Superintendent’s Update

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

This past week, we have celebrated successes that are the result of the connections/relationships that made them possible, a core commitment in our 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan.

Raft River Elementary School's Excitement about their New Outdoor Learning Space

When I visited with Principal Mathieu, Vice Principal Gauthier, and Trustee Sim at Raft River Elementary School a couple of weeks ago, they shared how staff, students, parents, and community members have been working diligently to plan, design, and fundraise over $100,000 for a new outdoor learning space. They have worked on this space over multiple years as an Outdoor Education Committee, and Ms. Shook was highlighted as being an outdoor education enthusiast who had a vision of what this space would offer students (i.e., it would be a location to gather outside and access learning about gardening, the wetlands, forests, and Indigenous plants, as examples). Now that this space is near completion, everyone is recognizing the incredible community effort and donations that have gone into designing, planning, and now seeing this space near completion. Read more.

Julian Generaux - Gr. 9 Sun Peaks Student Goes to the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Edmonton

Last month, we wrote a story about Grade 9 Sun Peaks student, Julian Generaux, who had achieved notable success in the Cariboo Mainline Regional Science Fair for his innovation of an inexpensive, portable EKG (electrocardiogram) utilizing Micro:Bit technology to monitor heart conditions remotely. In the last two weeks, Julian was invited to participate in a week-long, national event, the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF), which brings together 400 top students from across the country to compete for nearly $2 million in cash, scholarships and exclusive science opportunities.  Those who qualify have distinguished themselves from amongst the approximate 25,000 young Canadians who compete in regional science fairs. Read more.

SD73 Students win Four Gold Medals at the Provincial Skills Competition

Kamloops-Thompson School District has identified Career Development as a priority, supporting students to attain their career and occupational objectives. On April 20th, SD73 sent 16 students to compete at the Skills BC Competition in Abbotsford, after they competed and won the Cariboo Regional Skills Competitions. Skills Canada helps young people explore the possibility of careers in skilled trades and technology sectors. In May, some students continued to the National competitions. Read more.

45th District Honors Celebration on May 25, 2023

Thank you to staff, students, and families for celebrating the 45th annual District Honors Celebration of high school students’ accomplishments last night. In our District Strategic Plan that so many of you helped to shape through your contributions last year in consultation, our District mission is to seek to inspire students to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. I am proud to say that many of SD 73’s students’ accomplishments reflect how they have each developed and reached remarkable levels of success in a wide range of areas including academics, sports, fine arts, and community service.

It has been wonderful to stand in awe of all of the accomplishments of our students, staff, and community members from seeing the fruition of collaborative efforts to build outdoor learning spaces to celebrating individual students who are reaching increasing higher levels of accomplishment in certain subjects, trades and technological career pathways, fine arts, sports, and community service. Recognition of student accomplishments is also recognition of all of the parents, caregivers, peers, staff, coaches, and community members who stood by them to encourage, support, guide, and develop them.

As we continue into June with the many other celebrations and events of importance to our communities, enjoy your weekends to rest and rejuvenate.

Rhonda Nixon, PhD

Superintendent