VSB: After The Bell

We know there are many pathways to success after graduation. For some, that path includes post-secondary. For others, it’s the workforce. Some might experience post-secondary life while they’re still in secondary school through VSB’s career programs. Post-graduation is not one-size-fits-all.

In this episode, we’re diving into the archives from some of our post popular podcast episodes that focus on planning life after Grade 12.

We’ll listen back on our conversation with Mark Reid, a District Resource teacher at VSB’s Career Programs and Lucy Griffth, Dean of Trades, Technology and Design and Vancouver Community College, who share how students can earn dual credit for post-secondary and start their careers, all while they are still in secondary school!

We’ll also listen to our conversations with several other post-secondary representatives, including Richa Gautam, Student Recruitment Advisor at BCIT and Amandus Mashamba, Associate Student Recruiter-Advisor UBC, Rafaela Almeida Borges, Associate Registrar of Recruitment and Admissions from Capilano University, Mike Peragine, Director of Student Recruitment & Admissions from Simon Fraser University, and Jennifer Paige, Associate Director of Domestic Marketing and Recruitment from Langara College.

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We are a few weeks into the new school year, but how do you know if your child is really settling into the school year?

On the season premier of VSB: After the Bell, we talk with Superintendant Helen McGregor about the signs families can watch for and simple ways to help their children feel supported, connected and ready to learn.

It's the last month of the school year! Leading up to the summer break, we're sharing practical habits with technology that can support student well-being through the summer and beyond.

With technology being so much a part of daily life, it can be easy for screen time to creep up, especially when there is more downtime. That is why, for our final episode of season 4 of After the Bell, we are sharing a special live-session focused on building healthier tech habits. 

In this episode, we are joined by Matthew Johnson, director of education for MediaSmarts, Canada’s centre for digital media literacy, and Christina Walker, VSB’s district digital literacy mentor. 

Together, Matthew and Christina explore practical ways families can support healthy, balanced and thoughtful technology use. These are skills that are important all year round, but especially during the summer months when children and youth may have more free time. 

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Part of our role at VSB is to help prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is becoming part of everyday life, including how people learn, work and access information. 

As AI continues to evolve, it is important that students learn how to use these tools safely, responsibly and critically. This school year, VSB is introducing Microsoft Copilot 13+ in secondary schools to support digital literacy and help students better understand how AI can be used as a learning tool. 

We understand there are questions about what this means, and how this will shape learning in the classroom. To help guide this conversation, we asked families and students what they wanted to know. In this episode, we’re answering some of the frequently asked questions we heard directly from families and students. 

We’ll talk about what Copilot is, how it may be used in classrooms, what safeguards are in place and how students will be supported to use AI responsibly. 

Joining us to help answer these questions is Christina Walker, VSB’s Digital Literacy Mentor. We will also hear from two students from Tupper Secondary who will ask questions on behalf of their peers.

To learn more, visit govsb.ca/copilot

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April is Earth Month! Across VSB, students and staff help contribute to a more sustainable district every day! In honour of these efforts, we’re sharing stories of how of our VSB community has been doing exactly that, and how all our actions, both big and small, actively work toward our updated Environmental Sustainability Plan.  

Today, we’re hearing from teachers across the district who are passionate about supporting sustainability and inspiring students. We’ll also hear from two students from John Oliver Secondary, who will share how they’re putting what they learned in the classroom into action!

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Quick links:

• The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

• The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer

• ⁠Merlin Bird ID app ⁠

• ⁠iNaturalist app⁠
• Seek by iNaturalist app

Summer is right around the corner! If you’re thinking about Summer Learning, now is the time to start planning.

On this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Fullerton, District Principal for the Vancouver Learning Network. Ryan shares everything you need to know about Summer Learning, including when to register, what you'll need to access the registration site, course selection and more.

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Quick links:

• Summer Learning registration site
• Summer Learning information page

Today, we’re talking about financial literacy for students. In this epsiode, we're joined by Wendi Campbell, the CEO of Junior Achievement British Columbia, or JABC for short.

Wendi breaks down the basics of financial literacy for students of all ages, including what families can do at home to help prepare students for their financial futures.

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A friendly, practical conversation for families preparing for the leap from Grade 7 to Grade 8. 

In this episode, we are joined by Alison Ogden, VSB's Associate Superintendent, Secondary. Alison breaks down what to expect in secondary school, how routines and responsibilities shift and the small steps families can take now to help students feel confident and ready for the year ahead.  

We also hear from Andrew Fisher, a Grade 7 teacher at Laurier Elementary and Janet McCarron, the district resource teacher for secondary transition. They share some practical tips for students and their families.

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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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