Mill Bay Nature School is growing next year with the addition of the Qwiqwul tst tse — “Let’s Talk” clan — created specifically for students in Grades 6 to 9.
The new program has been specifically designed with adolescent growth and development in mind and will begin in September.
The Qwiqwul tst tse clan will be focused on Grade 6 and 7 aged students who are willing to make a three/four-year commitment to the clan, who will be led by a diverse group of teachers “using the robust B.C. curriculum as a guide, the community and natural world as base for daily rhythms, with the body, mind, heart, and spirit as structures,” said a press release issued by Cowichan Valley School District spokesperson Mike Russell.
Mill Bay Nature School’s popular public school program was started just four years ago and has been a popular choice for parents thanks to its unique education centered away from desks.
The school focuses on a “learning and teaching community with Hulq’umi’num’ Elders-in-Residence, Knowledge Holders, brave and courageous parents, dedicated, passionate and responsive educators, and our ‘Xe ‘xe smun’eem, our sacred children, who are at the centre of our work,” said Russell.
For more information and an opportunity to ask questions and meet the staff, there’s an April 27 gathering at 5 p.m. in Mill Bay Nature School’s Q’shintul Lelum (gym).
For more information visit www.sd79.bc.ca