parent education
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Education COVID-19 Resources
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS and MATERIALS
- WorkSafe Update (Jun29)
- PHO Modelling Update (Jun28)
- BCCDC Outlook for K-12 (Jun17/21)
- BC Recovery Plan for September (Jun17/21)
- BC Provincial Restart Plan (May25)
- Graduation Ceremonies Guidance (May14)
- K-12 Mask Exemptions Guide (May7)
- K-12 Health & Safety Guidelines(Apr16/21 updated)
- Operational Guidelines for School Districts (Apr23/21 updated)
- French K-12 Health and Safety Guidelines (Apr16/21)
- Public Health Guidance for K-12 (Mar30/21 updated)
- BCCDC FAQ document for parents (Feb26/21)
- School Safety Plan Checklist(Feb4)
- COVID-19 Protocols for Schools/District Admin (Sept11)
- Impact of School Closures from BCCDC (Sept 25)
- Ministry FAQ Documentfor Families (Sept4)
- What Parents' Need to Know web page (Sept4 updated)
- BC’s K-12 Education Restart Framework (July29 updated)
- Expectations by Stages (July29)
- Current Public FAQs from Ministry (July29)
- Ministry Technical Briefing (Aug26)
- WorkSafeBC K-12 Education Protocols (Nov 20 updated)
- PHO WorkSafe Order for K-12 (Apr21/21)
On behalf of parents and members, President Andrea Sinclair and CEO John Gaiptman attend all regular meetings/calls with the Minister of Education, Deputy Minister of Education, and all the key stakeholders in the K-12 education sector (unions, ed partner associations, First Nations associations, and independent school associations).
For the benefit of all families, we've put all the information we have shared via email to members and online here and will continue to update.Jun 29 Our UpdateJun 29 WorkSafe BC UpdateJun 29 Province Shifts to Step 3Jun 28 PHO Modelling UpdateJun 27 MDI Data releasedJun 22 Prelim Studyre lack of transmission in schoolsJun 17 Our UpdateJun 17 BCCDC Outlook for K-12Jun 17 Recovery Plan for SeptemberJun 17 Recorded Announcement re Planning for SeptemberJun 17 News Release re SeptemberJun 10 PHO Modelling Presentation (Please see Slide 12 for the updated case counts and rates for school-aged children (5-18 years) and Slide 16 for the percentage of youth ages 12-19 years who have received their first vaccine.)May 31 Our UpdateMay 25 BC Provincial Restart PlanMay 21 Our UpdateMay 21 BCCDC C19 Vaccine Information for Youth 12-17May 21 BCCDC Updated Parent/Student FAQsMay 21 BCCDC Vaccine Considerations informationMay 20 Our UpdateMay 20 PHO Announcement re Youth Vaccinations (recorded)May 20 Announcement re Youth 12-17 Can get VaccinatedMay 13 Our UpdateMay 7 K-12 Mask Exemptions GuideApr 23 Updated Operational Guidelines for K-12Apr 21 PHO WorkSafe Order for K-12Apr 16 Our UpdateApr 16 English K-12 Health and Safety Guidelines updatedApr 16 French K-12 Health and Safety Guidelines UpdatedApr 15 Our UpdateApr 15 PHO Briefing w Data UpdateApr 1 Our UpdateMar 31 Our UpdateMar 30 Updated K-12 Health & Safety GuidelinesMar 30 Updated Public Health Guidance for K-12Mar 29 PHO Media ReleaseMar 15 Our UpdateMar 11 PHO BriefingMar 11 PHO Modelling PPTMar 11 BCCDC Sector UpdateMar 4 Our UpdateFeb 27 Our UpdateFeb 26 Daily Health Check App - Apple or Google - Now in English, French, Arabic, Simplified and Traditional ChineseFeb 23 K-12 Health and Safety Guidelines in FrenchFeb 23 K-12 Health and Safety Guidelines updateFeb 11 Re PHE Class from BC School SportsFeb 5 Our Update re Funding (also here)Feb 5 PHO Update PresentationFeb 4 Our UpdateFeb 4 New BCCDC K-12 websiteFeb 4 K-12 Health & Safety Guidelines updatedFeb 4 Public Health Guidance for K-12 updatedFeb 4 Media Release re announcementJan 22 Our UpdateJan 6 Living Rapid Review Update 11: What is the specific role of daycares and schools in COVID-19 transmission? (McMaster Univ)Jan 5 EU CDC Technical Report re COVID-19 in children and the role of school settings in transmissionARCHIVE 2020(Election Results announced Nov 8. New Cabinet and Ministers announced Nov 26)Nov 20 WorkSafe Protocols for K-12 UpdatedNov 19 Our UpdateNov 13 Our Update(Oct 24 provincial election. Final Results announced Nov 8)Oct 6 Our UpdateOct 5 PHO Modelling and Epidemiological Update - Schools InfoOct 2 Our UpdateOct 2 Operational Guidelines for School Districts updatedOct 1 Dr Henry PHO Briefing with focus on K-12 setting(Sept 21 Election Writ Dropped. Govt takes on caretaker or interregnum role)Sept 26 Our UpdateSept 13 Our UpdateSept 11 Operational Guidelines for School Districts updatedSept 11 Public Health Guidance for K-12 updatedSept 11 COVID-19 Protocols for Schools/District Admin (new)Sept 5 Our UpdateSept 4 PHO Modelling UpdateSept 4 Ministry FAQ Document for FamiliesSept 3 Our Back to School UpdateAug 28 What Parents Need to Know website updateAug 26 Our UpdateAug 26 Minister Fleming BriefingAug 26 MoE Technical BriefingAug 26 MoE Announces Flexibilty & Remote OptionAug 17 MoE News Release re K-12 operational guidelines set requirements for masksAug 17 FAQs from CUPE BC with some useful informationAug 13 Our UpdateAug 13 What Parent's Need to Know on MoE webpageAug 12 MoE News Releasere first day of schoolAug 10 MoE Education Restart TemplateJuly 31 Joint Letter with Education Partner AssociationsJuly 29 Our UpdateJuly 29 MoE Return to School Resource Page
July 29 Media Briefing with PHO, Min Fleming, BCSTA, BCCPACJuly 29 Current Public FAQs from MinistryJuly 29 MoE Expectations by StagesJuly 29 K-12 Education Restart PlanJuly 29 Public Health Guidance for K-12July 29 MoE Media Release w BCCPAC quoteJuly 27 Our UpdateJuly 20 PHO Modelling UpdateJuly 1 Our Update - Survey for ParentsJune 25 Joint Letter from Min Fleming and President Sinclair - in French, in Punjabi, in Simplified Chinese, in Traditional ChineseJune 25 MoE News Release with quote from BCCPACJune 23 PHO Modelling UpdateJune 22 Our Update - K-12 Sector Education Restart Steering Committee formedJune 17 Our UpdateJune 15 Update from Dr Henry - with reference to schoolsJune 12 Operational Guidelines for School Districts and Independent School AuthoritiesJune 12 Home Learning Videos by Shelley Moore & MoE to better support students w disabilities learning at homeJune 12 BCCDC on the use of playgrounds and PlaySafe InfographicJune 12 MoE Parent FAQs updatedJune 5 Our UpdateJune 5 Operational Guidelines for School Districts and Independent School Authorities updatedJune 4 PHO Presentation (recorded)June 4 PHO Media ReleaseJune 3 Our UpdateJune 2 Media Briefing with Minister Fleming (recorded)June 2 Media ReleaseMay 30 Our UpdateMay 29 Video from Dr Henry to educators and school staffMay 28 Our UpdateMay 23 Our UpdateMay 22 Ministry of Ed Planning Guide for TeachersMay 22 PHO Order on GatheringsMay 21 Our UpdateMay 20 Virtual Town Hall with Min Fleming and BCSTA President (recorded)May 17 Our UpdateMay 15 K-12 Education Restart PlanMay 15 Parent FAQUpdatedMay 15 Ministry Media Release re optional in-class instruction with BCCPAC quotedMay 15 Media Briefing with Premier Horgan, Min Fleming, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care (recorded)May 12 Provincial Survey for families (to May 31)May 11 UpdateMay 8 Ministry of Ed Integrated Planning Framework K-12May 8 Inclusive Education: Supporting students with special needs (from BCTF)May 6 UpdateMay 4 UpdateMay 4 PHO Media ReleaseMay 2 Questions with Kids and Answers from Dr Henry and Min Fleming (recorded)May 1 Interview with Minister Fleming on Focus BC1 (recorded)April 29 UpdateApril 26 UpdateApril 24 Statements in media from Minister FlemingApril 23 Launch of Good News in Education site with info about how we are working togetherApril 21 Ministry Media Releasere ensuring students get meals/foodApril 20 Ministry Media Releasere Educational AssistantsApril 18 Ministry Media Release with Quote from President Sinclair - re technology accessApril 17 MoE Parent FAQ UpdatedApril 15 Joint Statement from MoE and MCFDApril 14 OpEd from Minister FlemingApril 7 MoE FAQ document updated - also in French, in Chinese, in Punjabi, in Arabic, in Farsi, in Korean, in TagalogApril 3 Caring for Children during COVID from PHOApril 3 Minister Fleming Interview Q&Aon Global TVApril 1 Minister Fleming Interview Q&Aon CTV NewsApril 1 Update MoE FAQ Document - also in Chinese, in Punjabi, in Arabic, in Farsi, in Korean, in TagalogMarch 27 K-12 Health and Safety GuidelinesMarch 27 MoE KeepLearning webpage & resourcesMarch 27 Ministry Media Release with Quote from President SinclairMarch 22 Joint Statement from CUPE and MoEMarch 22 Joint Statement from BCTF and MoE -
Funding Model Review & Implementation Information
The Funding Model Review process and implementation began back in early 2018 and BCCPAC has been heavily involved throughout. We have kept our members informed all through the stages of the review and shared information to ensure parents understood the facts and how the process was proceeding.We've put all the individual files and reports from the Independent Review Panel and the Ministry of Education together and will update them here until the model is finalized and launched.November 2019 - Funding Model Update & Inclusive Education at DPAC SummitOctober 2019 - Funding Model Implementation Working Group Reports (4)June 2019 - Funding Model Review Progress ReportMay 2019 - Funding Model Update at our Parent Education ConferenceFebruary 2019 - Ministry Information Session with Education PartnersDecember 2018 - Funding Model RecommendationsReleasedMay 2018 - Funding Model Review Discussion PaperBCCPAC Submissions: -
Funding Model Working Group Reports
Recommendations from the Ministry of Education's funding model review Working Groups were released in October 2019.
Read the reports:
Financial Management
Adult and Continuing Education
Inclusive Education
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Gaming Grants Information 2019
Gaming Grants has developed a new 2019 presentation for PACs and DPACs. The presentation covers all of the basics, a few complex questions, and features an expanded list of eligible/ineligible disbursements (with better examples).
The presentation is 25 slides and should take 30 minutes to deliver. PACs and DPACs are reminded to apply online for Gaming Grants between April 1 - June 30, 2019 to receive funds in Fall 2019.
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Gender Identity in Schools
The Government of Canada's Public Health Agency created this short question and answer document for parents - "Gender Identity in Schools" (2011)
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Guide to the Personal Information Protection Act
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Internet Safety Guides for 8-12 year olds
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LGBTQ Students in BC Fact Sheet
The Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Center at the University of BC is a research team which looks at health inequities and strengths among stigmatized groups of youth, as well as the programs and policies that support them. They have compiled a short fact-sheet based on a decade of research with LGBTQ that can teach us about student well-being and how we can make schools more welcoming places to improve student health.
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Math for Families
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Math for Families
Helping your child with math at home Teachers help build children’s mathematical thinking at school. Families help build it at home. Research shows that an ongoing partnership with families can help children develop math understanding. This resource suggests ways families can support children’s math development by doing activities at home. Resource available in English, Chinese and Punjabi
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Ministry Resources
Ministry of Education Factsheet: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) in Schools
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Parent Information on New Curriculum
Learn all you need to know about the new curriculum including: core competencies, assessments, orientation guide, parent's guide and the ability to give feedback. All materials housed on the government website.
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Parent Presentation Resource
SOGI 1 2 3 Parent Resources were created in collaboration with BCCPAC, Ministry of Education and ARC Foundation to answer parent questions about what SOGI-inclusive education looks like in BC schools. Use the complementary presentation and facilitator's guide to learn within your parent community.
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Parent Resources: Videos, Brochures, Fact Sheet
SOGI 1 2 3 Parent Resources were created in collaboration with BCCPAC, Ministry of Education and ARC Foundation to answer parent questions about what SOGI-inclusive education looks like in BC schools.
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Proposed Changes to Distributed Learning
In June 2021, Ministry of Education staff met with Distributed Learning educators and also met with BCCPAC President Sinclair and CEO John Gaiptman to explain the proposed plan and to engage us as part of the consultation process which is just now beginning. During that discussion, it was agreed that BCCPAC would assist the Ministry with parent focus groups in the fall of 2021 to ensure they were hearing directly from families.
Read the Parent Information Sheet. Please review the TimelineFor more information about the overall timeline, the consultation process, proposed changes and what to expect, please visit the Ministry’s information page on The New Model for Online (Distributed) Learning.
Parents/guardians/caregivers are encouraged to review the materials and
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .On behalf of the Ministry of Education, BCCPAC is working with DPACs to invite parents to participate in a virtual Online Learning Parent Forum. There will be six held in total; independent schools and indigenous students will also be participating in separate events co-hosted by Federation of Independent Schools Association, First Nations Education Steering Committee and Metis Nation British ColumbiaAs the new online learning policies, processes and other details for the new online learning model are developed during this fall, the Ministry is looking to gather feedback from parents (those current enrolled in DL/OL and those considering doing so, full time or partial time) on changes to come as well as to share updates on key milestones and some of the online learning workstreams underway (e.g. policy, procedures, provincial schools, quality assurance process).The Ministry will be co-hosting with BCCPAC, two parent forums for public distributed learning schools for parents with children enrolled in DL —one will be a general forum for parents with children enrolled in distributed learning AND one for parents of children enrolled in DL who also have disabilities or diverse abilities. The sessions will be approximately 90 minutes in length and occur between October 5-7th. BCCPAC is seeking DL parents to participate in one or the other parent forum AND for 1 delegate from each DPAC to attend these sessions.There is a three year implementation timeline and work has only just begun as work was delayed due to the pandemic. The initial steps were completed during the Funding Model Review in 2018; online learning had its own group and BCCPAC participated in those discussions as all the education partners did.
The OLWG published a series of recommendations around how to best modernize the delivery of online programs in BC while addressing critical gaps and facilitating better program choices and learning outcomes for students. The recommendations included a new model for Online Learning (previously referred to as DL) including a provincially supported infrastructure consisting of:
- Single Online Learning Policy
- New Online Learning Management Service
- Selected Provincial Service Providers
- New Quality Assurance Framework
- Shared resources for educators
Read that Online Learning Report.
Over the last year, the Ministry, in consultation with public and independent administrators and educators, has begun drafting the criteria, guidelines and procedures for each of the five workstreams to best enhance the equity, quality and availability of Online Learning for students. Subsequently, during the pandemic, safety measures accelerated students’ and teachers’ engagement with online learning and blended learning programs, increasing the need for implementation of the OLWG’s vision.
The proposed changes are all about improving equity and access for all students and families to programs that:
- are of high quality,
- provide flexibility for families and their students,
- ensure that wherever a child lives in the province, they have access to a program that meets their unique needs.
Families of children with unique learning needs will continue to have supports whatever type of schooling they select.In support of the new Online Learning legislation which came into effect July 1, the Ministry has contacted Boards of Education who currently have a DL agreement in order to sign an Interim Online Learning Agreement. Interim Online Learning Policies have also been posted. Parents can review these interim online learning policies which school districts must adhere to.
BCCPAC is supportive of the review of the DL/OL programs across all 60 school districts as they aren’t all the same as regards quality, flexibility, equity and access.Read about Standards for K-12 Online Learning and Standards for Online Learning Content
For more information about the overall timeline, the consultation process, proposed changes and what to expect, please visit the Ministry’s information page on The New Model for Online Learning.
Parents/guardians/caregivers are encouraged to review the materials and
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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Radon Awareness & Testing
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the ground. You can’t see it or smell it. When radon gas seeps inside an enclosed space, such as a home or workplace, it can build up to high levels and become a health risk. Long term exposure to high radon levels is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and the second leading cause after smoking overall. All homes and buildings have some level of radon. Radon levels tend to be the highest in enclosed spaces and lower floors of a building since they are closest to the ground source. Since any building can have high radon levels, it’s important that all buildings get tested.
Public schools in the North Shore/Coast Garibaldi regions of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) (North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Sea-to-Sky, Sunshine Coast, Powell River and Central Coast) were screened for radon during the 2017/2018 school year. VCH conducted a radon school testing project in 2017/18 where they tested over 90 schools. Read their Final Report.
Recognizing that awareness related to radon has increased significantly over the last five years, Health Canada has contracted Scout Environmental to help identify potential new opportunities to educate Canadians into action. Health Canada has funded several campaigns related to radon and while these campaigns have made significant strides, there continues to be a disconnect between education and action.
Scout Environmental (Scout) and BCCPAC have partnered to increase awareness on radon and the importance of testing through several engagement channels. Scout’s Program Ambassadors will be in attendance at our annual Parent Education Conference in May 2020 to engage parents on the topic of radon and offer an exclusive discount on Health Canada approved long-term radon test kits.
We have written a letter of support for the program as we know this is important to members. We will work with Scout Environmental to help educate parents and school boards. We will share more information with parents as we progress.
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Raising Digitally Responsible Youth Parent Guide
In cooperation with Safer Schools Together, the Ministry of Education has created/updated "Raising Digitally Responsible Youth" parent guide.
There is more information at Safer Schools Together, ERASE site, Common Sense Media and many others.
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Reading Standards - A Guide for Parents
Understanding the BC Reading Performance Standards: A Guide for Parents
This document was developed to provide a guide for parents to the BC Performance Standards for Reading and Writing. It is hoped its use will:
- help parents know more about their child’s performance
- help support children’s learning
- help schools and families talk about reading and writing performance.
Working together, you and the teacher can help your child have a more successful school year. Together we can reach a shared goal in helping your child get the best education possible.
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Sex and Gender
Sex' and 'gender' are often used interchangeably, despite having different meanings.
Gender: socially-constructed roles, behaviours, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men and gender diverse people.
Sex: biological attributes of humans and animals, including physical features, chromosomes, gene expression, hormones and anatomyThis simple infographic from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research helps to explain the difference.
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SOGI Learning Moments
Learning Moments - SOGISOGI School Leads will often be seen as the go-to person for SOGI resources in their school. But explaining all things SOGI isn’t always easy and it’s definitely not straightforward.One SOGI Lead in Victoria created a Bite Size SOGI Series that breaks down some of the core concepts into digestible graphics that School Leads can share at staff meetings, or in response to common questions.There are 12 in all - feel free to download and share. -
Statement on Kamloops Residential School
The truth about residential schools is undeniable.
We need to listen to the elders.
We need to create space for Indigenous people to speak.
We join in respecting and supporting the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc people and all people across Canada who are impacted by the tragic news of the 215 children whose lives were lost at the Kamloops Residential School. With this revealed truth, comes an even greater responsibility for each and every one of us to act.
BCCPAC stands alongside all Indigenous people to ensure that all Canadians learn about the past and the harm that was perpetrated. Truth and Reconciliation must become an educational pillar in our school system to ensure that all students learn the history of the Indigenous people and the tragic errors that were made. We pledge to continue to educate ourselves and to support and educate DPACs, PACs and parents/guardians/caregivers.
We recognize the important role parents play in our collective journey of truth and reconciliation. We can all raise awareness in our communities and discuss with our families. We thank parents and families for the work they are already doing in their school communities to encourage the next generation and bring about change.
June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day.
What steps will YOU commit to take this month and beyond?
Please read and review the TRC and Residential Schools resources we have compiled to help educate and inform.
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