Together We Learn

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The refresh of the Strategic Plan is underway and there will be public engagement sessions through January and February:</span></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Strategic Plan: 2026 Public Engagement Sessions </strong></b></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">January</strong></b></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thu., Jan. 15, 2026 (6:00–9:00 p.m.) — COPAC-focused session</strong></b></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem editor-nested-listitem"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: LC Meeting Room 355</span></li></ul></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thu., Jan. 22, 2026 (6:00–9:00 p.m.) Rutland Senior Secondary School</strong></b></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem editor-nested-listitem"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: RSS Foyer</span></li></ul></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mon., Jan. 26, 2026 (6:00–9:00 p.m.) George Elliot Secondary School</strong></b></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem editor-nested-listitem"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: GESS Library</span></li></ul></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">February</strong></b></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thu., Feb. 5, 2026 (6:00–9:00 p.m.) Mount Boucherie Secondary School</strong></b></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem editor-nested-listitem"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: MBSS Foyer</span></li></ul></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tue., Feb. 10, 2026 (6:00–9:00 p.m.) École Kelowna Secondary School</strong></b></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem editor-nested-listitem"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: KSS MPR</span></li></ul></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tue., Feb. 17, 2026 (6:00–9:00 p.m.) École Okanagan Mission Secondary School</strong></b></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem editor-nested-listitem"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Location: OKM MPR</span></li></ul></li></ul>

<h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Spring enrolment application period begins </span><a href="https://www.sd23.bc.ca/school-enrollment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Monday, February 2, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. online</strong></b></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and runs until Friday, March 13th, 2026. </span></h4><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.sd23.bc.ca/documents/Registration-Ad-Spring-2026-2027-FI-Note.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><u><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-underline" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Click here for the Spring 2026 Registration Ad</strong></b></u></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> or click </span><a href="https://www.sd23.bc.ca/school-enrollment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><u><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-underline" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">here for the enrolment page</strong></b></u></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Summer enrolment period: Tues., Sept. 1, 2026 - Thurs., Sept. 3, 2026</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">French Immersion Kindergarten Info Session on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. </span><a href="https://sd23.zoom.us/j/64295820700?from=addon#success" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">on Zoom</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please </span><a href="https://secure.smore.com/n/xhpgt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">click here to read the latest District Newsletter</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> or scroll through below. (no download required)</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><div monaco-code-embed=""><iframe width="100%" height="600" src="https://secure.smore.com/n/xhpgt?embed=1" title="District Newsletter" scrolling="auto" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" style="min-width: 320px;border: none;"></iframe></div></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></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>