In an effort to be more inclusive, board members of School District 10 have voted to change the name of its policy on sexual orientation.
It is now the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression policy.
Previously it was the LGBT2QIA+ Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression. (LGBT2QIA means Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Aromantic, Agender.)
Though the name has been changed, the policy itself remains the same.
The school board is still committed to establishing and maintaining a safe and welcoming learning and working environment for all students, and will provide a safe environment free from harassment and discrimination,while also promoting pro-active strategies and guidelines to ensure all students, staff, and families are welcomed and included in all aspects of education and school life, and are treated with respect and dignity.
Funding sought from Shoulder Tapper Program
The school board is seeking $17,500 in funding from the Shoulder Tapper program for a number of initiatives.
The funding would connect students with local tradespeople, makers, and builders through district-wide Design Thinking Initiative, enhance support to students with Aboriginal ancestry through collaboration with the Aboriginal Education Council and Elders, as well as create deep learning experiences with local and regional Aboriginal tradespeople and artists. They would also integrate coding into elementary and secondary classrooms through partnerships with Special Education Technology British Columbia (SET-BS) and Growing Learning Opportunities With Science (GLOWS).
Board applies for funding for coding curriculum support
Two teachers, Keith Greenhalf of Nakusp Elementary School, and Scott Kipkie of Lucerne Elementary Secondary School, are leading a project to bring strong coding curriculum resources and practices for students and professional learners.
They are working closely with the superintendent and the president of the Arrow Lakes Teachers Association.
The aim is to embed coding and computational thinking across diverse areas of the curriculum from K-12.
The Ministry of Education requires all school districts to have 15 hours of coding for grades 6-9 in the place by Sept. 2018.
Edgewood Elementary School student artwork chosen for calendar
Odin Brynjolfson, a Grade 3 student at Edgewood Elementary School (EES), is one of 12 students to have artwork chosen for the 2017 Kootenay Kids Calendar, created by Kootenay Savings Credit Union.
Over 1,300 entries were submitted. Many students from EES have had their work published in past issues of the calendar.
