The Ministry of Education and Child Care is hosting a Feeding Futures Fall Gathering on November 8 at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver, B.C. This full day event will bring together district School Food Coordinators from across B.C. to network and share information on school food programs. Registration is open until September 29, 2023. More details, including discounted hotel rates, can be found in the registration link. Contact ECC.schoolfood@gov.bc.ca if you have questions or wish to register more than one representative from your district.
Friday September 8, 2023
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
Hi, everyone.
We made it through the first week! I’ve heard from many of you about the excitement of staff and students at all grade levels, as everyone started the new school year – this has been a great distraction from the multitude of media and information requests we’ve been inundated with at the ministry! I wish everyone a good end to the week and a bit of a breather before the start of the next. A special shout out to SDs 83 and 73 who continue to work so hard to support students, staff, and families in having as normal a start of as possible in light of the ongoing impacts of the wildfires. There are several updates today that come annually this time of year. I encourage you to have a scan and share as needed.
Finally, please join me in congratulating Melanie J. Stewart, PhD, chosen as the successful candidate from a competition to fill the 24-month appointment as Associate Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Education and Child Care, effective September 8, 2023.
Melanie has been with the BC Public Service since 2007, an Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) since 2011 in a variety of ministries, and has been serving as ADM, Learning and Education Programs Division within the ministry for the past three years. Melanie brings with her to the role a wealth of experience and passion for the public service and strategic public policy and planning, leading transformative change, and solving complex problems. In addition to taking on the Associate Deputy Minister role to support cross-division alignment of the ministry with strategic objectives and mandate letter deliverables, Melanie will continue as the ministry’s Ethics Advisor and Performance Development Platform Executive Sponsor. A process will be forthcoming to fill Melanie’s ADM role. Welcome Melanie!
Have a great weekend,
Christina
Christina Zacharuk
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
For Action
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K-12 Student Reporting Policy Supporting Materials
Resources have been developed to support the implementation of the K-12 Student Reporting Policy including presentation slides, information sheets, guidelines, FAQs, and a webinar series for educators, school leaders, and district leaders and additional resources for parents and caregivers. We encourage you to share these resources with all staff and parents. Ministry staff are also available for virtual meetings to support districts through this transition. For more information, email Student.Reporting@gov.bc.ca
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Reporting Employment of Certificate Holders
Pursuant to 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). Please ensure your report is submitted through the Employers’ Area by October 15. If you have any questions, please email the Teacher Regulation Branch at trb.employers@gov.bc.ca or call 236-455-1872.
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District Strengths and Considerations: Framework for Enhancing Student Learning
In the 2022-23 school year, 24 districts participated in the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning’s Cooperate and Pod Networking Programs. Throughout both programs, senior leaders reflected on continuous improvement using Enhancing Student Learning Reports. Each district received a final, co-developed report highlighting strengths and considerations within the three focus areas: data and evidence; strategic engagement; and alignment. Read the Enhancing Student Learning Report Review. For questions, email EDUC.Framework@gov.bc.ca.
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Registration for October 12 All Superintendents Meeting
Registration is now open for the All Superintendents Meeting on October 12. The meeting will be held at the Marriott Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond. Please confirm registration by Friday September 22. The agenda will be provided in the coming weeks.
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Copyright Obligations for the Education Sector
This is a reminder that copying materials falls within the scope of the fair dealing exception under s. 29 of the Copyright Act. Teachers should be aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding the use of copyright-protected materials including online learning. The Fair Dealing Decision Tool helps teachers decide whether fair dealing permits classroom use of materials without needing to obtain copyright permission. Please share with your staff so they are aware of their copyright obligations.
For Information
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Mental Health and Wellness Support for Those Affected by Wildfires
Virtual wildfire recovery resources and mental health supports are available for children, youth and families. The erase Mental Health and Well-Being web page also includes mental health resources for students, families, educators and caring adults.
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Climate Change Adaptation Program Funding Call
Natural Resources Canada is running the Climate Change Adaptation Program (2022–2027) to solicit proposals for cost-shared projects (up to $15 million) that will make important contributions to advancing climate change adaptation in Canada. Potential projects could include integrating climate change adaption into professional requirements, policies, and standards. The funding call closes September 22, 2023, at midnight EDT.
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2023-24 Continuous Improvement Program Communities of Practice
The ministry is pleased to announce the initial 2023-24 Communities of Practice (CoPs) hosted by the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning. These learning communities are designed to foster continuous improvement by focusing on topics of interest and providing district leaders with dedicated time for collaboration, self-reflection, and growth. Additional CoPs may be offered based on sector interests emerging from the Annual Review process in October 2023. Review this poster for information and details on upcoming CoPs. For questions, email EDUC.Framework@gov.bc.ca.
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Framework for Enhancing Student Learning Resource Document Update
Developing an Effective Strategic Plan has been updated and can be found on the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning website under Effective Strategic Planning Resources. Previously titled Guide for Effective Strategic Planning, this is a resource for districts to use in the development of a new strategic plan within the continuous improvement cycle. For questions, email EDUC.Framework@gov.bc.ca.
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2023/24 Canadian Student Alcohol & Drugs Survey
Conducted bi-annually for the past two decades, the Canadian Student Alcohol & Drugs Survey provides valuable information on youth alcohol and drug use, tobacco, bullying, school connectedness, and mental health. This year, the survey will be administered to a small sample of students in grades 7 to 12 in B.C. between October 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. See this letter for more information on the survey and a supporting statement from the ministry should your district be selected to participate.
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Science Mentorship Program for Eligible Students
The University of British Columbia (UBC) Fostering Science Mentorship Program is accepting applications for eligible high school students to work with a UBC student mentor towards creating a science fair project. The program is available to students currently and formerly in care; students facing social, economic and/or cultural adversity; recent immigrants and students with refugee experience; and youth from families exposed to violence, alcohol, and/or drug challenges. Program spaces are limited. Applications are due September 30.
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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, a summary of an outcome was posted about a teacher who agreed to a reprimand. The outcome has been anonymized to protect the identity of students who were harmed, abused, or exploited by the teacher.
