School trustees were given a reminder of the power of music at the Central Okanagan Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 22.
École Glenrosa Elementary principal Laurie Fraser and music teacher Gwen Plitt talked about the emotional impact of the school assembly singing the song Thank You.
It was written by Plitt six years ago, inspired by the words of Syrian students talking about having the freedom to go outside and play.
It has since taken on added significance to all students as carrying an applicable added meaning to Remembrance Day.
“The song touches on the themes of having a sense of belonging and inclusivity,” Plitt told the school board.
Kevin Kaardal, Central Okanagan superintendent/CEO, said both the song and the impact of students singing it in an assembly was inspiring.
“Schools keep our Canadian culture alive for future generations, to remember the sacrifice of others,” he said.
***
The board was introduced to two new staff members – Jennifer Adamson, principal of Chief Tomat Elementary, and Ankita Sharma, school district staff business process manager.
***
Committee assignments to school board standing committees have been finalized:
General Affairs (Committee of the Whole): chair Julia Fraser
Coordinating: Lee-Ann Tiede and Julia Fraser
Education and Student Services: chair Lisa Guderyan; members Valene Johnson and Amy Geistlinger
Finance and Audit: chair Wayne Broughton; members Lisa Guderyan and Valene Johnson
Planning and Facilities: chair Julia Fraser; members Chantelle Desrosiers and Wayne Broughton
Policy: chair Amy Geistlinger; members Julia Fraser and Chantelle Derosiers
Indigenous Education Council: Chantelle Desrosiers and Julia Fraser (alternative Lisa Guderyan)
District Early Years Partnership: Lee-Ann Tiede (alternative Lisa Guderyan)
District Health Promoting Schools: Lisa Guderyan (alternative Wayne Broughton)
District Human Rights: Valene Johnson (alternative Chantelle Desrosiers)
Public Education Awareness: Chantelle Desrosiers, Julia Fraser, Lisa Guderyan, Lee-Ann Tiede
District Safe Schools Community Network: (rotating) Chantelle Desrosiers, Amy Giestlinger, Lisa Guderyan
***
At the BC School Superintendents Association conference in Vancouver, two presentations were delivered by representatives of Central Okanagan Public Schools.
A team led by assistant superintendent Jamie Robinson gave a presentation on the work going on in the Mission and Lake Country family of schools, called Fostering Equity and Inclusion Through Shane Safir’s Equity Transformation Cycle.
The focus on creating pedagogies of agency and inclusion for students resonated with their audience.
The second presentation, which included the participation of deputy superintendent Terry-Lee Beaudry, told the story of Central Okanagan Public Schools partnerships and the progress created to honour the Indigenous peoples’ connections to the land, their culture and relational self, part of the school district’s journey towards Truth and Reconciliation.