While today’s students have grown up with technology, the knowledge and skills to navigate it safely and in a useful way don’t necessarily come naturally. A new awareness campaign, combined with learning skills in classrooms, is designed to support students to best use technology.

The focus is on familiarizing students with what’s called digital literacy and digital citizenship, as well as supporting a healthy digital life. Digital literacy describes the ability to use technology tools to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information. Digital citizenship is the ability to navigate and engage in digital environments safely and responsibly.

Lucky Saini is the District Principal of Education Technology for the Burnaby School District:

Digital literacy and citizenship skills are the building blocks to make smart and safe use of technology in all aspects of life. Whether it’s about cell phone use, artificial intelligence, or safe and respectful use of social media, technology comes at children and youth quickly. Having a foundation in digital literacy and citizenship gives them the tools to both make technology work for them and make good decisions while they’re using it.”

Students as young as Kindergarten and through Grade 12 will learn through age-appropriate lessons and activities. The learning outcomes are wide-ranging, such as: demonstrating skills to create and share work digitally; finding and verifying information; staying safe online and being mindful of your digital footprint; being respectful to others in digital spaces; and healthy use of technology.

Burnaby Mountain Secondary student Lucas Fong is part of the District Student Advisory Council (DSAC). The Grade 12 thinks it’s important for this kind of learning in schools:

“Living in a society of technology that advances at unprecedented speeds, it is important that our youth learn how to navigate through social media platforms responsibly. Providing a space where students can learn about the effects of social media and how to moderate usage would be beneficial towards preventing cyberbullying cases and reduce the number of victims of social media traps.”

Fellow DSAC member Benny Woods is a Grade 12 student at École Cariboo Hill Secondary, and also sees a need for this campaign and classroom learning:

“I see a great need for digital skills within schools. It seems to me that every student now has social media accounts, even those in elementary school. Students are not well informed about the negative impact that may result from these types of accounts. Children do not know how to navigate online relationships or hold themselves responsible for what they say or do online.”

In the classroom, teachers are being supported with resources and lesson plans. Professional development is structured around four themes: digital identity and relationships; privacy and security; mental health and wellness; and media literacy.

The campaign includes a series of posters about digital wellness, literacy, and citizenship at schools, as well as regular content for parents. The information for families is posted on a new webpage and is designed to provide practical supports for those who are looking for them. It includes tools, such as how to make a media usage plan to balance screen time, and information that demystifies social media platforms used by youth.

The District is planning information evenings in the spring for parents and families who are looking for support, as they help their children navigate their digital lives outside of school. Details about when, where and how to register can be found .

Learn More

Printable Posters

Posted February and Updated March 14, 2024

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Burnaby North Secondary’s 2019-2020 yearbook entitled “Curiosity” captured one of the first-place titles in an annual North American-wide competition, earning the top scoring honour of First Place with Special Merit.

Recognized by the American Scholastic Association, the yearbook captures the school year both before and after the changes brought by COVID-19, including portraits of students in what they had intended to wear to prom.

The content was curated and created by a class of Grade 11 and 12 students under the guidance of their teacher, Stella Teng-Davis. She and her students are regularly recognized in the contest for their work – leading Burnaby North Principal Dave Rawnsley to describe her as “somewhat of a legend in this regard.”

Ms Teng-Davis:

For eight out of nine yearbooks we’ve placed either First Place or First Place with Special Merit, and for the past three years it’s been First Place with Special Merit.”

Only those school publications with special and outstanding design and content may receive a First Place with Special Merit. Each year, hundreds of schools across North America enter the contest, with their yearbooks scored on a point system.

A full list of winners can be found (click on top-scoring yearbooks for 2020).

Posted April 2021

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Students from Grades 8 through 12 were enthralled, as the actress shared stories of her challenges, persistence and successes. Matlin took the time to deliver personal words of inspiration to each and every student. Her gift of time extended beyond deaf and hard-of-hearing students, as she visited adjoining Burnaby South’s American Sign Language classes to acknowledge the importance of community, as well as the significance of allies from her own experiences.

She toured the BC School for the Deaf (BCSD) facilities and expressed amazement at the size and learning opportunities available to deaf students in the school, as she recounted some of the challenges from her own high school days.

Matlin dropped acting in high school to focus on homework and academics. She stressed her belief that school successes will open doors to new possibilities. Matlin didn’t take up acting, again, until university. She credited her drama teacher with reconnecting her with her love of the audience and with signing.

A BSCD Grade 10 student, Madison, recounted her conversation with Matlin, “she told me to do whatever inspires me. She made me feel like I, too, can be an actor – even if some auditions don’t go my way. She encouraged me to keep practicing, develop my skills, and find my place.”

The students were so excited about Matlin’s impromptu visit that they are still talking about how her words of wisdom resonated with them, and the gratitude they feel that such a sought after actress would take the time to inspire students in Burnaby.

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Moscrop Secondary math students are in a rhythm that is a “sine” of things to come. Team Moscrop is currently in second place in all of Canada after four of six separate contests in the National Mathematics League—just one point behind the first place team. Moscrop teams also came first in BC in both the Intermediate and Senior Competitions. And wrapping up the month of February, the Grade 8, 9, and 10 teams all came in first place at the Lower Mainland Math Challengers Competitions.

Hundreds of Burnaby Schools elementary and secondary students enter math contests throughout the school year. Students who excel in math are encouraged to participate. Moscrop has a “math team” that meets frequently during the week at lunch and has had some excitingly consistent results.

“We are always amongst the top in Canada, and have been for years,” said Moscrop’s Principal Paul Fester, who was himself a math teacher. “The thing that amazes me about that is the culture of learning that the teachers have created. Math is cool at Moscrop. The kids have embraced a love of math that transcends any one group of kids. It is now a part of our school culture, so that even when our talented students graduate another group takes their place and does equally well.”

“Math club is a community at Moscrop,” said student Rishi Saran. “When I was in Grade 8, the older students mentored us. Now that I am in Grade 12, I am helping the Grade 8’s and I’ve made some great connections with them.” Rishi Saran also believes the hard work is worth it. “I realized how rewarding the contest questions are. Sometimes it takes a few days or even a few weeks to solve, but it is super rewarding once you solve it!”

Testing a student’s ability can have additional worthwhile outcomes, beyond the experience of the challenge, itself. Universities, colleges, and employers tell us they’re looking for a new type of graduate—one with strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Math supports those skills, and math contests showcase the results.

In addition to the overall team placement, these Moscrop math marvels had high individual marks in two separate provincial contests held by the University of Waterloo:

Anna L.
Anna R.
Andrew C.
Andy C.
Ethan Z.
Jason C.
Jeffrey F.
Jerry Z.
Jieyi Z.
Josh Z.
Justin Y.
Lily Z.
Milica M.
Minhao Z.
Nattaphot V.
Rishi Saran V.
Samuel W.
Tania P.
Wendy F.
Winnie W.
Yi Fan L.
Yuhang Z.
Zijia L.

Congratulations to the secondary students from other Burnaby Schools who have also earned top marks in these contests:

Bradley L., Burnaby Central
Brandon K., Burnaby South
Boya Y., Burnaby South
Eric Z., Burnaby Mountain
Ethan Z., Burnaby South
Hanyu X., Burnaby South
Harry J., Alpha
Jacob M., Burnaby South
Jamie M., Burnaby South
Jimmy Y., Burnaby South
Jordan C., Burnaby South
Linda L., Burnaby South
Olivia H., Burnaby South
Shea J., Burnaby South
Wentao Z., Burnaby Central

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For preschool aged Indigenous children and their families/caregivers, there are four On My Way to Kindergarten sessions to choose from. Adults and children explore, learn, and have fun together while helping new students feel welcome in a school environment. Sessions are offered at the Stride Avenue StrongStart Centre on Wednesdays, April 18 & 25, and May 2 & 9 at 12:30 to 2:30pm. LEARN MORE

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Burnaby Schools offer so many options for students to learn and be inspired to reach their potential:����LEARN MORE

ARTS EDUCATION

FRENCH IMMERSION

MANDARIN LANGUAGE ARTS

MULTI AGE CLUSTER CLASS

BETA – MINI SCHOOL AT ALPHA

SPORTS ACADEMIES

CAREER EDUCATION

AP PROGRAM & CAPSTONE

Priority placement for the upcoming school year is given to applications received in February.

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