BCPVPA eNews | February 24, 2023

Dear colleagues,

I hope you took full advantage of the Family Day holiday to recharge your batteries for the sprint to spring break! Regardless of when that time may fall in your district, remember to pause and reflect upon the remarkable growth most of your students have made during the peak learning time between winter and spring break. While report cards might be a snapshot of student learning for parents, they are also a chance for schools to celebrate student achievement. You will probably have seen remarkable growth in your primary students in self-regulation and social skills, as well as advancement in literacy and numeracy skills. And your grade 12 students, with your leadership and support, are at the brink of that most important rite of passage: graduation! 

This past week I’ve had the opportunity to represent the Association in a flurry of meetings, ranging from the SOGI Collaborative to partner meetings with BCPSEA and WorkSafe. These are excellent opportunities to inform our partners about the day-to-day work of Principals and Vice-Principals, and to advocate for your needs.

I write this column in the middle of my Chapter visit to Nanaimo, and before I travel to the BC Legislature to celebrate Pink Shirt Day with Premier David Eby & Minister of Education and Child Care, Rachna Singh. I will share photos and stories in next week’s column. Until then, thank you to Nanaimo Chapter Past-President, Diane McGonigle, for arranging my visit and acting as Tour Guide this week

Are you keen to be a published author, and share an article with your colleagues, community, and the sector? If you are involved in an innovative learning initiative, have a new feature or program at your school, or would like to share your thoughts about your own learning, your article could be featured in an upcoming issue of Principl(ed) magazine. Nervous about your writing skills? We are here to help, with guidance on your framework and a full editing service. It’s a great way to both hone your writing, and to share your story. Contact sandra@bcpvpa.bc.ca for more information.

Read this week's ReFresh: Eat a Rainbow

ReFresh is a BCPVPA health resource written by Rochelle Morandini, Director of Member Health and Well-Being, introducing simple exercises and information for our busy members and friends. ReFresh is delivered to member mailboxes every Wednesday, and the link is available in Friday's eNews.

Contact Rochelle directly to discuss any of the topics highlighted in ReFresh: rochelle@bcpvpa.bc.ca. 

You can find all ReFresh posts, from October 2020 to the present, archived here.

Our Coffee Connections was an important way for the BCPVPA and our members to touch base, exchange ideas, and share some laughter during the challenges and restrictions of the pandemic. Now that the landscape has changed, and we are all able to again meet and gather, we will retire Coffee Connections with the final session taking place on March 1 at 7:30 am.

Thank you to the members who took part in Coffee Connections over the past three years; we hope that these sessions helped you to build some new and lasting relationships with colleagues from around the province, during a time when connections were challenging. We look forward to connecting with you soon at one of our many events, meetings, and programs.

Has a community partner contributed something significant to the life of your school, and had a positive impact? We have a special way to say, ‘thank you’!

BCPVPA Chapters are invited to nominate individuals, organizations, and businesses who, over an extended period of time, have contributed their time, expertise, and passion to make a difference in the lives of BC students. 

The 2023 BCPVPA Partnership Awards nominations are open until April 1, 2023.
Nomination Form

The contributions of past Partnership Awards recipients have been as varied as the school communities they support. The 2022 recipients responded to student needs through the collection of warm clothing, and support of regular meals and school events, and offered education on environmental responsibility, opportunities for unparalleled outdoor recreation, and a creative lesson on community stewardship. Meet the 2022 recipients

Questions? Contact sandra@bcpvpa.bc.ca

Episode 21 features Principal Larry Ryan, who tells us about his journey from the start of his career working in youth support all the way to his current role as a high school principal in Coquitlam (SD43). In this conversation, our Host Chris Horton talks to Larry about his beliefs in community, persistence, and the value of being invitational.

Read this week’s featured article from the November 2022 issue of Principl(ed) magazine:

Foundations for Literacy  | Read the article

Write to Read BC works alongside Indigenous communities to build literacy centres and deliver resources to some of the most rural and remote communities in BC. They have a mission to say yes to every project… Setting up a literacy centre in Gitsegukla in the middle of a pandemic – challenge accepted!

Join BCPVPA Connects: powered by BetterEducate. 

BCPVPA members can visit bcpvpaconnects.com and sign up for your free membership with the promo code BCPVPA123.

Click here for instructions on how to register.

My BCPVPA is growing every day! If you can't find what you need, get in touch with us. Members who are part of the Board of Directors, Chapter Council, or a Standing Committee can access agendas and meeting information through their own group tiles.

Is there something you would like to see added to My BCPVPA? Contact commsinfo@bcpvpa.bc.ca.

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

The Office of the BC Privacy Commissioner wants to hear from youth about the privacy issues that affect them.

To nominate a student or for more information: youthforum2023@oipc.bc.ca

The online event takes place March 9, 2023, 9:15 – 11:30 am

The B.C. Retired Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association have a scholarship opportunity for students with an approaching deadline of March 31st.

Students are able to apply online before the deadline of March 31st.

Learn more here