PODCAST · education
VSB: After The Bell
by Vancouver School Board
The Vancouver School District is among the most diverse school systems in Canada with an annual enrolment of over 50, 000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and adult education students. This award winning podcast interviews guests who share an inside look at the Vancouver School District. You’ll hear from students, educators, decision makers and staff behind-the-scenes that keep VSB schools running.
Episodes
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After the Bell ep. #50: Preparing for life after graduation
We know there are many pathways to success after graduation. For some, that path includes post-secondary. For others, it’s the workforce. Some might experience post-secondary life while they’re still in secondary school through VSB’s career programs. Post-graduation is not one-size-fits-all. In...
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Story: After the Bell LIVE! (ep. 49) Healthy habits to start a new school year
We are a few weeks into the new school year, but how do you know if your child is really settling into the school year? On the season premier of VSB: After the Bell, we talk with Superintendant Helen McGregor about the signs families can watch for and simple ways to help their children feel...
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Ep. 48 - After the Bell LIVE! Building Better Tech Habits with MediaSmarts
It's the last month of the school year! Leading up to the summer break, we're sharing practical habits with technology that can support student well-being through the summer and beyond. With technology being so much a part of daily life, it can be easy for screen time to creep up, especially when...
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Ep. 47 - After the Bell: All About Microsoft Copilot 13+
Part of our role at VSB is to help prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is becoming part of everyday life, including how people learn, work and access information. As AI continues to evolve, it is important that students learn how to use these...
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Ep. 46 - After the Bell: Sustainability Is Taking Attendance Across VSB!
April is Earth Month! Across VSB, students and staff help contribute to a more sustainable district every day! In honour of these efforts, we’re sharing stories of how of our VSB community has been doing exactly that, and how all our actions, both big and small, actively work toward our updated...
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Ep. 45 - After the Bell: Let's Get Ready for Summer Learning!
Summer is right around the corner! If you’re thinking about Summer Learning, now is the time to start planning. On this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Fullerton, District Principal for the Vancouver Learning Network. Ryan shares everything you need to know about Summer Learning, including when to...
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Ep. 44 - After the Bell: Budgeting, Borrowing and Beyond: Financial Literacy for Students
Today, we’re talking about financial literacy for students. In this epsiode, we're joined by Wendi Campbell, the CEO of Junior Achievement British Columbia, or JABC for short. Wendi breaks down the basics of financial literacy for students of all ages, including what families can do at home to…
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Ep. 43 - After the Bell: Ready for Grade 8! Your Roadmap to a Smooth Secondary School Transition
A friendly, practical conversation for families preparing for the leap from Grade 7 to Grade 8. In this episode, we are joined by Alison Ogden, VSB's Associate Superintendent, Secondary. Alison breaks down what to expect in secondary school, how routines and responsibilities shift and the small...
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Ep. 42 - After the Bell: Career Programs
We know there are many pathways to graduation and finding success after Grade 12. On this episode of After the Bell, we’re talking about getting a head start on your career while still in secondary school. How is that possible? Through VSB’s Career Programs! Joining the conversation is Mark Reid…
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Ep. 41 - After the Bell LIVE! Learning Updates
Welcome to After the Bell LIVE! In this episode, we are joined by Ranjit Bains, Director of Instruction, Secondary, Shannon Burton, Director of Instruction, Elementary and Suzie Polzin, District Principal of Learning Instruction. This discussion covers what learning updates communicate, why the...
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Ep. 40 - After the Bell: Planning for post-secondary: SFU, Cap-U and Langara (part two)
In part two of our post-secondary conversation, we spoke with three representatives from the admissions offices at Simon Fraser University, Capilano University and Langara College. Our three amazing guests, Mike Peragine from SFU, Rafaela Almeida Borges from Cap-U and Jennifer Paige from Langara...
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Ep. 39 - After the Bell: Planning for post-secondary: BCIT and UBC (part one)
This episode is part one of two in our conversation about helping families prepare for that big leap after graduation—post-secondary! While it might seem early, the process for applying happens sooner than you may think. Who better to speak about post-secondary admissions than folks who work in…
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Ep. 38 - After the Bell: LIVE! Discussing the Foundation Skills Assessments (FSAs)
Welcome to After the Bell: LIVE! In this episode, we are joined by Jackie Cummings, vice-principal at Sir Alexander Mackenzie Elementary, and Joe Maher, principal at Queen Alexandra Elementary. This discussion covers the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA), with clear information about the FSAs,...
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Ep. 37 - After the Bell: Supporting Student Success at Home
Welcome back to school, VSB! We’re so excited to start the 2025/26 school year and the fourth season of the After the Bell Podcast. To start the school year off, we’re diving into a topic that’s close to home, literally! We’re talking about how families can support their child’s learning journey…
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Ep. 36 - After the Bell: School Year Recap
It’s hard to believe, but we’re already at the end of the school year! This year was filled with many proud moments. From students winning national competitions and improving in their most challenging subjects, to educators supporting student growth and creating more inclusive school communities....
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Ep. 35 - After the Bell: LIVE! Tips for Kindergarten
Welcome to VSB After the Bell: Live! In this live podcast episode, we are joined by Adrienne Stewardson, District Principal of Early Learning and Child Care. This conversation discusses what you and your child can expect for kindergarten, ways to support their transition, navigating common...
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Ep. 34 - After the Bell: Student Mental Health with Dr. Roberto Sassi
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is an important, and often difficult, subject to talk about. It’s crucial we have open and honest conversations to end the stigma and create safe, healthy and welcoming environments for everyone. Here to talk about mental health in students is...
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Ep. 33 - After the Bell: Sexual Education
Today, we're talking about an important and sometimes controversial topic: sexual education. Joining us is sexual health expert, author and educator, Saleema Noon! Saleema has been a special guest speaker at PAC organized sessions throughout Vancouver as well as across B.C. If you enjoy this...
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Ep. 32 - After the Bell: School Based Teams
Have you heard of the term school based teams? One listener did, and asked us to cover this topic on After the Bell. It’s a great question, because as a parent/guardian you may know what it is, but then again, not really? Today, we invited Maiky Ma and Sheryl Morris, both District Case Managers…
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Ep. 31 - After the Bell: LIVE! Helping kids navigate digital literacy, online safety and AI
Welcome to VSB After the Bell: Live! In this live podcast episode, we are joined by Jeff Spence, District Principal for Learning and Information Technology, and Christina Walker, Digital Literacy Mentor. This conversation helps families navigate the digital world with their children, and welcomed...
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Ep. 30 - After the Bell: Matter of the Month: Pink Shirt Day
For this Matter of the Month, we're discussing Pink Shirt Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness against bullying and fostering kindness. Back in 2007, two high school students in Nova Scotia, David Shepherd and Travis Price, saw a younger student being bullied with homophobic slurs and…
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Ep. 29 - After the Bell: Universal Design for Learning Part Two
Last month, we discussed a modern approach to learning. Specifically, Universal Design for Learning, or UDL. This month, we are continuing our conversation with David Nicks, district principal of inclusion for secondary schools at VSB and Katie Novak, an internationally renowned education...
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Ep. 28 - After the Bell: Universal Design for Learning Part One
Welcome to our first episode of 2025! Today, we are taking a look at a modern approach to learning. Specifically, Universal Design for Learning, or UDL. On the show to discuss all things UDL is David Nicks, district principal of inclusion for secondary schools at VSB and Katie Novak, an...
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Ep. 27 - After the Bell: Matter of the Month: Happy Holidays, VSB
It’s been a wonderful year spent with you, After the Bell listeners! Before we head into the winter break, we’re reflecting on a few highlights we’ve shared so far this school year, and what we can look forward to in 2025. To share these warm winter wishes, we are joined by VSB Superintendent,...
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Ep. 26 - After the Bell: Reading and Literacy
Do you remember learning how to read when you were in school? Was picking up a book one of your favourite parts of the day, or did you feel a twist of anxiety in your stomach every time you had to read aloud in class? For some, reading and literacy were enjoyable learning experiences. For many,...
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Ep. 25 - After the Bell: Matter of the Month: Inclement Weather
We have a reoccurring segment on the show called “Matter of the month,” where we address the most talked about topics. This can be anything from a success story to a controversial issue. As Jon Snow would say, " winter is coming!” This month, we’re helping families prepare by sharing what you…
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Ep. 24 - After the Bell: Navigating Digital Literacy
If there’s one topic that’s always ringing in the minds of students, families, and teachers, it’s digital devices in education. In early 2024, the provincial government mandated all schools to have restrictions on cell phones across the province, and in September of this year, VSB implemented its...
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Ep. 23 - After the Bell: AI Learning
There’s no doubt about it, the future is now! For some, advancements in technology can be filled with fear of the unknown. For others, the rise of technology, such as artificial intelligence or AI, is an exciting opportunity to enhance student learning and provide solutions to pre-existing...
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Ep 22 - After the Bell: Matter of the Month: Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA)
We have a reoccurring segment on the show called “Matter of the Month” where we address the most talked about topics. This can be anything from a success story to a controversial issue. For this month, we’re discussing something that has sparked a lot of conversation: the Foundation Skills...
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Ep. 21 - After the Bell: Parent/Guardian and Teacher Communication
Welcome to the 2024/25 school year! We are excited to welcome staff and students back into classes, and to our third season of VSB: After the Bell. To start off this season, we’re talking about talking. No, seriously! More specifically, we’re diving into best practices for effective communication...
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Ep 20 - After the Bell: The Intersectionality of Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ Identities
This is the last episode of the school year! June is an exciting month for celebration and commemoration. It is National Indigenous History Month – a month dedicated to increasing our knowledge, awareness, appreciation of, and respect for Indigenous histories, traditions, cultures and...
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Ep 19 - After the Bell: Project-Based Learning and Public Use of VSB Fields
The B.C. curriculum outlines three Core Competencies students need to be deep, lifelong learners. These are communication, thinking, as well as personal and social. To a degree, these are rather abstract terms. Unlike math, science, English and social studies, subjects we are used to hearing…
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Ep 18 - After the Bell: Sustainability in Schools
April is Earth Month throughout the District. From the student-led sustainability conference and the District-wide professional development session on April 22, to Earth Day celebrations, and the solar-eclipse on April 8, staff and students spent the month learning more about our planet and how…
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Ep 17 - After the Bell: Social Emotional Learning in Schools
Social emotional learning shapes that way students, and later adults, understand their emotions, navigate social situations, and use behaviour to express themselves. But what exactly is social emotional learning, and what does that look like in schools throughout VSB? In this episode, district...
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Ep. 16 - After the Bell: Equity and Anti-racism and Cellphones in School
February presents an opportunity to honour many of the diverse cultures and backgrounds of the staff and students throughout the District. From Black History Month to World Hijab Day, Lunar New Year, the Women’s Memorial March and World Day of Social Justice, this month offers a chance for us to...
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Ep. 15 - After the Bell: Black Excellence Day Recap and Inclement Weather
Black Excellence Day was Jan. 13 this month, which is a day chosen to honour civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The VSB participated in the day through a Black Excellence live stream hosted by Ninandotoo Society and the Burnaby School District. Nola Charles and Ruth Mvukiyehe were...
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Ep. 13 - After the Bell: Breaking down district elementary choice programs and kindergarten registration
With priority kindergarten registration beginning in November, this month’s episode of VSB: After the Bell focused on everything related to kindergarten. We covered a variety of topics from registration to program options families can enroll in. We spoke to District choice program teachers Eva…
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Ep. 12 - After the Bell : Learning about VSB community partners and the Foundation Skills Assessment
With thanksgiving being in October, the season of gratitude is upon us. VSB acknowledges and shares appreciation for the dedication of more than 50 community partners who work to make schools more welcoming, inclusive, safe and vibrant learning environments. Support ranges from providing…
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Ep.11 - Season Premiere: Discussing VSB’s Literacy Framework and SOGI in schools
Kicking off season two of VSB: After the Bell, we take a deep dive into VSB’s first Literacy Framework. What is literacy, what does the framework do, what does it actually means for students and their families? We speak with three VSB educators behind the Framework: Suzie Polzin, Krista Ediger…
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Ep. 10 - Celebrations
It’s the end of the school year and that calls for celebrations after months of hard work and learning. From the excitement of summer vacation to the nostalgia of saying goodbye to familiar faces, this time of year is a significant milestone in the lives of students, educators and families alike....
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Ep. 9 - Indigenous Matters: Advancing truth and reconciliation, and temperature in schools
As we approach National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, this month on the podcast we talk about Indigenous matters. One of the three goals of the Vancouver School District’s Education Plan outlines an effort to continue our reconciliation journey with First Nations, Metis and Inuit by…
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Ep. 8 - District programs
This month on the podcast, we’re talking about District programs and the many ways a diverse student population is supported in a large public education system. With nearly 50,000 students, it takes a team of dedicated educators and support staff to cater to the diverse learning needs of…
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Ep 7 - Managing the District’s budget and celebrating International Women’s Day
School boards across North America are responsible for making critical financial decisions that impact the quality of education our children receive, from hiring teachers and staff to investing in technology and resources. Join us as we speak with David Green, VSB’s Secretary Treasurer to learn...
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Ep. 6 - Pink Shirt Day and ChatGPT
We all know bullying can affect friendships and learning, but, most importantly, it can impact a student’s physical and emotional health. Pink Shirt Day is an important day for school communities to lift each other up and stand against all forms of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. On…
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Ep. 5 - Not-so-new redesigned BC curriculum
The BC Curriculum was redesigned in 2016 to respond to the technology-rich world we live in today, where communication is instant, and information is immediately accessible. The way we interact with each other personally, socially, and at work has changed and the redesigned curriculum teaches...
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Ep. 4 - Winter festivities
It’s time to get festive! This is our first-ever holiday episode of VSB After The Bell – and just in time for the winter break. In this episode, we go live on location at Hastings, Thunderbird, Nightingale and Hudson Elementary schools to speak with students and teachers on how they celebrate...
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Ep. 3 - All things kindergarten registration
Starting kindergarten is a huge milestone, for both families and their children. We know kindergarten enrolment is a hot topic in Vancouver, so we are doing a deep dive into kindergarten registration and enrolment. David Nelson, Deputy Superintendent and Michael Rossi, Acting Director of...
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Ep. 2 - Mental health in students
In recognition of World Mental Health Day this month, our latest podcast episode explores what mental health looks like for students. Claire Pijanowski, counsellor at Kerrisdale and Queen Mary Elementary schools and Joe Ritchie counsellor at Templeton Secondary join us to talk about why it’s...
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Ep. 1 - Helen McGregor, VSB Superintendent
In our first episode of VSB: After The Bell, we speak with Helen McGregor, VSB’s Superintendent. We talk about: · Her role as superintendent, · The the Education Plan, which guides the District’s work throughout the next five years, and · Address the matter of the month: back to school enrolment...
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Introducing VSB: After The Bell
An introduction to VSB: After The Bell and why we created this podcast.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Vancouver School District is among the most diverse school systems in Canada with an annual enrolment of over 50, 000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and adult education students. This award winning podcast interviews guests who share an inside look at the Vancouver School District. You’ll hear from students, educators, decision makers and staff behind-the-scenes that keep VSB schools running.
HOSTED BY
Vancouver School Board
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does VSB: After The Bell have?
VSB: After The Bell currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is VSB: After The Bell about?
The Vancouver School District is among the most diverse school systems in Canada with an annual enrolment of over 50, 000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and adult education students. This award winning podcast interviews guests who share an inside look at the Vancouver School District....
How often does VSB: After The Bell release new episodes?
VSB: After The Bell has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to VSB: After The Bell?
You can listen to VSB: After The Bell on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts VSB: After The Bell?
VSB: After The Bell is created and hosted by Vancouver School Board.
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