VSB: After The Bell – Details, episodes & analysis

For this Matter of the Month, we're discussing Pink Shirt Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness against bullying and fostering kindness.  

Back in 2007, two high school students in Nova Scotia, David Shepherd and Travis Price, saw a younger student being bullied with homophobic slurs and threats. These two students responded by giving out 50 pink shirts to classmates, sparking a global movement against bullying. One that VSB sees come alive every year.  

Joining us today is Joel Fleming, a teacher at False Creek Elementary.

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Last month, we discussed a modern approach to learning. Specifically, Universal Design for Learning, or UDL. This month, we are continuing our conversation with David Nicks, district principal of inclusion for secondary schools at VSB and Katie Novak, an internationally renowned education consultant, author and former assistant superintendent of schools in Massachusetts.

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This is the last episode of the school year!

June is an exciting month for celebration and commemoration. It is National Indigenous History Month – a month dedicated to increasing our knowledge, awareness, appreciation of, and respect for Indigenous histories, traditions, cultures and contributions. It is also Pride Month – a time dedicated to celebrating and commemorating the history and contributions of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

In a nutshell, the word “intersectionality” describes the interconnectedness of someone’s social identities, such as their race, gender, sexuality, and class. When these identities overlap, that person can face multiple forms of discrimination at the same time.

Think of it like a puzzle. Each piece represents a different part of who you are. When the pieces overlap, they create a unique picture of our experiences and challenges. Having an awareness of intersectionality can help us create more equitable and just learning environments for everyone.

With Indigenous History Month and Pride Month top of mind, what are the unique experiences and challenges of those who overlap between Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ identities? To discuss this topic today is David Delorme, district principal for VSB’s Indigenous Education department.

For Matter of the Month, we are joined by VSB Board Chair, Victoria Jung who shares some of the things the Board did this school year.

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We will see you back in September for season three!

The B.C. curriculum outlines three Core Competencies students need to be deep, lifelong learners. These are communication, thinking, as well as personal and social. To a degree, these are rather abstract terms. Unlike math, science, English and social studies, subjects we are used to hearing about when referring to learning in schools, the shift in today’s education focuses on concepts instead of content, on how to learn rather than what is learned, and on developing critical thinking skills in place of memorization. Really, it’s about hands on, experiential learning. 

The core competencies of communication, thinking, as well as personal and social serve as the building blocks for a lifetime learner. So, how do we integrate these core competencies with the traditional subjects? 

In this episode, Templeton Secondary teacher Mike Hengeveld explains project-based learning, STEAM/STEM and ADST. We also have a special on-location interview with one of Mike’s Grade 12 students, Stephen, who shares what it’s like being a student in the STEM program at Templeton. 

For Matter of the Month, we discuss the use of school fields and the decision to close some of them to public access. 

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April is Earth Month throughout the District. From the student-led sustainability conference and the District-wide professional development session on April 22, to Earth Day celebrations, and the solar-eclipse on April 8, staff and students spent the month learning more about our planet and how to take meaningful steps to take care of it. 

There’s a lot of information in the world when it comes to going green. How do you know which actions to take, and how are we teaching students about sustainability? 

In this episode, we learn about how sustainability is integrated into VSB, at the District and school level. 

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We release episodes at the end of every month. 

Social emotional learning shapes that way students, and later adults, understand their emotions, navigate social situations, and use behaviour to express themselves. But what exactly is social emotional learning, and what does that look like in schools throughout VSB?

In this episode, district resource teacher, Deanna Barriera, and district case manager behaviour support, Sheryl Morris, discuss what social emotional learning means, how it relates to students, and the various programs and resources available for students in the District.

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We release episodes at the end of every month.

February presents an opportunity to honour many of the diverse cultures and backgrounds of the staff and students throughout the District. From Black History Month to World Hijab Day, Lunar New Year, the Women’s Memorial March and World Day of Social Justice, this month offers a chance for us to learn, recognize and uplift as we work to create safe, caring, welcoming and inclusive places for students and families. 

Equity and inclusion are core pillars of VSB’s framework. In fact, our Education Plan specifically focuses on increasing equity by eliminating and racism in all its forms. In this episode, Hieu Pham-Fraser, District principle of Equity, Anti-racism, and Non-discrimination, shares how VSB is tangibly taking action on this subject. 

For matter of the month, we spoke to Pete Nuji and Pedro da Silva, Associate Superintendents at the VSB to discuss restrictions on cellphones in schools, following an announcement from the government of B.C. last month. 

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We release episodes at the end of every month.

Black Excellence Day was Jan. 13 this month, which is a day chosen to honour civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The VSB participated in the day through a Black Excellence live stream hosted by Ninandotoo Society and the Burnaby School District. Nola Charles and Ruth Mvukiyehe were among a few VSB students who were able to attend the event in person. Both students joined us to talk about their experience.  

For matter of the month, we spoke to superintendent Helen McGregor about school closures during severe weather such as snow. Helen speaks about the process and factors taken into consideration before a snow day is called.  

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We release episodes at the end of every month. 

With priority kindergarten registration beginning in November, this month’s episode of VSB: After the Bell focused on everything related to kindergarten. We covered a variety of topics from registration to program options families can enroll in. We spoke to District choice program teachers Eva Lin (Montessori), Melissa Peng (Mandarin Bilingual), Alexis Lefebvre (Late French Immersion) and Mary Leman Viggers (Indigenous Focus) about how they teach their programs and how it differs from the mainstream program.

For matter of the month, we spoke to Doug Roch, District Principal about the registration process, why some schools are full and tips on getting your children prepared for kindergarten.

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We release episodes at the end of every month. Subscribe to VSB: After the Bell on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss out!

With thanksgiving being in October, the season of gratitude is upon us. VSB acknowledges and shares appreciation for the dedication of more than 50 community partners who work to make schools more welcoming, inclusive, safe and vibrant learning environments. Support ranges from providing essential services such as food programs to arts and extracurricular activities, as well as donations to families in need. Join us as we speak to representatives from two esteemed organizations, Gillian Shaw, Board of directors from Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund Society, Adopt-a-School program and Selma Ismail, youth settlement councillor from the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, to discuss their invaluable roles in empowering our students and enhancing their educational experiences. 

For matter of the month, we delve into an important and sometimes controversial subject: BC's Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA). We speak with Helen McGregor, VSB Superintendent to demystify the FSA and shed light on its significance for students, parents, and educators.