Education

A Campbell River teacher was disciplined for a lesson she taught her students about racism. (Pixabay)

B.C. teacher reprimanded for Grade 2 exercise on segregation that left child in tears

Commisioner For Teacher Regulation says teacher failed to treat students with “dignity and respect”

A Campbell River teacher was disciplined for a lesson she taught her students about racism. (Pixabay)
Stelly’s Global Perspectives Class, here seen earlier in 2022 on Vargas Island near Tofino, where UNESCO maintains a biosphere reserve, will host the annual Global Gala fundraiser for an incoming 2023 to Costa Rica, where Grade 12 members of the class will work on a project supporting female empowerment. (Photo courtesy of Stelly’s Secondary)

Central Saanich school’s Global Gala raises money for female empowerment project

Stelly’s Secondary fundraiser supporting Global Perspectives class scheduled for Nov. 24

Stelly’s Global Perspectives Class, here seen earlier in 2022 on Vargas Island near Tofino, where UNESCO maintains a biosphere reserve, will host the annual Global Gala fundraiser for an incoming 2023 to Costa Rica, where Grade 12 members of the class will work on a project supporting female empowerment. (Photo courtesy of Stelly’s Secondary)
VIU microbiology and culinary arts students will bring their fermented seaweed creations before a panel of judges, Dragons’ Den style, in the Urchin Tank to have their products assessed for marketability Wednesday, Nov. 23. (Vancouver Island University photo)

VIU students in Nanaimo to pitch their seaweed products on Dragons’ Den-style show

‘Urchin Tank’ panel of judges will assess students’ projects

VIU microbiology and culinary arts students will bring their fermented seaweed creations before a panel of judges, Dragons’ Den style, in the Urchin Tank to have their products assessed for marketability Wednesday, Nov. 23. (Vancouver Island University photo)
Centre Mountain Lellum Middle School welcomed students for the first time Monday (Nov. 14). (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

PHOTOS: New Centre Mountain Lellum Middle School opens to students in Langford

Construction delays meant students were placed elsewhere for the start of the school year

Centre Mountain Lellum Middle School welcomed students for the first time Monday (Nov. 14). (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Students at the Washington Junior High School leaving classes for the day, use the unlocking mechanism to open the bags their cell phone were sealed in during the school day, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Washington, Pa. Citing mental health, behavior and engagement as the impetus, many educators are updating cellphone policies, with a number turning to magnetically sealing pouches. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Schools clash with parents over bans on student cellphones

Parents who had constant access to their children during remote learning reluctant to give that up

Students at the Washington Junior High School leaving classes for the day, use the unlocking mechanism to open the bags their cell phone were sealed in during the school day, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Washington, Pa. Citing mental health, behavior and engagement as the impetus, many educators are updating cellphone policies, with a number turning to magnetically sealing pouches. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
A report from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection found 167 school personnel had criminal charges laid against them over a 5-year reporting period. Advocate file photo

‘Tip of the iceberg:’ Report finds 252 school personnel accused of sexual offences

Canadian Centre for Child Protection report details offences against 548 children over a 5-year span

A report from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection found 167 school personnel had criminal charges laid against them over a 5-year reporting period. Advocate file photo
Cornerstone Christian School now has therapy bunnies to help students with difficult times. (Submitted image)

Therapy bunnies melting worries away for B.C. students

Abbotsford’s Cornerstone Christian School introduces lop-eared rabbits as newest members of staff

Cornerstone Christian School now has therapy bunnies to help students with difficult times. (Submitted image)
(Black Press Media Creative)

College enrollment is down for a third year in a row

On Oct. 20, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center released a report…

(Black Press Media Creative)
English Language Learners teacher, Harjit Chauhan (centre) has been actively involved with educating students and the community about cultural celebrations like Diwali and Ramadan. (The News)

B.C. teacher wins national We Love Teachers contest

Harjit Chauhan was one of eight finalists in the inaugural Staples Canada program

English Language Learners teacher, Harjit Chauhan (centre) has been actively involved with educating students and the community about cultural celebrations like Diwali and Ramadan. (The News)
Master of ceremonies Monique Pat (centre) welcomes those attending Friday’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation ceremony in Sooke on Friday. (Kevin Laird – Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke teachers discuss how Indigenous understanding is taught in classroom

‘It manifests into good discussion,’ says EMCS educator

  • Oct 5, 2022
Master of ceremonies Monique Pat (centre) welcomes those attending Friday’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation ceremony in Sooke on Friday. (Kevin Laird – Sooke News Mirror)
A file photo shows a Toronto community school classroom on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. In B.C., elementary school teacher Austin Uzama was suspended in September 2022 for professional misconduct. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Carlos Osorio

B.C. teacher suspended after showing Halloween prank video with fake decapitations

Austin Uzama showed an age-inappropriate video to Maple Ridge students and lied about credentials

A file photo shows a Toronto community school classroom on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. In B.C., elementary school teacher Austin Uzama was suspended in September 2022 for professional misconduct. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Carlos Osorio
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)

Judge says Greater Victoria School Board lacked authority to suspend trustees

Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been reinstated after suspension over alleged bullying

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)
Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside and partners in provincial K-12 education issued a statement on Sept. 16, 2022 in support of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policy. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. Education Minister and partners in K-12 education issue statement in support of SOGI

Statement on inclusive policy comes 1 day before election campaign to elect school board trustees

Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside and partners in provincial K-12 education issued a statement on Sept. 16, 2022 in support of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Don’t blame schools for high COVID rates among B.C. youth: provincial health officer

Bonnie Henry study’s findings similar to those in other jurisdictions

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A national school food program is needed, B.C. advocates are urging. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Urgent need for a national school food program in classrooms: B.C. group

The Coalition for Healthy School Food wants the federal government to create a national program.

A national school food program is needed, B.C. advocates are urging. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
A child poses for a photo with a Backpack Buddies bag of food. (Submitted by Backpackbuddies.ca)

B.C. food-aid programs seeing spike in hungry students amid high inflation, grocery costs

The school year began on Sept. 6, after a summer of inflation rates reaching as high as 8 per cent .

A child poses for a photo with a Backpack Buddies bag of food. (Submitted by Backpackbuddies.ca)
University student Chloe Goodison, shown in this handout image, founded a group that provides overdose prevention education to high school students in Coquitlam, B.C., but is expanding the program this fall with hopes that the province will make awareness about overdose from illicit street drugs a mandatory part of the curriculum instead of leaving that decision to individual school districts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Make overdose education mandatory in B.C. schools amid drug emergency, advocates say

More than 10,000 deaths since B.C. declared toxic drug supply a public health emergency in 2016

University student Chloe Goodison, shown in this handout image, founded a group that provides overdose prevention education to high school students in Coquitlam, B.C., but is expanding the program this fall with hopes that the province will make awareness about overdose from illicit street drugs a mandatory part of the curriculum instead of leaving that decision to individual school districts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
French immersion students make up roughly 9.7 per cent of the B.C. student body. (Canadian Parents for French BC & YK photo)

B.C. schools coming off a record year for French immersion students

Provincial average in 2021/22 nearly reached 10 per cent of all students in public school

French immersion students make up roughly 9.7 per cent of the B.C. student body. (Canadian Parents for French BC & YK photo)
Sean Fraser speaks at an event in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. The immigration minister says the government is looking at ways to prioritize visa applications for international students set to start school this coming semester as many are left wondering whether they’ll make it to Canada in time for school.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Visa delays leaving international students in limbo for fall semester

34 per cent of pending applications were taking longer to process than government standards

Sean Fraser speaks at an event in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. The immigration minister says the government is looking at ways to prioritize visa applications for international students set to start school this coming semester as many are left wondering whether they’ll make it to Canada in time for school.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle
Avalynn Kwok, 4, walks with her dad, Manny Kwok, outside Lynn Valley Elementary School as her parents drop her off for her first day of kindergarten in North Vancouver on September 9, 2021. For years, Staples Canada has advertised back-to-school supplies to the tune of the “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” with parents eager to see their children return to class after a busy summer. But back-to-school supplies can quickly add up, and parents already feeling the crunch from a rising cost of living may need to strategize how they approach this shopping season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Looking to save some money this back-to-school season? Here are some tips

Parents facing increased costs as they get the kids ready to return to class

Avalynn Kwok, 4, walks with her dad, Manny Kwok, outside Lynn Valley Elementary School as her parents drop her off for her first day of kindergarten in North Vancouver on September 9, 2021. For years, Staples Canada has advertised back-to-school supplies to the tune of the “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” with parents eager to see their children return to class after a busy summer. But back-to-school supplies can quickly add up, and parents already feeling the crunch from a rising cost of living may need to strategize how they approach this shopping season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck