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| Our school counselling program provides consulting, coordinating, counselling and educational services to students, parents, teachers and administrators. These services focus on the social, emotional and developmental aspects of childhood and adolescence; services also include response to crisis, parent and staff consultation and teacher in-service.
Mr. Gangnes works Monday to Friday. He can be contacted by phone or email (pgangnes@sd43.bc.ca/604.936.4237).
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Is your teen chatting with an AI “friend?” From late-night venting to homework help, the use of AI companions are becoming a part of everyday life for many tweens and teens. Does this interfere with the ability to form real-world friendships? What should parents and caregivers know about the mental health and social development risks from using these AI technologies?
Join us for the final #AskTheExperts webinar of 2025, “AI Companions and Kids: What You Need to Know” on Wednesday, December 10, from 12:00pm-1:30pm ET. Panelists will share what we know about how adolescents use social AI companions, how it may shape their development, and practical ways to protect them from the risks to their mental health and safety.
Register Now
Why attend? You’ll leave this webinar able to:
• Understand what AI companions are and why kids use them.
• Recognize the social, emotional, and mental health risks linked to AI companion use.
• Explain how social AI can disrupt connection, attachment, and real-world relationship skills.
• Evaluate safety and ethical concerns around social AI, and what can be done to protect children from the risks.
P.S. Not able to join in person? Register anyway and we'll send you the recording.
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Safer Space Together Presentations (Free for families!)
Here are some presentations that are free for families!
Topic 1: Establishing Safe, Caring & Respectful Digital Communities: erase Establishing Safe, Caring, & Respectful Digital Communities
Dates: January 21st, March 11th or May 13th
Link: Click here to register for this presentation
Topic 2: Establishing Family Practices for Safeguarding Against Cyberbullying & Sextortion: erase Establishing Family Practices for Safeguarding Against Cyberbullying and Sextortion
Dates: October 15th, December 10th, February 18th, April 8th or June 10th
Link: Click here to register for this presentation
Raising Digitally Resilient Kids
The Raising Digitally Resilient Kids workshop,
ready to share with parent-based school councils, outlines how parents and
guardians can support children’s well-being and help them balance the risks and
benefits of digital media.
Based on insights from MediaSmarts’ research with youth through the Young Canadians in a Wireless World
study, the workshop provides an overview of online risk categories and provides
resources and essential strategies that participants can take to manage these
risks. This self-guided workshop is sponsored by YouTube Canada.
Family Smart Presentation
Topic: Supporting Safety at Home When Your Child Has a Mental Health Criss
Link: Supporting Safety at Home When Your Child Has a Mental Health Crisis - YouTube
* This website has lots of great resources for parents to work with their children.
Student Resource (Bounce Back)
Parent Resources:
Tri City Resources
SHARE Counselling
- The link below gives information to access counselling as well as a variety of other services for youth and their families:
https://sharesociety.ca/children-youth-6-19-years
Child & Youth Mental Health
- The link below gives information on the counselling intake process:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/child-teen-mental-health/mental-health-intake-clinics
Tri-City Transitions Counselling
* Free counselling for SD43 Students (Ages 3 - 18) who have witnessed domestic violence
FamilySmart
FamilySmart is a resource for families that gives information on a number of topics related to support youth
FamilySmart - Together-Centred™ for Child & Youth Mental Health
FamilySmart - YouTube
Recently Highlighted on FamilySmart: ADHD - The Real Deal - YouTube
Free Virtual events for parents/guardians: Working Well Together Training & Workshops - FamilySmart
