DM Bulletin – August 30, 2024 – Deputy Minister's Bulletin

Friday August 30, 2024

**Christina Zacharuk**
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care

Hi everyone,

A few quick updates, as I know everyone is gearing up for back-to-school next week. Please read the Cell Phone Restrictions in Schools Toolkit (PDF) for use in schools to support your policies in place, a reminder of copyright obligations, and updated emergency seizure rescue information for the coming school year. I also wanted to let you know that as I wind down towards my last working day with the ministry, beginning September 9, Assistant Deputy Minister Jennifer McCrea will take on the caretaker Acting Deputy Minister role until a new Deputy Minister is appointed after the election. I know that the transition will be in good hands with Jenn.

Have a great long weekend and hopefully just a bit of downtime before the excitement and organized chaos of next week!

Christina Zacharuk
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care

For Action

Updated Emergency Seizure Rescue Information for 2024/25 School Year
For Action

Published Friday August 30 2024

Updated Emergency Seizure Rescue Information for 2024/25 School Year

The following documents have been updated for the 2024/2025 school year to support students requiring emergency seizure rescue intervention in the school setting, and to support schools and staff in providing emergency seizure rescue care in a timely manner:
Please ensure that district websites that may be hosting copies of these documents are updated, and that schools use the updated documents when developing a student’s SAP and when requesting seizure rescue intervention training.

All the updated resources and new fillable forms can be found on the Nursing Support Services (NSS) Resources web page under the “Learn about seizure care in the school setting” tab.
Inclusive Education Leads|Principals & Vice Principals
Portable Inventory Report

For Action

Published Friday August 30 2024

Portable Inventory Report

School districts are required to provide the ministry with their annual portables inventory update in MyCAPS by September 30, 2024. Please visit the Capital Planning website and click on the Portable Inventory Instructions document under Publications and resources to access the inventory instructions. Please email CMB@gov.bc.ca with any questions or notifications of completion of the portable inventory update.

Facility Leads|Secretary-Treasurers
Reminder: Work Experience Enhancement Expressions of Interest

For Action

Published Friday August 30 2024

Reminder: Work Experience Enhancement Expressions of Interest

A reminder for Career Education leads about the funding opportunity to support Work Experience programming that was announced in the June 14 DM Bulletin. School districts are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest to enhance and increase Work Experience 12A/12B placements in Technology, Climate Change and Emergency Management, or another sector of local importance. To apply for this initiative, please review the requirements and submit a completed application by September 13, 2024.

Career Education Leads|Directors of Instruction|Principals & Vice Principals
Reminder to Verify Certificate Status

For Action

Published Friday August 30 2024

Reminder to Verify Certificate Status

A reminder that the teachers employed by your district must hold a valid B.C. teaching certificate. Please review the News & Notices in the Employers’ Area and check the list of suspensions. Certificate holders recently employed by you will be flagged. You can also use the Certificate Verification Tool to check the status of the certificate holders you employ.

Directors of Human Resources|Principals & Vice Principals|Secretary-Treasurers
Copyright Obligations in the Education Sector

For Action

Published Friday August 30 2024

Copyright Obligations in the Education Sector

A reminder that copying of educational materials must fall within the scope of the fair dealing exception under s. 29 of the Copyright Act. For more information, please refer to the Council of Ministers of Education’s (CMEC’s) Fair Dealing Guidelines. CMEC’s interactive Fair Dealing Decision Tool can also help teachers and district staff determine if fair dealing permits classroom use of materials without getting copyright permission or payment.

Please also ask your school principals to post these Fair Dealing Guidelines and Consumables posters as a reminder for staff of their copyright obligations.

Principals & Vice Principals

For Information

2024/25 Annual Compliance Audit Notification

The Funding and Financial Accountability Branch of the Resource Management Division conducts annual compliance reviews of school district funding claims. These audits are undertaken in the areas of Continuing Education, Inclusive Education, Online Learning, Summer Learning, and for K-12 Regular Enrolment, including Indigenous Education and English Language Learning supplemental services.

The purpose of these audits is to provide assurance to the ministry and boards of education that ministry policies and instructions contained in Form 1701: Student Data Collections Completion Instructions for Public Schools are being followed. The findings from the audits may result in funding adjustments to school districts (including those eligible for funding protection). The ability for a district to appeal audit findings remains in place.
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Career Education Leads|Directors of Instruction|Inclusive Education Leads|Principals & Vice Principals
2024/25 International Education Mobility Programs

For Information

Published Friday August 30 2024

2024/25 International Education Mobility Programs

Applications for the 2024/25 International Education Mobility Programs are open to school districts from September 7 to October 1, 2024. These programs support B.C. students to go abroad on exchange activities, helping them develop intercultural skills and knowledge. They also support B.C. teachers in developing foreign partnerships, facilitating student exchange opportunities and providing opportunities for professional development. They also help districts expand their capacity to host international students. Learn more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply on the International Education Mobility Programs web page.

International Education Leads
Updated Work Experience Program Guide

For Information

Published Friday August 30 2024

Updated Work Experience Program Guide

The Work Experience (WEX) Program Guide has been updated to clarify requirements for WEX 12A and WEX 12B per-course funding claims. These updates address issues previously identified in the February 23, 2024 DM Bulletin. Please direct any questions to educ.skills@gov.bc.ca.

Career Education Leads|Directors of Instruction|Principals & Vice Principals
Notification of Certificate Rescission

For Information

Published Friday August 30 2024

Notification of Certificate Rescission

Pursuant to section 31 of the Teachers Act, boards of education have been notified that Xiaolei Shi’s Independent School Teaching Certificate was rescinded on August 23, 2024.

Directors of Human Resources|Principals & Vice Principals|Secretary-Treasurers

Friday August 30, 2024

For Action

Updated Emergency Seizure Rescue Information for 2024/25 School Year

Updated Emergency Seizure Rescue Information for 2024/25 School Year

Portable Inventory Report

Portable Inventory Report

Reminder: Work Experience Enhancement Expressions of Interest

Reminder: Work Experience Enhancement Expressions of Interest

Reminder to Verify Certificate Status

Reminder to Verify Certificate Status

Copyright Obligations in the Education Sector

Copyright Obligations in the Education Sector

For Information

2024/25 Annual Compliance Audit Notification

2024/25 International Education Mobility Programs

2024/25 International Education Mobility Programs

Updated Work Experience Program Guide

Updated Work Experience Program Guide

Notification of Certificate Rescission

Notification of Certificate Rescission

District Reporting Requirements

News Releases

Additional Resources

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