Forging Our Future will be the theme
of BCSTA's seminal forum and 106th AGM

It's not just students' future at stake with public education – it's everyone's future. Join in BCSTA's landmark forum on public education, "Forging Our Future: strong sustainable public education for BC," during BCSTA's April 22-25 annual general meeting at the Victoria Conference Centre. Targeting the future and sustainability of public education, the forum will launch BCSTA's same-themed 106th annual general meeting.

An exciting chance for you to help shape the direction of BC schools, the forum will feature school trustees, business and political leaders, and education partner groups identifying key initiatives for public education as we enter the second decade of the 21st century. The forum will begin Thursday evening, April 22, with an expert-panel presentation. Then, on Friday, April 23, we will hold a facilitated plenary and smaller-group discussion sessions to develop recommendations for forging the future of public education in BC.

Registration starts Tuesday, February 2 at 9 am. Mike Gagel, BCSTA's Director, Information and Education Technology, will shortly contact executive assistants with a mock-up of the registration form.

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Speaking of BCSTA's AGM, the deadlines for submitting motions are close at hand

A key part of our annual general meeting – and indeed of "Forging Our Future" – is the business session. Members vote on motions deciding BCSTA's advocacy directions for the coming year. The deadlines for submitting these motions are coming up next month:

• for extraordinary motions (to change BCSTA bylaws), it's February 11. Here's a template for extraordinary motions.
• for substantive motions, it's February 19. Here's a template for substantive motions.

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Graduating students can apply for our Student Citizenship Awards – but hurry!

Applications are open for BCSTA’s five 2010 Student Citizenship Awards – but only until Monday, February 8. Students may mail or fax their forms to BCSTA, with winners to be announced in June. The awards, for $500 each, recognize students graduating from Grade 12 who have markedly contributed to the life and well-being of their school and community.

One of the awards commemorates the Association’s late communications director, Jean Ciriani. Listed in a special Leader honour roll, donors to date have contributed $5,340.

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Conference brings the latest on "Brain Development and Learning" to educators

The “Brain Development and Learning: making sense of the science” conference, July 16-20 in Vancouver, aims to bring the latest findings in neuroscience, developmental science, and mental health straight to educators. Focusing on best practices, this interdisciplinary conference canvasses wide-ranging topics, including child and adolescent mental health, how we learn vs. how we think we learn; interactions between the brain and immune system, with implications for autism and schizophrenia, and many more. Register with UBC Interprofessional Continuing Education before February 1 for a special, early-bird rate.

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Celebrations will honour the lives of two former Coquitlam, Surrey superintendents

The life of former Coquitlam Superintendent Laureen Doerksen will be honoured in a celebration tomorrow, 1 pm, at the Coquitlam Alliance Church, 2601 Spuraway Ave., Coquitlam. Recalling Laureen's contribution, Board Chair Melissa Hyndes said, “Under Ms. Doerksen’s direction, our district became a leader in provincial graduation rates and above average rates in provincial exams – a legacy that holds true today. Laureen was passionate about literacy, and the groundwork that she laid will be felt for a long time to come. She was tenacious in life and she showed that tenacity in her fight with cancer. She will be missed.”

Surrey Chair Laurae McNally remembers the many accomplishments of former Superintendent Doug Jennings: "I was one of the trustees who hired him. During the 13 years he worked for us, Doug oversaw the opening of 35 new schools as our population grew by some 20,000 students." Doug was "hugely supportive" of fostering leadership in teachers, department heads and principals, Laurae added. Doug was also a noted supporter of school sports: every year, the Surrey RCMP Basketball Classic gives a sportsmanship award in his name. A celebration of Doug's life is planned for Feb. 6, 1:30 pm, at the Seymour Golf and Country Club in North Vancouver.

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