Welcome
Blueberry Creek Community School has always been the heart of the community and the gathering place for families. The first Blueberry Creek School was built on a ten acre site in 1916 by the old highway on Blueberry Creek. It housed students from Grades 1 to 8. Students were responsible for chopping the wood, tending the fire and hauling water from the creek. The school was operating until 1947, when it burned down. The students were then bused to Castlegar, and the Blueberry Creek School was amalgamated into the Castlegar United School District. The present school built on a peach orchard, was land donated by Mr. Gopp to be used in perpetuity for the community. It originally had two class rooms, was opened in 1962 with additional in 1974 - 1975, when the library and activity room were constructed, and a portable classroom was brought into the site. The school was closed again in June 1986, due to declining enrolment. Students were then bused to Kinnaird Elementary School. Blueberry Creek Elementary school was re-opened in September 1991, due to pressure from local parents. It was closed for the last time in 2002. We gained community school status in 1997 and charitable status in 2001. The school is currently being used by the school district to house the District Resource Centre and the Itinerant Team. Blueberry Creek Community School council utilizes two classrooms, office space and most recently a portable classroom for its programs and partners with the school district to provide learning and literacy programs in area schools.
Core Programs:
Family Literacy Parenting Centre in partnership with SD#20 with Vancouver Foundation funding. This is a free drop in program for children and their caregivers. Crafts, stories, free play and a healthy snack three mornings a week. This program started as Moms & Tots in 1998.
The Blueberry Patch is a licensed after-school care program which started in 1999 with 2 children, now has 20 spaces. We are located at the fire hall, a partnership with the City of Castlegar.
"Play to Learn" Licensed Preschool - started with one class of 12, now have 4 classes with 58 children registered. They have the opportunity to go up to KE to take part in cultural activities.
Youth programs - consistent Friday night programs for 10 years. We have 2 staff, as well as two youth assistants. Youth have the opportunity to interact with people their own age in a well supervised environment; they have the opportunity to use the gym weekly as well.
School Programs:
One to one reading - a literacy program in most elementary schools, pairs community volunteers with at risk readers.
Living History Project - first piloted in 2005 to record stories of seniors in the community written by grade 6 students. It was funded by ArtStarts and recognized by BC hydro as one of 5 in BC as "an exemplary way to engage young people in the community through the arts." It was displayed at the ArtStarts Gallery in Vancouver. Then we partnered with 4 schools across the district funded by New Horizons for Seniors federal funding and now used as an exemplary project in their presentations.
Summer camps - Legacies for the district (free), science camps, summer reading program. At risk youth camps - 10 students take part in kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, horse back riding. Cost free.
HUB:
In 2008 we gained status as a "Community HUB". Neighbourhood hubs are centres where early childhood development, child care and family strengthening programs are housed under one roof. These projects can involve partnerships with school districts, local governments, health authorities. In September 2008 we opened a new daycare - 3- 5 group care "Blueberry Buds" 20 spaces.
We have multiple community partners: Kootenay Family Place, Castlegar and District Community Services, Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (Mother Goose, Love 2 Learn, girl's literacy group) the Royal Bank of Canada with the RBC 360 degree after school program, one of 4 funded in BC, partner with SD#20, Canadian Tire Jump Start, Community Harvest food bank, CBT and seniors - The 360º Program is about fostering participants' understanding of their own leadership, academics, athletics, attitude and life. We work with many other community agencies.
We foster and build community - multiple partners, offering convenience for families by co-locating programs; . improving cost effectiveness . enhancing programs that are tailored to meet the needs of individual communities; and . increased utilization of public buildings. We believe that children do well when families do well, and families do well when they live in supportive communities. Connect kids to communities and foster belonging. We make a difference one person at a time.
Please check our newsletter to see what is being offered and feel free to register.
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