News

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Coralee Miller, a local Syilx member, docent at the Sncewips Museum, and artist contributed beautiful artwork to help convey the story of our school houses and their connection to the environment where we live, work, and play. As part of our school’s exploration of the term 'traditional' through multiple perspectives, Coralee’s artwork reflects the meaning behind our house colors: Red for Heart, Yellow for Sun, Blue for Water, and Green for Land.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">One of our primary school goals is wellness, and we continuously strive to foster identity, belonging, and community among our students. We believe that when students feel a strong sense of connection to each other and our staff, they are better able to find agency in their learning. This belief is reflected in our use of four multi-age house teams, a tradition we value. Our work is inspired by the research of Shane Safir "</span><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">student</em></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;up—with classrooms, schools, and systems built around students’ brilliance, cultural wealth, and intellectual potential"</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our new Osprey Crest, displayed alongside our original OTS crest, symbolizes the coming together of various traditional structures into one unified community under our school's new name, OTS Osprey. The Osprey Crest incorporates many elements of our school, including our four house teams, and also represents the Four Food Chiefs, whose story was shared by Coralee during an assembly. Coralee shared their significance in Syilx culture. The importance of the Four Food Chiefs is also detailed in the </span><a href="/documents/bcba2eb3-d2a8-442b-ad6e-0efaf648942c/Working%20Together%20for%20the%20Children%20of%20all%20Nations.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Central Okanagan Equity in Action for Truth and Reconciliation agreement.</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> This agreement is a key guiding document for informing educational practices. </span><a href="/documents/c0a091a8-8da5-41d7-a250-f3cd3028e3e9/Standard%209%20write%20up.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Standard 9</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, the </span><a href="/documents/8bcedc2f-a9be-4c86-a632-a09bd4c0c31c/Professional%20Standards%20for%20BC%20Educators.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Professional Standards for BC Educators</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> was introduced in August 2019, this standard requires educators to embed Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into our pedagogy. Our goal is to meet this standard, particularly through the lens of identity and belonging in fostering student agency.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/4243a4f6-e1dc-4017-b9c8-7d8bb8933971" alt="House Symbols with New Crest" width="inherit" height="inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">ONLINE APPLICATION for STUDENT ENROLLMENT begins on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 7:00 am for 2025 - 2026 School Year</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">(for kindergarten, new students, and Programs of Choice for K – 12). Please click </span><a href="/documents/5ad6711a-297f-4d3c-bbcc-2ebe3e2028b4/Registration%20Ad%20Spring%202025-2026.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Online Application</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to read more information. </span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="/documents/db12502c-ac60-4cb0-8138-d9075e175ad1/MoECC%20K-12%20Student%20Reporting%20Policy%20-%20Communicating%20Student%20Learning%20Guidelines.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">BC Ministry of Education &amp; Child Care released a new K-12 Student Reporting Policy to be fully implemented in 2023-24</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. This new Reporting Policy provides our district an opportunity to build off our collective learning on student reporting and to create more alignment and consistency across all our schools. In BC’s new Reporting Policy, Written Learning Updates (formerly called report cards) are Ministry-required learning updates that are provided to families throughout the school year as one way that teachers inform families around student learning progress. </span><a href="/documents/49ca476b-80e9-4ae9-b6d4-2c05c349cb44/K-9_%20A%20Guide%20to%20Your%20Child_s%20Written%20Learning%20Update%20OTS.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A Guide to Your Child's K-9 Written Learning Update.</span></a></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With great Osprey pride, the PAC presented our grade 5 students with their Osprey grad hoodies—a special gift made possible through their hard work and the generosity of local community supporters, Innotech Windows and Doors. The afternoon was filled with excitement and Oyama pride as each student received their hoodie, marking this milestone in style.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We also extend our deepest gratitude to our PAC for their incredible dedication and support. Your hard work and commitment to our students brought this memorable celebration to life, and we are so grateful for all you do for our school community!</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Partners for Inclusive Education (PIE)</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a welcoming online space committed to helping parents and guardians learn more about how students with neurodiversity, disability, support needs, and/or diverse abilities are supported in their neighborhood schools.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">PIE is a space where parents/guardians, staff, and the community come together as partners to champion inclusive education. We learn and support each other as we navigate the school years together. We connect virtually five times a year, offering workshops, speakers, and opportunities to connect with other parents/guardians.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The purpose of Partners for Inclusive Education can be found on the School District website under Parent Resources.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Zoom Link and Dates: </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">https://sd23.zoom.us/j/8569391842</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">November 19th @ 6:30pm</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">January 21st @ 6:30pm</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">February -TBD</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">April 15th @ 6:30pm</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">May 20th @ 6:30pm</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please note: There will be no PIE meetings in December or March.</span></p>