The Board of Education Regular Meeting Agenda

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 5:00 PM (PT) – 8:00 PM (PT) In person: 811 Stanley Street, Nelson, BC, V1L 1N7 By video conference: Prince Charles Secondary School, Room 104, Creston, BC

1. Call to Order 2. Acknowledgement of Aboriginal Territory We acknowledge, respect and honour the First Nations in whose traditional territories the Kootenay Lake School District operates and all Aboriginal people residing within the boundaries of School District No. 8. 3. Insertions/Deletions to proposed Agenda 4. Adoption of Agenda Proposed Resolution: THAT the Agenda for this January 28, 2020 meeting, BE ADOPTED, as circulated. 5. Receiving Presentations A. Restorative Justice – Blewett Elementary 6. Opportunity for Comments by the Public 7. Consent Package (p. 4) App. 7

8. Adoption of Minutes (p. 65) App. 8

Proposed Resolution: THAT the minutes from the December 10, 2019 Regular Meeting, BE ADOPTED.

9. Future and Action Item Tracking

Page 1 of 3 Agenda – Regular Meeting Board of Education – School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) January 28, 2020

10. Old Business A. Slocan Valley Family of Schools / Winlaw Configuration – Superintendent Perkins

Withdrawal of the following motion from the December 10, 2019: Proposed reconfiguration plan beginning for 2020-2021 school year: • Brent Kennedy – K to Grade 6 • Mount Sentinel Grades 7 to 12 • WE Graham – Grades K-9 + VWP 9-10 • Winlaw – K – Grade 6 “Pilot Program” • Grade 6 students in community 1 day a week Proposed Resolution: THAT the proposed reconfiguration plan for the Slocan Valley Family of Schools BE APPROVED.

Proposed Resolutions: From December 10, 2019 Meeting: 1. THAT, beginning for the 2020-2021 School Year, Winlaw Elementary be configured for Grades K to Grade 4; 2. THAT, beginning for the 2020-2021 School Year, Winlaw Elementary be configured for Grades K to Grade 5; 3. THAT, beginning for the 2020-2021 School Year, Winlaw Elementary be configured for Grades K to Grade 6; 4. THAT, beginning for the 2020-201 School Year, Winlaw Elementary and Brent Kennedy Elementary be configured for Grades K to Grade 5, and Mount Sentinel offer Grades 6 to Grade 12; New Resolutions: 5. THAT, beginning for the 2020-2021 School Year, Winlaw Elementary “Seamless Day” BE APPROVED; 6. THAT, beginning for the 2020-2021 School Year, out-of-catchment student transfers into Winlaw Elementary that would cause the total number of students to exceed the Operating Capacity of the school BE DISALLOWED.

11. Education A. 3-year Calendar Committee Approval – Superintendent Perkins (p. 71) App. 11A B. Creston French Immersion – Superintendent Perkins (p. 74) App. 11B C. Superintendent’s Report – Superintendent Perkins (p. 75) App. 11C D. Student Excursions Outside of Kootenay Lake Zone – Superintendent Perkins • Prince Charles Secondary to Ontario and Quebec (p. 89) App. 11D-1 • Trafalgar Middle to Silverwood Theme Park (p. 94) App. 11D-2

Page 2 of 3 Agenda – Regular Meeting Board of Education – School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) January 28, 2020

Operations & Finance

E. Approve 2019-2020 Amended Budget – Secretary-Treasurer McLellan Handout 12A

Proposed Bylaw: BE IT RESOLVED: i. THAT the Amended Budget Bylaw be given FIRST READING; ii. THAT the Amended Budget Bylaw be given SECOND READING; iii. THAT the Amended Budget Bylaw go forward to third reading; iv. THAT the Amended Budget Bylaw be ADOPTED as read a THIRD time. 12. Governance & Policy Nil A. Statement – Trustee Gribbin 13. Human Resources: Nil 14. Trustee Verbal Reports 15. Question Period 16. Meeting Schedule & Reminders (p. 126) App. 17 A. BCSTA – Provincial Council Friday, Feb 21 – Saturday, Feb 22, all day, Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Vancouver B. Board’s Budget Dinner Thursday, April 2, at 5pm, at the Prestige, Nelson C. PVP Meeting with Trustees – Budget Internal Consultation Wednesday, April 8, 12pm - 2pm, JVH Kaslo D. BCSTA AGM Thursday, April 16, 12pm – Sunday, April 19, 12pm, Westin Bayshore, Vancouver 17. Adjournment of Meeting

Page 3 of 3 Appendix 7

SCHOOL DISTRICT 8 KOOTENAY LAKE CONSENT PACKAGE – REGULAR OPEN JANUARY 28, 2020

ITEM The following Consent items are routine items received for information.

1. Board Correspondence Package p. 5

2. Re-envisioning the Slocan Valley Flyer p. 62

3. Student Symposium 2020 Flyer p. 64

SCHOOL DISTRICT 8 KOOTENAY LAKE BOARD CORRESPONDENCE PACKAGE JANUARY 28, 2020

ITEM DATE

1. R. Durand, parent of Mt. Sentinel student, to SD8 Board of Education relative to November 26, 2019 reconfiguration

2. D. Kunzelman, Co-president – KLTF, to SD8 Board of Education relative to per pupil November 29, 2019 funding for public education

3. L. Flexhaug to SD8 Board of Education relative to reconfiguration November 29, 2019

4. S. Lagace, parent, to SD8 Board of Education relative to reconfiguration December 4, 2019

5. M. Flis, parent of Brent Kennedy and Mt. Sentinel students, to SD8 Board of December 5, 2019 Education relative to reconfiguration

6. M. Mathieson, parent of St. Joseph’s students, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 6, 2019 reconfiguration

7. T. Ashley, parent, to SD8 Board of Education relative to reconfiguration December 6, 2019

8. P. Boyer, parent of Ecole des Sentiers-Alpins, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 7, 2019 reconfiguration

9. T. Anderson, parent, to SD8 Board of Education relative to reconfiguration December 7, 2019

10. G. Janssen, parent of Trafalgar and L.V. Rogers students, to SD8 Board of Education December 8, 2019 relative to reconfiguration

11. J. Holliday and G. Hadikin, parent of Brent Kennedy students, to SD8 Board of December 8, 2019 Education relative to reconfiguration

12. J. Stol, parent of Brent Kennedy students, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 8, 2019 reconfiguration

13. K. Pinfold, parent of Trafalgar student, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 8, 2019 reconfiguration

14. P. Owen, parent of Brent Kennedy student, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 8, 2019 reconfiguration

15. S. Kitch, teacher at L.V. Rogers and parent of Trafalgar student, to SD8 Board of December 8, 2019 Education relative to reconfiguration

16. A. Bohigian, parent of Trafalgar students, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 9, 2019 reconfiguration

17. D. W., parent, to SD8 Board of Education relative to reconfiguration December 9, 2019

18. K. Windecker, parent, to SD8 Board of Education relative to reconfiguration December 9, 2019

19. M. Killeen to SD8 Board of Education relative to reconfiguration December 9, 2019

20. M. Paterson, parent of Wildflower students, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 9, 2019 reconfiguration

21. M. Sommerfeld, parent of Brent Kennedy student, to SD8 Board of Education relative December 9, 2019 to reconfiguration

22. T. Robertson to SD8 Board of Education relative to reconfiguration December 9, 2019

23. R. Fleming, Minister of Education, to SD8 Board of Education relative to anti-vaping December 9, 2019

24. J. Paolozzi, parent of Wildflower student(s), to Superintendent and SD8 Board of December 9, 2019 Education relative to reconfiguration

25. S. Imada, parent of L.V. Rogers, to Superintendent and SD8 Board of Education December 9, 2019 relative to reconfiguration

26. D. Rempel, parent of Nelson Waldorf School students, to Superintendent relative to December 9, 2019 reconfiguration

27. V. M., parent of Wildflower student, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 10, 2019 reconfiguration

28. L. Perriere, parent of Wildflower student, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 10, 2019 reconfiguration

29. A. de Zwart, parent of Trafalgar students, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 10, 2019 reconfiguration

30. A. Stuyt, parent of Trafalgar student, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 10, 2019 reconfiguration

31. Blewett PAC to SD8 Board of Education relative to reconfiguration December 10, 2019

32. C. Killeen, parent, to SD8 Board of Education relative to reconfiguration December 10, 2019

33. C. Tereposky, parent of Brent Kennedy students, to SD8 Board of Education relative December 10, 2019 to reconfiguration

34. D. Powell, parent of South Nelson students, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 10, 2019 reconfiguration

35. E. Maconachie, parent of Wildflower and L.V. Rogers students, to SD8 Board of December 10, 2019 Education relative to reconfiguration

36. G. Denkovski, parent of Wildflower students, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 10, 2019 reconfiguration

37. K. Ellis, member of Winlaw Elementary PAC, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 10, 2019 reconfiguration

38. M. Juhas, parent of South Nelson student, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 10, 2019 reconfiguration

39. S. Metcalf, parent of Trafalgar student, to SD8 Board of Education relative to December 10, 2019 reconfiguration

40. S. Murray, parent of South Nelson and Trafalgar students, to SD8 Board of Education December 10, 2019 relative to reconfiguration

41. Wildflower PAC to SD8 Board of Education relative to reconfiguration December 10, 2019

42. K. Peloso, parent of L.V. Rogers and Wildflower, to Superintendent and SD8 Board of December 10, 2019 Education relative to reconfiguration

43. R. Fleming, Minister of Education, to SD8 Board of Education relative to New Year January 20, 2020 update

Hello Christine,

Thank you for holding the meeting last night at Brent Kennedy. I found it to be somewhat informative, but it really did leave the impression that it was a pitch on a pre-determined direction, instead of a meaningful discussion on future options. I have no doubt whatsoever that our teachers and schools have our children’s best interests in mind, and that whatever decision is made, that they will succeed (my son is in grade 8 at Mt. Sentinel and has had nothing but a positive experience).

I have a significant concern that I believe was well heard last night, but not really addressed. My daughter will be 10 years old when she starts grade 6 next year at BK. While I have no doubt that if she attended Mt. Sentinel next year, the teachers would do their best to make it a good and safe learning environment, but peer pressure and exposure from older students is a much larger influence on them. I do not think that it is appropriate for a child of 10 or 11 years old to be placed in the high school, and I have yet to talk to a single parent in my daughters grade that is in support of it. I was also very dismayed last night to have the experience of other school systems (as brought up by Craig who researched it before the meeting) instantly disregarded in this respect. It does not matter in my mind that the research is from the US, or how good you think the BC system it, as Craig said, we should be learning from other jurisdiction’s experiences. In that respect, I would ask if you have any similar evidence (not anecdotal) indicating the pros and cons of a grade 6 to 12 school?

The other thing that was not addressed at all last night, nor do I see it in any of the reports on the SD8 website, is what are the other options? You opened the night indicating this is not a done deal, but no other options were presented?

I would also like to reiterate the question I asked regarding what is realistically achievable to have in place by Sept 2020 if my daughter ends up in the high school? You made it sound like with the <40 new students from Winlaw and BK, that there would be all sorts of new opportunities for language and music programs, but don’t believe you really addressed the question regarding when. Forgive me if I have a hard time believing that in less than a year an entirely new system could be created within the high school that will address the needs of the middle school kids, and there will be more opportunities for speciality programs. To me that it all an admirable goal, and I think potentially a very positive one, but I do not see any evidence of it being actually planned out beyond the basic conceptualization.

Thank you, Ryan

Ryan Durand, M.Sc., R.P.Bio. Project Manager and Ecologist EcoLogic Consultants

November 29, 2019

Dear Board Trustees;

I am writing to request answers to questions myself and many other parents have regarding the facility planning proposal to keep Grade 9 students at Trafalgar. There is such a quick turn around time for this decision with may outstanding questions and concerns that need to be addressed.

Questions:

Regarding the letter from the Ministry dated April 12, 2019 around LRFP's. The letter states “Going forward, the Ministry will no longer need to approve a school district’s LRFP”. This section concerns me as I don't fully understand what it means can someone please give further clarity on this? What is the new process moving forward to obtain approval?

How did LVR become overcapacity so quickly as last year they were looking at taking Grade 8's and now they can't even keep the grade 9's? What has changed so drastically?

What is the current enrollment at LVR (the document is only showing February 2019 results) please include a breakdown of in catchment, out of catchment, French immersion and international students? What is the expected number of over capacity at LVR in 2020?

The long range plan document for Nelson family of schools states “near-term slight increase in overall enrollment next two years. This appears to be temporary increase of which we are already well into the first year, is that correct?

Long term prediction is that it will decline again so is the proposed change to keep grade 9 students at Trafalgar a long term plan or short term fix?

Trafalgar school was planned to be closed and a new elementary school was going to be built, how does this proposed change address the numerous concerns around the Trafalgar school building and the age and condition? Currently the heating system is done, electrical problems in the kitchen – what will be next?

Has the option of portables at LVR been consider and proposed to allow for more time to come up with a long term plan?

What about the option to put a cap on out of catchment into LVR? The plan indicates it is expected to decline moving forward.

What is the current number of international students at LVR and what is the expected number for 2020? Has the option to reduce international student numbers for the next two years been considered?

Why is there not more time for looking at all options and only one being proposed?

I have been told that the idea is just a proposal at this time and a decision has not yet been made, however many students in Grade 8 at Trafalgar feel that what has been shared with them is making them feel strongly that this decision has been made already. This has caused a lot of stress and anxiety not only for the students involved but the parents as well.

I am hoping to have answers to my questions prior to the December 5th meeting at Trafalgar so that I can be better prepared for the discussion.

Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.

Sincerely, Lisa Flexhaug 250-354-9082 Hello,

As a mother of two my only concerns regard a shifting of students to another school as kind of a bandaid solution. A solution that may have learning and social repercussions on students.

I am interested in understanding a few facts.

First I am curious if the district has looked into the ability for the elementary schools to hold their grade six. This would alleviate much parental concerns of the four grades at Trafalgar. I believe there are funds allocated to expand Blewett.

If WF was to expand its classes to ensure their was not a wait list, another two classes? Would that alleviate the pressure at south Nelson and Blewett?

Is it acceptable that a public school has such a wait list?

Is it time to relocate Desk, Reach and Home links at places other then schools. Is in fact filling our schools with non school ie) admin space in central school minimizing our chances for fully achieving capacity across all schools. When we finally reach this capacity is when we will be recognized as a district in need of new school. I know from the last involvement with faculty planning the enormous financial burden these old schools place.

It is important the board makes a move from looking at the whole capacity rather then quick alleviation of current swells.

If the decision is to place grade nine back in Trafalgar , can we trust That the board will look into the possibility of relocating grade six as well.

Unfortunately moving the board office to central rather then looking a the big picture may have affected our long term capacity of students.

I would like to see the board make a decision that affects all schools including wf. I would like to see the Nelson schools all agree to k-6 and 7-9. WF and redfish brings the exception to house their own middle schools.

Thanks for your consideration,

Stephanie Lagace [email protected] 2503547528 I am a parent of 4 students attending both MSSS and BK. I currently have 1 son at the high school (grade 8) and 3 daughters at BK Grades 5, 3 and K) The configuration of the school is something that will directly affect my family for the next 12 years! I passionately believe in keeping the grade 6 students at the elementary school. I believe this for all the reasons repeatedly mentioned at both meetings I attended,as well as from talking with other parents. The leadership role that grade 6 students take on is invaluable and irreplaceable... grade 5 students don't yet have the maturity to lead the school and forcing them to fill those boots will further force an early maturity. This arrangement would disrupt the development of both the students at BK and MSSS. Beyond the affected students, I feel this reconfiguration is detrimental to educators and puts an unfair responsibility on them. Everyone loses with this plan. Thanks for your attention to this matter, Marika Flis

Hello,

I would like to report some significant errors in the information presented at last night’s Trafalgar meeting.

In the presentation Document https://www.sd8.bc.ca/sites/default/files/2019.12.05%20Facilities%20Meeting%20%28Trafalgar%29_v1 .pdf

The Page: Nelson Family of Schools - Trafalgar Reconfig. Proposal #1 - Capacity Utilizations

The 2020 capacity percentages projections for Trafalgar are significantly incorrect.

91% should be 100% (630/625)

87% should be 96% (630/650)

These significantly change the landscape of what Trafalgar would look like that first year with Grade 9 in this school.

Such low numbers are misleading to the participants of the meeting. There are other percentages here that are not correct, but not as significant as 2020.

Numbers were bad in the previous years. New Numbers came in this year. Decisions are being based alone on these numbers, and yet there are still not consistent numbers being shown, which raises doubts about the numbers, which raises doubts about the decisions being made on numbers alone.

In addition, during the meeting, it was asked multiple times if the numbers we were shown considered external schools, like St Joseph as an example. We were told it did, but in this presentation, the count of Grade 9s specifically says "Nelson Family (Grade 9s)", and in all of the presentations listed, "Nelson Family" refers to the SD8 family of schools and does not include external schools like St Joseph.

The additions of the external schools is not zero. St Joseph for example does not have a Grade 9 class, and so it is currently expected that students would move into the SD8 school district at Grade 9 if not sooner.

If the proposal was accepted, Grades 6,7, and 8 would also increase from the fact that these external schools are not initially prepared to house a Grade 9 class. It took years for those schools to able to handle the 7 and 8 and allow the option of skipping Trafalgar entirely. Parents considering this may decide that a one year transition into and out of Trafalgar is not in the best interest of their child and would instead move their child to Trafalgar earlier to have a better transition plan and experience in that school. This would again increase the number of students in Trafalgar.

Based on those numbers we are only exchanging one overcapacity school for another, negatively affecting students in the process.

Are there other agenda items that are driving this move that are not being shared?

During the meeting, it was stated that we don't call these private schools and ask about enrollment.

Why not?

It was stated multiple times that SD8 staff are "about the students", and I would expect that those in the private schools would also share that same philosophy, especially for those schools who don't have a complete K-12 program and 100% know that their students will need to transition into the SD8 school district to complete high school.

We need to break down those roadblocks on communications to allow our community to work together and more importantly plan together to achieve success.

About me:

I live in Nelson, have 2 boys, grade 6 and 8 in St Joseph, and my wife Nicole works at St Joseph as an EA.

I grew up in Nelson, attended AI Collinson, Trafalgar, and graduated from LV Rogers in 1995.

Markus Mathieson Principal, Information Technology Production Application Support

Real Estate Solutions CoreLogic

Direct (250) 354-1187 x410

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*sorry, this is email number 2. I did not include my personal information in the first email as requested by the SD8 website.

Hello SD8 Board members,

After coming home from the Trafalgar meeting last night, I felt there were things I was able to process and wanted to write down for you, in order that there would be written record. I also had a thought that wasn't mentioned while I was at the meeting (I left at 7:05). I want to say up front that I am writing as a parent, not in my capacity as an administrator at an independent school. This shift would affect both my children, causing an extra transition year at Trafalgar for Grade 9, then on to LVR for Grade 10 (as they will both complete Grade 8 at NCCS).

I want to reiterate the sentiment that I hope the board acts on behalf of the people. From the comments and questions I heard last night, it seemed apparent that the overwhelming majority of those present were in favour of, at very least, slowing the timeline of this process. Many people spoke out against the move of Grade 9 students, but the resounding sentiment was in regards to the speed of the transition. It also seems, though the process of evaluating SD8 buildings has been going on for some time, the public has only been made aware of this potential shift for less than 2 weeks, with a board meeting looming on Dec 10--that is a quick turnaround that people seem to be having a hard time reconciling.

I made the suggestion about using any potential spaces at Selkirk's 10th st campus for LVR overflow. Students walk to the culinary program's kitchen on a daily basis, rain or shine, in order to purchase lunch, so it seems feasible that they could also walk the 3 blocks for a class. I see this daily from my window at work. It is an option that ought to be looked into.

One other option that I didn't hear mentioned last night is the evaluation and selling of several SD8 properties that aren't functioning as SD8 schools currently. There is the Johnstone Road property, the French School building at 6 mile, and the small building up by Lyons Park, all of which could be sold and the moneys used to help alleviate this problem. I understand the timeline for this is not quick, but it is another option that should be considered.

Finally, I wished those speaking on behalf of SD8 were a little more honest about the state of the Trafalgar building. I am not overly familiar with the building, but on my walk to the gym I passed space heaters with fencing around them. The gym where we were sitting had a fenced off area with caution tape and a plywood door. First impressions lead me to believe that the decision to tear the building down, which was ratified just around 3 years ago, was the honest appraisal of the building.

Thank you for the hard work you are doing to direct our public schools. I hope and pray that your meeting on Tuesday evening will be led with honest intentions, the students' best interests at mind, and with the voices of those who elected you guiding the decisions you make.

If you have any questions or comments for me, I would be happy to engage in conversation further.

Thank you,

Tracy L. Ashley [email protected] 250-551-5754

Dear members of the board,

I was not able to attend the meeting last week, so I am writting to let you hear my voice and the reality of our students. I am the mother of three children that are attending L'école des Sentiers-alpins, and one of them is actually in grade 8. I totally disagree with the project of moving the grade 9 students to Trafalgar because:

• It would send our students to Trafalgar for only a year.

• Our grade 9 beeing physicaly in Trafalgar and the grade 10-12 in LVR, it would be a major threat to our high-school francophone program (grade 9 to 12) and could mean the dismantling of that program (for which, by the way, SD8 and CSF (Francophone school board) have not yet signed an official agreement, even after three years of existence).

• It would bring a lot of anxiety to our actual grade 8, because that decision is so last minute and I doubt that in so little time everything will be settled and resolved by next September.

I want to specify that I am talking here of French core language and not Immersion French, that is not the same level of french and does'nt reprensent the same reality.

Thanks for reading and hearing me and pardon my strange English,

Pascale Boyer Nelson 778-463-3033

Thank you for hosting the public meeting last night at Trafalgar. I am a parent of four with three children still in SD8 and one already graduated. I would like to share my opinion ahead of Tuesday's Board meeting.

I would like the Board to postpone the decision on moving Grade 9 back into Trafalgar for sufficient time that the Board can consider ALL options for managing projected overcrowding at LVR, and can convey the results of this consideration to, and collect more feedback from, the parents and students of SD8. I also request that, during this period of postponement, the Board conduct sufficient research on the benefits to Grade 9 students of being in either a middle school or high school environment, and report the findings to families of SD8 with sufficient opportunity for feedback.

If it is determined that the best place for our Grade 9 students is back at Trafalgar, I would like to see the renovation plan prioritized and the move postponed until upgrades are complete. It would be more efficient and less disruptive to make these upgrades while extra space is available in the building.

In the meantime, to address current overcrowding at LVR, consideration should be given to short-term solutions like leasing space at the 10th Street campus or installing more portables.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input,

Trevor Anderson

-- Trevor Anderson, RPF / Owner Timberland Consultants (2001) 2620 Granite Rd Nelson, BC V1L 6V2 (o) 250-354-3880 ext. 240 (c) 250-505-2467

Dear SD8 Board:

My wife and I attended the December 5th meeting at Trafalgar Middle School. We have a child in grade 9 at LVR and a child in grade 8 at Trafalgar. We like the system as it is. Our primary concern with the district's proposal to expand grade 9 to Trafalgar is the lack of an academic instruction plan. I earned a Master's in Teaching in the U.S. and believe that the district's inability to provide a explanation of how this change will impact academic instruction as well as data and research that supports a grade 6-9 configuration indicates the district is not prepared to move forward with a 2020-2021 implementation of the plan. It would be irresponsible of the board to make a decision that could impact the community for the next decade without providing more concrete information to the community. Our 9th grader is thriving at LVR. We are experiencing first hand the benefits of the current academic/facilities configuration. The dearth of actionable information presented on the 5th is a strong indication that the district would do better to address the facilities issue in the context of the current academic configuration rather than try to address facilities and academic changes in a mere 9 months.

Sincerely, Greg Janssen

To the Board of Trustees,

My husband & I ask that you not move our children that will be going into grade 6 next year to Mount Sentinel Secondary School. I believe that these children are in no way ready to enter high school atmosphere! The high school is not equipped to have these young children!

We currently have children in Grand 6, 5 & 2. Both of my older children are already anxious about having to go to high school and I worry about how this sudden shift will affect them.

We ask that you reconsider your options and think more on how we can keep our schools as is!!

Brent Kennedy Elementary

Jennifer Holliday Glen Hadikin 2536 Shoreacres Rd Castlegar BC V1N 4P6

My thanks, Jennifer Holliday & Glen Hadikin

Hello Sharon and other board members,

I have two children who attend Brent Kennedy. I am very concerned about the proposal to move their grade 6 year to a high school. There has been nothing from the board to explain how this move would better support our children's education compared to the current configuration. It is not in their best interest to be moved at such a young age. I feel that the board is neither listening to families' concerns nor respecting the fact that we know what's best for our kids and our communities. Keep grade 6 in elementary school.

Jenni Stol

3818 Woodcrest Rd Bonnington

December 8, 2019

Dear SD8 Board of Trustees: RE: Letter for Public Meeting, December 10, 2019

On December 5, 2019, we met as a community to discuss Reconfiguration of the Nelson Family of Schools. There was a strong desire by attendees and the trustees and staff of SD8 to ensure what is best for the students. The current data clearly indicates LVR will be overcapacity. The decision to move Grade 9 back to Trafalgar would be the best outcome to address the future capacity constraints. However, the parents’ preference was to keep current configuration. If the Board must reconfigure the schools to address this organizational issue, the parents and caregivers clearly expressed that there be an appropriate time allotted to the transition process. This process will include the trial of a four- day rotating change in schedule at LVR.

The Proposal:

The Board of Trustees adopt a three-year plan to address the current long-range facilities strategy.

The outcome of this plan would be a transfer of Grade 9 back to Trafalgar Middle School for 2022-2023 school year, if the LVR four-day rotating trial does not alleviate capacity requirements. In order to ensure full transparency, the proposed three-year plan would be presented to all stakeholders through a similar process of planning meetings, and be ready for adoption at the end of the 2020 school year. The following is a summary of ideas from the December 5th meeting to be included in the plan:

● Trial of Four-Day Rotating schedule at LVR to accommodate current capacity restraints. ● Develop a realistic and reasonable renovation plan for Trafalgar to ensure a good learning environment. ● Provide an annual evaluation of enrollment and catchment by outside consultants to improve confidence. ● Develop a Grade 9 specific program for Trafalgar (ideas include an outdoor education program, expert training workshops), created an extremely flexible timetable, provide teaching specialists similar to senior secondary, and offer a robust mentorship program with LVR. ● Dialogue with local independent schools (French School, Waldorf, and Christian School) with the possibility of those schools increasing capacity for Grade 9. A conservation with the homeschool community is also necessary. If expansion is not possible, further collaboration with these schools is essential to reflect the district’s core value of inclusion for all learners. ● Clarify and support expansion plans at Nelson FoS elementary schools for Grade 6. And support parent choice for their children to remain at their catchment elementary school for the Grade 6 year.

The Three-Year Time:

2019-2020: Board prepares the plan to be voted for by June 2020.

2020-2021: Renovations for mechanical portions of Trafalgar; LVR Four-day rotation trial

2021-2022: Esthetic renovations at Trafalgar; preparation of elementary schools.

2022-2023: First Grade 9 class at Trafalgar if rotating plan does not free up constraints.

Please feel free to connect should you have further questions or require clarification of the proposal and/or timeline.

Kind regards,

Stephanie Lagace

(parent of a Grade Six Trafalgar student)

Signed by Kay Pinfold – parent of a grade seven Trafalgar student

723 Robson Street Nelson, BC V1L 5A9 250 551 3429 [email protected] Dear Sharon and the Board of Trustees,

I attended the meeting at Brent Kennedy about the proposed changes. Our son is in Gr. 5 this year at BK. These changes would mean he would go into “high school” next year as an 11 year old. I like the idea of multi-age structure in a school; however, not in a large school like Mt. Sentinel. I agree that in places like Crawford Bay, this is a great structure. Or a school like Wildflower that has very different ways of learning (and fewer students). Throwing young kids into a school that large with much less supervision and having them exposed (daily) to the older kids is not comforting as a parent.

Yes, kids see vaping in town or in parks, and they hear ‘language' on the street and see young people staring at their phones but as a family who choose to live rurally with limited screens - we do not ‘hang out’ at malls and parks - our kids are not regularily exposed to this. Today, I believe kids are growing up too fast, this proposal seems very counterintuitive to what we should be doing with our youth.

I know there are many great young adults at Mt. Sentinel who would be an inspiration to the kids; but, I am quite happy for that to wait until Gr. 7 (which I thought was young already!).

As for the programs that Mt. Sentinel is after, I agree that these are important, but not at the cost of a young kid making a bad decision from being exposed to something at too young an age or feeling uncomfortable or overwhelmed at school.

I know everyone wants opportunity for the kids, but I think a safe and age appropriate setting should be the priority. The high school just doesn’t have the same amount of supervision for the number of students as it should if younger kids were there.

All I can suggest is a Portable for Winlaw. I realize there is not funding for one, but there must be some way to request funding.

Or, if this must proceed, have a better “Middle school” plan in place with programs and extra supervision before putting our kids into a High school without much of a plan.

Thank you for reading.

Kind Regards,

Paula Owen BK Gr. 5 (and Gr.3) parent.

Hello, I am a teacher ay LVR, I have a son in grade 10 and a daughter in grade 6 at Trafalgar. I attended the meeting at Trafalgar last week and was happy to see that others are also feeling that moving the grade 9s back to Trafalgar is not a very good idea. I will not remind you of the different points made, (bad infrastructure at Trafalgar - asbestos, lead pipes, lack of working bathrooms and lack of heat, - lack of specialists at Trafalgar will be a detriment to students leaning and transition to LVR, - Trafalgar is a school full of emotionally charged teens and packing more into that atmosphere is a bad idea, specially with such a big age gap between 6s and 9s) I realize that something has to be done as LVR will soon be over capacity but I really think that we need to be creative and not just go backwards. This is a great opportunity to create something new and forward thinking. I hope that you consider a 4 day week at LVR. Different students and teachers would have 4 different days and rotate. It would require some juggling and thinking about schedules and buses but seems doable if we really want to do what is best for the students and not just trying to fit kids into spaces whatever those spaces look like.

I look forward to the board meeting on Tuesday

Sasha Julie Kitch LVR Teacher

December 9, 2019

Dear SD8 Board of Trustees:

On December 5, 2019, we met as a community to discuss Reconfiguration of the Nelson Family of Schools. There was a strong desire by attendees and the trustees and staff of SD8 to ensure what is best for the students. If the Board must reconfigure the schools to address this organizational issue, the parents and caregivers clearly expressed that there be an appropriate time allotted to the transition process. This process must include the thoughts and ideas of a strong parent body as well as a transparent and clearly defined process by the district.

The consequences of not handing this issue within a timeframe that is best aligned with the capacity of the schools’ administration, teachers, students and families will negatively impact the learning experience for hundreds of youth. You have asked for public input. We all hope that this was done in good faith and not just a way to ensure that optics and public relations were considered in the process.

The feedback is clear – many parents I have spoken with feel that this transition must be handled with care, not haste. The building at Trafalgar has been neglected for so many years and passed over for more pressing capitol improvements that it behooves your district to compensate for the years of capitol neglect by ensuring that the facility and the staff are properly prepared to integrate a new grade.

My children have both entered Trafalgar this fall. Both are largely enjoying their experience, thanks to their committed teachers and the staff that work to ensure a positive learning environment. This letter is written with the hope that their experience remains positive throughout their time at Trafalgar.

Please feel free to connect should you have further questions.

Kind regards,

Amy Bohigian Parent of two Grade Six Trafalgar students I am writing to you regarding the decision to bri grade 6 to mount sentinel. I have been working all day and have just received the email to write BEFORE December 10... ya guys don’t make this easy on working parents that’s for sure. Anyways this is my letter saying I am NOT for this change. Grade 7 and 8 are young enough in a high school with older kids, adding grade 6 to the mix is a recipe for disaster . Both the younger kids and the older kids are going to have issues on all kinds of levels with this. Bullying Drugs Smoking vaping Teasing Not to mention being annoyed with little kids at a high school... to the older ones this is unfair also as they are already dealing with the pressures. I have a 7 year old and a 14 year old... what my 14 year old tells me that goes on at mount sentinel is mind blowing! I do not want any youngsters involved or around that. I vote a hard NO, to this . My 14 year old votes NO My fiancé votes NO And my 8 year old son votes NO. -- LIFT🏋🏋🏋🏋♀LOVE❤LAUGH😜😜

I feel very strongly that keeping the grade 9’s at Trafalgar next you would be a horrible mistake. My son has told me he would prefer to home school or will switch to Mt. Sentinel.

The lack of any kind of evidence that this would benefit any of the children seems to be evidence enough that this would be the wrong decision.

No plan at all as to how it would actually look for the current grade 9’s is just plain frightening.

The “elementary school model” and talk of an extra year of “nurturing” makes absolutely no sense, grade 9 kids do not belong in an elementary school.

Knowing he gets to go to high school next year is like a light at the end of the tunnel. They need to move on and start learning how to become adults.

All of the grade 8’s have been so excited to move into high school and to have this pushed on them is just devastating.

The feedback from all parents and teachers at last Thursday’s meeting needs to be heard. Keeping the grade 8’s in Trafalgar is not a solution.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Windecker

Sent from my iPhone

Hello Board,

I would like start by introducing myself. My name is Matthew Killeen, ive been born and raised in this amazing area since kindergarten. I have some heart felt issues with what is going on. I was so lucky to have schools that took me from kindergarten to grade three, I then had the chance to go from grade four to six. After the graduation from grade six I had the opportunity to spend time with some older children from grade seven to nine. I feel going though these different stages of grades and ages, had let me transition easier to the older classes. Once I was in high school(and at that time it was grade ten to twelve) I had an easy and calming transition. I understand, we do not have this option at today's volume, but if we could keep up an easier transition period for our children this would be wonderful. We all as humans know how hard it is transition into a new group of people. The easier we could make this on our children would help them growing and getting into the "real world ". Any thing we can do to keep it close for our children, and help them have an "easier transition" would help. Like I have said it is hard for, "Anyone" to make a transition. If can assist in any way for our little ones I feel this would help. Please think of how we all grew up and what will help our children in the future, and to what they can provide for society and all of us on the ride. Thank you for reading and hopefully taking some of this in.

Peace.

Matthew Killeen.

Good Evening,

I am writing as a parent who's children attend the elementary grades at Wildflower School. In order to express my concerns regarding the process that has been developed to discuss the reconfigure of the Nelson FoS.

With respect to the proposed resolutions to be discussed at the Dec 10th Board Meeting I have the following questions and comments:

The language used after each option states “TO BE APPROVED” this leads one to be believe that the board will vote on one of the options outlined and then be acted upon. Is this the case?

As a Wildflower parent the proposed resolutions weaving Wildflower into the changes leaves many questions that all lead to an incredible amount of uncertainty after all the transitions our school has recently gone through. The language “could move Wildflower” does not lend itself to a true resolution. If this language is indeed allowed, does that mean the SD8 leadership team can move Wildflower at their discretion? Or would another resolution need to be drafted and passed by the board with the respect to the reconfiguration of Wildflower?

I feel this process is moving at an incredibly fast pace without an adequate amount of time for parents to process and work together as a PAC to put forth a letter for consideration. Hence this email sharing my concerns and questions.

Regards, Meghan Paterson

Hi There,

My name is Megan Sommerfeld and my daughter Nazeeri Sommerfeld attends Brent Kennedy Elementary School. She is currently in grade four this year.

I wanted to write and express my concerns of moving the Grade 6's to the Mount St High School. I currently have two step children who attend the high school, and have noticed a drastic change in their behaviours as they become surrounded by their older peers. I do not believe that moving the Grade 6 classes to the high school will be beneficial. Unless there was a divide in the school that separated the middle school from the high school? Does this not require more teachers, more expenses?

Unfortunately, I do not have enough knowledge or information as to how all of your plans are folding out. I have been informing myself with the letters that have been sent out. I realise that you are just trying to do your job and find a solution that will work.

This is my part of expressing that I do not wish to have my child, or my communities children as part of this 2020 integration to the high school. It feels short notice, and that there is a lack of planning.

Please note, that you will probably loose many of the students. My one daughter is already planning on going to school next year and to leave Mount Sent, due to the lack of Volleyball exerpiences. She will be moving to a Nelson school, and we are happy to support her in that decision. If my younger daughter Nazeeri were to be part of the 2020 integration, then I too would also highly consider moving her to a Nelson school.

I love our community, I love the people here, but if we need to travel to Nelson for our children's best education, that is the most likely move.

I realise this must be a difficult situation for you. Change is not easy for many. I write this in hope that you can see where this situation leaves my children in.

Thank you for your attention to this matter,

Megan Sommerfeld

2745 Reservoir Rd Krestova BC V0G 1H2

250 359 7471

Hi, After attending the public meeting at Trafalgar last Thursday I would like to express my lack of support for the proposed option of moving grade 9 from LVR to Trafalgar in fall 2020. I have concerns for many reasons:

1. the change appears to be due to new projected enrollment data than shows greater constraint at LVR than previously anticipated - this seems to be a fast reaction to new data without due consideration of the reason for change in the projection results or alternatives solutions. 2. the move of students would come before renovations at Trafalgar are completed, so basically before the school is ready for them. This is likely to cause more issues for the first few years than keeping the students at LVR even if it is above capacity, especially considering the uncertainty around successful completion of renovations in an old school building. 3. alternative options such as sharing some classroom space with adjacent Selkirk Collage Campus, adjusting schedule to accommodate more classes during the day, or improving upon space utilization within LVR do not appear to have been fully considered (some of these options were identified as "undesirable" but without due rational presented for this description). 4. I believe grade 9 is a very important transition year to enter high school prior to grade 10 where the 3 year graduation pathway is in effect, and grades "count" for university applications - these are important benefits to consider and I do not feel have been weighed into the decision enough.

These are some of the main reasons, without listing all concerns, that I do not support this change for fall 2020, or even support a change in fall 2021 without a better understanding of why it is actually the best option for the students well being (socially and academically), and not just a better distribution of the student population within existing buildings.

I do agree that something must be done and decisions do have to be made, but they should not result in such a drastic change in so little time when there is an obvious lack of community support.

Thank you for you consideration of my concerns. Sincerely, Tedd Robertson

Dear Ms. Perkins and Board Members

We are writing with regard to the proposed resolutions happening around the Nelson family of schools, specifically as they apply to Wildflower School.

As we understand it, Wildflower may lose its middle school under options 1 and 2, and under option 3 it could be moved from its current home at Central School to some other undisclosed location, or possibly Trafalgar – though this, again, is not clear.

This entire process is incredibly unclear. Compounding the problem, it's also moving at a pace that is not at all conducive to allowing timely community input. There are too many unknowns for the board to make a reasonable decision at this point in time. This whole process, as it stands, is ripe for creating more problems than it will solve. Rushed decisions are rarely sound decisions.

Before the board can vote on pursuing any of these options, Wildflower’s future needs to be much more clearly defined, and Wildflower stakeholders must have an opportunity to comment from a more informed perspective. At this point, to be frank, we're not even sure what we should be commenting on.

We're reluctant to cast aspersions, but the board's actions – both in terms of timing this proposal right before the holidays, and in terms of the incredibly tight timeline for making a decision – feel as if the board is trying to rush something past parents and bypass community engagement. We don't know if this is your intent, but it certainly feels suspect.

To summarize, we hope to see the board do the following:

• Elaborate on the future of Wildflower middle school in options 1 and 2. • Elaborate on the the possibility of Wildflower being moved (i.e. where to?) in option 3. • Present parents, guardians, and teachers with a more thoroughly considered plan in January 2020 and allow at least 2-4 weeks for discussion before we all meet as a community to decide next steps.

Regards, Tammy Everts & John Paolozzi

Dear Board of Trustees and Ms. Perkins,

I have a son currently in grade 7 at Wildflower School and another son who has recently started at LVR, after 8 years of attending Wildflower School. I cannot relay enough the importance of Wildflower School to the right development of my 2 sons. I have seen them be challenged, overcome social, academic and emotional obstacles, and generally 'blooming' under the Wildflower School principle of educating the whole child. I see both of my sons now as self-confident and knowing themselves, able to advocate and speak up, community minded, critical thinkers who will no doubt be contributors within their chosen communities in the future.

This plan that is being put forth before the Board Tuesday evening, in which Wildflower School 'could move middle school to Trafalgar' in options 1 and 2, and in option 3, 'possibly moving' Wildflower School, is tragic and I wonder if it has been thought out adequately. Wildflower School is a place where students navigate through the years of ages 5 to 14 in a carefully held environment, as an extended family. My sons where both once age 6 at the school, looking up to their older 'siblings' who modeled leadership, empathy towards others, and cooperation. Eventually they learnt to be the leaders, and as the older 'siblings' now, model and interact with the younger children in the same manner. The effect of this intentional extended family is so powerful and important, and something that would have been extremely difficult to emulate at home as our extended families live provinces away.

'Moving the middle school' from Wildflower School would cut off such an integral part of Wildflower's existence. I honestly cannot imagine my younger son in Trafalgar next year. He is a sensitive being, who struggles daily to not be affected by others' actions. He very much benefits from the philosophy of Wildflower and in a smaller and varied age school population, surrounded by teachers, children and youth that he has grown up with and learned to trust. At this juncture in his life, he requires Wildflower School in order to thrive, learn and grow.

'Possibly moving' Wildflower School is very vague. How would you 'move' a student body of 160+? To what space? Last year, my older son endured a whole year of elevator construction outside his classroom window, complete with accompanying high decibel noise and occasional dust and odor. Is this to be the same fate for my younger son next year?

In summary, I do not support your options regarding Wildflower School. I have many concerns regarding the seemingly lack of planning that came to these options for Wildflower School. I also am surprised at dismayed at the very short timeline for community consultation. Please, please, take the time and come to the community with a well-thought out, comprehensive plan which takes all students into account, at every school within the district, drawing from input from all perspectives, to ensure that every student is supported to reach their fullest potential (I borrowed that last phrase from you).

Thank you for your consideration,

Shari Imada ph. 250-354-3116 email [email protected]

Hi Christine, I have two children at the Nelson Waldorf School: my son is in Grade 6 and my daughter is in Grade 4.

I can't begin to express how caught off-guard I was to hear of the recent SD8 Facilities Meeting to which I had no prior knowledge of. Over the weekend I've spoken to a host of parents of children from other schools in Nelson and they absolutely gobsmacked by the seeming lack of due process in which the current administration is proceeding to dictate a decision which will have a profound and immediate impact. I would appreciate succinct answers to the following 5 questions.

1. Where is the accountability from within SD8 to acknowledge the shortsightedness of using internal enrollment numbers? 2. To have suddenly taken a 180 position on a facility that was deemed uninhabitable is unthinkable 3. How can you proceed with your proposed action plan without first obtaining stakeholder approval/consent/participation? 4. 1. How can you proceed with your proposed action plan without notifying ALL the schools in SD8? 5. Why was the NWS PAC not informed of the Facilities Meeting? Am I to assume SD8 feels that all graduating grade 8 students from NWS will undoubtedly thrive in a single year at Trafalgar prior to enrolling at LVR?

The mere fact that I am emailing on the subject and having to ask the above questions with a decision already looming tomorrow is unacceptable in my opinion.

As a tax-paying resident of the area, I require full disclosure from SD8 on how such a programming and PR disaster has occurred.

I am feeling compelled to reach out a Bob Keating at the CBC or potentially obtaining legal advice.

I look forward to hearing back from you immediately either in writing or having a phone conversation that will be recorded.

Thank you. Daniel Rempel 250-777-2298

December 10th, 2019 To: School Board Members and Administrative Staff,

I am writing to you to as a parent of a child or children that attends Wildflower. I stand in solidarity with the DPAC’s recommendation from November 28th meeting. We have not been given an adequate amount of time or information to respond to this decision.

"DPAC is concerned with the time frame, transparency and process for the proposed school re-configurations in SD8 and recommends that the SD8 board accommodate a longer, more in depth, consultative process to explore other options."

Sincerely, Laure Perriere

Hello, As a parent of the 6 and 8 grader who are both attending Trafalgar I would like to say that my children are currently thriving at Tafalgar, especially when they have a stable Teacher. Last year, however, my older sons Gr 7 class lost their teacher 1/2 way through the year and it took 6 weeks to recruit and replace that teacher. The new teacher didn’t work out and they got the proper replacement with four weeks to the end of the year. All those kids were robbed of 1/2 year of their education having had substitute teacher for several months. This demonstrated a lack of foresight, poor planning of resources and poor response to staffing situation that in the end affected the children. I just can’t imagine having 5-7 more classes added to that school from the organizational perspective and also space wise.

Apparently there is a similar staffing problem with the Gr 8 class this year.

In addition the facilities maintenance has been a problem. The school was without the central heating for several months. This again shows lack of foresight and organization to maintain and run a large school. This is why I cannot support the proposal to move Gr 9 to Trafalgar.

Without a good facility that is run and staffed properly, the children will suffer. It is not fair on our children. They deserve a good environment to establish solid learning patterns as they transition to high school.

Aga de Zwart

Hello, my name is Angel Stuyt and my son Alexander Gotzy, is currently attending grade 8 at Trafalgar middle school. I attended the information/feedback session last Thursday at Trafalgar and want, at this time, to express my concerns with the current suggestion to keep grade eights at Trafalgar for another year. From what I understand the board has known for a while that a change needed to be made but unfortunately the kids have not had adequate time to prepare for this. As a parent of a child with a general anxiety disorder I am unsure and unprepared as to how to prepare him for this drastic change of plans. I do not have a solution to the issue at hand,however, I hope that the board takes the appropriate amount of time to plan a new academic program as well as the renovations to accommodate the proposed change. Without proper organization and planning the kids currently attending grade 8 at Trafalgar will be the ones taking the brunt of this. I encourage you to delay your decision in an effort to gather more information regarding other possibilities and to set these kids up for success academically and emotionally. Regards, Angel Stuyt

10 December 2019

Board of Education School District No. 8, Kootenay Lake 811 Stanley Street, Nelson, BC V1L 1N8 Via email: [email protected]

Dear Board;

A group of Blewett School parents acknowledges the dedication of the Board over the past several years to developing a Facilities Plan for the Nelson family of schools. We take this plan to be centred on supporting district students and staff in attaining exceptional educational outcomes.

Members of our school community have been involved in the public aspects of the planning processes as concerned parents and have attended most or all of the consultative meetings. We write to express concern at recent changes in the information presented to the public, and to request moderation, deliberation and delay in considering proposed changes at Trafalgar and LV Rogers schools. It is our understanding that recently obtained, external information suggests a space crunch at LV Rogers, and that the proposed solution is to retain Grade 9 students at Trafalgar. We understand the space imperative, and that students and staff must have room to learn and work. We support the Board in efforts to develop innovative solutions to this space crunch.

Several of our committee members attended your meeting on 5 December. As presented by the Board and staff, this meeting was intended to:

1) Provide the community with new information about impending space issues at LV Rogers;

2) Outline one option identified by the Board as a possible solution to the problem; and,

3) Request community input to identify possible issues, solicit feedback, and insure that the Board and district staff had not overlooked opportunities or hurdles in their deliberations to date.

We understand that the newly minted information suggests space issues at LV Rogers, and that there is therefore a time imperative to find solutions. However, given that:

• The information is new to the community;

• There was substantial, substantive community concern raised over the potential solution proposed by Board and Staff;

• In the space of a single, short meeting, there were already several innovative, alternative solutions proposed for evaluation;

• There is insufficient time for the community to provide considered input, or for the Board to consider the community input they have requested; and,

• The Board indicated that a decision might be taken at the Board Meeting on 10 December;

We respectfully request that no decision be taken this evening. Given that the stated purpose of Thursday’s meeting was to attain the input of the community and ensure that the Board had not overlooked alternatives in its deliberations, we ask that you engage in a timely process to solicit, evaluate and respond to such suggestions. As various speakers eloquently put to the Board and Staff on Thursday evening: this is an engaged community, committed to the success of our students and the excellent staff who support them.

Alternatives may be an option or the final approach may be as proposed Thursday. However, having asked for input, we respectfully submit that you have a responsibility to solicit, catalogue and respond to this information, and then engage the community with a well-reasoned plan that incorporates the feedback you have received.

This may all be your plan. We hope so. However, on Thursday evening the board indicated that a decision might be made tonight.

The community needs more time to consider the newly presented information, and the Board’s newly publicized proposal to address an apparently substantial space constraint. We request that, before taking consequential decisions that will affect students and staff across the Nelson family of schools, the Board continue deliberations, facilitate an ongoing process to solicit the public input you requested Thursday, and consider and substantively respond to that feedback.

We understand that a decision must be taken in due course, but caution the Board against a solution perceived by students, staff, parents and the public to be ill-considered and hasty.

It may well be carefully considered. But your concerned community needs to be informed of the substance of those deliberations, and convinced of a plan to support the continued academic, social and emotional success of all students and staff.

We appreciate your consideration, and look forward to your response. We would note, in submitting this, that given the timeline between a Thursday evening meeting and this evening’s meeting, our Blewett School Parent Advisory Committee has not had the time to consider this issue together, and issue a collective response. We’ve therefore sent this letter as a group of concerned parents, and look forward to providing collective input as a PAC at a future date.

Respectfully,

Blewett Parents c/o [email protected] To all Board Members and Trustee

I would like to start by saying I have been part of this community my entire life. The roots grow deeply as I myself have gone to Brent Kennedy and Mount Sentinel. My niece and nephew have gone through and now my 2 girls.

Over the years I have seen quite the change in how we offer programs to our students, it has been very Disappointing in the lack of programs being available to the valley of schools. Now I'm learning we are using our children at such a young age to fill a highschool rather than becoming proactive and looking at why our high schools are lacking numbers is mind boggling. These are minds that are at a critical point in there lives, developmentally and emotionally. What we decide can affect there futures forever!!!!!

I have been doing research in how this can be in any way acceptable to our young children... needless to say I have yet seen any proven studies that show a 10yr old/grade 6 student is ready to be in the surroundings of a highschool. In fact I've learned that our subconscious minds play a powerful role and while you may be concerned about "student numbers" I am far more concerned in our children's emotional and mental state as well as what they will be exposed to...not to mention miss out on by learning skills in leadership, strength and backing positive role models in elementary schools at a grade 6 level.

I feel if you were all truly thinking of the children and community this option you have presented us with would never have taken place and all the meetings, stress, and anxiety around it could have been avoided.

I have attended multiple meetings and have listened intently to all the Trustee members, Christine Perkins, family, friends and the community.

*Respectfully I have NOT heard anything that has me ok with this move. I would like for Brent Kennedy and Winlaw's proposal to be removed from the table and we as a team can continue to work together to come up with a far better solution of making our High Schools a better place that all would be proud to attend. Adding Grade 6 students is NOT the solution!

Warmest Regards Cindy Killeen

To the Board of Education Trustees Dec 8, 2019

Attn: (Sharon Nazaroff)

I am a Parent of two girls in Brent Kennedy Elementary school.

Up until 4 weeks ago our little school was not a stressful thought. Finding out that our children will be ripped out of their school at such a vulnerable stage of learning and growing is at the heart of our home and so many others.

Placing these kids into a high school at such an impressionable time of growth and development is a huge mistake; their development is not there yet mentally, emotionally, and socially.

Studies show that moving a child at this age is a huge detriment to their emotional wellbeing.

I want you all to take moving our Grade 6 students (age 10 and 11 years) to the high school off the table, we haven’t got any plan in place of what this will look like, no concrete evidence suggesting this is a good choice, we are simply going by numbers collected by a computer program.

I propose helping Winlaw fundraise for an extra workable space in their school to keep our children with their school families. Let’s work with our Valley of schools to come up with a vibrant learning solution, one we can all be proud of for years to come.

Thank you for your time,

Cheryl Tereposky

Box 10

South Slocan B.C.

Dear Board Trustees and Staff,

I am a parent with a child in Grade 4 and another soon to enter Kindergarten next year at South Nelson Elementary. I have followed the facilities planning process over the past number of years, and am re-engaging now.

I support the proposal prepared by Stephanie Lagace, as it responds to many of the comments I heard during the meeting on December 5th.

I also believe that more detailed planning/project scoping is needed before a decision of the board should be made. There are too many unknowns and uncertainties.

I would also like to ask some questions about capacity at South Nelson, and how the Facility Plan would impact our school. Does the capacity percentage (112%) reflect the use of the Homelinks program within the South Nelson building? I understand the question was asked about how a Grade 6 cohort could be accommodated at South Nelson, and the response was that the use of the wood working area currently used by Homelinks could be re- purposed. I have been told in previous years that that space is not a viable classroom space as it sits below the gym, and is too loud for classroom purposes. What is the plan for retaining Grade 6 students at South Nelson, and how would this impact a school that is already over capacity?

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Daphne Powell 250-777-2133

Dear Members of the Board,

I am a parent at both Wildflower School and LVR. I attended the meeting regarding school reconfiguration last Thursday at Trafalgar, and I am writing to you now with several questions and concerns. I ask that you consider my feedback prior to your December 10 Board Meeting.

1. Wildflower School is finally settling after a year of construction, as Central School was renovated to accommodate the new SD8 Board Office on the upper floor. It was a difficult year for everyone - students, teachers and staff alike. Challenges included noise, fumes, dust, and cold temperatures due to lack of heat to the building. At Thursday's meeting it was indicated that Trafalgar School would require one to three years of extensive renovations to accommodate the Grade 9s; I question whether the best interests of these children are being considered.

2. At Wildflower School we currently have one student enrolled in Grade 9, who will presumably move on to Grade 10 at LVR in September. We also currently have 19 Grade 6s, who expect to move up to our Middle School program in September. The problem with these numbers is obvious. Would the Board support delegating an additional classroom in Central School and hiring another teacher to accommodate a further-expanded Middle School?

3. Today I was extremely surprised to read the proposed reconfigurations for the Nelson Family of Schools, which the Board will discuss and vote on at tomorrow's meeting. Options 1, 2 and 3 suggest moving Wildflower Middle School to Trafalgar or Wildflower School to an undetermined location. Neither of these proposals were included anywhere in the presentation and discussion at Trafalgar on Thursday evening. I believe this shows a real lack of transparency.

The rushed timeline for this process has given parents little opportunity for thoughtful review and commentary. Please consider a longer, more in depth consultative process to explore other options.

Erin Maconachie

Good Morning,

As a parent with 2 children in Wildflower School in Nelson, I would like the SD8 Board and Staff to pass the below resolution at tonight's Board Meeting at 6 pm.

"DPAC is concerned with the time frame, transparency and process for the proposed school reconfigurations in SD8 and recommends that the SD8 board accommodate a longer, more in depth, consultative process to explore other options."

Thank you for your time on this matter.

Goran Denkovski 2174 Taylor Dr Nelson BC V1L 6K3 250-825-4192

To the Board of Education,

Winlaw Elementary School currently has a vacant classroom every Monday when Linda Out takes students on trips for Winlaw’s WILD program.

At your board meeting today please discuss the following option:

Grade 6 students are bused with their teacher to Slocan one full day, or two half days, to utilize the wood working shop at W.E. Graham Community School.

Thank you for your considerations.

Respectfully,

Kaila Ellis Winlaw Elementary School PAC Member

December 10, 2019

Dear SD8 Board of Trustees:

RE: Letter for Public Meeting, December 10, 2019

The Proposal:

The Board of Trustees adopt a three-year plan to address the current long-range facilities strategy.

● Trial of Four-Day Rotating schedule at LVR to accommodate current capacity restraints. ● Develop a realistic and reasonable renovation plan for Trafalgar to ensure a good learning environment. ● Provide an annual evaluation of enrollment and catchment by outside consultants to improve confidence. ● Develop a Grade 9 specific program for Trafalgar (ideas include an outdoor education program, expert training workshops), created an extremely flexible timetable, provide teaching specialists similar to senior secondary, and offer a robust mentorship program with LVR. ● Dialogue with local independent schools (French School, Waldorf, and Christian School) with the possibility of those schools increasing capacity for Grade 9. A conversation with the homeschool community is also necessary. If expansion is not possible, further collaboration with these schools is essential to reflect the district’s core value of inclusion for all learners.

● Clarify and support expansion plans at Nelson FoS elementary schools for Grade 6. And support parent choice for their children to remain at their catchment elementary school for the Grade 6 year.

The Three-Year Time:

2019-2020: Board prepares the plan to be voted for by June 2020.

2020-2021: Renovations for mechanical portions of Trafalgar; LVR Four-day rotation trial

2021-2022: Esthetic renovations at Trafalgar; preparation of elementary schools.

2022-2023: First Grade 9 class at Trafalgar if rotating plan does not free up constraints.

Please feel free to connect should you have further questions or require clarification of the proposal and/or timeline.

Kind regards,

Monica Juhas

(parent of a grade one kid at south Nelson)

Dear Trustees,

As a parent of a child in Grade 8 at Trafalgar, I am writing to express my dismay at the way that the current process of designing solutions to the “space problem” at LVR is taking place place. This process has not been transparent.

As you know by now, the meeting on last Thursday at Trafalgar registered almost no support of the restructuring program. Unfortunately, only 3 board members were present to hear parent concerns and at this point it appears that there was no effort made to record the parents’ verbal interventions. Note taking, it seems, was limited to private notes taken the Board members present.

I, and other parent colleagues are especially concerned by the short timeline for the decision making process. For example, the Trafalgar PAC has not been able to meet to formulate a response. For this reason, I would like to personally endorse the resolution passed by the DPAC Nov 28, 2019 which was read aloud at the beginning of Thursday’s meeting:

"DPAC is concerned with the time frame, transparency and process for the proposed school reconfigurations in SD8 and recommends that the SD8 board accommodate a longer, more in depth, consultative process to explore other options.”

Respectfully yours,

Steve

Stephen Metcalf

Canada mobile: + 1 250 551 5746

708 Hoover Street Nelson, British Columba V1L 4X4, Canada

To the SD8 Board of Trustees,

I would ask that you do not vote yes to adding the grade 9s to Trafalgar for the 2020 school season. I would ask that you put this decision on hold until you have evaluated how this would impact the students of all grades. I feel strongly that you need more time to make such an important decision.

Personally, I don't think adding the grade 9s to Trafalgar is the right thing to do. However, If you were to move Grade 9s then I would like to see all grade 6s stay in elementary so they arrive as a cohort together to Trafalgar at the same time. Maybe the adding of grade 9s to Trafalgar could coincide with the expansion to Blewett, then all schools could keep grade 6s. I would think French immersion could still start at grade 6 as well.

Thanks for time.

Warm regards,

Sarah Murray (parent of daughters in grade 6 at Trafalgar and grade 2 at South Nelson)

Dear Members of the Board,

On behalf of the parents and guardians of Wildflower School students, we would like to share some of our celebrations, questions and concerns as you move through the difficult task of reconfiguration of the Nelson Family of Schools.

First, we would like to celebrate and acknowledge the board for welcoming Wildflower School into the Nelson Family of Schools in 2003. This partnership exemplifies the Board’s forward thinking and acknowledgment of community values.

Since this time, we have seen Wildflower School blossom to include a Kindergarten class, several more elementary classes as well as two Middle School classes serving 153 students at the Nelson Campus alone. A testament to your support and inclusion of alternative education models.

In 2007, the Middle School class was created to continue to offer the Wildflower model and philosophy to middle school aged children. The Middle School classroom consists of students between the ages of twelve and fifteen. Wildflower School endeavours to enroll children that span the entire age spectrum in each classroom. This is to encourage the healthy interactions that naturally flow from children who are placed in a family type structure.

We appreciate the Board and all that you hold for all of the incredible schools in SD8. Our intention in sharing with you a bit of our history is to help you understand our school community more deeply. We too would like to learn more about the Board and begin to increase our understanding of your decision making process.

In regards to the Nelson Family of Schools Proposed Resolution, we would be grateful for some clarification:

1. In regards to Option 1 and 2; “Wildflower: Grades K-9 (Could move middle school grades to Trafalgar)”, ‘Could’ is unclear. Is it possible to vote on a resolution that includes uncertainties? If this language is indeed allowed/appropriate for a resolution, does that mean the SD8 leadership team can move Wildflower Middle School to another location at their discretion? Or would another, more specific and clearly worded resolution need to be approved by the Board in order for a physical location change to occur?

2. In regards to Option 3; “Involves redrawing catchment lines to ensure distribution of elementary student amongst the schools, as well as possibly moving Wildflower.” ‘possibly’ is unclear. Please explain where Wildflower School would be relocated to, and if this too would require a more specific and clearly worded resolution.

It came as a surprise to our community to read these options as they were not discussed at the Facilities Meeting on December 5th. Our goal is to remain calm and open as we engage in this process so we feel it is important to share with you that the story many of us are telling ourselves is that our school community is no longer welcome in the Central School building. We don’t know if this is your intent, but this is the impact of and perception resulting from such a fast decision making process.

We ask that you move forward with intention and care for all the families within the Nelson Family of Schools when making this decision. We ask that you reconsider your time lines and reinstate a collaborative process with all stakeholders. We suggest you present parents, guardians, and teachers with a more thoroughly considered plan in January 2020 and allow time for discussion before we all meet as a community to decide next steps.

We understand that these are hard decisions. We trust that you will keep the interests and wellbeing of the students, families, and staff of SD8 close to your hearts when making tough financial decisions such as these.

Thank you for your time,

Wildflower School PAC

December 10, 2019

To Christine Perkins and the Board of Trustees:

Re: Facilities Plan; in particular the plan to move Grade 9 to Trafalgar

I am writing to ask that the proposals being voted on tonight are amended to say, at the very least, “projected date of 2022/2023”, and to eliminate Option 2 that would have the changes start in 2020-2021. Even better, have a proposal that states within one year we will have a plan in place after extensive researching of the options and giving time for family, teacher, principal, and public input. Then implement said plan within 2 years of decision.

I do think that our Board of Trustees honestly believes that this has been a transparent process. Minutes of Board Meetings are available to the public. It is well known that aging buildings and capacity are ongoing issues. However, I encourage you to really look at how the poster/announcement was presented the week before the public meeting, the PERCEPTION it creates, and that despite YOUR feelings of transparency and engagement, it is VERY obviously NOT how the families/teachers/public feel. To gain support and any buy in, it is the parents/children/teachers that need to see and feel that transparency. Regardless of your intentions, this decision seems rushed and reactionary. Perhaps starting with an announcement saying “Change must happen due to capacity, numbers and overcrowding; we must have input/ideas NOW so we can make well thought out decisions on your children’s behalf. If you don’t come to the meetings and offer your ideas, ask questions, and make your voice count, decisions will be made without you”. Instead, we came to a meeting riled up, angry, and feeling a lack of control and consultation. That meeting could have been all about creative ideas and thoughtful questions, and instead we felt we were on the defense and had to fight our way back to a level playing ground. You can say this is transparent, but lets face it, you came to that meeting with Option 1 and 2 as our choices, and it is only upon reading the agenda for tonight’s board meeting that we see an Option 3!

It should also be noted that for Option 2 Educational Considerations: “Minimizes stress District-wide by implementing change quickly” is FALSE. Moving a transition year like Grade 9 “quickly” without a specialized education plan in place, without teacher and principal consultation, and without time for the French School, Waldorf, the Catholic School, the Christian School, and Wildflower to have input is reactionary and will be detrimental to the 2020/21 grade 9 children. And to have added to Option 1 and 2 “ Wildflower (Could move middle school grades to Trafalgar)” without having spoken to any parents or staff at Wildflower, or making it known at the public meeting that moving WMS was part of the option, is not transparent, in any way.

Ideas:

• Utilization of space at Selkirk Campus • Moving DESK out of LVR • Innovative timetable changes • Time to gather input from all stakeholders re use of space (ie REACH, Homelinks, International Program, and Wildflower, Elementary Schools, Trafalgar, LVR, and other schools). Perhaps hold 2 or 3 focused meetings with delegates from all stakeholders; form a committee of 1 person from each school/program to come together with concrete ideas to discuss with the Board

I would also like to speak to the proposal to move Wildflower Middle School into Trafalgar, because we have seen in the past, moving a program of that size into an established school does not work (Gordon Sargent moving to South Nelson as a school within a school failed completely). However, I think that discussion warrants a separate letter at a separate time, as my primary concern for today is that a decision is put off until all information/ideas have been gathered and thoughtfully deliberated.

Sincerely,

Kelly Peloso (parent of Grade 12 student, LVR and 2 students at WMS)

RE-ENVISIONING THE SLOCAN VALLEY BEGINNING WITH THE EARLY YEARS A new solution - A better start

Expanded Services A New Facility School District 8 is committed to providing the very A new child care, Kindergarten and support services best learning opportunities for the children in our facility to be co-located at on Winlaw Elementary district. We know that early learning provides the school grounds will provide: foundational skills and understandings on which • Before and after school Kindergarten care for future knowledge is built. Winlaw families Through a new provincial initiative Creating New • Early Childhood Educator (ECE) certified in-class Childcare Spaces in BC (Childcare BC Capital Funding support for Kindergarten and pre-school learners Program; SD 8, and the community), an expansion of services on the Winlaw Elementary School property • Space to provide a combination of learning will more effectively meet the community’s needs support services (eg. Speech language, OT, and address future capacity concerns. inclusion support, etc) • Quality programs to support growth & development of the whole child An expansion of services on the Winlaw • Increased accessibility for all families Elementary School property will more • Well-supported, seamless transitions to classroom effectively meet the community’s needs learning environments Early Years Programs Addressing Future Needs By offering high quality Kindergarten and early In addition, a new Slocan Valley Student Services learning opportunities that support the cognitive, Centre will ease projected student population growth physical, emotional and social development of concerns in the existing school facility. The District our children, we are confident that a Slocan Valley will continue to address maintenance and facility Student Services Centre can help children develop improvements. the foundational skills they need to be successful when they transition to the school. A collaborative program approach: QUESTIONS? • Consistent team of educators • Reduces transitions and travel for children and Contact the SD8 Board Office: families 250.352.6681 • Sharing physical space and resources to create optimal environment to provide learning support Thank you to all parents, guardians and stakeholders services. who have supported this planning process.

2 Re-envisioning the Slocan Valley Beginning with Early Years – School District 8 sd8.bc.ca 2020 STUDENT SYMPOSIUM ASPIRING STUDENT LEADERS AND FUTURE POLICY-MAKERS! Students from around the Kootenay Lake School District will connect at a full-day student leadership conference in Nelson to learn about Leadership, Governance, and Policy. WHO IS INVITED? • Student Council and Grade 6 Representatives from each school • Student Trustees • 2 PAC Representatives from each school • Trustees • Senior Team • School Admin • Aspiring Leaders • 2 Teacher and/or CUPE Representatives from each school WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Prestige Hotel, Nelson 9:30am-2:00pm includes lunch Contact your school Principal for more information. Appendix 8

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 In person: 811 Stanley Street, Nelson, BC, V1L 1N7 By video conference: Prince Charles Secondary School, Room 104, Creston, BC

BOARD: L. Trenaman B. Maslechko D. Lang (via video conference) A. Gribbin S. Walsh S. Chew S. Nazaroff C. Beebe (via video conference) B. Coons

DISTRICT STAFF: C. Perkins, Superintendent M. McLellan, Secretary-Treasurer B. MacLean, Director of Operations B. Eaton, Director of Instruction - Inclusive Education D. Holitzki, Director of Instruction – Inclusive Education C. Singh, Director of Human Resource G. Higginbottom, District Principal – Aboriginal Education J. Wall, Manager of Operations R. Warwick, Health, Wellness & Safety Officer T. Malloff, Principal – L.V. Rogers Secondary School J. Konken, Vice-Principal – L.V. Rogers Secondary School R. Sherman, Vice-Principal – L.V. Rogers Secondary School P. Luck, Principal – Trafalgar Middle School A. Strachan, Vice-Principal – Trafalgar Middle School P. Carpendale, Technology Coordinator R. Krulitsky, Executive Assistant

PARTNERS: D. Kunzelman, KLTF R. Sherman, KLPVPA C. Wilson, NDTA M. Bennett, CUPE J. Henry, DPAC L. Quattrocchi, DPAC N. Nazaroff, DPAC

GUESTS: T. Harper, Nelson Star – Media J. McMurray, Valley Voice – Media L. Borhaven, Student Trustee H. Hofmann-Miller, Student Trustee C. DeRosa, Student Trustee (via video conference) B. Kelly, Brent Kennedy K. Morris, Brent Kennedy R. Gow, Redfish C. Killeen, Brent Kennedy J. Tinholt, Wildflower A. Green, Wildflower M. Mathieson, St. Josephs

Agenda – Regular Meeting Board of Education – School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) December 10, 2019

J. Pensiero, Wildflower/L.V. Rogers/Trafalgar A. Kaufmann, St. Josephs H. Hofmann, Wildflower K. Hofmann, Wildflower B. Makaroff, Brent Kennedy A. Thomson, St. Josephs W. Thomson R. Short, Trafalgar A. Short, Trafalgar J. Ellis, Winlaw L. Stooshnoff, Winlaw K. Ellis, Winlaw B. Kluibenschadl, Winlaw W. Maslechko, Rosemont S. Ryan, Rosemont J. Bowes, Wildflower R. Bowes, Wildflower M. Coffey, Widlflower E. Robinson, Wildflower F. Hoover, Wildflower J. Lawrence, Wildflower T. Pearkes, Trafalgar R. Gardner, Winlaw E. White, Wildflower A. Wilkin, L.V. Rogers B. Hargreaves, Wildflower U. Huber, Wildflower J. Job, Wildflower K. Ditzel, Wildflower R. Taylor, Wildflower F. Taylor, Wildflower B. Gaudreau, Redfish A. Sawatzky, Wildflower P. Boyer, Ecole des Sentiers-Alpins J. Arsenault, St. Josephs S. Arsenault, St. Josephs J. Frederick, Wildflower G. Marshall, South Nelson/Trafalgar/L.V. Rogers R. Langenegger, L.V. Rogers M. Krause, Wildflower J. Kitch, Trafalgar/L.V. Rogers F. Job, Wildflower B. Hook, Wildflower H. White, Wildflower E. Mawnachie, Wildflower/L.V. Rogers D. Boyer, South Nelson C. Baio, Wildflower S. Lagace, South Nelson/Trafalgar J. Ardine J. Schuere S. Kitch

Agenda – Regular Meeting Board of Education – School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) December 10, 2019

REGRETS: N. Howald, Director of Information Technology

1. Call to Order

Chair Trenaman called the meeting to order at 6:15 PM.

2. Acknowledgement of Aboriginal Territory We acknowledge, respect and honour the First Nations in whose traditional territories the Kootenay Lake School District operates and all Aboriginal people residing within the boundaries of School District No. 8. 3. Insertions/Deletions to proposed Agenda: Nil 4. Adoption of Agenda 19/20-031 MOVED by Trustee Walsh, seconded by Trustee Maslechko, and RESOLVED:

THAT the Agenda for this December 10, 2019 meeting, BE ADOPTED, as amended.

5. Receiving Presentations: Nil 6. Opportunity for Comments by the Public The Board heard comments, suggestions, and questions from the following people: Raeanne Gow, Redfish PAC; Markus Mathieson, parent of students at St-Joseph’s; Pascale Boyer, parent of École des Sentiers-Alpins student; Raina Gardner from the Winlaw PAC; Rod Taylor, parent of Wildflower student; Jenny Henry from DPAC; Angelia Thomson, parent of St-Joseph’s students; Stephanie Lagace, parent of students at Trafalgar and South Nelson; Fiona Job, parent of a Wildflower student; Joanne Gardner; Tim Pearkes, parent of Trafalgar student; Graeme Marshall, teacher at L.V. Rogers; Andria Green, parent of Wildflower student; Kim Morris, Becky Kelly, and Cindy Killeen from the Brent Kennedy PAC.

7. Consent Package Trustee Walsh requested to pull and review the JSAC meeting minutes. They were discussed by the Board. An inquiry was made about the Violence Survey. Health, Wellness & Safety Officer Warwick reported the results are expected to be ready Spring 2020. 8. Adoption of Minutes 19/20-032

MOVED by Trustee Walsh, seconded by Trustee Lang, and RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes from the November 19, 2019 Regular Meeting, BE ADOPTED. 9. Future and Action Item Tracking 10. Old Business A. Rescind Bylaw No. 2: Local School Calendar (Replaced by School Act) 19/20-033 MOVED by Trustee Walsh, seconded by Trustee Coons and RESOLVED: THAT the repeal of Bylaw No. 2 be given FIRST READING; MOVED by Trustee Walsh, seconded by Trustee Nazaroff and RESOLVED:

Agenda – Regular Meeting Board of Education – School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) December 10, 2019

THAT the repeal of Bylaw No. 2 be given SECOND READING; MOVED by Trustee Walsh, seconded by Trustee Coons and RESOLVED: THAT the repeal of Bylaw No. 2 be given third reading; MOVED by Trustee Walsh, seconded by Trustee Nazaroff and RESOLVED: THAT Bylaw No. 2 BE REPEALED as read a THIRD time. Motion carried. 11. Education The 2019-2020 Grade 12 Global Intercultural Experience Oaxaca Trip was presented by Superintendent Perkins.

12. Operations & Finance A. Water Testing – Director of Operations MacLean

Director MacLean reported on the District’s plans for updated water testing at all District facilities, to ensure compliance with updated Canadian Drinking Water Quality guidelines.

B. Long-range Facilities Plan – Secretary-Treasurer McLellan

Secretary-Treasurer McLellan presented a draft Long-Range Facilities Plan for 2019-2030, as circulated. He noted: The adoption of the Facilities Plan does not entail any specific decisions, but would be used to guide future facilities decisions. The Facilities Plan is a fluid document and, once adopted, would be expected to be updated annually. The Facilities Plan will be useful as will provide important context for funding applications for capital projects with the Ministry of Education.

A discussed ensued. Numerous questions were asked by Trustees and responded to by Staff.

L. Quattrocchi, DPAC President, left briefly and returned to the meeting at 7:26 PM.

MOVED by Trustee Coons, seconded by Trustee Walsh, and RESOLVED:

THAT the Long-range Facilities Plan BE APPROVED as proposed. 19/20-034

Motion carried unanimously.

Chair Trenaman asked for a motion to extend the meeting for 30 minutes, until 8:30PM.

MOVED by Trustee Walsh, seconded by Trustee Nazaroff, and RESOLVED.

Motion carried. Opposed by Trustee Beebe.

C. Facilities Plan Reconfigurations – Superintendent Perkins

Nelson Family of Schools

Superintendent Perkins presented reconfiguration options for the Nelson Family of Schools. A discussion ensued, and various questions from Trustees were answered by Staff.

Agenda – Regular Meeting Board of Education – School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) December 10, 2019

The proposal for grade configurations in the Nelson Family of school was restated, noting that the proposal includes parent choice at Grade 6 where possible, as follows:

o Blewett: Grades K-6 o Hume: Grades K-6 o Redfish: Grades K-6 o Rosemont: Grades K-6 o South Nelson: Grades K-6 o Wildflower: Grades K-9 (Could move middle school grades to Trafalgar) o Trafalgar – Grades 6-9 o LV Rogers – Grades 10-12

MOVED by Trustee Lang, seconded by Trustee Coons, and RESOLVED: 19/20-035

THAT the proposed grade configurations in the Nelson Family of Schools, commencing the 2021-2022 school year, BE APPROVED.

Slocan Valley Family of Schools

A Motion was requested to extend the meeting as needed to conclude consideration of the agenda.

MOVED by Trustee Nazaroff, seconded by Trustee Walsh.

Motion carried. Opposed by Trustee Beebe.

Trustee Beebe left at 8:42 pm.

A brief recess was taken. Meeting reconvened at 8:48 pm.

Trustee Nazaroff presented a new motion: THAT Winlaw Elementary remain configured as a K-6 Elementary School, with a pilot program initiated for Grade 6 students to have one day in the community per week, which was:

MOVED by Trustee Nazaroff, seconded by Trustee Maslechko. Various Trustees spoke to the motion. Upon request, Superintendent Perkins brought to the attention of the Board that the proposed resolution includes educational operations matters. Director Eaton left the room at 8:53 pm. Technology Coordinator Carpendale left the room at 9:04 pm. Director Eaton and Technology Coordinator Carpendale returned at 9:10 pm.

Postponing deliberation of the matter on the table to a future meeting was raised and discussed.

MOVED by Trustee Coons, seconded by Trustee Gribbin, it was RESOLVED: 19/20-036

Agenda – Regular Meeting Board of Education – School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) December 10, 2019

TO postpone consideration of any reconfiguration proposals for the Slocan Valley Family of Schools until the next Board Meeting.

13. Governance & Policy A. Policy 100: Framework for Reconciliation Superintendent Perkins introduced the proposed new Policy 100: Framework for Reconciliation, asking for public review and comment. B. New Policies Superintendent Perkins introduced the following new policies:

• Policy 210: Provision of Menstrual Products to Students • Policy 270: Memorials for Deceased Students or Staff • Policy 850: Cyber-misconduct • Policy 860: Social Networking-Media

MOVED by Trustee Walsh, seconded by Trustee Coons and RESOLVED: 19/20-037 THAT the above policies be APPROVED, as recommended by the G&P Committee. 14. Human Resources: Nil 15. Trustee Verbal Reports: Nil 16. Question Period Final statements were made by L, Quattrocchi, DPAC President, and K. Ellis, Winlaw PAC. Chair Trenaman thanked everyone for their contributions. 17. Meeting Schedule & Reminders A. Board & Operations and Finance Committee Meetings Tuesday, January 28, 2020 - Nelson B. BCSTA – Provincial Council Friday, Feb 21 – Saturday, Feb 22, all day, Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Vancouver C. Board’s Budget Dinner Thursday, April 2, at 5pm, at the Prestige, Nelson D. PVP Meeting with Trustees – Budget Internal Consultation Wednesday, April 8, 12pm - 2pm, JVH Kaslo E. BCSTA AGM Thursday, April 16, 12pm – Sunday, April 19, 12pm, Westin Bayshore, Vancouver 18. Adjournment of Meeting The meeting adjourned at 9:38 pm. Appendix 11A

JULY 2020 AUGUST 2020 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 1 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 DRAFT 2020-2021 19 20 251 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 SCHOOL CALENDAR 30 31

Statutory Holidays SEPTEMBER 2020 OCTOBER 2020 School Vacation Periods S M T W T F S S M T W T F S Administrative Day 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 District Pro-D Days (NI Days) (16) 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (20) School Pro-D and Planning Days (NI Day 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Early Dismissal (one hour early) 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

September 7 Labour Day stat NOVEMBER 2020 DECEMBER 2020 September 8 First Day of School S M T W T F S S M T W T F S September 25 District-Based Pro-D Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 October 12 Thanksgiving Day stat (19) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (14) October 23 PSA Day (Provincial Specialist Assoc.) Pro-D Day 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 November 6 School-Based Pro-D Day 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 November 11 Remembrance Day stat 29 30 27 28 29 30 31 November 12-13 Early Dismissal Day (1 hour early) December 18 Last day of school before winter vacation JANUARY 2021 FEBRUARY 2021 December 21 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S Winter Vacation to January 1 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 January 4 Schools Re-Open 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 February 12 School-Based Pro-D Day (20) 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 (18) February 15 Family Day stat 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 March 12 Last day of school before spring break 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 March 15-19 Spring Break 31 March 22-26 School Closure March 29 School Re-opens MARCH 2021 APRIL 2021 April 2 Good Friday stat S M T W T F S S M T W T F S April 5 Easter Monday stat 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 April 19 District Pro-D Day (13) 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (19) April 21-22 Early Dismissal Day (1 hour early) 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 May 24 Victoria Day stat 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 May 31 School Planning Day DRAFT28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 June 24 Last Day of Classes June 25 Administrative Day MAY 2021 JUNE 2021 June 28 School Closed for Summer Vacation S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 1 2 3 4 5 Days of Instruction 176 (19) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (18) Non-Instructional Days (Pro-D Days 6 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Administrative Day 1 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Total Days in Session 183 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 30 31 JULY 2021 AUGUST 2021 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 DRAFT 2021/2022 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 SCHOOL CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 2021 OCTOBER 2021 25 Statutory Holidays S M T W T F S S M T W T F S School Vacation Periods 1 2 3 4 1 2 Administrative Day (17) 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (19) District Pro-D Days (NI Days) 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 School Pro-D and Planning Days (NI Days) 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Early Dismissal (one hour early) 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 4 31

September 6 Labour Day stat NOVEMBER 2021 DECEMBER 2021 September 7 First Day of School S M T W T F S S M T W T F S September 24 District Pro-D Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 October 11 Thanksgiving Day stat (20) 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 (13) October 22 PSA Day (Provincial Specialist Assoc.) Pro-D Day 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 November 1 School-Based Pro-D Day 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 November 11 Remembrance Day stat 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 November 17-18 Early Dismissal Day (1 hour early) December 23 Last day of school before winter vacation JANUARY 2022 FEBRUARY 2022 December 24 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S Winter Vacation to January 7 1 1 2 3 4 5 January 10 Schools Re-Open (21) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (18) February 18 School-Based Pro-D Day 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 February 21 Family Day stat 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 March 11 Last day of school before spring break 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 March 14-18 Spring Break 30 31 March 21-25 School Closure March 28 School Re-opens MARCH 2022 APRIL 2022 April 15 Good Friday stat S M T W T F S S M T W T F S April 18 Easter Monday stat 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 April 25 District Pro-D Day (13) 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (18) April 27-28 Early Dismissal Day (1 hour early) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 May 23 Victoria Day stat DRAFT20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 May 30 School Planning Day 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 June 23 Last Day of Classes June 24 Administrative Day June 27 School Close for Summer Vacation MAY 2022 JUNE 2022 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S Days of Instruction 176 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 Non-Instructional Days (Pro-D days) 6 (20) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 (17) Admistrative Day 1 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Total Days in Session 183 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 JULY 2022 AUGUST 2022 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 DRAFT 2022/2023 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31 SCHOOL CALENDAR 31

Statutory Holidays SEPTEMBER 2022 OCTOBER 2022 School Vacation Periods S M T W T F S S M T W T F S Administrative Day 1 2 3 1 District Pro-D Days (NI Days) (18) 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (19) School Pro-D and Planning Days (NI Days 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Early Dismissal (one hour early) 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 September 5 Labour Day stat September 6 First Day of School NOVEMBER 2022 DECEMBER 2022 September 23 District Pro-D Day S M T W T F S S M T W T F S October 10 Thanksgiving Day stat 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 October 21 PSA Day (Provincial Specialist Assoc.) Pro-D Day (20) 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (17) November 4 School-Based Pro-D Day 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 November 11 Remembrance Day stat 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 November 16-17 Early Dismissal Day (1 hour early) 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 December 23 Last day of school before winter vacation December 26 JANUARY 2023 FEBRUARY 2023 Winter Vacation to January 6 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S January 9 Schools Re-Open 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 7 February 17 School-Based Pro-D Day (17) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 (18) February 20 Family Day stat 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 March 17 Last day of school before spring break 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 March 13-17 Spring Break 29 30 31 26 27 28 March 20-24 School Closure April 3 School Re-opens MARCH 2023 APRIL 2023 April 7 Good Friday stat S M T W T F S S M T W T F S April 10 Easter Monday stat 1 2 3 4 1 April 17 District Pro-D Day (13) 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (17) April 19-20 Early Dismissal Day (1 hour early) 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 May 22 Victoria Day stat 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 May 29 School Planning Day DRAFT26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 June 22 Last Day of Classes 30 June 23 Administrative Day June 26 School Closed for Summer Vacation MAY 2023 JUNE 2023 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S Days of Instruction 176 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 Non-Instructional Days (Pro-D Days 6 (21) 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (16) Administrative Day 1 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Total Days in Session 183 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 Appendix 11B

French Immersion Summary of positive responses December 2019

Current Total number Grade number from each Level: s school

PreK 4 Erickson students 19

K 12 ARES Students: 67 1 15 Wildflower Students: 9 2 12 PCSS 7 3 16 CLES 1 4 13 5 13 6 5 7 12 8 4 10-12 3 Appendix 11C

Superintendent’s Report January 28, 2020 Submitted by: Dr. Christine Perkins, Superintendent/CEO Superintendent’s Report

LEARNING CRESTON FAMILY OF SCHOOLS ADAM ROBERTS ELEMENTARY • Grade 7 transitions have started. PCSS Grade 10 Leadership Class came to ARES for a Presentation titled: “What we wish we knew…” Thanks to Mr. Marzke and his students. ARES students will be at PCSS to attend a Grade 11-12 Drama Performance and meeting with PCSS Counsellors on January 20th. Many more transition activities and times to come. • ARES Students performed Multicultural Songs for a two day Winter Concert Series. Primary students performed 9 songs on December 18th including Grade 3/4’s playing the xylophone. Intermediate students performed 9 songs on December 19th, which included Grade 6/7’s playing the recorder. • Winter Activities are in full swing. Many classes have already enjoyed curling and skating, and many more classes will be participating in skiing at Kimberley and Whitewater.

CANYON LISTER ELEMENTARY • Our “Breakfasts with Community Helpers” has been well received, with community guests such as first responders, the town librarian and mayor, and the local Thundercat hockey players eating breakfast with our students once weekly. The students are loving getting to know the people in the community and the role they play. • Noon hour floor hockey with the Thundercats has started and is a roaring success. Thundercat players are coming once weekly to share some hockey tips and then scrimmage with our students. We have lots of students getting physical activity and also cheering each other on. We alternate primary sessions with intermediate sessions. Skiing also starts soon, with three days planned, and basketball season has begun. Additionally, with receipt of a new grant, we will offering additional after school activities for students to broaden perspectives and have fun. • Canyon-Lister Elementary will join in the East Kootenay Great Big Buddy Read on January 30th. This event is in partnership with CBAL (Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy) and is to celebrate Family Literacy Week.

ERICKSON ELEMENTARY • Our holiday concert in December was well attended. It was a celebration of winter holidays from around the world, enabling everyone to learn about various traditions and cultures. • Planned intermediate winter activities are starting soon. Skiing, skating, swimming and bowling are all starting soon. • Our PAS has started to make hot lunches two times a week for students. Parents and students are grateful for this change to their regular lunch routines.

PRINCE CHARLES SECONDARY • Student led leadership activities continue to be a success. As a result, community connections continue to grow as well does the sense of school pride. Superintendent’s Report

• Ski trips beginning: In January, Ski Red Mountain on the 16th & Whitewater on the 23rd. • 6 Basketball team in full swing. PCSS hosts tournaments 5 weekends in a row starting Jan. 10th. • Upcoming Yeti trips: 1) International students snowshoe trip to Ripple Ridge on Kootenay Pass Saturday Jan. 11th. 2) Revelstoke Ski Trip Fri. Jan. 17th through Sunday Jan. 19th. 3) Rossland climbing wall and Winter Carnival on Jan. 25th.

WILDFLOWER CRESTON • Wildflower Creston has successfully secured some building materials for its outdoor natural play area (tires, large rocks, trees etc… This is an ongoing project that is hoped to be completed in the Spring/Summer of 2020. The PAC and school have successfully secured $14 000 for the project. • Our primary students had a lot of fun creating mazes, which they then used coding language to show their pathways. We are also working with seniors from TAPS to put together stories from their lives which will be presented at our heritage fair in March. We are also excited about our new teacher, Kristina Leidums who will be spending Wednesday mornings in our class. She is beginning with some mapping/community learning.

Superintendent’s Report

HOMELINKS CRESTON • Friday, January 10th activity day saw 37 students head to Red Mountain in Rossland for a day of skiing. • Basketball season has started up for our elementary students. • Ms. Adam’s Grade 10 project-based learning cohort is back in full swing, after the Christmas break. Their primary focus now is the grade 10 Provincial Numeracy Assessment taking place at the end of the month.

CRAWFORD BAY FAMILY OF SCHOOLS CRAWFORD BAY ELEMENTARY-SECONDARY • Crawford Bay Elementary has a Winter Wonderland all day presentation on Jan 27th. • We have a whole school vertical teams task scheduled for 22nd where students from all grades are placed in a team for team building, social development, and to provide opportunities for students to shine outside of the classroom. The objective will be centered around a students designed and built outdoor winter shelter. • We have two students about to take part in the Selkirk trades program. • Recently, our high school students grade 7 through 9 met to list and create clubs that they are interested in being a part of. The topics ranged from Archery and Football through to movie appreciation and yearbook. These clubs will be run outside of school hours. We have sought experts from the community to help sponsor some of them. • Staff are currently engaged in the January Point of progress as part of the Pilot project. • Some interest has been shown by staff in the Inclusion Project.

SALMO FAMILY OF SCHOOLS SALMO ELEMENTARY • Our school continues to embed the Seven Sacred Teachings into our school culture. Students learn through monthly assemblies, multi-age activities and in-class instruction and activities with our AB ED teacher, Ms. Hatt. • Many of our students are taking advantage of our Makerspace room. As such, several props were created and integrated into our Christmas concert last month. It was a very entertaining show and the feedback from Salmo families was so positive! It was truly a community event! Thanks to Mr. Dando and Ms. Finnie for getting this set up. It is great to see our students so engaged! • Winter activities will begin this month. This includes cross-country skiing in primary, skating on the outdoor rink in Salmo, skating at the Fruitvale arena, and downhill skiing at the Salmo Ski Hill for our intermediate students. • With our successful bid for the CBAL Physical Literacy Grant, we will be purchasing equipment to facilitate our Run to Read Program as well as track and field equipment.

Superintendent’s Report

SALMO SECONDARY • Semester 1 is wrapping up and there are many great inquiry projects students are pursuing. One of particular note is a humanities project documenting the stories of local Doukhobor families. Students have been interviewing local people and are collaborating with the museum. Copies of the final projects will be donated to the museum. • Indigenization continues at our school. There was a drumming activity in December that combined both elementary and secondary students. • A Try Rugby event was held that was open to any students interested in the sport. It was geared to players of all levels. Further options to begin a rugby team are being explored.

• A group of students involved in a climate change project have been working to raise money for the Australia fires. They have been raising awareness in the community and shoveling driveways by donation. They look forward to holding a pancake brunch for the cause.

KASLO FAMILY OF SCHOOLS JEWETT ELEMENTARY • N/A

J.V. HUMPHRIES ELEMENTARY-SECONDARY • 11 staff members reading ‘The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog’, by Dr. Bruce Perry, as recommended by Javier. Planning to run intro course for Neurosequential Model of Education - https://www.neurosequential.com/product-page/introduction-to-the-nme-training-series • Drama/Musical production of "Annie" was a big hit for the students participating, school community and the community at large.

• Grade 8 class on Radio Free Kaslo featuring interviews of community members as part of Life Skills project - January 24 at 11:00.

SLOCAN VALLEY FAMILY OF SCHOOLS BRENT KENNEDY ELEMENTARY • Winter Activities started just in time with all the deep, dry snow! Kindergarten to Grade 4 classes are snowshoeing at Nancy Green, cross country skiing at Apex, skating at the Nelson complex, and exploring winter habitats with CBEEN at the South Slocan Pools. Grade 5/6’s will be heading to Red Mountain to ski, snowboard or snowshoe. • Mr. McRann and his volleyball team have had a busy and fun season. Our young athletes were also inspired by the sportsmanship and athleticism they saw in their older peers when Mt. Sentinel hosted the provincial volleyball tournaments. We hosted a Volleyball Jamboree for the Slocan Valley Family of schools with the help of some of the Mt. Sentinel team members. The final event was an opportunity for all the teams to meet and play at the high school.

• We are thrilled to be launching our “Breakfast for Learning” program this January utilizing the school LINKS funding. Parent volunteer, Susan Zukowski; Education Assistant, Kyla Hurst; teacher, Andrea Vanderkruyk; and program teacher leader, Holly McRann have been busy researching healthy Superintendent’s Report

breakfast options, shopping, baking and cooking, and serving healthy breakfast choices. The response from kids and parents has been so positive and families appreciate knowing that if their child is hungry, they will be fed. The programs provides us with another opportunity to create a sense of belonging, connection and an affirmation that every child in our care is noticed and matters.

MT. SENTINEL SECONDARY • Our Grads of 2020 successfully hosted our 3rd Annual Holiday Craft Fair & Photos with Santa to raise funds for their Dry Grad activities in June. • We raised funds, collected non-perishables and raised awareness around our local Food Bank in Slocan and we donated to Playmor Junction Church to help put together 9 Food Hampers for our local families in need. • We are doing all of our Grade 12 Capstone Presentations as part of their CLC course this coming Jan.22nd from 8:30-1:00pm … all community members are invited to attend & participate in the evaluation process if interested contact the school.

W.E. GRAHAM ELEMENTARY-SECONDARY • Starting 5 sessions of skiing at Whitewater. VWP students have finished their First Aid Training, now starting Avalanche Awareness Training. OELP students planning and fund-raising for a trip to Vancouver in May. They’d love it if the board would sponsor them!!! WILD students completed an awesome Circle of Courage art project that was on display in Nelson for Restorative Justice Week. Website up and getting some traction. Getting a new sign for the front of school with new logo!

WINLAW ELEMENTARY

• Grade 4/5 Volleyball tournament at Mt. Sent was a hit. This year we've seen a huge increase in athletics in the Valley. Several cross country and volleyball days with WEG, Winlaw and BK.

• One of our biggest turn outs for Winter Concert. Standing room only. Kids put on a wonderful show.

• Just got approval from the ABED department to run small group drumming circles for some of our student who struggle with regulation. We will be bringing in Liam Fitzpatrick to host the workshops.

NELSON FAMILY OF SCHOOLS BLEWETT ELEMENTARY • Blewett Primary classes (K/1, K/1 & 1/2) are in full swimming lesson swing! The students are receiving 8 Red Cross lessons at the Nelson & District Community Complex. Many thanks to the Blewett PAC for generously subsidizing this important life skill opportunity!

• Blewett students continue to meet regularly as K-5 multi-age groups for social and emotional learning opportunities. These multi-age lessons align with our School Growth Plan Goal, focusing on social and emotional readiness. Superintendent’s Report

• Blewett students continue to take their learning outdoors in this winter season. Students have been busy snowshoeing on our amazing school grounds, as well as taking part in cross-country skiing lessons at Apex. Winter activities will continue into next month where students will participate in skiing/snowboarding, indoor climbing, indoor soccer, gymnastics or snowshoeing.

HUME ELEMENTARY • Winter activities are in full swing: yoga, dance for the K - 1 bunch and in February, skiing, curling, Nordic skiing and sledding will take place on Tuesdays with each grade group participating. Thanks to a grant from the CBT and money from Hume PAC and money from the district transportation budget, we are able to offer this program at low- or no- cost to the children.

• Snowshoes for Hume! We successfully received grants from the local Lion’s Club and Legion to purchase a set of snowshoes for the students. We’ve received over half the funds due to these grants. Thanks Lion’s Club and Nelson Legion!

L.V. ROGERS SECONDARY • LV Rogers Capstone Fair took place Wednesday, January 15th in the Gymnasium. In attendance were Trustees, SD8 Staff, and other schools including JVH. Students presented their Capstone projects in a science fair exhibition style. This is our second year presenting Capstone Projects successfully. Please click here for an LV Rogers Capstone Fair Video.

• Art teacher Laurryn Asbell coordinated “The Memory Project,” a social justice art project involving Art 11/12 students painting portraits from photos of orphans in a Pakistani orphanage. An exhibition was held at the West Kootenay Teacher Education Program building, with community and WKTEP teacher candidates invited. Students received feedback from WKTEP candidates. The portraits were of incredible quality; as one student said, “I began to see myself in the portrait of the young boy I was painting.”

• LVR Winter Holiday Variety Show was a tremendous success. Last block prior to the holiday, it was a full house as LVR students anticipated the LVR Teacher Band, staff “Dancing Through the Decades” retrospective, and several amazing student performances, including the LVR Jazz Band. An amazing afternoon filled with school and holiday spirit!

• Please see link to LVR Winter School Newsletter (click here) for more information about the excellent things going on at LV Rogers.

REDFISH ELEMENTARY • Our Winter Concert was standing room only. Our Makerspace and music teacher Mr. Nugent-Smith wrote and directed his first play, including every one of our students, and it was fantastic. • Our students have been back out Cross-Country Skiing in preparation for bigger excursions. • In early February we are having an Intermediate Fine Arts Week, with community and parent artists coming in each day to teach small groups of grades 4-6 students their art, craft or dance, with a Celebration of Student Learning as the culminating event.

Superintendent’s Report

ROSEMONT ELEMENTARY • All Rosemont students are participating in winter activities. Grades K, 1 and 2 are learning to skate, grade 3s are curling, grade 4s are cross-country skiing and grade 5s are down-hill skiing. The skiing fees have been covered for all students by a grant from the CBT

• Rosemont is working on manners under our PBIS system. Our students are making great progress on creating a calm and welcoming environment • Students will be learning about ADST in upcoming multi-age activities around our school yard.

SOUTH NELSON ELEMENTARY

• We had two winter concerts on December 17th which were very well attended. Our students performed a medley of winter and holiday songs showcasing musicians on the ukuleles, Marimbas, and drums as they sang. Our school also entered the CBC Elementary Music Competition again this year and performed a beautiful rendition of the song Human by Twin Flames.

• Our Winter Activities are taking place throughout January. We have K-5 students participating in the Whitewater Ski and Snowboarding programs, Nordic Skiing at Apex, Skating at the Nelson and District Complex along with Indoor Soccer and Gymnastics. We are grateful to have received a grant from CBT to enhance our Physical Literacy. We have purchased a class set of PickleBall equipment and classes will be receiving instruction. In addition, Intermediate classes will receive instruction in Archery in the spring.

• In late November, students in grades 2/3 and 4/5 learned about Restorative Justice with Lisa Heisler through the Nelson Police Department. To celebrate RJ Week, an art show was hosted by the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute and students submitted creative and inspirational art work on social justice themes. An evening exhibit saw many community members and students attend and enjoy a great sense of community and purpose.

Superintendent’s Report

TRAFALGAR MIDDLE • At Trafalgar, we believe in an inclusive setting where everyone is a welcomed part of our community. Our newest school members, the grade 6s, have not only embraced inclusion, but have taken a lead. One of our grade 6 classes realized they needed to change their outdoor survival skills trip to accommodate the needs of one of their peers, who is in a wheelchair. The students led the drive to design, source, build, test, redesign, and finish a sled and harness system so their classmate could participate in the epic skill-building, place-based learning. These students got sponsorship and donations, and really demonstrated that we are here to build each other up! • We had a fantastic first band concert of the year leading up to the Christmas break, featuring the “Mega” grade 6 band, and the grade 7/8 Concert and Jazz Bands, with guest appearances by the LVR Concert and Jazz Bands. It was well-attended by over 350 people (plus the band students)! Mr. Ratzburg and the band students were phenomenal. Our new drama program was asked to fill a last minute opening at the Capitol Theatre before the break and Mrs. McKay and her drama students put together a wonderful selection of scenes and songs… we are looking forward to their first big performance in late spring!

• As the school ski season approaches, we are also welcoming our first group of Chinese students on January 21! Our students are looking forward to learning with the Chinese children and some of the grade 5 students from our elementary school partners. We look forward to updating you all soon!

WILDFLOWER NELSON • Several classes at Wildflower Nelson are working alongside Myra Rassmusan in preparing for the Polka Dot Dragon Lantern Festival, which will be held on February 8th, 2020. The Polka Dot Dragon Festival, started in 2014, is an outdoor experiential arts festival showcasing local artists and performers. Held at Taghum Beach, the festival focuses on the intersection of nature, art, winter, light, and community. The theme of this year's festival is coral reefs. • Wildflower just completed its strategic planning session where they continued some valuable work with all staff and parent reps on building the Wildflower creation story, defining core values, building dialogue around indigenizing the classroom and school experience for students, and illuminating key competencies for students in their trajectory K-9. • Wildflower successful in receiving a $2500 farms to school grant for revitalization of its school garden area.

• Wildflower PAC, just finished hosting their 2019-2020 PAC Salmo Ski Hill Community Building event on January 18th, 2020. The aim of the event is to bring all families (Nelson/Creston) together for a fun community building event at the Salmo Ski Hill.

ABORIGINAL EDUCATION

• Check out these recent blog posts on topics such as Indigenous resource highlights and the Tuition Waver for Children in Care. ABED continues to share aspects of Aboriginal Education here with families, students, and staff! Find our blog posts here for further reading: https://aboriginal.sd8.bc.ca/blog.

• Winter Staff Honouring Ceremony: The District Aboriginal Education team made visits to schools across the district in December (we missed a couple due to poor driving roads), to honour the Superintendent’s Report

Aboriginal Education staff for the heart-felt work they do throughout the year supporting students! This annual ceremony was initiated from the District Advisory Council in 2019-2020 and is a traditional way to connect to schools and staff before winter break.

• Aboriginal Education Winter Newsletter: The ABED newsletters are an opportunity to shine a light on the wonderful learning happening in schools across SD8 to support all self-identified Aboriginal youth. This newsletter is collated by the district team, as an opportunity to make the ABED supports visible across the district. There is such great work going on in all schools! Check out our district winter ABED newsletter here: https://aboriginal.sd8.bc.ca/aboriginal-voice

DISTRIBUTED LEARNING • N/A

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM • Recruiting has been very successful with a number of new, and potential new partnerships, including a new short term group from China being hosted by Trafalgar! Trafalgar staff and administration have done an outstanding job developing the Intercultural Learning for our local students and welcoming our visiting school. • Continued development of partnership with Selkirk College in several areas. Joint marketing by both the Kootenay Lake School District and Selkirk College highlights the area, as well as being a cost effective way to spread the word about the amazing educational opportunities in the Kootenays. Further development for providing a short term summer program to host international students is moving forward.

• Meetings with the City of Nelson and partner International School Agency FSS to look at opportunities to develop English Language and Educational tutoring support for the Nelson area, with a possible dorm to be built to increase our international student enrollment.

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION • Inclusive Education staff have been very busy in schools and throughout the District. Some of the highlights are:

○ Project Adventure preparation and fundraising - Sofeya Devji, Vision Teacher for the District, organizes and takes students to Project Adventure, a non-profit organization was founded in 1971 by educators in Hamilton, Massachusetts who wanted to bring the tenets of Outward Bound into an educational setting. The teachers began inventing cooperative games, developing team-building initiatives, and constructing the first-ever ropes course built in a school environment to make a positive difference in the lives of their students. Through their challenging adventure activities and focused reflection, they found that they could motivate their community of learners to achieve both academic and social growth. (Check out their website at: pa.org) This year, a student from Creston has initiated fundraising activities for the students who wish to participate in Project Adventure, and so far has raised almost all the funds required Superintendent’s Report

for these students to attend!! Thanks so much to the student for her leadership and initiative!

○ Creston elementary schools have ALL signed up for Google Read&Write training with Steve Pierson, one of our District’s Speech Language Pathologists. Google Read&Write is a platform through Google, offers a range of powerful support tools to help ALL students gain confidence with reading, writing, studying and research, including: ■ Text-to-speech to hear words, passages, or whole documents read aloud with dual colour highlighting ■ Text and picture dictionaries to see the meaning of words explained ■ With speech-to-text, ability to dictate words to assist with writing, proofreading & studying ■ Word prediction for the current or next word as the students type ■ Collection of highlights from text in documents or the web for summarizing and research ■ Creation of voice notes directly inside Google Docs ■ Simplification of text on web pages to remove ads and other copy that can be distracting

○ Case Managers’ Meeting Days - occurring on January 23 in Creston (PCSS, Room 104) and in Nelson on January 30 (School Board Office meeting room) - Organized and hosted by the District’s Inclusion Support Teachers and various staff in the Inclusive Education Department, this full day workshop is an opportunity for Case Managers throughout the District to learn more about their role and how best to support students, as well as an opportunity for teachers to review resources, learn successful strategies, and ask questions.

○ Upcoming dates of note: ■ March 31 - training in SD8 with Alyson Oshust - Competency based IEPs ■ April 6 - Shelley Moore - Day 3 in our District for 2019/20 school teams

INNOVATIVE LEARNING SERVICES • During the week of January 6-10, Vanessa Finnie, Innovative Learning District Teacher, visited School District 23 (Kelowna), 41 (Burnaby), 37 (Delta) and 38 (Richmond). She met with district teachers to share ideas and initiatives in Innovative learning, with a focus on literacy, numeracy, French and early learning.

• SD8 has purchased AIM resources (Accelerative Integrated Methodology) for elementary schools that have an intermediate Core French program. AIM is a method of teaching that transforms the experience of teaching and learning a second language. Vanessa Finnie, district teacher, will be assisting elementary schools with incorporating AIM into their French teaching. https://www.aimlanguagelearning.com/

• Javier Gonzalez, Coordinator of School Mental Health and Addictions has been coordinating EASE to provide training across the district. EASE is a collection of evidence-informed anxiety prevention and resilience-building resources for use with students in grade K through 7. These stand-alone Superintendent’s Report

resources align with BC curriculum and are designed to benefit all children by fitting into existing classroom routines and practices. • Javier Gonzalez, Coordinator of School Mental Health and Additions has also been working with the Canyon/Lister school community in an effort to support the mental health needs within the community of Bountiful: o Julie Miller has been contracted by School District 8 to provide counselling services to the Canyon/Lister school community. ● The role provides a flexible combination of individual/group counselling for students, facilitation of parent groups/workshops, and facilitation of student groups o ASIST Suicide Intervention training provided to parents of the Bountiful community on Nov 15 and 16, 2019 ● Two full days with 27 participants. o SafeTalk Suicide Prevention training provided to youth and parents of the Bountiful community on Dec 13, 2019 ● Two four hour sessions with participation of 26 youth and 6 adults. o Mormon Hills and SD8 will increase mental Health Literacy as well as Social Emotional Learning events; Mormon Hills would also open their school so we can do some Mental Health workshops through their Professional Development days. This will help prepare the transition of students from Mormon Hills to Public School • Scott Rothermel, Safe Schools Manager has been working on a behavior reporting system. Scott is also currently updating workplace incident forms, flowcharts, and school field trip forms.

• On January 21 and 22 Innovative Learning hosted EDI training workshops for Kindergarten teachers. This year Kindergarten teachers will be collecting EDI (Early Development Instrument) data. This data provides important information about our Kindergarten learners and how we can best meet their needs. • On January 22, SD8 hosted a workshop in collaboration with Nelson Childcare Resource and Referral and Kootenay Kids Society. The workshop, entitled “Co-regulation: Supporting Children in our Care” was attended by Kindergarten teachers, early childhood educators, and childcare providers.

• Brent Firkser, District Curriculum Support Teacher is working on the Skills BC competition which will take place in Nelson and Cranbrook. This competition connects our students with technical skills in a competition setting with other students around the country. Brent is also launching the Trades Sampler in collaboration with Selkirk College. The Trades Sampler is a program to introduce students to a variety of skilled trades career paths in a hands on college based setting.

Superintendent’s Report

ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE SECRETARY-TREASURER • 2019-2030 Long-Range Facilities Plan adopted by the Board • 2019-2020 Amended Budget Draft completed • Continuous control and accounting improvements

HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES • On-going education and training to leadership group on CBA and HR • Building multi-year people plan

OPERATIONS • Boiler installation at Trafalgar completed - control work to be completed mid January • New rooftop units(2) installed at South Nelson Elementary • New hoist for PCSS automotive program installed and in service

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY • Network upgrades in progress for Salmo Elementary and Secondary, ARES, Canyon Lister Elementary • Completion of Ministry lead ECS (Enhanced Cybersecurity Services) upgrade district wide • Over 400 new student devices rolled out since the beginning of the school year • Pilot project for Microsoft Office 365 underway

ENGAGEMENT & RELATIONSHIPS BAA – All Board Authorized Courses are posted online on the Innovative Learning site. BCCPAC – Those interested in attending the annual AGM and conference for the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, May 1-3 at the Westin Wall Centre in Richmond, BC., can find our more information through their website and please be in contact with your PAC Chairs. https://bccpac.bc.ca/index.php/conferences1/conferences/agm BCSSA & SD 8 – The Superintendent is now on the Board of Directors with the BC School Superintendent’s Association. In addition, the Superintendent, along with Superintendent Hoffman of Vancouver, have been invited to represent the BCSSA/Ministry of Education on this year’s WE Organization’s Educational Partnership Thought Leaders professional learning opportunity and experience in the Maasai Mara in Kenya during the summer. BCSTA – Board of Education Members will be attending the Leadership Training Series in Cranbrook, April 7 with S/T McLellan and Director of Instruction, Deanna Holitski. This year’s focus will be on strategic planning for student success and the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning. Superintendent’s Report

BCPSEA – Director of Human Resources, Chandra Singh, Superintendent Perkins and Trustees Chew and Lang will be attending the 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the British Columbia Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA) January 30-31, 2020 at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, Vancouver, BC. CAPSLE – The Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law in Education will host their 2020 Conference, April 26-28, 2020 in Ottawa. The focus is on focus on “Innovation in Education: Capital Ideas. https://capsle.ca/conference/ DIRECTORS & SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM – The Senior Leadership team is currently working on Spring staffing for Fall 2020-2021; Budget plans, Capital plans, and Facility plans. Alignment meetings with Principals re: their school needs for next year will be held in February. Contact your Principal if you have ideas. DPAC and PACs – DPAC will be held on Thursday, February 27 at 6 pm at the Nelson Board office: 811 Stanley St., Nelson, BC. The theme is: Feedback Budget 2020-21. Guest will be Secretary-Treasurer, Michael McLellan. Parents may also attend by phone: 1-647-558-0588 Mtg ID# 206902688 or via Web: zoom.us/j/206902688. DPAC Summit - SAVE the DATE - Mark your Calendars for your 2020 Summit on November 19-20 at the Westin Wall Center in Richmond BC! GRADs – a letter re: Grad Protocols has gone out to all high school Principals for distribution. LEADERSHIP TEAM (PVPs) – Our leadership team are working on their upcoming presentations as part of the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL) and our District Strategic Plan. All schools will be hosting the Board of Education and Education Committee of the Whole members in April and May. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION – Update on Ministry of Education Capital Projects for SD 8 – Kootenay Lake including: • A “green light” to look at and develop plans for an expansion for Blewett Elementary School - underway • LVR Dust Collector Upgrade $300,000 – completed • HUME Window Upgrade $750,000 - completed • Flooring Upgrades Bunch of Schools CEC - completed, Rosemont, AI Collison, WE Graham, South Nelson $425,000 – rest are underway • Winlaw Playground $105,000 – will be underway this Spring 2020 w/ concrete rim

STUDENTS TRUSTEES – will be hosting our annual Student Symposium at the Prestige on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. The theme this year is: Leadership – Governance and Policy.

Appendix 11D-1

Appendix 11D-2

Appendix 17 2019-2020 Board Calendar

2019-2020 BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULES

DATE TIME LOCATION MEETINGS COMMENT 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Committees of the Whole September 10, 2019 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Open Board Meeting Audited Financials Approved October 1, 2019 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Closed & Open Board Meetings Working Session 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm PCSS, Creston Committees of the Whole October 22, 2019 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm PCSS, Creston Open Board Meeting November 19, 2019 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Closed & Open Board Meetings Working Session 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Committees of the Whole December 10, 2019 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Open Board Meeting Winter Break 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Operations & Finance January 28, 2020 Committee of the Whole 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Open Board Meeting Amended Budget February 18, 2020 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Closed & Open Board Meetings Working Session 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Committees of the Whole March 10, 2020 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Open Board Meeting Spring Break April 7, 2020 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm PCSS, Creston Closed & Open Board Meetings Working Session 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Committees of the Whole April 28, 2020 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Open Board Meeting May 19, 2020 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Closed & Open Board Meetings Budget Approval, Working Session 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Committees of the Whole June 9, 2020 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Open Board Meeting June 23, 2020 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm Board Office, Nelson Closed & Open Board Meetings Working Session Summer Break