This is the time of year when our students in grades 4 & 7 begin participating in the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA). This annual provincial assessment, measures students’ academic skills and provides the district with a snapshot of students’ foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. All students in grades 4 & 7 are required by the Ministry of Education and Child Care to participate in the FSA. 

The results of the FSA serve as an important tool to support student learning in SD83 which will be particularly important as we continue to determine the impact of COVID-19 on student learning. The district also uses the assessment data to support the alignment of resources during our annual budget discussions. FSA data is not part of the formal student evaluation process and is not included in student report cards. 

Click here for parent brochure

Recently there have been rumours about “cameras in student washrooms” that have generated some calls and emails to School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap) and some of its schools.

“I want to assure everyone that these rumours are untrue and unfounded,” states Superintendent of Schools Donna Kriger. “SD83 is committed to student safety, privacy, well-being and learning. We are grateful for those concerned stakeholders who reached out to us from a place of positive intent.”

S83 is currently enjoying a school start up filled with renewed optimism and hope. “Our intention is to continue this positivity through the 2022-23 school year as we focus on keeping students first.”

Kriger asks that if parents do hear these types of rumours/information please take the time to check with your school principal to ensure the information is indeed accurate.

Welcome back from Spring Break on Monday, April 4! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

Just a reminder that when we all come back to school that the mask mandate has ended. SD83 is a “mask friendly” school district. You can wear a mask if you choose.

Please continue with the daily health checks and stay home if you are ill. Also, regular hand washing and sanitizing should continue. For those who choose to wear a mask, medical grade masks continue to be available for students and staff.

If you really enjoyed your time off don’t fear, there are two more school holidays on the horizon. Good Friday is on April 15 and Easter Monday is April 18.

Important federal information for those who travelled internationally over Spring Break

If you and your family travelled outside Canada over Spring Break there are important federal requirements to be aware of. This includes that for 14 days following entry into Canada, travellers must:

• properly wear a well-constructed and well-fitting mask when in public spaces, both indoors and outdoors. This includes schools and day-cares.

Some federal rules after entering Canada are different from the provincial or territorial rules. In this case, you must follow the stricter rules.

For more information: Federal requirements for out of country travellers

Close to 60 people joined an online presentation featuring Dr. Sean Larsen who discussed a Practical Approach to Managing Anxiety in Children on March 10 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Director of Instruction Carol-Ann Leidloff was pleased with the turnout and said this online workshop was presented to help parents and educators with some essential tools to better understand anxiety in children, recognize when it is becoming problematic, help children build the capacity to overcome it, and create environments to foster better outcomes for those struggling. She noted Dr. Larsen has agreed to allow the recording of the session to be shared so that those who couldn’t attend can watch it at their leisure.

View recording of Thursday’s presentation here

View pdf of Dr. Larsen’s slides here

Drawing on literature on brain development, emotional regulation, psychology, and years of clinical experience Dr. Larsen wants to help others better understand children’s anxiety and how to support them in more meaningful ways.

Problematic anxiety in childhood is common and disrupts opportunities for healthy experiences. Anxiety can influence a child’s ability to achieve academically, make friends, or find reward in the activities they take part in.

He notes that about one in ten Canadians will access mental health support for mood and anxiety disorders in their lives and a far larger percentage could benefit from these supports and a better understanding of what anxiety is and how it impacts their lives.

Leidloff adds the district hopes to have Dr. Larsen return in the fall with presentations on how to help children sleep better, and on digital parenting.

It is almost time to take off your mask, if you so choose, but not quite!

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has announced that masks are no longer required in public indoor places as of midnight March 10th, however this does not apply to certain areas including schools and medical/health facilities. This means, in accordance with the Public Health Order, SD83 students and staff continue to be required to mask indoors at school.

Henry announced B.C. students from Kindergarten until grade 12 will no longer be mandated to wear masks after their return from Spring Break which in SD83 is from March 21 to April 1, 2022.

B.C. takes next step in balanced plan to lift COVID-19 Restrictions

You are invited to take part in A Practical Approach to Managing Anxiety in Children, an online presentation by Dr. Sean Larsen, PhD. on March 10 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Designed for parents and educators, this online workshop will give you essential tools to better understand anxiety in children, recognize when it is becoming problematic, help children build the capacity to overcome it, and create environments to foster better outcomes for those struggling.

Click here to join the meeting

Drawing on literature on brain development, emotional regulation, psychology, and years of clinical experience Dr. Larsen will help you better understand children’s anxiety and how to support them in more meaningful ways.

Problematic anxiety in childhood is common and disrupts opportunities for healthy experiences. Anxiety can influence a child’s ability to achieve academically, make friends, or find reward in the activities they take part in.

He notes that about one in ten Canadians will access mental health support for mood and anxiety disorders in their lives and a far larger percentage could benefit from these supports and a better understanding of what anxiety is and how it impacts their lives.

Pre-registration is not required to take part in this presentation. Everyone is welcome!

If they so wish, SD83 students and staff can once again resume using cloth or non-medical face masks.

When schools re-opened in January, with the highly contagious Omicron variant spreading, SD83 made the decision to supply medical three-ply masks to all students and medical or KN95 masks to all staff, in an effort to help keep everyone healthy and schools open. With numbers now trending downwards, and as promised, this short term measure has now ended.

The district has a good supply of 3-ply children’s masks, which will still be available to students.

Thank you to everyone for continuing to do the daily health check, staying home if you are ill, washing/sanitizing your hands, and wearing masks indoors.

Play Shuswap is again hosting a fun event on BC Family Day weekend. SD83 Healthy Schools Coordinator and president of Play Shuswap, Laura Paiement, said last year the Family Day Play Challenge was such a success we decided to make it an annual event.

Join PLAY Shuswap and Salmon Arm Recreation, Enderby Recreation and Sicamous Recreation for a Family Day Weekend PLAY Challenge! Go to PLAY Shuswap on Facebook and submit a photo taken during Feb 18th-21st 2022 showing your household being active outdoors. See attached poster for fun ways to move outside with your family. There are great prizes to be won!

Thank you to the Province of B.C. for supporting this and other Family Day event.

All K to 5 families are invited to participate in a virtual Family Literacy Games Night on Wednesday March 9th!

Participating families will receive a free Family Literacy Kit (includes letter tiles, word cards, dice, and game boards) to use during the session, as families learn fun ways to support literacy skills at home. Interested families must register by Tuesday, February 15th so the kits can be ordered and sent home with students prior to the March 9th session. A huge thanks to LASS (Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society) for their financial support and partnership with this event.

Registration deadline: February 15th

Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/8Pve8nyGid

*Games Night Zoom link and Family Literacy Kits will be sent home prior to the session