Notice of Liability Letters: Vaccination Clinics in Schools and Requiring Students to Wear Masks

In a notice sent to all Trustees, Superintendents, and Secretary-Treasurers the BCSTA provided an update in regards to the notice of liability letters that were received by many school districts and boards of education. 

The BCSTA consulted with Harris & Co. to provide the update. The update concluded that "there is very little risk that school districts would be generally liable for having vaccination clinics in schools or for requiring students to wear masks". This was in response to legal threats that stated "it is unlawful for the district to 'practice medicine' by having vaccine clinics at schools and requiring students to get vaccinated" and "it is unlawful to require students to wear masks in school". 

Any law or legal action quoted in the notice of liability letters were deemed either not applicable to the jurisdiction of British Columbia or represent an inaccurate legal summary of the laws cited.

Please read the entire update here.

Indigenous Youth Mental Health Literacy Curriculum Project

The Indigenous Youth Mental Health Literacy Curriculum Project is looking for BC Youth Ambassadors and Elder Mentors to participate in the project from October to December. Indigenous youth and elders will connect through sharing circles and collect wellbeing approaches from community members that participate. 

Meetings will take place over Zoom, so access to a computer and comfort with technology are needed.

Please see the project posters below for more information:

Youth | Elders

Vancouver Sun: Adopt-A-School Grants Program

The Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund Society (VSCF) was established in 1981 as the newspaper's in-house charity, with a mandate to raise funds to help children in need throughout the province. The purpose of the charity is to: 

  • Relieve poverty by providing funding for food, snacks, clothing and other basic necessities, as well as for mentorship programs, sports programs, and arts programs, to needy students in British Columbia.
  • Advance education by providing funding for books, equipment, and educational / technological aids to students in British Columbia.
Submit your grant application before October 15. 

Information | Application

BCRTA Golden Star Awards

BC Retired Teachers’ Association (BCRTA) is pleased to offer the Golden Star Awards Program again this year. Adjudicated by the Excellence in Public Education Committee, the awards acknowledge outstanding intergenerational programs in BC’s public schools.  This year, due to the restrictions of COVID-19 measures, established programs will proceed differently but we are hopeful that some teachers will find safe ways to facilitate communication between students and seniors. One of last year’s winners is developing the use of technology and letter writing, for example, to continue their program.  Although in-person activities are not permitted at this time, students and seniors can still learn much from one another.  If teachers are able to continue intergenerational programs during these difficult times, we want to acknowledge their efforts.

Information | Application

uLead 2022: The Summit of Education Leadership Conference April 10-12, 2022

April 10-12, 2022 in Banff, Alberta

uLead 2022 -  the Summit of Educational Leadership! This year’s conference is focused on the theme of Reimagining School Leadership. This three day conversation on leadership will provide every delegate with an opportunity to both see a variety of models of innovative leadership and to also discuss the direction we should be moving in as school leaders and systems in our age. A unique opportunity awaits to join educational leaders from around the world in the beautiful world heritage location of Banff, Alberta at one of the world’s premier conferences for school-based leaders, district-level leaders, and provincial and state education leaders. 

Information | Register

BCPVPA members are offered an exclusive rate, use the code "BCPVPA-MEMBER" for a 40% discount

2021 Canadian Outdoor Learning Free Fall Virtual Workshop Series

A series from Take Me Outside, and our Canadian Outdoor Learning Partners! Are you having trouble keeping track of all of the great things going on? Well, to help you keep track, here's a handy 'top 10' list for the season ahead:

CBEEN has just released a new Indigenous Biodiversity Book Bundle on their outdoor learning store.

BC Ministry of Education News

Expanded Health and Safety Measures for K-12 Students:
Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced updates to the Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K-12 Schools and the Provincial COVID-19 Communicable Disease Guidelines for K-12 Settings to require masks for kindergarten to Grade 3 students. The rollout began on Monday, October 4 when all students in B.C. schools will be required to wear a mask when inside a school building, including while at their desks and on buses. This measure builds on the existing guidelines that currently apply to all students in Grades 4 to 12. If any school district or school requires assistance to identify suppliers of face masks or other PPE, please contact educ.srsd@gov.bc.ca. Beginning this month, the Provincial Health Office will also be releasing a new monthly report that will inform British Columbians about the virus and how it affects school-aged children. Please email educ.covid@gov.bc.ca if you have any questions.

Read the Deputy Minister's Bulletins

BC SOGI Educator Network Newsletter

Please take time to review this month's BC SOGI Educator Network Newsletter, which includes helpful resources for SOGI-inclusive education and learning opportunities for school leaders. 

BCTC Appointment

We are delighted that Michelle LaBounty (SD 45) has been appointed to the British Columbia Teachers’ Council (BCTC) for a term ending April 23, 2024. We wish Michelle all the best in her upcoming work with the Council.

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


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The BC Principals' & Vice-Principals' Association is a voluntary professional association representing school leaders employed as Principals and Vice-Principals in BC's public education system. We provide our members with the professional services and supports they need to provide exemplary leadership in public education.

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