Jon Rever
Superintendent of Schools
January - A Focus on Health and Wellbeing
Colleagues,
As we begin the week of January 12, I want to acknowledge something many of us feel but don’t always say out loud: January can be a challenging month for mental health and overall well-being. The return to routines, short daylight hours, financial pressures after the holidays, and the intensity of winter can weigh on students and adults alike.
In Central Okanagan Public Schools, our work is grounded in the belief that learning and well-being are inseparable. When we strengthen connection, belonging, and hope, we create the conditions where students can thrive—and where staff can sustain the important work you do every day. Small actions matter: checking in with a colleague, noticing a student who seems withdrawn, taking a few minutes to reset between demanding moments, or simply asking, “How are you really doing?”
If you are feeling stretched, please know you are not alone, and support is available. Reaching out to a trusted colleague, a supervisor, a friend, your family, or professional supports is a sign of strength and leadership.
Thank you for the steady care you bring to our schools and workplaces. In a season that can feel heavy, your kindness and presence make a meaningful difference for the 25,600 students and families we serve. Let’s continue to look after one another because well-being is not an “extra”; it is the foundation of everything we do.
Have a great week.
Jon
For Your Action
Enrollment Application Dates for 2026/2027 School Year
At the December 10, 2025 Public Board Meeting, the Board of Education approved the initial enrollment application dates for the 2026/2027 school year as February 2, 2026 at 7:00 am through to March 13, 2026. The closing date of enrollment applications, to apply the Board’s enrollment priorities as established in Board Regulations 405R – Student Placement (Regulations) was set as August 27, 2026. Enrollment application information will be advertised and distributed through local newspapers, District and school websites, newsletters, and at school PAC meetings.
2026 Prime Minister's Awards - Nominate an Exceptional Educator - For All
Categories:
- Teaching Excellence
- Teaching Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
- Excellence in Early Childhood Education
Nomination Deadline: January 14, 2026
Visit: Prime Minister's Awards
January Review of School Needs-Based Assessments - For P/VP
The Inclusion & Equity Team will be meeting on January 15th to review updated documentation as per the School Needs-Based Assessment process.
Schools that have experienced significant shifts in individual and/or school-wide support needs since the October review are invited to submit updated documentation via email to Amanda Tapp by Tuesday, January 13th at 12noon.
Please include:
-Updated School Profile
-Updated Individual Support Needs Assessment Tools
- including students without designations presenting with complex support needs
-Updated Support schedules: IT/RT/LAT/Settlement Worker/SEL/ELL
-All Student Adjusted Schedules
The data will be reviewed by the Inclusion & Equity team and in consultation with Assistant Superintendents to identify potential adjustments to resource allocation.
For Your Information
FrancoFun Virtual Events for French Immersion and FRAL Educators
BC’s French Educator Networks have organized 6 free virtual events (en français) that are aimed at providing opportunities for administrators, educators, student teachers and support staff to come together as a larger community with the main objectives being. All levels of French are welcome!
A school may host one or all of the events and join us virtually as a team (or join from home).
Tues Jan 20 - 4:00pm-5:30pm - Virtual Paint Event
Thurs Feb 5 - 4:00pm-5:30pm - Virtual Magic Event
Tues Mar 10 - 4:00pm-5:30pm - Virtual Knitting for Beginners Event
Wed April 1 - 4:00pm-5:30pm - Virtual Cooking Event
Wed April 1 - 4:00pm-5:30pm - Virtual Paint Event
Thurs May 7- 4:00pm-5:30pm - Virtual Pilates Event
Participants are invited to RSVP using the attached link. A list of materials and the event Zoom links will be forwarded to the participants prior to the events.
https://www.bcsifrenched.ca/post/ensemble-en-ligne-des-%C3%A9v%C3%A8nements-franco-fun-virtuels-et-gratuits-pour-les-enseignants-de-la-c-b
Learning to be Anti-Racist - An Introductory Course - For All Staff
Looking for professional development?
Consider taking 'Learning to be Anti-Racist: An Introductory Course'.
This course was developed by the Ministry of Education and Child Care and is part of the K-12 Anti-Racism Action Plan. It is designed to support everyone working in BC's education system.
Click the 'link to the course' to begin your learning journey.
Deeper Learning Canada 2026 (DLC26) Learning Summit - For Directors of Instruction | P/VP | Teachers | COSBO - For Directors of Instruction | P/VP | Teachers
Be part of the inaugural Deeper Learning Canada 2026 (DLC26), a K-12 learning summit for educators, innovators, and change-makers to converge and imagine new possibilities for education. This is the gathering place for the curious, the interdisciplinary, and the courageous. Engage in powerful learning experiences designed to ignite creativity as you lead and design for deep learning.
We are excited to highlight innovative educators from BC and beyond to share the beautiful work they are creating in their unique contexts. We also welcome special guests to support our collective thinking: Ron Berger (a respected international keynote speaker who inspires a commitment to quality, character, and citizenship in students.) , Dr. Leyton Schnellert (Associate Professor in UBC’s Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy and Co-Director of the Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship., and The Melawmen Collective (a Contemporary Indigenous alternative music group from Ashcroft, BC.
https://imagine.sd33.bc.ca/deeperlearningcanada
Updated Protocol for Community Service Provider Collaboration - For P/VP
We’ve seen a wonderful increase in community service providers such as many new partners through Family Connection Centre (FCC), bringing additional resources to support families. This is great news and reflects the growing community support available.
The Collaboration Protocol for Community Service Providers has been revised to ensure clear and effective collaboration between school teams and community service providers.
This updated document outlines procedures for communication, consent requirements, and participation in school-based meetings.
Strategic Plan Regional Engagement Sessions
All meetings are 6:00 - 9:00 pm:
- COPAC Session - Thursday, January 15, 2026 at the Learning Centre
- Rutland Senior Secondary - Thursday, January 22, 2026
- Ecole George Elliot Secondary - Monday, January 26, 2026
- Mount Boucherie Secondary - Thursday, February 5, 2026
- Ecole Kelowna Secondary - Tuesday, February 10, 2026
- Ecole Okanagan Mission Secondary - Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Ministry of Education and Child Care Reminders
Upcoming Events
- January 14, 2026 - Policy Committee Meeting - 4:00 pm at Learning Centre
- January 21, 2026 - Finance and Planning Committee Meeting - 4:00 pm at Learning Centre
- January 27-30, 2026 - Primary Winter Gathering - Room 355 at Learning Centre
- January 28, 2026 - Public Board Meeting - 6:00 pm at Learning Centre
Important Dates in January
- January 25-February 1, 2026 - Family Literacy Week
Calendar Dates At A Glance for 2025/2026
DATE | EVENT |
|---|---|
January 25, 2026 to February 1, 2026 | Family Literacy Week |
February 2026 | Inclusive Education Month |
February 13, 2026 | Teacher Professional Day (Support Staff In-Service Day) |
February 16, 2026 | Family Day |
February 26, 2026 | Bullying Awareness/Pink Shirt Day |
March 16, 2026 to March 27, 2026 | Spring Vacation Period |
March 30, 2026 | Schools Reopen after Spring Vacation Period |
April 3, 2026 | Good Friday |
April 6, 2026 | Easter Monday |
April 19, 2026 to April 25, 2026 | National Volunteer Week |
April 28, 2026 | National Day of Mourning |
May 2026 | National Allergy Awareness Month |
May 4, 2026 to May 10, 2026 | Mental Health Week |
May 5, 2026 | National Day of Awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women |
May 18, 2026 | Victoria Day |
May 24, 2026 to May 30, 2026 | National AccessAbility Week |
June 2026 | Pride Month |
June 2026 | National Indigenous History Month |
June 21, 2026 | National Indigenous People's Day |
June 25, 2026 | Last day of school for students |
June 26, 2026 | Administrative Day |