** previously shared with families by email on December 20, 2024

Season’s Greetings from Mount Sentinel Secondary

As we approach the holiday season, I want to take a moment to reflect on our incredible year so far at Mount Sentinel and share some of the highlights and upcoming events with our students and families. Our Wildcats continue to amaze me with their passion, engagement, and resilience.
 

Personal Digital Device Policy

This year, we successfully launched our new Personal Digital Device Policy, and we’ve already noticed positive changes in behavior and social connectedness among students. This policy was designed to:

• Support students in developing safe, responsible, and respectful digital practices,

• Reduce distractions in classrooms to create focused and safe learning environments,

• Foster online safety and digital literacy, and

• Help students manage their relationship with technology while developing long-term healthy lifestyle habits and resilience.

We are especially proud of how students have embraced opportunities to engage in face-to-face conversations and meaningful activities during their downtime, fostering a more connected and inclusive school environment.

Celebrating Our Community

This November, Mount Sentinel hosted the SD8 Student Leadership Conference: "Future Readiness in a Changing World." Grades 8–12 students gathered to explore important topics about preparing for the future, including the increasing role of artificial intelligence in education and careers.

Highlights included:

• Student Trustees from Mt. Sentinel and across the district help organize and lead the day,

• Academy PM student and staff leadership in videography and photography - they will produce a video that showcases the day

• A stunning Pow Wow performance by Trafalgar Middle School dancers,

• A heartfelt opening by Cree Métis Elder Donna Wright,

• Keynote speaker Jason Taylor from Selkirk Technology Access Centre inspiring us with “Making AI Useful in Education,”

• A Future Ready Trade Show showcasing educational and career pathways, and

• A KIVA panel with current and former SD8 students sharing their journeys.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this event, especially the SD8 Innovative Learning team, custodial staff, and our Wildcats who served as wonderful hosts!

Clubs, Sports, and Extra-Curriculars

We continue to be proud of the many ways our students engage outside the classroom:

Clubs:

• Chess and Debate Club – Thursdays

• Drumming - Tuesdays

• Drama Club – Wednesdays

• Green Team - Thursdays

• Sword Club – Tuesdays and Fridays

• Minecraft Mondays – Computer Lab

• Wellness Hub – Mindfulness activities, Freedom Quest visits, puzzles, study skills, and tea

• Turners and Burners - nothing nefarious .. fun in the woodshop

Sports:

• Soccer – Fridays after school

• Basketball – Junior and Senior Boys practice Mondays and Wednesdays; Girls practice Thursdays and are still looking for players!

This season, our Senior Volleyball Teams gave it their all. Despite heartbreaking losses in the West Kootenay finals, their perseverance and sportsmanship will undoubtedly pave the way for future success next season. Meanwhile, nearly half of our MYP students participated in volleyball this year, attending tournaments and hosting events with great enthusiasm.

Celebrating the Arts

Our Drama Club hosted a fantastic Scene Night in November, and our MYP Band performed a special private concert for families this week. We look forward to rescheduling the Fine Arts Coffee House later this year.

Academic and Career Opportunities

Our grade 10–12 students had the chance to meet representatives from universities and colleges across BC, including Indigenous focused program representatives, with some students eagerly soaking up every bit of information and others bravely navigating these new opportunities.

This fall also included several enriching curricular field trips, including:

• Visits to the Doukhobor Museum, Zuckerberg Island, and Sandon,

• Selkirk College Music, Trades, Diploma, and Degree program tours,

• A post-secondary tour to Kelowna and Kamloops,

• The Nikkei Centre, Castlegar Pool, Pit Houses in the Slocan Valley and Whitewater Ski Lodge, and

• Volunteer visits to WEG Graham Community Services in Slocan.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for the second semester beginning January 27th, in addition to our regular programming opportunities, we’re excited to offer:

• Academy PM,

• Trades Sampler for Grades 10–11, and

• The ORCA Program, combining outdoor education with culinary arts,

• Continued focus on our school Literacy and Numeracy learning goals.

Upcoming Ski Trips

• MYP Red Mountain – Jan. 16, Jan. 23, Feb. 13, Feb. 20

• Grade 9 (Whitewater) – Jan. 8

• Grades 10–12 (Revelstoke) – Feb. 26–27

• ORCA (Whitewater) – Feb. 5, Feb. 19, March 5

Grad Fundraising and Community Support

Thank you to our generous community for supporting Grad 2025, raising over $11,000 through bottle drives, Purdys Chocolate sales, our annual Winter Market, and a Silent Auction that included a logging truckload of firewood selling for $4,000. In the new year, grads are planning a bingo and spaghetti dinner as well as a Show and Shine in May. Stay tuned for more details in the new year. 

Wildcats ROAR

Our school motto, “Give One’s Best,” continues to inspire us. This year, we are focusing on promoting and recognizing four core values that reflect what it means to be a Wildcat:

• Responsibility

• Opportunity

• Attitude

• Respect

These values—Wildcats ROAR—will guide us in fostering a positive and engaged school culture.

Acknowledgments

Thank you for hanging in there right to the last day of school.  It was wonderful to see so many students enjoying the last day of school together in 2024.  The skate and swim opportunity at the Castlegar Complex was a good release of energy. While time at school to enjoy board games, activities in the gym, extra math tutoring, creative time in the art room and a movie provided other ways for students to enjoy each other’s company before the winter break.  Together – we enjoyed snacking on 43 large pizza’s to end the day. 

We are fortunate to have incredible staff and volunteers who make Mount Sentinel a supportive and thriving community. Special thanks to:

• Elaine and Susan for their tireless efforts in supporting students and families daily,

• Ken, Ken, and Sean, our custodial team, for their dedication to keeping our school clean and welcoming, and adapting to last minute surprises, and

• Our parent volunteers for continuing to run the breakfast program and helping to establish a sustainable hot lunch program that will continue to be run by parents.

A Message of Compassion and Resilience

As we enter the holiday season, we are mindful that this time of year can be difficult for many. Several families in our community are grieving losses, and we grieve alongside them. Please know you are in our hearts and thoughts, and we are here to support you. The journey you are on is immeasurable.

To all our students, families, and staff: thank you for your care, and commitment to one another. Together, we continue to build a strong, compassionate and resilient community.

On behalf of everyone at Mount Sentinel Secondary, I wish you a restful and rejuvenating holiday season. We look forward to welcoming you back on January 6, to continue to "give your best" and excited to ROAR into the new year!

With hope and gratitude,
Shellie