Students and staff across the Greater Victoria School District will proudly wear orange next week in support of Orange Shirt Day. The annual event is held on September 30th and brings people together to honour and recognize the impact of Residential Schools. It is an event that grew from Phyliss... Read more
This is an invitation to come practice heart-centred self-care. Give yourself permission to nourish your body, find stillness in your thoughts and reconnect with the habits of wellbeing.
Playing your way to physical literacy. Training for recreation, health, sport, education and early childhood educators.
Join 150 other youth in a weekend long conference focusing on food literacy, food security and fun!
Keynote and Workshops for all who are looking to enhance their knowledge and awareness in supporting the development of children and youth.
A Self-Reg Haven is somewhere where everyone feels emotionally, socially, culturally and physically safe and secure. It is where children and adults alike feel connected to their environment and to each other, where relationships are strong and stress is minimized. In this kind of environment everyone – children, educators, other... Read more
Join us for this annual gathering of food security champions! This year, we are excited to gather with folks from across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Our theme is 'Nourishing Island Connections' and our priority areas include cultural safety, Indigenous foods, school food initiatives, youth engagement, rural and remote... Read more
SD 61, 62 & 63 Middle and Secondary Administrators, School Counsellors, Child and Youth Family Counsellors, as well as community partners are invited to an afternoon of reflection, learning and dialogue on substance use in our school communities. Please see website for more information or to register.
Staches and Lashes Collective presents: Runs In The Family, A Queer Variety Show For Everybody. It will be a full evening of inspiring, hilarious, moving, and identity-celebrating performances!
Two Spirits, One Heart, One Mind, One Nation Conference for Aboriginal Youth ages 12-24
Join us for a unique gathering that will engage your mind and touch your heart. Heart-Mind 2018: Take Care of Yourself explores how self-compassion and being kind to ourselves improves our well-being, and makes it possible for us to be more present and caring for the children and adults in our... Read more
For more information please contact Linda Tate mailto:ljtate@sd61.bc.ca
On February 28, 2018, we encourage everyone to practice kindness and wear pink to symbolize that you do not tolerate bullying.
Ideafest is UVic’s week-long festival of research, art and innovation, running from March 5–10, 2018. This year’s festival features over 40 outstanding events on topics ranging from climate change and chamber music to Indigenous law and antibiotic resistance. All events are free and open to the public.
Mental health concerns affect at least one in five children and youth.
Stigma Free Society presenter, Robyn Thomas, begins her presentation with a conversation about the stigma associated with mental illness and challenges specific stereotypes and stigmatized images that come to mind when we discuss mental heath. The audience has an opportunity to gain awareness about their own perceptions and how that impacts others.
Recent advances in research expands our understanding of trauma and its impact on a child's functioning in almost every aspect of their lives. We also know that traumatized children who get the support they need are more likely to recover from these painful experiences.
With spring is almost upon us, it is time to start planting Victoria High School's learning farm. Join us on Monday, April 9th at 10am for the official launch, ribbon cutting ceremony and the first planting of crops. About the Project: Students from Vic High will have the opportunity to... Read more
In this Video, Dr. Evelyn Stewart, will give a broad overview on the signs of OCD and treatment. In addition, Bruce and Leanne MacKenzie (Parents) will share their story of their teenage son’s journey from diagnosis to remission and discuss ways they provided support for their son at home and... Read more
This will be a great opportunity to access Tools & Resources to support yourself and the ones you love. Youthspace.ca is a community of professionally-trained volunteers who are here to support you, whatever you are going through. Youth under 30 from across Canada are welcome in the live chat, which runs 6PM-midnight Pacific... Read more
This 9 part series explores Conflict Basics, Conflict Styles, Active Listening, Assertiveness, Boundaries, Managing Strong Emotions, and how Culture and Power impact conflict, giving you lots of insight and practice to expand the way you communicate. The spring series of Dialogue and Resolution Services’ Communicating through Conflict Training will begin May... Read more
With society heading in a direction of being constantly connected to technology, what do we need to know as parents to protect our kids and teach them responsible and appropriate use of technology? The parameters of rules and expectations that you put in place at home will undoubtedly guide their... Read more
This May 7th, in your home, school, workplace and/or community, start a conversation about the importance of taking care of ourselves – what does “taking care of me” Look Like, Sound Like and Feel Like. May 7th is about having caring conversations and making connections between children, youth and caring... Read more
The purpose of the conference is to create opportunities for open, respectful, and meaningful conversations between different segments of society to inspire change at both the individual and community level. The goal of the day is to collaborate with educators, community partners, and the public at large to foster opportunities... Read more
Topics covered in the four-week education and support group for parents Understanding the reasons kids self-injure Exploration of social trends affecting youth today that contribute to this issue Recognizing the difference and relationship between self-injury and suicide Becoming more familiar with helpful ways to respond to selfinjury Exploring community resources... Read more
Too many slammed doors and ultimatums? Wondering where your beautiful little kid went? This presentation will explore some of the challenges parents face in supporting their teens’ development, and some of the challenges teens face in communicating with their parents. Among other topics, the presentation will focus on: Human (and... Read more
An amazing opportunity for those that work with children and youth or parents of children and youth! Janet White is a clinical counsellor and relationship specialist. Join us to hear her discuss how we can work to create capable adults. Time for Q & A to follow. Click on the website below to... Read more
Are you interested in using school gardens as year-round learning grounds but need help getting started? Do you need tips for caring for your garden and incorporating it into your teaching practice? Do you want to use your school garden produce or local harvest in your classroom? Would you like... Read more
City of Victoria Youth Council invites youth to be a part of their upcoming Diversity Film Festival. They are currently looking for film submissions that showcase ethnic roots. For further information email: diversityfilmfest@gmail.com The deadline for submissions is May 20th, 2018, 11:59PM.
Parent Education Evening: Food Allergies and Schools, Speaker Dr. S Cameron, Pediatric Allergist Do you have any specific questions regarding food allergies in schools? How have you managed food allergies for your child when they are at school? We are gathering questions for the speaker, please send them to info@vcpac.ca Register... Read more
A free workshop for parents and caregivers
Do you have a gender creative person in your family?
Do you want to be a better ally to your child’s gender creative friends and their families?
Are you seeking support with advocating for your gender creative loved one?
Do you want to take an active role in creating inclusive schools and communities
All children and youth deserve respect, care, and equal opportunities to reach their full potential. How can we create safer spaces and experiences for our young ones who are exploring and expressing gender creative and diverse ways?
Join us and connect with other parents to share ideas and strategies to help keep our kids engaged and stress free this summer.
Presented by Amy Schactman, Clinical Coordinator and Lorna Mace, Social Worker at the Foundry Victoria School is out - How can we support our kids throughout the summer if they struggle with stress and anxiety? Amy and Lorna will present on how stress affects our kid's thoughts, bodies and behaviours.... Read more
Parents, youth and community are invited to join the conversation!
Take the next step in becoming a leader in social justice initiatives! Join Project Respect and a diverse group of other awesome young folks this summer for discussions, projects, art, theatre, and more! Every two weeks we’ll get together to explore topics related to the harm and sometimes violence that... Read more
CampOUT! is for youth aged 14-21 who identify as queer, trans, two-spirit, intersex, asexual, lesbian, gay, genderqueer, questioning, or as allies to the LGBTQ2S+ community. Some of our campers identify as LGBTQ, some as children of gay parents, or as siblings of LGBTQ individuals, some as Two-Spirit indigenous people. Other... Read more
Victoria's Pride Parade is a beautiful display of diversity, spirit, creativity and unity. Greater Victoria School District will be participating in the Pride Parade with a float and walking contingent. If you would like to join us please connect with the GSA representative in your local school. Pride Parade... Read more
Who requires Glucagon Training?
The training of staff is required only if you have diabetic students with Glucagon kits. Glucagon kits are not mandatory and it is recommended that you check with parents to determine if they intend to purchase a kit. The most appropriate staff to attend the training are those who are directly responsible for the student’s diabetic needs. It is recommended that you have two staff at your school that can administer glucagon if required.
Are you a youth struggling with anxiety? You are not alone! Find peer support and mentors who will help you explore new strategies in a fun, safe and supportive outdoor setting. Situated in beautiful local parks, youth will have the chance to participate in yoga, hiking, invasive species art project, nature connection, mindfulness and... Read more
Register your child for the 8-week Allergy Pals/Allies online mentorship program so they can: Build a support network by connecting with other children who have food allergies Learn strategies for managing their food allergies Feel more confident managing their food allergies
Red Cross Respect Education invites you to a 7-hour training for PHE 10 and other interested teachers. Please join us at no charge for this one-day workshop based on the ERAC-certified Healthy Youth Relationships course developed by the Canadian Red Cross. This training will help PHE 10 teachers meet the... Read more
Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and community agencies to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. You can find learning resources and teaching guides on the Orange Shirt Day website.
A fun and free week-long campaign that celebrates and encourages students and their families to choose active travel for all or part of their usual commute to school. The campaign includes events, travel tracking, resources and support for schools and parents, including information on the benefits of active travel and... Read more
Farm 2 School annual Grant Writing Workshop with Whole Foods Market. We are encouraging teams of two or more from schools to attend. The two grants available this year are the school garden grant (2K) and the pollinator garden grant (2K). You are able to apply for any grant that... Read more
SD 61 Learning Support Team is excited to be providing this opportunity for Counsellors and Learning Support teachers in our district to hear from some of the helping agencies in our community.
On October 18 at 10:18 a.m., millions of people worldwide will practice how to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills. British Columbians can join by registering for the 2018 Great British Columbia ShakeOut.
All sessions will share a connection to Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives including topics covering: Math, Science, Literacy, P.E. First Peoples’ Games and Activities Marc Albany’s Cultural Walk Digital Storytelling Place-Based Learning Self-Regulation Aboriginal Arts Métis History and so much more! Registration information coming soon!
The Youth Food Gathering is an annual event that brings together youth between the ages of 14-24. Participants enjoy hands-on workshops on the subjects of cooking, gardening, local food, culturally diverse food, healthy food, nutrition, and so much more.
Take Our Kids to Work Day is an annual event where students step into their future for a day and get a glimpse into the working world. The day involves students in Grade 9 spending the day in the workplace of a parent, relative, friend or volunteer host, where they... Read more
The Victoria Youth Empowerment Society will be running a Focus Group on Tuesday, December 11th from 5-6pm to look at potentially starting a Trans & Non-Binary Support Group for Youth 13-19 years of age. For any questions please contact Addison Lee at the Alliance Club: allianceclub@vyes.ca or 250-361-3923
This presentation will help parents understand how inclusive education benefits every child in the classroom.
For teens ages 13-18 Everyone experiences worries, anxiety and stress. Y Mind Mindfulness Groups are here to help young people learn how to deal with anxiety and/or stress so they can live their best lives.
Save the date for the Eleventh Annual Vancouver Neufeld Conference at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel. Registration will open in December.
To a young person, Canada’s move to legalize cannabis may look like an endorsement of a “safe” drug. This series of presentations will look at both long-standing research on the effects of cannabis on youth, as well as recent studies on the impacts of legalization on use patterns among young... Read more
Together the Foundry Victoria and Camosun College are offering free Naloxone Training for youth. For more information contact the Foundry Victoria 250-383-3552
The McCreary Foundation will present the findings of the 2018 BC Adolescent Health Survey in Victoria on March 15th at 10am at St Ann’s Academy Auditorium, 835 Humboldt Street, Victoria. You can RSVP for this event at mccreary@mcs.bc.ca.
Free Massive Online Open Course Engage with Indigenous knowledge keepers, educational leaders, and resources to enhance your understanding and knowledge of practices that advance reconciliation in the places where you live, learn, and work. 1904_MOOC_poster
Parenting from a Dad's Perspective is a free 4-week class for self-identifies fathers of children up to age 6. We'll look at child development, nurture and structure, healthy relationships, communication, and responding to behaviours.
Bike to Work Week started right here in Victoria 25 years ago! Bike to Work Week is a commuter behaviour change campaign designed around a free and fun event. Its purpose is to raise the profile of commuter cycling and to expand commuter use of the bicycle. Register Here
The Saanich Youth Awards Program recognizes young people aged 12 to 19 years old who live, learn or play in the Municipality of Saanich. We are seeking those who have demonstrated significant personal achievements or contributions to our community. Anyone can nominate a youth including teachers, coaches, peers and neighbours.... Read more
Ride Don’t Hide is a nationwide fundraising bike ride that brings mental health out into the open. Ride Don’t Hide is the largest mental health bike ride in Canada with almost 10,000 riders and hundreds more family members, friends and volunteers across Canada taking part, raising more than $2 million each year... Read more
As this event is outside the school year it will not be supervised. Participation is voluntary.
JANUARY 2020 DISTRICT TEAM SESSION SUMMARY
Second Step SEL is research-based, teacher-informed, and classroom-tested to promote the social-emotional development, safety, and well-being of children. It gives students the tools to excel in and out of the classroom. Educators notice improvement in emotion management, situational awareness and academic achievement even in the most challenging students. We are offering... Read more
In this presentation, we will discuss suicidality in youth and help parents understand how they can best guide their children who might be thinking or talking about suicide, and what services exist in the community. Presenter: Liz Radermacher from NEED2 Suicide Prevention
Anxiety disorders are the most common form of psychological problems reported and can interfere significantly in the lives of children. This talk will help to: • Increase awareness of the anxiety disorder spectrum, • Identify basic behavioral indicators of anxiety in children, • Develop a preliminary understanding of the current... Read more
The BC Mindfulness Summit is a weekend educational event for health and helping professionals to develop and enrich their personal and professional mindfulness practices. Participants who already integrate mindfulness facilitation into their work, as well as those who are curious about how to develop these skills, will benefit from this... Read more
*** Register by February 10th for Early Bird Pricing**** Vancouver Island Parent Conference 2020 is planned to be a wonderful event! The focus this year is the ‘Balancing Act’ we live daily as parents. Being a parent is a rewarding part of our lives. We see what we do as... Read more
Oaklands Community Association, in partnership with ViaSport, is excited to be offering an All Youth Matter Inclusion Training. In this workshop, you’ll learn about factors that contribute to an inclusive environment, how to identity and address barriers and biases, and steps to take to intervene and stop discrimination. Take home... Read more
January 'Second Step' Implementation Sessions Elementary Teams (Invites have been sent to schools for both dates to support TTOC numbers) January 18 9:00-11:30 via zoom This is an opportunity for your school team (release time for 3?) to have an opportunity to go deeper with the resource, spend time on... Read more
