SD62

Tristan (left) and Max with mom Allison, who set up a home school when she felt her boys weren’t getting the support they needed in the public school system. (Photo submitted)

Langford mom starts own school amid lack of support for neurodivergent sons

Initially supported by multiple families, mother of two sons on autism spectrum foots bill herself

Tristan (left) and Max with mom Allison, who set up a home school when she felt her boys weren’t getting the support they needed in the public school system. (Photo submitted)
Sooke School District said registration numbers were strong once again for nature and French immersion kindergarten in the 2022-2023 school year, and officials are expecting the same for regular kindergarten registration when it opens on Jan. 24. (File - Black Press Media)

Sooke School District sees steady numbers for kindergarten registration

Lack of qualified teachers limiting French immersion curriculum

Sooke School District said registration numbers were strong once again for nature and French immersion kindergarten in the 2022-2023 school year, and officials are expecting the same for regular kindergarten registration when it opens on Jan. 24. (File - Black Press Media)
Students across Greater Victoria head back to the classroom on Monday, Jan. 10. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria school districts welcome back students, prep for potential closures

Schools to pivot to remote/online learning if health or functional closures occur

Students across Greater Victoria head back to the classroom on Monday, Jan. 10. (Black Press Media file photo)
School buses are being cancelled with little or no warning, meaning some kids have to miss days at schools, according to parents. (Black Press Media file photo)

SD62 dealing with bus driver shortage, students unable to get bus

Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said the shortage is leading to more traffic on the roads

School buses are being cancelled with little or no warning, meaning some kids have to miss days at schools, according to parents. (Black Press Media file photo)
Despite high inflation, pay for school board trustees in Greater Victoria will likely not see the high increases that have been seen elsewhere in the province. (Pixabay photo)

Greater Victoria trustee pay set for modest increases despite inflation

Pay jumped by nearly a quarter in Abbotsford, but smaller increases here

Despite high inflation, pay for school board trustees in Greater Victoria will likely not see the high increases that have been seen elsewhere in the province. (Pixabay photo)
The new mural at Saseenos Elementary was created by Indigenous artist Jordanna George, a former student at the school. (Google maps)

Sooke school selects salmon work by Indigenous alum as new logo

Artist Jordanna George is a member of the T’Sou-ke Nation and former Saseenos student

The new mural at Saseenos Elementary was created by Indigenous artist Jordanna George, a former student at the school. (Google maps)
Sooke School District board chair Ravi Parmar on Tuesday (Dec. 21) announces the board’s decision not to institute a vaccine mandate for staff, but that all new hires must be vaccinated. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

No vaccine mandate for Sooke School District staff, but new hires must be vaccinated

SD62 board asks superintendent to prepare for possible declaration of a mandate later

Sooke School District board chair Ravi Parmar on Tuesday (Dec. 21) announces the board’s decision not to institute a vaccine mandate for staff, but that all new hires must be vaccinated. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Ravi Parmar, chair of the Sooke school district, says two new schools set to open in Langford in 2022 are part of long-term plans to address growth on the West Shore. (File - Black Press Media)

Ravi Parmar acclaimed as Sooke school board chair

Parmar said building more schools will be a big challenge in next few years

Ravi Parmar, chair of the Sooke school district, says two new schools set to open in Langford in 2022 are part of long-term plans to address growth on the West Shore. (File - Black Press Media)
Sooke School District buses are late picking up students Wednesday morning after struggling to get through the Malahat closure traffic. (Black Press Media file photo)

Malahat congestion delaying West Shore buses from picking up students

All SD62 buses are on their way as of 8 a.m., superintendent says

Sooke School District buses are late picking up students Wednesday morning after struggling to get through the Malahat closure traffic. (Black Press Media file photo)
Spencer Middle School in Langford is part of Sooke School District. (File - Black Press Media)

SD62 asking public about vaccine mandate for teachers and staff

School districts throughout the province have been weighing up decisions on vaccine mandates

Spencer Middle School in Langford is part of Sooke School District. (File - Black Press Media)
Sooke School District trustee Wendy Hobbs (left) looks on as board chair Ravi Parmar announces the names of two new west Langford schools. The schools are set to open in September 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

Major growth continues in Sooke School District

Two new schools set to open in September 2022 in Langford

Sooke School District trustee Wendy Hobbs (left) looks on as board chair Ravi Parmar announces the names of two new west Langford schools. The schools are set to open in September 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
The constructions site of Pexisen Elementary on Oct. 22. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

PHOTOS: $100-million construction of two new Langford schools on schedule, budget

Pexisen Elementary, Centre Mountain Lellum Middle School are expected to welcome students next year

The constructions site of Pexisen Elementary on Oct. 22. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
An expansion at Royal Bay Secondary School was completed in 2020 as the school was operating at maximum capacity since it opened in 2015. (Black Press Media file photo)
An expansion at Royal Bay Secondary School was completed in 2020 as the school was operating at maximum capacity since it opened in 2015. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sooke School District students who go on trips abroad won’t be able to return to the classroom for 14 days after their return. (Black Press Media file photo)

No virtual learning for SD62 unvaccinated students isolating after international travel

Sooke School District recommends making arrangements with teachers before travelling

Sooke School District students who go on trips abroad won’t be able to return to the classroom for 14 days after their return. (Black Press Media file photo)
Teachers Gillian Le Rose and Rick Fabris hold a canoe that’s part of a unique reconciliation project at Westshore Colwood School. (Photo courtesy of Sooke School District)

Colwood school, Sooke School District promote healing, reconciliation education

Unique canoe project sees students paddle together

Teachers Gillian Le Rose and Rick Fabris hold a canoe that’s part of a unique reconciliation project at Westshore Colwood School. (Photo courtesy of Sooke School District)
A single mom in Sooke is frustrated with the Sooke School District’s new catchment-only bus strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)

School bus priority change leaves working single mom in Sooke without options

‘My oldest kid literally passes Sooke Elementary on her way to EMCS:’ Tania Phillips

  • Sep 8, 2021
A single mom in Sooke is frustrated with the Sooke School District’s new catchment-only bus strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Principal Mike Bobbitt is thrilled to be back in the thick of things at Edward Milne Community School, such as in the garden where a wily gardener can spot hops, persimmon, corn, potatoes and quince. And that’s just in this photo. (Zoe Ducklow - Sooke News Mirror)

Former Sooke teacher and vice-principal returns to EMCS bursting with excitement

Mike Bobbitt got promoted and sent back to his first school

Principal Mike Bobbitt is thrilled to be back in the thick of things at Edward Milne Community School, such as in the garden where a wily gardener can spot hops, persimmon, corn, potatoes and quince. And that’s just in this photo. (Zoe Ducklow - Sooke News Mirror)
A change in Sooke School District bus services is leaving kids who go to school out of their catchment areas in limbo for at least the first month. (File - Black Press Media)

Out-of-catchment bus change leaving parents scrambling in Sooke, West Shore

Students who choose schools out of their catchment might not get a ride this year

A change in Sooke School District bus services is leaving kids who go to school out of their catchment areas in limbo for at least the first month. (File - Black Press Media)
Sooke School District superintendent Scott Stinson is optimistic about the 2021-22 school year. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sooke School District superintendent Scott Stinson is optimistic about the 2021-22 school year. (Black Press Media file photo)
With no word from the province on how schools will handle COVID-19 health protocols this year in the midst of increasing case numbers, some Greater Victoria teachers and parents are feeling anxious about the return. (Black Press Media file photo)

Back to school: Greater Victoria parents, teachers concerned with lack of COVID-19 plan

No cohorts, masks not mandatory; existing scenario making people nervous

With no word from the province on how schools will handle COVID-19 health protocols this year in the midst of increasing case numbers, some Greater Victoria teachers and parents are feeling anxious about the return. (Black Press Media file photo)