District Newsletter
January 2026
Connecting to Indigenous Culture
A huge thank you to the many educators, advocates, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, dancers, and student volunteers who gathered to share Indigenous culture with young Indigenous learners from across the Central Okanagan at the annual Primary Winter Gathering. With offerings like dancing, drumming, Métis dot art, face painting, and captikʷł, students connected to learning about Indigenous culture in four joyful days at the Learning Centre.
Hearing All Voices: Strategic Plan Public Engagement
With three sessions complete, and three more to go, public engagement to refresh the District's Strategic Plan is well underway. The interview matrix format ensures that each session is more participation than presentation; the voice of each person who attends is recorded and themed to inform the future of education in the Central Okanagan.
If you haven't yet attended a session, be sure to click the link and register for one of the remaining sessions on Feb. 5, 10, or 17.
Budget Info Meeting - Monday, Feb. 2
The public presentation explaining how the District establishes the annual budget will take place at the Central Okanagan Parent Advisory Council (COPAC) meeting on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. by Zoom.
Please request the Zoom link from the COPAC President (copac.president@sd23.bc.ca).
Universal Design for Learning
On January 19th, middle and secondary School Based Team members participated in the third session, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), of the four-part learning series, Strengthening School-Based Teams Through Inter-School Collaboration. This session was facilitated by Dr. Leyton Schnellert, in collaboration with the Inclusive Education and Indigenous Education departments. Participation across the series has been outstanding, with educators actively engaging in collaborative learning and rich professional dialogue.
Immense gratitude to all middle and secondary School Based Team members who gathered together to engage in inter-school collaboration focused on learning, sharing, co-designing, and strengthening School Based Team practices. Your collaborative inquiry significantly contributed to sessions that have been both meaningful and impactful.
A special thank you to the schools that generously hosted the sessions, and to those individuals who shared examples of effective and innovative practices taking place within middle and secondary School Based Teams across the district. Your willingness to share practice strengthened collaboration and supported our collective efforts to foster inclusive learning environments.
Enjoy stories from around the district in the latest edition of Together We Learn!
At the January Public Board Meeting, the Board enjoyed hearing from a GESS student who attended COP30 in Brazil and shared their perspective from the Central Okanagan as Global Lead Reporter at the international conference. The opportunity was made possible by the Centre for Global Education as part of #Decarbonize. You can read more about the students who went to Brazil here.
The Board of Education made the following declarations at the Jan. 28 Public Board Meeting:
- Black Excellence Day: Jan. 15, 2026
- Family Literacy Week: Jan. 25 - Feb. 1, 2026
- February 2026 is Human Rights Month
- February 2026 is Inclusive Education Month
The next Public Board Meeting is on Wednesday, February 18th.
Save the Date: SumoBot May 21
It is time to start thinking about the annual District SumoBot Competition!
SumoBot is a high energy, friendly robotic wrestling competition between schools and students. SumoBot teams consist of 2-3 students working together to strategize, design, build, and code an autonomous "sumo" inspired robot.
With the huge success of previous years' events, we are looking forward to another at a big year for SumoBot in 2026. There are a limited number of spaces available so please be sure to get your teams registered. Interested students should talk to their teachers about getting involved soon!
YMCA Spring Break Camps
Click the link below to sign up for Spring Break programs at the Y.
Not Just Tourists
Not Just Tourists is a non-profit, volunteer organization founded with the purpose of getting medical supplies to those who can’t afford them. Ordinary tourists are given the means to change the lives of the locals they visit.
If you are interested in taking NJT medical supplies as a donation on your next international adventure, visit the NJT website at https://njt.net. NJT also requires donations of lightly-used, wheeled, full-sized suitcases that will be used to pack the medical supplies.
WHEELS is Ready and ABLE to Help!
Remember to contact WHEELS with your ideas for everything from t-shirts to mugs!
They're also available to help with getting your skis and snowboards waxed and sharpened or bikes ready for the road!
You get great prices and support our learners as they transition to employment!
Call 778-484-4054 to see how WHEELS can help!
Host an International Homestay Student!
Host families make lasting relationships that span the globe and receive compensation of $1100/month/student.
kəckact means hard-working in nsyilxcən.