SELKIRK
~ BELONGING~ GENEROSITY~ MASTERY ~ INDEPENDENCE ~
If your child is interested in a 2025-2026 yearbook, the time to purchase is now- the cut off to get a yearbook is the end of October! Student fees need to be paid in order to purchase a yearbook. Student fees are $20 (mandatory), yearbooks are optional and $50 for a $70 total. Can be done through School Cash Online or see Gwen Zanini in the office
Click here to sign up for Parent Teacher Interviews
Click here to order
On-line store is open from September 19 - October 8 The Winter Store will open shortly after If you are interested in purchasing Selkirk Storm Wear please follow the link below to order online. Individual orders are compiled into one school order. Completed orders will be delivered to the school 3-4 weeks after the store closes then given to students. NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
October 2025
STORM WEAR ORDERS
SECONDARY SCHOOL
PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Tuesday, October 14: 3:30 - 6PM Wednesday, October 15: 5:30 - 8PM Register on the School Appointments On-Line web page and sign up for interviews with your student's teachers.
Every student and staff member at Selkirk will benefit from being part of an open-minded and innovative learning community built upon the pillars of belonging, generosity, mastery and independence.
PAC meetings take place in the Selkirk Library Learning Commons on the first Tuesday of each month. All parents are welcome to attend or join via TEAMS. An invite will be sent monthly.
Kupaqpi?k Autumn Leaves Fade and Fall
Principal's Message
As we head into the second month of the school year, I want to thank our students, staff, parents/guardians, and community volunteers for your efforts in helping lead to a positive start to the school year! We had a nice turn out for Open House and look forward to seeing many of you during Parent-Teacher Interviews later in October. As a school community, we remain committed to fostering a culture of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity while aiming to build an empowered and growth-minded learning community. It has been great to see the field trip planning and the Fall extracurricular programs running full force leading to meaningful learning and positive experiences for our students. We encourage parents/guardians to remain involved in your child’s education as your involvement and partnership with the school makes a huge difference in how our students do at school. Here’s to a great October. ~ Clint Dolgopol
Grade 8 & 9 Expo 1 ends
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Fall Storm Wear Store Closes
Parent Teacher Interviews
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Fort Steele Fine Arts Retreat- Choir & Musical Theatre
No School
Vic Lewis Band Festival in Canmore- Jr.and Sr. Concert Band- October 31- November 2
Early dismissal 2:00 pm
Storm Spirit Day #1
C D A B 1
D C B A 2
OCTOBER
PAC Meeting 7:00 pm
Grade 8 & 9 Expo 2 begins
B A D C 1
A B C D 2
Sunday
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Honouring Truth and Reconciliation Day
Orange Shirt Day
Belonging
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
Guest speaker, Dr. Johnathan Vanderhoek spoke to Ms. Parker’s anatomy 12 and Ms. Sissons’ chemistry 12 classes about the Selkirk College’s Rural Pre-Medicine program.
At Selkirk, we follow a progressive discipline policy and use the following themes in conveying our expectations to students.
Reminders: No School: Monday, October 13- Thanksgiving Day No School: Friday, October 24- Professional Development Day Early Dismissal- 2pm- October 15-17
**Gr8 Day Outside: A Memorable First Adventure as Selkirk Students** On September 23rd and 24th, all Grade 8 students embarked on the much-anticipated Gr8 Day Out. They started with a small group walk that took them from Forest Crown to Camp Stone. Four questions were asked along their walk allowing them to reflect and make goals within their first year at Selkirk Secondary. Throughout the day, students participated in three engaging group activities, each thoughtfully designed around the principles of the Circle of Courage: •Belonging – fostering strong relationships and a sense of community •Generosity – practicing kindness and support for others •Independence – building confidence and self-reliance •Mastery – striving for personal excellence and learning through experience The activities encouraged teamwork, communication, and positive interaction, and our Grade 8s rose to the occasion with enthusiasm and maturity. It was inspiring to see students supporting one another, sharing ideas, and celebrating each other's strengths. The day was a resounding success, and every student should feel proud of the way they participated and contributed. Their energy, respect, and collaboration made this experience truly memorable. We look forward to more opportunities like this that help our students grow not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well.
Mastery
Academic Support Available every Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:15-4pm. Come to the Learning Commons Library to get homework help with Mr. Wetmore
If you are interested in learning more stay tuned and join us for our “Photo and Story Night” in January 2026 – where students share their experiences in an evening open to family, friends and interested students. Jenn Meens – Outdoor Education, Careers and Geography 12 Teacher at Selkirk Secondary School
Independence
Selkirk Outdoor Education Students connect with the Columbia over a 3 day canoe trip. As the golds of September glow in the morning light, and we are greeted off the bus by a cool fall breeze – 21 Selkirk Secondary students gather at the headwaters of Columbia Lake to start their learning journey about water, community, connection, teamwork, and physical and human geographical history. Over the 3 days students challenged themselves to put into practice outdoor and leadership skills that we have been developing in class since the start of school. “Our biggest challenge is shifting our mentality from a “me-centered” outlook to a perspective of interacting and living in a way that considers everyone, and everything – and emphasizes the qualities of good expeditionary behaviour and outdoor leadership” says teacher Jenn Meens Some of the Expeditionary Behaviours and Outdoor Leadership Skills include: - Disconnecting to connect - Environmental Stewardship - Supporting a group goal and everyone’s growth to build competence
Thank you again to the Mark Creek Lions Club who generously donated season tickets to the Dynamiter's that we can give as prizes to students!
Kimberley residents gathered at the Platzl gazebo on Saturday, September 20, for Draw the Line for a Resilient Future, a local event connected to the global Draw the Line initiative. The gathering brought together a wide range of community members—concerned citizens, students, educators, gardeners, civic representatives, and innovators—who joined in a round table discussion on how to build resilience and hope in the face of a changing climate. As Selkirk staff we contributed to the event by setting up “ideas boards, and topic banners” to collect the thoughts shared as we engaged in the discussion. One of the many actions shared celebrated the effort of a group of teacher volunteers working together with School District 6, the Teacher’s Union (KTA/ BCTF), and the City of Kimberley to have compost and recycling become a part of the waste management system in our schools. Our hope is to share these inspiring local actions with our students, as we work towards a more sustainable future. The event highlighted Kimberley’s commitment to collaborative, community-led solutions and added a strong local voice to a worldwide call for climate action.
Community
The Selkirk Music program is off to a great start to the year! We’re looking forward to our annual Choir retreat at Fort Steele in October, as well as a joint workshop with the MBSS and U of L Choirs. Also in October we’ll be casting our spring musical, Alice By Heart. Students in that course are already hard at work on the play, which runs April 15-18 at McKim Theatre. We also have three percussionists from the music program set to perform with the Symphony of the Kootenays on October 4th at the Key City Theatre and October 5th in Creston. We are very proud of those students, and that promises to be an exciting program! Our winter concert will be Thursday, December 18th at McKim Theatre. Admission will be by donation.
Alice By Heart working on choreography
Ms. Pavan's and Mrs, Pasiechnyk's English First People's class went to Lois Creek to identify native and invasive plants in a metaphorical activity. Check out the student write up below from Alyssa Johnson, Gr. 10. Student Blurb: "The native plants represent the resilience of everything that was here before colonization because they are meant to be in North America and continue to work together to create a healthy eco-system. This activity helped me understand all the harm that was done by colonization using the comparison of colonizers and weeds. By knowing the damage that weeds can make, I can comprehend what the settlers did in a new way."
Storm Report
Our Fall sports teams are off to an excellent start this season! Rugby 7’s, Volleyball, Boys Soccer, Swimming, and Cross Country have all shown tremendous energy and commitment throughout the month of September. It’s been inspiring to see the high level of engagement of our student athletes, along with the enthusiasm they bring to practices and competitions. Across all teams, we’ve demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, steady skill development, and a great sense of pride in representing our school. We are incredibly proud of all our athletes and coaches for their hard work, dedication, and positive spirit. Keep up the fantastic effort as we continue through the season, GO STORM!!!
Grad Zone
There are two major grad fundraisers: 1.WINTER MIX SALE – We are now partnering with Healthy Kimberley for our fall fundraiser! Grads will be selling locally made dry mix products, including: Pancake Mix Muffin Mix Ginger Snap Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix Trio Dip Pack (Ranch, Taco, Dill) Each item will be $20, and all products will be delivered before the winter break (great gift ideas!). This partnership will also give grads the opportunity to be involved in some aspects of production. By supporting a local charity at the same time, this is a win-win for our community. Fundraiser launch is 10am on October 16th at our grad meeting, along with other items. Bring your cell phone! All orders will be due online and/or to office by November 12th. 2.FLOWER BASKETS – order forms go home in the New Year with delivery in the spring. Each grad is expected to sell minimum 10 baskets each. More information to come. All money raised lowers the price of prom tickets. If you don't fund raise, your ticket price will reflect that. Attendance in these fundraisers is tracked. Grad Photo Week– January 5-9, 2026- The first week back after Winter Break A link will be sent out in the fall to sign up for a session. No action required until link is sent to you. Each sitting is $40.00 if you want to order photos. This session will be 30 minutes and will offer you options for different outfits with the main one being the grad gown and stole. Photo session is free for yearbook and composite only photos. No option for other photos if not paying the fee. Grad in June– CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES– this is a very busy week with ceremony set up, practice prom set up and getting ready. Please ensure you have this week off of work in the evenings – a lot going on and you need after school time to commit to these important items. June 12th Platzl Walk and Prom June 13th Ceremonies
GRAD 2026!
Rocky Mountain International Student Program
Curious about hosting an international student? Becoming a host parent is a rewarding way to share Canadian culture while welcoming the world into your home. Join us online to learn more about: What it's like to host an international student Supports and resources available to families Benefits for your family and community How to get started RMISP is offering four Virtual Info Sessions starting at 7:00 PM (MT) on: Thursday, October 2 Tuesday, October 7 Wednesday, October 15 Monday, October 20 Register now atrminternational.ca/infosessions