by Patti Bacchus on February 11th, 2021 at 1:59 PM 1 of 4 2 of 4
One of the highlights of my years as a school trustee was updating the Vancouver School Board’s (VSB) Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policy in order to provide better and clearer protections and supports for trans students and employees.
That 2014 decision paved the way for stronger SOGI policies across all B.C. school districts and sent a powerful message that Vancouver public schools are welcoming, safe, and supportive places for
all students, families, and employees.
We made the changes in response to advice from the now-defunct VSB Pride Advisory Committee (the government-appointed trustee, who replaced the board I was on in 2016, disbanded the committee). Committee members had told us schools’ support and protections for trans students were inconsistent and that board policy and regulations needed to be specific, clear, and supported.
The VSB’s Review of Armed Police in Schools Has Not Gone Smoothly
Parents and advocates say the Vancouver School Board is moving too slow and makes it hard to speak at public meetings.
Katie Hyslop is a reporter for The Tyee. Reach her here. SHARES Markiel Simpson of the BC Community Alliance. The alliance has requested the immediate end of the Vancouver School Board’s school liaison officer program.
Photo supplied.
It’s been seven months since the Vancouver School Board announced a review of the presence of armed police officers in the city’s schools. An initial draft is expected to be made public in early March.
by Steve Newton on February 1st, 2021 at 1:42 PM 1 of 2 2 of 2
Today the City of Vancouver launched an interactive photomap to mark Black History Month.
According to a press release the web-based project, called Give Them Their Flowers, centres the experiences, hopes, and wishes of 10 Black residents who have made impactful contributions to life in Vancouver. This February will mark the 25th anniversary of the acknowledgement of Black History Month across Canada, says Nya Lewis, director of BlackArt Gastown, the photomap curator. It is an honour to lend artistic expression and voice to celebrating the contributions of Black Vancouver residents. Though we will never be able to shine a light on all the stories of Black excellence and resilience, we can as a city move towards a more supportive and equitable community.