Class size report released
BCSTA’s President, Penny Tees, Vice President Connie Denesiuk and Associate Executive Director Stephen Hansen attended the Learning Round Table meeting on December 10th at which the Ministry’s Report on Class Size and Composition was released.
According to the report, classes with more than 30 students have decreased by close to 66% throughout the province since 2005-06 with 95% of classes being below 30 students. All boards of education in the province have met the requirements of the class size legislation.
At the meeting Penny Tees pointed out to the Ministry and the other education partners present that class size is only one factor that influences student outcomes and we must continue to work on other factors that also affect learning.
View a fact sheet on class sizes and read the provincial overview of class size and composition.
Back to top ^
Board Academy: dynamic sessions earn plaudits
 This from our Senior Director, Education Rob Goodall:
Our Board Academy, Mastering Our Mandate, December 6 to 8, attracted well over 300 school trustees, administrators and guests to the Coast Plaza Hotel in Vancouver.
Conference delegates honoured retiring Executive Director Dr. Lee Southern at the opening plenary. In January, new Executive Director Dr. Stephen Hansen will take on responsibility for leading BCSTA.
The Academy featured keynote speakers Michael Fullan and Clyde Hertzman. Working with York Region District School Board Chair Bill Crothers, Michael addressed the requirements for system-wide improvement to enhance student achievement. Bill, a former track and field champion, added valuable information about his own district's progress based on many of Michael’s ideas.
Dr. Clyde Hertzman delivered an impassioned presentation on the importance of early childhood education, and the findings of the Provincial Early Childhood Development Mapping project. Colleague Dr. Janet Mort moderated a question-and-answer session with Surrey Superintendent Mike McKay, followed by a panel discussion involving several trustees and administrative personnel.
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier Shirley Bond addressed the gathering during the luncheon on Friday, December 7. A number of trustees had opportunities to ask questions of the minister.
Evaluation results are still coming in, but from what we have received so far, it is clear that delegates found this year’s Academy engaging and useful.
See a selection of photos taken at the Academy.
Back to top ^
All aboard! Next stop: the VSB lobby
 Granted, you’d have to be somewhat diminutive to board these particular trains. But that doesn’t keep crowds gathering every day between 11 and 1 in the Vancouver School Board lobby to watch the model trains chug along the tracks of a 20-foot-long, multi-level landscape. Constructed by VSB grounds supervisor Chris Foxon and other volunteers, the landscape features trains whisking through tunnels, past lakes and live miniature trees, a waterfall, a farm, up and down a mountain, and more. Many of the landscape materials were donated by district staff; there’s even a Where’s Waldo? type challenge posted in front of the elaborate landscape to find a skunk, dinosaur, and other items.
Visiting Vancouver? The VSB Express can be seen in full operation until December 20th.
See the VSB Express in action and read more about it in the Vancouver Courier.
Back to top ^
Speaking of travel, the December Leader is now en route to you
 If you attended BCSTA’s December 6-8 Board Academy in Vancouver, you got a sneak peek at the December Education Leader. If not, or if you didn’t keep a copy, never fear: the Association’s newsletter is in the mail to you. The cover story honours retiring Executive Director Lee Southern, a special framed copy having been presented to Lee at the Academy’s opening ceremonies. Other stories include “The incredible journey of an Ontario school board: an Ontario board chair describes how his district’s journey came to focus on literacy,” and “Taking the literacy challenge at its word: boards are enthusiastically living up to – or ahead of – the School Act.” There’s much more; watch for your copy soon.
Back to top ^
Seminal Academy papers now available online
The Academy, with its theme of “Mastering Our Mandate,” included two seminal papers:
Back to top ^
Special advance notice previews AGM 2008
Those attending last week’s Academy received in  their registration packages a special advance notice of BCSTA’s 104th Annual General Meeting, April 3-6, 2008 in Vancouver. The notice includes a look ahead at the major speakers, including the Honourable Bob Rae, former premier of Ontario, and Mary Delagardelle of the Iowa School Boards’ Association, reporting on the Lighthouse Project study of school board influence on student achievement.
There’s also a reminder that extraordinary motions must be submitted by January 23, 2008; and substantive motions by February 1, 2008. Note: motions can be sent to Maggie Li, executive assistant; if you have questions or requests for guidance, please contact Stephen Hansen, associate executive director (executive director as of January 1, 2008).
Back to top ^
That’s BCLTA, not BCTLA
 Thanks to the sharp-eyed e-Digest reader who pointed out that the November 29th e-Digest item on the collaboration between school trustees and librarians should have referred to BCLTA, as in BC Library Trustees’ Association, and not BCTLA, as in BC Teacher-Librarians’ Association.
Back to top ^ |
