Superintendent Welcome Back Newsletter

Featured Topics

Welcome to the Spring edition of the Superintendent Newsletter!

Welcome back message from the Superintendent
Parent/Caregiver Series
Pre-K Play
Family Math Fair at BVE
Strategic Plan Update
Community Photo Walk

Superintendent’s Message to Families – April 2025

Dear Families,

Welcome back! I hope Spring Break gave you and your family a chance to relax, recharge, and enjoy the longer days of spring. As we return to school, we step into the final three months of the year— months that will be full of rich learning, meaningful connections, and opportunities to engage with the land around us.

We are fortunate to live and learn in the natural beauty of Revelstoke, where the mountains, forests, and the mighty Swift River are not just part of the landscape—they are integral to our way of life and learning environment. These rich and dynamic places invite curiosity, reflection, and connection. As spring unfolds, many classes may draw inspiration from the land, using these surroundings to explore, inquire, and deepen their sense of place and belonging. This ongoing relationship with the land helps nurture respect, stewardship, and a deeper appreciation for the place we call home.

April is shaping up to be a busy and exciting month across the district:

In our elementary schools, Student-Led Conferences will take place on April 16 and 17. These conferences provide students with the opportunity to take ownership of their learning, reflect on their progress, and share their goals with families. We encourage all families to attend and celebrate the growth of our learners.

Other highlights this month include Book Fairs, the BVE Math Fair, class photo days, Battle of the Books, and visits to kindergarten classrooms — each one helping to create vibrant and connected school communities.

At Revelstoke Secondary School, we look forward to the Grade 12 Capstone Presentations on April 15. As part of the BC Graduation Program, the Capstone Project is a meaningful opportunity for students to reflect on their interests, strengths, and passions as they prepare to transition beyond high school. We are also excited about the Earth Day Fair on April 16, hosted by the RSS Sustainability Club, and the Grade 9–12 Band Trip to Edmonton.

As we return, I would also like to remind families about the new Personal Digital Device Policy, which takes effect March 31. We recognize the important role that technology plays in education, providing access to valuable learning tools and resources. However, we must also acknowledge the growing body of research that highlights the negative impacts of excessive screen time on children’s cognitive development, mental health, and social well-being.

In response, the Revelstoke Board of Education has introduced this policy to ensure our schools remain spaces for focused learning, meaningful connections, and personal growth. Updates will be made to each school’s Code of Conduct to reflect this new policy. We appreciate your support as we work together to create healthy and engaging learning environments for all students.

Thank you for your ongoing involvement and partnership. Let’s make the most of this spring season—full of curiosity, creativity, and connection.

Best regards,

Roberta

Parent/Caregiver Series – April 8th

Reclaiming Play: Revitalizing Childhood to Combat Anxiety and Aggression with Hannah Beach

When: April 8th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Geared to: Parents/caregivers of children pre-K to age 12

Children are becoming more anxious and aggressive. The common thread? A stark decline in free play.

After this session, you may never see play the same way again. Our current culture has replaced play with entertainment and structured activities. We are now seeing the emotional side effects of the loss of play in the lives of children as aggression and anxiety in young people is at an all-time high.

The research is clear: children learn and develop best through play. And yet, children are playing less than every. In fact, this is the first generation of children that does not have a play-based childhood. The side effects? Children and youth are struggling. It has become harder than ever to lead and care for kids. This conversation has never been more important as we look at how we can support children’s emotional health and learning. We’ll unpack the science behind play and how it lowers anxiety and aggression, builds resilience, and fosters social and emotional health.

Little changes can have big effects. Join Hannah for a powerful workshop that will help you discover practical ways to transform your family culture and support your children in becoming their best selves.

Join us on April 8th in the RSS library or virtually on zoom using the link below:

https://sd19.zoom.us/s/68288167992

Or join meeting with the following methods

Join by Telephone
+1 778 907 2071
Meeting ID: 682 8816 7992
Passcode: 506788

Hannah Beach is an award-winning educator, author, emotional health consultant, and keynote speaker. She is the co-author of the best-selling book Reclaiming Our Students: Why Children Are More Anxious, Aggressive, and Shut-Down than Ever—and What We Can Do About It, with Tamara Neufeld Strijack, a trauma-informed resource for teachers and parents rooted in the relationship-based approach, now being translated into multiple languages internationally (including French, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Ukrainian and Korean) and has been adopted by school boards across Canada. She was recognized by the Canadian Human Rights Commission in 2017 as one of five featured changemakers in Canada.

Pre-K Play!

Family Math Fair

Strategic Plan Update

Strategic Learning Pathways and Initiatives Update

Universal Design for Inclusion Pathway and Personalized Learning Pathway
- Street Data Inquiry – Phase 2:
  - Mary Catherine LaForest (RSS) and Sarah Vincent (RSS) are conducting an inquiry focused on the question: How do we create classroom communities where students who elope (voluntarily or involuntarily) feel a sense of belonging socially, culturally, and intellectually?
Indigenous-Informed Pedagogy Pathway
- Early Learning Project – Numeracy Circles:
  - Meaghan Doebert (BVE) is leading a project that embeds Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being into Early Learning through Numeracy Circles.
Student-Centered Assessment Pathway
- School-Wide Write Review:
  - Tracy Tompkins (CPE) is reviewing a School-Wide Write document to enhance alignment with student-centered assessment practices.
- Survey Evidence Analysis:
  - Ainslee Atamanuk (RSS) and Alison Hall (AHE) are reviewing data from FSA, Graduation Assessments, MDI, YDI, and the Student Learning Survey. Their work focuses on aligning survey evidence with the Core Competencies to gather meaningful insights into students’ understanding and development of these competencies. This analysis will inform teaching practices and resource allocation.

Ono-Cho, Japan Student and Chaperone visit to Revelstoke – A Heartwarming Exchange Experience

I am thrilled to share the recent visit from our sister city, Ono-Cho, Japan, as part of our ongoing cultural exchange that has flourished for over 20 years. From January 31st to February 4th, a group of 12 secondary students, along with 4 dedicated chaperones, enjoyed an unforgettable visit to Revelstoke, deepening the ties between our two communities.

The students were warmly welcomed by host students, experiencing life in Revelstoke and participating in various activities that highlighted the best of our town. Highlights of their visit included:

Day 1: The group arrived at Revelstoke Secondary School (RSS), where they were introduced to the school with a special Welcome Ceremony, followed by a tour of the school and student integration to classes. The day continued for the chaperones with a visit to City Hall, a community tour, and a delicious lunch hosted by Mayor Gary Sulz. Later in the day students enjoyed time getting to know their host families and chaperones were treated to a welcome dinner.
Day 2: The delegates group embarked on a snowshoeing tour and attended a thrilling Grizzlies hockey game in the evening. Dinner that evening was hosted by Roberta Kubik, Superintendent of School District #19. Students engaged in activities with their host families.
Day 3: The delegates took a scenic gondola ride at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. The afternoon included curling, a favorite Canadian pastime. A lovely dinner hosted by Alan and Linda Chell rounded off the evening. Students engaged in activities with their host families.
Day 4: The chaperones toured RSS, BVE and the Early Years Center. Students participated in a full day of school integration, attending classes, preparing for the Cultural Fair, and engaging in various activities. The Cultural Fair was an inspiring event where students showcased their heritage, followed by a Farewell Gathering presentation by the Ono-Cho students in the evening to honor the host families and the Revelstoke School District.

Throughout their visit, the students were immersed in our community’s culture, making lasting memories and friendships. The farewell gathering was a beautiful conclusion to the exchange, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this long-standing exchange program.

As always, our partnership with Ono-Cho is a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the importance of fostering global connections. We are deeply grateful to the host families, school staff, and the Revelstoke community for making this visit a truly special experience.

Thank you all for your ongoing support and for being part of this incredible journey.

During the Education Committee Meeting Students Explored the Pathways

Education Committee Student members and adult members participated in a dotmocracy activity to identify the pathways that they experience in their daily classes. They also identified which pathways they would like to experience more of throughout grade 8 to 12.