sd61

The waters of Bowker Creek ran high in the Haultain Street area during the massive rain event in November 2021. (Photo by Peter Haddon)

Neighbours oppose land sale near daylighted Saanich leg of Bowker Creek

Greater Victoria School District proposes to sell 1.9 acres at Lansdowne to Victoria Hospice

The waters of Bowker Creek ran high in the Haultain Street area during the massive rain event in November 2021. (Photo by Peter Haddon)
Students across Greater Victoria head back to the classroom on Monday, Jan. 10. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria school districts welcome back students, prep for potential closures

Schools to pivot to remote/online learning if health or functional closures occur

Students across Greater Victoria head back to the classroom on Monday, Jan. 10. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Greater Victoria School District and Esquimalt Nation have signed a Local Education Agreement designed to better define success and improve educational outcomes for students. (Black Press Media file photo)

Education agreement aims to best meet needs of Esquimalt Nation students

Deal defines roles for SD61, First Nation in improving educational outcomes

The Greater Victoria School District and Esquimalt Nation have signed a Local Education Agreement designed to better define success and improve educational outcomes for students. (Black Press Media file photo)
A Victoria High School student has died, the school community learned in a letter Dec. 5. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria High School community mourning death of student

Family keeping student’s name, cause of death private at this time

A Victoria High School student has died, the school community learned in a letter Dec. 5. (Black Press Media file photo)
Students play outside Monterey Middle School in Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 exposure follows air filter’s removal from Oak Bay classroom

Greater Victoria School District won’t allow parent-provided air filter in child’s classroom

Students play outside Monterey Middle School in Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Greater Victoria School District board of education has agreed to the budget process that will lead up to approval of the 2022-23 document next April. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria Board of Education charts course for 2022-23 budget

Meetings of new advisory committee; discussions with First Nations, students, parents planned

The Greater Victoria School District board of education has agreed to the budget process that will lead up to approval of the 2022-23 document next April. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Greater Victoria School District is one of dozens of districts in B.C. debating whether to implement a staff vaccine mandate. (Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward)

Greater Victoria School District pondering pros, cons of staff vaccine mandate

Data suggests vast majority of school staff already vaccinated

The Greater Victoria School District is one of dozens of districts in B.C. debating whether to implement a staff vaccine mandate. (Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward)
The Victoria Hospice Society is hoping to build a new space for grief support, education and end-of-life programs on a 1.9-acre piece of the Lansdowne Middle School south campus land. (Photo courtesy Greater Victoria School District)

Second chunk of Lansdowne school land set to be sold to Victoria Hospice Society

$2.5 million sale waiting on Ministry of Education, school board approval

The Victoria Hospice Society is hoping to build a new space for grief support, education and end-of-life programs on a 1.9-acre piece of the Lansdowne Middle School south campus land. (Photo courtesy Greater Victoria School District)
There are 12 police liaison officers currently in place at Greater Victoria schools. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria School District opens police liaison feedback survey

Learning community survey on school liaison program part of review that began in fall 2020

There are 12 police liaison officers currently in place at Greater Victoria schools. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ecole Beausoleil will soon occupy 7.3 acres of Lansdowne Middle School’s 25-acre site, after the province-wide Francophone school district purchased the section for $15 million. (Courtesy SD61)

Land sale confirms Francophone school’s future on Lansdowne grounds

Ecole Beausoleil to occupy 7.3 acres of 25-acre site

Ecole Beausoleil will soon occupy 7.3 acres of Lansdowne Middle School’s 25-acre site, after the province-wide Francophone school district purchased the section for $15 million. (Courtesy SD61)
An average of 370 children are injured in crashes while walking or cycling in B.C. every year (Black Press Media file photo)

School zones are back in effect, reminds Victoria police

Keep an eye out for 30 km/hr signage from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days

An average of 370 children are injured in crashes while walking or cycling in B.C. every year (Black Press Media file photo)
The Ministry of Education said it will continue to prioritize the safety of students and staff in school districts around B.C. this fall. (Black Press Media file photo)

Ministry of Education, SD61 schools prepare for fall return

Province plans to support school districts through funding, improved air quality

The Ministry of Education said it will continue to prioritize the safety of students and staff in school districts around B.C. this fall. (Black Press Media file photo)
With no word from the province on how schools will handle COVID-19 health protocols this year in the midst of increasing case numbers, some Greater Victoria teachers and parents are feeling anxious about the return. (Black Press Media file photo)

Back to school: Greater Victoria parents, teachers concerned with lack of COVID-19 plan

No cohorts, masks not mandatory; existing scenario making people nervous

With no word from the province on how schools will handle COVID-19 health protocols this year in the midst of increasing case numbers, some Greater Victoria teachers and parents are feeling anxious about the return. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ann Whiteaker was voted in as new Greater Victoria School District board chair on Aug. 9, after former chair Jordan Watters resigned at the urging of four local Indigenous communities. (Ann Whiteaker/Facebook)

New Greater Victoria School District board chair promises better Indigenous engagement

Ann Whiteaker takes over as chair, Rob Paynter as vice-chair

Ann Whiteaker was voted in as new Greater Victoria School District board chair on Aug. 9, after former chair Jordan Watters resigned at the urging of four local Indigenous communities. (Ann Whiteaker/Facebook)
Jordan Watters resigned as chairwoman of the Greater Victoria School District Aug. 3 after four Indigenous communities asked her to step down. She will continue on as a trustee. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria School District board chair answers Indigenous call to resign

Citing more work ahead, Jordan Watters says she is honouring wishes of Indigenous communities

Jordan Watters resigned as chairwoman of the Greater Victoria School District Aug. 3 after four Indigenous communities asked her to step down. She will continue on as a trustee. (Black Press Media file photo)
Students, teachers and parents protested for nearly two months against proposed cuts to SD61 music programs. (Black Press Media file photo)

SD61 budget approved, majority of music programs saved

Cuts reduced from $7 million to $4.7 million using projected surplus

Students, teachers and parents protested for nearly two months against proposed cuts to SD61 music programs. (Black Press Media file photo)
COVID-19 exposures were reported at Gordon Head Middle School and Torquay Elementary School over the weekend. (Google Streetview)

Two Saanich schools report COVID-19 exposures over weekend

Torquay Elementary School and Gordon Head Middle School affected

COVID-19 exposures were reported at Gordon Head Middle School and Torquay Elementary School over the weekend. (Google Streetview)
Close to 20 students, staff and parents protested proposed cuts to Greater Victoria School District music programs outside a district office May 25. (Courtesy of Cindy Romphf)

Supporters stage musical protest outside Greater Victoria School District offices

Final public feedback meeting on budget scheduled for Thursday, May 27

Close to 20 students, staff and parents protested proposed cuts to Greater Victoria School District music programs outside a district office May 25. (Courtesy of Cindy Romphf)
Financial consultant and former Saanich School District secretary treasurer Joan Axford will review the Greater Victoria district’s budget process and advise trustees on ways to proceed. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria School District brings on adviser ahead of budget finalization

Joan Axford is a former Saanich School District secretary-treasurer

Financial consultant and former Saanich School District secretary treasurer Joan Axford will review the Greater Victoria district’s budget process and advise trustees on ways to proceed. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Greater Victoria School District has postponed its budget vote until further notice and will be seeking help from an independent advisor on how to proceed. (Black Press Media file photo)

SD61 budget vote postponed until further notice

District requesting independent advisor to help review process, make recommendations

The Greater Victoria School District has postponed its budget vote until further notice and will be seeking help from an independent advisor on how to proceed. (Black Press Media file photo)