Inside 23
Becoming Us: A Year of Agency, Connection and Collective Growth
In attendance:
Jordan Kleckner, Director of Instruction: Learning & Innovation
Paige Labanowicz, Grade 6 teacher, Constable Neil Bruce Middle School
Torsten Raupach, Grade 6 teacher, Constable Neil Bruce Middle School
Paige and Torsten presented on how centering student agency has transformed a classroom into a vibrant, collaborative learning environment. Together a space was created where community and curiosity led to student ownership and meaningful learning. This journey revealed that when learners feel empowered, and teachers feel
efficacy, everyone thrives together.
Recognition
The Board of Education congratulated the following:
Rutland Senior Secondary School Rugby Team
Provincial Champions
Rutland Senior Secondary School e-Sports Team
Pacific Region Champions
Tyson Cook
Kelowna Civic and Community Awards – Honour in the Arts Award Winner
Declarations
1. National Indigenous History Month – June 2025
The Central Okanagan Board of Education recognizes the month of June as ‘National Indigenous History Month’ and declared June 21, 2025 as ‘Indigenous Peoples Day’ in Central Okanagan Public Schools
Action Items
1. Affirmation of Board Statement on Indigenous Sovereignty
The Board of Education affirmed the decision at the May 21, 2025 Incamera Meeting to make public its statement on Indigenous Sovereignty in response to public comments made by an area MLA.
2. 2026/2027 Five-Year Capital Plan Submission
The Board of Education approved the Capital Plan Resolutions for the 2026/2027 Capital Plan for submission to the Ministry of Infrastructure by the June 30, 2025 deadline.
3. 2025/2026 Review of Meal Allowance Per Diem Rates
The Board of Education approved the recommended meal allowance per diem rates, being $17 for breakfast (unchanged), $22 for lunch (unchanged) and $41 for dinner (increased from $38), effective July 1, 2025.
4. 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 School Calendars
The Board of Education adopted the Local School Calendars for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 school years as identified in the calendar proposal presented at the June 11th Public Board Meeting. The calendar will be made available to the District once approved by the Ministry of Education and Child Care. The Superintendent of Schools/CEO will direct school Principals, in consultation with staff and parents, to establish site-based calendars for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 school years. In establishing such calendars, Principals must:
a) Conform to the School Act and Regulations, applicable Collective Agreements, and School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan Public Schools) Board Policy.
b) Schedule school parent/teacher conference times.
c) Schedule their school’s calendar and bell schedule.
The adopted calendars will be posted on the School District website (www.sd23.bc.ca) once approved by the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
Information Items
The Board of Education reviewed the following:
1. Level 4 and 5 Field Study Summary – 2024/2025
2. Level 4 and 5 Field Study Summary – 2025/2026
3. General Statement – May 14, 2025
4. General Statement – May 21, 2025
5. General Statement – June 2, 2025
6. COTA Executive 2025/2026 – 2026/2027
The Board of Education congratulated the members of the COTA Executive for 2025/2026 to 2026/2027.
7. 2025/2026 CommunityLINK Allocations
8. 2024/2025 International Education Program Update
9. 2024/2025 Transportation Services Department Update
Advocacy
Last week, on behalf of the Board of Education, Board Chair Julia Fraser presented to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.
Items of Special Mention
The Board Chair, Trustees, the Superintendent of Schools/CEO, spoke of the following:
– Attendance at various meetings and events throughout the District, including school assemblies, classroom visits, interviews for the new Assistant Superintendent, Graduation Ceremonies, a School Community
Learning Plan Conversation at Rutland Senior Secondary School, Indigenous Graduation Ceremonies, Capstone presentations, École Glenrosa Elementary School Spring Carnival 50th Anniversary, and the
Central School Annual Spring Community Barbeque.
– On Thursday, June 5th École Okanagan Mission Secondary School held their Relay for Life, bringing together cancer survivors, remembering those lost to cancer, and fundraising over $70,000.
– École Dr. Knox Middle School held their Bald Falcon Day on May 30th to raise money for BC Children’s Hospital. They exceeded their goal of $14,000 and raised $33,319.65.
– The Annual District Track and Field meets were held last week at the Apple Bowl where elementary and middle school students from across the Central Okanagan engaged in fun competition to ignite their interest
in track and field sports. Thank you to the many volunteers (family, staff and community volunteers) who make this event so much fun for our learners.
– Trustees, staff and students participated in the Pride Festival held at City Park on Saturday, May 31st.
– The Annual iGen Finale night was held last evening at the Innovation Centre. Eight finalists pitched their startup ideas to a panel of judges and answered questions in front of a live audience. Marcus Kuhn collected the $1,000 Kevin Greenwood Memorial Scholarship, generously donated by Okanagan College. Many thanks to the business education teachers in Central Okanagan Public Schools who mentored the students, as well as the generous donations received from sponsors.
– The June edition of Together We Learn will be published on or about Monday, June 16th with the theme of “System Wellbeing/Togetherness”.
– On Tuesday, June 3rd at the Indigenous Education Council Meeting, members of the IEC, Trustees, Senior Staff, family and friends gathered to honour former Board Chair, Moyra Baxter, with a traditional blanketing. The Blanketing Ceremony was led by Westbank First Nation Councilor and IEC Chair, Jordan Coble.
– Thank you to the many staff and volunteers who organized the 10th Annual District SumoBot Competition on Thursday, May 22nd. We also appreciate our community partners at UBCO for hosting once again. With almost 200 students and 74 robot teams participating this year, it was another huge success that created a unique learning opportunity and sparked new interests in hundreds of our learners.
– On May 15th, over 400 middle school students from École Glenrosa Middle, Constable Neil Bruce Middle, École KLO Middle, and Canyon Falls Middle gathered at UBCO for the revamped Expo of Awesome: Youth Taking Action Towards a Sustainable Future.
– The Board of Education recently had a virtual meeting with Minister of Education and Child Care, Lisa Beare, to discuss the insights into our District’s priorities, exciting initiatives, and challenges.
– The Heavy Equipment Operator Program Year-End Completion Ceremony was held on Friday, June 6th to recognize student achievements as they completed the rigorous, hands-on training program.
Next Public Board Meeting
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Board Standing Committee Meetings
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
4:00 pm Finance and Planning Committee
