School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) Empowering all Learners to Thrive

67 Stories

67 Stories is a monthly update that includes a collection of stories from our schools. These stories display our dynamic schools with examples of student engagement, creative, and inclusive learning environment.

At Queen's Park we always try to keep 'relationships and belonging' at the forefront of what we do. This year we have joined forces with the OHA. Each week students from their program come to our school to work with some of our primary classes. They join in for gym, outside play and in the classroom with the learning activities. Some of the in-school volunteers also come over on Friday mornings to help on ice at the Queen's Park hockey program. Great seeing the relationship between the OHA/Pen-Hi students and our school community.

At Queen's Park we always try to keep 'relationships and belonging' at the forefront of what we do. This year we have joined forces with the OHA. Each week students from their program come to our school to work with some of our primary classes. They join in for gym, outside play and in the classroom with the learning activities. Some of the in-school volunteers also come over on Friday mornings to help on ice at the Queen's Park hockey program. Great seeing the relationship between the OHA/Pen-Hi students and our school community.

At Queen's Park we always try to keep 'relationships and belonging' at the forefront of what we do. This year we have joined forces with the OHA. Each week students from their program come to our school to work with some of our primary classes. They join in for gym, outside play and in the classroom with the learning activities. Some of the in-school volunteers also come over on Friday mornings to help on ice at the Queen's Park hockey program. Great seeing the relationship between the OHA/Pen-Hi students and our school community.

Students and staff at West Bench explored bridges and trails around the community and learned how they have evolved over the years as part of our outdoor learning program.

Wiltse highlighted our diversity and celebrated Diwali this month! We had a book display and classes engaged in art and cultural activities to acknowledge the celebration!

Wiltse highlighted our diversity and celebrated Diwali this month! We had a book display and classes engaged in art and cultural activities to acknowledge the celebration!

Wiltse highlighted our diversity and celebrated Diwali this month! We had a book display and classes engaged in art and cultural activities to acknowledge the celebration!

Student Leadership at Penticton Secondary School, led by Ms. Mennell and Mr. Gill, plays an important role in shaping the culture of the school. These students plan and host events that build community, foster belonging, and celebrate school spirit. A recent highlight was the Cross-City Volleyball Game, hosted at Penticton Secondary. The event saw an excellent turnout from both schools, creating an atmosphere of healthy competition while promoting sportsmanship and inclusivity. It was a great example of how student-led initiatives can bring the community together in positive and meaningful ways. In alignment with the SD67 Strategic Plan, these activities support the district’s goals of Student Success and Relationships and Belonging by creating inclusive and engaging experiences where every student feels seen and valued. A new TV display, installed by Mr. Gill in the trophy case, features photos from these events—celebrating student involvement and school life throughout the year.

Student Leadership at Penticton Secondary School, led by Ms. Mennell and Mr. Gill, plays an important role in shaping the culture of the school. These students plan and host events that build community, foster belonging, and celebrate school spirit. A recent highlight was the Cross-City Volleyball Game, hosted at Penticton Secondary. The event saw an excellent turnout from both schools, creating an atmosphere of healthy competition while promoting sportsmanship and inclusivity. It was a great example of how student-led initiatives can bring the community together in positive and meaningful ways. In alignment with the SD67 Strategic Plan, these activities support the district’s goals of Student Success and Relationships and Belonging by creating inclusive and engaging experiences where every student feels seen and valued. A new TV display, installed by Mr. Gill in the trophy case, features photos from these events—celebrating student involvement and school life throughout the year.

Take Me Outside Day (October 22) was in full stride at Columbia as students participated in learning on the land for the entire school day in Mrs. Snider's Grade 2/3 class. Learning included Trudy's Healing Stone, a nature walk, a human bar graph of their favourite season and ended with an Indigenous Game of "run and scream".

Take Me Outside Day (October 22) was in full stride at Columbia as students participated in learning on the land for the entire school day in Mrs. Snider's Grade 2/3 class. Learning included Trudy's Healing Stone, a nature walk, a human bar graph of their favourite season and ended with an Indigenous Game of "run and scream".

Take Me Outside Day (October 22) was in full stride at Columbia as students participated in learning on the land for the entire school day in Mrs. Snider's Grade 2/3 class. Learning included Trudy's Healing Stone, a nature walk, a human bar graph of their favourite season and ended with an Indigenous Game of "run and scream".

Take Me Outside Day (October 22) was in full stride at Columbia as students participated in learning on the land for the entire school day in Mrs. Snider's Grade 2/3 class. Learning included Trudy's Healing Stone, a nature walk, a human bar graph of their favourite season and ended with an Indigenous Game of "run and scream".

Slide TC 2025 2026 Pumkin Run_Jacquie Hicks

Uplands students enjoyed a cultural in-service with Sienna Gabriel. They engaged in a meaningful bannock-making opportunity and connected through food, stories and shared experience. Students learned about the origins and historical significance of bannock.

On September 10th, Penticton Secondary School hosted its annual Club Day, a vibrant event designed to showcase the wide variety of student-led clubs and extracurricular opportunities available at the school. This initiative directly supports the SD67 Strategic Plan’s goals of Empowering All Learners to Thrive and fostering an Inclusive Culture. Students were invited to explore their interests, connect with peers, and sign up for clubs ranging from athletics and arts to leadership and social justice. By encouraging student engagement beyond the classroom, Club Day promotes Student-Centered Learning and helps build a strong sense of belonging and community. This event also highlights the importance of Student Voice and Leadership, as many clubs are initiated and run by students themselves. It reflects our commitment to nurturing well-rounded learners who are empowered to take initiative, collaborate, and contribute meaningfully to their school environment.

On September 10th, Penticton Secondary School hosted its annual Club Day, a vibrant event designed to showcase the wide variety of student-led clubs and extracurricular opportunities available at the school. This initiative directly supports the SD67 Strategic Plan’s goals of Empowering All Learners to Thrive and fostering an Inclusive Culture. Students were invited to explore their interests, connect with peers, and sign up for clubs ranging from athletics and arts to leadership and social justice. By encouraging student engagement beyond the classroom, Club Day promotes Student-Centered Learning and helps build a strong sense of belonging and community. This event also highlights the importance of Student Voice and Leadership, as many clubs are initiated and run by students themselves. It reflects our commitment to nurturing well-rounded learners who are empowered to take initiative, collaborate, and contribute meaningfully to their school environment.

On September 10th, Penticton Secondary School hosted its annual Club Day, a vibrant event designed to showcase the wide variety of student-led clubs and extracurricular opportunities available at the school. This initiative directly supports the SD67 Strategic Plan’s goals of Empowering All Learners to Thrive and fostering an Inclusive Culture. Students were invited to explore their interests, connect with peers, and sign up for clubs ranging from athletics and arts to leadership and social justice. By encouraging student engagement beyond the classroom, Club Day promotes Student-Centered Learning and helps build a strong sense of belonging and community. This event also highlights the importance of Student Voice and Leadership, as many clubs are initiated and run by students themselves. It reflects our commitment to nurturing well-rounded learners who are empowered to take initiative, collaborate, and contribute meaningfully to their school environment.

West Bench elementary celebrated the unveiling of the school’s new mascot and logo. Levi George designed the logo and incorporated the red-tailed hawk, known as piyáʕ.

KVRE has welcome over 550 students from 13 different school. As part of our transition, a group of KVR Middle and Carmi teachers organized a connection activity of making tiles, which was conducted in spring of 2025. All incoming KVRE students were invited to an orientation day in June. Each student created a wooden tile. On the front, students drew who they were or what was meaningful to their identity. On the back, they wrote a goal for the 2025-2026 school year. Administration put these tiles together into an art display that was in place for the first day of school. This way, each student already had a “piece” of themselves in their new school to show they belong to our community.

KVRE has welcome over 550 students from 13 different school. As part of our transition, a group of KVR Middle and Carmi teachers organized a connection activity of making tiles, which was conducted in spring of 2025. All incoming KVRE students were invited to an orientation day in June. Each student created a wooden tile. On the front, students drew who they were or what was meaningful to their identity. On the back, they wrote a goal for the 2025-2026 school year. Administration put these tiles together into an art display that was in place for the first day of school. This way, each student already had a “piece” of themselves in their new school to show they belong to our community.

KVRE has welcome over 550 students from 13 different school. As part of our transition, a group of KVR Middle and Carmi teachers organized a connection activity of making tiles, which was conducted in spring of 2025. All incoming KVRE students were invited to an orientation day in June. Each student created a wooden tile. On the front, students drew who they were or what was meaningful to their identity. On the back, they wrote a goal for the 2025-2026 school year. Administration put these tiles together into an art display that was in place for the first day of school. This way, each student already had a “piece” of themselves in their new school to show they belong to our community.

KVRE has welcome over 550 students from 13 different school. As part of our transition, a group of KVR Middle and Carmi teachers organized a connection activity of making tiles, which was conducted in spring of 2025. All incoming KVRE students were invited to an orientation day in June. Each student created a wooden tile. On the front, students drew who they were or what was meaningful to their identity. On the back, they wrote a goal for the 2025-2026 school year. Administration put these tiles together into an art display that was in place for the first day of school. This way, each student already had a “piece” of themselves in their new school to show they belong to our community.

Uplands students held a bake sale at Cherry Lane Mall to pump up the Indigo Adopt a School Campaign, running until October 5th. This year Uplands is one of the fortunate beneficiaries of this annual fundraising initiative that supports Canadian elementary school libraries!

September at Skaha Lake Elementary was filled with excitement as we successfully opened our newly reconfigured K–7 school. Highlights included a well-attended Open House, a meaningful and fun Terry Fox Run, and many joyful moments of student learning and connection. Featured in the photo is Mr. Orioli’s PHE class, where students explored movement and teamwork—with a special guest appearance by Acting Principal Rooker’s son, Nathan.