Education

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools shows off seismic upgrade work at Pleasant Valley Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Present were Adam Walker, Parksville-Qualicum MLA, left; Tom Rokeby, trustee; Greg Keller, school board chairperson; Coun. Lawrence Mitchell, Snaw-Naw-As First Nation; Pete Sabo, SD68 director of planning and operations; and Chantelle Morvay, trustee. (Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools photo)

Seismically safer Pleasant Valley Elementary School helps provide ‘peace of mind’

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools shows off upgrades at north-end school

 

Julia Levy poses in this undated handout photo. Levy, British Columbia’s newest Rhodes scholar, will pursue a master’s degree in computational chemistry, but she says it’s also an “incredible opportunity” as a trans woman to give back to her community. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Ilme Vysniauskaite *MANDATORY CREDIT*

B.C.’s Julia Levy is Canada’s first trans woman Rhodes Scholar

Levy will head to Oxford University in England next October for the fully funded scholarship

 

This holiday season, the Kw’umut Lelum Foundation has a big shiny holiday goal of raising $20,000 to support local youth sport, education, language revitalization and cultural art and music. Visit klfoundation.ca/donate to donate today!

‘Walking hand-in-hand in a good way.’ 9 Coast Salish Nations empower local youth

Your donation helps Vancouver Island youth access their limitless potential

  • Dec 5, 2022

 

Students in Mission middle schools and secondary schools are disrputing classrooms because of vaping. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. school district troubled by vaping students

Mission superintendent Angus Wilson says students leaving classes to vape is impacting their capacity to learn and focus

Students in Mission middle schools and secondary schools are disrputing classrooms because of vaping. (Black Press Media file photo)
Students make their way to the first day of school at Sherwood Park Elementary in North Vancouver, Monday, Sept. 22, 2014. British Columbia’s public school teachers have ratified a new three-year contract. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. teachers strongly approve three-year contract with pay boost, added benefits

British Columbia’s public school teachers have ratified a new three-year contract. Nearly…

Students make their way to the first day of school at Sherwood Park Elementary in North Vancouver, Monday, Sept. 22, 2014. British Columbia’s public school teachers have ratified a new three-year contract. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A Campbell River teacher was disciplined for a lesson she taught her students about racism. (Pixabay)

B.C. teacher reprimanded for Grade 2 exercise on segregation that left child in tears

Commisioner For Teacher Regulation says teacher failed to treat students with “dignity and respect”

A Campbell River teacher was disciplined for a lesson she taught her students about racism. (Pixabay)
VIU microbiology and culinary arts students will bring their fermented seaweed creations before a panel of judges, Dragons’ Den style, in the Urchin Tank to have their products assessed for marketability Wednesday, Nov. 23. (Vancouver Island University photo)

VIU students in Nanaimo to pitch their seaweed products on Dragons’ Den-style show

‘Urchin Tank’ panel of judges will assess students’ projects

VIU microbiology and culinary arts students will bring their fermented seaweed creations before a panel of judges, Dragons’ Den style, in the Urchin Tank to have their products assessed for marketability Wednesday, Nov. 23. (Vancouver Island University photo)
Greg Keller and Charlene McKay were acclaimed as chairperson and vice-chairperson, respectively, of School District 68’s board of trustees at a Nov. 8 meeting. (Photo submitted/News Bulletin photo)

Nanaimo-Ladysmith school board chooses new chairperson

Greg Keller takes over as chairperson, supported by Charlene McKay as vice-chair

Greg Keller and Charlene McKay were acclaimed as chairperson and vice-chairperson, respectively, of School District 68’s board of trustees at a Nov. 8 meeting. (Photo submitted/News Bulletin photo)
Students at the Washington Junior High School leaving classes for the day, use the unlocking mechanism to open the bags their cell phone were sealed in during the school day, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Washington, Pa. Citing mental health, behavior and engagement as the impetus, many educators are updating cellphone policies, with a number turning to magnetically sealing pouches. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Schools clash with parents over bans on student cellphones

Parents who had constant access to their children during remote learning reluctant to give that up

Students at the Washington Junior High School leaving classes for the day, use the unlocking mechanism to open the bags their cell phone were sealed in during the school day, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Washington, Pa. Citing mental health, behavior and engagement as the impetus, many educators are updating cellphone policies, with a number turning to magnetically sealing pouches. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
A report from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection found 167 school personnel had criminal charges laid against them over a 5-year reporting period. Advocate file photo

‘Tip of the iceberg:’ Report finds 252 school personnel accused of sexual offences

Canadian Centre for Child Protection report details offences against 548 children over a 5-year span

A report from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection found 167 school personnel had criminal charges laid against them over a 5-year reporting period. Advocate file photo
Cornerstone Christian School now has therapy bunnies to help students with difficult times. (Submitted image)

Therapy bunnies melting worries away for B.C. students

Abbotsford’s Cornerstone Christian School introduces lop-eared rabbits as newest members of staff

Cornerstone Christian School now has therapy bunnies to help students with difficult times. (Submitted image)
(Black Press Media Creative)

College enrollment is down for a third year in a row

On Oct. 20, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center released a report…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Former Abbotsford vice-principal Mike Haire has been given a lifetime teaching ban after previously being sentenced for two child porn offences. (Abbotsford Police Department)

Lifetime teaching ban issued to former Abbotsford vice-principal sentenced for child porn

Mike Haire received 20-month jail sentence in June for hundreds of images and videos

Former Abbotsford vice-principal Mike Haire has been given a lifetime teaching ban after previously being sentenced for two child porn offences. (Abbotsford Police Department)
English Language Learners teacher, Harjit Chauhan (centre) has been actively involved with educating students and the community about cultural celebrations like Diwali and Ramadan. (The News)

B.C. teacher wins national We Love Teachers contest

Harjit Chauhan was one of eight finalists in the inaugural Staples Canada program

English Language Learners teacher, Harjit Chauhan (centre) has been actively involved with educating students and the community about cultural celebrations like Diwali and Ramadan. (The News)
A file photo shows a Toronto community school classroom on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. In B.C., elementary school teacher Austin Uzama was suspended in September 2022 for professional misconduct. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Carlos Osorio

B.C. teacher suspended after showing Halloween prank video with fake decapitations

Austin Uzama showed an age-inappropriate video to Maple Ridge students and lied about credentials

A file photo shows a Toronto community school classroom on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. In B.C., elementary school teacher Austin Uzama was suspended in September 2022 for professional misconduct. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Carlos Osorio
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)

Judges says B.C. school board lacked authority to suspend trustees

Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been reinstated after suspension over alleged bullying

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)

Judges says Greater Victoria School Board lacked authority to suspend trustees

Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been reinstated after suspension over alleged bullying

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)
Queen Elizabeth Secondary school students reported multiple incidents of experiencing racism, sexism and bullying. (Surrey Schools photo)

Racial slurs, sexual harassment, bullying towards BIPOC students was reality at B.C. high school

Report on student and staff experiences captured in November, released to public recently

Queen Elizabeth Secondary school students reported multiple incidents of experiencing racism, sexism and bullying. (Surrey Schools photo)
Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside and partners in provincial K-12 education issued a statement on Sept. 16, 2022 in support of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policy. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. Education Minister and partners in K-12 education issue statement in support of SOGI

Statement on inclusive policy comes 1 day before election campaign to elect school board trustees

Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside and partners in provincial K-12 education issued a statement on Sept. 16, 2022 in support of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Don’t blame schools for high COVID rates among B.C. youth: provincial health officer

Bonnie Henry study’s findings similar to those in other jurisdictions

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito