b'Access Zones at Schools Rural DistrictsIn late 2023, BCSTA wrote to and met with Premier EbyRural districts, particularly in northern B.C., continue about concerns around protests and disruptions at or nearto face disproportionate recruitment and retention school sites, including board of education meetings. Inissues compared to the rest of BC and have relied on April, B.C.s government introduced legislation to protectfilling positions with letters of permission. BCSTAs Rural students and staff by establishing 20-metre access zonesand Remote Network was created in response to these around school grounds. On June 1st access zones were putconcerns and work continues with the ministry, the BC in place. Read more. Public School Employers Association, educational leaders and other ministries to gather information to help inform Gender Diversity, a cross-jurisdictional approach to ensuring equity for SOGI and Inclusivity students in rural and remote areas. BCSTA continues to support the ministrys efforts to ensureWildfires schools are safe, welcoming and inclusive. The associationB.C.s wildfires were a cause for significant concern in the has provided feedback and support on government-ledsummer of 2023, especially in rural and remote regions initiatives relating to supporting safe and inclusive spacesof the province. Several districts experienced disruptions for all students and holds a position on the provincialleading up to the beginning of the school year, and BCSTA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) K-12contacted board chairs to offer support wherever possible. collaborative. The 2024 wildfire season has already affected learning in BCSTA has previously provided members with guidelinesB.C., including the evacuation of Fort Nelson in May. for public engagement at board meetings, and continues to monitor protests relating to SOGI closely. Leadership Series The ministry has compiled a list of SOGI resourcesBCSTA resumed its regional Leadership Series this year. to support parents and community members inGuided by the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning understanding SOGI-inclusive education. Find them here. and co-developed by the First Nations Education Steering The Intimate Images Protection Act also came into effect inCommittee (FNESC), the series provides boards of education B.C. on January 29, 2024, and the province also establishedwith professional development opportunities throughout the two new services to support people who have had intimateprovince. Content has focused on continuous improvement images or videos shared on the internet without theirandFNESCs How Are We Doing? report.consent. Learn more.As well, BCSTA established an affinity group forVirtual Orientations2SLGBTQIA+ trustees and individuals with similar concerns and shared interests to come together in a supportiveand Sessionsenvironment. The objective is to share experiences,BCSTA hosted several Virtual Trustee Orientations for resources and thoughts with members of the 2SLGBTQIA+members and district senior staff during the year. The community and allies in an effort to ensure that safety andsessions were held in partnership with the ministry and well-being supports are in place. focused on leadership standards across multiple B.C. K-12 associations. Subjects included governance, working with Personal Devices at School people, relations with First Nations, evidence-informed Effective July 1, 2024, B.C.s Provincial Standards for Codesdecision-making, planning for student success and financial of Conduct Order has been amended to require that alland resource management. boards of education include one or more statements inAnother virtual event, jointly hosted with the BC their student codes of conduct about restricting the useAssociation of School Business Officials, was held on March of personal digital devices at school. The objective is to7 highlighting some of the changes to electoral boundaries create focused learning environments and improve onlinefor the upcoming provincial election and how these safety. A support guide has also been shared to supportchanges will affect boards in their advocacy efforts with this work leading up to the 2024/25 school year. MLA candidates.'