SD83 would like to make parents and students aware of an incident which took place in Sicamous on Friday afternoon.

According to an RCMP press release a 14-year-old youth was sexually assaulted near Parkview Elementary School and Parkland Mall in Sicamous.

Sicamous RCMP say the victim, a 14-year-old youth was walking with her 13-year-old friend when the assault occurred on October 21 at 4:30 pm. They were approached by an unknown man who asked them, Hey, do you know… Without finishing the sentence, he grabbed the 14-year-old. Both youths began screaming and the man released his grip allowing them to be able to run away.

Police are now looking for the man who is described as: Caucasian, approximately 40 years of age, no facial hair, wearing a black toque, black zip-up jacket, and sunglasses.

These youth did everything correctly by screaming and running free. They were able to provide a description of the man. We commend their bravery, says Sgt. Murray McNeil in the press release, in charge of the Sicamous RCMP Detachment. Anyone with information on the incident, or who may have been in the area, is asked to call the Sicamous RCMP at 250-836-2878.

Superintendent of Schools Donna Kriger adds because of the concerning incident in Sicamous, a letter is being sent home to parent/guardians/caregivers and supports are being put in place in Sicamous schools. She is also asking that parents/guardians/caregivers please have a conversation with their child(ren) regarding what to do if approached by a stranger.

View RCMP Release Here

 This is the time of year when our students in grades 4 & 7 begin participating in the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA). This annual provincial assessment, measures students’ academic skills and provides the district with a snapshot of students’ foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. All students in grades 4 & 7 are required by the Ministry of Education and Child Care to participate in the FSA. 

The results of the FSA serve as an important tool to support student learning in SD83 which will be particularly important as we continue to determine the impact of COVID-19 on student learning. The district also uses the assessment data to support the alignment of resources during our annual budget discussions. FSA data is not part of the formal student evaluation process and is not included in student report cards. 

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Recently there have been rumours about “cameras in student washrooms” that have generated some calls and emails to School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap) and some of its schools.

“I want to assure everyone that these rumours are untrue and unfounded,” states Superintendent of Schools Donna Kriger. “SD83 is committed to student safety, privacy, well-being and learning. We are grateful for those concerned stakeholders who reached out to us from a place of positive intent.”

S83 is currently enjoying a school start up filled with renewed optimism and hope. “Our intention is to continue this positivity through the 2022-23 school year as we focus on keeping students first.”

Kriger asks that if parents do hear these types of rumours/information please take the time to check with your school principal to ensure the information is indeed accurate.

Have you booked your ticket?

Shuswap Youth Launch will take place on April 28th, 2022 at the Salmar Classic and on Zoom.

This year’s speaker line up includes:
Sarah Wells, Olympian and Amazing Race Canada contestant; Joey Roo, Indigenous makeup artist and model; Avalon Wasteneys, Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist, and Scott Amis, business mentor and entrepreneur. 

Topics at this year’s event will include the importance of trust within yourself and others, finding healthy role models and influences, believing in yourself, finding your passions, how to ask for help and come out of hard times, and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. 

Both online and in-person participants will have the opportunity to participate in activities and win prizes that will either be given to them or sent to their school. 

A pizza lunch is also being provided for all of the attendees at the Salmar. 

This presentation is being organized by youth for youth. Organizing committee spokesperson Mikayla Wilkinson reports the committee has sent out packages to all middle and secondary schools across the district. Schools have the option of attending in-person or virtually. “However, we highly encourage in-person attendance because we feel students will have better learning opportunities and engagement. Students will also be provided with lunch if attending in-person.”

Mikayla notes as far as planning for the event goes the biggest thing from the committee’s standpoint is hearing from the schools about how many tickets they want, and an indication of how many students/teachers will be attending in person. Tickets not secured by the schools will be released to the general public as they would like a full house at the theatre!

The committee has sent invitations to other school districts, who will be attending by Zoom.