A grant from the Okanagan Learning Foundation helped Mr. Al Gee’s Social Studies 11 class travel from Fulton Secondary School to Vancouver, where they learned about how the economy can shift toward green energy.
First Recipients of the Okanagan Learning Foundation Scholarships
Stephanie Hewson, Executive Director of the Okanagan Learning Foundation, presented three Vernon graduates with scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. Two scholarships were presented to members of the Seaton Secondary Class of ‘18, and a third was presented to a graduate from Vernon Secondary School.
Vernon Teacher Attends the "Holocaust and Human Rights Seminar" in Montreal
Paul Boyd wrote:
Throughout my 20+ years of teaching, I have had the opportunity to attend many conferences, but never one with such crucial information that simply must be shared with all students.
The very first session I attended focused on Hitler’s rise to power and the conditions that existed in Europe and Germany specifically that allowed the Nazi’s and Hitler to gain control of Germany. As a historian I have studied this time period before, but focus on society and specific stories made it much more real. I tried to keep notes, but the talk was so deep in meaning it was impossible to summarize without losing the next phrase.
Touring the museum itself was also very impactful. Artifacts have been donated by survivors or their family’s with a small portion of those actually being on display. There were many items that caused me to pause and sigh, but one really stood out: a board game, that looked similar to ‘Snakes and Ladders’ but was about capturing Jews and removing them from society. Clearly the Nazi indoctrination started very young.
I heard several survivor stories first hand, it was remarkable that they could tell such horrific stories, but still be positive about humanity and in many cases have a great sense of humor. One woman in particular was actually born in Auschwitz at the end of the war. Her mother was amazingly spared from being immediately sent to a gas chamber, but instead suffered the horror of having Dr. Mengele conduct experiments by injecting foreign bodies into her uterus. Miraculously the baby, although considerably undersized survived and was now a great-grandmother standing in front of 70 teachers sharing her story.
There is sense of tremendous responsibility having heard the personal stories over the three days, stories that are sacred and must be honored. It is impossible to find words to accurately describe the absolute evil that these stories have risen from; it is not believable that such horrific acts can be committed by humans on other humans. But the stories are true, and the evil that humanity is capable of continues to impact lives in various spots throughout the world.
Financial Literacy - What Young People Need to Know
Curtis Carroll has a message about financial literacy for any student preparing to make his or her way in the world - and he's sending it from San Quentin State Prison.
When he was seventeen, Carroll murdered Gilberto Medina Gil in a botched robbery. Carroll was sentenced to jail for 54 years to life. His story could have ended there - but it didn't. He learned to read, and then studied the markets. (You can read more about Curtis Carroll here.) Carroll's role models changed from drug dealers and sports figures to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. He wanted others to learn this new way of making money.
When Carroll arrived at San Quentin in 2012, he met Troy Williams, who helped him start the Financial Literacy Program. Together they created the philosophy F.E.E.L (Financial Empowerment Emotional Literacy) that teaches people to recognize how their emotions affect their financial decision, and how to separate the two.
Carroll's message is simple - young people need to understand money, and how to earn, save and invest it.
"Grit" - The Greatest Predictor of Success
Angela Duckworth studied what characteristic best predicted success. Her conclusion: grit. Sticking with it; working hard; living life like it was a marathon, not a sprint. Gritty kids are more likely to succeed.
How do we foster grit? She thinks that the growth mindset is the key. Kids that succeed sometimes fail, but they don't believe that failure is a permanent condition.
Creating a Climate of Possibility
Sir Ken Robinson argues that the real role of leadership in the school system is not command and control, but the creation of a climate of possibility. He stresses the importance of awakening dormant powers of creativity, investing in professional development, and devolving control to the lowest levels.
Students Need Champions
In Rita Pierson's talk on relationships in the classroom, the veteran teacher makes the unarguable point that students don't learn from people they don't like. All learning is based to some degree on relationships between teachers and students, and between students and other students.
Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year
A Vernon student from the Okanagan Indian Band recently had a chance to explore his post-graduation options earlier this month, when he visited the Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year Program at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. He met Major Michael Boire, CD, MA, the ALOY Academic Counsellor. toured the College with Officer Cadet Jacob Simard, and watched the RMC Paladins Hockey Team defeat Queens University in the Carr-Harris Cup.
The Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year is open to students from First Nations, Metis, Inuk and Labrador Inuit backgrounds. ALOY offers a highly positive, productive, one-year educational and leadership experience through the Royal Military College. The ALOY program includes sports, field trips, leadership development, military training, cultural support activities, and individual learning plans. Through these learning plans, students take part in individual and small group tutorials for pre-university (non-credit) and first-year university courses.
As part of the ALOY Program, students are enrolled in the Forces for one year as Officer Cadets and receive a salary, free tuition, books and travel. Students may leave the program at any point in the year. At the end of the year, students may apply to continue at RMC and pursue a university degree through either the Regular Officer Training Program or the Reserve Entry Training Plan.
This opportunity was made possible by a grant from the Okanagan Learning Foundation.
The Undeniable Link Between Nutrition and Learning
Our Food for Thought Program is aimed at addressing the concern highlighted by Sam Kass is this interesting TED Talk. Students can't learn on empty stomachs, but far too many are being forced to try by family circumstances beyond their control.