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Western Regional VP to be elected at upcoming Public Education Symposium
Public Education Symposium 2007
CSBA InfoPicks, December 22, 2006
BCSTA e-Digest, January 4, 2007
Twelfth National Congress on Rural Education
Calendar of Event

Students First:  A Public Trust

Minister of Education confirmed to speak at PES

REMINDER:  Hotel cut-off date:  4 January 2007

Inspiring speakers, in-depth workshops and abundant networking opportunities.

Focus on improving student achievement through effective GOVERNANCE and LEADERSHIP.  Directors of education and supervisory officers are encouraged to attend with their trustees, to work in “teams”. 

PRE-SYMPOSIUM:  Thursday, February 1

Part 1: Who Does What?  Clarifying the Legal Roles of Trustees, Staff and “the Board”:   
A highly informative and entertaining workshop on the powers, obligations and roles of individual Trustees and the Board as well as the Director of Education and staff.

The Education Act doesn’t provide much in the way of job descriptions. The purpose of this workshop is to explore the Act with a view to obtaining the guidance it does provide regarding the interconnections between individual trustees, senior board staff and “the Board” as a whole.

Part 2: Tools to Help Trustees, Boards and Staff to Work Together Effectively to the Benefit of Students
This session will provide an overview of a series of highly regarded, practical workshop sessions which have been implemented in several Ontario District School Boards in the past two years, which:

• Develop a clear desired "legacy" for the Board
• Develop clear and agreed upon Role Descriptions for the Board and the Director of Education
• Develop clear roles and expectations for the Chair and Vice-Chair of a Board
• Develop a concise strategic plan aimed at achieving the legacy for the Board
• Provide a regular review of the performance of both the Director of Education and the Board
• Provide a process for revising and aligning the Board Policy and Procedures Manuals with the Legacy, Strategic Plan and Role Descriptions.

Speakers and Large Plenary Sessions

KATHLEEN WYNNE, Minister of Education

STEVE PAIKIN, Broadcaster, Author, Journalist

MICHAEL "PINBALL" CLEMONS, CFL Legend and Toronto Argonaut Coach

Dr. BEN LEVIN, Deputy Minister of Education  :  Key Actions of Effective School Boards & Trustees

Professor DAVID BOOTH, OISE/UT Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Department

Leading Learning:  School Board Strategies to Improve Student Achievement - Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat panel
The role and effectiveness of district school boards in supporting educational improvement is of critical importance. The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat has conducted research across Ontario to identify effective board-wide strategies that have led to improved student achievement. This session will share success stories from the field with a particular focus on:

• Leading with purpose and focusing direction;
• Designing and implementing a coherent strategy;
• Developing precision in knowledge, skills and daily practices;
• Sharing responsibility through building partnerships.      

The presenters will discuss the implementation of board strategies in various contexts and supports available to boards through The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat. 

WORKSHOPS

• The Funding Model and Governance
  This session will cover various aspects of the current funding model and discuss the implications for local governance and flexibility. The session will also speculate on possible and likely future funding model directions and the impact on governance.
• Legal Issues and Student Success
  While some parents will inevitably disagree with the results, our trustee-based system is based on the acceptance that "the Board" is in the best (and most legitimate) position to make decisions affecting the welfare of its students. Those parents who disagree strenuously with the results may decide to pursue their issues (and challenge your decisions) through legal proceedings.
  This workshop will tell you a) what to expect and b) what you need to know in order to make and defend lawful decisions in three "hot button" areas - student discipline, special education and school closures.
• Labour Relations in the Ontario Education Sector
  This session is intended primarily for newly elected trustees, and trustees with little experience and knowledge about labour relations in Ontario's school systems. The session will provide an overview of how collective bargaining is conducted in the sector and how it may be conducted in the future. The importance of effective labour relations in achieving improvements in student achievement will be stressed. The emerging role of the Provincial Stability Commission will also be discussed.
• The Impact of Media Violence on Children & Adolescents: A Challenge for Educators & Parents to Foster Safe School Communities
  Media violence has been shown to have negative effects on child development and to promote attitudes and behaviors that condone or minimize the impact of violence. This impact has direct implications for students, parents and educators in trying to foster safe school environments.
  This workshop will outline the proliferation of various forms of media violence and ways to reduce the harmful effects. The importance of approaching this challenge through school-wide programs and integrated curriculum development will be stressed. Current innovative strategies emanating from the OPSBA Committee on Media Violence will be shared.
• Discipline That Restores:  School Violence and Restorative Justice Solutions
  Restorative Justice circles effectively deal with school violence, gangs, truancy, bullying and behaviour issues. They offer some balance to the "zero tolerance" approach that would remove young people from our schools without addressing the issues of both the offenders and the victims as well as the underlying root causes of the negative behaviour. Finding meaningful and long-lasting solutions to school violence can only be accomplished by engaging youth in the process of "making things right again".
  Learn how the Waterloo Region District School Board has adopted Restorative Justice system wide. RJ circles are one of the few methods that effectively deal with the 5 mitigating circumstances administrators and trustees must consider when deciding on suspensions and expulsions.
• Special Education – an Interim Report
  The session will review the implementation of the recommendations of 2005 Working Table on Special Education reform to date and focus on OPSBA's recommendations to the Minister. The legal issues in special education with an update on the cases in front of the courts and Human Rights Tribunal will also be reviewed.
• Communications and Media Relations
  Trustees often find themselves talking to members of the media for many reasons, including - to provide clarification on decisions, to comment on initiatives or to participate in news programming. It’s understandable that trustees, even those seasoned in the role, might be apprehensive and sometimes even fearful of contact with the media. But there are ways to minimise your fears – learn how to be more comfortable with the media and how to use media to inform and educate the public. It will make your job as a trustee a lot easier. This workshop will provide tips to orient trustees to their new role in dealing with the media.

Where:	Sheraton Centre Hotel 123 Queen Street West, Toronto www.sheraton.com/centretoronto
Hotel rate:	$165 (single) or $190 (double) + taxes Please contact the hotel directly, telephone: (416) 361-1000 or 1-888-627-7175 (in Canada) and identify the OPSBA/ACÉPO Group rate.
CUT-OFF DATE:	Thursday, January 4, 2007 After the deadline, the special rate will be provided on a space available basis only.

The program outline and on-line registration are available.

For more information: Ernesta Graham, Events Coordinator, ext.115; or Susan Weinberg, Policy and Professional Development, ext.128

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CSBA InfoPicks, December 22, 2006

BCSTA e-Digest, January 4, 2007

Twelfth National Congress on Rural Education
March 25 to 27 at TCU Place in Saskatoon. Presented by The Saskatchewan Educational Leadership Unit (SELU), in conjunction with Saskatchewan Learning, Saskatchewan School Boards Association, Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation, League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents, Saskatchewan Association of School Business Officials, Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit, the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina

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EDUCATION PROGRAM WORK TEAM
Friday, January 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
OPSBA Board Room, Toronto

CENTRAL EAST REGIONAL COUNCIL
Saturday, January 20, 2007, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon
Fieldcrest Elementary School, 100 Professor Day Dr, Bradford

CENTRAL WEST REGIONAL COUNCIL
Saturday, January 20, 2007, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Education Centre, Hamilton-Wentworth DSB,
100 Main St. W., Hamilton

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Wednesday, January 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
OPSBA Board Room, Toronto

PUBLIC EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM
February 1 to 3, 2007
Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto

POLICY DEVELOPMENT WORK TEAM
Friday, February 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
OPSBA Board Room, Toronto

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Thursday, February 22, 7 to 9 p.m. & Friday, February 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
OPSBA Board Room, Toronto

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Friday, February 23, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. & Saturday, February 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Metropolitan Hotel, 108 Chestnut St.
Phone 416-977-5000
OPSBA Room Rate: $125
Cut off Date: January 31

NORTHERN REGION DIRECTORS
Friday, February 23, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
OPSBA Board Room, Toronto

EDUCATION PROGRAM WORK TEAM
Friday, March 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
OPSBA Board Room, Toronto

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Wednesday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
OPSBA Board Room, Toronto

PROVINCIAL LABOUR RELATIONS NETWORK
Thursday, March 29, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
** in conjunction with the 2007 Labour Relations Symposium **
Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto

LABOUR RELATIONS SYMPOSIUM
March 29 to 31, 2007
Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto

2007 (19th) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & PROGRAM
June 7 to 10, 2007
Deerhurst Resort and Conference Centre, Huntsville

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