We know there are many pathways to graduation and finding success after Grade 12. On this episode of After the Bell, we’re talking about getting a head start on your career while still in secondary school. How is that possible? Through VSB’s Career Programs!
Joining the conversation is Mark Reid, a District resource teacher through the Career Programs, and Lucy Griffith, Dean, School of Trades, Technology and Design at Vancouver Community College, or VCC for short. VCC is one of our wonderful partners who helps make these career-starting opportunities possible for students!
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Welcome to After the Bell LIVE! In this episode, we are joined by Ranjit Bains, Director of Instruction, Secondary, Shannon Burton, Director of Instruction, Elementary and Suzie Polzin, District Principal of Learning Instruction.
This discussion covers what learning updates communicate, why the name changed from report cards, how the B.C. proficiency scale is used for assessment and how to support your child’s learning.
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In part two of our post-secondary conversation, we spoke with three representatives from the admissions offices at Simon Fraser University, Capilano University and Langara College. Our three amazing guests, Mike Peragine from SFU, Rafaela Almeida Borges from Cap-U and Jennifer Paige from Langara continue helping families navigate the world of post-secondary admissions.
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Resources for students and their families:
This episode is part one of two in our conversation about helping families prepare for that big leap after graduation—post-secondary! While it might seem early, the process for applying happens sooner than you may think.
Who better to speak about post-secondary admissions than folks who work in the admissions offices?
Joining the discussion today are two amazing guests from the admissions world, Richa Gautam from BCIT and Amandus Mashamba from UBC.
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Resources for students and their families:
University of British Columbia (UBC)
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
Welcome to After the Bell: LIVE! In this episode, we are joined by Jackie Cummings, vice-principal at Sir Alexander Mackenzie Elementary, and Joe Maher, principal at Queen Alexandra Elementary.
This discussion covers the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA), with clear information about the FSAs, common misconceptions, how it works, and what you can do to help your child understand the assessment.
Hosted by Jiana Chow!
Additional Resources:
Sample FSA Question: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/program-management/assessment/foundation-skills-assessment/fsa-samples
About the FSAs: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/program-management/assessment/foundation-skills-assessment
Ministry of Education FSA Parent Brochure: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/sites/curriculum.gov.bc.ca/files/pdf/assessment/fsa/en-foundation-skills-assessment-for-parents-and-caregivers.pdf
Welcome back to school, VSB! We’re so excited to start the 2025/26 school year and the fourth season of the After the Bell Podcast.
To start the school year off, we’re diving into a topic that’s close to home, literally! We’re talking about how families can support their child’s learning journey at home and how we can work together to help students thrive.
Joining us are two wonderful guests: Sonia Blair, principal at Britannia Secondary, and Riley McMitchell, principal at the new elementary school coming in Coal Harbour.
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Helpful resources for families:
It’s hard to believe, but we’re already at the end of the school year! This year was filled with many proud moments. From students winning national competitions and improving in their most challenging subjects, to educators supporting student growth and creating more inclusive school communities.
On the season finale of After the Bell, we’re turning the microphone over to the people who make VSB such a special place: the students and staff! Joining us from all across the District are students, teachers, school counsellors, supports workers, building engineers and administrators to share some of their best moments of the year.
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Welcome to VSB After the Bell: Live! In this live podcast episode, we are joined by Adrienne Stewardson, District Principal of Early Learning and Child Care.
This conversation discusses what you and your child can expect for kindergarten, ways to support their transition, navigating common concerns, developing independence skills and community support.
Hosted by Jiana Chow!
Additional resources
May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Mental health is an important, and often difficult, subject to talk about. It’s crucial we have open and honest conversations to end the stigma and create safe, healthy and welcoming environments for everyone.
Here to talk about mental health in students is child and adolescent physiatrist Dr. Roberto Sassi. Dr. Sassi is Psychiatrist in Chief at B.C Children’s Hospital and B.C. Women’s Hospital, and is Head of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia.
He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UBC and is the inaugural chair holder of the Pediatric Mental Health Endowed Chair at B.C. Children’s Hospital.
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Mental health resources:
Today, we're talking about an important and sometimes controversial topic: sexual education.
Joining us is sexual health expert, author and educator, Saleema Noon! Saleema has been a special guest speaker at PAC organized sessions throughout Vancouver as well as across B.C.
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Have you heard of the term school based teams? One listener did, and asked us to cover this topic on After the Bell. It’s a great question, because as a parent/guardian you may know what it is, but then again, not really?
Today, we invited Maiky Ma and Sheryl Morris, both District Case Managers who work with school based teams.
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Welcome to VSB After the Bell: Live! In this live podcast episode, we are joined by Jeff Spence, District Principal for Learning and Information Technology, and Christina Walker, Digital Literacy Mentor.
This conversation helps families navigate the digital world with their children, and welcomed audience members to submit questions during the broadcast. Hosted by Jiana Chow!
Check out links to the resources mentioned during today's conversation:
VSB Digital Literacy and Safety Resource Page
https://www.vsb.bc.ca/page/79376/digital-literacy-and-safety
BC Digital Literacy Framework https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/resources-for-teachers/digital-literacy
Digital Landscape Research
-https://mediasmarts.ca/research-reports
-https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resources/helping-kids-get-healthy-start-phones
Generative AI Engagement Strategies
-https://www.cnet.com/pictures/ai-or-not-ai-can-you-spot-the-real-photos/
-https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/fake-ai-generated-images-on-the-rise-heres-how-kids-can-spot-them
-https://britannicaeducation.com/blog/quiz-real-or-ai/
Slide 34 Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s Protect Kids Onlinehttps://protectkidsonline.ca
Phishing game - https://www.phishmeifyoucan.com/
VSB Cell phone Restrictions https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/cellphone-restriction-vsb-1.7236944
VSB Acceptable Use Policy https://Aup.vsb.bc.ca
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.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us improve and create more content you'll like.
Welcome to our first episode of 2025! Today, we are taking a look at a modern approach to learning. Specifically, Universal Design for Learning, or UDL. On the show to discuss all things UDL is 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.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us improve and create more content that you'll like.
It’s been a wonderful year spent with you, After the Bell listeners! Before we head into the winter break, we’re reflecting on a few highlights we’ve shared so far this school year, and what we can look forward to in 2025.
To share these warm winter wishes, we are joined by VSB Superintendent, Helen McGregor!
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Your feedback helps us improve and create more content that you'll like.
Do you remember learning how to read when you were in school? Was picking up a book one of your favourite parts of the day, or did you feel a twist of anxiety in your stomach every time you had to read aloud in class? For some, reading and literacy were enjoyable learning experiences. For many, though, the unfortunate reality is learning to read and write were major challenges that were often stressful.
In today’s approach to learning, we are addressing the challenges of reading and literacy in a more inclusive, flexible approach. Guided by our Responsive Literacy Framework, VSB’s approach to literacy is holistic, interconnected and considers how to de-colonize the literacy practice. It is also strength-based, to foster a growth mindset reflective of our current curriculum.
To discuss all things reading and literacy in the District, we are joined by Ria Dolder, Learning and Instruction Literacy Lead and Leslie Hunt, teacher librarian mentor K-12.
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Your feedback helps us improve and create more content that you'll like.
We have a reoccurring segment on the show called “Matter of the month,” where we address the most talked about topics. This can be anything from a success story to a controversial issue.
As Jon Snow would say, " winter is coming!” This month, we’re helping families prepare by sharing what you need to know, and how to find it, during inclement weather.
Joining me today to discuss this topic is VSB superintendent, Helen McGregor!
If there’s one topic that’s always ringing in the minds of students, families, and teachers, it’s digital devices in education. In early 2024, the provincial government mandated all schools to have restrictions on cell phones across the province, and in September of this year, VSB implemented its District-wide policy on digital devices.
As of this past September, personal digital services must be turned off or placed on silent during instructional time for secondary students, unless an educator has given permission. At the elementary level, personal digital devices are restricted during the instructional day. You can read the full policy in Administrative Procedure 350.
While these restrictions are placed to safeguard students, we live in a digital age where digital literacy is not only necessary for student success but can also enhance education in the classroom when used appropriately. Ultimately, it can help prepare students for the future.
To discuss what responsible digital learning looks like, we brought in an expert in the field. Jesse Miller, Founder of Mediated Reality, has been providing social media education in schools across the country for fifteen years.
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There’s no doubt about it, the future is now! For some, advancements in technology can be filled with fear of the unknown. For others, the rise of technology, such as artificial intelligence or AI, is an exciting opportunity to enhance student learning and provide solutions to pre-existing barriers.
However you may feel about AI learning, the reality is that it’s here, and it’s something we must all learn to adapt to in order to stay up to date with technology.
Jeff Spence, District Principal, Learning and Information Technology and Zhi Su, District Principal for Vancouver Learning Network and Summer Learning join us on this episode to discuss all things AI.