b'Trustee Academy National FoodBCSTAs 2023 Trustee Academy, Guiding a Healing Journey,Program Advocacytook place in November and featured sessions focusing on reconciliation, Inuit history, student voice and the scienceIn February, BCSTA advocated for a national school behind kindness. Concurrent sessions explored governance,food program, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus environmental initiatives and community partnerships. TheApril announcement of a $1 billion investment was a event culminated in enriching discussions and learningwelcome response to this joint effort with CSBAs member opportunities for all participants. associations. BCSTA has asked our members to write their local MPs to ask that they support approval of funding for Annual General Meeting the National School Food Program.Boards of education from across B.C. congregated inImproving LiteracyVancouver from April 18-21 to Dream Big and Lead Strong! Aimed at bolstering strategies to ensure boards pursueB.C. is providing additional support for evidence-based future-ready governance strategies, the associations 2024early literacy screening and interventions for kindergarten annual general meeting provided attendees with a varietythrough Grade 3 students to aid students with dyslexia of learning experiences. The keynote explored the powerand similar learning challenges. The $30 million, provided of human connections in relation to the work of trusteesover three years, will expand provincial outreach programs and boards while other sessions touched on A.I., improvingand teams while supporting professional development and student outcomes, governance strategies, Indigenoustraining related to literacy. education and anti-racism, inclusion and accessibility. An additional session focused on student voice allowedChild CareIndigenous students to connect directly with trustees.The $10-a-Day child care program remains popular, with nearly 80 per cent of British Columbians supporting Working Groupscontinued government commitment and 76 per cent BCSTAs working groups have been researching andwanting faster progress. Long waiting lists due to limited exploring initiatives and directives established by the boardlicensed spaces remain a concern. The ChildCareBC New of directors. These groups frequently report to the board.Spaces Fund has played a crucial role in creating new spaces across B.C. for families seeking affordable, high-The Anti-racism, Diversity, quality, inclusive, culturally safe child care. Equity and Inclusion Working Group The Bylaw Review Committee Artificial Intelligence The Rural and Remote Network The Child Care Working Group in SchoolsThe Inclusion and Accessibility Working Group The association has been closely monitoring the use ofThe Capital Working Group artificial intelligence in public education settings, whichThe Comprehensive School Health Working Group generated significant media interest at the start of theThe Climate Action Working Group school year. While the provincial government has yet to define a formal position on using and integrating AI, the topic remains a high priority for the ministry and boards of education. The ethical use of AI to enhance student learning and improve student outcomes is a regular topic of discussion and we look forward to collaborating with the government on this evolving priority as well as continuing discussions during professional development opportunities provided to members.'