Around the district is a monthly update that includes a collection of stories from Ď㽶ֱ˛Ą schools. These stories highlight Ď㽶ֱ˛Ą's vibrant learning community, which fosters student engagement, creativity, and well-being in inclusive learning environments.
On a bright winter day at Garry Point Park, a spirited group of young environmentalists came together with their teachers and parents for the Ocean Wise Shoreline Cleanup. Equipped with gloves and determination, they tackled the shoreline, collecting over 35 kilograms of litter while helping to create a cleaner home for local wildlife.
As the students sorted through the day’s findings, they transformed piles of debris into a math adventure, using fractions, decimals and percentages to analyze what they had gathered. With every bag of litter removed, their sense of pride and connection to their community deepened. Smiles and laughter highlighted the camaraderie that grew as they worked side by side, showing how meaningful contributions can bring people together.
As the day wrapped up, the students waved goodbye to the beach they had helped transform, carrying with them more than just the memory of their efforts. They learned a powerful truth: small actions, especially when done together, can create big, meaningful change for their community and their planet.
This past holiday season, schools across the district came alive with the joyous sounds of winter concerts. Stages came to life with a harmonious mix of seasonal classics, pop favorites and soulful jazz as bands, choirs and vocal ensembles delighted audiences. The talent and enthusiasm on display created a sense of connection and holiday spirit, bringing communities together in celebration.
Guided by Indigenous leader Qwetoselten, secondary school participants learned about the art of drum-making, blending creativity with cultural learning. The workshop offered a meaningful opportunity to explore Indigenous craftsmanship and understand the drum’s cultural and spiritual importance.
As attendees shaped their drums, they practiced careful techniques under Qwetoselten’s direction, gaining insight into the drum’s role in storytelling, ceremonies and traditions. The room was filled with focus and respect, reflecting the significance of this cultural art form.
The district’s Indigenous Success Team played a key role in organizing the event, highlighting their commitment to cultivating appreciation and respect for Indigenous culture within our schools.Ěý
“How did the natural environment influence early civilizations?”
Exploring this question, elementary students studied the Nile River and its impact on Ancient Egypt. They learned how the river played a vital role in the growth of one of history’s greatest civilizations, presenting their discoveries in creative posters that highlighted the importance of this natural resource.
Building on this foundation, the class excitedly chose another civilization to research, and investigated how its physical surroundings shaped its development. They dug into various resources, making cross-curricular connections, and showcasing their findings through thoughtfully designed, visually appealing brochures.
This project broadened their understanding of the relationship between environment and civilization as well as refined their critical thinking and communication skills.
Secondary students showcased their innovative projects in the school rotunda at their annual Science Celebration event. With tri-fold displays and three-to-five-minute presentations, they explored topics like life sciences, engineering and computer science, while offering creative solutions to real-world problems.
Over the past two months, they worked independently or in pairs to design their experiments. Upon selecting a topic, they developed hypotheses and carefully planned their research, bringing their ideas to life through hands-on experiments. Their hard work culminated in a celebration event, where they shared their projects, engaged in discussions and received feedback from the school community.
This showcase gave students the opportunity to demonstrate their academic skills while applying critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity in a meaningful way. It also highlighted their potential to make a positive impact on the environment.
Inspired by the Haida story Taan’s Moon, a class explored the connections between art, social studies and science through a creative project. Using wool roving and needle-felting techniques, they crafted felt moons that reflected their learnings about the natural world and Indigenous teachings.
Taan’s Moon introduced the Haida moon cycle and the wonder of seasonal changes through the perspective of Taan, a bear. Building on this narrative, the students shared their understanding of the environment’s significance to Indigenous cultures through their artwork and artist statements.
One art piece, titled Fishing Moon, highlighted the importance of the Fraser River to Indigenous communities. It incorporated symbols, including a tree, to represent the value of nature. The creator of the piece reflected on the process, and shared how patience, calmness and attention to detail were key to bringing the artwork to life.
With a growing curiosity about space, our young learners dove into an exciting project where they designed their very own rocket ships. The activity built on their fascination with the moon, stars and songs like “Zoom Zoom Zoom” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
The design process was filled with excitement as they explored Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation, discovering how pressure could impact the height of their rockets. They also experimented with shapes like triangles, cylinders and cones, applying their learning in a hands-on way.
Through this adventure, the children developed valuable science and math skills while fueling their curiosity about the mysteries of space. The activity was also a fun and engaging way to support their foundational learning while sparking a sense of wonder and discovery.
As part of the holiday celebrations, a group of students visited a local senior care centre to spread festive cheer with the residents. They crafted origami stockings, blending creativity and care, and sang holiday carols, filling the air with warmth and delight.
The visit provided a meaningful chance to connect with the residents, strengthening the sense of community and bringing smiles to everyone's faces. Through sharing their talents, they learned the value of intergenerational bonds and discovered the joy that simple acts of kindness can bring.
As the visit came to a close, they sent heartfelt wishes for a happy and healthy 2025, leaving behind a trail of smiles and memories.
