Beginning Thursday, September 29, the Education Analytics Office will be hosting monthly, virtual Analytics Outreach and Information Sharing sessions. Superintendents are encouraged to register for these sessions and invite staff as they deem appropriate.
Friday September 23, 2022
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
Hi, everyone – next week is Truth and Reconciliation Week (September 26–30, 2022). In addition to all of the activities and events that will be underway at schools across the province, please find below additional educational resources created by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation for teachers to use to further learning about B.C.’s colonial history and the ways in which the residential school system has impacted, and continues to impact, Indigenous communities. I would also point your attention to the postponement until early January of the Jointly Convened Annual Meeting (JCAM); our apologies for any inconvenience.
Please also see the news release from earlier today announcing that effective December 1, 2022, the Province will be directly funding licensed child care centres to lower fees for children, kindergarten-aged and younger. These additional savings, which build on earlier fee cuts introduced as part of the Province’s $2.7-billion investment in ChildCareBC since 2018, are being funded through the five-year, $3.2-billion Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. No application is required.
Have a great weekend.
For Action
-
Save the Date: 2022 B.C. SOGI Educator Summit (October 19)
The SOGI Educator Summit will take place virtually on October 19, 2022. The theme of the summit is ‘From Inclusion to Belonging’. Registration information will be shared ahead of time. Please save the date in your calendar.
-
TRAX First Data Submission
Due November 10
Schools should submit their first TRAX data submission of the school year via the School Secure Web between October 3 and November 10, 2022.
-
Protocol Regarding Pictures of the Queen
With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of His Majesty King Charles III, please be advised that pictures, lithographs, and prints of the Queen—unless signed by the Queen—are to be removed by September 22 (we recognize this was yesterday so please do so as soon as possible). Paintings of the Queen may remain. Portraits of King Charles III and Her Majesty the Queen Consort should be given more prominent positions for display. The official portrait of His Majesty will be provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage when available.
For Information
-
Sept. 30 Half-Masting Protocols
At the direction of the Province, Canadian flags on all B.C. government buildings will be flown at half-mast on September 30, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, from sunrise until sunset. Where a Canadian flag and a British Columbia flag fly near to one other, both flags should be lowered to half-mast. This national day provides an opportunity for Canadians to commemorate the history and ongoing trauma caused by residential schools and to honour those who were lost and the survivors, families, and communities who continue to grieve. The direction of the Province on half-masting protocols is provided in case school districts wish to follow a similar approach; however, school districts have the autonomy to follow their own policies with regard to flags subject to the School Regulation.
-
Educational Resources for Truth and Reconciliation Week
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has created a series of educational videos for teachers to use during Truth and Reconciliation Week (September 26–30, 2022). To access these videos and other related resources, please visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s website. District staff or students can also visit the Orange Shirt Day Society web page to read Phyllis Webstad’s story on the origin of Orange Shirt Day (September 30, 2022), or to purchase orange shirts.
-
Jointly Convened Annual Meeting (JCAM) Postponed
The fourth Jointly Convened Annual Meeting (JCAM), originally scheduled for October 27, 2022, has been postponed until early 2023. Further information regarding the rescheduled date will be provided when it becomes available. We apologize for any inconvenience.
-
Data and Evidence Community of Practice
In partnership with Shane Safir and Dr. Jamila Dugan, authors of Street Data: A Next-Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation, the Ministry of Education and Child Care is offering a data and evidence community of practice for B.C. school district leaders. Details and application information are available in the link above.
-
Gangs & Guns School District Mentorship Grant Info Session
The Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General is hosting an online information session to discuss the 2022/23 Gangs & Guns School District Mentorship Grants on Wednesday, September 28 from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm PT. Please direct any inquiries to the Performance Evaluation and Compliance Team: SOC.hub@gov.bc.ca.
-
Science Opportunity for Students in/from Care
The Foster Science Mentorship Program is accepting applications for eligible high school students in/from care to be paired with a University of B.C. student to work towards a science fair project. Mentees are accepted on a rolling basis, and a limited number of spots are available for the 2022/2023 school year. Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2022; however, this due date may be extended depending on the volume of applications.
-
Recent 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 about Nicola Julie Pendleton who will not be issued a credential to teach in the K–12 education system for 18 months.
