Superintendents and District Leads of Indigenous Education received an email this week requesting school districts to update their LEA status with First Nations in their district. We recognize the two short weeks encompassing this request and are looking for this information before First Nations Leadership Gathering. Responses are requested by October 11, 2023.
Friday September 29, 2023
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
Hi, everyone.
And just like that September is almost over! As we head into the weekend and recognizing the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, I continue to be encouraged as I learn about all the events, activities, and local relationships between school districts and First Nations that broaden awareness and action on the path to meaningful reconciliation – and the work we need to and continue to do. I will be spending some time with the Orange Shirt Day book by Phyllis Webstad and the Orange Shirt Society to reflect on where I am in my own reconciliation journey. Please also find below information on a number of updates this week!
Christina
Christina Zacharuk
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
For Action
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Reminder: Framework for Enhancing Student Learning Report – due Oct 3
The final day to submit this year’s Enhancing Student Learning Report is next Monday, October 3. Please submit your report and strategic plan to EDUC.Framework@gov.bc.ca.
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Report of Employment of Certificate Holders – due Oct 15
Under section 80 (Employers list) of the Teachers Act, employers are required to make a report to the Director of Certification on all B.C. certificate holders who were employed during the past academic year (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023). Submit your report now through the Employers’ Area by October 15. If you have any questions, please email the Teacher Regulation Branch or call 236-455-1872.
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2023 SOGI Educators Summit – Oct 18
School and district SOGI Leads are invited to register for B.C. SOGI Educator Summit’s Prevailing Pride. The event is virtual and at no cost. Registration deadline is October 13.
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erase Safe School Coordinator Meeting
The 2023 Safe School Coordinator Annual Meeting on November 6 and 7 in Vancouver, B.C. will continue the work of the erase: Building Safe Schools Strategy with the theme Back to Basics. Please have your Safe Schools Coordinator prioritize this time and register for this important annual meeting where they will learn from ministry leads, industry experts, and experienced Safe School Coordinators about safety protocols, best practices, case studies, and emerging trends. The meeting includes half-day intensive training on November 6 on the foundations of the Safe School Coordinator role (everyone is welcome). There will be key learning opportunities for new and seasoned Safe School Coordinators aimed at building capacity to support the management of safety incidents throughout the school year. Please register no later than October 13. For questions, email erase@gov.bc.ca.
For Information
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Truth and Reconciliation Toolkit
As we near National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30, we encourage you to continue to develop your collection of resources on Indigenous knowledge, history, and worldviews and share this toolkit, as appropriate. The Assembly of First Nations Education Toolkit offers 22 learning modules on topics such as residential schools, cultural competency, and more. Downloadable user guides and unit plans for each module are available on the Assembly of First Nations website.
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Delay: TRAX First Data Submission
The first TRAX data submission of the school year via the School Secure Web has been delayed due to technical issues. TRAX submission processes (including registrations for the Grade 10 and Grade 12 November Graduation Assessments) will be available on or before October 10, 2023.
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Compassionate Systems Leadership Training
In partnership with the Ministry of Education and Child Care, the University of British Columbia Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) is continuing to expand Compassionate Systems Leadership training opportunities for the education system. HELP is launching a renewed suite of trainings, which can be found on the new BC Compassionate Systems Leadership Network website. The website includes training descriptions and access/information to complete an online application form. For questions, please contact the BC Compassionate Systems Leadership Network at csl.info@ubc.ca.
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Back-to-School Wellness Toolkit
Back-to-school transition can be a stressful time for students and their parents/guardians or caregivers. The B.C. Children’s Hospital has released a back-to-school wellness toolkit to help support families. Schools may share this toolkit to support families with practical guidance and resources to support their child or youth as they adjust to the school routine and change in their environment.
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Introducing the Education Data Exchange
The ministry is modernizing how it collects vital, decision-making data from public and independent schools through the Education Data Exchange (EDX). Learn more about the project, its impact on 1601, 1602 and 1701 data collections, and how to receive updates by subscribing to the new EDX information hub.
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erase Fall Training Information
Course and registration details for fall/winter erase training sessions are now available. Please send any questions to erase@gov.bc.ca.
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Provincial Learning Management System (LMS) Update: 52 Sites Implemented
The Ministry of Education and Child Care recognizes the successful implementation of 52 sites of the provincial Learning Management System (Brightspace) across B.C. in 17 months. More than half of the school districts in B.C. and all Provincial Online Learning Schools (public and independent) now have a K-12 site, providing over 34,000 B.C. students with consistent access to online learning. This milestone ensures that students in the province have equitable, consistent access to successful online learning experiences. Congratulations to all district and school personnel involved in achieving this milestone.
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Personal Protective Equipment Orders
In light of the newly released Provincial Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings, this is a reminder that the provincial program to supply Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to school districts ends on November 1. PPE may be ordered from the provincial program until October 14, to ensure orders are processed before November 1 when the no-cost provincial program is scheduled to end. After October 14, school districts may continue to order PPE from PEAK or any preferred supplier, with costs charged to the school district.
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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 for Amira Mounir Abraham who agreed to a reprimand.
