The Williams Lake Indian Band hosted its first annual parent-teacher night at the Elizabeth Grouse Gymnasium on Feb. 25.
“This event was a huge success and we’re grateful for the participation of WLSS staff, parents and the RCMP,” said Heather McKenzie, WLIB education manager in announcing the event.
“We look forward to building more bridges with the School District (27) and to working collaboratively to create the best possible environment for our students. We would like to extend a warm thank-you to Mr. Mike Levitt, counsellor of Williams Lake Secondary School, for the initiation of such a grand idea on behalf of our children and families of Sugar Cane.”
The event was attended by representatives of WLSS including the vice-principal, academic counsellors, numerous teachers and First Nations support workers, parents and band council members, and special guest members of the RCMP.
The theme was “everything you want to know about high school.”
The purpose of the parent teacher night was to build and strengthen relationships between WLIB parents and school district staff, and to engage in dialogue about topics of importance to parents and students.
Participants gathered in a traditional circle and parents were given the opportunity to engage district staff regarding a variety of subjects.
Topics of discussion included parent/teacher communication approaches, methods of establishing a rapport between students and teachers, and the fundamentals of high school education.
The event also included a pizza dinner followed by a spirited game of ball hockey, in which WLIB parents/students teamed with the Williams Lake RCMP detachment to battle WLSS faculty members. Guest stars in the match included Lac La Hache Tomahawks goaltender and WLIB councillor, Willie Sellars, and former Williams Lake Stampeders player and WLSS teacher, Terry Duff.