Education

Teacher Kasi Humber poses in Truro, N.S. on Friday Aug. 25, 2023. Humber says she uses ChatGPT to help her organize report cards and create French reading materials that allow her students to learn new vocabulary. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Teachers turn to AI to make workload more manageable, chart lesson plans

‘I was able to plan most of my school year in a really short amount of time this summer’

Teacher Kasi Humber poses in Truro, N.S. on Friday Aug. 25, 2023. Humber says she uses ChatGPT to help her organize report cards and create French reading materials that allow her students to learn new vocabulary. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
The stationary aisles are expected to be busier this year as parents and students stock up on back-to-school essentials, though their baskets may be a little less full. A parent shops for school supplies deals at a Target store, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in North Miami, Fla. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Marta Lavandier

Back-to-school shoppers expected back in stores but pulling back spending

Biggest chunk of school shopping dollars will go towards stationary, survey suggests

The stationary aisles are expected to be busier this year as parents and students stock up on back-to-school essentials, though their baskets may be a little less full. A parent shops for school supplies deals at a Target store, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in North Miami, Fla. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Marta Lavandier
It’s the final bell for cellphones in Quebec classrooms as the province’s Education Department plans to ban their use in most teaching settings. A person uses a cellphone in Ottawa in this Monday, July 18, 2022 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Quebec to ban cellphones in elementary and high school classrooms

Survey found 92 per cent of teachers were in favour of such a measure.

It’s the final bell for cellphones in Quebec classrooms as the province’s Education Department plans to ban their use in most teaching settings. A person uses a cellphone in Ottawa in this Monday, July 18, 2022 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The Saskatchewan government says schools must now seek parental consent when children under 16 years old want to change their names and pronouns. Saskatchewan Education Minister Dustin Duncan speaks to the media in Regina, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Saskatchewan: parental consent needed for student name, pronoun change

Province wants to standardize pronoun and naming policies

The Saskatchewan government says schools must now seek parental consent when children under 16 years old want to change their names and pronouns. Saskatchewan Education Minister Dustin Duncan speaks to the media in Regina, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Britni Hannah (right), director of Sprott Shaw College Chilliwack campus, and Marissa Bell, employment services specialist, hold historic images of the school that will be on display at the 120th anniversary celebration on Aug. 17. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Sprott Shaw College marks 120 years with celebrations across B.C.

B.C.-based school has survived economic recessions, 2 world wars, Great Depression

Britni Hannah (right), director of Sprott Shaw College Chilliwack campus, and Marissa Bell, employment services specialist, hold historic images of the school that will be on display at the 120th anniversary celebration on Aug. 17. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
The former head of Aspengrove School has been banned from teaching for 15 years after trying to meet a vigilante posing as a 15-year-old boy. (News Bulletin file photo)

B.C. private school principal caught by ‘creep catcher’ suspended 15 years

Former head of school in Lantzville met vigilante posing as 15-year-old boy

The former head of Aspengrove School has been banned from teaching for 15 years after trying to meet a vigilante posing as a 15-year-old boy. (News Bulletin file photo)
A former high school teacher in Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district has had his teaching certificate suspended for 15 years after admitting to sending messages of a sexual nature to three students. (Stock photo)

Former B.C. high school teacher suspended 15 years for sexting youths

Incidents involving Nanaimo-Ladysmith teacher happened between 2014-16

A former high school teacher in Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district has had his teaching certificate suspended for 15 years after admitting to sending messages of a sexual nature to three students. (Stock photo)
A protester holds a flag reading “Liberate Hong Kong, the Revolution of Our Times” during a demonstration in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Lee Jin-man

Canada lifts education requirement for Hong Kong immigrants

In 2021, the federal government created two immigration pathways for Hong Kong residents

A protester holds a flag reading “Liberate Hong Kong, the Revolution of Our Times” during a demonstration in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Lee Jin-man
British Columbia’s Ministry of Education will do away with letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9. File photo

B.C. ending letter grades despite parent, teacher, student concerns

2021 report showed the majority of teachers, students and parents didn’t like the idea

British Columbia’s Ministry of Education will do away with letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9. File photo
Children walk with their parents to a school in North Vancouver on Sept. 10, 2020. All students from kindergarten to Grade 9 in British Columbia public schools will now be assessed with a proficiency scale instead of letter grades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. public schools dumping letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9

Only students in grades 10, 11 and 12 will receive letter grades and percentages starting this year

Children walk with their parents to a school in North Vancouver on Sept. 10, 2020. All students from kindergarten to Grade 9 in British Columbia public schools will now be assessed with a proficiency scale instead of letter grades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A new report from the BC Teachers’ Federation finds teachers are working longer than in the past with negative effects for their health and the quality of instruction. (Photo courtesy of Langley School District/Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. education system suffering as teachers in worse health, working more: survey

BCTF commission survey that calls on government to improve recruitment

A new report from the BC Teachers’ Federation finds teachers are working longer than in the past with negative effects for their health and the quality of instruction. (Photo courtesy of Langley School District/Black Press Media file photo)
Vernon Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu addresses the crowd at the opening of the new accessible and inclusive playground at Vernon’s Alexis Park Elementary School Tuesday, May 16. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

PHOTOS: More B.C. school playgrounds made inclusive and accessible for all

Vernon elementary school hosts B.C. education minister who announces similar projects in 25 school districts

Vernon Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu addresses the crowd at the opening of the new accessible and inclusive playground at Vernon’s Alexis Park Elementary School Tuesday, May 16. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
A group of students from Mount Joy School attends the 1911 coronation celebration of King George V and Queen Mary at Markham fairgrounds in Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Markham Museum

‘You couldn’t get away from it’: 1953 Coronation was major topic at Canadian schools

Schools across the country have no special plans or curriculum to mark Charles III coronation May 6

A group of students from Mount Joy School attends the 1911 coronation celebration of King George V and Queen Mary at Markham fairgrounds in Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Markham Museum
The Provincial Skills Canada competition was held April 19 in Abbotsford at the Tradex. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)

VIDEO: B.C. trades students compete in Skills Canada competitions in Abbotsford

Annual event brings hundreds of students together for competitions, hands-on learning and more

The Provincial Skills Canada competition was held April 19 in Abbotsford at the Tradex. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)
The Forces Unknown team, including Langley’s Jacob and Noah St. Jean in the back row, are heading to Texas this week to compete in a world robotic championship. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

Domo Arigato, Lower Mainland brothers roboto

Langley siblings, part of B.C. robotics team in Texas for worlds, ask for help fundraising

The Forces Unknown team, including Langley’s Jacob and Noah St. Jean in the back row, are heading to Texas this week to compete in a world robotic championship. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
Irene Kelleher Totí:ltawtxw Elementary School on Eagle Mountain in Abbotsford. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News file)

April Fool’s detention email from B.C. principal falls flat with parents

Parents go to social media over email informing them their children were assigned weekend detention

Irene Kelleher Totí:ltawtxw Elementary School on Eagle Mountain in Abbotsford. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News file)
The B.C. government is investing $214 million over three years for school districts in the province to create or expand food programs for students. (Annie Barker/The Herald)

$214M coming to B.C. school districts to create, expand food programs

The funding will be over 3 years and will be available to all 60 school districts

The B.C. government is investing $214 million over three years for school districts in the province to create or expand food programs for students. (Annie Barker/The Herald)
FILE - German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi speak during a press conference in front of Michelangelo's "David statue" after their bilateral summit in Florence, Italy, on Jan. 23, 2015. The head of Florence’s Galleria del’Accademia on Sunday March 26, 2023 invited the parents and students of a Florida charter school to visit and see Michelangelo’s “David,” after the school principal was forced to resign following parental complaints that an image of the nude Renaissance masterpiece was shown to a sixth-grade art class. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)

Florida school uproar leads Italy to invite viewing ‘David’

Principal of a Florida school forced to resign after picture of statue shown to 6th-grade art class

FILE - German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi speak during a press conference in front of Michelangelo's "David statue" after their bilateral summit in Florence, Italy, on Jan. 23, 2015. The head of Florence’s Galleria del’Accademia on Sunday March 26, 2023 invited the parents and students of a Florida charter school to visit and see Michelangelo’s “David,” after the school principal was forced to resign following parental complaints that an image of the nude Renaissance masterpiece was shown to a sixth-grade art class. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)
A Saanich school teacher has been disciplined for his behaviour. (Pixabay photo) Classroom chairs (Pixabay photo)

B.C. teacher disciplined for telling Grade 3 kids he would ‘rip out’ their vocal cords

Teacher also said non-verbal children are ‘dumb’

A Saanich school teacher has been disciplined for his behaviour. (Pixabay photo) Classroom chairs (Pixabay photo)
South Surrey Grade 3 student Zhiji Dong has been honoured by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth as “one of the brightest students in the world.” (Contributed photo)

B.C. Grade 3 student ‘one of world’s brightest’

Zhiji Dong was among highest scorers in Center for Talented Youth assessment

South Surrey Grade 3 student Zhiji Dong has been honoured by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth as “one of the brightest students in the world.” (Contributed photo)