Today, access zones around K-12 schools have been established through the Safe Access to Schools Regulation to preserve safe access to education by protecting students, staff and families from disruptive and harmful protest activities at schools.
(more…)Friday May 31, 2024
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
Hi, everyone,
In today’s bulletin, we have information on Access Zones that have been established around K-12 schools and child care centres located on school grounds. The below article, prepared Q&A document, and news release link provide additional information. Access Zones are an important step for preserving safe access to education by protecting students, staff, and families from disruptive and harmful protest activities at schools. Please read the information carefully and disseminate it as needed. You can send any questions to the emails provided.
Also below are other important articles including Digital Literacy and the Use of AI in Education Resources for Teachers, Wildfire Mental Health Supports, follow up from the FESL discussion at the all-superintendents’ meeting, and information on community gaming grants.
Have a great weekend,
Christina
For Action
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Closing Soon: Survey On Digital Distribution of Transcripts for Permanent Student Records (PSRs)
Schools and districts have until June 7 to share their thoughts on a potential shift from paper to digital distribution of Grade 12 transcript copies that may be included in a student’s permanent record. Learn more and complete the survey on the TRAX to GRAD Info Hub.
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Digital Literacy and the Use of AI in Education Resources for Teachers
New resources are available on the Digital literacy and the use of AI in education: supports for British Columbia schools web page to support teachers in integrating AI into their classrooms. A curriculum connections document has been added that outlines where AI and digital literacy-related learning exists in the B.C. curriculum. The web page also features five teaching and learning stories from elementary and secondary classrooms, with more stories to be released in the coming months.
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erase Community of Practice – June 12, 2024
Safer Schools Together and the Ministry of Education and Child Care are hosting a second virtual Community of Practice session on June 12 at 3:15 pm. The session will focus on ensuring that plans are in place for high-risk/vulnerable youth during the summer months as well as planning to support their successful transition to the new school year. Please follow the registration link to sign up for the session.
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Community Gaming Grants
Please remind your school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC) that funding is available through the Community Gaming Grant program at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. Applications are accepted each year, between April 1 – June 30, with funding awarded in the Fall. Late applications are unlikely to be funded. Funding amounts are based on school enrolment numbers at a rate of $20 per student. Schools with fewer than 100 students will be provided with a base rate of $2,000. Funds may only be used for extracurricular activities such as grad ceremonies, grad memorabilia, club and sports team uniforms, field trips, PAC spirit or community events, books and games for non-instructional times. Details on program criteria, how to apply, using funds, and reporting requirements may be found in the 2024 PAC & DPAC Program Guidelines located on the Community Gaming Grants website.
For Information
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Framework for Enhancing Student Learning: Follow Up From All Superintendents Meeting
Thank you for the thoughtful discussions and feedback at the Framework’s wall stations on May 10. Sector input is appreciated and continues to inform the Ministry’s continuous improvement cycle. The Framework team is collating the information received and will report on the feedback and proposed actions at the BCSSA Summer Academy in August. For those who expressed interest in the Framework Advisory Superintendent Table (FAST) membership, further information will be shared soon. For questions, please email EDUC.Framework@gov.bc.ca.
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Wildfire Mental Health Supports
Climate events can impact not only our physical environments and health but also our mental health. Virtual wildfire recovery resources and mental health supports are available for children, youth, and families affected by wildfires. Additional mental health resources for those affected by wildfires and climate-related events can be found on the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions’ Help Starts Here website and at Kids Help Phone. The erase Mental Health and Well-Being web page provides mental health resources for students, families, and educators.
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Provincial Learning Management System (LMS) Update
Beginning October 2024, school districts interested in onboarding to the provincial Learning Management System (D2L’s Brightspace) will have a new opportunity to join our upcoming cohort. A ministry-led information session will provide an overview of how to onboard to Brightspace (K–12). A D2L-led session will provide training details and a Brightspace demo. Interested schools can complete our Cohort 6 Interest Questionnaire. Please direct any questions to ecc.bc.lms@gov.bc.ca.
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Youth Work in Trades Award Redesign Update
The Ministry of Education and Child Care and SkilledTradesBC are redesigning the Youth Work in Trades Award to support students continuing in post-secondary trades training programs. The transition from the existing Youth Work in Trades Award to a redesigned Youth Work in Trades Scholarship will commence on July 1, 2024.
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B.C. K-12 International Student Homestay Guidelines Refresh
As part of a commitment to student safety and experience, an updated version of the B.C. K-12 International Student Homestay Guidelines (the Guidelines) is now available on the International Education Resources page. These guidelines were reviewed and revised by the ministry and a working group of representatives from post-secondary education, independent schools, international education associations, the BC Council for International Education, and districts from every region of the province. The Guidelines represent the general view on industry best practice.
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Fun and Engaging Emergency Preparedness Program Available for Grades 4 to 8
The colourful and informative Master of Disaster classroom program is aligned with the B.C. curriculum and teaches students the three steps to emergency preparedness. All program materials and shipping are free. Learn more about the program and how it can help students learn about topics like local hazards, how to make a home emergency plan, and what emergency supplies to put in a grab-and-go bag.
