国产传媒 Chair Kristin Schnider:

鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful to the provincial government for investing in accessible playgrounds that provide all children with inclusive and welcoming places to play. Enjoying the playground at Morley Elementary is a key part of the school day for students, where they further develop motor skills, nurture friendships and delight in the joys of play.鈥�

Marlborough Elementary and Lochdale Community School are among 25 school communities across BC that will each receive $200,000 for new, accessible school playgrounds.

Premier David Eby:

鈥淓very child deserves the opportunity to enjoy a safe and accessible place to play. Playgrounds are outdoor classrooms that teach our children valuable life skills exploration, imagination, risk taking. This is about making life better for our children and easing the fundraising pressure on parents and schools, so they can focus on other great things for their kids.鈥�

Since the Playground Equipment Program鈥檚 inception in 2018, the Burnaby School District has received funding for 11 school playgrounds, including this year鈥檚 announcement.

Learn More

BC Gov News, May 1, 2026

Posted May 1, 2026听

The post Two More Accessible Playgrounds Announced for Burnaby Schools appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

The Provincial Government has agreed to fund the full costs of the multimillion-dollar ruling.

国产传媒 Chair Kristin Schnider:

鈥淎s a Board, we鈥檙e extremely grateful to the Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare, the Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey, and local MLAs who actively engaged with us about our concerns, along with Ministry staff. We鈥檙e thankful to the Provincial Government for ensuring that the costs of the arbitration ruling will not impact classrooms in Burnaby Schools.鈥�

The Chair also emphasized her gratitude to parents and partner groups for their advocacy and support of the District with this challenging budget issue.

Across BC, the salary arbitration ruling had uniquely impacted the Burnaby School District. To learn more about it, click here.

Posted April 30, 2026

The post Province Protects District鈥檚 Classrooms and Budget by Funding Arbitration Ruling appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

The visits to Moscrop and 国产传媒 Central Secondary schools are part of Rogers 听program to help Canadian youth and families address excessive screen use.

国产传媒 Central Principal Chris Sandor:

This engaging opportunity is one of many important ways that we look to support mental wellness for students, which is a key priority across the Burnaby School District. Hearing the story of such an incredible role model as Olympian Sarah Nurse is another way for youth to learn about balanced mental health strategies to ensure that screen time doesn鈥檛 interfere with building real life connections or prioritizing physical activity.鈥澨�

Nurse, who听will be joined by psychiatrist Dr. Shimi Kang at the school talks, will meet with听students听to share her personal experiences both off and on the ice. Nurse plans to talk with students about why taking screen breaks matters for performance and well-being.

鈥淪creens are something I rely on every day, both in my life and my career, but I鈥檝e learned that finding balance and knowing when to disconnect is just as important. Since I started working with Rogers on the Screen Break program, I have been more conscious about my screen use. I loved having honest conversations with students about finding that balance in their own lives.鈥澨�

A core element of the Rogers Screen Break program is partnering with professional athletes to engage teens at school with real鈥憀ife conversations about healthy screen use. Burnaby Schools is the first District in BC to benefit from the national program, which launched in January in Ontario.

Sarah Zupnik is the Program听Director for Rogers Screen Break:

鈥淎thletes like Sarah Nurse are uniquely positioned to connect with young people because they understand life online and the pressures that come with it. Sarah鈥檚 authenticity听and听close connection to students鈥� lived experiences听make her a powerful voice听to help raise awareness about screen balance.鈥�

A Rogers study found that Canadian youth aged 11鈥�17 spend an average of 5.2 hours per day on their phones, significantly exceeding the听two鈥慼our听recreational screen time guideline recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society.

More information about Mental Health Resources can be found on the District鈥檚 website here. Rogers Screen Break and resources for families can be found .

Posted April 2026

The post Students First to Benefit in BC from New Program 国产传媒 Healthy Use of Screens appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

Following a period of public input, the 国产传媒 adopted and approved the following Three-Year District Calendar (2026-29).

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 3-YEAR CALENDAR

Approved at the Board鈥檚 regular meeting on March 10, 2026, the remaining three professional development days to be determined were finalized and presented at the public Board Meeting on April 28.

Learn more about the public feedback process that preceded Board approval here.

Updated April 2026

The post Approved Three-Year School Calendar 2026-2029 appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

In addition to events and performances that are school or District-related, the theatre is also currently used by the community at large. Unfortunately, it is not financially viable for the school district to maintain usage of the theatre beyond school and District-related purposes. As a result, effective July 1, 2026, the theatre will no longer be available for community bookings.

国产传媒 Chair Kristin Schnider:

As a Board, we are extremely proud of the theatre鈥檚 lasting legacy and contributions to the performing arts in 国产传媒. While we know this planned shift in how the Michael J Fox Theatre is used may be disappointing for some, the fiscal reality is that we cannot afford to manage the theatre for community usage beyond the current budget year.鈥�

Recognizing the importance of the venue to the wider community, in January of 2025 the District announced jointly with the City of 国产传媒 that the two parties were in talks about the future of the theatre鈥檚 operations. The City of 国产传媒 continues to consider the feasibility of the City鈥檚 involvement with the theatre鈥檚 future.

Located on Burnaby South Secondary鈥檚 property, the Michael J Fox Theatre was operated by an independent, non-profit society when it opened in 1993. In January 2025 the District shared that, due to management changes within the Michael J Fox Theatre Society, responsibility for the theatre changed such that it rested solely with the Burnaby School District. The District鈥檚 primary fiscal responsibility is toward education for students.

The theatre will remain open for business in all the usual ways until the end of the District鈥檚 financial year, which is up to and including June 30, 2026.

Posted April 14, 2026

The post Michael J Fox Theatre Usage Changing appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

Parents and caregivers are invited to attend the presentation, which will be held at 国产传媒 North Secondary鈥檚 theatre on April 16 from 6:30 to 8pm, to learn about what the District is doing to support students to navigate AI and succeed in a world with it.

The evening, led by District Principal of Education Technology Lucky Saini and District Program Consultant Michelle Mactavish, will include an opportunity for families to ask questions.

District Principal of Education Technology, Lucky Saini:

AI is already having a global impact on education. We want to provide parents with an opportunity to learn about the journey we鈥檝e begun in our District. We鈥檙e working to equip both educators and students with the skills to navigate AI’s potential 鈥� all while emphasizing听responsible use, academic integrity and student learning.鈥�

PARENT INFORMATION SESSION: UNDERSTANDING AI IN EDUCATION

顿补迟别:听 April 16, 2026
罢颈尘别:听 6:30 – 8pm
Location: 听国产传媒 North Secondary Theatre

Register and learn more .

Read More

Freshet News, April 15, 2026

Posted April 2026

The post AI in Education: Building Understanding appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

Priorities

Budget priorities align with and support strategic work, including:

• a focus on student outcomes, as reflected in the听Enhancing Student Learning Report, and
• long-term goals outlined in the overarching听Burnaby Strategic Plan听for the District.

Where We Spend Our Operations Budget

Most of the overall budget is allocated to specific needs, with the vast majority going toward instruction. The District is consistently below the provincial average on other expenditures.

All school districts across British Columbia are required to submit a balanced budget to the Ministry of Education and Child Care annually.

Gathering Feedback

Feedback is appreciated and used to help inform decisions. Ongoing consultation and engagement remain an important part of the work, including with partner groups: District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC); District Student Advisory Council (DSAC); 国产传媒 Teachers鈥� Association (BTA); CUPE Local 379; and 国产传媒 Principals鈥� and Vice-Principals鈥� Association (BPVPA); and the Indigenous Education Council (IEC).

In addition to the input gathered from families by DPAC through their own processes, individual parents and guardians and all people are welcome to submit their thoughts directly for the Board鈥檚 consideration. Details of how to do so can be found below.

Opportunities to Provide Input

A public meeting will be held on听Tuesday, April 14 at 7pm听at the听District Administration Office听with the option to attend either听in person or online. Kindly note that this public meeting is in addition to the meeting specifically for parents and guardians hosted by DPAC on听April 15 at 7pm, where the District will also make a presentation on budget proposals. Parents and guardians may attend either or both meetings.

All people are invited to do any of the following:

• Make a Presentation at the Public Meeting on听April 14
  To be added to the agenda,
  call 604-296-6900 Ext. 661004
  or email budget@burnabyschools.ca
  by Wednesday, April 8 at 9am

• Attend the Public Meeting on听April 14
  To attend the virtual meeting,
  call 604-296-6900 Ext. 661004
  or email budget@burnabyschools.ca
  by听Tuesday, April 14听at 9am

• Submit in Writing
  To submit your input in writing,
  email budget@burnabyschools.ca
  or mail a letter to:
  国产传媒 Finance Committee
  4054 Norfolk Street, 国产传媒 BC V5G 0C3
  by Friday, May 15 at 12pm

Timeline for 2026-27 Budget Consultation & Finalization

A revised timeline will be going to the 国产传媒 for approval at their April 28 regular public meeting. The budget timeline allows for time to enact school staffing and other measures set out in the budget in support of a successful upcoming school year and to allow public consultation to be received.

Learn more and see the Public Budget Presentation and Preliminary Budget Report听HERE.

Updated April 14, 2026

The post Budget 2026-27 Process and Feedback appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

Known as the MHL, the Morley Hockey League is one of many ways across the District where staff work to build community outside of class time.

Blake Briscoe is the principal at Morley:

Imagine walking into a school gym and seeing a full-fledged hockey game in progress with the music pumping, a live announcer, a scoreboard, and screaming fans. This is the Morley Hockey League.鈥�

The intramural floor hockey league was created by staff member Troy Closs in 2005, after being asked by his then-principal to consider a way to teach kids how to play cooperatively and support a positive school environment.

Closs, a Connect Worker in Burnaby Schools, says the idea was to capture imaginations.

鈥淭he league began with 12 players, so we basically had enough to play a game. Currently, we have 300 players and 14 teams. It has really taken off. To me, the reason kids keep coming back and why the numbers have grown so much is that in the MHL we have an atmosphere that attempts to mimic the excitement of a real NHL arena.鈥�

Students work together on aspects of the league that go beyond the game, itself. They do live play-by-play and game interviews. There鈥檚 a large electronic scoreboard, music in between play, a huge flashing red and overhead light to indicate a goal, players are projected on the screen, younger spectators take part in sing-a-long songs, and there are mascots for the playoffs.

Closs says the league supports student leadership, emphasizes teamwork and enforces fair play 鈥� all while providing children with a first class and fun experience.

鈥淭he bells and whistles are what excites the students 鈥� that plays a big part in their desire to continue to play. 鈥�

The MHL runs four to five days each week. It鈥檚 also become an integral way to connect with community. Frequent guests of the MHL include members of the 国产传媒 RCMP, 国产传媒 Firefighters, Metro Vancouver Transit Police and Simon Fraser University鈥檚 men鈥檚 hockey team.

Throughout the District, engagement with partners strengthens the experience for students, enhances learning opportunities, and supports community connection.

Sheri Brattston is responsible for Out-of-School Time programs, which run after the school day. As the District Principal of Community Education and Child Care, her staff group includes Connect Workers, such as Closs, who are part of an integrated support team focused on building positive relationships with students, schools, and community members.

Brattston says, together, they work to create a healthy balance of opportunities for students.

鈥淲e鈥檝e all heard the phrase, 鈥榠t takes a village.鈥� Our Out-of-School Time community partners help extend the school鈥檚 reach into the neighborhood and strengthen the school鈥檚 role as a hub of support.鈥�

Another example of community partnerships that are elevating student experiences after the school bell goes is at Edmonds Community School. They have an almost decade-long partnership with what鈥檚 now known as the 国产传媒 Football Club.

The Out-of-School Time program with 国产传媒 FC creates meaningful opportunities for students who would otherwise have multiple barriers to access a high-level soccer program. There are currently 36 children participating, ranging from 7 to 11 years old.

Connect Worker Dave Kumar has been working with the after-school soccer program since he came to Edmonds eight years ago.

鈥淥ne of the most powerful outcomes has been seeing former participants return to our schools as coaches, referees, and mentors. This speaks to the lasting impact of having trusted adults who invest in students and equip them with the skills and confidence to give back to their community in positive and meaningful ways.鈥�

In addition to working on soccer skills, students in the program develop problem solving, teamwork, and social-emotional skills.

Kumar says, in some cases, the program has even helped participants get scouted and pursue their sporting dreams.

鈥淏ecause of barriers, these students wouldn鈥檛 necessarily have the chance to share their skills with professional coaches, and we鈥檙e fortunate to have that opportunity for students. We鈥檝e had a few who have been successful in achieving university scholarships through soccer.鈥�

Recently, Kumar, Brattston, and Closs presented about the programs and related opportunities 鈥� along with Edmonds鈥� principal Guy Hamilton 鈥� at a 国产传媒 public meeting.

After their presentation, Board Chair Kristin Schnider spoke about the importance of these kinds of opportunities.

鈥淧ublic education is a wholistic system that is not just the bell-to-bell, it鈥檚 all of the other supports in between. When you support a child to feel connected and part of a community 鈥� they鈥檙e excited to go to something like the football club or Morley Hockey League 鈥� they learn better.鈥�

There are more than 430 Out-of-School Time programs across Burnaby Schools that are run in partnership with over 50 providers.

Posted April 2026

The post Building Community Beyond the Bell appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

The Grade 5/6 class at Confederation Park Elementary, whose posters were displayed in their school, worked on the project after watching new District-wide videos focused on accessibility, barriers, inclusion, and disability.

The videos were shared by the District with schools this fall to help staff and students to engage with accessibility throughout the school year and to build awareness. These learning opportunities are part of supporting the school district鈥檚 commitment to creating inclusive and accessible learning environments for all.

Another part of this commitment involves working with community to help inform our work. The District has advisory and working committees to gather information about accessibility and assist in identifying barriers in the District. Feedback is encouraged through a variety of ways, with information about how to do so found here.

Watch the video series on accessibility, barriers, inclusion, and disability below and scroll down to learn more about what鈥檚 happening in Burnaby Schools.

Learn More

Accessibility in Burnaby Schools
Honouring Deaf Identity Through Connection and Culture 鈥� September 2025
BCSD Receives Proclamation Celebrating Deaf People 鈥� September 2025
Fostering Opportunities for Accessibility and Inclusion 鈥� June 2025
AccessAbility Contest Win: Student Designs 鈥� June 2025
District Hosts Record-Breaking Provincial Event 鈥� May 2025
Empowering Education: Learning 国产传媒 Accessibility 鈥� May 2025
More than Words: Connection and Story 鈥� February 2025
Deaf Awareness Flags Flown for First Time at Schools 鈥� October 2024
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Showcase Draws Record Numbers 鈥� May 2024
Forward Together: AccessAbility Week 鈥� May 2024
Burnaby School District Accessibility Plan 2023-2026
Breaking Down Barriers: New Plan Toward Greater Accessibility 鈥� December 2023Student Presenters Shine: Many Earn Top Honours 鈥� April 2023
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Pride Showcased at Event 鈥� April 2022
Students and Staff Shine: Awards and Competitions 鈥� July 2021
Deafblind Student Publishes Book Accessible for All Children 鈥� January 2021
Student鈥檚 Personal Quest Before Losing Sight Leads to School First 鈥� June 2019
Inspiring Academy Award Winning Actress Visits Burnaby School 鈥� March 2019

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Posted March 2026

The post Students Showcase Accessibility Learning appeared first on Burnaby Schools.