December has been a busy month in School District 47 (SD47), according to Powell River Board of Education chairperson Dale Lawson.
“This year, our students were able to welcome their friends and family to join in some of the festivities like the annual winter wonderland skate sessions and community meals,” said Lawson in her monthly address at the December 21 school board meeting. “Students and staff spend countless hours planning, practicing and performing their winter concerts for our enjoyment and theirs, and their efforts are evident.”
Lawson said some students took the opportunity to showcase their incredible creative talents on stage for the 2022 Fine Arts Reach for the Top performances, where students offered a variety of entertainment including breakdance, choreography, and instruments played solo, as well as group acts.
“I’m always inspired by the amount of diversity in talent we are so fortunate to experience in our schools and in our community,” said Lawson. “We know how much hard work and dedication goes into planning, decorating, participating, coordinating and performing. We are grateful for the hard work of many to bring such a variety of opportunities to support and nurture success for our students, in all its forms.”
Lawson said this December also brings exciting news for School District 47. On the meeting agenda, there was a renewed commitment to strengthening relationships between Tla’amin Nation, the board and schools, to better support the success of Indigenous learners and build knowledge and understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing and being for all students, she added.
“The signing of the Tla’amin Education Agreement and the partnership defined therein is a demonstration of our collective commitment to ensuring quality education that is respectful and reflective of local Indigenous culture and history,” said Lawson. “We are excited to move forward together in our renewed commitment to promote Tla’amin language and culture, and to improve educational outcomes for all our students.”
Lawson said this December, there is much to celebrate as 2023 is welcomed together.
“On behalf of your board of education, I’d like to wish everyone in our schools and community a safe and peaceful holiday season,” added Lawson, “filled with joy, love and happiness.”
