Pursuant to the British Columbia policy on half-masting, the Canadian flag at the Parliament Buildings in Victoria will be flown at half-mast until sunset on Monday, September 30, 2024, in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The direction of the Province on half-masting protocols is provided in case school districts wish to follow a similar approach.
Friday September 27, 2024
Acting Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
It was great to connect with most of you on All Superintendents call earlier today – this was an excellent opportunity for us to share what you are experiencing in your districts and to share what we are paying attention to at the provincial level.
There’s lots of important information in this week’s bulletin, including registration information for the October 24 Feeding Futures Fall Gathering and the November 21 All Superintendents Meeting, as well as a reminder to complete Section 1 of your Mental Health in Schools Grants Action Plan questionnaire. Important information on 2024/25 School District Multi-Year Financial Plans and other timely topics is also included.
I hope you have a reflective and meaningful Truth and Reconciliation Day on Monday, honouring the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Please also take time for yourself over the weekend – September is almost done.
Jennifer McCrea
Acting Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
For Action
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School District 2024/25 Multi-Year Financial Plans – Due October 1
The multi-year financial planning policy came into effect in a phased approach beginning July 1, 2021. Multi-year financial plans (MYFPs) are to be submitted to the ministry annually between June 30 and September 30.
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Many MYFPs have been submitted in previous years. In these cases, updated MYFPs are acceptable. Multi-year financial plans created earlier in the year as part of the original budget development process are also acceptable.
Some school districts may be submitting their MYFPs for the first time and resources are available including this webinar on developing multi-year financial plans.
In acknowledgement of Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30, MYFP submissions for 2024/25 will be accepted until October 1, 2024.
Plans may be submitted via email to SDFR@gov.bc.ca. For questions, please email SDFR@gov.bc.ca or to Jane.London@gov.bc.ca. -
2024/25 Mental Health in School Grants: Action Plan Questionnaire Section 1 – Due October 2
Grant letters and funds were sent to school districts on August 29, 2024 to support the promotion of mental health and well-being, and provide additional support for students, families, and educators in your schools. A reminder that districts are required to complete Section 1 – Priority Setting of the Action Plan Questionnaire by October 2, 2024.
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First TRAX Data Submission for the 2024/25 School Year
TRAX data submissions are now available via the School Secure Web (SSW) for the 2024/25 school year. The Online Assessment Register for the November 2024 assessment session is also now open through October 17, 2024.
Schools are also encouraged to submit TRAX data files monthly to keep student transcripts up to date. Most B.C. post-secondary institutions, Alberta colleges and universities, and the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre receive transcript updates electronically throughout the year, where authorized by the student. Target submission dates are in the online Assessment Calendar and printable Chart of Important Dates.
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Registration Reminder for October 24 Feeding Futures Fall Gathering
A reminder that the ministry will be hosting the Feeding Futures Fall Gathering on October 24, 2024, at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver. This event will bring together 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 open until October 11, 2024. Limited discounted hotel rates are available on the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel group booking website until October 2, 2024. Please contact ECC.schoolfood@gov.bc.ca if you have questions.
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Registration for November 21 All Superintendents Meeting
Registration is now open for the All Superintendents Meeting on November 21, 2024. The meeting will be held at the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, B.C. Room reservations will be prioritized on a first come, first served basis and need to be reserved by October 21, 2024.
Please confirm registration for the meeting by Friday, October 25, 2024. The agenda will be provided closer to the date.
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Health Talks Student Contest: What are Your Hopes for Health Care?
The 2025 Health Talks Student Contest is asking all B.C. students “What are your hopes for health care?” The winning individual or team will share their idea at the March 2025 Health Quality Forum in Vancouver, B.C., with leaders and partners across the B.C. health care community. The contest closes October 18, 2024. More information is available in this poster. Please share the poster with your students.
For Information
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October 2024 has been Proclaimed Dyslexia Awareness Month in B.C.
October 2024 has been proclaimed Dyslexia Awareness Month in British Columbia. Dyslexia Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of dyslexia—a neurodevelopmental disorder that impedes the ability to use skills such as reading, spelling, and speaking—and show support for people with dyslexia in British Columbia.
See the proclamation on the B.C. Laws website.
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The Verification Audit Unit
The Province, through ChildCareBC, is committed to building a future where access to affordable, quality, culturally safe, and inclusive child care is a core service that families can rely on.
Families, child care providers and early learning professionals are supported through various ChildCareBC programs to reduce child care fees for families, help child care providers with operating costs, lift up the sector through wage enhancements, and create new child care centres.
The Province is working to balance public funding with public accountability to ensure ChildCareBC programs are financially responsible, accountable and function as intended.
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School-based Active Transportation Opportunities
The Society for Children and Youth (SCY) is looking for applicants to two expanded initiatives. School Streets promotes safer environments for children by creating car-free spaces near schools. Walking School Bus encourages physical activity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by having volunteers walk with students to school. The current round of applications for Walking School Bus is focused on southern Vancouver Island. Applications for both programs are due to SCY October 15, 2024. See the SCY website for more details.
