Mrs. Lang, Home Economics teacher at Southern Okanagan Secondary School, showed members of the Oliver Women’s Institute her new classroom when the WI met April 2.
The classroom accommodates 26 students with six cooking units down one side and sewing machines, etc. on the other side for dressmaking.
This year they have a five-week course for all Grade 8s, combining sewing and cooking when they will make an apron, some cookies and soup – about 30 hours for each section.
This is a good start, but we hope it will be lengthened to half a year for each.
Many parents come from cultures where women’s role is cooking, sewing, shopping, etc., but when you leave home and go to college you have to be able to fend for yourself as there is no family backup.
Grades 9 and 10 can be one of your courses and grades 11 and 12 are elective courses.
It was wonderful to get a glimpse of our very-up-to-date new high school.
Poems were also read by Helen and Ruth on the subjects of month of April and mistakes.
We all make many mistakes in life but you should accept them and try and correct them if possible so that you can move on with your life without feeling miserable, upset or guilty.
We all have these moments in our life but we are not alone.
Everyone at the meeting was asked what we expected schools should teach our children.
We will have a quilt raffle in the fall, including a bed-runner and two covered cushions.
The South Okanagan Similkameen WI District is holding its annual general meeting April 28 at 10 am in the Okanagan Falls United Church.
Lunch will be provided. Bring an article for raffle or sale.
Helen Overnes will be a delegate for the BC WI triennial conference to be held at UBC Okanagan campus in Kelowna June 6-8.
Our next meeting will be held May 5 when Richard Little will bring us up to date with housing for the mentally challenged as well as see the Double O Bike store on Main Street.
Helen Overnes
Special to the Chronicle
