Installation of a "small, discreet, non-profit donor plaque" at 脡cole George Elliot Secondary in Lake Country raised questions among Central Okanagan trustees about the appropriateness of recognizing donations to local schools.

The plaque request was made by the Lake Country Rotary Club as part of the condition for the $10,000 donation to the Library Learning Commons (LLC) at the high school.

The LLC had received no significant upgrades to furniture, technology or layout since the school renovation in 1997, as original millwork needed updating, original furniture needed replacement and aspects of the 1997 original purpose/use had shifted. 

Kevin Kaardal, Central Okanagan Public Schools superintendent/CEO, said the request for the 8"X12" plaque fell within the school district policy regarding non-profit donations to school facilities but suggested trustees might want to consider placing a timeline on how long such plaque recognition can be displayed. 

"This request falls within the guidelines of our existing policy...but it is a valid question for the board to possibly examine regarding setting a timeline in the policy so everyone knows up front what is permitted," Kaardal said. 

Kaardal cited past debate by previous school boards who did not want local schools to be turned into advertising billboards for corporations, the consensus being schools were not an appropriate place for corporate advertising displays. 

Trustee Wayne Broughton said he was disturbed to learn the plaque recognition was an expectation for receiving the donation. 

"My concern would be if we say no to the plaque, does that mean we don't get the donation? That just feels wrong," Broughton said.

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The Central Okanagan Board of Education heard a presentation from two 脡cole Hudson Road Elementary primary teachers called 'The Courage to be Curious' discussing how to incorporate numeracy learning into the everyday classroom experiences for students. 

Bonnie Jennings and Chantal Sibbald talked about how their students are being introduced into numeracy concepts by following their own curiosities, the idea being to give meaning to mathematics to students in their daily lives to elevate their interest in the subject that many students tend to find boring and unnecessary as they proceed from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

"In learning math, you need to be fearless. It is important for students to learn math in a safe environment where they are not afraid to make a mistake," Jennings said, in describing the learning atmosphere created both by the teachers and the students.  

"We all live in a mathematical world and we are all mathematicians."

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Four new administrative staff members were introduced to school trustees: Allison Goreas, director of instruction - inclusive education; Quincy Kelly, district principal - inclusive education; Lisa Wilson, principal - Peachland Elementary; and Christey Hughes, principal - 脡cole Hudson Road Elementary. 

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The board of education has recognized April 27 to May 9 as National Volunteer Week, May 5 to 9 as Teachers Teaching On Call Appreciation Week and May 5 as National Day of Awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. 

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The 琉璃神社 Art Gallery is currently hosting an exhibit called Art in Action: Interwoven until June 15. 

Young artists in Grades 9-12 from Central Okanagan public schools have the opportunity to display their artworks in this 39th edition of the student art show. 

This year's exhibit invited students to explore and celebrate the power of togetherness through artistic expression, reflecting the interconnectedness of humanity, and showing how our differences, cultures and stories weave together to form a rich tapestry of collective identity and reflect inclusive communities.

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The third annual Mount Boucherie Secondary Walk For Mental Health will be held on May 8. 

The walk is a fundraiser for Foundry 琉璃神社 and youth mental health support initiatives. 

Participants can complete a five-kilometre walk around West 琉璃神社 and take part in other activities at the school including games, food trucks, inflatables, Foundry Bus tours and other community vendors. 

The community is encouraged to attend the event.