2026 February & March Newsletter
February 1, 2026 💘
It is hard to believe February is upon us. Time sure flies when you are having fun and learning so much! Seeing as though March is such a short month due to the spring vacation, we combine the February and March newsletters. The weeks since our holiday break have translated into a month of hard work and focused attention on engaging students in memorable and meaningful learning experiences. We thank our teaching staff for making sure this happens by collaborating with their colleagues in designing high quality lessons. Student learning accomplishments to date have been outstanding. Our team monitors learning data closely and frequently to ensure that we are helping all students reach their learning potential. As we diligently work through the second term, we can all feel confident that January has provided us with many academic accomplishments, and milestones surpassed.
On January 21st, as part of our 'Time of the Red Salmon' school-wide inquiry project, the Okanagan Nation Alliance's Hatchery Program on the Okanagan River delivered 100 sockeye salmon eggs that we will be raising from egg to alevin to fry in an aquarium in the main foyer. The development of the Sockeye will be monitored closely by students as the fish will require daily feeding once the alevin button up and develops into the fry stage. We will be participating in the beautiful annual fry release ceremony in May at Mission Creek. These fry will head down the Okanagan and Columbia Rivers and then into the Pacific Ocean near Portland, Oregon. Afte 2-3 years, they will make their adult journey back to Okanagan Lake. Thanks to Okanagan Indian Band sylix elders – Maureen Ziprick and Randy Swanson, and Anne Bell, Lake Country Native Association for joining us in this celebration. Joining them are our Indigenous student drummers performing the Okanagan Song, led by our Advocate Rose Alexis.
We hope parents will be able to take a bit of time out of their busy schedules to attend our Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, February 5th and Friday, February 6th, 2026. There will be a variety of different formats offered. Some teachers will meet with parents in person, some with and some without students, some will host in an Open House format, and others may arrange an opportunity for students to share their learning with parents. Of course, Zoom options will be available as well. Regardless of format, these conferences are a great opportunity to re-connect with your child's teacher, share information between home and school, update parents on their child’s academic progress, and to set learning goals. Teachers will communicate their chosen format with you soon. If you have not heard from your child’s teacher about a time for your conference, please contact the school.
On Tuesday, February 10, we have our monthly Parent Advisory Council meeting in the library at 6:00 pm or by Zoom https://sd23.zoom.us/j/2735419423 (Meeting ID: 273 541 9423). PAC activities rely on the support of parents and guardians participating and volunteering some of their time to make them happen. PAC continues to look for help with their Fun Lunch program. We hope you can help!
With Gratitude,
Mr. J. Minkus and Ms. T. Kuzik
Winter Gathering for Indigenous Grade 3 Students
On January 27th, our grade 3 Indigenous students participated in the Primary Winter Gathering. The event is a chance for Indigenous students to connect with culture. There was traditional drumming, dancing, and opportunities to learn about regalia! Students also enjoyed learning about Indigenous peoples' cultures, multicultural awareness, and respect for diversity. Thank you to Indigenous Advocate Rose Alexis for helping this day be such a great success!
February and March 2026
Feb 2 Groundhog Day
Registration for 2026-2027 Starts @ 7:00 am (Current families do not need to register for PGE or HS Grenda)
Feb 5 & 6 Parent-Teacher Conferences: Early Dismissal 12:30
Feb 10 Kelowna Caring Canines Visit K Classes
Parent Advisory Council Meeting @ 6:00
Feb 12 Catton & Harper to Okanagan Nation Alliance Hatchery
Feb 13 Professional Development Day: Classes Not in Session
Feb 14 Happy Valentines Day
Feb 16 Family Day: Schools Closed
Feb 17 StrongStart Closed Today
Fire Drill # 4 at 2:10 pm
Feb 19 Cultural Performance: Dufflebag Theatre Presents "Peter Pan' 10:00 am
Feb 26 Pink Shirt Day
March 10 Parent Advisory Council Meeting @ 6:00
March 12 Term 2 Report Cards Home
March 13 Last Day of School Before Spring Vacation
StrongStart Closed Today
March 16-27 Spring Vacation
March 30 Schools Reopen After Spring Vacation
April 3 Good Friday: Schools Closed
April 6 Easter Monday: Schools Closed
StrongStart is a free drop-in early learning program for children aged 0 to 5 years (prior to entry into kindergarten), who are accompanied by their parents or caregivers. It is the beginning of a special partnership between families and schools. The program at Peter Greer is facilitated by Chelsea Coates, a Licensed Early Childhood Educator. Click here for more information.
If you are a returning StrongStart family, then feel free to drop-in on days that work for you. StrongStart Centres are open: Monday – Friday 8:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
We request that families and care providers consider the following:
It is illegal to:
- Drive through a marked crosswalk when it is occupied by pedestrians. As you approach a crosswalk, scan both ends and stop if occupied. Try to make eye contact with the pedestrian.
- Park or stop on any marked crosswalk or within 6 m of the approach side of a crosswalk. The curb will be painted yellow or red. If you do, you are in contravention of Traffic Bylaw 98-186. Parking on the crosswalk forces young children to attempt to cross the road elsewhere and puts them at risk of being hit by a vehicle.
- Make a U-turn if it interferes with other traffic.
- Park across the entrance to a driveway or intersection.
- Park where a curb is painted yelloow.
Other reminders:
- The driveway and parking lot in front of the school is closed to all traffic except staff, fire, and vehicles equipped with a handicap pass.
- Safely walking, cycling, riding scooters and skateboards require continuous reinforcement both at home and at school. This equipment is not to be used on school property until after 2:45 pm.
- A reminder to parents that there are lots of students out and about during peak drop off and pick up times and we urge you to use extra caution while driving.
- Also, parents are asked to use the sidewalks if walking their children to and from school and not to cut through the parking lot as it is not safe.
