<p class="editor-paragraph"><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Schools across the District are once again preparing to celebrate Earth Day by taking part in the annual </span><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Trees for Hope</em></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> initiative, a hands-on environmental learning opportunity that connects students with nature and stewardship.</span></p></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><figure><img src="/images/a743c214-120a-4e90-8f86-d00fa62ebfdc" alt="Trees for Hope-K Fulton" width="292" height="389" style="width:292px;height:389px;display:inline-block;float:left"><figcaption>Environmental Advisory Working Group Member and Retired Principal, Kim Fulton</figcaption></figure><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Approximately 1,800 seedlings are being distributed to participating schools, ensuring classrooms receive their trees ahead of Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Each seedling represents an opportunity for students to learn about ecosystems, climate action, and the importance of caring for the environment, while actively contributing to a greener future.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Trees for Hope initiative continues to grow thanks to the commitment of school staff, champions, and classroom teachers who make environmental education meaningful and hands-on for students of all ages. Classroom planting activities often extend learning beyond science, supporting cross-curricular connections in Indigenous learning, numeracy, literacy, and social responsibility.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you to all the schools and staff leads who are supporting this important annual initiative. A special thank you to Kim Fulton for assisting with the coordination of Trees for Hope. Everyone’s participation helps foster environmental awareness, responsibility, and hope—one tree at a time.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This initiative supports the </span><a href="https://www.sd83.bc.ca/documents/2a8a7cb4-f047-5441-9003-bbf9148bd9cb/2023-2028-Strategic-Plan-Revised-Sept-2424.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">District's Strategic Plan</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> by fostering environmental stewardship, experiential learning, and meaningful connections to the world beyond the classroom.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: start;"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/7b54075b-4f83-4ae8-b455-0bd8ad24c5c3" alt="Morning Brew Fundraiser" width="824" height="1029" style="width:824px;height:1029px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Join us on&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Wed</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">April 15th</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;from&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">7:30–8:30am</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;for a coffee and baked treat during morning drop-off, all by donation! A huge thank you to&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Uptown Co-op Gas Bar</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;for supplying us with all the cups and to the&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Salmon Arm Secondary Culinary Arts Program&nbsp;</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">for donating and brewing all the coffee for us!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: start;"><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">📍 Location: Please refer to the map in this post so you know exactly where to find us! We will be located on the grassy patch next to the Hillcrest Elementary sign.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">🚗 Parking &amp; Safety Reminders:</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">• Please use designated parking stalls only (</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">no parking</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;in the bus lane or kiss &amp; go areas, this will be&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">VERY</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;important for the success of this fundraiser).</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">• For everyone’s safety,&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">children/students are not permitted</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;on the grassy area (see map in attachment). This fundraiser&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">is for adults,</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;so kids must head to their classroom and playground as usual that morning. Items are&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">NOT</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;being offered for student purchase.</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">• Help us keep traffic flowing smoothly during this busy time. With a little extra traffic that morning, we kindly ask for your patience and a bit of extra time at drop-off. We are using the&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">BOBEG</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;acronym (</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">B</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">e&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">O</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">ptimistic&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">B</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">ut&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">E</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">xpect&nbsp;</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">G</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">litches!)</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cash and debit will both be accepted.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/cd632471-3f71-4721-9792-841ba1f57fbf" alt="Morning Brew Map" width="817" height="612" style="width:817px;height:612px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mindful Moments: Nature, Movement, and Connection</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The nature movement, a concept encompassing various initiatives and beliefs, focuses on restoring and deepening human connections with the natural world. This movement emphasizes the importance of nature for both individual well-being and societal health, recognizing that our relationship with nature significantly impacts our mental and physical health, as well as our environmental stewardship.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To download the PDF, click the following link: </span><ie-document data-lexical-document-id="e6167b5d-7ed6-49a0-8415-11a2945312e0"></ie-document></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To access the art projects and stories, click the following links: </span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://artfulparent.com/nature-art-for-kids/" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">22 Nature Art Ideas for Kids</span></a></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://www.doinggoodtogether.org/bhf-book-lists/picture-books-for-nature-lovers" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Explore the Outdoors: 32 Favorite Children's Books About Nature | Best Outdoor Picture Books — Doing Good Together™</span></a></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/39f1670b-1d8b-44ff-a005-89151431b058" alt="Mindful Moments April 2026" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>