March 31, 2008 | Vol. 20, No. 11

WHAT'S INSIDE?

20^th AGM & PROGRAM 2008
Labour Relations & Human Resources 2008 – Another Successful Symposium!
OPSBA in the Media
Ministry of Education UPDATE
CSBA Copyright Information
Join Your Provincial Partners for CSBA Congress 2008!
Conference Celebrates Children’s Mental Health Week
ESAO 2008 Conference
Calendar of Events

20^th AGM & PROGRAM 2008
Thursday, 12 — Sunday, 15 June, 2008

Sheraton on the Falls Hotel and Conference Centre
5875 Falls Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario

HOSTED BY OPSBA’S CENTRAL WEST REGION

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Dr. MICHAEL THOMPSON — Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys
Psychologist, school consultant, an internationally renowned speaker and author or co-author of seven books.

DAVID WARLICK — Our Students • Our Worlds
This presentation, by 30+ year educator, author, and technologist, will explore some of the changes and challenges in education and arrange them as a set of converging conditions that will provide direction for retooling our classrooms for the 21st century.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF ONTARIO, HONOURABLE DAVID ONLEY

WORKSHOPS

• Safe Schools
• Energy
• Update on Current Legal Issues
• Suicide Intervention Program
• Research Gender Project
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities – What Schools Need to Know
• Videostreaming
• Visit to Niagara College – PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED (maximum 150 delegates)

FRIDAY NIGHT:  Dinner at Queenston Heights Restaurant (extra cost)
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED (see Registration Form for details)

GOLF:
For those delegates interested in playing golf, please contact Dennis Randall at drandall@niagaraparks.com.  Dennis is CPGA Professional-Golf Sales Manager at Legends on the Niagara & Whirlpool Golf Course, Niagara Parks Commission.  We thank Dennis for generously offering to act as liaison in arranging golf.

NETWORK whilst celebrating our 20th Anniversary!

At the AGM we will determine our priorities and directions for the coming year, elect our officers and plan for the future. This event also includes a comprehensive professional development program of stimulating, challenging, and inspiring speakers and in-depth workshops, as well as abundant networking opportunities for trustees.

Make plans now to attend!

Welcome reception:  Thursday, 12 June 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Conference ends:  Sunday, 15 June 2008 at 11:30 a.m.

Watch OPSBA’s Fast Reports for regular updates and future announcements.

The Registration Form and the Preliminary Program are now available online.

For more information: Gail Anderson, Executive Director, ext.109; Ernesta Graham,Events Coordinator, ext.115; or Susan Weinberg, Policy & Professional Development Coordinator, ext.128

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Labour Relations & Human Resources 2008 – Another Successful Symposium!

Labour Relations and Human Resources 2008 was a great success for OPSBA. Over 200 School Board Practitioners, Trustees and Administrators were informed of key labour and human resources issues in Ontario’s K to 12 education sector. For the opening plenary session, Bob Williams, Director, Labour Relations, OPSBA provided a provincial update, including reports from the Provincial Discussion Tables, and Michael Hines, Hicks Morley LLP, presented a legal perspective for provincial discussions and local bargaining. In addition to this plenary session, registrants attended eight workshops over the two and a half days of the symposium. The closing keynote address was provided by Mac McDonald, Director, Member Services, Alberta School Boards’ Association who described first hand what happened in the last few months in Alberta that resulted in 5-year deals with the Alberta teachers.

Thank you to all who attended this overwhelmingly successful conference.

Mark your calendar for next year's event. The 2009 Labour Relations Symposium will be held from Thursday, March 26 to Saturday, March 28 at the Toronto Sheraton Centre Hotel.

For more information: Vicky Skypas, Manager of Labour Relations Services, ext.119

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OPSBA in the Media

OPSBA News Release, March 25, 2008:
OPSBA Welcomes Stable Funding for Ontario Students

More Experts Agree McGuinty Government Investing in "Skills to Jobs" for all Ontarians
Canada News-wire, Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Experts from all sectors agree that today's Ontario Budget continues the progress the McGuinty Government has made to date:

Richard Florida, Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute, Rotman School of Business
"With this new budget, Ontario, which is already a leader in innovation, in research and creativity, entrepreneurship and new business formation, one of the most, if not the most competitive provinces in the world, positions itself to be a model for future competitiveness and prosperity - not only in Canada but in North America and worldwide."

Carol Wilding, President, Toronto Board of Trade
"We're extremely pleased to see the investment in infrastructure...In Toronto and the Toronto region, in order to be globally competitive we need to invest in infrastructure - today's investment in that regard is great for Toronto."

Doug Reycraft, President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario
"Investing in job creation and municipal infrastructure is a sound investment for Ontario. Investing an additional $1 Billion in municipal infrastructure means more job creation, sustainable, competitive, communities and a better quality of life for Ontarians."

Hazel McCallion, Mayor, City of Mississauga
"I think that the budget has dealt with a lot of challenges that we're facing in Ontario, such as unemployment and the programs they've come forward to get people retrained...So the budget was an overall big advancement, in my opinion, for many things that we're facing, municipalities and the province as a whole -- and I have to tell you, I really endorse, as you could see from the applause, that it's time that the federal Minister of Finance, Mr. Flaherty, stopped recommending people not investing in Ontario. I think the Prime Minister should get him under control."

Shelley Carroll, City of Toronto Budget Chief
"There is great news in terms of economic development in here. It has made us very competitive."

Dr. Janice Willet, President, Ontario Medical Association
"The government has taken steps in recent years to reduce wait times, and together with the hard work of doctors and other health care professionals, patients in targeted areas are getting better access to care...The additional investments in general surgeries are a positive step towards improving access for patients in the province."

Ian Howcroft, President, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association
"We're pleased that we have the opportunity to continue our partnership with the government to help manufacturers and help manufacturing entities to improve productivity and operational efficiencies."

Gerry Fedchun, President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association
"Absolutely this is a positive budget."

Buzz Hargrove, President, Canadian Auto Workers
"The Ontario government's announcement today that it will spend hundreds of millions on improving transit, roads, bridges, water systems and other projects will not only help rebuild our communities, but also create jobs at a crucial time...Spending more on infrastructure, training, housing and manufacturing is exactly the right way to respond to an economic downturn."

Geri Kamenz, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
"Knowing the province's overall financial prospects at this time, this is a good budget for Ontario farmers...It shows continued commitment to agriculture and our rural communities...The McGuinty government has proven its willingness to address agricultural crises through contingency funding in recent years and we believe the government will continue to be there for Ontario's farmers."

David Leckie, President, Ontario Good Roads Association
"Once again the province has shown a commitment to renewing Ontario's vital infrastructure."

Andy Manahan, Executive Director, Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario
"With this budget, the government has acknowledged the importance of infrastructure investment to the future of Ontario and its economy."

Beatrice Schmied, CEO, Ontario Public Transit Association
"The new infrastructure investment of $497 million for transit projects in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton is much appreciated."

Mark Basciano, President, Ontario Home Builders' Association
"Infrastructure expansion is the key long-term investment all governments need to make to ensure sustainable prosperity for all Ontarians. We must continue to invest today to meet the challenges of tomorrow."

Patty Rout, First-Vice President/Treasurer, OPSEU
"We like what the government says about properly funding public services and the need for fair bargaining with those who provide these services. Public services are critical; more so after the years of vicious Conservative cuts. Remember - tax cuts mean service cuts."

Dr. Paul C. Genest, Chair, Council of Ontario Universities and McMaster University President
"This is just another example of the leadership of the Ontario government in advancing higher education...Ontario universities benefited from the $6. 2 Billion Reaching Higher Plan in the last mandate and are appreciate of the sustained focus the government has brought to advancing higher education, exemplified by investments of $135 million and over $200 million in capital, as well as further investment in student aid, grants for technology and distance learners."

Loralea Carruthers Vice President, Ontario Public School Boards' Association
"OPSBA appreciates the stability of funding and the recognition of the commitments that the government has already made to school boards and we've seen those in the budget."

David Clegg, President, Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario
"We appreciate the $315 million increase in per pupil funding announced in today's provincial budget as well as the new funding to support literacy and numeracy and special needs students."

John Campbell, Chair, Toronto District School Board
"There's another $250 million coming to Ontario schools, and I think on the whole, the government has continued it's really outstanding commitment to public education."

Linda Franklin, President and CEO, Colleges Ontario
"The budget investments into the education and training of our workforce will help more businesses and industries to compete, and help more people to fulfill their potential and find meaningful and well-paying jobs...The McGuinty government has correctly identified the skills shortage as a priority in Ontario. This budget recognizes Ontario must produce greater numbers of college graduates to meet the workforce challenges throughout our economy."

Tyler Wiles, President, College Student Alliance
"College and university students welcome the Textbook and Technology Grant that will start to ease the pressures felt by the growing cost of obtaining a postsecondary education."

Chris Locke, Executive Director, Ontario University Students Association
"The creation of a distance grant will help to enable student choice, student mobility and to ensure that Ontarians can select the best program for their skills, their needs, and aspirations."

Paul Davenport, President, University of Western Ontario
"The renewal of facilities is one of the highest priorities in our strategic plan and this wonderful investment from the Ontario government will make a real difference in the teaching, learning and research environments at The University of Western Ontario."

Sarah Diamond, President Ontario College of Art and Design
"This is a really exciting day not only for OCAD, but I think in fact for the digital media industries, for research in the sector and also for a lot of related areas of research and economic development in Ontario...For us, it means that we actually can move forward with incredible initiatives and really pushing the digital industries in Ontario with the support of the budget."

Adam Spence, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Food Banks
"We are welcoming what the provincial government has put forward...What we have is the right steps towards poverty reduction in Ontario...We've seen those first investments made. That's positive...The provincial government is headed in the right direction....we've seen the dental care program, the 2 percent increase to social assistance, and the student nutrition program."

Sandy Singers, Chair, Ontario Association of Food Banks
"We're happy to see any developments on dental care for children in the province - it's a very important part of overall health in general and it's been overlooked for a long time so were very happy to see that piece in place."

Don Pearson, General Manager, Conservation Ontario
"I think the budget is a good balance of insuring that Ontario's economic prosperity continues in the face of some upcoming uncertainty that we are all anxious about and obviously the fact that we are able to keep our eye on the environmental ball is important for all of us as well because without a healthy environment we're not going to have a healthy economy."

Ilse Treurnicht, CEO, MaRS Discovery District
"I would say the sustained investment in the education and innovation agenda is absolutely essential for the future of Ontario's prosperity."

Lynn Peterson, Mayor of Thunder Bay
"I love to see the research and innovation aspect. And Recognizing Thunder Bay's potential is in there. And certainly we moving forward on the whole research and innovation side - to see support from the government...is really welcome and certainly we see it growing."

Jonathan Sceeles, Investment Advisor, Edward Jones
"...it is a third consecutive balanced budget, which is a [sic] very good news for Ontario."

For more information: Jeff Sprang, Director of Communications, ext.111

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Ministry of Education UPDATE

Memo Summary: March 2008

See
http://cal2.edu.gov.on.ca/mar08.html

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CSBA Copyright Information

Bulletin #3: Educational Use of the Internet:  “Fair Dealing” Just May Not Be Enough

Bulletin #4:  Concerning the Educational Use of the Internet: An Education Amendment Does Not Narrow Fair Dealing

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Join Your Provincial Partners for CSBA Congress 2008!

The CSBA Congress 2008, Teach Our Children Well, will be held from July 3 to 5 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Special guests and keynote speakers include:

• Catriona Le May – Olympic speed skater and Gold Medal winner
• Ian Jukes – Teacher, administrator, writer, consultant, university instructor and keynote speaker
• Gordon Tootoosis – Award winning Cree First Nation actor and 2005 recipient of the Order of Canada
• Dr. Pat Wolfe – Award winning author and educational consultant specializing in the application of brain research to the educational practice
• Pat Katz – Accomplished writer and a life balance and renewal strategist who is a frequent media guest expert on issues of balance, stress, time, and organization

Visit the CSBA Congress 2008 website for regular updates.

See
CSBA Congress 2008

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Conference Celebrates Children’s Mental Health Week

“Made in Ontario, a Showcase of Leading Practices in Child and Youth Mental Health,” will be held on Friday, May 9 at the Mississauga Convention Centre. Geared for front-line staff and clinicians, this conference celebrates children’s mental health week. It is hosted in partnership by:

• The Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO
• Peel Children’s Centre
• Child Development Institute
• Kinark Child and Family Services
• Hincks-Dellcrest Centre
• Children’s Mental Health Ontario

The registration deadline is May 2, 2008. The Early Bird registration fee (before April 14, 2008) is $80 + GST. After April 14, the registration fee is $100 + GST.

See
Made in Ontario

For more information: Sally Clelford, Conference Secretariat for the “Made in Ontario” Conference, 1.866.306.5714.

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ESAO 2008 Conference

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Calendar of EVENTS