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Byng Arts Senior Courses Cut: Students Fight Back
Byng Arts, a mini school program based at Lord Byng Secondary School, has recently lost their senior English and Social Studies cohort courses due to program cuts. Byng students have been protesting the decision, resulting in the recovery of one course.
BC's New Phone Ban
On Jan. 26, at the District Education Centre in Surrey, BC Premier David Eby announced the restriction of mobile phones in public schools “from bell to bell” across the province, along with two other social media measures to protect Canadian children.
EDITORIAL | “Nomophobia”: Teachers Weigh in on BC’s New Phone Restrictions
On Jan. 26, Premier David Eby announced a “bell-to-bell” ban on phones in schools, citing “online dangers” and unsupervised content consumption. The Editorial Board surveyed a few Hamber teachers for their views on the new restrictions, which will ostensibly be taken into account by the VSB when they develop their new district-wide policy.
Alarming Trends in Exclusion Discovered by BCEdAccess Exclusion Tracker
In 2022 – 2023, the Exclusion Tracker was released by the BCEdAccess Society, a charity that serves families of students with disabilities. The Exclusion Tracker has shown a staggering rise in these issues throughout the district by both teachers and students.
EDITORIAL | BC’s Food Guidelines Aren’t On the Menu For Hamber’s Cafeteria
Students wishing to purchase cafeteria food at Eric Hamber often find themselves in a queue stretching across the cafeteria and lasting throughout much of the lunch period. However, there currently is no way for students to know which options are available that day without reaching the front of the line and entering the food service.
What’s the Deal with Public Funding for Private Schools?
In the 2022/23 school year, private schools, officially known as independent schools, were granted $491 million in government funding, a $17 million increase over the 2021/22 school year. Making up roughly 7 per cent of BC’s total education budget, funding for independent schools has often been criticized.
BC Schools will close on Monday for Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral
B.C. schools will be closed next Monday to mark Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral, Premier Horgan announced in a statement today.
“K-12 public schools and public post-secondary institutions, and most Crown corporations will be closed,” Horgan said.
EDITORIAL| Time to Take Media Literacy Education Seriously
It’s time we take media literacy seriously, as neglecting it threatens the foundation of Canadian democracy and fails the guidance offered in the School Act.
Indigenous-Focused Coursework New Requirement for BC Secondary Students
On March 4, BC’s Ministry of Education announced that all secondary school students in the province will be required to complete Indigenous-focused coursework in order to graduate.
VSB Sends Early Message to Families Regarding Winter Break Extension
Interim Superintendent Jan Unwin penned a letter to families sent earlier today confirming that online schooling would not take place during the extension, echoing what Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside had said at a press conference yesterday.
BC Delays Students’ Return from Winter Break
BC Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside announced earlier today that most K-12 students across the province will be returning from Winter Break on January 10, a week later than scheduled.
THE NEST INVESTIGATES: Online Learning with the VSB’s Vancouver Learning Network
A months-long Nest investigation of the Vancouver Learning Network reveals a set of mixed student experiences that make for an educational journey of either smooth sailing or academic shipwreck — with little in between.
OPINION: Let’s Talk About Sex (Education)
Every student graduating from the public school system should have received a sexual education class at some point throughout their time in high school. While the education we receive regarding this subject is tolerable, it is in no way sufficient.
Ms. Mullen’s Journey to Bring Yoga to Hamber
When Ms. R. Mullen (Mathematics) first started working at Eric Hamber, she was adamant on teaching a yoga course at the school.
A Course Selection Guide for Grade 10s: A Guide
Grade 10 is an important year for students all across the district. It marks the end of an era of mandated core classes, and the beginning of an era of choice and freedom when it comes to course selection.
Vancouver District Student Council (“VDSC”) Overview
You may or may not have heard of the Vancouver District Student Council, better known as the ‘VDSC’, and chances are, you have seen at least one member from Hamber. But what exactly is the VDSC?
COVID in Schools: How Safe Do Hamberites Feel?
With the shifting school schedule in past years, there have also been many changes to safety regulations and mask mandates in schools.
Vaccine Mandates: Who decides when, and why?
On October 5, the BC Ministry of Education composed a set of K-12 Sector Guidelines for Vaccination Policies.