Unlike 2020, graduating students will be walking across the stage this year, but without any family or friends in attendance.

Dave Hill, Principal of Mount Baker Secondary School said students were given a choice between a drive-thru celebration, similar to last year, or they could walk across the stage at the Key City Theatre with no audience.

"There was a ballot taken amongst the graduates and the decision they came to was, they wanted to walk across the stage. So we will have a stage-crossing for our commencement ceremony," Hill told MyEastKootenayNow.com. "It will look similar to the commencement ceremony at Western Financial, except we can't have an audience, so we'll tape it."

Hill said the ceremony will be recorded on June 23rd and broadcast the next day. That way the graduates can watch the event with friends and family together at home.

According to Hill, businesses around Cranbrook have offered to host photo booths as a way to help celebrate the accomplishments of the grads.

"There's opportunities throughout the community for graduates to go in, and I think some businesses will be giving them some treats, and they can have some pictures taken with groups of friends."

Hill said all COVID-19 restrictions will be met, with groups kept small throughout the ceremony and around Cranbrook.

"They will be spread around so we're within the regulations of the Interior Health and Provincial Health orders, so not very big groups and they will be scheduled," added Hill. "That way the community can see the grads out and about, either in their regalia or in their finery, depending on what the kids want to do."

Prom will still be off the table this year, according to Hill, because there is no way of having the event, while still following Provincial Health guidelines.

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The graduation rate for School District 5 (SD5) Southeast Kootenay was 91% for the 2019/20 school year, which includes an 80% graduation rate for Indigenous students and 72% for students with special needs.

With the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affecting school processes one year ago, SD5 believes student learning still hasn't missed a beat, given the statistics.

"This hasn’t been an easy year for anyone," said Frank Lento, SD5 Board Chair. "Thanks to the hard work of the SD5 Board, administration, both teaching and non-teaching staff, students and parents, it has been a successful one for SD5”.

According to data from the B.C. Government, SD5's 91% graduation rate was down from their record 94% rate in 2017/18. However, it is significantly higher than SD5's 84% average completion rate from 2006/07 to 2016/17, prior to their record year.

Lento said over the past five years, the provincial graduation rate was 62% for aboriginal students and 80% for all non-aboriginal students. With an indigenous graduation rate of 80% in 2019/20 for SD5, it's significantly higher than the provincial average.

MORE: School District 5 Completion Rates (B.C. Government)

Handling the COVID-19 pandemic, Lento said the Board was closely working alongside Superintendent Silke Yardley and Secretary-Treasurer Alan Rice to adapt the budget for the school district, as well as policy, protocols and resources. As a result, Lento said all of the changes led to additional pressure on district administration, school-based administrators, as well as all other employees not directly involved with student learning.

The Board Chair views the graduation rates as a shared achievement across the entire district as they navigated both online and in-person learning opportunities, modified schedules, adapted lesson plans, new regulations, and more.

"The SD5 Board of Education wishes to thank the entire school community for this success," said Lento. "It was the hard work of all teaching and non-teaching staff, the cooperation of the teaching (CFTA) and non-teaching (CUPE) Union partners and the perseverance of students and parents collectively that enabled the SD5 school community to overcome the challenges to education posed by the pandemic. We couldn’t have achieved this level of student success without you."

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Cranbrook RCMP is asking the public to help identify a dark-coloured vehicle, believed to be a small SUV, that nearly hit a school bus near Campsal Road before the Fort Steele hill.

According to RCMP, they were notified of the close call on February 23rd, 2021. Police said the incident occurred around 7:00 am.

Cst. Katie Forgeron said the school bus had just picked up students on the roadway and was beginning to get up to speed. Video of the incident then shows the vehicle crossing the centre line and narrowly missing a collision with the bus.

"It is a miracle that no one was injured in this incident. The SUV appears to make limited contact with the bus before it corrects itself and gets into the proper lane," said Forgeron. "It is incidents like this that remind us of the realities that bus drivers and students on those busses face every day."

At this time, Cranbrook RCMP is searching for anyone who might have been in the area, or who might have dashcam video of the area leading up to the incident between the SUV and the school bus. Those with information are asked to either contact the Cranbrook RCMP detachment at 250-489-3471 or to phone Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

"The RCMP is also still receiving complaints of vehicles continuing to drive when the amber lights are flashing on the school bus, instead of slowing down to wait the two or three minutes it takes for kids to get safely on and off the bus," added Forgeron. "When drivers see the amber flashing lights they should start to stop, knowing that the red lights are coming next."

In recent weeks, RCMP said East Kootenay Traffic Services and Cranbrook members have made a point of following school buses.

"Officers are on bus routes with the highest amount of drivers ignoring the red flashing lights and driving by, seemingly unaware of the danger they are putting children and bus drivers in."

Watch the full video the incident between the SUV and the school bus below:

https://youtu.be/70KqvBJ8q2U

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Chris Johns, the School District 5 Trustee for Cranbrook said its public survey on a full replacement, major renovation, or phased-in approach for the ageing school will help them gauge the best option moving forward, while also pushing the Province for support.

School District 5 launched a survey looking for the public's thoughts on three options for Cranbrook's public high school; a full rebuild, a partial replacement, or a significant renovation.

"There's a series of issues around each of the three options that's on our survey. A full replacement is going to be somewhere around $70-plus-million, and at this time with the COVID response and the government treasury aspects, it's going to be difficult to secure that," Johns told MyEastKootenayNow.com. "We're trying to figure out whether we're better off to look at a major renovation or partial replacement for aspects of the school."

As of Friday morning, Johns said more than 330 people had participated in the survey. It will remain open to the public until next Friday, February 26th.

MORE: Mount Baker Secondary School Survey (School District 5)

PREVIOUS: SD5 investigating Mount Baker Secondary School replacement or renovation (Feb. 17, 2021)

Johns said SD5 wants to move forward in a positive way, to look at the options that Berry Architecture will provide, and what the community desires for the school.

"It's generating a lot of interest in the community because of course, as we all know, the school is going to be pushing 70 years of age coming up in April and it's got some 21st-century issues that need to be resolved."

[caption id="attachment_14562" align="alignright" width="2560"] Cranbrook's Mount Baker Secondary School pictured February 19th, 2021. (Bradley Jones, MyEastKootenayNow.com staff)[/caption]

Mount Baker Secondary School first opened its doors on April 6, 1951, with several generations of Cranbrook students having now graduated through the school.

From the trio of options, Johns said there is some concern. Given the rich history of MBSS, there are "unique aspects" of the school that could be preserved with a renovation or partial replacement. However, with a full school rebuild, Johns said the new blueprints may not include the current shop area or the Elders in Residence room.

At the end of the day, Johns noted that something has to be done with the ageing infrastructure, not only for Cranbrook and its current and future high school students but for the entirety of the school district.

"We are presently spending a fair amount of money every year in doing necessary repairs to the building, and if you're looking at taxpayer money, as we do as a School Board, we're saying there's got to be a better way of doing this rather than continuing to put money into keeping the building functioning in this day and age," Johns told MyEastKootenayNow.com. "Of course, we're talking old technology, in terms of building construction, and that envelope needs serious work every year. That's taking away from our other buildings in the school district as well."

SD5's full intention of the public survey is to be able to gather crucial feedback from the community on what option they would most likely support. Johns said it also is helping mobilize the public as they lobby the Ministry of Education and the B.C. Government for tangible action towards rebuilding or updating Mount Baker.

While the survey closes next Friday, Johns said it is their hope that Berry Architecture will have completed blueprints and estimated costs for each of the three options before the end of June.

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School District 5 is looking for the public's feedback on what they would like to see happen to Mount Baker Secondary School in Cranbrook, which will have opened its doors 70 years ago this April.

"The purpose of this project is to advocate to the Ministry of Education regarding options to bring the oldest school in the Kootenays into the 21st century," said School District 5 (SD5).

The Board of Directors recently approved engagement with Berry Architects & Associates to begin providing plans for a replacement or renovation proposal to the Province for Mount Baker Secondary School (MBSS).

Originally opening on April 6th, 1951, MBSS has been Cranbrook's lone high school with as many as three or four generations of students now graduating through the school. Discussion on a rebuild or replacement has been ongoing in the community for years, but now action is being taken by SD5 to make tangible progress.

SD5 is proposing three options for public feedback, either a full replacement of MBSS, a partial replacement, or a significant renovation.

"Through this process we hope to identify the full gamut of implications associated with each option," said SD5. "This survey is our first step in obtaining input about the options from past and present students, past and present staff, and community members."

The following are the specifics tied to each option for the ageing school.

• Full Replacement:
  • New footprint of school
  • Disruption to green space (fields) but limited disruption to existing school operations
  • Size and number of classrooms/spaces determined by formulas from the Ministry
  • Could mean smaller or loss of some specialty areas of a school
  • Specialty rooms include the Elders in Residence room, shops, drama, band rooms, science prep rooms, etc
  • High cost and minimal number of school replacements issued each year in the Province
• Partial Replacement:
  • Majority of existing footprint maintained
  • Disruption to school and potentially require alternative space during construction
  • Additional classrooms/spaces determined by formulas from the Ministry
  • Could mean smaller or loss of some specialty areas of a school
  • Specialty rooms include the Elders in Residence room, shops, drama, band rooms, science prep rooms, etc
  • Moderate cost
  • May require advocating for this option to the Ministry/Community as this does not fit with the current
    capital replacement guidelines
• Major Renovation:
  • Existing footprint maintained
  • Will require alternative space for classes during construction
  • Maintain current specialty rooms space sizes
  • Specialty rooms include the Elders in Residence room, shops, drama, band rooms, science prep rooms, etc
  • Moderate cost in phases
  • May require advocating for this option to the Ministry/Community as not a current option with Capital (unless over 10-15 years)

SD5 asks that if the public has any further details or considerations to email cbo.mailing@sd5.bc.ca with those documents, while also being sure to include a name and phone number for contact purposes.

A link to the full survey from SD5 is available below.

MORE: Mount Baker Secondary School Survey (School District 5)

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Since September, Elk Valley RCMP has received 15 complaints of drivers failing to stop for school buses.

Elk RCMP says the "disappointing complaints" are coming from the public and bus drivers who have noticed vehicles failing to stop while the buses are picking up or dropping off students.

"Regardless of which direction you are travelling, specifically if you are oncoming to a school bus with its flashing yellow and red lights, is a pretty good indicator that the bus is about to stop, or is stopped, and children will be walking outside the bus on the roadway," said A/Cpl. Debra Katerenchuk.

"Under the Motor Vehicle Act, Section 149 clearly states that a driver must stop before reaching the bus and not proceed until the bus resumes motion or the driver of the bus signals to other drivers that it is safe to proceed."

Katerenchuk is reminding all motorists in the Elk Valley that failing to obey the road rules could net a fine of $368 and three demerit points on your license.

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Students at Sparwood schools are being dismissed early from class.

Ongoing power outages in the Elk Valley have prompted Southeast Kootenay School District No. 5 (SD5) to close all schools in Sparwood early.

"The district is concerned about adequate light and heat in our schools," said SD5. "We are unclear when power may be restored at this moment."

MORE: Thousands without power in the Elk Valley Wednesday morning (Jan. 13, 2021)

"School staffs will be contacting parents to pick up their children and busses are being dispatched early for bus students," said the school district.

Futher updates will be provided by SD5 throughout the day if anything should change.

MORE: Southeast Kootenay School District No. 5

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School District 5's (SD5) Board of Education has sent a letter to Jennifer Whiteside, B.C.'s Education Minister, voicing its opposition to the Foundation Skills Assessment.

SD5 feels the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) does not benefit students or schools.

"Our Board agrees that classroom assessment information is extremely valuable in assessment and identifications of students' needs," said SD5. "However, as we indicated in our 2018 letter: there is zero proof that when all students write an assessment, parents, teachers, schools and the province receive accurate information on how students are learning."

The school district also noted that FSA results are not used to calculate report card grades, nor are they used to diagnose learning problems.

Frank Lento, SD5 Board Chair said the education system would benefit by looking at a different model of assessing students.

"We need meaningful, relevant, reliable, valid assessments, and without them, our efforts to improve student learning will be hollow and unconvincing," said Lento. "We need to get assessments at the local district level."

However, as the school district noted in its letter, former Education Minister Rob Fleming said in a letter that province-wide assessments ensure students across B.C. are getting an equitable educational experience.

"Along with classroom assessment information, the FSA provides valuable information to parents on how their child is performing, and allows educators to make early interventions that can enhance student success later in a child's schooling," said Minister Flemming's letter.

The province uses FSA as an annual standardized way to look at a student's reading, writing, and numeracy skills between grades four and seven.

SD5 feels this is not the best way to get a look at the skills that students may have.

"Standardized testing cannot adequately capture or reflect personalized learning, due to its inherently oppositional structure," said SD5. "Personalized learning requires students to learn by exploring their interests and passion and then demonstrate understanding in uniquely personal ways, while standardized tests encourage and reflect 'boiler plate' learning, regardless of now suggesting students use collaboration and reflection then responding to test questions or providing them with a limited choice over reading topics."

The district added that teaching and administering the FSA takes up valuable teaching and learning opportunities within schools.

SD5 suggests an alternative assessment method in its letter, with a random sampling of students, which it said is the standard international assessment method and is statistically sound.

Lento reiterated the need for school districts to decide how assessments are done.

"It may be sampling at various bands or various grade levels, but I really think, in the final analysis, it should be at the district level. We should be developing our own assessment policies, and getting our own data to enhance student learning and meet the needs of students in our district," said Lento.

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Vista Radio conducted an interview with B.C. Education Minister Rob Fleming on back-to-school.

A number of topics were talked about including:

• How school districts plan to utilize the $242-million in funding announced by the Province
• What the plan is if an outbreak is declared at a school in B.C.
• How students will be appropriately distanced in situations where limited classroom space is available
• The Province's stance on student testing compared to places like Ontario where it is not mandatory
• How to differentiate flu and COVID-like symptoms if someone is feeling unwell
• The Ministry of Education's response to the B.C. Ombudsperson's scathing report on incorrect test scores

LISTEN HERE FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW:

[audio mp3="https://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Brendan-Rob-Fleming-Interview-September-8.mp3"][/audio]

The post Special Report: Education Minister Rob Fleming talks full-time class return appeared first on My East Kootenay Now.

With COVID-19, students will have a very different school experience in 2020, however Cranbrook RCMP is reminding that the rules of the road remain the same.

As students officially return to class on September 10th, and with schools fully opening to staff on September 8th, Cranbrook RCMP will be ramping up enforcement around school zones.

"It’s crucial that drivers slow down in school zones, watch for crosswalks, and be mindful of children," said Cst. Katie Forgeron. "Be alert and watch for kids riding to school on their bikes. We all want our children to arrive at school and home safely."

Forgeron said school zone speeds are one of the biggest areas of concern for RCMP.

"I think the biggest habit we all need to get back into is realizing the 30 km/hr school zones between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm daily during the school year," Forgeron told MyEastKootenayNow.com. "It's hard to get back into it, we've been driving 50 km/hr all summer but we need to wrap our minds around the fact that next Thursday, it's 30 km/hr school zones."

As well, Forgeron said motorists must remember to stop for school buses with flashing red lights, no matter the direction of the bus, or in which lane you are driving.

"People need to realize that even if the kids are getting on the same side of the road as the bus, traffic has to stop in both directions when the flashing red lights are on, that's because kids could be running across the street and you just don't notice them. Everybody needs to stop for that, and that's a pretty hefty fine, it's $368 for failing to stop for the school bus."

Cranbrook RCMP provided the following tips for drivers as school returns:

• When school is in session, a 30 km/hr school zone speed limit is in effect from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every school day, unless otherwise posted
• Plan ahead and be alert
  • Driving routes with less traffic in the summer may now face congestion, so give yourself extra time to get to your destination
• Take your time and don't rush - especially through intersections
  • Look for children especially near or around crosswalks and intersections close to schools
• When dropping off children in a school zone stop and allow them to exit onto the sidewalk side of the car
  • Never allow a child to cross mid-block
  • Refrain from stopping on the crosswalk in order to let your kids out of the vehicle
• If a vehicle is stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, they may be yielding for a pedestrian, so be prepared to stop
• Always watch for pedestrians when you’re backing up
  • Before you get into your vehicle, make it a habit to walk around your vehicle to ensure no small kids are behind it
  • remember, children will notice your driving behaviour as well as your pedestrian behaviour, so please set a good example for them

Cranbrook RCMP also outlined the various fines under the BC Motor Vehicle Act relating to the school safety:

• Failing to stop for a school bus - $368
• Speeding in a school or playground zone - $196 to $253
• Failing to yield for a pedestrian - $167
• Passing a vehicle yielding to a pedestrian - $167
• Disobeying school guards and school patrol - $167

Although Cranbrook RCMP is reminding motorists of the road rules, they are also asking students to be extra cautious as well.

"Students also need to be aware of vehicles and not just randomly walk out into traffic," Forgeron told MyEastKootenayNow.com. "Sometimes kids think that because they're on a crosswalk they're safe, but unless those vehicles are stopped they're not safe, so they have to make sure that before they cross the road that all traffic is stopped in both directions."

Forgeron said Cranbrook RCMP just wants everyone to be safe and to be aware of each other, to have a safe start to the school year and for the remainder of the school season.

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