Advocacy: Vape Awareness and Vape Cessation Resources for Youth

[Sent November 7, 2019] President Higginson to Federal Minister of Health Petitpas Taylor, BC Minister of Health Dix and BC Minister of Education Fleming: “The motion was passed unanimously by BCSTA’s membership and serves to highlight the overwhelming concerns our members have regarding the prevalence of vaping in BC’s public schools. While the true extent of

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Advocacy: Funding for Menstrual Product Dispensers – Response

[Received Oct 28, 2019] Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier James to President Higginson:  “As you may be aware, a ministerial order was issued in April 2019 by the Minister of Education that required public schools to provide free menstrual products for students in school washrooms by the end of 2019. At that time, $300,000 in provincial

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Advocacy: Implementation of MSP Requirement for International Students

[Sent November 5, 2019] President Higginson to Minister Dix: “While most school trustees, and the school districts they represent, do not have a concern with fee paying international students being required to have and pay for medical services plan (MSP) coverage, the timing of the announcement of this policy change is highly problematic for the

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Advocacy: Funding Distribution Model Feedback

[Sent October 31, 2019] President Higginson to Minister Fleming: “While BCSTA remains fully committed to our position that the current funding model must be modernized, and to the jointly established guiding principles for change, we also recognize the need for individual boards to see and fully understand the impact of any changes that cabinet may

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Advocacy: E-Cigarettes and Vapour Products – Response

[Received July 29, 2019] Director General, Tobacco Control Directorate, Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch Health Canada, Van Loon to President Higginson:  “Health Canada shares the concerns you raised as well as those of parents, educators and public health stakeholders about the troubling trend of youth vaping and is continuing to take action. The Government of Canada has already

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Advocacy: Ministry Review of Area Standards for School Construction

[Sent September 4, 2019] President Higginson to Minister Fleming: “Our members noted current standards were last revised in 2004, and the limitations are becoming quite apparent. Their examples include, but are not limited to, a lack of space for visual and performing arts, minimal considerations for childcare programming, and insufficient gymnasium space.”

Advocacy: Recruitment and Retention Strategy

[Sent August 22, 2019] President Higginson to Minister Fleming, Minister Mark and UBCM President Singh: “The resolution notes several potential ideas for incentives that may press those working in rural communities to stay long-term, as well as attract quality talent. Many of our member boards, specifically those in remote and rural areas of the provinces,

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Advocacy: Implementing CleanBC Plan for School Districts

[Sent August 15, 2019] President Higginson to Minister Fleming and Minister Heyman: “Support in the way of funding for new school construction and the retrofitting of current buildings, as well as operation guidelines, will do much to aid districts in meeting the goals outlined in CleanBC’s report. The full report indicates that changes must be

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Advocacy: Eligibility Requirements for Teacher Training

[Sent August 8, 2019] President Higginson to Minister Fleming and Minister Mark: “As indicated in the motion’s rationale, applicants in rural communities are often not able to meet the standards for admission to a teacher education program. This includes candidates with undergraduate degrees who indicated that equivalent education was not considered acceptable in the admission

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Advocacy: Funding for Exempt Staff Compensation

[Sent August 1, 2019] President Higginson to Minister James: “In response to the call from our membership, we request that you consider fully funding school district exempt staff through the Ministry of Education. Providing this funding will allow districts to allocate their budgets in order to focus spending on locally determined priorities such as improving

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