Strategic Focus - February 2026
WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY STRATEGIC FOCUS
Welcome to the February edition of Strategic Focus – Connecting Our Priorities. This month highlights the rich learning, collaboration, and community engagement taking place across our District as we continue advancing the goals of our Strategic Plan.
Inside this edition, you will find stories and updates aligned with our District’s priority areas:
- Intellectual Development – Recycling at M.V. Beattie Elementary, District Art Fair, and the Shuswap Middle School Yellow Team Celebration of Learning.
- Human & Social Development – Pink Shirt Day activities across the District and the North Canoe Elementary Olympic‑themed Mini Stick Hockey experience.
- Career Development – Student-led culinary learning at Pleasant Valley Secondary and details about the upcoming SD83 Job & Career Fair.
- Community Partnership Development – February’s Ready, Set, Learn events supporting early learners and their families.
- Organizational Development – 2026–2027 school registration information, French Immersion Program of Choice, facility rentals, administrative procedure updates, and more.
- Effective Governance & Leadership – February Regular Board Meeting highlights, new/updated Board policies, and an overview of trustee responsibilities.
Stay connected by visiting our District website (www.sd83.bc.ca) for important dates, news, and resources.
REMINDERS
March 10 Regular Board Meeting
March 11 Job & Career Fair
March 16 Last Day of School Prior to Break
March 16-27 Spring Break (no school)
March 30 First Day Back After Spring Break
April 3 Good Friday (no school)
April 6 Easter Monday (no school)
April 20 Pro-D Day (no school for students)
April 21 Regular Board Meeting
April 30 K-12 Environmental Expo, SAS
May 8 Indigenous Day of Learning (no school for students)
May 18 Victoria Day (no school)
June 16 Regular Board Meeting
June 25 Last Day of School Before Summer Break
June 26 Administration Day (no school for students)
Stay up to date with important dates including holidays, professional development days, and school events (2025-2026 School District Calendar / 2025-2026 School Year Calendar).
M.V. BEATTIE RECYCLING PROGRAM
M.V. Beattie Elementary’s custodial team, Sarah Maier and Sue Stills, are thrilled with the positive impact of the school’s recycling program, an initiative that has recently reached an impressive milestone.
At the heart of the two‑week Garbage Challenge’s 100% success rate is school secretary Dani Hickman, whose leadership has made her the school’s recycling champion. Her enthusiasm has motivated staff and students to step up their waste‑reduction efforts, contributing to this school‑wide achievement.
The photo shows the custodians standing beside the “M.V. Beattie Garbage Challenge” display board, which highlights the total garbage produced by various divisions. Clear bags representing each classroom show just how little waste is now being generated, giving a visual snapshot of the program’s early success. The board also features classroom reporting sheets lined along the bottom, reinforcing how engaged the entire school community has become.
Sarah and Sue have seen first‑hand the difference this initiative is making. With classrooms producing noticeably less garbage, their work is lighter, and the school’s environmental footprint is shrinking. The custodians credit this improvement to Dani’s enthusiasm and the collective commitment of students and staff.
The Garbage Challenge directly supports the SD83 Environmental Stewardship Action Plan 2025 by reducing landfill waste and fostering daily habits that promote responsible resource use and sustainability across the school community. It also aligns with the SD83 2023–2028 Strategic Plan by empowering students and staff to take meaningful action toward environmental responsibility and by strengthening the District’s commitment to supporting and expanding teaching and learning practices that address climate change and environmental sustainability.
DISTRICT ART FAIR
Students from across the District once again had their artwork on display at Piccadilly Mall in Salmon Arm from February 6–13, 2026, for the annual Elementary District Art Fair. Both 2‑D and 3‑D artworks were showcased throughout the mall, transforming the space into a lively community gallery filled with colour, texture, and imagination.
A special feature of the week that took place was on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, when students took part in immersive workshops led by local artists, Knowledge Keepers, an Indigenous helping teacher, a career teacher, and retired educators. These hands‑on sessions gave students the opportunity to explore career paths in the arts while learning about diverse cultural traditions, artistic styles, and creative techniques. High school student volunteers supported the day, gaining meaningful experience working with younger learners.
Visit the District website to view more details and pictures: District Art Fair 2026.
Check out the Facebook Reel dated February 12, 2026.
YELLOW TEAM CELEBRATION OF LEARNING SHOWCASES STUDENT GROWTH
On Friday, February 20, 2026, the Yellow Team at Shuswap Middle School hosted a Celebration of Learning in the school library, welcoming families to explore and celebrate months of student work.
Approximately 70 students participated in the event, with more than half of families attending throughout the morning drop-in window. The strong turnout included parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, creating a lively and supportive atmosphere as families circulated through the displays.
Students proudly showcased a wide range of projects, including detailed 3D Medieval Seigneurie models, English Language Arts projects, and a large foldable featuring multiple French mini-assignments completed during a Tom Gates novel study. Displays also included photographs of creative cell “cake” projects and other interdisciplinary work completed this term.
A highlight of the event was the way students confidently explained their learning. Families interacted directly with students, asking questions about their research, creative process, and challenges. Many shared how much they enjoyed seeing the depth and variety of work students had completed over the term.
The Yellow Team teachers expressed how proud they are of the dedication, perseverance, and growth demonstrated by their students. In addition to mastering complex content, many students presented and reflected on their learning in French, demonstrating both academic understanding and second-language proficiency. The added challenge of learning and communicating in a second language makes these accomplishments especially meaningful.
The team would also like to recognize Honey Williams, Teacher Librarian, as a valuable contributor to students’ learning. During Library block, Ms. Williams supported students in developing essential research skills, including citing sources, and enriched their understanding of storytelling through oral medieval narratives and Indigenous stories. Her collaboration and her willingness to host the celebration in the library were instrumental in the success of the event.
The Celebration of Learning reflected the collaborative efforts of all three Yellow Team teachers and the broader school community, highlighting the strength of project-based, cross-curricular learning within the French Immersion program. The event provided an authentic audience for students and strengthened the connection between home and school.
PINK SHIRT DAY – FEBRUARY 25, 2026
On February 25, 2026, schools across the District participated in Pink Shirt Day activities that celebrated kindness and inclusion. Here are just a few snapshots of how kindness was sprinkled throughout our schools.
Bastion Elementary students and staff gathered in the gym for an assembly and also created the “Sea of Pink” quilt during a buddy activity. Read more: Bastion Students Create a "Sea of Pink.”
Eagle River Secondary began their day with a school-wide pancake and sausage breakfast, bringing the school community together in the cafeteria. Celebrations continued with a jamboree in the gym. Thank you to the Leadership students, Ms. Mellin, and Wellness Centre staff for organizing meaningful opportunities to connect and celebrate kindness.
Grindrod Elementary Leadership students initiated a Kindness Challenge where students would complete a daily challenge such as “make someone smile”, “offer to help a classmate”, or “tell someone they are awesome.”
Read more about the Kindness Challenge on the District website: Grindrod Elementary Students Sprinkle Kindness Throughout February.
Hillcrest Elementary students and staff gathered in the gym to honour Pink Shirt Day with messages of belonging and the reminder that kindness matters every day.
Students and staff at Salmon Arm West Elementary embraced the day through music, activities, and shared acts of kindness. Classes also enjoyed “The Kindness Song”.
Across all schools, hallways and classrooms were filled with pink shirts, creative artwork, collaborative displays, and messages encouraging everyone to “be kind always.”
NORTH CANOE STUDENTS CELEBRATE OLYMPICS WITH MINI STICK HOCKEY
During the week of February 17, 2026, the 2026 Winter Olympics arrived at North Canoe Elementary, thanks to an active learning experience led by Teacher Librarian Suzy Beckner.
In celebration of the upcoming Games in Italy, Beckner transformed the school library into a Mini Stick Hockey arena, complete with taped boundaries, small nets, and brightly coloured pinnies to distinguish teams. Classes visited the library to learn about the Olympics and participate in a hands‑on, movement‑filled activity that blended physical play with global learning.
Students took part in friendly match‑ups, cheering on their classmates while practicing teamwork, spatial awareness, and sportsmanship. The library’s bookshelves and reading spaces became the backdrop for a creative cross‑curricular experience—connecting literacy, physical activity, and cultural exploration.
The temporary mini rink sparked plenty of excitement among students, giving them a chance to channel the energy of Olympic athletes while learning about the international event and its host country. The activity also highlighted how school libraries can serve as dynamic, flexible learning environments that support more than just reading—they support curiosity, collaboration, and community.
North Canoe Elementary extends appreciation to Suzy Beckner for bringing the Olympics to life in such an engaging and memorable way.
cooking up career skills at pleasant valley secondary school
Henry Flores, a grade 12 student at Pleasant Valley Secondary, interested in pursuing a career in the culinary arts, asked to share his skills and passion with his peers last June. This school year, with the support of the Food's teacher, Elizabeth Woolnough, he selects and portions recipes, creates shopping lists, and essentially runs his own mini kitchen. Each week he prepares a schoolwide meal, alternating between grab and go dishes and more intricate fresh dishes that are sold at the school Snack Shack.
"Henry is a gifted young chef who is always looking for new ways to create flavours and wanted to share his art with his peers. This experience has been a good challenge for him to hone his organization and kitchen management skills which will help him as he continues his career in the culinary world," shared Teacher Elizabeth Woolnough.
Henry's culinary initiative is a strong example of the Career Development priority outlined in the SD83 Strategic Plan. This priority emphasizes providing students with meaningful opportunities to explore interests, build real-world skills, and prepare for life beyond graduation. Through experiential learning, skill-building, mentorship, and leadership, he is gaining the foundational experiences that will support his transition into the culinary world.
SD83 Job & Career Fair
SD83 Careers and WorkBC are hosting a five-hour event on March 11, 2026, between 12:45-6:00 p.m. at J.L. Jackson Secondary. The student portion of the event will take place between 12:45 pm-3:30pm while the general public are welcome to attend from 4-6 pm.
The event is geared towards any Grade 10-12 student or the general public that are looking for a job for the summer or investigating career or educational pathways.
We are expecting over 50 businesses, non-for-profit agencies, and post-secondary institutions to partake in the fair. At least one vendor will be from each District community (Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Enderby, Armstrong, Sorrento, North Shuswap). Students are encouraged to prepare a resume for vendors as many vendors are looking to hire students for the summer.
We are encouraging as many SD83 students as possible to come to the event.
READY, SET, LEARN
Ready, Set, Learn is a provincial early learning initiative designed to:
- Foster positive connections between families, schools, and community agencies;
- Support smooth transitions into Kindergarten;
- Offer hands‑on, play‑based activities for preschool‑aged children; and,
- Provide families with information about local early learning resources and services.
February has been an exciting month for early learners and their families, with Ready, Set, Learn events helping to support fun, play‑based exploration for children ages three to five. These play‑based events offer hands‑on activity stations, creative and sensory exploration, early literacy experiences, active play, and opportunities for families to engage together in meaningful, developmentally rich activities. Every child receives free books and a bag of early learning resources to take home.
In addition to the fun, families are able to meet educators and connect with local early learning and health professionals such as Public Health Nurses, Child Care Resource & Referral, and Shuswap Children’s Association. These supports help families build confidence, learn about local resources, and access information in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Check out highlights from recent events held at schools across the District:
Hillcrest: https://www.sd83.bc.ca/news/Ready-Set-Learn-at-Hillcrest-Elementary
South Broadview: https://www.sd83.bc.ca/news/Ready-Set-Learn-at-Parkview-Elementary
Falkland: https://www.sd83.bc.ca/news/Ready-Set-Learn-at-Falkland-Elementary
Bastion: https://www.sd83.bc.ca/news/Ready-Set-Learn-at-Bastion-Elementary
South Broadview: https://www.sd83.bc.ca/news/Ready-Set-Learn-at-South-Broadview-Elementary
Families can learn more and find upcoming dates on the District website:
Program Information: https://www.sd83.bc.ca/Ready-Set-Learn
District News: https://www.sd83.bc.ca/news/Ready-Set-Learn-2026
SD83 is continuing to host Ready, Set, Learn opportunities throughout school communities. SD83 extends an open invitation to families of children ages 3–5 to the following events:
March 4 Sorrento Elementary Multipurpose Room, 10:30-11:30 am
March 5 Silver Creek Elementary Library, 12:15-1:15 pm
March 6 Armstrong Elementary Library, 10:00-11:00 am
March 10 North Canoe Elementary Library, 12:30-1:30 pm
March 11 Salmon Arm West Elementary Library, 12:30-1:30 pm
March 12 Grindrod Elementary Library, 1:00-2:00 pm
2026-2027 SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is open for students entering Kindergarten and for new students joining SD83 in Grades 1-12.
Registration must be completed at your child’s catchment school, which is determined by your physical address, or at a Program of Choice school such as South Canoe for Outdoor Learning.
To access our catchment School Locator tool or learn more about our Program of Choice schools, visit the District Registration webpage.
If you have a child starting Kindergarten in September 2026, watch our Kindergarten Information Session video to learn more.
FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM
The French Immersion Department has created a new marketing video. Check it out - Welcome to the French Immersion Program in SD83.
For additional information regarding Early French Immersion and Late French Immersion, visit the District website: French Immersion.
DISTRICT FACILITY RENTALS
There are District facilities available for community events, programs, and activities. To help ensure a smooth and consistent process for all users, we encourage community members to review Administrative Procedure 510 Public Use of School Facilities before submitting a rental request.
If you would like to rent a space, please submit a rental permit through our online booking portal which is available on the District Facility Rentals webpage.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
Administrative procedures (APs) provide staff with guidance to ensure their work aligns with Board policies and meets the organization’s expectations or requirements.
Most recently, AP 300 Student Registration and Student Transfer Requests was amended and finalized on February 2, 2026. To access the current APs, visit the District website: Administrative Procedures.
FEBRUARY REGULAR BOARD MEETING
The K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw School District No. 83 Board of Education held its Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Read the From The Board Report (www.sd83.bc.ca/news/From-the-Board-February-17-2026) for a summary of the meeting.
BOARD POLICY UPDATES
At the February 17, 2026, Regular Board Meeting, the Board passed motions to approve the following amended policies: Policy 100 Foundational Statements; Policy 130 Roles and Responsibilities of the Board; Policy 131 Roles and Responsibilities of Board Chairperson; Policy 133 Roles and Responsibilities of Individual Trustees; Policy 134 Trustee Code of Conduct; Policy 135 Trustee Conflict of Interest; Policy 136 Trustee Attendance; and, Policy 190 Financial Planning and Reporting. All Board policies are available on the District website: www.sd83.bc.ca/board-policies.
OVERVIEW OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES
Learn more on the British Columbia School Trustees Association website:
https://bcsta.org/trustee-responsibilities.
