2022 OCSTA AGM & Conference – Ottawa
KEY PRESENTATIONS:
Resiliance & Empathy in Education
Dr. Jean Clinton – Author, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry,
McMaster University:
The Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education (Invited)
A Glimpse into the Indigenous Worldview
Elder Albert Dumont, Poet Laureate for Ottawa
Catholic Education: The Enduring Gift
Dr. Mark McGowan, Author and Interim Principal and Vice Principal
University of St. Michael’s College – University of Toronto
An Equity and Human Rights Overview for School Board Leaders
Melanie McNaught (Partner) and Casey Dockendorff (Partner), Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti, LLP
Strategies to Address Anti-Black Racism and Promoting a Culture of Inclusion
Tom D’Amico, Director of Education, Ottawa Catholic School Board
Nick Milanetti, Executive Director
The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all those attending the Annual General Meeting & Conference April 21-23, 2022 at the Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa. Our event management decisions and health and safety measures have and continue to be guided by federal, provincial and local public health direction.
As you know, on March 9, 2022, the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Ontario announced the gradual lifting of a number of COVID-19 health and safety measures. Relevant to our Annual General Meeting, proof of vaccination is no longer required for guests/visitors at the Fairmont Château Laurier and the wearing of masks will be optional. The Fairmont Château Laurier has confirmed, however, that all employees of the hotel will continue to be required to wear a mask.
We know that all Catholic Trustees, Student Trustees, Senior Administrators and others in attendance throughout the Annual General Meeting & Conference will fully respect and support individual choices with regard to the wearing of a mask.
Despite the lifting of certain restrictions, we are encouraging the continued practice of safe measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, especially for those who are most vulnerable, immune-compromised, and/or not fully vaccinated. Attendees are expected to self-screen daily before attending sessions. If you are experiencing any symptoms or think you might have COVID-19, please isolate yourself for the health and safety of all.
You are invited to view, download and print the robust PROGRAM planned for our 2022 AGM and Conference at the Château Laurier in Ottawa.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Elections for two(2) , OCSTA Executive Positions and one (1) OCSTA Representative Position for the CCSTA Board will occur at the 2022 AGM on Friday, April 22.
Nomination forms for each position are available at the links below:
The deadline date for nominations is 9:00 a.m. (EST) on March 30, 2022.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Role of the President
- Presides at all general meetings of the Association and at meetings of the Board of Directors
- Has general supervision of OCSTA’s affairs
- Is an ex-officio member of all committees
- Is the official spokesperson for OCSTA
The Role of the Vice President
- Presides at meetings of the Board of Directors in the absence of the President.
- Represents the Association in place of the President, as required.
- Any other duties, as determined by the President.
The Role of the Past President
Because of the immediate Past President’s familiarity with Association operations and political priorities, this position fills an important role for the current President and the Board.
OCSTA Board of Directors – Roles and Responsibilities
The Board of Directors is the major decision-making body of the Association. This group manages the affairs of the Associations and consists of:
- 3 Table Officers: President, Vice President, Past President
- 15 Regional Directors
- Executive Director
- Chaplain
- ACBO Liaison to OCSTA
The Board of Directors
- Serves as the principal source of policy and political direction for the Association between Annual General Meetings.
- Approves amendments to the Constitution and By-Law which are then taken to the membership for approval at an AGM.
- Approves the annual Association budget and establishes membership and service fees.
- Selects OCSTA award recipients.
- Establishes ad-hoc work groups, as required.
- Other responsibilities as adopted by the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors’ Meetings
– 6 times per year (September, December, February, April (2), and June.
– May be called by the President at others times.
– Shall be convened by the Executive Director upon direction in writing of five Directors.
Committee Meetings
– There are currently 5 Standing Committees.
– OCSTA Regional Directors are required to sit on 2 of these committees.
– Committees meet approximately 3-6 times per year.
– Ad Hoc Committees may be established, as needed.
REGISTRATION: If you haven’t already done so, please register here. The early bird deadline is March 25, 2022.
ROOM BLOCK: The OCSTA hotel room block at the Fairmont Château Laurier is now FULL. However, there are a number of nearby hotels (within walking distance), that you may consider booking at. You may also wish to regularly check back with the Fairmont, as there are often cancellations closer to the date.
The Westin Ottawa (11 Colonel By Drive – 0.3 km)
Lord Elgin Hotel (100 Elgin Street – 0.5 km)
Sheraton Ottawa Hotel (150 Albert Street – 0.7 km)
We look forward to seeing you in April!
NOTE: Policies are subject to change if ordered by the Federal, Provincial or local government, or by the Fairmont Château Laurier.
Legislative Update
Stephen Andrews, Director, Legislative and Political Affairs
Bill 87 Black Mental Health Day (NDP Private Member’s Bill). The Bill proclaims the first Monday in March in each year as Black Mental Health Day; it also seeks to amend the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 to require the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, Ontario Health and any person receiving funding from the Government of Ontario to provide health care services, to take all reasonable steps to ensure that information relating to the race of patients in Ontario is collected. It also amends the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act by adding the duty to ensure that health services are provided in a culturally appropriate manner.
Bill 86 Our London Family Act (Working Together to Combat Islamophobia and Hatred) 222 (NDP Private Member’s Bill). This Bill seeks to amend the Education Act to eliminate racism and hatred in the school system. It requires that the Minister and district school boards develop and maintain a provincial anti-racism strategy for schools. The strategy is to be based on qualitative and quantitative data collected by the district school boards. In addition, the Minister is required to develop and maintain a provincial anti-Islamophobia strategy for schools and ensure supportive programs for racialized students. Boards are required to have a complaint process for students, teachers, education workers, staff and family members to make a complaint of discrimination, racism or bigotry, including Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Black racism or anti-Asian racism. On March 3, 2022 the Bill was referred to the Justice Standing Committee.
Bill 85 Smoke Free Ontario Amendment Act (Vaping for Kids) (NDP Private Member’s Bill). The Bill makes various amendments to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017. Key changes include: amending the Act to prohibit the promotion of vapor products, and to provide that no person shall sell or supply a tobacco product, vapor product or prescribed product or substance to a person who is less than 21 years old.
Bill 67 Racial Equity in the Education System Act (NDP Private Member’s Bill). The Bill proposes to make various amendments to the Education Act. New subsection 10.1 (3) of the Act is amended to require the Minister to direct a board to develop its anti-racism accountability report if in the opinion of the Minister there is indication that the board’s new teacher induction program does not include anti-racism and racial equity training. Subsection 170 (1) of the Act is amended by adding anti-racism related responsibilities to the duties of boards. New subsection 212 (1.1) provides for fines for persons who disrupt or attempt to disrupt proceedings of a school or class through the use of racist language or activities. New section 277.28.1 provides that performance appraisals shall include competencies related to a teacher’s anti-racism awareness and efforts to promote racial equity. New subsection 301 (7.1.1) requires the Minister to establish policies and guidelines with respect to promoting racial equity in schools. New section 303.4 requires boards to establish and implement racial equity plans. The Bill passed second reading and has been referred to the Social Policy Standing Committee of the Legislature.
Catholic Education Week
A reminder to all trustees that Catholic Education Week classroom and community resources are available online at www.goodnewsforall.ca
For quick reference – see the following links:
Messaging for Trustee Presentations
Catholic Education Week Song (video)
OCSTA Recent Statements and Releases
OCSTA Urges Caution as Health and Safety Measures Lifted
OCSTA Welcomes Findings from OHRC Right to Read Inquiry
OCSTA Welcomes Additional Funding to Support Learning Recovery…
Catholic Register Easter Contest
The Catholic Register is conducting its ninth annual children’s Easter drawing contest https://www.CatholicRegister.org/EasterContest
The top entry in each of 3 categories will receive a $75 Amazon gift certificate.
The winning drawings will appear in The Register’s Easter Edition, April 17, 2022.
Rules
- The contest is open to children enrolled in Grades 1-8.
- One prize will be awarded to the top entry in each of these categories: Grades 7-8, Grades 4-6 and Grades 1-3.
- Entries must be original, in colour, drawn or painted on a page that is at least 8.5” x 11”, and illustrate some aspect of Christ’s Resurrection on the first Easter morning.
- For electronic submissions: minimum resolution 300dpi, in jpeg or PDF format.
- A completed entry form is required for every entry. All entries must include the signature/authorization of a parent or guardian. Entries become the property of The Catholic Register.
- Electronic submissions can be submitted at www.CatholicRegister.org/EasterContest
- Judges’ decisions are final and entries may be published in The Catholic Register at the editor’s sole discretion.
- Submission deadline is noon Eastern Time April 8, 2022.
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