We have an exciting announcement! We have officially launched our new visual identity, which was beautifully created and designed by local Tla’amin artist, Kobe Galligos, in collaboration with local qathet graphic designer, Rachelle Harvey. Before diving into the “why” of our new logo, we would like to acknowledge former PIE student, Katie Clarkson, for her design that has stayed with PIE for nearly two decades, as well as the IDLC community members who created the IDLC logo.

Adopting a new logo became a priority this year for several reasons. Primarily, we wanted to acknowledge and honour the Tla’amin Nation on whose land the qathet School District is located. We also wanted to recognize the 20th anniversary of PIE and IDLC and mark the occasion of both programs becoming one fully aligned Provincial Online Learning School. The fundamental principle of both programs has always revolved around building trustworthy relationships between students, their parents and staff. The bedrock of achieving that goal begins with collaboratively developing holistic, individualized learning programs for every child and being flexible in all aspects of our shared educational experiences.

In partnership with the artist’s vision and drawing inspiration from Indigenous perspectives on the otter, we felt like this animal embodied the perfect representation for our school. Otters are known to be inquisitive, trusting, and loyal, as well as embody values we align with such as resourcefulness, playfulness, lightheartedness, and never-ending curiosity. The otter understands the importance of maintaining a balance between work and play and encourages us to pause and admire the beauty of the world around us. Otters also have a way of brilliantly representing relationships and building trust between each other. Did you know that sea otters hold hands when they sleep so that they don’t drift away from each other? It’s true!

These curious, resourceful, and playful creatures show us the importance of relying on one another, finding joy in the small moments, and being flexible in learning through life experiences. These are all aspects of life we feel are encapsulated in our school motto, “Where life and learning meet.”

Blended learners in qathet worked as a group to design and build simple machines and circuits using a variety of different mediums including K’nex and LEGO.

In mid-April, PIE qathet students participated in a district cross-country event.

Students at the Tsolem Building made music by coding with Scratch.

Applied Design Skills and Technology (ADST) projects have been made available district-wide and OV students have been enjoying the 'hands-on' activities.

No one is too young for the topic of diversity and acceptance.

Human diversity already exists in the world, and it is something that our children are observing and wondering about from a very young age. Themes of romance, identity, gender, and belonging are integral to many kids’ books, movies, and games.

Trying to avoid or hide the existence of 2SLGBTQ+ people leads to confusion, but representing diverse characters and relationships in our learning resources like books and films can help kids understand the world around them in an age-appropriate way.

Here are two resources approved by Focused Education for use with primary students:

https://focusedresources.ca/en/k-12-evaluated-resource-collection/family-book

https://focusedresources.ca/en/k-12-evaluated-resource-collection/all-families-are-special

Here is an award-winning and Oscar-nominated animated short film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAaqLIsOmCE

Here is a lesson outline created by a BC teacher using a SOGI-inclusive story book:

http://www.lostboysconsulting.ca/jerome-by-heart-jerome-par-coeur/

Here are some extra resources for Mental Health Week:

Canadian Mental Health Association's Mental Health Week 2024

PIE LSTs curated Mental Health Compendium

And our collection of Health and Wellness resources on our PIE webpage

Please note the updated hours of availability for Support Zone at OV in the notice below:

People often ask why families choose PIE. In order to articulate some of the reasons, we created a presentation describing what PIE has to offer interested students/families.

May 🌼

6-10: Mental Health Week

20: Victoria Day

29-31: Camp Imadene

June 🌞

1: Pride Month

3-9: Child and Youth in Care Week

7: Term 3 Submission Deadline

8: Brooks Grad

20: PIE Grad in the Comox Valley

21: National Indigenous Peoples Day

24: PIE Planning Day

27: Report Cards Published

28: Administrative Day (Schools Close)

Email: pieinfo@sd47.bc.ca
Website: https://www.sd47.bc.ca/pol
Location: 7105 Nootka Street, Powell River, BC, Canada
Phone: 604-485-2756
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/16157794226