District Newsletter

On Sunday, November 16th, Canyon Falls Middle School (CMS) held their annual Winter Fair and most of the tables this year were CMS learners showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit.

The young entrepreneurs gained valuable business insight running pop-up businesses they created during their weekly Enrichment classes. Special thanks to CMS teacher Tye Norbaten for supporting the students during the classes, as well as graciously donating time on a Sunday to ensure the Winter Fair's success.

If you want guidance to prepare students for a similar fair, please reach out to the District's entrepreneurial contact, Tyler Jensen at tyler.jensen@sd23.bc.ca

We gathered in community at CNB on Wednesday to witness the signing of the second Equity in Action Agreement (2025 - 2030). Thank you to our District Vice-Principals Kevin Kaiser and Christie Russell for organizing a beautiful ceremony that centered the voices of our students.

The Agreement outlines the beliefs that continue to guide equity for Indigenous students as we work towards truth and reconciliation:

We believe:

Equity is everyone's responsibility

Equity is about nurturing the spirit

Equity promotes possibility for each Indigenous learner

Equity is possible through reciprocal learning

Equity requires continuous growth and transformative leadership

Together, we will create the conditions that empower each Indigenous learner to be cultural, confident, and courageous.

Congratulations to Peachland Elementary Teacher Kathy Ross, one of only two educators in Canada to win Learning for a Sustainable Future's 2025 Susan Langley Earth Steward Teaching Award. Kathy won for her excellent work empowering learners to make a difference through hands-on learning, bringing in experts, and connecting her students to land and community - both locally and globally! Well done Ms. Ross!

Little Belgo Bears were overjoyed to pounce on their new playground when it opened on Wednesday! Thank you to the Belgo PAC and our always amazing Operations staff for making this enhancement to the school possible.

The season of giving is already underway across our schools, showing the generosity of our students, families, and staff. The Mar Jok community is supporting the West Kelowna Salvation Army Gifts of Hope; they've nearly doubled their goal of one box of cereal donated per student and are now building their fourth cereal tree!

Once again, students at École Casorso celebrated identity, belonging, and the diversity of their school community with a multicultural picnic. Events like this happen around our district, letting students and families proudly share their own heritage while trying the delicious tastes of other cultures!

Central Okanagan Public Schools' Youth Apprenticeship Program is proud to highlight several graduates of our Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) Program now working with Emil Anderson Construction. Most of this year's HEO students have already stepped into roles in the heavy

construction industry, reflecting the strength of the program, the support of our industry partners, and the readiness of our students for real-world careers.

Each completed the program through Thompson Rivers University, earning both the Road Builder & Heavy Construction Foundation and Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1 Technical Training credentials while still in high school.

Thank you to our friends at WWEST and UBCO for organizing another engaging and eye-opening STEM Day for our young learners. A huge well done to the student facilitators (including some SD23 grads!) who helped our students dream big for future education and career possibilities!

Proud of our visual impairment teacher Lynn Wales and the Hockey Academy students at GESS for their contributions to this great event:

Jaguars had a great day meeting community members who volunteered to share their stories of identity and belonging for Harmony Day. Check out the CBC story below:

At the November 12 Public Board Meeting, trustees heard from our RCMP School Resource Officers (SROs) about their role in our schools. The SROs shared examples of their proactive work to support safe and inclusive learning environments, and explained their involvement in youth-focused initiatives in the broader community.

The Board of Education made the following declarations at the Public Board Meeting:

• Harmony Day was November 20, 2025
• National Children's Rights Day was November 20, 2025
• November was Adoption Awareness Month

The next Public Board Meeting is on Wednesday, December 10th.

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

Know a student with a powerful idea worth sharing?

Encourage them to apply to be a speaker at TEDxKelowna Youth 2026.

Applications close January 1st.

Sunday, Dec. 14

1-3 p.m. at Rutland Arena

Join in on some free family fun with skating, treats, games, door prizes & more.

Admission is free but donations to the food bank are greatly appreciated.

City of Kelowna Calendar

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 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!

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

cəmqʷaqʷ means it is snowing in nsyilxcən.