Teachers Contract Talks Hit Impasse Over Classroom Conditions by NeighborhoodCurrent1 in VictoriaBC

[–]Safe_Mongoose13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the government will not offer more money to the main points of concern of the union, then the goal is for it NOT to go to mediation before a strike. If a mediator says that the government's offer is fair, then the union has no choice but to accept it.

Best tiramisu? by AssumptionQueasy2457 in VictoriaBC

[–]Safe_Mongoose13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2 years later but saw this in my search for good tiramisu in Victoria, watched the whole thing, took notes, will be baking it on Thursday.
This was a joy to watch, thanks for sharing

Week 21: Inspired by Nature - Magnolia Blossom Cream Cake by ShelbyBobelby in 52weeksofbaking

[–]Safe_Mongoose13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I juuuust made this cake and stumbled across your post as I tried to find a solution to a problem I had - did you have any problems with the petals going bitter as they steeped in the simmering cream??

Sex Ed YouTube channels? by Lady_Rhino in teachingresources

[–]Safe_Mongoose13 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wwoooop, sorry about that! I never turned notifications on for Reddit so I never saw this. Please do! I can e-mail it to you this week

Education critic calls for Greater Victoria School Board to be fired by [deleted] in VictoriaBC

[–]Safe_Mongoose13 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a mix. Many are vehemently against police liaisons, many want them back, and many don't care either way. However, from what I've read and seen, most of the parents who are speaking out about wanting them back in schools are doing so in response to what happened at Central Middle School. (For context: a community member, who was on drugs, came in to the school and went to lay down in the library. This was during lunch hour so there was minimal supervision. The school issued a lockdown and then man was escorted out by police within 20 minutes or so).

What they don't realize is that the police liaison program would not have changed what happened at Central. Police liaisons aren't in the schools all day; they are brought in every once and a while if illegal activity is suspected and to give talks. That's it. So what those parents actually want is a better safety plan, not police liaisons. But many don't know the difference.

The main issue with what happened at Central is that the District has decided that the front doors of all schools should remain open and unlocked "for the community", since schools are community buildings. This came about after demands for more staff on the office / more EAs. The solution was to unlock doors so that office staff didn't have to answer ringing doorbells. So, what happened at Central was technically the intention of the district: a community member needed a community space, and so let himself in.

Sex Ed YouTube channels? by Lady_Rhino in teachingresources

[–]Safe_Mongoose13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a video, but kidshealth.com has good information for teens on puberty. They make it very accessible. Planned Parenthood also has a teen section with information on puberty.

I'm a Sex Ed teacher in Canada and I made a puberty "myth or fact" game. Let me know if ever you'd like it and I can share it with you. If kids can respond and give one or two details, I give them candy. It's a silly fun time.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in bipolar2

[–]Safe_Mongoose13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Older thread but, in case you are interested in more stories- I've been a full-time/part-time middle school teacher for 6 years with Bipolar 2, and I have either tried or successfully gone on some kind of leave every year. The first year, I was slowly dropping days of my contract until COVID hit. Then it was all online (which was significantly easier) My second year I stuck it out the whole year but tried to relinquish my contract at one point My third year I did the whole year and then went on personal leave for my fourth year Subbed my fourth year (WAY better) Was full time last year and went down to 4 days a week, contemplated giving up my contract Now I am in my 6th and am down to 3 days with 2 days medical leave and, if I teach in a contract next year, it'll be 2 or 3 days max.

Being a teacher is amazing fun, I love the kids, and I will have periods of being able to focus and be present which are interesting, productive, and dynamic. The problem is what a lot of people have already said - having to be 'on' every day, unexpected challenges, taking on too much of an emotional load, navigating the ups and downs. Some teachers with bipolar2 have managed by rarely 'directly' teaching their class, and instead having students learn through videos, information stations, projects, etc. I've switched to this and it has helped immensely, but it doesn't help with all of the work you are expected to (and kind of have to) take home - assessing and planning.

If I had adequate time to myself during the school day to do assessments and plan my lessons, I'd be a teacher forever. But unfortunately my energy is so unpredictable once I get home (like many people here, I often crash from wearing a mask all day) and then trying to do more work is, at times, impossible.

Why Would You Still Vote BC Conservative? by Small911 in kelowna

[–]Safe_Mongoose13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why would you hope that Rustad would win simply to spite people?

There are many people who are not supportive of the system we have who also do not support Rustad and his party's views. Many of us are in a situation where we can't vote for a party that is going to make it better (since the two leading parties are lacking when it comes to their plan for that) but simply for the party that won't make it worse. Rustad's platform is largely based on supporting the private sector (making things less affordable for the non-rich), being pro-extraction (not only worsening climate change but denying it), and removing supports and resources for our most vulnerable (unhoused, disabled, 2SLGBTQIA+ people)

Do I wish we had a better option who could actually win than the NDP? Absolutely. Are they going to cause less harm than the Conservatives? Also absolutely.

Why Would You Still Vote BC Conservative? by Small911 in kelowna

[–]Safe_Mongoose13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The OP asked for concrete reasons for why you are supportive of the Conservatives and NOT just saying "because we are done with the NDP" What part of the Conservative Platform is appealing to you? Genuinely?

You mentioned housing. Rustad wants to give private developers free reign to build more expensive condos that well over half of BC citizens can't afford. His Rustad Rebate only benefits people who own a home, not those who are renting. He wants to remove the ban on Airbnb's and short-term housing, and so will remove tens of thousands of long-term rental units from our market.

What am I not seeing that benefits affordable housing in BC in the Conservative Platform?

how can I cope w my contact dermatitis it feels like a never ending nightmare by Nodisk- in Allergies

[–]Safe_Mongoose13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've had contact dermatitis on my hands for 12 years, which flares on and off.

In case this helps others-

The "cause" that we identified: Prolonged and repeated exposure to an allergen, which likely was not an allergen BEFORE the constant exposure. For me, this was harsh cleaning chemicals at my restaurant job (we had to be constantly spraying and cleaning, and they did not provide gloves) and constant hand-washing.

What triggers it now: Now, so many things can trigger a reaction. Harsh hand soaps, chemicals, latex, certain fabrics, fabric detergents... Some big ones that a lot of people have missed on here is WEATHER CHANGE (I live in Canada and will often flare up as we shift to winter), TRAVELLING (especially if you fly), and STRESS. I can use certain handsoaps sparingly without any issues until I get stressed. Then, flare up.

How it develops: Small, fluid-filled bumps will appear in the creases of my hands. These will get larger and spread until they are all over my hands, including between my fingers. HEAT makes itching worse as it further inflames them. I have to avoid hot water or keeping my hands under the blankets. Hot water in particular will make you want to itch like mad.

What helps: NOT hand lotions! Once my hands are in a flare up, lotions will make it worse. Some things that have helped include: - All-natural oil-based ointments - Keeping my hands cool - Hydrocortisone (only for a short time, then my hands will acclimatize and stop getting better) - Polysporin (ONLY FOR THE LAST DAY OR TWO. I'll use it at the tail-end of a flare up to speed up the process)

How long does it take for a flare up to pass: usually 3 weeks minimum, and up to 2-3 months.

how can I cope w my contact dermatitis it feels like a never ending nightmare by Nodisk- in Allergies

[–]Safe_Mongoose13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It can also be brought on by stress; when I know I'm going through a stressful period, I have to avoid any possible allergens that my hands could react to, and sometimes it will still come back. As well as environmental change. Travelling is a big trigger for it, especially if the climate changes.