Place-based learning uses the local environment and community as the starting point for teaching the objectives of the curriculum. We will provide resources and create opportunities for cross-curricular learning on the land while fostering relationships between school and community. Teachers are expected and supported to take more learning outdoors for all the health and learning benefits that come with spending time outside and in nature. Examples of this work include:
- Investment in equipment for outdoor activities and learning
- Ensuring all students have access to clothing, and footwear for outdoor activities
- Participation in the year-long Take Me Outside For Learning Challenge
- Support for educator participation in learning opportunities to build capacity for outdoor learning (Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers Association workshops and network, Environmental Education Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA) partnerships, Open Learning Store webinars, Outdoor Council of Canada certification, other)
- Interactive digital map of place-based learning sites, resources, and opportunities
- Relationships with community educators, organizations, and facilities to bring community educators into the classroom and students out into community settings
- Independent Directed Study (IDS) framework to honour community and cultural learning with graduation program credits
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER in, on, with, and from the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District land and communities:
Grade 7 Earth Challenge
Columneetza Junior Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Again this year, Grade 7 students have been participating in learning and field trips with the learning intention of helping the planet. The learning series is in partnership and friendship with Scout Island, Gavin Lake, Cariboo-Chilcotin Conservation Society, and Waste Wise. A culminating day long event was held on Earth Day at Columneetza including stations, quizzes, and bragging rights for some. 🌎🌳</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/f3844618-5060-4149-94ca-9f24de3bbe9c?fingerprint=ppb20260428063107" alt="Grade 7 Earth Challenge1 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/8dbdbbea-2345-4ca1-9c4d-fe5cd3a2e92d?fingerprint=ppb20260428063106" alt="Grade 7 Earth Challenge2 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Learning Outdoors
Columneetza Junior Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Five classes gathered outside to enjoy the warmth of the sun while learning together in a calm, engaging environment. Students collaborated in teams, connected with nature, and participated in a balanced range of activities, some playing, some reading, and others completing academic work. Throughout the time outdoors, students remained regulated, focused, and calm. This approach reflects our school plan’s commitment to promoting well-being, meaningful learning, and positive connections within a natural setting.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/aa5d6134-2a26-48b3-ae98-ad00062b863c?fingerprint=ppb20260415033953" alt="Learning Outdoors alina cameron" width="472" height="354" style="width:472px;height:354px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Gavin Lake Winter Camp
Columneetza Junior Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Teacher leader Frances McCoubrey never misses an opportunity to get her class outside for learning. Gavin Lake Forest Education Center is a longtime SD27 Community Partner. The grade 7 outdoor camp has been an opportunity for our students and teachers to partake in over many years. This year, Ms. McCoubrey’s timing was just right, and our students enjoyed good weather and good snow. Always hit or miss in the Cariboo! Thanks Gavin Lake educators and parent volunteers for helping us continue to participate in this learning opportunity!</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/1334e75c-b849-41aa-ba4d-56527755ef6d?fingerprint=ppb20260224053557" alt="Gavin Lake Winter Camp1 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/1d24bd7e-b535-418b-989d-0c559c889605?fingerprint=ppb20260224053557" alt="Gavin Lake Winter Camp2 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Daily Walks For The Win
Columneetza Junior Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grade 8 & 9 math and science teacher Dylan Pritchard is taking his class outside to support their learning. 80 minute class blocks are long, and he wants direct instruction to stick. Taking the class outside for a walk ahead of direction instruction clears minds, resets nervous systems, and sets the stage for regulation. Daily walks for the win!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/6294893c-66d2-454c-8401-56e882c18cf7?fingerprint=ppb20260224053005" alt="Daily walks for the win holly zurak" width="443" height="787" style="width:443px;height:787px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Take Me Outside - For Buddy Basketball
Columneetza Junior Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, Ms. Khurana’s Grade 7 and Mrs. Uppal’s Grade 9 classes teamed up for a collaborative basketball session in P.E. outside on our basketball blacktop! The Grade 9 students took on leadership roles, sharing their skills and knowledge of the game with the younger students. They demonstrated great teamwork, encouragement, and kindness as they coached the Grade 7s through drills and gameplay.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Grade 7 students showed enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, gaining confidence with each pass, dribble, and shot. The supportive atmosphere created by the Grade 9s helped build a positive sense of community and sportsmanship. It was inspiring to see both grades working together, fostering respect, teamwork, and a shared love for the game.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/8fa6b4d9-6f6a-449b-abe6-b1c607438048?fingerprint=ppb20260318042732" alt="Take Me Outside for Buddy Basketball1 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/22d8db57-56ad-4d34-96bb-b9df3cf80e46?fingerprint=ppb20260318042733" alt="Take Me Outside for Buddy Basketball2 holly zurak" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Follow the Leader
Columneetza Junior Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome back! We’re so excited for the 2025–2026 school year! Over the summer, Cariboo Chilcotin School District leaders paddled with joy and purpose, gliding their canoes through a stream full of lily pads. With laughter and teamwork, they embraced both challenges and adventures, showing their commitment to leading with heart, unity, and strength.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/429989ad-e083-4360-8a52-58fb2df46915?fingerprint=ppb20260310233813" alt="Follow the Leader alina cameron" width="507" height="676" style="width:507px;height:676px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Columneetza Students Visit the Community of Esk'et
Columneetza Junior Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Teachers Ms. McCartney and Ms. Billyboy took Columneetza students to visit elders and knowledge keepers at Esk'et in the Fall of 2024. Students got to learn about the land, hear stories about the territory, experience a drum circle and share the day with amazing community members. Students will get another opportunity to visit Esk'et before the end of the school year.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/1b817837-bb44-414f-b36f-e3f5f2b1cb97?fingerprint=ppb20251217033739" alt="Columneetza Students Visit the Community of Esket" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/1e6ccc6b-e398-46fe-b569-c1eae55f1eb2?fingerprint=ppb20251217033752" alt="Columneetza Students Visit the Community of Esket" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Ms. McCoubrey's Grade 7 Class Rakes Leaves for Columneetza's Neighbours
Columneetza Junior Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ms. McCoubrey's Grade 7 students rake leaves for the school's neighbours and have a little fun while they are working. It is all of our responsibility to help one another.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/31095c86-e1ad-4c77-be9e-d795839ae71e?fingerprint=ppb20251217033848" alt="Ms McCoubreys Grade 7 Class " width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/32c516a4-2a5e-462a-b905-f513d17212ae?fingerprint=ppb20251217033848" alt="Ms McCoubreys Grade 7 Class " width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>