Lucy Maloney, Coordinator ATSR Working Group Traffic danger around schools is one of the most common complaints made by parents to PACs. It has a big effect on the freedom and independence of our kids because it makes parents hesitate to let our kids walk or cycle to and from school or roam their neighbourhoods... Read more
Join VSB’s Accessibility Advisory Panel
***** The VSB's Accessibility Committee is taking steps towards completing a three-year Accessibility Plan that addresses the needs identified by the VSB community, including students, staff, parents/caregivers and community members. Following the Accessibility Survey that was conducted in the spring of 2024, the committee is now looking to bring more VSB community members together to... Read more
Letters of Support – Mandate AEDs in Schools
***** Dear DPAC Parents, I am submitting this article to sincerely ask for you to provide Letters of Support to mandate AEDs in Vancouver Schools. Last year a Gr. 9 student passed away suddenly due to cardiac arrest at Point Grey Secondary. This has been one of the many incidents over the years but despite... Read more
Passionate About Inclusion? Join the IEWG!
The Inclusive Education Working Group (IEWG) is a group of parents who consult about and advocate for equitable education in the Vancouver school district for students with disabilities, neurodivergence and learning support needs of all kinds. The group meets monthly online and also collaborates via the Slack app. Some actions that the group has taken... Read more
Parents Requesting Accountability on Fleming School Site Lease
*** Parents are raising alarm about the VSB's decision to lease a large portion of Fleming Elementary School’s play area to a developer for 99 years. The lease would allow for a developer to construct a mixed-use development on the school's play area, setting a precedent for other schools across the city. Closed-Door Deals with... Read more
BCEdAccess AdvoCon 2024
AdvoCon is an annual education advocacy conference, organized by the BCEDAccess Society ! BCEdAccess Society is a grassroots, nonprofit society and Canadian charitable organization, founded in 2014. BCEdAccess Society serves families of students with disabilities and complex learners all over the province of British Columbia. Its parent peer support group has over 5000 community... Read more
Y Mind Teen -free anxiety and stress support program starting in October
Y Mind is a free group program developed by YMCA BC for youth experiencing mild - moderate anxiety, stress or worries. Two Masters level mental health professionals support 8 - 12 teens during the 7 week group program, which runs on Wednesdays from 4:30PM to 6PM at the Robert Lee YMCA in downtown Vancouver. Y... Read more
VSB Cell Phone Policy: What You Need to Know
The Vancouver School Board (VSB) has recently updated its Administrative Procedure 350, introducing new policies regarding the use of personal digital devices in schools. These changes aim to minimize distractions during instructional time and promote a focused learning environment. Here's a breakdown of what parents and students need to know: Policy Overview Secondary Schools: Devices... Read more
VSB Must Prioritize Equity in Facility Planning
Out of about 50,000 students, about 20,000 students returning to school this September will be in unsafe seats. Of those 20,000 in unsafe seats, a disproportionate number of these students will be in East Vancouver. The Vancouver School Board (VSB) has a mandate to ensure equitable distribution of resources across the district. However,... Read more