The ministry will be hosting a Feeding Futures Spring Gathering on May 2, 2024, at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver. This event will bring School Food Coordinators from school districts across the province to network and share information on school food programs. Registration for all School Food Coordinators is now open, and limited discounted hotel rates are available on the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel group booking website. Please register and book accommodations by April 3, 2024. Contact ECC.schoolfood@gov.bc.ca if you have questions.
Friday March 8, 2024
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
Hi, everyone,
I’m bracing myself for the time change this weekend. While I love the early morning daylight, losing that hour can throw our body clocks off, so be ready to feel a bit more tired next week (sorry). This week, you will find an important reminder about measles vaccinations prior to spring break travel. PLEASE share this information widely in your school communities if you haven’t done so already. The bulletin also contains information about a Feeding Futures Spring gathering, as well as, a survey regarding Early Childhood Educator training programs.
Have a great weekend,
Christina Zacharuk
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
For Action
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Survey: Accessing Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Training Programs
The ministry wants to hear from past, present, and prospective ECE students, as well as practicum student mentors, to better understand their needs, barriers, and successes in accessing recognized post-secondary ECE programming. Information from this survey will provide the ministry with valuable feedback on access to provincially recognized post-secondary ECE programming and where it could be improved. We encourage you to share this information with anyone who attended or graduated within the past five years and may be interested in participating.
This survey is being provided on behalf of the ECE Registry, the legislated authority responsible for the assessment and recognition of post-secondary early childhood education programs in B.C. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, and it must be done by March 20.
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Measles Vaccinations Prior to Spring Break Travel
Measles is a contagious, airborne virus. There is a high risk of measles cases being brought back to B.C. due to ongoing measles outbreaks globally and decreasing vaccination coverage rates in Canada. Public Health Agency of Canada and the Provincial Health Officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control have issued statements advising individuals to check their measles immunization records and to vaccinate against measles prior to Spring Break travel. Vaccine appointments can be booked through local public health units. Please share this information widely in your school community.
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Reminder: 2018 Graduation Program Closes June 30, 2024
Please advise those students with exceptional circumstances who are still working towards 2018 Graduation Program requirements that they must complete those requirements by June 30, 2024. After June 30, all students intending to graduate will need to complete either the current B.C. Certificate of Graduation (2023) or the B.C. Adult Graduation requirements.
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Half-Masting Notification: Death of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney
In a follow-up to last week’s half-masting notification, flags on all British Columbia government buildings and establishments will be flown at half-mast until sunset on March 23, 2024, to honour the memory of the late Right Honourable Martin Brian Mulroney, who passed away on February 29, 2024. School districts may follow a similar approach but have the autonomy to follow their own policies with regard to flags, subject to the School Regulation.
For Information
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Discipline Outcomes
Discipline outcomes are posted to enhance the transparency of the processes and decisions made with respect to complaints and reports about educators. Recently, an outcome was posted regarding Russell Stephen Bodnar, whose certificate was suspended for three days.
