Serving and Supporting BC’s Boards of Education
leader header

Raising the Valuation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge

In the spring of 2016, I had the privilege of hearing Mr. Tom Child recount the story of a Kwakiutl elder, Ms. Sara Sampare, who described her experience during the Great Depression of the 1930s. She had spoken of how during this time of national hardship, when everyone across North America was always hungry, the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples never experienced that same scarcity. Rich and sophisticated traditional ecological knowledge had resulted in more than enough food to meet the needs of the community.

leader header

Our Journey of Awareness and Understanding of Aboriginal Culture

On September 18, 2015, the culture of the Squamish People came to life at Eastview Elementary School in North Vancouver. Our year long journey of awareness and understanding of Aboriginal ways was witnessed and celebrated through a presentation ceremony of our Welcome Figure. Over the year, every Eastview student contributed to the pole under the guidance of distinguished Aboriginal carvers Ses Siyam (Ray Natroaro), and apprentice Haat With Wayaanus (Josh Watts).

leader header

Media Release: BCSTA Statement on Barry Neufeld’s Comments About SOGI Policies

[Vancouver – October 24, 2017] Please see below a statement from BCSTA President Gordon Swan on Barry Neufeld’s Facebook post regarding SOGI policies and initiatives:

“BCSTA does not support, nor agree with the position taken by Chilliwack school trustee Barry Neufeld. Our Association strongly believes that schools need to be safe and welcoming places for ALL students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion or background. It is important that we all stand up and defend our students and our staff against any incidents of prejudice, bullying or discrimination.”

leader header

Message of Support for SOGI Policies and Initiatives

[Vancouver, B.C, – September 22, 2017] – The British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) would like to express its full support for boards of education, the Ministry of Education and the Provincial Government in their work towards fostering safer and more inclusive communities for all British Columbians, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In 2016, the Government amended the BC Human Right’s Code to include explicit protection for gender identity and expression, and, following that, the Ministry of Education required all public boards of education to address gender identity and expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination under their codes of conduct. BCSTA fully supports both the intent behind the decision and the requirement itself.

leader header

Surrey School District Takes Their Data to a New Digital Level

Surrey Schools has designed a creative, innovative and interactive online tool called Our Data Story as part of the Our Learning Story webpage established to share facts and stories with parents and the public about student success in the district.

“Over the past few years, the district has been supporting teachers to explore the use of digital portfolios as a means to share evidence of learning with parents and students,” says Surrey Schools superintendent Dr. Jordan Tinney. “In many ways, Our Learning Story is mirroring a student digital portfolio approach by providing parents and the community with the advantages and convenience of online district performance reports.”

leader header

New Learning Guide Sets Trustees on Path to Success

Gordon Swan will never forget the pressures of being an novice trustee in the newly merged Nicola-Similkameen School District.

With hard decisions to be made around school closures, Swan and his fellow board members were forced to learn quickly about their new roles and responsibilities in the face of passionate opinions from parents.

“Having a learning guide for reference during that time would have been extremely helpful in my first few years as a new Trustee,” Swan said.

header - Audience at the conference 2400 x 1000

Student-Centred Governance Takes the Spot at This Year’s Trustee Academy

BCSTA’s Winter Trustee Academy is set to inspire trustees as they assemble under the theme of “Education Evolution: Student-Centred Governance” this November. This year’s winter academy will serve to highlight the important role students play in the governance of our public education system along with the value their unique perspective brings to decision-making.

The keynote session features Maria LeRose, a well-known and highly regarded television, webcast and live-event Moderator. Maria LeRose will be working with a student panel, consisting of Secondary students from the Surrey School District, which will explore the topic of Authentic Student Voice in School Board Governance. These students have been working diligently with their teacher to study the role of school boards and governance and to consider how best to make student input into board decision-making meaningful.

Provincial flags

Media Release: BCSTA Responds to New Government’s First Budget

[Vancouver, B.C. – September 12, 2017] BCSTA was generally pleased with the September budget update offered by Finance Minister Carole James on behalf of BC’s new government.

While the allocation of funding towards public education was generally well-received by BCSTA representatives in attendance, the organization noted that it will continue to maintain its focus on the fulfilment of election promises in the full provincial budget that will follow in 2018.

Vancouver School Board building

Media Release: BCSTA Responds to Vancouver School Board By-Election Announcement

[Vancouver, B.C. – August 3, 2017] The British Columbia School Trustees Association commends BC Minister of Education, Rob Fleming for his recent announcement which will see the return of a democratically elected board to the Vancouver School District by way of a by-election, taking place on October 14, 2017. 

The Vancouver School Board recently rejoined the BCSTA as members, and the Association looks forward to offering assistance to the new board as it takes on the challenges of governance once elected.

Garibaldi lake

Media Release: BCSTA Installs New Board of Directors

[Richmond B.C. – April 22, 2017] The British Columbia School Trustees Association held their 113th Annual General Meeting at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel at Richmond, B.C. At the AGM’s business session on April 22, 2017, the membership voted for the 2017-18 Board of Directors:

  • President: Gordon Swan, SD58 (Nicola-Similkameen)
  • Vice-President: Stephanie Higginson, SD68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)
  • Past President: Teresa Rezansoff, SD51 (Boundary)
  • Director: Carolyn Broady, SD45 (West Vancouver)
  • Director: Alan Chell, SD19 (Revelstoke)
  • Director: Gloria Jackson, SD28 (Quesnel)
  • Director: Donna Sargent, SD38 (Richmond)