Happy Friday, everyone.
I want to start by acknowledging that many of the districts in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and towards the Okanagan are again dealing with atmospheric rivers and excessive flooding. Thank you to all of you for sharing information so we can provide it into the provincial system and to others for the offers of help that have been extended to these districts. Please continue to let us know how we can support you.
As the holidays approach, Minister Beare would like to extend her warmest wishes and a sincere thank you to educators and staff as well as parents and caregivers for all they do to support the success and well being of the children of our province. Please share the letters below with your school communities.
Have a great weekend.
Please share these year-end letters from Minister Beare with your school communities:
Online applications for the $5,000 BC Excellence and Pathway to Teacher Education scholarships are now open. Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 3 pm PST.
Please support students in applying, as appropriate, such as by nominating one student per high school to apply for the BC Excellence scholarship. Schools and students should be aware of the core eligibility and scholarship-specific requirements outlined on the program’s web page.
Please contact scholarships@gov.bc.ca with any questions.
School districts are invited to join Burnaby School District (SD41), the Ninandotoo Society and BC Black Educational Leaders Association to celebrate Black Excellence Day, a virtual event on Thursday, January 15, from 10 –11:30 am PST. Black Excellence Day is a day to stand in solidarity with Black Canadians and honour the rich history, contributions, achievements, resilience and joy of Black people.
Each participating district will receive a link to the recorded program, which will remain accessible until the end of Black History Month. The program offers an opportunity to learn about Black history, art and lived experiences and will feature artists, athletes, educators and other leaders in their fields.
To register for this event, please complete the Black Excellence Day registration form by Friday, January 9. Email Beth.Applewhite@burnabyschools.ca if you have any questions.
School districts will be contacted by Gordian on January 6, 2026, to provide facility maintenance data and will have until January 31 to submit the list of completed capital projects to VFA. This data will assist the Ministry of Infrastructure in maintaining accurate information about the condition and maintenance requirements of school district facility assets between physical building assessments.
Please contact Ameer Adam at CMB@gov.bc.ca with any questions.
While the holiday season is a time for celebration, it can also be a time of year when people may feel lonely, stressed or triggered. Crisis supports and resources are available online, over the phone, and in person for youth and adults.
Learn about mental health and substance use supports available during the holiday season on the erase mental health and substance use web page.
A reminder that reports from students may be received through the Report It tool over winter break. Please consider this in your planning to ensure students have the supports they need.
Discipline outcomes are posted to enhance the transparency of the processes and decisions made with respect to complaints and reports about educators. Recently, outcomes were posted about Jeven Kaur Gill, who agreed to a one-day suspension and Peter John Buddle, who agreed to a reprimand.
