Key Questions to ask at a Parent-Teacher Interview during the Job Action!

During this time of the teacher job action, Sylvan believes it is important parents in our community understand that they still have the right to know how their children are performing academically, regardless of the BCTF's refusal to have teachers partake in any administrative tasks (ie. Creating interim report cards).

Although teachers are unavailable after school, they can be approached during school hours to answer parents' questions about their students. The British Columbia Teacher Federation released a message on behalf of teachers at the beginning of September stating, "parents can contact teachers to set up a meeting at a mutually agreeable time." The BCTF also made evidently clear it "firmly believes that the bond between parents and teachers is critical to helping each child succeed in school," so it is significant that you exercise your right to learn how your child is doing in school.

Considering time is limited and you want to make the most of it, Sylvan has created six key questions that you may ask when having a conversation with your child's teacher. These questions will help you get a thorough understanding of your child's progress, where they are excelling, and where they may be struggling.

Printable Version of the Parent/Teacher Interview Questions (185 KB)

4th Annual News Day in B.C.

Registration has [ended] for the 4th annual News Day in B.C. – a journalism project developed by CBC Vancouver. The Vancouver Sun is partnering with CBC for the second year. Sylvan Learning is also on board this year as education partner, offering $1,000 scholarships to the 30 students who successfully make it into the program.

“News Day in B.C. gets stronger each year,” says Johnny Michel, Managing Director of CBC British Columbia. “Students have shared their stories on CBC’s radio, television and online platforms, as well as The Vancouver Sun. The high quality of work and powerful storytelling has made quite an impact.”

The project is open to high school students in Grades 10-12 in Metro Vancouver and begins with workshops at the CBC Vancouver Broadcast Centre January 21 and 22. During the workshops, CBC and Vancouver Sun reporters will teach students the principles of researching, writing and producing news stories.

Following the workshops, students will audition January 28 and 29 for one of 30 coveted student reporter spots. Students who secure a spot will then work with their CBC and Vancouver Sun mentors to develop, write and produce their stories for broadcast on March 29.

This program allows students the unique opportunity to shape the news and highlight important issues through mainstream media. Students work with seasoned journalists in CBC and Vancouver Sun newsrooms to learn what makes a good story and how to tell it.

Stories will be heard on CBC Radio’s The Early Edition, On The Coast, North by Northwest and seen on CBC News Vancouver at 5, 5:30 and 6. Stories will also appear on cbc.ca/bc and vancouversun.com throughout the day and in the print edition on March 29.

For more information on News Day in B.C., to register and see footage from last year, visit the website at www.cbc.ca/bc/newsday and follow on Twitter on #cbcnewsday

News Day in B.C.