Education

Students at the Washington Junior High School leaving classes for the day, use the unlocking mechanism to open the bags their cell phone were sealed in during the school day, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Washington, Pa. Citing mental health, behavior and engagement as the impetus, many educators are updating cellphone policies, with a number turning to magnetically sealing pouches. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Schools clash with parents over bans on student cellphones

Parents who had constant access to their children during remote learning reluctant to give that up

Students at the Washington Junior High School leaving classes for the day, use the unlocking mechanism to open the bags their cell phone were sealed in during the school day, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Washington, Pa. Citing mental health, behavior and engagement as the impetus, many educators are updating cellphone policies, with a number turning to magnetically sealing pouches. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
A report from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection found 167 school personnel had criminal charges laid against them over a 5-year reporting period. Advocate file photo

‘Tip of the iceberg:’ Report finds 252 school personnel accused of sexual offences

Canadian Centre for Child Protection report details offences against 548 children over a 5-year span

A report from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection found 167 school personnel had criminal charges laid against them over a 5-year reporting period. Advocate file photo
Cornerstone Christian School now has therapy bunnies to help students with difficult times. (Submitted image)

Therapy bunnies melting worries away for B.C. students

Abbotsford’s Cornerstone Christian School introduces lop-eared rabbits as newest members of staff

Cornerstone Christian School now has therapy bunnies to help students with difficult times. (Submitted image)
(Black Press Media Creative)

College enrollment is down for a third year in a row

On Oct. 20, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center released a report…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Former Abbotsford vice-principal Mike Haire has been given a lifetime teaching ban after previously being sentenced for two child porn offences. (Abbotsford Police Department)

Lifetime teaching ban issued to former Abbotsford vice-principal sentenced for child porn

Mike Haire received 20-month jail sentence in June for hundreds of images and videos

Former Abbotsford vice-principal Mike Haire has been given a lifetime teaching ban after previously being sentenced for two child porn offences. (Abbotsford Police Department)
A group of 34 teachers were awarded for excellence in education recently at the Government House in Victoria, including two educators from Abbotsford. (Province of B.C. image)

Premier’s ‘excellence in education’ awards given to two Abbotsford educators

Excellence in education awards given to teacher and principal at Eugene Reimer middle

A group of 34 teachers were awarded for excellence in education recently at the Government House in Victoria, including two educators from Abbotsford. (Province of B.C. image)
There is an open house at UFV in Abbotsford on Oct. 22. (UFV photo)

UFV in Abbotsford hosts its first campus-wide open house

All departments and programs on display at informative, fun day planned on campus

There is an open house at UFV in Abbotsford on Oct. 22. (UFV photo)
English Language Learners teacher, Harjit Chauhan (centre) has been actively involved with educating students and the community about cultural celebrations like Diwali and Ramadan. (The News)

B.C. teacher wins national We Love Teachers contest

Harjit Chauhan was one of eight finalists in the inaugural Staples Canada program

English Language Learners teacher, Harjit Chauhan (centre) has been actively involved with educating students and the community about cultural celebrations like Diwali and Ramadan. (The News)
A file photo shows a Toronto community school classroom on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. In B.C., elementary school teacher Austin Uzama was suspended in September 2022 for professional misconduct. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Carlos Osorio

B.C. teacher suspended after showing Halloween prank video with fake decapitations

Austin Uzama showed an age-inappropriate video to Maple Ridge students and lied about credentials

A file photo shows a Toronto community school classroom on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. In B.C., elementary school teacher Austin Uzama was suspended in September 2022 for professional misconduct. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Carlos Osorio
Amanda Adams with Elm Drive YMCA Child Care Centre in Chilliwack was awarded a certificate of achievement in the 2022 Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education. (Submitted)

Chilliwack woman receives Prime Minister’s award for excellence in early childhood education

Amanda Adams of Elm Drive YMCA Child Care Centre one of 15 across Canada to be recognized

Amanda Adams with Elm Drive YMCA Child Care Centre in Chilliwack was awarded a certificate of achievement in the 2022 Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education. (Submitted)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)

Judges says B.C. school board lacked authority to suspend trustees

Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been reinstated after suspension over alleged bullying

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)

Judges says Greater Victoria School Board lacked authority to suspend trustees

Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been reinstated after suspension over alleged bullying

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)
A ballot is cast. (Joel Krahn/Yukon News file)

Mission DPAC hosts meet-and-greet with trustee candidates

Parents invited to ask questions of those running for school board

A ballot is cast. (Joel Krahn/Yukon News file)
Queen Elizabeth Secondary school students reported multiple incidents of experiencing racism, sexism and bullying. (Surrey Schools photo)

Racial slurs, sexual harassment, bullying towards BIPOC students was reality at B.C. high school

Report on student and staff experiences captured in November, released to public recently

Queen Elizabeth Secondary school students reported multiple incidents of experiencing racism, sexism and bullying. (Surrey Schools photo)
School trustees in Mission only have so much influence on what goes on in the classroom. (Pixabay photo)

Here’s what Mission school trustees do (and don’t do)

Don’t forget to vote for school trustee candidates on Oct. 15

School trustees in Mission only have so much influence on what goes on in the classroom. (Pixabay photo)
Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside and partners in provincial K-12 education issued a statement on Sept. 16, 2022 in support of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policy. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. Education Minister and partners in K-12 education issue statement in support of SOGI

Statement on inclusive policy comes 1 day before election campaign to elect school board trustees

Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside and partners in provincial K-12 education issued a statement on Sept. 16, 2022 in support of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Screenshot of Chilliwack school trustee Barry Neufeld addressing a congregation in the Langley Fireside Calvary Chapel for “a prayer meeting of the education sector” on Sept 8, 2022. (Barry Neufeld Youtube)

Chilliwack’s Barry Neufeld trying to raise $60K for Supreme Court of Canada battle

Censured school trustee said Oct. 11 hearing is ‘to protect his right to have access to children.’

Screenshot of Chilliwack school trustee Barry Neufeld addressing a congregation in the Langley Fireside Calvary Chapel for “a prayer meeting of the education sector” on Sept 8, 2022. (Barry Neufeld Youtube)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Don’t blame schools for high COVID rates among B.C. youth: provincial health officer

Bonnie Henry study’s findings similar to those in other jurisdictions

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A national school food program is needed, B.C. advocates are urging. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Urgent need for a national school food program in classrooms: B.C. group

The Coalition for Healthy School Food wants the federal government to create a national program.

A national school food program is needed, B.C. advocates are urging. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
A child poses for a photo with a Backpack Buddies bag of food. (Submitted by Backpackbuddies.ca)

B.C. food-aid programs seeing spike in hungry students amid high inflation, grocery costs

The school year began on Sept. 6, after a summer of inflation rates reaching as high as 8 per cent .

A child poses for a photo with a Backpack Buddies bag of food. (Submitted by Backpackbuddies.ca)
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