SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 73
Sa-Hali Secondary Designated as a UNESCO School

Sa-Hali Secondary has achieved international status as a UNESCO-designated school. It is one of only three schools in BC, and 90 in Canada to achieve this designation. The UNESCO Associated Schools Network (UNESCO ASP-net) includes some 11,000 schools in 182 countries around the world.

"This designation allows Sa-Hali Secondary to connect with school communities and the greater UNESCO network in Canada and around the world," said Superintendent Alison Sidow. "It gives our students increased opportunities to explore and address major issues facing our world."

"Students will be able to collaborate across the UNESCO network with other students, teachers, and community groups to research, act and advocate for more access to education," said Sa-Hali Principal Rachel Sdoutz. "And to address problems using sound scientific principles focused on building a peaceful world through cultural expression and appreciation."

 Students at Sa-Hali say they appreciate the level of learning they are being provided, and they are already working on their contributions to global solutions.

"Our next steps will focus on the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals," said Amanda To, Grade 12 student at Sa-Hali. "The young people of the world will be the driving force in seeing these goals accomplished by the target date of 2030."

 "Our curriculum is already on the leading edge of education around the world," said Mitra Morgan, Grade 12 student at Sa-Hali. "The 17 global goals have deep connections into our curriculum and our youth have a lot to say and do to demonstrate how the goals can be achieved in partnership with others around our planet."

The students said they will be hosting an Exposition at Sa-Hali during the school year, setting up pavilions in classrooms, to showcase their work around each of the 17 goals.

Sdoutz said students and staff will work with local groups and with regional, national and international partners to share ideas and solutions.

"This sometimes means web-based connections and dealing with different time zones to host real-time discussions," she said. "Our students have, on occasion, risen very early to meet with student partners from around the world to discuss projects."

Part of meeting the requirements of the designation includes reporting and participation requirements. 

"We look forward to our continued collaborations with member schools in Canada and internationally and can't wait to see what opportunities our students will have to participate in U.N. and UNESCO events," said Morgan.

Sa-Hali celebrated the UNESCO designation with a ceremony Oct. 1 at the school to raise the UNESCO flag.