Instructional Capacity

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">At Nesika, our staff are dedicated to creating meaningful outdoor learning experiences that actively engage students. We believe learning extends beyond the classroom, and we intentionally incorporate outdoor opportunities that are both purposeful and inspiring. To further support this commitment, some of our teachers are using their professional development days to complete coursework and become certified outdoor learning educators.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/3f34245d-fbe3-4abf-b2f7-c1fa87bd265c?fingerprint=ppb20260428064425" alt="OUtdoor Learning Certification kelly glen" width="589" height="474" style="width:589px;height:474px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Literacy Bins grew out of the hands-on work happening at Chilcotin Road during the 2024–25 school year and were developed by Marianne and Erin, with support from our SLP, Charlotte Lundeen. They’re grounded in the same adapted core assessment we’re now using across the district. The bins follow a phonics-based sequence (aligned with UFLI), with each skill building on the next, and include ready-to-use decoding, encoding, and reading activities. The skills themselves are curated—not created by us—which means teachers can trust they’re aligned with strong literacy practice. What makes these bins so useful is their flexibility: teachers can target a specific skill for intervention, easily track progress, and then adapt or personalize activities to match their teaching style. They’re especially helpful for K–6 classrooms, new teachers, and LSTs looking to build strong, functional literacy foundations through a consistent connection between assessment and instruction. Marianne, our Helping Teacher, is available to model and co-teach using the bins, with sample kits ready to go (both in print and digital formats on the Teams literacy portal). Erin, in her IEC role, will help connect teams, and Marianne will follow up to support ongoing use in classrooms.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">HR, PVP and some CCTA staff have been actively engaged in numerous recruitment efforts to date. In person events include Lakehead - Thunderbay, Lakehead - Orillia, University of Alberta, Windsor University, UBC and VIU. In person events allow interested teachers to shop the districts they may be interested in working in - which means there is a lot of talking to a lot of people in a 4-5 hour time span. Making quick connections is necessary as is follow up to keep potential applicants interested. In contrast, the online events that we have hosted this year (including a showcase with Make a Future and a 3 day French Teacher Fair with Destinations Canada) require a presentation that grabs the interest of potential applicants as well as answers any potential questions, in roughly 30 minutes or less. People sign up because they are curious - they join us from around the world. These are difficult platforms because we don't see the audience. Follow up is critical.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On April 30th we are participating in the BC K-12 Education Job Fair with Apply to Education. In this joint effort, HR, PVP and CCTA will engage with interested applicants from across the country. This is an economical way to engage with applicants we may not otherwise reach. This is a competitive online fair with numerous BC School Districts engaging with the same applicants.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With anticipated vacancies for 2026/27 school year, we will be hosting an online District Showcase in early July (to showcase external positions) with registration moderated by Apply to Education. This type of dedicated event has proven to have a good rate of return (investment to hire ratio) when reviewing previous events we have hosted.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Stay tuned for future updates!</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/18e7692e-63ea-467a-acd2-75a4db53c3ff?fingerprint=ppb20260415042246" alt="Recruitment Update2 Jennifer Loewen" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/725010ce-5079-4b3d-a8aa-210381f812d6?fingerprint=ppb20260415042243" alt="Recruitment Update1 Jennifer Loewen" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In Student Support Services, we’ve been spending time really looking at how we work together as a team.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s been a focus on understanding our impact—not just in the work we do, but in how we show up with each other and with schools. That’s meant having some honest conversations, supporting one another, and being open to adjusting our practice when needed.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We’re also seeing more and more collaboration across our team, with a growing understanding that it’s not about what any one of us brings, but what we bring together. People are reaching out, sharing ideas, and leaning on each other’s strengths in a way that is making our work stronger and more consistent.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This connects directly to the idea of compassionate systems—where we recognize that how we support each other as adults matters. When our teams feel supported, connected, and valued, that carries through to the schools and students we serve.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This work is helping build a culture where people feel comfortable asking for help, sharing thinking, and working through challenges together—and that’s making a difference.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On our last professional development day, a few Nesika teachers had the privilege of participating in a session focused on learning about the history, culture, and traditions of the Secwépemc Nation within Secwépemcúl’ecw. Through shared teachings and stories from knowledge keepers, they deepened their understanding of community, resilience, and cultural revitalization. A hands-on beading experience highlighted the importance of patience, intention, and respect, reinforcing our commitment to ongoing learning and reconciliation.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/53ac7f3f-e7fc-4d24-b9f0-887b7f670ed2?fingerprint=ppb20260301045915" alt="Deepening Understanding Through Secwépemc Teachings1 kelly glen" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/64b7d64b-9a30-4ffa-8a6d-1367990b9bf5?fingerprint=ppb20260301045915" alt="Deepening Understanding Through Secwépemc Teachings2 kelly glen" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">At Nesika, we are continually seeking innovative and meaningful ways to engage our learners in both academic pursuits and environmental education. In this photo, our teachers are participating in a recent professional development session, where they are learning how to upcycle everyday materials and natural found objects into practical, purposeful creations.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/af466c72-7738-4c84-ab57-724983d9f44c?fingerprint=ppb20260216202957" alt="Hands on learning1 kelly glen" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/53e46e02-ffc1-4a8f-8b24-1c7857925bbc?fingerprint=ppb20260216202958" alt="Hands on learning2 kelly glen" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This past pro-d, a group of English and French teachers worked collaboratively on aligning assessment practices between the French and English programs in our school. Teachers spent time looking at effective assessment strategies, what rubrics actually meant, and aligning practice so we are assessing students the same way across grades and programs. This work will help guide us not only in how we assess out students, but how we plan for the "what's next" after assessment as a whole school.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/9287b3a9-dd52-4e98-ba32-cbcc414bb935?fingerprint=ppb20251217035006" alt="Assessment Practices Collaboration" width="545" height="408" style="width:545px;height:408px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Many SD27 educators recently participated in a four-week Outdoor Learning course designed to strengthen Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices. Each 60-minute session offered practical strategies to support student wellbeing through nature-based experiences.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the four weeks, educators explored:</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Mindfulness and self-awareness through sit spots, nature observation, and journaling.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Social awareness and communication through cooperative outdoor play and group activities.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Emotional regulation and perseverance through outdoor challenges that require patience and problem-solving.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-Ethics, stewardship, and community-building using Indigenous pedagogies and land-based learning.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This learning series expanded instructional capacity by equipping teachers with simple, powerful routines that connect SEL and the outdoors—strengthening both classroom practice and student engagement.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/8bc725e3-8479-48f0-ba37-56d1d04107f5?fingerprint=ppb20251217034956" alt="Outdoor SEL kimberley ikebuchi" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e2c06472-82a6-4430-bb57-6126fd91a38d?fingerprint=ppb20251217040405" alt="Outdoor SEL 2 kimberley ikebuchi" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The French Immersion teachers at Nesika have spent the month of September collaborating on improving instruction in classrooms. Teachers are learning about new French Literacy Assessments and how to improve phonics instruction in the French Classroom.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/d9ac1e28-9afd-4d55-905a-b628fee6bdbe?fingerprint=ppb20251217040323" alt="Picture1" width="348" height="423" style="width:348px;height:423px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Teacher leader Melissa Therrien has been collaborating with teacher Marina Campsall demonstrating a new approach to unlocking content area literacy with older students. The teachers co-teach the whole group with reading long multisyllabic words and comprehending content area text. This explicit teacher-led instruction is helping our students focus on new strategies for success.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b60adc7a-f11d-40d6-8893-0f3db8318362?fingerprint=ppb20251217035619" alt="Teachers collaborate on student literacy" width="477" height="413" style="width:477px;height:413px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br><br><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">One of our Teacher Candidates Marie (TRU) led the learning, hosting well-known numeracy consultant Carole Fullerton in her grade 2/3 practicum classroom. Several of our primary teachers were able to take part as well! We are pleased to also be hosting Anila, who is an International Teacher Candidate. Nesika is a fortunate school to help build instructional capacity and share the learning with both candidates.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/9e6513b2-6cfc-415c-997c-df7a6a98016f?fingerprint=ppb20260128051818" alt="Student Teachers Building Capacity1 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/4b35a8bf-de98-4a09-96da-3c2a1e7bd3c7?fingerprint=ppb20260128051819" alt="Student Teachers Building Capacity2 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Anila Joy joined the Nesika team this week! Ms. Joy is originally from India and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Education program at TRU and is completing a practicum requirement as part of the new TWINQ Project (Teachers with International Teaching Qualifications). She will be spending a month with the team at Nesika, under the leadership and mentorship of Ms. Nasuszny in her grade 4/5 class. The Nesika community is grateful for Anila's contributions to our learning and we are looking forward to sharing this time with her!</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/6c5d5ec5-d30a-4ba8-ac5a-014304ebb283?fingerprint=ppb20260128051046" alt="Anila Joy in class heather mckinnon" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/2e5937b2-9e22-453a-b38d-d820ab62dfb5?fingerprint=ppb20260128051047" alt="Anila Joy heather mckinnon" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">La classe de Mme Jones had the privilege of a visit from Québécois author Alexandra Larochelle who shared her story of how she became an author at age 10, followed by a Q&amp;A period. Tellement excitant!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/de6bb16a-eee2-4829-a909-cc85223d06ab?fingerprint=ppb20251217040352" alt="Author Alexandra Larochelle" width="676" height="507" style="width:676px;height:507px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We’re pleased to share that several Nesika students placed in this year's Williams Lake Legion Remembrance Day poster and literary contest. Congratulations! The students will be invited to a ceremony in which they will be recognized for their achievements. The date of the ceremony is still to be determined. Thank you for supporting the Legion!</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/c2fd850d-71b9-5b81-bf64-9e3b2ad3e3dc?fingerprint=ppb20251217040205" alt="2epzb0kl.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">All of our teaching staff had a chance to learn from numeracy expert consultant Carole Fullerton yesterday. Carole led learning rounds focused on assessment in Ms. Kolinsky and Mme Jones’ classrooms, while other teachers were released from their classrooms to observe and learn. After school a group (pictured) got to spend extra time debriefing and asking good questions. Thanks again Carole!</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/300a21be-73bd-5d0f-a031-c460b9244bc2?fingerprint=ppb20251217033848" alt="qik0p40k.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Teachers, with the support of helping teacher Natalie Ohlhauser, collaborated over an early dinner to assess the Nesika students' literacy work. DART, EPRA and SWW were all looked at and discussed in both English and French. Teachers will use the information gathered in this session to inform next steps in their teaching.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/5ce0dd01-fddd-5d6e-a403-d4c61c900cfb?fingerprint=ppb20251217034103" alt="fxyy106e.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nesika school is in our final year of the HCTF WILD Schools program. Every year as part of our commitment, teachers participate in an HCTF professional development workshop. Teacher leaders at Nesika have been learning alongside students each time - actively engaging with the learning. This year, teachers used our October meeting to work in grade groups with our facilitator Martin Kruus: pulling apart lesson plans, thinking through adaptations, and structuring our next workshop date. On October 23, "Take Me Outside for Learning Day" - our Nesika community will tackle Project WET.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/3bbd23f4-2902-5105-a795-61f44ddfdf74?fingerprint=ppb20251217033916" alt="hqypoqkp.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div>