Boards' and BCSTA's funding advocacy efforts are having a positive ripple effect
 In the latest Education Leader, find out how funding advocacy efforts by boards of education and BCSTA are having a positive ripple effect. There's still a long way to go, but in districts such as Kootenay Lake, Surrey and Greater Victoria and more, there are some encouraging signs. Also in this Leader: a tribute to the late Peter Jones, who was not only a North Vancouver trustee, but a mayor of West Vancouver. While trustee, Jones got the plans well underway for the founding of Capilano College.
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Stay up to date on advocacy: check out BCSTA's Strategic Priorities Status Report
 As directed by membership, BCSTA's Board of Directors has set out the Association's Strategic Priorities for 2009-10. These key areas of focus come with a Status Report, enabling you to stay up to date with BCSTA's advocacy for you — and the students you represent.
After each Board of Directors meeting, we update the Status Report with AGM responses received from government and partner groups. Within the Report, you can view the status of each priority. Go to the Strategic Priorities, select a priority, then scroll to the bottom to view its advocacy status.
And, of course, throughout the year BCSTA's Board of Directors closely monitors the responses to determine further advocacy actions.
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Auditor General details key findings in Planning for School Seismic Safety
 BC Auditor General John Doyle's report Planning for School Seismic Safety is now available for review. The Auditor General (pictured) makes a number of recommendations, as well as summing up BC schools' current preparedness in case of an earthquake:
"While earthquakes cannot be prevented, steps can be taken to minimize — 'mitigate' — their impacts. Structural mitigation focuses on strengthening the parts of the building that carry weight, such as load-bearing walls. Non-structural mitigation focuses on securing operational and functional parts of the building that might shift or fall during violent ground shaking. These parts include overhead lighting, bookcases and filing cabinets."
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BCASBO sends letter about HST impact to Ministers of Finance and Education
 The BC Association of School Business Officials is sharing the letter its president, David Green, wrote to the Ministers of Finance and Education about the impact of the new Harmonized Sales Tax on the K-12 sector. Estimating that the increased costs to districts will be $24 million, BCASBO is asking for an offset via a "harmonized" HST/GST rebate rate of 68 per cent.
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How to make Remembrance more than just a Day our communities observe
 BC communities and schools can make Remembrance Day an event that they actually feel. Visit Veterans Affairs Canada for commemorative activities that make not just November 11, but all of next week truly Veterans' Week. To honour our vets, there are special activities planned for just about every community in Canada. Let your communities and schools know, so they can get involved!
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On November 20, celebrate the 20th anniversary of National Child Day
 When children become aware of their own rights, they are more respectful of the rights of others, research has shown. That's a pretty powerful reason to get involved in celebrating National Child Day, November 20, and let everyone — no matter what age — know the basic human rights to which children and youth everywhere are entitled. This year, National Child Day is especially significant, because we're marking the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Help promote and protect the health and well-being of all Canadian children and youth: check out the Public Health Agency of Canada's National Child Day package. There are many suggested activities, including a special section for educators.
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Introducing: Legislative Monitoring
 This week in e-Digest, we bring you the first of what will be a regular feature whenever the BC Legislature is in session: transcripts of public-education-related discussions in the Legislature.
Here's the first edition of Legislative Monitoring, with transcripts from November 2 and 4, 2009.
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