Together We Learn

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Board of Education invites all parents, students, staff members, partner group representatives, and members of the public to participate in a strategic plan engagement process in response to four key questions that will inform the District's future Strategic Plan.</span></p><ol class="editor-list-ol"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">When you think about the world students are entering today, what do you believe students need most from their experiences in our schools to be successful?</strong></b></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">When you think about the future, what ideas do you have that would improve student learning for all students?</strong></b></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What would help families feel more meaningfully involved in supporting student learning?</strong></b></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: left;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What is one change that would make schools healthier and more supportive places for students, staff, and families?</strong></b></li></ol><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://tejoin.com/scroll/821040678" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><u><span class="editor-text-underline" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Click here to participate</span></u></a></h2>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please review the information below, then </span><a href="https://tejoin.com/scroll/995449446" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><u><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-underline" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">click here to take the survey.</strong></b></u></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></h3><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Survey is open until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026.</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Following Ministry of Education and Child Care guidelines, the District requires a Long-Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) to guide facility decisions in line with student enrollment, educational needs, and community growth. The LRFP supports capital requests through the annual Five-Year Capital Plan and must be regularly reviewed to stay relevant and aligned with strategic priorities.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The District is currently conducting a review of the LRFP, </span><a href="https://www.sd23.bc.ca/documents/257895d2-11d4-53c8-85b9-641719f84076/Long_Term_Facilities_Plan_-_June_2021.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">last updated in 2021</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, to ensure it accurately reflects current facility needs, educational programs, demographic trends, and community growth. The LRFP informs Ministry funding decisions and will now be updated every two years to maintain accuracy for the Five-Year Capital Plan process.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The LRFP plays a critical role in shaping decisions about:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">New school construction and additions</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">School consolidations and grade reconfiguration</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Long‑term program placement, including French Immersion pathways</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Facility capacity management</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Maintenance and modernization priorities.</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The LRFP is the District’s primary planning document for communicating long‑term facility needs and providing a business case for capital investments. It incorporates data on demographic trends, enrolment projections, facility condition and capacity, community development, and educational programming.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The LRFP informs decisions on program locations, grade structures, school consolidations, and maintenance priorities, and provides clear justification for capital projects submitted through the annual Five‑Year Capital Plan. The LRFP identifies District strategies for a ten‑year period, with broader considerations for long‑term future needs.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/663e9603-d0b2-4c29-a233-a42320ab3f06" alt="NGE drone" width="901" height="498" style="width:901px;height:498px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="https://app.smore.com/n/thf5pv" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please click here</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> or scroll below to read the latest District newsletter.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><div monaco-code-embed=""><iframe width="100%" height="600" src="https://app.smore.com/n/thf5pv?embedded" title="Smore newsletter" scrolling="auto" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" style="min-width: 320px;border: none;"></iframe></div></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Central Okanagan Public Schools is looking for families who have an extra room in their home and some extra room in their hearts for sharing Canadian culture with international students. The District's International Education program carefully matches students with families that can provide a welcoming home and will enjoy the mutual enrichment that comes from hosting students.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://international.sd23.bc.ca/homestay-requirements?hash=inL2hvbWVzdGF5LXJlcXVpcmVtZW50cw==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn more and start your application here.</strong></b></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Our homestay program is internationally recognized because we run it ourselves, so we offer great support for both the students and the families who choose to open their home," says Raquel Steen, Assistant Superintendent. "We have a lot of students who are eager to learn about Canadian culture and live the Okanagan lifestyle, but we always need more families who would like to enjoy the many benefits of the cultural exchange."</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span><img src="/images/df1a0c64-f774-496b-8ed3-9d4f7af85f24" alt="Close up of family smiling with their international student" width="356.65625" height="445.56616641630075" style="width:356.65625px;height:445.56616641630075px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">While the monthly compensation of $1,100 tends to help host families both with living costs and subsidizing family activities, those who have been hosting for many years say the real rewards are the experiences students share with their families and making lifelong connections around the world.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span><img src="/images/15615b1b-02cd-489e-9c8b-14479d027f5a" alt="Family from behind at Disneyland wearing Mickey Mouse t-shirts" width="353.65625" height="469.5701906435065" style="width:353.65625px;height:469.5701906435065px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"In the beginning it was just rewarding having different culture in the house and sharing the culture of the Canadian family," says homestay dad Trevor Besse. "After 20 years of hosting, we've seen the students inspire our own kids to be more confident and outgoing, and we've made so many friends around the world with the students' families."</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span><img src="/images/cecbf544-af3c-4c53-bf36-b8055ac56ffe" alt="Host family and children on the right with the student's family from Germany on the left" width="367.65625" height="330.19308190652475" style="width:367.65625px;height:330.19308190652475px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Our biggest recommendation is just to try it out," Besse continued. "There are short-term placements that allow you to see if it's for you and you can still make great connections in that short time."</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The District is accepting applications to host students in September for either short or long-term stays. They are currently looking for just a few more homes in the Mission and Central Kelowna area, but welcome families from all areas of the Central Okanagan to apply. Those interested can </span><a href="https://international.sd23.bc.ca/homestay/hostfamilyapplication/Pages/default.aspx#/=" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">apply online</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. If you have any questions please email </span><a href="mailto:homestay@sd23.bc.ca" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">homestay@sd23.bc.ca</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> or call (250) 470-3258.</span></p>