Together We Learn

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students from École George Elliot Secondary (GESS) will join thousands of youth around the world to call for urgent climate action through the Global Child Climate Manifesto, an international youth declaration presented at the </span><a href="https://cgeducation.org/#cop30-2025" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">COP30 UN Climate Conference</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> in Belém, Brazil.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/35572c17-b395-4e5b-88e3-89485f4915d7" alt="Carter Mochinski and Liberty Sanderson" width="230" height="306" style="width:230px;height:306px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Liberty Sanderson (Grade 11) and Carter Mochinski (Grade 12) will join the initiative as part of #Decarbonize, the world’s largest school-based climate education program, coordinated by the Centre for Global Education (CGE). The project brings together classrooms from more than 80 countries to explore climate science, share cultural perspectives, and co-author global solutions for a sustainable future.</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"By sharing their learning on the world stage, Liberty and Carter are showing the power of developing student agency," said Jon Rever, Superintendent of Schools. "Like so many of their peers, these students follow their curiosity, share their enthusiasm, and empower each other to make change in the world."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By engaging in the #Decarbonize (</span><a href="https://decarbonize.me/" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">decarbonize.me</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">) program, students develop a deep understanding of how local action connects to global systems, from reducing emissions and protecting local biodiversity to ensuring climate justice for all.</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“I want to protect and preserve the land for future generations. I can’t stand by and let our earth be destroyed, and that is why I will stand up for it," said Carter Mochinski, Grade 12. ""I have big ideas and want to see change now. My perspective deserves to be heard on the world stage."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">About Decarbonize and the Centre for Global Education:</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">#Decarbonize is coordinated by the Centre for Global Education (CGE), a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to transformative global learning. The initiative empowers young people worldwide to engage in research, dialogue, and advocacy around the climate crisis.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Congratulations to the new Board Chair, Trustee Valene Johnson, elected at the Board of Education Annual General Meeting on Oct. 29, 2025.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/36355161-d5a4-5bfa-a517-9709f706f068" alt="" width="211" height="273" style="width:211px;height:273px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Other elections and appointments determined at the AGM were as follows:</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Board Vice-Chair: </span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Trustee Chantelle Desrosiers</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Board Standing Committee Chairs:</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Education and Students Services: Trustee Lisa Guderyan</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Finance and Planning: Trustee Julia Fraser</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Policy: Trustee Wayne Broughton</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Executive Staff Management: Trustee Lee-Ann Tiede</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Note: The Board Chair is an ex-officio member of all Board Committees.</em></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Trustee Representatives to the Indigenous Education Council:</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Trustees Fraser, Guderyan, and Desrosiers (alternate)</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Trustee Appointments to Provincial Representative Assemblies:</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">BC Public Sector Employees Association (BCPSEA): Trustees Fraser and Desrosiers (alternate)</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA): Trustees Broughton and Tiede (alternate)</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/3616b401-83a4-4a29-b466-3865ecca4f74" alt="Trustee Graphic Oct 25" width="668" height="501" style="width:668px;height:501px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="https://secure.smore.com/n/5fbdj" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Click here to read the latest District Newsletter</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> or scroll below. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><div monaco-code-embed=""><iframe width="100%" height="600" src="https://secure.smore.com/n/5fbdj?embed=1" title="District Newsletter" scrolling="auto" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" style="min-width: 320px;border: none;"></iframe></div></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Central Okanagan Public Schools is looking for families who have an extra room in their home and some extra room in their hearts for sharing Canadian culture with international students. The District's International Education program carefully matches students with families that can provide a welcoming home and will enjoy the mutual enrichment that comes from hosting students.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://international.sd23.bc.ca/homestay-requirements?hash=inL2hvbWVzdGF5LXJlcXVpcmVtZW50cw==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn more and start your application here.</strong></b></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Our homestay program is internationally recognized because we run it ourselves, so we offer great support for both the students and the families who choose to open their home," says Raquel Steen, Assistant Superintendent. "We have a lot of students who are eager to learn about Canadian culture and live the Okanagan lifestyle, but we always need more families who would like to enjoy the many benefits of the cultural exchange."</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span><img src="/images/df1a0c64-f774-496b-8ed3-9d4f7af85f24" alt="Close up of family smiling with their international student" width="356.65625" height="445.56616641630075" style="width:356.65625px;height:445.56616641630075px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">While the monthly compensation of $1,100 tends to help host families both with living costs and subsidizing family activities, those who have been hosting for many years say the real rewards are the experiences students share with their families and making lifelong connections around the world.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span><img src="/images/15615b1b-02cd-489e-9c8b-14479d027f5a" alt="Family from behind at Disneyland wearing Mickey Mouse t-shirts" width="353.65625" height="469.5701906435065" style="width:353.65625px;height:469.5701906435065px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"In the beginning it was just rewarding having different culture in the house and sharing the culture of the Canadian family," says homestay dad Trevor Besse. "After 20 years of hosting, we've seen the students inspire our own kids to be more confident and outgoing, and we've made so many friends around the world with the students' families."</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span><img src="/images/cecbf544-af3c-4c53-bf36-b8055ac56ffe" alt="Host family and children on the right with the student's family from Germany on the left" width="367.65625" height="330.19308190652475" style="width:367.65625px;height:330.19308190652475px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Our biggest recommendation is just to try it out," Besse continued. "There are short-term placements that allow you to see if it's for you and you can still make great connections in that short time."</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The District is accepting applications to host students in September for either short or long-term stays. They are currently looking for just a few more homes in the Mission and Central Kelowna area, but welcome families from all areas of the Central Okanagan to apply. Those interested can </span><a href="https://international.sd23.bc.ca/homestay/hostfamilyapplication/Pages/default.aspx#/=" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">apply online</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. If you have any questions please email </span><a href="mailto:homestay@sd23.bc.ca" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">homestay@sd23.bc.ca</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> or call (250) 470-3258.</span></p>