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A new course has been preparing Nakusp Secondary School (NSS) students for post-grad life with skills and certifications in the Emergency Services field.
Teachers Daniel Abraham and Dorian Boswell’s goals and vision for the course was to introduce students to hands-on training; encourage volunteerism; and embrace the unique educational opportunities of the Arrow Lakes region. Abraham and Boswell presented to the School District 10 board of education at its April 7 meeting.
Students have gained certifications and training in Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR), first aid, fire suppression and safety, swift water rescue, and drone piloting, to name just a few.
The independent study course was made possible with funding from RDCK Area K and the Nakusp Volunteer Fire Department, along with the many community organizations who have stepped up to support the students.
“We’re really, really fortunate to have the volunteers in our community be so receptive to working with our youth,” NSS Principal Mike Hibberson told the board.
The course has shown students’ dedication and commitment, as all of the coursework happens outside of class time. A weekend overnight trip put GSAR skills to the test, certification courses required trips to Castlegar, and students are even training alongside the GSAR team and fire department.
Student Alder Schroeder told the board he’d like to fight wildfires this summer, and Ethan Hunt is also excited by firefighting. “It’s also fun to have certifications and to have it not being paid out of pocket,” said Alder.
“The whole idea was essentially to make students more employable in a variety of types of work post-graduation – or during,” said Abraham.
Digital citizenship
Students across the district have been learning how to stay safe online thanks to Erin Collison’s Digital Media Citizenship Presentations. Collison, the district’s Learning Technologies teacher, has visited every school, promoting responsible behaviour, safety and critical thinking in their digital lives.
“[The presentations] are really, really well received by the students and teachers,” she told the board. “I have had every teacher request to have me back and give presentations because they found that the material has really resonated with the students and they are appreciating what they’re learning.”
At its core, the presentations prepare students for online life, and demonstrate what it means to be responsible online ‘citizens.’ Collison aims to build students’ tech confidence by sharing how to protect personal information and how to evaluate online information for credibility and accuracy.
Another important part of being a good digital citizen is respect, said Collison. She encourages students to be kind online – both to others through empathy, and to oneself by developing healthy tech habits that support wellbeing. Collison hopes to collaborate with another teacher on presentations for senior students about cyber-bullying, being appropriate, and online mental health awareness.
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