park, parent Amy Johnston

The Board of Education made the following declarations at Public Board Meetings this month:

• School Bus Safety Awareness Week was Oct. 20-24th
• October is Foster Family Awareness Month

The next Public Board Meeting is on Wednesday, November 12th.

• November 5, 2025 - Take Our Kids to Work Day
• November 8, 2025 - National Indigenous Veterans Day
• November 11, 2025 - Remembrance Day
• November 20, 2025 - Harmony Day

Non-instructional days, school breaks, and statutory holidays can all be found on the 2025-2026 school calendar.

The Youth Employment Summit (YES!), a FREE Inclusive Employment Event for youth with disabilities, is coming to the Central Okanagan.

Date: Thursday November 20th

Time: 1 pm - 7pm

Location: Kelowna Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre

Remember to contact WHEELS to get your skis and snowboards waxed and sharpened for the season!

You get great prices and support our learners as they transition to employment!

Call 778-484-4054 to see how WHEELS can help!

Enrich your family's life and share Canadian culture with an international student! With students arriving soon for the Spring semester, it's a perfect time to try out a short-term placement!

Host families make lasting relationships that span the globe and receive compensation of $1100/month/student.

c̓kin̓ aláʔ ła‿ck̓aʔáym?

means "What is it like here in the Fall?" in nsyilxcən.