<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"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Athletic Leadership class would like to recognize our Sr. Girls Soccer Team this week during our Athlete Spotlights. The Girls play their first league game at Kal on Tuesday April 14 before heading to Kamloops on Friday April 17 for a Tournament. Go Jays Go!</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/db8c6478-d121-44e3-baa2-8ac9a48b2614" alt="JLJ Leadership wishlist AD" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you spring cleaning? Finding bins of decorations you forgot you had, and no longer want? </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The JLJ Student Leadership Team is working on stocking our events cupboard, and would like to welcome donations of used/still useful items to be used for school events. We have a list of some of our most needed items at this link (</span><a href="https://canva.link/jljleadershipwishlist" title="https://canva.link/jljleadershipwishlist" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">https://canva.link/jljleadershipwishlist</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">) which we will update as we go, however any questions about items you might have available to donate can be directed to our Leadership teacher, Ariana Sholinder, at asholind.sd83.bc.ca. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for your support!</span></p>