Summer Edition

A MAGAZINE FOR THE FAMILIES OF NANAIMO LADYSMITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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Content

01Canada150

03New Canadians enrich the lives of many

07Newcomer Drop-in Program

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09Inclusion for All Learners

11Excitement Building for Inaugural Special Olympics BC

15Summer Activities & Hoorays

Magazine I Page 1Page 1 | Magazine

Canada 150To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, nearly 600 elementary students gathered together and formed a beautiful rendition of a human Canadian flag. Students were dressed in red and white t-shirts and were quickly assembled into the sections of the flag. The students were so patient and amazingly calm while district and city staff organized the students by school. The students represented schools from Ladysmith to North Nanaimo, 12 in total. What an experience for all! Happy birthday Canada!

Play Me

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New Canadians enrich the lives of many

We all know and have seen just how resilient children can be; even more apparent to those working in the education system. This becomes an entirely new meaning to witness not only new students, but new Canadian students on their very first day at the Welcome Centre at Fairview Community School.

Welcome Centre at Fairview

By Shauna Debodt

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If you didn’t know which students were in the Welcome Centre, you would have thought these students had been at the school all year. It was Fun Day, where students were moving through various stations including a crazy relay race, a three-legged race and a team hula hoop challenge.

A huge resource for the families and the centre was the addition of Moy Mahmoud, a native Arabic speaker and teacher within the school district, who translates for the students. In addition to teaching English and translating, Mahmoud has also begun teaching cultural sensitivity in the classrooms. Having a teacher who speaks Arabic allows for daily parent/teacher communication, which is a real advantage for the centre.

When new Canadian families arrive, they are welcomed at the centre; families attend an orientation; they have an opportunity to meet the teacher; and have a tour of the school and school grounds.

There are many volunteers and sponsorship groups who assist our new Canadians. Some assistance includes providing rides to appointments and meetings.

The Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society works closely with Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools to help families transition into their new lives and homes.

In addition to these resources, several teachers at the school have welcomed groups of students to join up with their class. Welcome Centre students are integrating with other mainstream classes through physical education and art.

Judging by my time at the Welcome Centre, you would think there were no difficulties facing the children. However, settling in to a school, home and ultimately new country takes time. Some students progress through the stages more readily than others.

As teacher Adam Lowry says, “A strong example of this is a boy at Fairview who takes every opportunity to get involved in sport and has made friends in his classroom. Making friends and taking part in extra-curricular activities are the two factors that have allowed him to succeed. His success is translating to the classroom.”

“Having new Canadians at Fairview Community School provides a rich and cultural experience for mainstream students as well as staff,” Principal Jane Kruks said.

Once students feel confident and ready, they transition into their catchment-area school bringing this cultural experience into another school. The resilience that students show reflects on how easily the children adapt to a new environment, yet again.

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“Having new Canadians at Fairview Community School provides a rich and cultural experience for mainstream students as well as staff. Principal Jane Kruks

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Newcomer Drop-in Program

Rutherford Elementary School is proud to offer the district’s first Newcomer Drop-in Program.

English Language Learner (ELL) Teacher Solveig Davie created the program to help connect families with available resources and other parents. Grandparents are also invited to attend.

Davie received the support from Principal Rob Hoban to run the program Friday mornings along with International Education Teacher, Erin Dovey. Parents come in for tea, coffee, muffins, conversation, fun activities and guests.

Davie has also been able to create some exciting and informative neighbourhood trips for the group which also includes elementary students and their younger siblings.

Principal Rob Hoban said, “At Rutherford we are pleased to be able to offer this unique drop-in program that offers networking and community connection opportunities for our International families and their children.”

By Shauna Debodt

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Program goals include:• Language acquisition• Bringing ELL parents in the school to foster the

home to school connection• Creating friendships with other ELL families• Making community connections

Some of the days are low-key and others feature special guests such as: Aboriginal Education Assistant Deb Logan, who led a Dream Catcher activity; Gord Nowicki, the school’s RCMP Liaison Officer; Trustee Tania Brzovic; and a representative from Community Kitchens to promote free Canadian Cuisine cooking lessons.

A recent trip to the public library was a planned neighbourhood trip where the group learned about the excellent resources for ELL and many of the students received a library card and borrowed books. During the trip, families also discovered that the library offers free English Language conversation classes for adults.

Another trip included a tour of the local Fire Hall-learning about procedures when there’s an emergency call. They learned about some of the equipment, witnessed the 100 foot bucket extended and even had a look inside one of the fire trucks. The firemen even took time to suit up a student – boots, jacket, hardhat and breathing apparatus. Captain Hyne was impressed and said that most children would fall over because of the heavy weight of the equipment.

Upcoming outdoor trips include a beach walk and a tour of Oliver Woods Community Centre.

“It has been such a pleasure to bring our Newcomer families together!” said Davie. Davie is hoping to expand the program to neighbouring McGirr Elementary and eventually other elementary schools. Judging by the attendance rates and the smiles on the faces during these events, the program has been a huge success!

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In its fast-forward thinking and continuous efforts to foster safe, caring and inclusive environments for all learners, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (NLPS), in September 2015, hired two social justice advocates, Robyn Kemp and Carlo Pavan, working one day per week to continue collaborating with District committees on the creation of an Inclusion Policy. The policy marked a milestone as it was the only policy like it in the province. The Board of Education and senior staff believe that all learning environments should reflect diversity, inclusivity and equity. The policy commits the Board to the creation of inclusive environments for all who learn and work in NLPS.

The policy sets the stage for direction, provides guidelines for action, and provides the ability for staff to offer programs in schools to meet the needs of all learners. It has also become an important focus for professional development and staff in-service days.

Assistant Superintendent Bob Esliger said, “The policy is based on the principals of respect, acceptance, safety and equity. It is in the recognition and honouring of diversity and valuing the contributions of all members of our school communities that creates the feeling of being welcome at all sites in the district.“

NLPS schools and workplaces are diverse communities. Inclusive and respectful processes and procedures must be in place taking into consideration visible and invisible diversities including, but not limited to: race, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, religion, culture and socio-economic status.

In support of the Inclusion Policy, administrative procedures were created and updated to provide direction to staff in adhering to the values and intent of the policy.

Inclusion for All Learners

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The following are some of the key administrative procedures that support the District’s Inclusion Policy: • AP 347 – Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity re-establishes

the Board’s commitment to creating respectful, accepting, safe and supportive environments regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

• AP 350 – Honouring Diversity and Challenging Racism establishes guidelines to ensure all programs, activities and interactions are free from discrimination based on race or culture.

• AP 312 – Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying and Discrimination creates a school culture where students can learn and teachers can teach in a safe environment.

• AP 344 – Code of Conduct supports the District’s expectations regarding appropriate conduct for students in the continuing effort to create safe, caring and inclusive learning environments both at school and at school-related functions outside school hours.

In September 2016, the District Social Justice District Team was expanded to include the hiring of a Social Justice Education Assistant. Natalie Pryce holds this full time position dedicating her time to school-based social justice clubs, providing workshops to staff on a variety of topics, and provides leadership to school staff in implementing programs and services. Another piece of Pryce’s position is to use Professional Learning Community (PLC) time to educate staff on inclusion, social justice, LGBQT+ issues, and how to provide support to new Canadians in our schools and communities.

Social justice clubs were created at Park Avenue Elementary, Fairview Elementary, John Barsby Secondary and NDSS this school year. The clubs ranged in size from 10 to 20 students and were comprised of senior students at both the elementary and the secondary level. The clubs promote student leadership in social justice in their school and school community. The goal of the elementary clubs is to inform and inspire students so when they transition to secondary school they will be better able to continue to engage in social justice advocacy.

“Already elementary students are looking at themselves as part of the larger school community; and not separate from it,” said Pryce.The clubs offer students an opportunity to have open conversations; ask difficult questions; seek out useful resources; understand their rights; and get involved to create a space for social change and awareness.

NLPS will continue its quest to foster school cultures that are responsive to the diverse needs of individuals and groups as it advocates for social justice and promotes human rights.

In all the district’s practices and responses, we strive to be:

Educative - Preventative - Restorative

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools won all four games to clinch 1st place at the first-ever Special Olympics BC Basketball Championship! The boys were exhausted, but worked hard and played as a team.

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Excitement building for inaugural Special Olympics British Columbia

school basketball tournamentBy Megan Pollock (Grittani-Livingston)

Special Olympics British Columbia

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Watch out – Vancouver Island student basketball players in the Comox Valley and Nanaimo have been training hard and

are ready to crash the hoops in the first-ever Special Olympics BC School Sport Championships competition!

The inaugural Special Olympics British Columbia (SOBC) Vancouver Island 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament was be held on May 26 at Courtenay’s Georges P. Vanier Secondary, with four teams from Comox and one team from Nanaimo set to take the court.

The participating students have been training in their schools since January, learning the sport skills and drills and creating game strategy.

In Nanaimo, students Charlie and Sash along with Amy Nowicki, NLPS Special Needs Community Youth Worker, kindly took the time to share a report on their team with Special Olympics BC via email. Nowicki said the Nanaimo team has four members from Grades 10, 11, and 12, and the players “have enjoyed going out and practicing together.”

Sash said their team’s practices have been “interesting [with] lots of laughs and fun,” while Charlie added that they are “tiring” – makes us think they must be working hard!They reported that team members have improved their basketball skills such as dribbling and layups, and they’ve learned about rules such as the over-and-back call.

Charlie noted that basketball “is fun and you get to be with friends.” They used the words “nervous” and “excited” to describe their feelings in anticipation of the May 26 tournament!

“Thanks for having the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. I cannot wait for May 26,” Sash said. Nowicki added that other students in the Skills for Life class have been showing interest and would like to play next year.“Our team is excited to travel to a tournament and compete with other school districts. This provides the players with an opportunity to compete for their school,” Nowicki said.

Comox Valley School District staff have been incredibly supportive of the tournament and are being great hosts.

We are thrilled that GP Vanier Secondary’s Athletic Director enlisted the school’s basketball team players to referee all the tournament games, and the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent attended the event to cheer on the teams.

Special Olympics BC provided the participating schools with the technical package and weekly program content along with warmup and cooldown plans for the teachers and support workers.

Schools were encouraged to invite basketball student-athletes to come out and help train the students from the special needs classes.

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SOBC is actively seeking to empower more children and youth with intellectual disabilities by connecting them with the joy of sport and the benefits of physical fitness through introductions to Special Olympics earlier in life.

We have been finding that many young people have been joining Special Olympics after graduating from high school, thereby coming to us with limited physical literacy. Realizing that, SOBC is now looking to work with school districts to help educate teachers, support staff, families, and the students themselves as to what we have to offer.

In order to ensure that students with intellectual disabilities are aware of all the sporting opportunities available to them through Special Olympics in their local community, we host “try-it days” and the new in-school sport programs and competitions.

The plan is for the Island event to become annual and grow to include other sports! SOBC also hopes the concept will expand across B.C. to benefit more youth with intellectual disabilities and help educators seeking to provide physical fitness in an adaptive environment sensitive to those with special needs.

Any schools who would like to get involved are invited to contact Leslie Thornley, SOBC Manager, Sport, Coaching & Youth Development, by email or by phone at 250-317-1272 / 1-888-854-2276 toll-free. SOBC would be excited to work with school staff to make it happen!

Sincere thanks to Goldcorp, the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, Tim Hortons, the Samuel Family Foundation, The Slaight Family Foundation, the GoodLife Kids Foundation, and The Hamber Foundation for supporting SOBC’s youth programs and opportunities throughout B.C.

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More stories about kids thriving with SOBC www.specialolympics.bc.ca/youth-programs

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Summer ActivitiesCOMMUNIT Y SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS

South Zone 2 Community Schools Presents: 2017 Summer ProgramsFor more information or to register your child, contact Community Schools Coordinator Karen at 250-722-2414 ext 249. Register by June 15.

Selena’s Summer FUN Pre-school camp (Ages 3-5yrs)July 3-Aug 3/17: 9 am-12 noon: Monday-ThursdaysPick a week or all month$48

Kids in the Kitchen (Ages 9-12yrs) Cedar Community Secondary School (Foods Room)July 4-6: 10am-12:30pm $20: limited space

Esteem CHICS-CHICs (Choosing Health and Integrating Changes) These camps are fun and practical day camps for girls’ proven to promote health, body confidence, and leadership skills. Each day may include time at the park, physical activity, arts and crafts, cooking with an educational component with group discussions and/or a group art project.

Cedar Community Secondary SchoolJuly 10 – 11 (Ages: 5-7*)July 12 – 13 (Ages: 8-11) Facilitator: Angela Slade, MA, RCC.9am-3pm $30 lunch is included (1st day kids cook)*5 year olds must have completed Kindergarten

Beach VolleyballCedar Secondary School’s new volleyball courts! This camp is for those youths who are just learning or for those who want to brush up on their skills. Either way this camp will give athletes the jump-start they need to become a great volleyball player both on the court and in the sand. July 17-20: 10am-12:30pm (Grades 5 to 8) $25

Pottery and Paint Cedar High School (Art Room) Discover the magic of creating with clay in this introduction to pottery course. Kids will learn different ceramic and painting techniques in class while making fun and functional hand-sculpted objects.July 17: 9:30am – 12:30pm and/or 1-4pm July 18: 9am–12noon$20 per class or all 3 for $45

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North Zone Community SchoolsThis summer the North Zone Community Schools are offering a variety of programs including:

• 3 weeks of ESL• Art classes• Babysitting courses• Programs exploring Nanaimo’s

wonderful outdoors

For more information, contact Susan M’Gonigle at 250 816-5201

CIT Y OF NANAIMO

The City of Nanaimo’s Parks & Recreation Summer Adventures begin soon. There are a wide variety of action-packaged adventures, camps, programs, activities and events to help keep your family active. To find out more information call 250 756-5200 or visit www.ireg.nanaimo.ca

Summertime fun with the City • Summer Playground Program• Family Fun Nights• Find the Golden Bucket• Family Fishing Day• Guarded Beach at Westwood from

June 25 to September 4• Canada 150 Celebrations• Concerts in the Park

Here’s a detailed list of full and partial day summer camps, programs and activities

Concerts in the Park

Canada Day Celebration & FireworksSaturday, July 1

TOWN OF LADYSMITH

Ladysmith Parks, Recreation and Culture offer a variety of programs and services to keep children, teens and families active throughout the summer. For more information please call 250.245.6424, visit www.ladysmith.ca or connect through social media sites: Facebook; Twitter; Instagram

Aquatic Programs• Red Cross swimming lessons with

levels from 1 through 10• Private lessons

Junior Lifeguard Camp

Bronze Medallion/Cross

Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Course

Emergency First Aid & CPR C

Standard First Aid & CPR C

High Five – Principles of Healthy Child Development

Adventure Zone Summer Daycamp (6-12yrs)July 3 - August 25; Mon-Fri 9am - 3pm

World Cup Soccer Camps (4 - 14yrs)

Summer Art Camp (5 -13yrs)

Stop Motion Animation Workshop (8-13yrs)

Junior Musical Theatre Camp (7-10yrs)

Advanced Musical Theatre Adventure (11-14yrs)

Youth Ladysmith Thursdays at Transfer Beach 5-7pm www.facebook.com/youthladysmithyouth@ladysmith.ca

Longest Day of Play Block PartySpirit Square, Market Lane and LRCA; June 21 from 5-7pm

End of School Pool PartyFrank Jamieson Community Centre: June 23 from 6:30-8pm

Canada Day at Transfer BeachJuly 1 from 1-5pm

ParticipACTION 150 Playlist WednesdaysJuly 5 – Aug 23, Wednesdayswww.participaction.com

Pop-Up Pool PartiesFrank Jamieson Community Centre: July 6 - Aug 10; Thursdays from 6:30-8pm

Ladysmith DaysAugust 5 & 6

Shut Down Pool PartyFrank Jamieson Community Centre: August 11 from 6:30-8pm

Light up the Night LadysmithSaturday, August 26 from 6:30-10:30pm

Arts on the Avenue – Art Show & SaleSunday, August 27: 10am-4pm

NANAIMO CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

Summer at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music consists of day camps for children aged 5-16 yrs:

• Swamped! The Musical• Summer Camp – The Musical• Teens’ Musical Theatre Workshop• Music Therapy Summer Camp

CRIMSON COAST DANCE SOCIET Y PRESENTS

19th Annual InFrinGinG Dance FestivalJuly 6 to 9

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Shout Outs!

A huge shout out to Katie Bernaquez at Departure Bay Elementary Eco-School who moved into a classroom after the start of the school year. She has been able to bring the group together; she is constantly setting learning goals for herself. Most recently she sponsored a group of her students over her lunches to create a school newspaper. She is also keen to learn about eco-therapy as a way to assist students with self-regulation and ease anxiety. She is currently working on her own mini-inquiry project. She is an amazing teacher!

Kudos to Elizabeth Lorenz for her work on École Quarterway’s concert Canada: Proud, Strong and Free. It truly addressed the best, and the worst of Canada’s history and played a respectful tribute to our indigenous people. Great job!

68 Hoorays! to Chris Creighton at Departure Bay Elementary Eco-School for her work in the area of educating her students about reconciliation and her overall understanding, leadership and compassion that she demonstrates in this area. Her class has created a display for Orange Shirt Day and the Heart Garden as well a reflection about their Métis Day experience. Her class made Aboriginal memory bags as part of their “Shi-shi-etko” book study.

Thanks go out to the principals and secretaries of both Cedar schools for the amazing jobs the four have done this year. There were many changes and challenges with the reopening and doubling in size.

A huge shout out to Sophie Francescutti and Deanne Delage for the amazing musical and staging of the Beatles Journey performance at the Port Theatre recently. Also, kudos to Pleasant Valley students who performed it – amazing!

68 Hoorays

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Congratulations Adin Brenner from NDSS, who recently won Gold, Silver and Bronze at the 2017 TG Canada Cup in Calgary in May. Check it out below!

A big shout out goes to Bianca Parcher, Kiana Jepson and Kayley Morch. The NDSS students won gold medals in the swimming competition recently. Way to go ladies!

Congratulations to NDSS student Erin Burnley who recently won the provincial gold medal at Concours D’art Oratoire at the competition at SFU. She was one of 19 Grade 10s competing from across the province. Her speech was on feminism and equal rights.

The Elder Project comes full circle. The Elder Project visited Nanaimo District Secondary School in February. Thisproject created a rare but invaluable opportunity for Aboriginal youth to spend quality time with local Aboriginal Elders. Check it out! “Every Word Has a Spirit”

A SHOUT OUT goes to the Dover Bay Learning 8 team who presented to a sold out crowd at the recent. Grade 8 Teacher Team of Lynn Brown, Tanya Lebans, Michelle James and Carson Williams presented on Connecting Learning Using an Inter-Disciplinary Aboriginal Understandings. The Inquiry Focus was “How does where one lives affect how one lives?” Their innovative work is being shared and celebrated in schools around the globe.

(from left to right) Carson Williams, Brett Hancock, Michelle James, Lynn Brown, Clarice Tyce, Tanya Lebans, Ray Andrews, Hannah Bolton, and Burton Wei.

Kudos to École North Oyster student Carter Puska. He set out two years ago to grow his hair out so he could raise money and donate his hair to Wigs for Kids BC (W4K BC). Since April 1, he has raised more than $3,000 for this amazing cause and plans to donate 14 inches of his golden locks. Check it out!

SD68 employee gets recognition for a job well above the call of duty. Recently, the trim crew was at Park Avenue and just shortly after dismissal a mother of 4 young children accidently dropped her keys in a drain, falling some 6 feet below a heavy cover. Steve Bagocsi jumped to help. He was able to get a tool to lift the cover and was able to get the keys out. The young children were amazed at the work Steve had done as he “saved the day.” Thank you Steve for saving the day and thank you for all that you do for us at Park Avenue!

68 Hoorays to Deb Marshall, who was recently recognized with the Paul Harris Award for her contributions to the community. The Rotary North Club in Nanaimo donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation, in her name. The club occasionally donates $1,000 for a Paul Harris Fellowship to recognize individuals in our community for a job well done.

A MAGAZINE FOR THE FAMILIES OF NANAIMO LADYSMITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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