sd61

A former SD61 elementary school teacher has been given a lifetime teaching ban after being convicted of child pornography possession. (Black Press Media file photo)

Former SD61 elementary school teacher convicted of child pornography possession given lifetime ban

Travis Curry Mitchell was sentenced in 2021

 

A former SD61 woodshop teacher has been disciplined after a 2020 incident where a student’s hair got ripped out of their head after it got stuck in a wood planer. Other student injuries on the former teacher’s watch also led to discipline. (Black Press Media file photo)

Former Greater Victoria woodshop teacher disciplined for injuries in his class

Christian Michel failed to provide a safe classroom despite repeated reminders, injuries

 

Greater Victoria communities want SD61 to use municipal funds for crosswalk programs. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria councils push to fund SD61 crossing guards as absence looms

Crossing guard association folding in June makes September return uncertain

 

The public will have a chance to view and contribute to design plans for the new, seismically safe, Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich on June 28. (Black Press Media file photo)

Public input session for new Cedar Hill Middle School set for June 28 in Saanich

The public is invited to view plans for the new seismically safe school and provide input

The public will have a chance to view and contribute to design plans for the new, seismically safe, Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich on June 28. (Black Press Media file photo)
Willows Grade 5 students in the Greater Victoria School District strings program rally in spring 2021 against cuts to program funding for the next school year. The board of education accepted a donation to save the program for next year. (Ian Sharpe photo)

Donation saves orchestral strings program in Greater Victoria schools

Funds allow for specific program available across all 28 elementary schools

Willows Grade 5 students in the Greater Victoria School District strings program rally in spring 2021 against cuts to program funding for the next school year. The board of education accepted a donation to save the program for next year. (Ian Sharpe photo)
The zones in purple outline areas the Greater Victoria School District said its international students can’t attend on Friday and Saturday nights after 5 p.m. (Courtesy of the Greater Victoria School District)

International students told not to enter downtown Greater Victoria amid youth crime concerns

SD61 cited recent incidents downtown in since-reversed letter banning the students

The zones in purple outline areas the Greater Victoria School District said its international students can’t attend on Friday and Saturday nights after 5 p.m. (Courtesy of the Greater Victoria School District)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have taken legal action over being suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)

Victoria school board lawyer says suspensions needed to ensure bullying ended

Civil suit pushed by suspended trustees sees final day in court Friday

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have taken legal action over being suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photos)
Lawyers on opposing sides of a civil suit against the SD61 board had differing views of legislative authority and whether that could allow school board trustees to suspend their fellow elected officials. (Black Press Media file photo)

Elected officials can’t unelect other officials, says Greater Victoria trustee’s lawyer

Two SD61 trustees seek reinstatement through civil suit

Lawyers on opposing sides of a civil suit against the SD61 board had differing views of legislative authority and whether that could allow school board trustees to suspend their fellow elected officials. (Black Press Media file photo)
Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich will no longer enrol new late French immersion students. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich mom says sudden cut to French immersion program disrupts planning for family’s education

New enrolment being cut off for Cedar Hill Middle School’s late French immersion program

Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich will no longer enrol new late French immersion students. (Black Press Media file photo)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have taken legal action after being suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Their case got underway on Wednesday. (Black Press Media file photos)

Civil suit over Greater Victoria school trustees’ suspensions gets underway

One trustee’s lawyer says SD61 board does not have power to effectively end trustees’ terms

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have taken legal action after being suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Their case got underway on Wednesday. (Black Press Media file photos)
The Greater Victoria School District board of trustees approved cuts to various labour positions, as well as elementary strings music programs and two outreach positions in its budget. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria trustees finalize music, janitorial cuts and more; budget approved

Day custodial services at elementary, middle schools cut by half, admin positions slashed

The Greater Victoria School District board of trustees approved cuts to various labour positions, as well as elementary strings music programs and two outreach positions in its budget. (Black Press Media file photo)
Colquitz Middle School student Quinn McBride protests outside of the School District 61 building, April 4. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Greater Victoria students walk out, protest proposed budget cuts

Nearly 200 lined the sidewalk against planned cuts to SD 61 music and counselling programs

Colquitz Middle School student Quinn McBride protests outside of the School District 61 building, April 4. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Career coordinators at Greater Victoria School District high schools are at risk of having their positions eliminated as the SD61 board of trustees considers ways to trim a $7.2 million deficit. (Educomics.org)

Career coordinator jobs at risk in Greater Victoria School District budget

Coordinators work with students to plan post-grad life; often provide emotional support

Career coordinators at Greater Victoria School District high schools are at risk of having their positions eliminated as the SD61 board of trustees considers ways to trim a $7.2 million deficit. (Educomics.org)
Brothers Cohen (left) and Riley Fitzgerald flank their dad Shawn Fitzgerald in protesting potential SD61 music program cuts near Monterey Middle School, where Riley attends, on Thursday. (Jake Romphf/ News Staff)

Oak Bay family laments potential SD61 music cuts

Students express sadness over possibly losing in-school music programs

Brothers Cohen (left) and Riley Fitzgerald flank their dad Shawn Fitzgerald in protesting potential SD61 music program cuts near Monterey Middle School, where Riley attends, on Thursday. (Jake Romphf/ News Staff)
Kevin Harter, CEO of the Victoria Hospice Society, says the organization’s plan for a portion of the former Richmond elementary school site includes improvements to Bowker Creek. The Greater Victoria School District board voted this week for a bylaw that allows for the sale of the property to Hospice. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Greater Victoria school board approves land sale near Saanich school, creek

Section of former Richmond elementary site to sell for $2.5M to Victoria Hospice Society

Kevin Harter, CEO of the Victoria Hospice Society, says the organization’s plan for a portion of the former Richmond elementary school site includes improvements to Bowker Creek. The Greater Victoria School District board voted this week for a bylaw that allows for the sale of the property to Hospice. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The recent spring concert at Monterey Middle School in Oak Bay raised more than $1,000 for Ukraine Humanitarian Relief. (Monterey Storm/Twitter)

Oak Bay student concert raises cash for humanitarian aid in Ukraine

Parents plan protest with music on school district chopping block

The recent spring concert at Monterey Middle School in Oak Bay raised more than $1,000 for Ukraine Humanitarian Relief. (Monterey Storm/Twitter)
The proposed Greater Victoria School District budget for 2022-23 calls for signficant cuts, and as such has drawn criticism from local teachers association and parent advisory council reps. (Black Press Media file photo)

Here we go again: cuts to counselling, music possible for Greater Victoria schools

Teachers, parents group concerned with how SD61 may address $7.2-million deficit

The proposed Greater Victoria School District budget for 2022-23 calls for signficant cuts, and as such has drawn criticism from local teachers association and parent advisory council reps. (Black Press Media file photo)
Seismic upgrading and expansion work at Victoria High School is ongoing and the school expects to welcome students in 2023. One alumni group is not happy with a land exchange agreement between the school board and city that could have implications for the school’s Memorial Stadium and track. (Black Press Media file photo)

Alumni group wants education ministry to investigate Vic High land exchange

Friends of Vic High claim right-of-way granting was beyond SD61 board’s authority

Seismic upgrading and expansion work at Victoria High School is ongoing and the school expects to welcome students in 2023. One alumni group is not happy with a land exchange agreement between the school board and city that could have implications for the school’s Memorial Stadium and track. (Black Press Media file photo)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board in early February and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Both filed civil suits against the board on Feb. 28. (Black Press Media file photos)

Greater Victoria trustees take civil action in efforts to have suspensions rescinded

Diane McNally and Rob Paynter’s punishments related to bullying, harassment complaints

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter were censured by the board in early February and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Both filed civil suits against the board on Feb. 28. (Black Press Media file photos)
Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich has been approved for a seismically sound replacement. (Black Press Media file photo)

Open house March 3 to collect public input for Cedar Hill middle school in Saanich

Event runs 6 to 8 p.m., topics include site plans, traffic circulation, bike access and more

Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich has been approved for a seismically sound replacement. (Black Press Media file photo)