BC Public Health Order: School Staff Vaccination Status

The B.C. government issued an order January 17 related to the gathering and reporting of the vaccine status of K–12 staff.

This order enables local Medical Health Officers (MHOs) to direct school boards and independent school authorities to obtain the vaccination status of school staff and share with the MHO in aggregate form. The purpose of the order is to support MHOs, when necessary, to obtain information about K–12 staff vaccination rates to assess, advise on and respond to risks arising from exposures, cases, clusters and outbreaks in schools. This order requires an MHO to issue a directive to a specific district/school authority to be actioned and does not apply until/if such a directive is issued.

BC Ministry of Education News

Leo’s Journey: The Story of an Auschwitz Survivor
In recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Thursday Jan. 27, the Ministry encourages secondary schools to share with their students the story of Leo Lowy, a survivor of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The video, Leo’s Journey – In My Father’s Words, offers a powerful reminder of the atrocities inflicted upon millions of Jews during World War II and can serve as an important tool for teaching students about the need to combat persecution and hatred in our modern world. Please contact Leo’s son, Richard, at rkl@brandedexperiences.com if you’d like to learn more about the video or to arrange a Zoom conference with Richard for your class.

Read the Deputy Minister's Bulletins

Pink Shirt Day

February 23, 2022

Join us in raising awareness and funds for anti-bullying initiatives in BC! Last year CKNW Kids' Fund Pink Shirt Day raised close to $230,000, funding crisis support, bullying prevention, education programs, and fostering community and healthy self-expression for BC's youth. This year’s t-shirt design speaks to our community's diversity and the need for acceptance and inclusion so we can “Lift Each Other Up”. For information on how schools can get involved, learn more about Pink Shirt Day, and to see this year’s design, visit Pink Shirt Day.

Jean Up! 2022

The BCPVPA is pleased to announce that we will again be partnering with the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation for the Jean Up! campaign in May 2022. The 2021 campaign raised more than $308,000 to fund innovative research, and tailor care to the specialized needs of kids in BC. Our friends at BCCHF have told us that a large part of the success of the campaign can be attributed to the support of our members! As we look ahead to 2022, if there are any materials or assets that would help you to fundraise in your schools, please contact sandra@bcpvpa.bc.ca, and we can communicate those wishes to BCCHF. 

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

BetterEducate

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

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

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