b'The Year in Review (continued) OPSBA Work GroupsOPSBAs Work Groups have a significant role in advancing the Associations identified priorities by providing feedback and responding to education issues and consultations. Trustees continue torepresent their regions and groups with professionalism and expertise, providing high-quality,thoughtful, and authentic feedback based on their local experience.The Policy Development Work Group (PDWG) was regularly engaged and involved throughout this school year with continued implementation support for regulations under Bill 98, The BetterSchools and Student Outcomes Act. Other topics of discussion and input included: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Artificial Intelligence Director of Education Performance Appraisal Pupil Accommodation Review Guidelines Through the Education Program Work Group (EPWG), the Association provided responses to theInformation Gathering (Kindergarten curriculum) consultation, the Growing Success consultationregarding assessment and evaluation, the Experienced Apprenticeship Pathway consultation, and theLife Skills Consultation: Equipping Students with Practical Life Skills. Other topics of discussion and inputincluded:Poverty reduction Online learning Children and youth mental health and well-being Skilled tradesIn addition, both work groups provided input to OPSBAs submission to the Ontario government regarding Core Education Funding for school boards.Take Your MPP to School Week During the week of May 20 to 23, 2025,OPSBA, in partnership with member boards, invited all Membersof Provincial Parliament (MPPs) to partake in an opportunity to witness the inspiring and innovativeexperiences taking place in public schools throughout Ontarios diverse communities. As of publicationtime, nearly 50 school visits had occurred.Communications and Media Relations OPSBAs advocacy, communications, and media and government relations strategies are designed toincrease public confidence in the quality and effectiveness of our public school system and supportOPSBAs four multi-year strategic priorities. OPSBA stands out as the expert voice of public education inOntario. The Association saw sustained media coverage on a variety of issues, with media appearancesin stories regarding education funding, school board governance, Special Education funding, schoolinfrastructure needs, school food and nutrition programs, combating anti-Black racism in schools, theimpacts of social media on youth, labour relations, Indigenous Education, and more. OPSBA was alsoproud to launch a new website in November 2024, and staff received the Associations first-ever BRAVO!Award from the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education in October for their workpromoting Take Your MPP to School Week 2024.64'