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Inside School board elected trustees make decisions on how millions of dollars are spent in local schools, yet the public pays the district almost no attention until a crisis breaks out—like the recent teachers’ strike. ...............................
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Your local school board has an important role to play. Get to know the issues for School District 23 board of education. ...............................
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CONTRIBUTED
STUDENTS enjoy a new outdoor classroom at the Oyama Traditional School in a project that included the school, students’ parents and members of the community.
▼ OYAMA TRADITIONAL SCHOOL
Outdoor classroom added to school repertoire KEVIN PARNELL As more and more technology creeps into the every day workings of today’s classrooms, the Oyama Traditional School and its Parent Advisory Council have joined forces to build an outdoor classroom to provide students with an alternative learning area throughout the school year. The outdoor classroom— fully approved by the Central Okanagan School District— features stone benches aligned in a spiral, where teachers will be able to take their classes to
and provide a unique learning experience. “We use the best practices and modern technology at our school,” said principal Ross Hett. “Every classroom has a smart board but we also want students to be in touch with nature. Every year we do a lot of projects with nature.The beautiful surroundings out at our school and the temperate climate in the early fall, spring and summer makes this space very appealing for learning.” Hett said the outdoor classroom was a true team effort from the community, heavi-
ly driven by the Oyama Parent Advisory Council and aided by donations of labour and supplies from the local building community as well as support from CUPE. The round amphitheatre-style classroom is the first phase of the project. Up next will be the installation of several tables, fashioned out of cedar trees and protected by a fibreglass type coating with stumps for chairs. Hett says it’s all about providing a balance for students, who are learning about technology in the classroom and also faced with plenty of video
screen time at home. “There are some kids where both parents are working so video games tend to be overly-relied upon,” he said. “Computers are wonderful and we believe in technology but we want to have all of the best experiences in education. We want to engage our students and draw upon their curiosity.” The outdoor classroom is just another part of what makes the Oyama Traditional School unique. The school also has a greenhouse—the only one in the school district—and also operates two garden plots
at the nearby Oyama Community Garden. With just over 100 students in Kindergarten through Grade 6, Hett says the school continues to provide unique learning experiences and adding an outdoor teaching area where kids will soon be able to read, study or release butterflies from, is something special. “We want our students to learn about nature, respect nature, be good stewards to the environment,” he said. “This is another great learning space kids can go to.” newsroom@lakecountrynews.net