News

<p class="editor-paragraph"><figure><a href="https://gms.sd23.bc.ca/parents-wag?hash=gmL3BhcmVudHMtd2Fn" target="_blank" title="WAG Logo"><img src="/images/b9fd34db-4cce-469b-a827-c3027d97e177" alt="WAG Logo" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></a></figure></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/abb0a742-2089-42cd-8389-6c7abffc6fba" alt="November Service Above Self Award" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/0a0df026-893e-4182-83f6-4798fae89e07" alt="Harmony Day" width="231" height="130" style="width:231px;height:130px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: center;"><br></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">GMS Human Library</strong></b></h2><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Harmony Day Feature</strong></b></h2><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thursday, November 20th</strong></b></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This Harmony Day, our Jaguars are invited to step into a </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Human Library</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;— a powerful experience where people are the “books,” and their lived stories become opportunities for learning, connection, and understanding.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We are incredibly grateful for our presenters, each offering a window into cultures, histories, and identities that shape our local and global communities. From stories of </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Italian and Chinese pioneers in the Okanagan</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, to lived experiences of immigration from </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mexico, Bosnia, Rwanda, Hong Kong, India, and Serbia</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, to the cross-cultural journeys shared by our </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Kelowna–Kasugai Sister City Association</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;and </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Denise Young</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, our guests represent resilience, heritage, and the beauty of diversity.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Human Library Presenters</strong></b></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">D. Rampone</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;— sharing local pioneer histories and community-building stories passed down through generations.</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Marr</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;— offering insight into family legacy, cultural identity, and the evolution of community life in the Okanagan.</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">S. Gómez</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;— speaking about the immigrant journey, starting over, belonging, and building community through storytelling.</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">K. Trapara</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;— reflecting on childhood migration, language, traditions, and growing up between two worlds.</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Hothi</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;— exploring family traditions, cultural practices, and the experience of balancing multiple identities.</span></li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">D. Muhoza</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;— sharing a personal journey of resilience, rebuilding, and navigating life in a new country.</span></li><li value="7" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">G. Poon</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;— offering perspectives on major life transitions, global change, and building a life across continents.</span></li><li value="8" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Kelowna–Kasugai Sister City Association</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;— highlighting cultural connection, global friendship, and international partnership.</span></li><li value="9" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">D. Young</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;— reflecting on growing up in a multi-heritage family, finding belonging, and embracing identity as a source of strength.</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students will have the chance to hear real stories, ask meaningful questions, and explore the diverse experiences that make our community so vibrant. We extend our appreciation to all presenters for sharing their time and perspectives with GMS — your voices help create understanding, empathy, and true celebration of Harmony Day.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We look forward to an incredible day of listening, learning, and connecting.</em></i></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">GMS and CNB have students visiting Japan in our annual Student Exchange! </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Days 2 &amp; 3 in Japan!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 2 took us to the stunning Inuyama Samurai Castle, where students explored centuries of history and breathtaking views.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 3 brought our first school day at Haruhigaoka Junior High. A warm welcome assembly, new friends, and unforgettable memories.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQndk00EpeKVYcfVqtBj1eulm7s4d2LOoFbUzU0/?igsh=MWZ0Y29lM2lnaG14NA==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Check out our Instagram video here!</span></a></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">🌿 Land-Based Learning Adventures🌿</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We had so much fun learning during Land-Based last week! From exploring nature to connecting with our local land and community, students showed curiosity, teamwork, and heart every step of the way. 💚💛</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you want to see more of what we’ve been up to, check out our </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQVVZV-gQDx0BTXCaPmlc7AhM7LocXzOykcLoY0/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Land-Based Learning newsletter</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.firstvoices.com/nsyilxcen/words/8f951039-d55a-4ad1-b7e3-d9de6b03ec38" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn how to say the word 'land' in nsyilxcən tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ here.</span></a></h4><h5 class="editor-heading-h5" dir="ltr"><a href="https://youtu.be/ky8ftLMyvXw?si=MKJDZsYU95YaEy3a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Click to hear "The suknaʔqín̓x Okanagan is Beautiful" song posted by Westbank First Nation here.</span></a></h5>