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School Board Briefs: April 27, 2011

Gymnasts perform Members of the Powell River Gymnastics Team came to a recent meeting of the Powell River Board of Education to thank the board on behalf of Brooks Secondary School, Oceanview Secondary School and École Côte du Soleil for their financ

Gymnasts perform

Members of the Powell River Gymnastics Team came to a recent meeting of the Powell River Board of Education to thank the board on behalf of Brooks Secondary School, Oceanview Secondary School and École Côte du Soleil for their financial support for the team’s travelling expenses. Kendra Vizzutti, grade 11, and Ferin Fogarty, grade 10, reported that 22 students from the three schools recently travelled to Langley for the provincial championships. Students competed in all five skill levels of competition and the Brooks’ team came in fifth overall in the province. In levels three and five, five being the highest skill level, students from School District 47 came in second place provincially. Two male students participated in the event and did very well.

“There were a couple of us crying because we were so proud of our boys,” said Vizzutti. “They’ve just improved so much and they’re excited to continue on and it’s awesome to hear that.”

Facility upgrades

Secretary treasurer Steve Hopkins presented the board with the Annual Facilities Grant Expenditure Plan for the 2011/2012 school year. The plan lays out the work the district intends to do over the year to an estimated cost of $562,351. Among the work is the mechanical upgrade to Kelly Creek Community School’s HVAC (heat, ventilation and air conditioning) system; interior and exterior painting and an extended canopy for the main entrance at James Thomson Elementary School; and a replacement entrance door for Brooks Secondary School. Funding for the projects will come in part from operating and capital allocations.

Haywire Bay

The board received a letter from Simon Fraser University’s Institute for Environmental Learning commending them on the Haywire Bay project and offering its support as the project moves ahead. “It is inspiring to know that your district is providing young learners with educational opportunities to access a healthy, outdoor environment,” reads the letter from Dr. David Zandvliet of the faculty of education. “Having experiences outdoors is a basic human need. The opportunities your district has created recognize and incorporate this need.” The project is now underway. Some clearing has been completed and roads have been established to the area of the bay that will house an outdoor learning centre.

Spring break

Hearing the results of an online survey, the district has decided to set its two-week spring break for the 2011/2012 school year from March 14 to 23. The decision reflects a desire to split the semester more evenly.