This time in the Learning Commons:
As we move into the second semester, the Learning Commons continues to support students and families with fresh resources, helpful updates, and opportunities to stay engaged in reading and learning. This edition of the newsletter shares important announcements, highlights new additions to the Search Portal, and features an upcoming student event designed to spark curiosity and connection. We invite you to read on and see what’s new this month.
Announcements & Reminders
- The Flex Parent Advisory Council is hosting a Living Books Book Fair to help place high-quality, faith-based books into our students’ hands while supporting the Learning Commons. Shop online until February 13 and use the promo code FABOOKFAIR for free shipping. Note: If you live outside of the Kelowna area, online orders can be shipped directly to your home (please note this in the comment box; otherwise, items will be shipped to the school). Details are available at www.flexacademypac.ca/bookfair .
- We have changed the Search Portal Menu bar: “Topics” has been renamed “Browse Subjects.” Here you will find curated resources organized by grade and by subject.
Resource Updates & Tips
- If you use Firefox or Safari and have issues accessing the “My Account” option on the Search Portal page, please switch to Chrome and email Shandra at swiebe@onlineschool.ca with details of the issue.
- Turn the page on something new! New fiction titles have been added to the Search Portal.
- New student books on Sora include The Birchbark House, a graphic novel; Speechless; and One Wrong Step: Adventures on Everest, amongst many others. Families may enjoy reading The Purpose Driven Life with their teens or A Perfectionist’s Guide to Not Being Perfect.
- Tynker (Gr. K-10) teaches coding as students create games and animated projects. Students gain a solid foundation in programming and computational thinking, which prepares them to transition to any mainstream object-oriented programming language. After learning the fundamentals, students can transition to JavaScript or Python within the Tynker learning system. Contact Margaret Basaraba to set up student accounts. Use the Tynker page in SOPHIE for instructions on setting up your account.
Student Highlights & Contests
- The Learning Commons would like to invite you to a free virtual student event for grades 4-8 on February 26th at 11 am. BC author Rowena Ray has published many books on ecosystems, watersheds and the life cycle of the salmon. Come and hear her talk about her book, Salmon Swimming For Survival and bring your questions! Sign up on this form. Send your questions to Pippa Davies
- Who Flew The Coup? StoryTime (Kindergarten – Gr. 4) is free for all HCOS students on February 17, 2025, at 10 am. Learn more and register here.
Blessings from the Learning Commons Team
