The Provincial Standards for Codes of Conduct Order has been amended, effective July 1, 2024, to require all boards of education to include one or more statements restricting student use of personal digital devices (including cell phones) at school. See this letter from the Deputy Minister and Support Guide for additional information. Codes of Conduct are required to be updated to align with the amended Provincial Standards for Codes of Conduct Order by July 1, and submitted to ecc.strategicpriorities@gov.bc.ca by August 15.
Friday April 12, 2024
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
Hi, everyone.
I know you’re all having great discussions at the BCSSA forum, so I will keep this short, but note the plethora of important information below! This week’s bulletin includes the amended Provincial Standards for Codes of Conduct Order for cell phone use (personal digital devices) along with a support guide to share widely; the new streamlined capital process that aligns child care and school facilities; and a revision to the School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program to align with Feeding Futures programs at the district level.
Have a great weekend,
Christina Zacharuk
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
For Action
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Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) Selections for 2024 Graduates
Please remind graduating students to make their PSI selections in the StudentTranscripts Service (STS). Most public B.C. and Alberta universities and colleges and the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) can retrieve ongoing transcript updates as soon as authorized by the student in STS.
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Annual Facility Grant Expenditure Plans – due May 17
Expenditure plans for the 2024/25 Annual Facility Grant (AFG) are due on or before May 17, 2024, using the web-based MyCAPS. School districts can update their 2023/24 plans to reflect actual AFG expenditures prior to marking it as “Complete.” The 2024/25 expenditure plans will not be accepted until the 2023/24 plan is completed in MyCAPS. Please contact Nathan.Whipp@gov.bc.ca if you have any questions.
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Reminder to Remit Annual Practice Fee for Certificate Holders – due May 15
Under section 37 of the Teachers Act, employers are required to remit the $95 annual practice fee for all certificate holders employed with the board. Please remit the 2024/25 fees through the Employers’ Area on or before May 15. If you have any questions, please email the Teacher Regulation Branch at trb.employers@gov.bc.ca or call 236-455-1872.
For Information
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2024/25 Annual Facility Grant Allocations
The 2024/25 Annual Facility Grant (AFG) allocations are posted on the K–12 Capital Planning Resources website. Please contact Michael.Nyikes@gov.bc.ca if you have any questions.
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2025/26 Capital Plan Instructions
The 2025/26 Capital Plan Instructions to inform upcoming capital project submissions are posted on the Capital Planning website. Please contact Michael.Nyikes@gov.bc.ca if you have any questions.
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School District Capital Plans for Child Care
School districts started preparing their 2024/25 and 2025/26 capital plans for child care using the expanded Capital Asset Planning System (CAPS) on April 8. Submissions for 2024/25 will be accepted until May 15, and submissions for 2025/26 will close in alignment with the K–12 capital planning cycle, available in the Capital Planning instructions.
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Webinar: Reducing Stigma in School Food Programs
The BC Chapter of the Coalition for Healthy School Food is hosting a webinar on reducing stigma in school food programs on Thursday, April 18, from 3:30-5:00 pm PDT. This webinar will offer insights and strategies for addressing stigma in school food programs. Panelists will explore what stigma looks like in school food programs and harvest practical strategies and tools to overcome these challenges through discussion and collective conversation. Registration is now open.
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2024/25 BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program Information
As funding for school food programs is now held in school districts through Feeding Futures, the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program (SFVNP) will be transitioning to a district-funded model in the 2024/25 school year. To continue receiving BC grown fruits, vegetables, dairy and nutritious products throughout the entire school year, schools and/or districts can use their Feeding Futures funding to purchase the products available through this program, delivered directly to each school at no extra charge. More information on the program can be found on the SFVNP website.
