b'The Year in Review (continued) Healthy Democracy Project and Scholarship OPSBA continues to build a deeper relationship with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and is a member of their Healthy Democracy Project Advisory Group. OPSBA fully supports the Projects objective to, promote the value and importance of municipal governments in Ontarios political system, while focusing on the importance of diversity of leadership and perspectives. As part of this relationship, OPSBA worked with AMO and other partners to promote Local Government Week in October. The Association has also partnered with AMO on the creation of the new Healthy Democracy Student Leadership Award, which is being awarded in the amount of $1,000 to one graduating English public school student in each of OPSBAs five regions.Take Your MPP to School Week During the week of May 21 to 24, 2024, OPSBA, in partnership with member boards, invited all Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) to partake in an opportunity to witness the inspiring and innovative experiences taking place in public schools throughout Ontarios diverse communities. As of publication time, nearly 50 school visits had occurred.Communications and Media Relations OPSBAs advocacy, communications, and media and government relations strategies are designed to increase public confidence in the quality and effectiveness of our public school system and support OPSBAs four multi-year strategic priorities. The Association saw sustained media coverage on a variety of issues, with media appearances in stories regarding education funding, the impacts of social media on students, labour relations, skilled trades, Indigenous and Black history and culture curriculum, and more. The Association had around 400 appearances in a variety of media sources (including print, television, and radio) throughout the year.Indigenous Trustees Council The Indigenous Trustees Council (ITC) of OPSBA is a group of trustees who bring expertise and experience to the Associations advocacy and action. Over the past year, the ITC engaged in several significant activities, including bringing together student trustees in Sault Ste. Marie for a weekend of networking and leadership development, honouring Truth and Reconciliation Week, advancing Indigenous language revitalization, advocating for Indigenous curriculum revision, and participation in planning for the National Trustees Gathering on Indigenous EducationBlack Trustees CaucusThe Black Trustees Caucus (BTC) of OPSBA aims to provide a safe and supportive platform for publicly elected or appointed trustees who identify as Black, fostering collaboration to influence positive change within the Ontario public education system. While focusing on the needs of Black students, the BTC also strives to support the needs of all children. In 2023-24, BTC members were actively engaged in a number of priorities, including the Ontario Human Rights Commissions consultation on Anti-Black Racism in Education, mandated Black History curriculum, the Graduation Coach Program for Black Students, enhanced community engagement, and broadened accountability measures for tracking the achievement of Black students.'