BCPVPA | BC Principals and Vice Principals

BC Ministry of Education News

A Message from the Deputy Minister - Half Masting Protocols:

School districts may have received inquiries about half-masting protocols in recognition of the on-going impacts of the events at the former residential school in Kamloops. Please note that the federal government regulates flag protocols for its own buildings but does not dictate practices for provinces. In the July 11 Special Update, the Ministry relayed direction from the Office of Protocol about the half-masting period ending at sunset on July 11, 2021 for BC. However, boards of education have the autonomy to follow their own policies with regard to flags, subject to the School Regulation.

Virtual Truth and Reconciliation Week (Sept 27-Oct 1):

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a free five-day virtual event to continue the conversations from Every Child Matters. Open to all Canadian schools for youth grades 5-12, this event will provide historical workshops, exclusive video content and activities for students, supported by artistic and cultural performances by First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. Districts are encouraged to reach out to the local Nations to collaborate and plan in preparation for this week and Orange Shirt Day.

Use of School Facilities for Federal Election:

Returning officers from Elections Canada may contact school districts to discuss the use of schools as voting places for the upcoming federal election on September 20 and/or for advance voting on the previous Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Superintendents will assess the ability of districts to support Elections Canada in this important process to use school facilities while ensuring voting can be carried out in a manner safe for students and staff in accordance with the current health and safety guidelines, and education delivery disruption is kept to a minimum.

Read the Deputy Minister's Bulletins

Aug 31 Release – Education by the Numbers
Aug 31 2021 - BC’s Ministry of Education has released a snapshot of BC’s K-12 education system.
Education by the Numbers

Professional Development Workshop for Teachers Teaching Aviation

October 22, 2021 (BC Provincial Professional Development Day)
Location: Langley Regional Airport and/or virtual

Who should attend: Teachers, administrators and career advisors / support staff who are teaching aviation, or who want to contribute to the conversation about teaching aviation, or who are supporting students as they pursue learning about aviation.

The day will begin with a keynote address from Cathy Press, CEO and Owner of Chinook Helicopters, Chief Pilot, Airline Transport Pilot (Helicopter & Aeroplane), and most recently the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Technology degree from the University of the Fraser Valley. Panel discussions (industry leaders, training institutions, and career seekers), curriculum collaboration and sharing, and some hands-on STEM will be included. We hope to be able to include some airport facilities tours but this will depend on COVID protocols in place on the date.

2021 Canadian Outdoor Learning Free Fall Virtual Workshop Series

A new series from Take Me Outside, and our Canadian Outdoor Learning Partners!

Registration is free and there will be plenty of draw prizes for attendees!

Workshops are 60 minutes and will take place on Thursdays at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern.

For those who can’t attend live these will each be recorded and posted on the bottom of this webpage.

Following the workshop, participants will receive a link through which they can access a certificate of attendance.

If you can’t attend the live workshop you can still request a certificate after you watch the recording.

Subscribe to seasonal updates to stay in the loop on these and future workshops

Indigenous Resources & Perspectives for Outdoor Learning
Thursday, September 23 at 4pm PST | 7pm EST

Faye O’Neil is Ktunaxa and a member of ?aqam just outside of Cranbrook, BC. Her career in Aboriginal Education spans 22 years and she presently works for Southeast Kootenay School District 5 as an Aboriginal Education Coordinator, and is also on the board of directors for the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN).

Explore Faye’s perspective around outdoor learning related to her understanding and knowledge of her Ktunaxa roots and being born to the land. She will discuss the resources offered in the Indigenous section Canada’s Outdoor Learning Store and offer her point of view on how you can braid these resources into your classroom and livelihood.

ONE TO ONE Literacy Society Volunteer Position

Share the joy of reading in your community by becoming a ONE TO ONE virtual volunteer tutor.

ONE TO ONE connects emerging readers with volunteer tutors across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. We know that this valuable connection between tutors and students directly affects their confidence and chance of succeeding academically and in life.

For Fall 2021, we are looking for volunteer tutors for our virtual after-school program (3:30-6 pm). You will read once a week for 2-3 hours from October to June, excluding school holidays. The students will be at home with a parent/caregiver nearby in case they need technical support. We are looking for volunteers who are comfortable with technology and reading with children in a virtual environment. Virtual tutoring requires:

Desktop or Laptop computer
Fast and stable internet connection
Confidence scheduling and hosting Zoom meetings, working with several online tools simultaneously, and familiarity with basic technology (hosting a Zoom meeting, muting and unmuting, chat function etc.)

We’ll teach you the rest and ensure you have the practice and support before you get started on your reading journey.

It’s easy to get started – fill out an application form online, complete a free criminal record check and then have a chat with ONE TO ONE on the phone to make sure we’re a good match. Initial training sessions for new volunteers will be held in September 2021.

Find out more and apply now at https://one-to-one.ca/get-involved/become-a-tutor/.

myPITA 2021 Fall Conference Registration is Open!

It's a new school year, and it's time to think about Pro-D!

The myPITA Fall Conference is open for registration! We will be online again this October, and we have a fantastic line-up. Explore our offerings and register now to be guaranteed your first choice of sessions, as popular presenters and topics can fill up fast! Join us on October 22nd for a great day of professional development.

Some highlights:

Adrienne Gear will be providing a new workshop on Poetry!
Carol Fullerton will be presenting a session on planning and teaching math for a diverse classroom!
Diana Cruchley is once again presenting a full slate of English Language Arts sessions!
David McCormick will be presenting a full morning session on using D&D and Storytelling in schools!

Check out the other offerings and register now at https://mypita.ourconference.ca/

BetterEducate

With the ongoing need for continuity of learning in our system, the BCPVPA has opened up free access to BetterEducate for all BC K-12 educators. Develop a BetterEducate Profile | Collaborate with Colleagues | Browse and Share Resources | Develop your Plans – All on one platform!

Learn more here

Join the Platform!

If you haven’t yet signed up for BetterEducate, visit the site and sign up for your free membership
with the promo code BCPVPA123. View Sign-Up Instructions

Early Intervention Program

The Early Intervention Program (EIP) is a province wide professional support service provided by the BCPVPA at no cost to you and is completely voluntary and confidential. The program supports BCPVPA Benefits Plan members experiencing health-related personal and/or professional challenges. Find out more

BC Retired Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association (BCRPVPA)

Are you or a colleague thinking of retirement soon? Please check the BC Retired Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association for benefits offered to retired members, such as affinity, health & travel insurance, prestige coverage, pensions & other topics of interest, and you will also find a mail-in application form on the site. The BCRPVPA looks forward to hearing from you if retirement is in your near future! Contact the BCRPVPA