Another calendar year has come and gone, and Trustees continue to support students and schools in local communities through a global pandemic. Across Canada, educators and support staff have continued to work in unprecedented conditions to ensure students receive their education.
We have seen school districts and provincial/territorial departments of education pivot multiple times to offer virtual learning, in-school learning, and hybrid models. One thing that has remained consistent throughout these changes is the dedication to students.
The Board of Directors continues to meet primarily online. I am most pleased that we were able to meet in person in October 2021 and Winter 2022 proud of the amount of work that is being done virtually. The Board as a whole and our work teams and committees have maintained momentum and are making progress moving forward the goals set out in our strategic plan.
CSBA is developing a new strategic plan for 2022-2025. At the February 2022 meeting, the Board of Directors approved four priority areas: Indigenous Education; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Advocacy; and Comprehensive School Health. Committees and work teams will develop goals, actions and measures within their mandates as well as any financial implications for 2022-2023 to continue to advance the key work. The Board of Directors will also consult with member associations to ensure national work is aligned with that of the associations and their membership.
Particularly important is the research being done in partnership with the University of Regina’s Faculty of Education through which the Centre for Educational Research, Collaboration, & Development (CERCD) who will conduct research and action Phase 2 of the CSBA’s anti-racism strategy. Phase 1 included self-assessments of the CSBA Board of Directors and a review of CSBA Policies. Phase 2 will include a policy implementation plan, self-assessments for member associations, a national campaign aimed at increasing diversity in elected school boards, and the development of learning modules. The CSBA is looking forward to working with Dr. Jerome Cranston, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Dr. Andrea Sterzuk and their team.
Another significant research project is underway by members of Western University’s Faculty of Education. The CSBA has contracted Dr. Katina Pollock and her team to examine governance models in public education throughout Canada and the impact of the loss of local democratic voice in some areas. They have selected six provinces and territories to review, Nova Scotia, North West Territories, Quebec, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This research will include interviews and focus groups with various education partners throughout the country.
CSBA and the Comprehensive School Health Work Team are partnering with BUNYAAD Public Affairs on a substance use prevention initiative. The BC Ministry of Health, in partnership with the BC Ministry of Education and the BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction, has funded the “Enhancing Substance Use Prevention in BC Schools” project. This project aims to increase the use of evidence-based, curriculum-aligned approaches to address youth substance use in BC K-12 schools. CSBA would be involved on a national level with the goal of expanding the project outside of BC. CSBA will assist in knowledge mobilization for the project. Given the importance of substance use among students and the opioid crisis, the CSBA is pleased to be working on this initiative aimed at enhancing prevention practices in schools.
There are multiple education partners across the country who collaborate with CSBA on various initiatives and learning opportunities. Recently there has been interest with plans for a National Table on Education. Later in this edition of the President’s Bulletin you will see updates on collaborations with education partners.
The CSBA will present on Indigenous Education at the National School Boards Association in early April. A panel of experts representing CSBA, the Assembly of First Nations, SSBA, OPSBA, and BCSTA will be presenting our work in this area.
As we venture into a new year, I would like to thank everyone for your continued support of the CSBA and your dedication to students. We look forward to seeing many of you at this year’s CSBA National Gathering of Indigenous Trustees and Congress in Saskatoon July 6-8th – please find details on our website. Here’s hoping 2022 is a year of health, growth and development for all.
Yours in education,
Laurie French