No, they don’t. But the beautiful Shuswap Lake does. Four, in fact. The lake consists of four arms, forming a shape reminiscent of the letter “H” as in “Hello!” They are Salmon Arm, Anstey Arm, Seymour Arm, and the main Shuswap Lake Arm. Shuswap Lake is named after the Shuswap First Nations – the Secwepemc. Today, the following first nations bands live in the area: Adams Lake Band, Neskonlith Band, Spallumcheen Band, and Little Shuswap Band. Salmon Arm is a small city with big ideas, whose combination of beauty and forward thinking attracts explorers, entrepreneurs and families of all ages. If you’re seeking a safe, welcoming place that’s open to innovative ways to build a life, Salmon Arm is that place. In a spectacular setting, mid-way between Vancouver and Calgary, with a population of 17,706, it is ideally situated on key transportation crossroads. As the largest community within the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Salmon Arm is the business service centre for the surrounding area and has a market population of close to 45,000. With a beautiful, four-season climate, excellent access to healthcare, education and sports and recreation, Salmon Arm offers authentic community, various activities, real prosperity, and true opportunity

Average high temp in summer: 26.5º (July)

Average low temp in winter: -4.9º (December) -6.6 (January)

Rainfall: 469 mm

Snowfall: 184 cm

Sunshine: 1802 hours

https://www.saeds.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Relocation-Guide_2019.pdf

Get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

After spending more time at home than ever before, most of us are eager to get outside and enjoy the sunshine this spring. But, unless you’ve been carefully tending to your yard, there’s a good chance those outdoor spaces could use some TLC.

As it turns out, the key to creating a truly relaxing backyard oasis lies in delighting the five senses, and nearly any homeowner can partake. From the smell of jasmine to the soft glow of string lights, here’s how to level up your backyard this spring.

Prioritize privacy

Of course, you can’t truly relax when the neighbours are too close for comfort. Before tackling anything else, make a point to establish some privacy.

You may not want an extra-tall privacy fence all along with the property, but creating even just a few closed-off nooks promotes relaxation. Consider curtains, climbing plants, trellises, hedges, planters, and more (Better Homes and Gardens, 2021) to section off your space, prevent prying eyes and create a perfectly calm environment. Goodbye, looky-loos!

Set up seating

No outdoor space is complete without a functional seating area. Outdoor daybeds invite lounging, while a picnic table would be perfect for entertaining.

If you’re feeling creative, don’t shy away from swings, hammocks and other unique options, either. Whatever your taste, just ensure plenty of comfortable seating is well within reach.

Tend to the garden

Greenery can make or break an outdoor space. In fact, plants have been shown to have a therapeutic effect, promoting feelings of calmness and cutting down on stress (Forbes, 2020). For added fun, incorporate plants with sweet-smelling flowers, vibrant colours or unique shapes.

Let there be light

While lighting may initially seem a bit insignificant, when used correctly, it can truly transform a space. For example, warm light is often seen as calming and inviting, while cool light feels more invigorating.

Consider hanging string lights over the seating area to add ambiance, or place torches throughout the yard if lawn games are on the agenda. Either way, good lighting (Country Living 2021) ensures your outdoor oasis is fully functional, even after dark.

Install a water feature

Did you know that the sound of running water (Smithsonian, 2021) can actually boost health outcomes and promote feelings of tranquillity? Unless you’re lucky enough to live right on the beach, you may need to do some legwork to incorporate this element of relaxation.

Installations can be as simple as a birdbath or as complex as a full-on fountain. Whatever your preference, a water feature is sure to make a splash in your backyard oasis.

Consider a sound system

If running water isn’t quite cutting it, a soothing playlist might. Pick up a simple Bluetooth speaker or invest in an outdoor speaker system (HGTV). Then, take a note from your favourite day spa and put on something soft and soothing.

Imagine yourself lounging in a hammock under bistro lights, flowering perennials nearby… Now, grab a shovel and make it a reality! Your backyard oasis is waiting.

Raise the discussion of booming real estate in Canada, and the Vancouver, BC housing market will likely be mentioned more than once. While the city has maintained a strong market over the last few decades, another story worth mentioning is the performance of the province as a whole.

In mid-2020, Canadian real estate markets from coast to coast experienced a surge in demand that caused inventory to fall below historical levels. Meantime, prices experienced continuous increases month-over-month, pushing the entire BC housing market into red-hot seller’s territory.

With an influx of new residents coming from overseas and other Canadian provinces, affordability in BC is moving further out of reach. Homes have been flying off the market and prices have been rising well beyond the national average, and there doesn’t seem to be any sign of slowing as we welcome the new year.

British Columbia Closing 2021 Strong

While numbers may be decreasing in comparison to the scorching sales of October 2020, October 2021 was still a strong one. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) tallied residential unit sales of 9,593. With a record low number of listings on the market, the average residential price in the province rose 18.9 percent year-over-year, to $964,777. This helped push the total sales volume to a whopping $9.3 billion for the month.

With a 40-per-cent decline in active residential listings at the end of October compared to 2020, the BC real estate market continues to be a hot seller’s market. “The story across the province continues to be the record low number of listings,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “Rising mortgage rates should start to temper sales activity next year, but even with a moderation in demand it will take quite some time for the inventory of homes to return to a healthy level.”

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was up 69.7 percent to $99.6 billion year-over-year. Unit sales were up 42.8 percent to 108,798 units, while the average MLS® residential price was up 18.8 percent to $915,833. With strong numbers in the first month of the 2021’s last quarter, it is anticipated that the market will continue to burn strong as 2021 comes to a close.

BC Market to Continue Simmering into 2022

While things may appear to be slightly cooling in the British Columbia housing market, we aren’t out of the woods just yet. As 2022 inches closer, industry observers expect to see real estate metrics continue strong in the new year.

With the MLS residential sales in BC anticipated to rise to 121,450 units by the end of the year – a 29-per-cent increase over the 94,013 unit sales in 2020 – there could be a welcomed cooling off at the beginning of the new year. According to Ogmundson, “After a frenzied start to the year, activity in BC housing markets has settled back to a level that is broadly in line with long-run trends. The strength of the first half of this year has sales on track to easily break the previous record for annual sales.”

The Board said that MLS residential sales will fall about 15 percent, down to 102,750 units for the entirety of 2022, potentially giving the market some time to relax and moderate. “While we do not anticipate a repeat of the record-setting market of 2021, we do expect housing market activity to remain vigorous in 2022,” added Ogmundson.

With annual sales projected to remain above average, listings are not anticipated to keep pace with demand, which will likely further push the average home price in BC upward approximately three percent compared to 2021. While an increase in price is generally not favourable for buyers, the slight increase is more digestible than the 17-per-cent increase experienced over the course of 2021.

Source: British Columbia Real Estate Association

• https://www.bcrea.bc.ca/economics/bc-housing-market-at-historically-low-level-of-supply/
• https://www.bcrea.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021-10-28-forecast.pdf

Most Salmon Arm properties see 2022 assessment jump by more than 30 percent

BC Assessment notes top-priced single-family home in Salmon Arm is valued at 2,528,000

If your Salmon Arm home was assessed around the $400,000 mark in 2020, it’s likely assessed at well over half a million dollars now.

According to BC Assessment, a ‘typical’ Salmon Arm single-family house assessed at $426,000 in 2021, based on its potential selling price on July 1, 2020, would be assessed in 2022 at $574,000, an increase of 34 percent.

In Sicamous, while the potential selling prices are lower, the increase in assessed value is slightly higher.

BC Assessment states that a ‘typical’ Sicamous single-family house assessed at $318,000 in 2021 would be assessed in 2022 at $450,000, a 38 percent increase. The 2022 assessment is based on the potential selling price of the home on July 1, 2021.

In Chase, a ‘typical’ $309,000 home in the 2021 assessment would increase in assessed value in 2022 by 36 percent to $427,000.

Salmon Arm, Sicamous and Chase are listed by BC Assessment in the Thompson Okanagan region. Throughout the region, many communities are seeing increases of more than 30 percent.

Assessor Tracy Wall pointed out that although increases are very high for the region, a number of residents have been affected by wildfires and floods.

“We really really want them to come to our office and speak to our appraiser, so we have accurate information for their assessment,” she said.

Wall recommended that people go to the BC Assessment website at: www.bcassessment.ca/Property/AssessmentSearch where they can see their assessment.

The assessment increase for strata residential properties such as condos and townhouses in the Thompson Okanagan region is lower than the increase for single-family houses, running in the 20 to 25 percent mark.

An increased assessment does not necessarily mean a homeowner’s taxes will increase. It’s how your assessment changes relative to the average change in your community that matters. For instance, if the change to your property value is higher than the average change for your property class, your taxes will likely increase.

If you have concerns or questions about your assessment, you’re asked to call your regional assessment office as soon as possible in January.

As for assessed values, the highest out of the 30 communities listed in Lake Country at $662,000 in the 2021 assessment increasing to $886,000 in 2022. Sun Peaks is actually higher, listed at $921,000 in the 2021 assessed value jumping 25 percent to $1,146,000 in the 2022 assessment.

The lowest typical price listed in the Thompson Okanagan region for a single-family house by BC Assessment goes to Clinton.

The 2021 assessment was for $155,000, which rose by 17 percent to the 2022 assessment of $176,000.

BC Assessment also keeps track of the top 25 valued properties in communities.

In Salmon Arm, the top 25 prices listed by BC Assessment range from $1.6 million to $2.5 million.

At the top is a single-family home at 981 Harbourfront Dr. NE priced at $2,528,000. There are only four single-family homes listed in the top 25; the rest are described as acreages.

Sources: Salmon Arm Observer

Let’s talk about how to present and price your house in a seller’s market. A seller’s market means that there is less inventory than buyers. The upside for sellers is that you can usually sell your house quicker and for more money than in a buyer’s market.  BUT you must be careful, if you don’t present your house properly or if you overprice it and it sits too long, it becomes a stinky listing way faster than it would in another kind of market.  Buyers begin to wonder if there is something wrong with it much sooner than they would’ve if it had been a buyer’s market.

With that being said, this is a great time to sell houses that might not be optimal for people in the past.  For example, houses with odd floor plans, located on busier streets, have smaller yards, backing light industrial etc. Because there is less inventory, buyers are somewhat willing to make concessions on features that they may not have had in the past.  What you don’t want to do is miss the boat on cleaning, repairs and staging. Be sure that your house is just as presentable as it would be in a buyer’s market. You want your house to be in great repair and be clean, fresh and in a state that people can envision themselves there… immediately.  Buyers have to decide fast.  If they can’t imagine themselves in your home right away, they will quickly move on!

Sources: Heather Fritz

When leaving a home, it’s important to honour the time you have spent within its walls and the life you lived there.

When we move from one residence to another, we often get so caught up in the forward thrust of where we are going that we forget to properly say goodbye to the home we are leaving behind. Yet saying goodbye is an important part of moving forward. It gives us a sense of completion so that we are able to fully inhabit our new space, having left nothing of ourselves in the old one. In this way, we honour the space that has held and nurtured us. At the same time, we cleanse it and empty it of our energy so that the new residents can make the space theirs. 
  
Plan a walk through your home that begins and ends at the front door. Ideally, you will be alone or accompanied only by a person who shared the space with you. Prepare yourself mentally to be as present as you can during this process. As you enter the house, you might say, “I have come to thank you for being my home and to say goodbye.” You might touch the walls with your hands as you move through the house, or you might burn sage as an offering, as well as an energy cleanser. Spend some time in each room expressing your gratitude and gathering or releasing any lingering energy from the room. As you do this, you are freeing your home to embrace its new occupants. Remember to visit your outside spaces as well. Plants are especially sensitive to the energy around them and will appreciate your consideration. 
  
As you make your way back to the front door, know that you have completed your final journey through your home and that you have honoured and blessed it with this ritual of farewell. As you close and lock the door behind you, say one last goodbye. Now you can walk freely into your future and fully inhabit the new spaces that will keep you safe and warm.

Sources: Daily Oms

Moving can be a challenge for anyone at any age, but it can be even more stressful for kids who aren’t part of the decision-making process. Whether your children are toddlers or teenagers, there are always additional challenges to moving when kids are involved.

So, while uprooting a teenager or switching your child’s school is often difficult, moving a toddler has its own set of challenges. It’s important to let your child know that they’re not leaving their bed and toys behind, and that you will all be there together as a family when you move into your new home. The more they understand this, the easier it will be for them to accept this change in their life.

Helping a toddler deal with change is all about validating their fears and feelings, listening to them, and laying out expectations for them in ways that they can understand. Make your message about this change positive and clear, and reinforce it many times as you lead up to the move.

1. See the move from your child’s perspective.
   
   Adjust your point-of-view to understand how your child sees the move. Will they be leaving the place they’ve called home their entire lives? Are they having to leave family and friends they’re used to seeing regularly? If so, that can be a scary thing.
   
   Toddlers prosper with structure and routine, so not only will they be feeling the loss of their home, but they may also be disoriented from the many changes around them. It will be normal for them to exhibit uncharacteristic or frustrating behaviour at this time.
   
   Once a child knows there’s nothing they can do or say to change the fact that they’re moving, they may feel helpless. Many toddlers act out physically when dealing with a big change and it’s crucial they feel heard and accepted even during an outburst. Only by seeing the reason behind bad behaviour will you be able to address it and help them, so be patient with your child as they deal with their emotions. They may need a little extra attention and understanding, which will put even more demands on your time, so be ready for this.
   
   
2. Talk to your kids about the move.
   
   Processing a move can be hard for toddlers, so start talking to them about the move as far in advance as you can to help prepare them.
   
   Your toddler may not be able to fully grasp the concept of moving into a new home, but it’s important to let them know it is happening ahead of time. Preparing your child before the move will have a big impact on how easily they will adapt once they’re in the new home.
   
   Here are ways to make the conversation with your little one go smoothly:
   • Let them know that everything will stay the same in the new home. If their routine and family structure will not change, tell them that.
   • Emphasize that you will be taking all of their stuff with you. Their toys, blankets, and furniture won’t be left behind.
   • Try using a story to convey the situation to them in terms they can understand.
   • Get down to their level. Pick up your child or sit with them so that you can make eye contact.
   • Let them know what to expect on the day of the move without overwhelming them with too much detail.
   • Slow down and watch for your child’s nonverbal cues so that they know you are really listening to them.
   • Talk normally and in full sentences to them without using baby talk. Slow your speech down and give them time to fully comprehend what you’re telling them.
   • Offer your toddler real choices to make them feel like they are not helpless. Do they want to carry a special toy with them? Do they want to pick out their own outfit for moving day?
     
     
3. Take your child to your new community before the move.
   
   Once your toddler understands that nothing bad is going to happen, you can start getting them excited about the move. If possible, take them to your new neighbourhood and show them around. Is there a park close by? Take them there! Start making positive associations with moving to the new area and your toddler will see it as an adventure, not a loss.
   
   If possible, organize a playdate in the new area or visit the local playground to get to know the kids there. Get them excited about the relationships they’re going to make and foster in the future. Relate your move to the fun people in the new neighbourhood to make it appealing. Have you chosen a new daycare or play school in your new neighbourhood? If so, take your child there for a visit to meet the caregivers and teachers so they know what to expect on their first day.
   
   If you’re moving long distance and can’t bring your child to the area before you move, try teaching them about your new town, city, or province. Show them pictures and tell them about all of the fun things that will be waiting for them once they move. Make the story about the new place, not the one you’re leaving. Compile a list of the parks, ice cream shops, libraries, schools, and friends’ houses that will be waiting for them once you move.
   
   
4. Stick to your routine.
   
   If you have a bedtime routine in place or a napping schedule, try to keep that as consistent as possible before, during, and after your move. Children fear the unknown, and this move is a big unknown for them. Maintaining their basic day-to-day activities at regular intervals can help calm those fears and anxieties.
   
   Routines help children learn to make decisions for themselves and take charge of their day. When they consistently have a nap on schedule then they naturally get tired at that time. That sense of control is crucial with such a big change coming in the near future.
   
   Establish that same routine in your new home as quickly as possible. Even though the walls around them have changed your child will feel that their world is still the same. This routine will also help your child go to bed on time, and a well-rested toddler is a happier toddler. This may mean that you unpack a little slower than you’d like, but the payoff is worth it.
   
   
5. Be patient with your child. 
   
   For all your upbeat conversations and well-intentioned neighbourhood playdates, your child might still be anxious about the move. That is perfectly normal, so allow them to express their anxiety. Answer any questions they have about the move and be prepared to give them the space they need. Keep your answers clear and simple. They will adjust to your new home eventually, but it may just take some time to process. Here are some tips for being patient with your toddler:
   • Pick your battles. This is a hectic time already, so your child’s behaviour is not going to be perfect. Accept that some rules will not be followed.
   • Give yourself a timeout to unwind. Have a cup of tea or go for a short walk when things get to be a little too much.
   • Ask for help when you need it. You may need a babysitter or an extra set of hands while you pack your things in order to keep your child’s routine consistent. That’s ok!
   • Count to ten. When you’re feeling frustrated, take 10 seconds to calm down before you act on that frustration and it will do wonders for your patience.
   • Enjoy some time with your child in your home before you leave it. Make some memories in this home and really soak in these moments.
     
     
6. Be strategic about packing your kids’ things. 
   
   Leave your child’s things to the end of your packing. Avoid packing up their bedroom until you absolutely have to so that they have a familiar place to retreat to as the house around them changes. When you do pack up your child’s things, involve them in the process. Help them fill a box with their toys so they feel included. Take special care of that box and label it in a way that your child can understand.
   
   Pack the boxes with your child’s things into the moving container last, so they will be the first things that you unpack and open in your new home. Make a big deal about unpacking it and emphasize that the rest of their things will be unpacked shortly too.
   
   
7. Have a plan for moving day.
   
   Arrange for your toddler to have a babysitter for moving day if you are moving locally. With boxes and furniture being moved, the noise and chaos of the day is no place for small children. There are too many distractions for you to give your toddler your full attention, so it’s best to leave them out of it. Just make sure that they arrive in your new home with enough time before bedtime to explore the house or they may not be able to get to sleep! If a babysitter is not an option for you, take the time to explain what is happening step-by-step to your child. Those boxes will be transported to your new home, they’re not going to disappear. Give them extra attention and include them in the process by asking them to watch over a very special stuffed animal or to take care of that bright blue sippy cup.
   
   When everything is packed and out of the old house, walk your toddler from room to room to say goodbye. Let them take their time and answer any questions they may have on your tour. This closure can be good for both you and your child.
   
   
8. Keep safety top of mind when moving. 
   
   Keeping your child safe during and after a move is important. If possible, try to “baby-proof” your house before your child arrives. Your child will want to explore their new surroundings so there’s a higher chance of them getting into things they shouldn’t. Here are some precautions you can take to ensure your child’s safety:
   • Put away cleaning supplies and anything else your child could ingest.
   • Don’t stack your boxes too high or leave piles of things laying around.
   • Bring your first-aid kit with you when you move, don’t pack it away in a box.
   • Have your emergency numbers programmed into your phone or write them down and stick them on the fridge.
   • Make a safe space right away where your child can roam free.
   • Let your child explore each room as they are set up. Make each room a surprise to keep them out of unwanted areas.
   • Get your child out of the house while furniture is being set up. This is a great time to visit that local park you’ve been raving about for the past month.
   • Don’t leave cords or scissors within reach of your toddler.
     
     
9. Allow time to unpack and get settled. 
   
   It’s important to build a sense of familiarity for your toddler shortly after your belongings are delivered to your new home. If possible, don’t throw out any of your child’s old furniture or make any upgrades right away. Unpack their things first and bring out their favourite book or toy right away to give them a sense of security. It may be tempting to bring out your dishes or clothing right off the bat, but this small act of kindness sets the tone for the first few days in your new home.
   
   Try to keep your child’s schedule the same for these days. It’s a big chore to set up a new home and you may be feeling overwhelmed, so this consistency can be good for you too. Feed and bathe your child at the same time as always and take some time out of your day to play with them.
   
   In the first few weeks of your new living situation your child is going to need more assurance and soothing from you than they usually do. Make sure you are available to them every day. Take reduced hours at work or hold off on dinner plans until your new house feels like home to your child. Read them a few extra bedtime stories; the unpacking can wait.

Is Moving Good for Kids?

We know that moving is tough for children, but can it have a positive effect on them too? Of course it can!

Staying in one house for your whole childhood is not the only way to create stability. Empowering your toddler by offering simple choices and talking to them about the moving process allows you to lessen their anxiety and remind them that you are a constant in their life.

Moving teaches your child important lessons, especially about how to deal with change. How well they learn that lesson is partly determined by your child’s personality and partly by how you handle the situation. It’s up to you to create calm in the middle of a storm, and to showcase the attitude you want your child to adopt. You can lead by example.

Your toddler will experience big emotions with a move: excitement, anxiety, fear. This is an opportunity for you to validate those emotions and teach them how to handle them. Accept their emotions without judgement, listen to them, and watch for ways they are communicating physically. By normalizing these big emotions, you are helping your child build self-esteem and hearty emotional health.

Moving with a Toddler Checklist

Moving is exciting and exhausting, but also manageable with the right plan. Here’s an easy-to-reference checklist to keep you on track:

• Talk to your child about the move ahead of time.
• Make the move a family experience.
• Allow your toddler to express angst about the move.
• Take a tour of your new community to build positive feelings.
• Maintain a schedule for your child.
• Surround your child with their favourite things before, during, and after the move.
• Pack your child’s things last and unpack them first.
• Create a safe space in your new home and put away anything that can be dangerous.
• Remember that moving can be tough and everyone deals with it differently, but it also can be a rewarding experience.

Moving can bring a family closer and it will show you how your toddler deals with stress. Your child will learn that no matter what changes around them you are still a constant in their life. By being patient and really paying attention to your child’s needs you can set them up for success in your new home and in their future.

Before the weather grows colder, it’s important to prepare for the winter months to prevent costly damage.

Below are the fall preventative home maintenance steps that every homeowner should follow.

Gutters and Downspouts

• Clean gutters and downspouts frequently throughout fall to prevent build up of leaves and other debris. Neglected gutters can lead to wood rot problems and pest infestations, not to mention ruined gutters.
• Be sure water is not coming down behind gutters and that all support brackets are securely in place.
• Ensure that water drains properly and doesn’t pool. Pooling can cause damage to foundations, driveways, and walkways.

Windows and Doors

• Change summer screens to cool weather storm windows and doors.
• Inspect and repair any loose or damaged window or door frames.
• Install weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors to prevent drafts and to lower heating bills.

Heating Systems

• Replace the filter in your furnace.
• Consider having a heating professional check your heating system to ensure optimal performance and discover minor problems before they turn into costly major repairs.
• Clean your ducts to better your heating system’s efficiency as well as to reduce household dust and to provide relief to those with respiratory problems.

Plumbing

• To prevent pipes freezing and bursting, ensure that the pipes are well insulated.
• Know how to locate and turn off the water shut-off valve in case pipes do freeze.

Chimney and Fireplace

• Call a professional in to inspect and clean your chimney. Fireplaces that are regularly used during the season should have an annual cleaning to prevent dangerous chimney fires.
• Test your fireplace flue for a tight seal when closed.

Attic ventilation

• Be sure attic insulation doesn’t cover vents in the eaves to prevent winter ice dams on the roof.
• Be sure ridge vents and vents at eaves are free of plants and debris.
• Check bird and rodent screens for attic vents to prevent any unwanted guests.

Landscape and Yard work

• Although grass appears to stop growing in the fall, the roots are growing deeper to prepare for winter. Now is the best time to fertilize and reseed your lawn.
• Prune your trees and shrubs after the leaves turn to encourage healthy growth.
• Trim any tree limbs that are dangerously close to power lines or the roof of your house. Heavy snow and ice can cause damage in the winter.

Great neighborhoods and Good schools

As families gear up to send the kids back to school, they’re busier than ever.
Maybe you have relocated to the Shuswap over the summer, in which case WELCOME! Or maybe your family is growing, and you are looking into moving to find the right home, in the right location, near the right school.

A new house can mean more space, great neighborhoods, and good schools.

Follow these tips to find your dream home near the right school:

1. Know your family’s needs. Is your family growing? Is square footage the most important factor, or a large backyard? Make a list of exactly what you need in your family’s new home.
2. Review school information
3. Look for parks and play areas
4. Make a list of questions for your Realtor. Be prepared with the questions that will help you make the best investment. Ask about things that matter specifically to you and your family but also what matters for the home’s future value.

Our School District
North Okanagan-Shuswap School District No. 83 is an area of 8,500 square kilometers located around the Shuswap Lake and North Okanagan. The school district encompasses the distinct communities of Malakwa, Sicamous, Grindrod, Enderby, Ashton Creek, Kingfisher, Armstrong, Spallumcheen, Falkland, Ranchero/Deep Creek, Silver Creek, Salmon Arm, Tappen, Sorrento, Celista, and Seymour Arm. The school district includes four First Nations bands. Comprehensive local education agreements and strong ties have been developed with the bands, which have resulted in both academic and cultural benefits. Because of the vast area the district has 16 community elementary schools, three middle schools and four secondary schools, and an educational outreach program.

The District Education Support Centre (DESC) is located at 341 Shuswap St. SW in Salmon Arm. The office number is (250) 832-2157.

Not sure which school your child will attend? Contact the Operations department, 250 832-9415. You can also use this number for information regarding bus routes.

In addition to the Public-School District, there is of course the option of Private schools as well. In Salmon Arm we have, Kings Christian School- http://www.kingschristianschool.com/

Thinking about college? Salmon Arm also boosts an Okanagan College Campus, inhttp://www.okanagan.bc.ca/Programs/Areas_of_Study/International_Education/Location/Salmon_Arm_Campus.html

According to Realtor.com, 60% of buyers say schools affect their decision. I hope you find this information as a helpful guide in finding the right home, in the right location, near the right school.

If the summer heat is turning your house into an oven and causing the air conditioning bill to go through the roof, here are a few quick and affordable tips to help you keep cool and save energy.

• Inexpensive mini blinds or curtains can work wonders for reducing the sunlight and heat streaming in through your windows! At my house, installing inexpensive blinds on the south-facing windows completely changed the temperature in that part of the house.
• Make sure blinds or curtains are white on the side facing the outside. Solar sun screens and window film are other options that can greatly reduce the heat coming through windows.

Install Cool Lighting

• Incandescent light bulbs can significantly heat up a room. Replace standard bulbs with high-efficiency, low-heat CFL (compact fluorescent lights) or LED (light emitting diodes) bulbs, and turn off lights when not needed.

Cook Wisely

• Eat cold meals, cook outside on the grill, or use the microwave for cooking when possible to minimize heat indoors.
• When you do cook indoors:
  • Cover pots to minimize indoor humidity.
  • Use range hood or microwave vent fan to vent hot air outside.
  • Turn oven off a few minutes before food is cooked to reduce oven heat.
  • Check the oven by turning on the light and looking through the glass, rather than opening the oven door.

Repair Windows and Doors

• Windows and doors are a major source of heat gain in the house, so keep windows closed and locked and doors tightly closed to prevent cool air from escaping. Older single pane windows and doors without proper weather stripping are the worst culprits.
• If you can’t replace your windows and doors with more energy efficient models, repair any gaps in or replace weather stripping around and under windows and doors. Also, don’t open windows at night unless the temperature drops to the mid-20s C or lower.

Use Fans for Cooling

• A ceiling fan or portable fan uses much less energy than an air conditioner, but they’re only effective when you’re in the room to feel the cooling, so turn them off when you leave.
• Run ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction (when looking up) when you’re in the room to help keep you cool through evaporation. This will allow you to set the thermostat on your air conditioner higher and save energy.

Clean Air Conditioner Filters

• While your AC system is cranking away, the filter is getting more use than usual. By changing the AC air filter regularly during the highest use months allows air to flow easily through your HVAC system, making it run more efficiently and saving energy.

Put Off Chores

• You heard me! Don’t run the dishwasher, clothes washer/dryer, or other appliances during the heat of the day, since these machines generate heat and humidity that will be hard to overcome. Put these chores off until evening when possible.
• When cleaning clothes:
  • Wash clothes in cold water.
  • Run the washer or dryer only if you have a full load.
  • Choose the shortest wash cycle that gets the job done.
  • Clean dryer vent pipe and lint screen regularly to lower drying time.
  • Dry clothes outside on a clothesline when possible.

Use Less Hot Water

• Turn your hot water heater down to a lower temperature setting so it will run less and produce less heat.
• Hot showers create a lot of excess heat and humidity in the house, so:
• Take shorter showers to reduce humidity and heat.
• Take cool – rather than hot – showers.
• Run the bathroom exhaust fan when showering or bathing, and keep it running for 20 minutes afterward, to remove excess heat and humidity.

Plan Ahead

• Long term strategies to keep your house cooler include:
  • Plant shade trees on the south and west sides of the house.
  • Install insulated glass windows with low-E coating or storm windows.
  • Add awnings over sunny windows.
  • Install additional attic insulation
  • Replace existing roof with cool shingles or light-colored roofing

These are only a few of the many strategies for keeping your house cool in the summer. Put some of these home improvements to your to-do list for relief in years to come.