How do we, as educational staff, become an ally for our students with disabilities? The answer is simple. We first need to listen to what they have to say. Listening, however, is only part of the allyship process. As important is the process of talking about one’s own disability, which is not an easy feat. To speak openly about a disability takes courage and fortitude.

As a follow-up to the Teaching Tenaciously webinar series, Open School BC has created a set of K-12 resources for educators on topics such as trauma-sensitive classroom strategies, student-centred assessment and building compassionate communities. Resources include videos with reflection prompts and activities.

Services are being improved for children and youth with support needs. In spring 2025, new family connections hubs across the province will offer accessible and inclusive services that are:

Available to all families, no matter where they live
Available from birth to age 19
Gender inclusive, culturally safe and free of stigma

Families will be able to easily and quickly access information or services based on individual needs. A referral or diagnosis will no longer be needed.

Confident Parents: Thriving Kids - Anxiety helps BC families overcome anxiety challenges in children 3-12. Web and phone-based coaching helps parents and caregivers learn effective skills and strategies for managing anxiety. By referral from physicians, teachers, school counsellors, clinicians and early childhood educators.

For more information visit https://welcome.cmhacptk.ca/

Project Adventure 2020 was a blast, with students from around the district coming together to participate in a unique dogsledding activity in Salmo. A huge thank you goes to Alexis Folk, a grade 7 student from Adam Robertson Elementary School, for her fundraising efforts.

Ian is an outstanding athlete from LVR who has brought home 4 medals from the Special Olympics Canada, Speedskating competition in March that took place in Thunder Bay Ontario. Ian was part of Team B.C. and skated with outstanding performance.

The purpose of the Family Support Institute of BC is to strengthen, connect and build communities and resources with families of people with disabilities in BC.  We believe that families are the best resource available to support one another. Directed by families, the Family Support Institute provides information, training, and province-wide networking to assist families and their communities to build upon and share their strengths.  For more information visit the following link:

If you are interested in learning more about the the BC Deaf & Hard of Hearing Outreach Program see the newsletter.

On a snowy Tuesday, three SD8 students participated in a truly Canadian winter activity; dog sledding. After arriving at Spirit of the North Kennels in Salmo, students were greeted by sounds of 50 or more dogs all excited to have the chance to pull their sled. These dogs are a mix of rescue dogs and dogs that are bred to sled-race. Once the eight dogs were harnessed and ready to run, the students cozied up into their sleds, and they were off on a 8 km adventure.