Schools

This graphic was used to warn voters about upcoming school board elections in B.C. and other provinces this month. (Ben & Jerry’s Canada)

Ben & Jerry’s Canada urging B.C. to ‘vote for schools that are safe for all kids’

‘The far-right is trying to stack school boards,’ the ice cream moguls warned Oct. 12

This graphic was used to warn voters about upcoming school board elections in B.C. and other provinces this month. (Ben & Jerry’s Canada)
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)
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
The Cowichan Valley school district has made a video to explain the "Washrooms for Everybody" concept at the new Cowichan Secondary School. (Screen shot)

New B.C. high school being built with gender-neutral ‘Washrooms for Everybody’

Officials say Cowichan Secondary washrooms will provide safety, privacy, dignity for every student

The Cowichan Valley school district has made a video to explain the "Washrooms for Everybody" concept at the new Cowichan Secondary School. (Screen shot)
The B.C. government announced a one-time $60-million back-to-school fund Aug. 29. It will be divided between 60 school districts. (Unsplash)

$60M between 60 school districts: B.C. announces one-time back-to-school fund

Each district will receive at least $250,000 to be used at its discretion

The B.C. government announced a one-time $60-million back-to-school fund Aug. 29. It will be divided between 60 school districts. (Unsplash)
It is important to learn about online safety before heading back to school (file photo).

Back-to-school prep: RCMP offers tips for teens and parents to navigate cyberbullying

Thirty-one per cent of Canadian youth say they have experienced cyberbullying

It is important to learn about online safety before heading back to school (file photo).
It’s time for the new school year to begin. How much do you know about education? (Black Press Media files)

QUIZ: Are you ready to go back to school?

How much do you know about schools and learning?

It’s time for the new school year to begin. How much do you know about education? (Black Press Media files)
A B.C. teacher has been banned for 15 years for engaging in inappropriate relationships with former students. (Pixabay)

15-year ban for B.C. teacher who travelled overnight, shared room with recent graduates

Teacher entered into intimate relationship with 1 former student during trip

A B.C. teacher has been banned for 15 years for engaging in inappropriate relationships with former students. (Pixabay)
A ball python that was found in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on Aug. 5, 2015. A teacher in B.C. was publicly reprimended for bringing his own ball python to class in 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/ AP, Jerry Jackson, The Baltimore Sun)

B.C. teacher disciplined for bringing 3-foot snake to middle school as costume prop

One student didn’t know it was real until it was wrapped around his neck and began to slither

A ball python that was found in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on Aug. 5, 2015. A teacher in B.C. was publicly reprimended for bringing his own ball python to class in 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/ AP, Jerry Jackson, The Baltimore Sun)
A California school district is hoping to attract more teachers by providing them with affordable housing. (Associated Press/screenshot)

VIDEO: California school district builds affordable housing to attract teachers

Rising rent, teacher shortages piquing districts’ interest in workforce housing

A California school district is hoping to attract more teachers by providing them with affordable housing. (Associated Press/screenshot)
Coast Mountains School District 82 released highlights from a self-report questionnaire of students in various grades. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)

Northwest B.C. public school students report lack of well-being: Survey

Grade 8 students lag behind average well-being for B.C. school districts

Coast Mountains School District 82 released highlights from a self-report questionnaire of students in various grades. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)
A B.C. high school teacher has been banned from practising in the province for life for having a sexual relationship with a student. (Credit: Pixabay)

B.C. high school teacher banned for life for sexual relationship with student

Teacher pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation in 2019

A B.C. high school teacher has been banned from practising in the province for life for having a sexual relationship with a student. (Credit: Pixabay)
A classroom in Scarborough, Ont., on September 14, 2020. A North Vancouver School District teacher was suspended for five days in May 2022 for taking inappropriate actions against his elementary school students. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

B.C. elementary school teacher suspended for cracking backs, pinching trapeziuses

Students called the one moved the ‘back-breaker,’ and several said it was painful

A classroom in Scarborough, Ont., on September 14, 2020. A North Vancouver School District teacher was suspended for five days in May 2022 for taking inappropriate actions against his elementary school students. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
A W.L. McLeod student wearing a mask in a school bus. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)

UPDATE: Northern B.C. school to no longer acknowledge Mother’s Day and Father’s Day

Elementary school adopts more inclusive approach to activities on those days

A W.L. McLeod student wearing a mask in a school bus. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)
File photo

B.C. teacher reprimanded for angrily telling her class a student was failing

Teacher regulatory body document states Jasmine Kaur also ‘pulled on’ the student’s arm

File photo
A B.C. teacher is banned for 10 years after inappropriately communicating with at least four students in Grades 8 to 12. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. teacher dealt 10-year ban for inappropriate communication with 4 students

Joseph James Hizon Arnesto taught Grades 7 to 12 at an independent B.C. school

A B.C. teacher is banned for 10 years after inappropriately communicating with at least four students in Grades 8 to 12. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
W.L. McLeod Elementary students in Vanderhoof spent a Thursday morning last June remediating the community’s new rainbow crosswalk that was recently damaged by a large burnout. (Photo by Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)

Vanderhoof moves to install surveillance cameras at rainbow crosswalk

The crosswalk has been repeatedly vandalized by drivers performing burnouts on it

W.L. McLeod Elementary students in Vanderhoof spent a Thursday morning last June remediating the community’s new rainbow crosswalk that was recently damaged by a large burnout. (Photo by Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)
FILE Students walk through a corridor at the relocated New Westminster Secondary School, in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Staffing shortages, COVID-19 lead to postponement of B.C. provincial exams

Education ministry assures students that postponement will not affect university admissions

FILE Students walk through a corridor at the relocated New Westminster Secondary School, in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Children walk with their parents to Sherwood Park Elementary in North Vancouver for the first day back-to-school Thursday, September 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. school staff must provide COVID vaccine status following new public health order

New order dated Jan. 17 says that non-identifying info must be provided to medical health officer

Children walk with their parents to Sherwood Park Elementary in North Vancouver for the first day back-to-school Thursday, September 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
School District 83 announced, due to a staffing shortage, a two-day functional closure of Armstrong Elementary on Jan. 14 and 17 was being extended to Jan. 21. (File photo )

Okanagan school temporarily closes as teachers refuse to work, citing student mask exemptions

Initial ‘functional closure’ announced after teachers refuse work

School District 83 announced, due to a staffing shortage, a two-day functional closure of Armstrong Elementary on Jan. 14 and 17 was being extended to Jan. 21. (File photo )