Special Student Citizenship Award to commemorate Jean Ciriani

Each year, with our Student Citizenship Awards, BCSTA recognizes four graduating students for exemplary service to school and community. For 2010, BCSTA is establishing a special fifth Award to honour the late Jean Ciriani, who served for several years as our Communications Director. If you'd like to donate to this Award, please make out your cheque to: BC Educational Support Foundation, and mail it to BCSTA, 4-1580 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 5K9. For more information about this special Award, or about the Awards in general, contact Melanie Jackson.

For everyone who worked with her, Jean proved an inspiration: her passion and enthusiasm for public education were as infectious as her smile. President Connie Denesiuk says, "Jean Ciriani was well-respected as a leader in her field, and served BCSTA with great dedication. Both as our Communications Director, and as a citizen, Jean was passionate about serving public education. She was a bright presence in all our lives, and we will always remember her.” The Vancouver Sun paid tribute to our colleague, who was also very much our friend.

A celebration of Jean's life will be held Saturday, June 6, 4-8 pm, at 2605 East Pender St., Vancouver.

Back to top ^

Empowered by resolutions, BCSTA ready to meet with new government

The majority of BC’s boards of education have approved their budgets for the coming year – always placing student interests first. Despite boards’ best efforts, we continue to hear about cutbacks, staff layoffs and fee increases. With boards facing many difficult choices, the effects of the cuts will be felt in every school district across BC. 

With the strength of our collective voices, BCSTA continues to carry forward the AGM 2009 resolutions into a vigorous advocacy campaign. In anticipation of the appointment of the Minister of Education, BCSTA’s Board of Directors (pictured) will present your concerns about funding shortfalls, as well as other advocacy initiatives, in a meeting with the new government.

This will be a crucial dialogue – and one that BCSTA is determined to have as soon as possible with the new minister and government, expressing boards’ concerns, and ensuring they have time to work towards an improved financial situation to support public education for our students.

Back to top ^

In evaluation survey, attendees give a hearty thumbs-up to AGM 2009

There was a spirit of togetherness at our AGM 2009, April 23-26 in Kelowna – and also, it turns out, in the AGM evaluation survey results. From the responses we received by May 8, attendees were pretty uniform in their opinions. They rated the conference overall as excellent or good by 97.6%; the opening keynote by Ian Hanomansing, excellent or good by all respondents; the education plenary with Calvin Helin, excellent or good by 84%; conference materials and handouts, rated excellent or good by 96.8%; and meeting facilities rated as excellent or good by 98.4%. The Education Committee will be reviewing all the evaluation results with the goal of making continuous improvement to the AGM.

Back to top ^

How a trustee became a champion, thanks to her autistic son

In the latest Education Leader, New Westminster trustee Lisa Graham shares the story of her autistic son, and how he's made his way through welcoming and understanding public schools. Lisa also explains how David inspired her to become an advocate for all children: "If you have a handicapped child, it would be all too easy to feel like the victim of circumstances. I've learned that it’s better to champion your circumstances – to advocate for your child and other children like him."

Back to top ^

Tomorrow's the deadline to order your BCSTA Datebook

Get ready for 2009-10 – order your BCSTA Datebook, with its comprehensive calendars, list of BCSTA and partner resources, important legislative dates, and more. Don't delay, though: tomorrow's the deadline!

In our continuing initiative to stay green, we're taking individual orders this year for Datebooks rather than automatically distributing copies to board offices. The goal is to ensure that we print only what is necessary. Order your 2009/2010 Datebook online.

Back to top ^