Teacher Jim Elwood has a passion for art, but even more important and satisfying to him to see that passion encouraged in other teachers and students.
The long-time Mount Boucherie art teacher has taken on the challenge of providing art education enhancement support by working directly with other schools, classes and in some cases individual students to guide them through everything from Indigenous art lessons to co-designed art lessons, ranging from technical help with kilns to the basics of working with students on their artistic projects.
He has created an art class teaching assistance website that has also connected with art teachers across Canada and as far away as New Zealand, seeking to replicate his methods and ideas of introducing and supporting teaching art to students.
Sitting before school trustees at the board of education meeting on May 14, Elwood did not have to look far to see his influence on the school district 鈥� the permanent wall installation of a painting created by students in the Indigenous visual arts course at Mount Boucherie school.
Under his tutelage and the assistance of Coralee Miller an artist and Westbank First Nation member, the students designed and created the artwork to its completion.
While Elwood explained to trustees how he used an open block in his teaching schedule to reach out to other art classes and teachers to offer his assistance, Kevin Kaardal, Central Okanagan Public Schools superintendent/CEO, acknowledged that Elwood has given much more of his time to encourage the growth of art education across the school district.
"You have given a lot of your personal time to supporting the arts in our community," Kaardal said, noting how art is ultimately an essential form of communication that brings people in a community, in a culture, together.
Trustee Lee-Ann Tiede said Elwood's efforts also reflect the importance of art education to any school curriculum.
"We sometimes tend to think of art as an extra in schools, but it is an enhancement," she said.
Elwood said encouraging art development in other schools has become a dream assignment for him, embraced by his love for art and the feedback he receives from students illustrating how art has changed their lives.
"We often talk about teaching art through culture, but we are also teaching culture through art," he said.
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New administrative staff additions were introduced to trustees at the May 16 board meeting.
Joanne Boot is the new payroll manager, while in local schools there are three new vice-principals: Colin Mayer at 脡cole George Elliott Secondary, Julie Loveridge-Mark at 脡cole 91大黄鸭 Secondary and Rita Miller at Mar Jok Elementary.
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The month of May was a busy one for declarations.
The board of education has declared May as National Allergy Awareness Month in Central Okanagan public schools, and the week of May 25-31 as 'AccessAbility' Week. May 5-11 is also acknowledged as Mental Health Week.
Looking ahead, the board has also declared the month of June as Pride Month.
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Two motions brought forward by the board of education were adopted at the recent annual general meeting of the BC School Trustees Association.
One motion called for adequate funding for costs in childcare centres being opened on school sites, of which there are seven in the Central Okanagan School District, and for critical thinking support to be part of adapting provincial guidelines for AI use in schools.
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Trustees extended congratulations to three local students for their educational achievements.
Rutland Senior Secondary Grade 12 student Jaydin Schultz, was the winner of the Secondary School Senior Math Contest held at UBC Okanagan.
Also winning awards were Mount Boucherie Secondary students Grace McCulloch, who won a high school film award at the 2025 Student Okanagan Film Festival, and Tyler Rubis who has been nominated for his film Recipe For A Break at the 2025 BC Student Film Festival in the category of senior narrative comedy.
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More than 2,200 people gathered together at Mount Boucherie Secondary for the annual Walk for Mental Health on May 8.
The purpose of the event, organized by students, is to raise awareness and money for Foundry 91大黄鸭, a mental health resource service operated by the local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association for youth ages 12 to 24.
Organizers expect to surpass the $15,000 fundraising goal for this year.
