1. British Columbia Student Leadership Conference In attendance from Rutland Senior Secondary School
Hugh Alexander, Principal
Teachers: Jacqueline Groat
Lindsay Reynoldson
Students: Katrina Graham, Grade 12
Eli Ebl, Grade 12
Also in attendance:
Ryan Wakefield, Vice-Principal, George Elliot Secondary School
On October 19 - 22, 2023, 281 students (including 150 from Central Okanagan Public Schools) from across British Columbia will converge on Rutland Senior Secondary School for the British Columbia Student Leadership Conference. The theme for this year's conference is "Back to Leadership – Recharge, Reconnect and Reimagine". The last BC Student Leadership Conference was held in Williams Lake in 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The top three conference goals include:
Promoting and enhancing the development of student leadership in our schools; Educating and empowering youth to be leaders in their communities; and, Building connections between leadership communities throughout British Columbia. Each day will include speakers, workshops, networking opportunities and practical components students and advisors can take back and implement in their schools. A welcome and blessing, along with an interactive Spirit of the Land session with the Riparian Puppets, will be provided by an Elder. Central Okanagan Public Schools is the first District in western Canada to host a provincial leadership conference since 2019.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our District
In attendance:
Troy White, District Principal of Learning Technology Services
Tobias Blaskovits, District STEAM/Learning Technology Consultant
Nicole Leboe, Learning Technology Consultant
Generative Artificial Intelligence (i.e., ChatGPT) is a complex computer algorithm that utilizes a large language model with billions of parameters to search the internet to find and synthesize information producing 'original' output. AI is a tool and how it is used will inevitably create positive or negative outcomes. In education, students will still need human-driven instruction for true personalized learning that focuses on learner agency and can move beyond engagement and into empowerment. There is a plan to engage the community on Awareness (elementary/middle Lead Technology Learners; secondary – Digital Equity Teams; and conversations in schools K-12), Education (Pro-D The Board Meeting Highlights are published after each Public Board Meeting.
Declarations
1. School Bus Safety Awareness Week – October 15-21, 2023
The Central Okanagan Board of Education announced October 15-21, 2023 as 'School Bus Safety Awareness Week' in Central Okanagan Public Schools.
2. Foster Family Month - October
The Central Okanagan Board of Education declared the month of October 2023 as 'Foster Family Month' in Central Okanagan Public Schools.
3. World Mental Health Day – October 10, 2023
The Chairperson announced that October 10, 2023 was World Mental Health Day. On this day, and every day, this is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues.
Action Items:
1. Amendments to Policy 115 – Inaugural and Annual Board Meetings
The Board of Education approved the amendments to Policy 115 – Inaugural and Annual Board Meetings.
Information Items:
The Board of Education reviewed the following:
1. Level 4 and 5 Field Study Summary – 2023/2024
2. General Statement – September 19, 2023
3. General Statement – September 27, 2023
4. Equity in Action Agreement – 2022-2023 Third Annual Report
Advocacy
Trustee Fraser confirmed that the Motion, approved by the Board of Education, to be submitted to the BCSTA to advocate to increase Annual Facilities Grants for School Districts in the Province, will come forward to the BCSTA AGM.
Items of Special Mention
The Deputy Superintendent of Schools mentioned that the 2023 Premier's Awards for Excellence in Education Ceremony will be taking place on Thursday, October 26, 2023 in Victoria. Although the Ministry of Education and Child Care is keeping the names of those nominated confidential, confirmation has been received that six Central Okanagan Public Schools' employees are finalists.
Next Public Board Meeting:
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 6:00 pm