The 2024/25 Classroom Enhancement Fund year-end reporting template is now available. Preliminary templates must be submitted by July 18. Final reports are due September 29 and should align with financial statements.
Friday May 23, 2025
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Car
250-880-3451
Kaye.Krishna@gov.bc.ca
Hello, everyone.
We have quite a bit of information to share with you this week.
On Wednesday, we announced a structural reorganization of the Ministry of Education and Child Care. The new structure is built around two new core service divisions that will align all policy, program and operational functions for Child Care and Education, respectively. The reorganization also integrates the strategic and operational support services that crosscut all aspects of our ministry.
For you as our key partners it will create clear leadership accountabilities for the ministry’s executive that allow us to be more effective, efficient and strategic in the way we work.
In this week’s bulletin, you’ll find information about an upcoming analytics session related to Graduation Assessment data. I’ve also included an article below to remind you that access zones remain in place around K–12 schools to protect students, staff and parents.
Please take the time to read through all the articles below and share them with your leadership teams and administrators as needed.
Have a lovely weekend,
Kaye
For Action
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Feeding Futures Fund and National School Food Program Reporting – Due July 31
School districts are required to complete the year-end financial report (.xlsx) for the Feeding Futures Fund and the National School Food Program. Completed reports must be submitted to ECC.schoolfood@gov.bc.ca by July 31.
Please read the instructions carefully, as the reporting template includes a report for each of the following:
- Final report of actual 2024/25 Feeding Futures and National School Food Program expenditures
- List of schools that received 2024/25 National School Food Program funding
Instructions can also be found on the Ministry Events Calendar. Please contact ECC.schoolfood@gov.bc.ca if you have any questions.
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Analytics Engagement and Information-Sharing Session
Please join us May 29 at 3:10 pm PDT for the seventh Analytics Engagement and Information-Sharing Session of the 2024-25 school year for an overview of the Graduation Assessments Power BI report. See the poster for more information and the registration link. Please contact EDUC.ReportingUnit@gov.bc.ca if you have any questions. The recording for this session will be available on the BC K-12 Education Data Portal, under the Communications tab.
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Reminder: Framework in Action Virtual Learning Series: – Sharing District Practices to Support Indigenous Learners
A reminder that the Framework in Action session Sharing District Practices to Support Indigenous Learners is on May 27 from 10:30 am–12:00 pm PDT. In this session, three district teams will present and answer questions on their promising practices for supporting Indigenous learners. To join this session, register to receive the Zoom link. Please share this Framework in Action poster with your senior staff as it has information on additional learning sessions. Email EDUC.Framework@gov.bc.ca if you have any questions.
For Information
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New K–12 Workforce Information Available Online
The Ministry of Education and Child Care has been working with partners since early 2023 to develop and implement the K–12 Workforce Plan. Information on this Plan and progress to date can now be found on our K-12 Workforce development web page. Information for individuals aspiring to work in K-12 education, as well as inspirational videos about working in the K–12 sector in BC is also available.
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Reminder: Register for BC Child and Youth in Care Week 2025 Kick-Off Celebration Event
The 15th annual BC Child and Youth in Care (CYIC) Week is from June 2-8, 2025. You are invited to register for the kick off celebration, which will be held on Zoom on Monday, June 2 from 6:00–7:00 pm PDT. This event will highlight the amazing history of Children and Youth in Care Week, honour this year’s Recognition Award Recipients and showcase youth creativity. Please contact taylor.burnett@fbcyicn.ca if you have any questions.
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Bike to School Week
Schools throughout BC are invited to take part in the provincewide Bike to School Week from May 31–June 6. This annual event inspires students and families to choose cycling over driving. It also helps boost physical fitness and mental focus, cut down on carbon emissions and foster a stronger sense of school community. Two participating schools will win $1,000 each to fund active transportation initiatives at their school. Register through the GoByBikeWeek for Schools Guide and find out more information at GoByBike BC website.
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2025 BC Youth Vaping Survey
Developed with the help of Grades 8-12 students who sit on the McCreary Centre Society’s BC Health and Wellness Youth Advisory Council, the 2025 Youth Vaping Survey is a great way for students to share their views and experiences with vaping and nicotine pouches, and suggest how schools and community services can better support students through health promotion and education, including prevention and intervention initiatives.
This survey:
- Is for any youth ages 12-19 in BC, including those who have and have not vaped/used nicotine pouches.
- Is anonymous, confidential, and voluntary.
- Takes 10-15 minutes to complete and will be open until June 10, 2025.
Please share this poster and survey link broadly within your school community. Students who complete the survey are automatically entered into a draw to win a $50 gift card. Reach out to mccreary@mcs.bc.ca if you have any questions.
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Access Zones Around K–12 Schools
A reminder that access zones are in place to protect students, staff and families from disruptive and harmful protest activities at school. Police can arrest or issue tickets to anyone found impeding access, disrupting or interfering with educational activities or attempting to intimidate an individual within 20 metres (66 feet) of school property. These zones are in effect on school days from 7:00 am–6:00 pm and during extracurricular school activities at all of BC’s K–12 public and independent schools, with limited exceptions.
A Q&A document is available to support the education sector with the implementation of access zones. In the event of disruptive protest activity at a school, administrators continue to be able to rely on Section 177 of the School Act, and the accompanying Provincial Guidelines, as well as the provisions of the Trespass Act and the Criminal Code. Please continue to report any incidents of protests or disruptive behaviours or activities to ecc.strategicpriorities@gov.bc.ca.
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Accepting Applications for the 2025/2026 Youth Advisory Council
The Capturing Health and Resilience Trajectories (CHART) lab is currently seeking passionate young people interested in youth health and well-being to join the 2025/2026 YAC. The CHART lab is based at Simon Fraser University and collaborates with schools, public health organizations and youth partners to improve youth mental health and well-being. The CHART Youth Advisory Council (YAC) consists of high school-aged youth (15–18 years) who provide their perspectives on various lab projects, including the design of the Youth Development Instrument survey. YAC members meet virtually, about eight times during the school year, and receive an honorarium for their work. Applications will be open until all positions are filled.
Please share the application form with any youth who might be a good fit for the YAC. If you have any questions, please reach out to the CHART Lab team at ydi@sfu.ca.
