ARTICLES
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VSB Board of Trustees Closes Its Doors to the Public
On Apr. 3, former Vancouver School Board (VSB) Trustee Ruth Herman arrived at the VSB Education Centre with the intention of attending a Special Board/Committee of the Whole Meeting. She was faced with locked doors and was told the meeting could only be viewed online.
DPAC Chair Vik Khanna Resigns
The Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council Chair Vik Khanna resigned Wednesday night, after leading DPAC since June last year. Khanna announced his resignation on a post on Twitter.
Former Principal at Britannia Accused of Stealing Donations
The former principal of an elementary school in Vancouver is being sued for stealing more than $170,000 in school funds, much of which was intended to help students’ families in need.
BREAKING: Vancouver School Board Votes to Reinstate the SLO Program
The Vancouver School Board (VSB) voted 5-4 on Monday night to reinstate the School Liaison Officer (SLO) program, a year and a half after it was cancelled.
Candidates Questionnaire Week One: Why They’re Running and What Their Priorities Are
Welcome to the first in a series of weekly articles we’re calling Candidate Questionnaires. Once a week, The Nest sends school board candidates from all six major political parties one or two questions, for their written responses to be published here. Responses are only edited for clarity.
BREAKING: VSB Trustees Vote to Close Queen Elizabeth Annex
The Vancouver School Board (‘VSB’) voted 6-3 on Tuesday night to close Queen Elizabeth Annex, a K-3 Early French Immersion school in Vancouver’s West Side.
“Parents Believe That This is Part of a Quid Pro Quo:” The Story of the Queen Elizabeth Annex Closure Consideration
An investigation into a school closure consideration tied to one of the largest issues across municipal and provincial politics, with significant ramifications for the 650,000 residents of British Columbia's largest city.
Editorial | Thames Valley District School Board: A Case Study for the VSB
The Mayor of the Zorra Township put it well when he questioned who was in charge. Is it the people we elect to represent us, or is it the bureaucracy of the district management?
Opinion | VSB, Please Do Better When it Comes to Surveys
The Vancouver School Board’s recent Multi Age Cluster Classes (“MACC”) and Budget surveys, for a lack of any better phraseology, are poorly worded.
Why Grade 8/9 Students Don’t Get Percentages
In the 2021-2022 school year, Grade 8 and 9 students have been assessed using a proficiency scale, and will be for the years to come.
How The VSB's Ending of a Special Education Program May Bring Human Rights Litigation Against the District.
The story of how we got here is a complex one, shaped by failed consultations, constituent outcry, and an information war between a public body and the public.
EXCLUSIVE: Although No Longer Required, Vancouver Secondary Students Will Be Wearing Masks After Spring Break
Interest in protecting others, especially at-risk contacts, was chief among students’ masking motivations. Many had a lot at stake with the spread of the virus, living or in frequent contact with immunocompromised individuals.
EDITORIAL: Take Notes, Trustee Candidates
The Griffins’ Nest Editorial Board has compiled a list of items for trustees to take action on, in a non-partisan mandate letter from the almost 20,000 district secondary students, nearly 3,000 of whom will be eligible to vote in this year’s upcoming election.
Fact Check: When it Comes to MACC Disinformation, the Third Time Isn't the Charm. (It’s Still False).
Patterns of deceitful behaviour attempting to mislead both journalists and the public make clear that the VSB is no longer negligent in their casual relationship with the truth on the matter.
OPINION: The VSB’s revisioning of the MACC is, for lack of a better word, disastrous.
The school board’s “revisioning” of the MACC would essentially break down the program and establish a completely new one, which they plan to call Gifted Enrichment Centres (GECs).
“I don’t feel safe at school”: VSB students reflect on the first week back in classrooms
After five days back in schools, Vancouver School District students and parents alike remain concerned about the realities of returning to classrooms.
EXCLUSIVE: Letter Sent to Hamber Families, DPAC Still Has Major Questions For Health & Education Officials
Hamber Administration sent a letter regarding who can return to school on January 4, while DPAC says they have many questions for the VSB and VCH.
EXCLUSIVE: VDSC, DPAC, raise concerns over return to school amid Omicron surge, seeking more information from VSB
Both the Vancouver District Students' Council and District Parents' Advisory Council agree with the Ministry's decision to extend Winter Break, but have a series of questions and concerns they say the board needs to address.
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.