THE YEAR IN REVIEW 2018/19

Cover Photo: Students from the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board

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Our Mission

Inspired by the Gospel, the Catholic School Trustees’ Association provides the provincial voice, leadership and service for elected Catholic school trustees to promote and protect publicly funded Catholic .

Our Vision

Ontario is enriched by a publicly funded Catholic education system governed by locally elected Catholic school trustees who serve with faith, commitment and compassion.

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Beverley Eckensweiler Nick Milanetti President Executive Director

Message from the President

This OCSTA 2018-19 Year in Review is as always prepared for a very distinct audience – the Catholic school trustees at Ontario’s 29 publicly funded English Catholic school boards. Throughout the year, the work addressed by OCSTA is done with the focused intent of supporting and advancing the priorities of this province’s Catholic school boards. While needs and priorities vary depending on the region of the province, size of the board, local economy and demographics, one thing remains constant, and that is our commitment to promoting and protecting our Catholic schools. That very distinctive perspective is reflected in all we do as your Association.

OCSTA addresses the issues affecting Catholic education and the particular needs of Catholic trustees who have been elected to govern Catholic boards, advocate on behalf of Catholic education, and represent the interests of constituents. Following the 2018 fall municipal election, we were pleased to congratulate all re-elected and newly elected Catholic trustees. Assuming the role of Catholic Trustee is quite a responsibility – one recognized by the founders of this Association 89 years ago.

At that time, trustees came to the realization that to affect the kind of change needed to support the growth of Catholic schools and fulfill the promise of Catholic education, more provincial support was needed. This Association was formed in 1930 with the intent of fulfilling those goals by developing a unified and influential provincial lobby for publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario. Through persistent, faith-filled advocacy by this Association and the Catholic community, we eventually realized full funding of our schools and consistent provincial support for our system that continues to this day.

Reaching Out Across Ontario

Since beginning my term last April, I have had the pleasure of travelling to various regions across the province to meet with Catholic trustees within their local schools and boards. The experience has been deeply rewarding, providing me with first-hand insight into the various ways our trustees and boards connect with staff, students, parishes, local residents, organizations and businesses to contribute in positive ways to the community around them.

Trustees know how integral publicly funded Catholic schools are to the life of this province. Our schools are regularly in the news celebrating their outstanding academic and athletic achievements. They are recognized locally and internationally for their efforts in raising public service awareness and taking action on social justice issues, and they are faithful parish members engaged in everything from the preparation of the sacraments to parish celebrations.

This snapshot of Catholic education coupled with the funding, curriculum and political priorities of the day are at the core of what OCSTA communicates to the government and political representatives at Queen’s Park.

Every few weeks I travel to to meet with MPPs, government officials and staff to discuss these priorities on your behalf. During these discussions, I also gain a deeper understanding of MPPs perspectives regarding our Catholic school

P a g e | 1 system. The 2018 provincial election brought in many new MPPs, some of whom are not overly familiar with publicly funded Catholic schools. Our meetings with these MPPs provides an opportunity to highlight the distinctive attributes of Catholic schools and to point out the extensive breadth of support for the Catholic education within their ridings.

I encourage all trustees to find the opportunities to meet with their local MPPs as much as possible. If you visit our campaign website – www.togetherinfaith.ca – you will find messaging and communication materials that you can download and use to support your discussions with MPPs. When our elected officials understand the success, the value and the support enjoyed by publicly funded Catholic schools in their constituencies, they are not only more informed but more likely to be vocal supporters of Catholic education in Ontario.

This report will set out for you the key work of OCSTA, which includes an overview of:

 OCSTA’s Finance Brief recommendations – the association’s key document for advancing the financial priorities of Catholic school boards in Ontario;  2019 collective bargaining preparations - OCSTA is the official employer bargaining agent in the provincial bargaining process;  OCSTA’s legislative and political advocacy program;  Professional courses, modules and resources developed specifically to support Catholic Trustees;  OCSTA’s communications and promotions initiative;  The 2018-19 conference and seminar program – including trustee awards.

One of the benefits of an OCSTA membership is the opportunity it offers for trustees to meet in person with one another. I appreciate the opportunity our events offer for Catholic trustees from across Ontario to connect as peers and to worship together as a community. Given the unique opportunities and challenges we face as Catholic trustees, it is a blessing to be able to meet at these central events, share our experiences and ultimately gain strength from one another.

I hope that you find this report to be helpful and that it serves to support you in the work you do each day as a guardian, steward and advocate for Catholic education.

God Bless.

Beverley Eckensweiler President

P a g e | 2 , PC MPP and Parliamentary Political Advocacy and Assistant to the Premier

Rodd Phillips, Minister of the Environment Partnerships , NDP MPP (-James Bay)

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Enhance political advocacy , Education Critic, NDP for publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario by , Education Critic, building positive new relationships and reinforcing Liberal Party of Ontario existing ones with provincial and local politicians, government officials, education partners and the Indira Naidoo-Harris, former Minister of Education media. and Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care

Director of Legislative and Political Affairs: , and Minister of Stephen Andrews Intergovernmental Affairs

Andrew Davis, Ministry of Education As the provincial voice for Catholic education in Josh Paul, Ministry of Education Ontario, OCSTA advocates on behalf of all 29 Catholic school boards. A key part of this work Martyn Beckett, Ministry of Education. involves informing senior government officials, MPPs from all political parties, and the broader Through these meetings, OCSTA continues to Catholic community about the contributions, value advance the policy and regulatory issues of concern and priorities of Catholic school boards across to our Catholic school boards, which include: Ontario.  Student transportation funding Since the election of the new Progressive  Information technology and broadband Conservative government in June 2018, OCSTA services developed and implemented a comprehensive  Special education and student mental health government relations strategy to articulate and funding advance Catholic education in Ontario. A key aspect  Sick leave costs of this strategy is to continue to build relationships  School board autonomy and flexibility with senior government officials, MPPs, cabinet  Capital funding ministers, and leaders of all major political parties. Throughout 2018 and into 2019, OCSTA staff and President Beverley Eckensweiler met with political staff, MPPs, and senior staff in the Ministry of Education, Treasury Board, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Following is a list of some of the MPPs and government leaders who met with OCSTA during the past year:

Lorne Coe, PC MPP (Whitby-Oshawa)

Bruce Rodrigues, former Deputy Minister of Education (L-R) Nick Milanetti, Executive Director, President Beverley Nancy Naylor, Deputy Minister of Education Eckensweiler, Hon. , Minister of Tourism, Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Education Culture & Sport, Michelle Griepsma, Vice-President

Mitzie Hunter, Former Minister of Education

Sam Oosterhoff, PC MPP (Niagara West- Glanbrook), Parliamentary Assistant, Ministry of Education

Bill Walker, PC MPP (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound)

P a g e | 3 Legislative Advocacy Lobby Day 2018

To inform and have impact on the development of legislation in Ontario, OCSTA presents submissions to standing committees and other areas of the government developing legislation that will affect Catholic education in Ontario.

OCSTA presented the following submissions to the government of Ontario:

1. Class Size Engagement Guide & Ontario School Boards Hiring Practices Consultation (Feb. 20, 2019)

2. Bill 48, Safe & Supportive Classrooms Act, 2018 (Feb. 14, 2019)

3. 2019 Pre-Budget Consultation (Jan. 28, 2019)

4. Submission to the Minister of Education – Engagement: 2019-2020 Education Funding Guide (Dec. 13, 2018)

5. Partners in Excellence: Balancing Equity & Efficiency (Dec. 10, 2018)

6. Consultation: Education in Ontario

(Nov. 23, 2018) (L-R) OCSTA President, Beverley Eckensweiler, His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of 7. Bill 36, Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, Toronto, Mackenzie Finamore, Student Trustee, Bruce- 2018 (Oct. 9, 2018) Grey CDSB, Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Education 8. Planning for Prosperity: A Consultation for the People (Sept. 21, 2018) FACE Lobby Day at Queen’s Park

9. 2018 Ontario PC Party Policy Submission The annual lobby day for Catholic education (Oct. 11, 2018) coordinated under the FACE (Friends and Advocates for Catholic Education) umbrella took place on 10. Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018 Tuesday, November 27, 2018. On that day, teams of Potential Regulations Consultations Catholic trustees (representing OCSTA), Catholic (July 10, 2018) teachers (representing OECTA) and Bishops from the

11. Student Transportation Discussion Paper – “New Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO) Vision for Student Transportation in Ontario” gathered in Queen’s Park to spend the day meeting (March 28, 2018) with various MPPs.

12. Bill 31, Plan for Care & Opportunity Act The purpose of this annual event is to raise awareness (Budget Measures), 2018 about the distinctive value of Catholic education and the achievements and contributions of Ontario’s publicly funded Catholic schools to community life. FACE lobby teams discussed with MPPs current priorities in education and provided infographic sheets that highlighted timely facts about Catholic education at the provincial and local levels.

P a g e | 4 We sincerely appreciate the participation of the education who are in the members’ gallery. I look following members of the FACE delegation teams: forward to joining you for lunch. Thank you for being here. OCSTA Representatives OCSTA President, Beverley Eckensweiler; Ms. Marit Stiles (NDP Education Critic): It gives me Hamilton-Wentworth CDSB Chair and OCSTA Past great pleasure to welcome the many Friends and President, Patrick Daly; Toronto CDSB Trustee, Advocates for Catholic Education who are joining us Nancy Crawford; Northeastern CDSB Vice Chair and here today, including, as others have mentioned, His OCSTA Director, Colleen Landers; Simcoe-Muskoka Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins; Beverley CDSB Chair, Carol Corriveau-Truchon, and OCSTA Eckensweiler, President of the Ontario Catholic Executive Director, Nick Milanetti. School Trustees’ Association; and Liz Stuart, Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association; as well as OECTA Representatives many trustees and other representatives. Thank you OECTA President, Liz Stuart; OECTA Past for being here. President, Ann Hawkins; OECTA First Vice- President, Warren Grafton; OECTA Second Vice- Hon. : I would also like to bring President, Barb Dobrowolski, and OECTA General greetings from the House to His Eminence Cardinal Secretary, Marshall Jarvis. Collins and all of the advocates for Catholic education here today. ACBO Representatives His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop FACE delegation teams met with the following MPPs of Toronto; Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, Bishop of during the day: London; Most Rev. Douglas Crosby, Bishop of Hamilton; Most Rev. Wayne Kirkpatrick, Bishop of  MPP (Parliamentary Toronto, and; Most Rev. John A. Boissonneau, Assistant to the Minister of Bishop of Toronto. Education), Niagara West (PC)  MPP Stephen Lecce, King- (PC) FACE delegates were also seated in the House  MPP , Barrie-Springwater- galleries and were acknowledged during Question Oro Medonte (PC) Period by Members. Following are excerpts from  MPP John Fraser, South (Liberal) Hansard featuring acknowledgements and  MPP , Northumberland- recognition of FACE members. Peterborough South (PC)  MPP Stephen Crawford, Oakville (PC) Mr. Gilles Bisson: …We have Colleen Landers, who  MPP Marit Stiles, Davenport (NDP is here with the English Catholic Boards. We Education Critic) welcome you all to Queen’s Park..  MPP , Niagara Centre (NDP)  MPP , Kitchener Hon. Bill Walker: …From the Bruce Grey Catholic Centre (NDP) District School Board, board chair and chair of the  MPP , - Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association, Bev Streetsville (PC) Eckensweiler, and student trustee Mackenzie  MPP , Scarborough- Finamore. Agincourt (PC)  MPP , Scarborough Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: It’s a pleasure today to rise Southwest (NDP) and also add my welcome to Beverley Eckensweiler  MPP , Mississauga- from Mildmay, Ontario, in Bruce County. She is Malton (PC) serving as chair of the Ontario Catholic School  MPP , Kingston and the Trustees’ Association, and she is joined as well by Islands (NDP) Nick Milanetti.  MPP Judith Monteith-Farrell, Thunder Bay- Atikokan (NDP) Mr. Sam Oosterhoff (Parliamentary Assistant to the  MPP , Brampton Centre (NDP) Minister of Education): I also wish to introduce to the  MPP , Carleton (PC) Legislature today those who are here today with  MPP , York South- Cardinal Collins and the friends of Catholic Weston (NDP) P a g e | 5  MPP , Mississauga Also in attendance at the reception were Centre (PC) representatives from a number of Catholic education  MPP , Markham-Unionville (PC) partners in Ontario, including: the Archdiocese of  MPP , Mississauga Lakeshore Toronto; Association franco-ontarienne des (PC) conseils scolaires catholiques; Catholic Principals’  MPP , Centre (PC) Council of Ontario, Ontario Association for Parents in Catholic Education, English Catholic Council of Following the day meetings with MPPs, a special Directors of Education, Institute for Catholic FACE reception celebrating Ontario’s Catholic Education, and the Ontario Catholic Supervisory schools was held in the Legislative Dining Room. Officers’ Association. Representing the FACE partners and serving as host for this event was the Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro This event was once again coordinated under the (ACBO). Bishop Fabbro welcomed and introduced leadership of FACE Project Manager, Carole Allen. the following key presenters for the evening: Education Finance – 2018-19  Minister of Education, The Hon. Lisa Thompson GSN Review  NDP Education Critic MPP Marit Stiles  Liberal Education Critic and Former Premier, MPP Kathleen Wynne In addition to advocating to the government and other  Green Party Representative, MPP Mike sector stakeholders on the key issues and concerns of Schreiner Catholic School Boards with respect to key education  Ontario Student Trustees’ Association policies, OCSTA provides provincial insight and Catholic Board Council President, York analysis on education finance to boards. CDSB Student Trustee, Sophia Trozzo. 2018-2019 Grants for Student Needs (GSN) OCSTA wishes to acknowledge and thank the Highlights from the March 26, 2018 announcement following students and staff who participated in this include: year’s Lobby Day activities by demonstrating student achievements in art, music and communications:  Overall increase in spending by $625 million, bringing the total investment to $24.5 billion; Students from the Waterloo Catholic District  Per pupil funding will increase to $12,300 School Board: annually.  Hunter Tyska, Olivier Szczepaniak, Abby Barbosa, Lulia Habtemichael and Caroline However, with the election of the PC government in Szawlowski – with teachers John Murphy and June, 2018, several changes were made to the Marianna Worth. original GSN announcement. In Memo B-14 key Students from St. Joseph’s College – Toronto changes to the GSN were announced: CDSB:  Madeline Martino, Maya Mckeown, Sydney Tri,  Cancellation of the Greenhouse Gas Michaela Cotter, and Abigail Cerna – with Reduction Fund as of July 3, 2019 teacher Paul Sabyan.  Line by line review of all education spending Students from Cardinal Carter Academy (string  Special Education Per-Pupil Amount quartet) – Toronto CDSB: increased by $28M  Sharon Nicholas, Zachary Alatraca, Emily Choi,  Re-focusing on Fundamental Mathematics and Aryan Ghosh with teacher Dr. Daniel ($55M). The ministry is replacing the Hasznos. previously announced $55 million Education Student Trustees from the Catholic Board Council Programs – Other (EPO) funding: Renewed of OSTA-AECO: Math Strategy with the Focusing on  Sophia Trozzo, Cali Brake, Denzel Herrero, Will Fundamental Mathematics EPO. Charlebois, Rynel Pinto, Stephanie Mazza, Julia  Expand the role for multi-disciplinary teams Cara, Sofia Zamorano, and Mackenzie Finamore. funding of $52M to Include Support for

P a g e | 6 Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and These include: Other Special Education Needs.  The Special Incidence Portion maximum  Place a temporary cap on existing claim amount will be $27,405, rather than the Educational Development Charges (EDCs) $38,016 announced in the March GSN. and conduct a review of the policy and  Suspend the announced Trustee Honoraria regulatory framework of EDCs. increase.  $25 million reduction in EPO funding for all  Suspend executive compensation ($1.7M school boards. GSN and $4.1M EPO) that was previously announced. Labour The Government has announced that the 2019-20 GSN would be released following the Provincial STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Ensure OCSTA is Budget on April 11th. In advance of the release of the structurally aligned to successfully fulfill its role as GSN the ministry issued a series of B-Memos that the legislated Employer Bargaining Agent for all signal a significant funding change to the Sector: Ontario’s English Catholic School Boards. Budget Planning Memo, Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, New Vision for Director and Labour Relations Counsel: Education and Next Phase of Consultations on Hiring Sharon Duffy Practice and Class Sizes. Grants reduced or eliminated included in these memos are: Labour Highlights 2018/19

The OCSTA Labour Relations committee, under the  Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Funding leadership of Chair Patrick Daly, provides important Reduced – impact on FTE of ECE’s funded oversight, strategic direction and support to OCSTA  Grades 4 to 8 Average Class Size Funding staff. Throughout the 2018-19 year, the Labour Reduced – impact on FTE of Teachers Relations department staff continue to ensure that (grades 4-8 funded) OCSTA fulfills its duties and responsibilities as a  Grades 9 to 12 Average Class Size Funding Trustees’ association under the School Boards Reduced – impact on FTE of Teachers Collective Bargaining Act. (grades 9-12 funded)  Local Priorities Grant- Funding Commitment These include, collective agreement administration terminates August 31, 2019 – impact (the processing and settlement of grievances, both in Teaching / Non-teaching FTE its own right and as a member of the Council of  Base Cost Adjustment Non-Union Staff- Trustees Associations (CTA), litigation (both Funding Terminated – impact Non-Union arbitrations and judicial reviews); engagement in Salary Adjustment funds ongoing working groups mandated in collective  Secondary Program Enhancement Grant - agreements and extension agreements; planning and Funding Terminated – impact on FTE preparation for upcoming collective bargaining; Secondary Teaching Staff consultations and advocacy; and involvement in  Human Resource Transition Supplement – outstanding workplace issues respecting benefits and Funding Terminated – impact on funding to executive compensation. support Human Resources Department operational funds. Collective Agreement Administration

The release of the full GSN package and technical OCSTA continues to deal with a high volume of papers in April will allow for a detailed projection of central grievances, both directly and in its capacity as on-the-ground impact on Boards. a member of the CTA. Although only a portion have assigned litigation dates, all require ongoing In addition, a number of key education funding assessment of potential provincial implications, announcements were made by the new government. settlement opportunities and review of collective agreement language.

P a g e | 7 Litigation Consultations and advocacy OCSTA continues to defend the interests of its OCSTA has, along with other public stakeholders, members in litigation matters, both directly and as a participated in ongoing Government of Ontario member of the CTA. OCSTA is currently reviewing consultations on issues affecting the education sector, a large volume of grievances, and a smaller number most recently with respect to regulations dealing with of arbitrations scheduled for the coming year. occasional teacher hiring practices and class size. OCSTA is currently coordinating a response to Where these matters overlap with collective judicial review application filed in March 2019 by bargaining, OCSTA acknowledges the priority of OECTA in respect to the previous ECE arbitration bargaining. However, consistent with its mandate, decision rendered by Arbitrator Goodfellow. OCSTA has put forward ongoing concerns respecting administrative, equity, and cost issues connected with Working Committees current practices.

OCSTA has been an active participant in ongoing Benefits Trust working groups and committees mandated by collective agreements and extension agreements. The OCSTA continues to work on issues arising from the Provincial Working Group on Health and Safety establishment of the various provincial employee life (PWGHS), a joint initiative between trustee and health trusts. The handling of retirees and associations and unions led by the Ministries of reconciliation of prior collective agreement Education and Labour most recently has produced commitments continues, with OCSTA providing key and distributed to boards a guide to understanding support to the provincial level. As well the process workplace violence reporting requirements under for a formal RFP for a long-term disability, benefit different statutes, and the implementation of an program for administration and education workers online reporting tool. The PWGHS continues to meet was completed and a successful insurance carrier and discuss health and safety issues arising in the identified, and a registration process commenced. educational workplace, heat stress guidelines, and best practices on communicating asbestos awareness. Labour Relations Resolutions OCSTA also continues to work with a dedicated OCSTA’s Labour Relations Committee reviews and provincial committee on health and safety with takes appropriate action on labour-related resolutions OECTA. OCSTA continues to work with principals flowing from the Annual General Meeting. and vice-principal groups to provide support, and to deal with monies in respect of the regulated staffing component under extension agreements.

Collective Bargaining Preparation

Current collective agreements in the sector expire on August 31, 2019. Under current rules, notice to commence collective bargaining may be served 90 days prior to expiration or, where a regulation is in place, up to six months in advance. A considerable amount of uncertainty accompanies the upcoming bargaining process, including its timing and anticipated duration. At the time of writing, we have no firm indication of early bargaining. In January 2018, the Labour Group met with Chairs and Regional Directors, and Catholic board labour relations officials in a series of regional meetings to review bargaining priorities.

P a g e | 8 Trustee Enrichment & Communications

STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Engage trustees in an enriched capacity building program by assessing current needs and developing related services and resources to meet those needs.

Director of Communications: Sharon McMillan

TWITTER HIGHLIGHT: Fr. Toby Collins: Loretta Notten introduces the dramatic reading: “A Courageous Legacy” performed by WCDSB students. They revealed to us why our commitment to continuing the legacy of Catholic education is so important to the well- being of so many communities throughout Ontario.

The staff and students of the Waterloo CDSB helped to make the 2018 OCSTA Conference a deeply 88th Annual General Meeting & Conference memorable event for participants. From the moving April 26 – 28, 2018 opening liturgy, to the Governance Workshop led by the Waterloo CDSB Board of Trustees, to the Student OCSTA 2018 AGM & Conference – Trustee Workshop on Global Leadership – the Co-hosted by Waterloo CDSB distinctive contributions of the Waterloo CDSB made this year’s Conference an outstanding opportunity for OCSTA’s 2018 AGM and Conference celebrated the professional learning and for a celebration of publicly theme “Stewards of the Promise” in acknowledgement funded Catholic education in Ontario. of the stewardship role of Catholic Trustees and “the promise” of Catholic education that trustees promote and protect.

Fr. Patrick Fitzpatrick leads the Commissioning Ceremony prayer for OCSTA’s 2018-19 Board of Directors at St. Mary Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, Kitchener. More than 250 delegates and guests gathered in Kitchener this year for the 2018 OCSTA/OCSBOA Business Seminar and OCSTA AGM and Conference held April 26 – 29.

Fr. Patrick Fitzpatrick leads the Commissioning Ceremony prayer for OCSTA’s 2018-19 Board of Directors at St. Mary Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, Kitchener.

Ontario Catholic school alumnus and co-founder of WE Craig Kielburger with Catholic school student trustees at the OCSTA Conference.

P a g e | 9 2018 OCSTA AGM & Conference Program Highlights

 Keynote Address – “Stewards of the Promise” o presented by Rev. John Comiskey, Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of London and author of My Heart’s Best Wishes for You, a profile on the 19th century Archbishop of Toronto, John Walsh.

 The Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of Education

 Closing address by Craig Kielburger, WE Organization

 “Demographic Trends in Ontario’s Education System” o presented by Jack Ammendolia, Watson & Associates, Economists

 “Maximizing the Board Agenda for Strong Stewardship” o presented by the Waterloo CDSB

 “Trustee Resources Developed by the Ontario Education Services Corporation” o presented by Ted Doherty, Executive Director, OESC

 His Grace, Cardinal Thomas Collins, Celebrant and Homilist for Mass

 “Students and Global Citizens”, Student Trustee Workshop o presented by Kate Jamieson and Meghan Nemeth, Waterloo CDSB Student Trustees

 “An Interactive Exploration of the Religious Education Program: Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ” o presented by Carol Bryden, Catholic Trustee, St. Clair CDSB

 “Connecting Child Welfare and Education: A System Transformation” o presented by Christina Campbell, Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies

We would like to thank and acknowledge the following individuals from the Waterloo CDSB: Waterloo CDSB Conference Liturgical Committee and Trustees

Chair, Wendy Price Trustee Melanie Van Alphen Alice Figueiredo Vice Chair, Bill Conway Trustee Greg Reitzel John Murphy Trustee Brian Schmalz Director of Education, Loretta Richard Olson Trustee Joyce Anderson Notten Marianna Worth Trustee Jeanne Gravelle Fr. Toby Collins Trustee Manuel da Silva Christine Bencina

Student Trustee Workshop Presenters Kate Jamieson Meghan Nemeth

L-R: Wendy Price, Melanie Van Alphen, L-R: Jamie McKinnon, Bev Eckensweiler Bill Conway

P a g e | 10 2018 OCSTA Awards

The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) Awards Program recognizes Catholic Trustees, Student Trustees and other leaders in Catholic education who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to others while exemplifying the values that are at the core of Catholic education. The Association announced the recipients of the OCSTA 2018 Awards at the April 27 OCSTA Annual Awards Dinner in Kitchener.

This year’s recipient of the Trustee Award of Merit is long-serving trustee, journalist, and inclusionary education advocate John Curry of the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Through his membership on the Special Education Advisory Committee, John is a very vocal supporter of programming for students with special needs. He has been a proponent for French Immersion in rural and small schools and as a result of his advocacy, the Ottawa Catholic School Board offers the French Immersion pathway in all 83 of its schools.

The OCSTA Special Award is presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Catholic education at the provincial level. This year’s recipient is Sr. Joan Cronin, former Executive Director of the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE).

During Sr. Joan’s tenure at ICE, she elevated the profile of Catholic education and gained a tremendous level of respect and influence with educators, various Ministers of Education, Premiers and Bishops. As a former instructor in the Supervisory Officers’ Qualifications Program, Sr. Joan played a pivotal role in forming generations of Ontario’s outstanding Catholic school board supervisory officers.

The Student Trustee Alumnus Award is presented annually to Catholic school graduates who served as student trustees at the secondary level and since graduation have demonstrated through their actions the values articulated in the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations framework. This year’s recipient is Dr. Anthony Silva.

A former student trustee from the Kenora Catholic District School Board, today Dr. Silva is an Orthopaedic Doctor who has committed his life to helping others through medicine. For more than five years, he has focused on palm frond injury research to support workplace Health and Safety initiatives in addition to conducting research focused on the mental well-being of doctors in the medical profession.

P a g e | 11 2018 OCSTA/OCSBOA discussed with members the work of OCSTA in Business Seminar addressing current issues in Catholic education. The sessions also included a presentation by OCSTA’s Director of Catholic Education, Brian O’Sullivan on

Each year OCSTA hosts in partnership with the the 2018 Pastoral Letter for Catholic Education Ontario Catholic School Business Officials’ entitled Renewing the Promise (published by the Association a “Business Seminar” that focuses on Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario). The operational and finance issues. This event welcomes presentation focused on an examination of various the leading provincial leaders and experts on these segments of the letter and directed specific attention topics for the purpose of informing trustees and to how the messages of this pastoral letter pertain to boards’ senior business and supervisory officer staff. the role of Catholic Trustees today.

In 2018, the Auditor General of Ontario, Bonnie The 2018 Fall Regional Meeting also included a Lysyk, spoke to the results of the 2017 Annual session on the government’s emerging education Report which contained findings from independent platform as of October, 2018 and the potential impact financial audits of the public accounts and Crown on Catholic education. Prior to the Regional agencies, as well as value-for-money audits. The Meetings OCSTA issued a survey to boards to assist Auditor General specifically spoke to the two value- in the collection of important information. Boards for-money audits on school boards contained in the then attended each session prepared with responses to report, including the recommendations made and the the following questions: follow-up process. 1. The government plans to restore “proven” The 2018 Business Seminar also included the methods of teaching math fundamentals to following presentations: support student success. Math will also become mandatory in teachers’ college Panel Discussion – Key Labour Issues programs. Moderator: Sharon Duffy, OCSTA Counsel and  What concerns or questions does this raise Director of Labour Relations for your board? Panelists: Kathy Burtnik, Trustee Niagara CDSB;  What feedback do you want OCSTA to Paula Dunn, BBA, CHRL, Superintendent of Human provide to the government on this issue? Resources, Wellington CDSB, and; Loretta Notten, 2. OCSTA will be monitoring and consulting Director of Education, Waterloo CDSB. with the government as steps are taken to initiate the government’s planned consultation Plenary Presentation – Bill 148 – Employment on the sexual education component of the Standards Act: I Have a Quick Question Health and Physical Education Curriculum. Presenter: Dolores M. Barbini, Partner and  What concerns, issues and perspectives do Amanda Lawrence-Patel, Associate, you wish to share with OCSTA on this topic? Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP 3. The government suspended the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Framework that was established with the Regional Meetings input and support of Ontario’s education

partners including all trustee associations.

 What concerns does this decision by the Two times a year, the Association provides an government raise for your board? opportunity for members to meet locally with trustees from within their regions for a discussion and  What feedback would you like to share with examination of current local and provincial issues. OCSTA on this topic? 4. The government plans to maintain the current Fall Regional Meetings school closures moratorium until a full review of the school closure process is completed. In the fall, OCSTA’s president and senior staff travel  What are the concerns and priorities of your the province to meet with trustees at five separate board with respect to this issue? regional meetings. During each of the fall 2018 sessions, OCSTA president Beverley Eckensweiler

P a g e | 12 Feedback from these questions was shared with all boards.

OCSTA appreciates the support of all participants in these local events and especially acknowledges the host boards for each of the 2018 Fall Regional Meeting sessions:

September 17, 2018 –West Regional Meeting Includes the following Catholic School Boards: Bruce-Grey, Huron-Perth, London, St. Clair, Waterloo, Wellington, and Windsor-Essex. 2018 Host Board: Bruce-Grey CDSB

September 19, 2018 – East Regional Meeting Includes the following Catholic School Boards: Algonquin & Lakeshore, Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland & Clarington, Renfrew, and Simcoe-Muskoka. 2018 Host Board: Ottawa CSB On January 17 & 18, over 230 Catholic trustees and directors of education gathered in Toronto for the September 22, 2018 – North East Regional Meeting annual Catholic Trustees Seminar. Includes the following Catholic School Boards: Huron-Superior, Nipissing-Parry Sound, The theme for this year’s seminar was “Embracing Northeastern and Sudbury. the Call to Serve” and helping to set the tone for this 2018 Host Board: Huron-Superior CDSB Seminar was Laura Hughes, Director for the French provincial body for Catholic education (Office September 26, 2018 –Central Regional Meeting provincial de l’education de la foi catholique de Includes the following Catholic School Boards: l’Ontario). Building on the insights gained through Brant-Haldimand Norfolk, Dufferin-Peel, Durham, the recent Symposium on Catholic Education and Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth, Niagara, Toronto and drawing on Catholic faith traditions and practice, York Laura Hughes encouraged local discussions at tables 2018 Host Board: Niagara CDSB that served as opportunities for reflection on how trustees can bring their personal and collective gifts September 29, 2018 – North West Regional Meeting to the task of Catholic school board governance and Includes the following Catholic School Boards: service to the community. Kenora, Northwest, Superior North, and Thunder Bay. Seminar Highlights 2018 Host Board: Thunder Bay Diocesan Catholic Leading historian and author on Catholic education in School Trustees’ Association Ontario, Dr. Mark McGowan discussed the history of

Catholic education as part of the Trustee Module on

Catholic Education Foundations that is part of

OCSTA’s trustee development program.

OCSTA Director of Catholic Education and

Historian, Brian O’Sullivan provided the following

overview of Dr. McGowan’s well received

presentation.

Mark provided not only historical insight but many

humorous anecdotes about the establishment of

Catholic education in cities, towns and rural districts

across Ontario.

P a g e | 13 Having served as a trustee for the Durham Catholic 4) “How Media and Community Relations Can District School Board, Mark was able to focus his Strengthen the CDSB Profile” talk on the leadership and creativity of those trustees Moderator: Michelle Griepsma, OCSTA Director through the decades who helped to establish and and Chair, Peterborough Victoria expand Catholic schools across Ontario. He explored Northumberland and Clarington CDSB their struggles as an opportunity to highlight Michael Nasello, Director of Education, important lessons that might be applied today to Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and successfully address some of the contemporary Clarington CDSB; Galen Eagle, Communications challenges faced by Catholic school boards. Manager, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington CDSB; Rory McGuckin, Director Whether one focused on the challenges to protect of Education, Toronto CDSB; and John Crocco, Catholic education during Confederation, the Director of Education, Niagara CDSB challenge to win the Tiny Township Case for full funding in the 1920’s or the 1980’s fight for completion of funding, Mark noted that our success Communications was due to the collaboration and engagement of the entire Catholic community. STRATEGIC PRIORITY: OCSTA communicates important issues in education to members, primarily Other sessions included: through memos that are sent to Chairs and Directors of Education.  Marketing Research Leader, David Coletto who delivered an interesting examination of the nature and influence of the Millennial generation on the Chairs have the opportunity to provide context and future of education and work in Canada information when sharing OCSTA updates with  Minister of Education, the Hon. Lisa Thompson trustees. discussed the government’s commitment to stakeholder consultations and increased Other ways the Association communicates with collaboration with partners in education. members include:

Workshops  Distribution of the semi-weekly electronic 1) “Procedure and Getting It Right” newsletter OCSTA Newswire which is sent via James Lochrie, B.Sc., CPP-T, Certified email to every Catholic trustee and director of Professional Parliamentarian and Teacher of education. This newsletter is also sent to our Parliamentary Law partners in Catholic education.  Together in Faith Catholic Newsletter and Blog 2) “The Legislated Roles and Responsibilities of (www.togetherinfaith.ca) To. Share your board’s Catholic School Board Trustees” stories on this website please contact Sharon Colleen Landers, Northeastern CDSB; Tricia McMillan, Director of Communications Chapman, Vice Chair, Durham CDSB; and [email protected]. Michael Hines, Partner, Hicks Morley LLP  The OCSTA website – www.ocsta.on.ca – is a resource for recently released information 3) “Labour Negotiations and the Role of OCSTA including OCSTA Briefs, Faith Formation and Local Catholic School Boards” Resources and News Releases. Sharon Duffy (moderator), Director and Labour Relations Counsel, OCSTA Kathy Burtnik, Niagara CDSB; Patrick Daly, OCSTA Past President, Chair, Hamilton- Wentworth CDSB; Michelle Lamarche, Superintendent of HR, Algonquin & Lakeshore CDSB; and Terry Lyons, Director of Education,

Windsor-Essex CDSB

P a g e | 14 “I’m not really sure, precisely, what the benefit is to this when this process already exists,” said Abraham. “It’s an interesting turn of events that this is where this government has chosen to go with this.”

Eckensweiler said she wonders how parent Together in Faith – Community Engagement Initiative: complaints will be handled, saying, “They’re going with the support of the Ontario English Catholic to be kept very, very busy.” Teachers’ Association (OECTA) and the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO), OCSTA leads an ongoing community outreach initiative that relies on social media and email marketing to inform the Catholic community about the current system achievements and issues that are important to publicly funded Catholic school boards in Ontario.

Media Relations

When the media seek the Catholic perspective on provincial education issues, OCSTA’s spokespersons provide that response. Following are a few excerpts from 2018-19 media clips: One financial implication of the new government already felt by the education sector is the cancellation of a $100-million school repair program called the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

The public board lost more than $2.1 million for projects like energy-efficient lighting systems and heating and ventilation systems because contracts had not yet been awarded. The Catholic board used nearly $800,000 acquired through the fund because

its contracts were already awarded for heat pump “Teachers, education professionals and principals replacement and energy recovery ventilators at have regular communication and relationships with Cathedral High School. parents and students that have worked well,” he said.

“Having a Ministry of Education ‘snitch line’ that Beverley Eckensweiler, president of the Ontario bypasses the systems already in place to deal with Catholic School Trustees' Association, said trustees issues at the school level will prohibit parents and in the separate system are concerned about the educators from addressing classroom concerns province giving boards enough autonomy to make constructively. As we’ve seen from social media, local decisions. anonymous portals and comment threads are toxic and counter-productive to improving any situation, in "I'm meaning that, when the government hands out this case school culture.” funding, that they will allow some of the funding to be

earmarked not necessarily to specific things but for His comments were echoed, in part, by Cathy the board to put that money toward things that are Abraham, president of the Ontario Public School needed locally," she said. Boards’ Association and Beverley Eckensweiler, president of Ontario Catholic School Trustees’

Association. Both say there is already a good process in place for parents to make complaints. First they speak with the teacher, then the school principal and then a school board official. And if the issue hasn’t been addressed, then complaints go to the college.

P a g e | 15 Elementary Panel Winners: 1st place: Iona Academy, CDSB of Eastern Ontario 2nd place: St. George Catholic Elementary School, Niagara CDSB 3rd place: St. Margaret d’Youville Catholic Elementary School, Halton CDSB

Secondary Panel Winners: Patrick Daly, of the Ontario Catholic School 1st place: Immaculata High School, Ottawa CSB Trustees’ Association, said while he appreciates 2nd place: Marymount Academy, Sudbury CDSB communication from the ministry, “we are hoping the 3rd place: TIE! government will consult with school boards and other Cathedral High School, Hamilton-Wentworth CDSB partners so as not to negatively impact the quality of Notre Dame College School, Niagara CDSB education in our schools.” Congratulations to all the winners! Promoting Catholic Education on YouTube Each year, OCSTA hosts a short-video contest for To view ALL videos visit: students in publicly funded Catholic schools that is http://www.togetherinfaith.ca/winners_2018_short_video_contest hosted on the YouTube social media platform. The contest typically adopts a unique theme for the year Catholic Education and OCSTA then invites students to create videos about that theme of no more than two minutes in Initiatives length. The purpose of the contest is to engage students in a project that encourages a deeper Director of Catholic Education: Brian O’Sullivan examination of the distinctiveness of Catholic education in Ontario while raising the profile on the CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK 2018 Gospel focused mission of Catholic schools. The outcome of this contest over the years is not only a selected group of contest winners, but the creation of hundreds of videos about Ontario’s Catholic schools.

These engaging and authentically produced videos are then shared and re-shared throughout social media from YouTube to Twitter to Facebook – potentially reaching thousands of Ontarians and helping to inform more people about the distinctive During the week of Sunday, May 6, 2018, Ontario’s value of publicly funded Catholic schools in Ontario. 29 Catholic school boards celebrated the significant contribution that Catholic Education makes to the This year’s contest was themed: “Community community, the province and to fundamental values Builders” and focused on the ways in which students that underpin Catholic education. through Christian service to others help to build their The 2018 Catholic Education Week theme, communities. The Association received dozens of “Catholic Education: Renewing the Promise” / outstanding submissions from schools/students across “L’éducation catholique: Renouveler la promesse” the province. consisted of five sub-themes:

After a difficult adjudication process, 7 winners were . Remembering the Promise chosen (3 winners from the elementary panel and 4 . The Promise is Within You from the secondary panel). . Praying the Promise . Living the Promise . Proclaiming the Promise

P a g e | 16 Renewing the Promise, draws upon previous STUDENT TRUSTEES documents on Ontario’s Catholic education system, namely, “This Moment of Promise” (1989), “Fulfilling the Promise” (1993) and “Our Catholic Schools” (2006-2007). These three documents, while several years apart from each other, all speak of the unique mission of Ontario Catholic education, the importance of its shared leadership by all those involved in Catholic education and the critical role of Catholic education in contemporary society. Most recently, these issues were further explored via an electronic survey, organized by the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE) that led to a gathering of the Catholic community in the Fall of 2017. From the discussions that emerged from that summit, the Ontario Bishops produced a new statement on Ontario Catholic education - “Renewing the Promise” - which came out in the Spring of 2018. We would like to thank the following educators and system specialists for their contribution to the 2018 Catholic Education Week Resource Package: Ontario Catholic Student Youth Day 2018 at WE Global Paul Beaudette, Hamilton-Wentworth CDSB Learning Centre and St. Paul’s Basilica in Toronto.

Janet Bentham, Ottawa CSB The Ontario Catholic Youth Day event took place on Sr. Pat Carter, Huron-Superior CDSB May 8, 2018 at the WE Global Learning Centre in

Nancy Davie, York CDSB Toronto. This meeting facility accommodated over

Paul De Vuono, Dufferin-Peel CDSB 200 guests and all boards were invited to send students and teacher supervisors, to participate in this Laura Hughes, office provincial de l’éducation de la celebration of Catholic Youth Day. Some came from foi catholique de l’Ontario the GTA and as far away as and Sebastien Lacroix, conseil scolaire de district Peterborough. catholique centre-sud Catholic Youth Day began with a celebration of the

Amy LaFroy, Northwest CDSB Eucharist at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Basilica, Toronto.

Stephanie Maher, Simcoe Muskoka CDSB Our celebrant was His Excellency Bishop G. Bergie. After mass, students and other guests took a short 5- Cindy Morgan, CDSB of Eastern Ontario minute walk to the WE Global Learning Centre (339 Katharine Stevenson, Halton CDSB Queen Street East, Toronto) for the program events. The program for the day included presentations by A special note of appreciation is extended to individuals representing Catholic education Toronto CDSB teacher and musician, leadership in Ontario, as well as those from the Susan Hookong-Taylor who wrote, produced Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and performed the 2018 CEW theme song. and Peace and the WE organization. Throughout the year students in our schools worked together to raise funds to support improved access to clean water for children around the world and in Canada. In many countries, access to clean water facilitates access to a quality education.

P a g e | 17 TOONIES FOR TUITION The meeting between Mitch and First Nation trustees provided a timely opportunity for discussions about Catholic education is not provincially financed in all important priorities regarding curriculum writing Canadian provinces. Full funding exists in Ontario, projects and the Institute for Catholic Education’s Saskatchewan and Alberta. In other Canadian plans for further Indigenous Education work. provinces (like BC or Quebec), there is some provincial funding provided. However, in the Maritime provinces, there is no similar provisions of public funding. The Toonies for Tuition campaign, launched by the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association (CCSTA), collects funds to assist students and their families in meeting the costs associated with accessing private Catholic schools in these jurisdictions. Our Ontario Catholic student trustees and their teen peers have decided to create a provincial fundraising drive this school year in our Ontario Catholic school boards, to financially support students attending Catholic schools that require tuition.

OCSTA’s First Nation Trustees’ Advisory Council (FNTAC) OCSTA Trustee Development Modules for Catholic Trustees The First Nation presence is significant in both Northern and Southern Ontario. Southern Ontario The fall 2018 municipal election resulted in 61 new cities including Brantford, Sarnia, London, Toronto, Catholic trustees being elected to serve on Catholic Barrie, Peterborough, Belleville, Kingston and school boards. To support their orientation, OCSTA Ottawa, have significant numbers of First Nation once again, offered a certificate course in addition to communities. First Nation, Métis and Inuit student the online learning modules that ae accessible on the achievement has become an important priority of the OCSTA website. Ontario government. OCSTA’s First Nation Trustees’ Advisory Council (FNTAC), chaired by Trustee Development Modules trustee Paul Landry (Kenora CDSB), monitors developments in Aboriginal Education and brings Developed several years ago by the Ontario forward initiatives and recommendations to address Education Services Corporation (OESC), the Good current issues. This past year, the FNTAC and Governance for School Board Trustees Professional OCSTA addressed important matters in Indigenous Development Program consists of content-rich education. modules that were delivered as part of a series of seminar sessions hosted by OCSTA between 2011 First Nation Trustees and the April 2018 AGM and 2017. & Conference in Kitchener-Waterloo Each module was revised by OCSTA with new, At OCSTA’s 2018 AGM and Conference, First updated resources to reflect the values, perspectives Nation trustees (and other OCSTA members) had an and priorities of Catholic trustees and to include new opportunity to meet or connect via teleconference call developments in Ontario education. These modules with Mitch Champagne, the new Indigenous were made accessible to OCSTA members on an Education lead at the Institute for Catholic Education ongoing basis via an online resource center for (ICE). ICE has solicited research proposals from Catholic trustees, located on the OCSTA website Ontario Catholic school boards to conduct research (www.ocsta.on.ca) called, “The Good Governance projects in Indigenous Education. This project has Centre.” become particularly significant since the province has not funded Indigenous Education research projects In 2017, new modules on Indigenous Education and for school boards. Internal Audit Committees were added to the Centre.

P a g e | 18 These modules are free and can be accessed from any Course for Catholic Trustees location with an Internet connection. The system provides easily downloadable documents and The course for Catholic trustees focuses on the multimedia tools and also includes a self-assessment historical and theological aspects of Catholic Education tool which is automatically tallied by the system in Ontario, and examines related current issues. This upon completion. comprehensive course is offered in cooperation with the University of St. Michael’s College (University of Module Topics Toronto) and is taught by Professor Mark McGowan, a well-known Catholic historian specializing in the 1. History of Ontario Catholic Education history of Ontario and Catholic education in Canada. 2. Effective Governance Through Ethical Leadership Dr. McGowan is a former trustee of the Durham CDSB. 3. Effective Governance for Student Achievement & Well-Being Lesson Topics 4. Trustee Roles/Responsibilities  The History of Ontario Catholic Education 5. Common Ground/Common Purpose  Catholic Social Teaching

6. Relationships in School Boards  Catholic Media

7. Performance Review: Directors of Education  The Changing Reality of Catholicism

8. Board Self-Assessment: Governance Performance  The Leadership Lessons of Pope Francis

9. Strategic Role & Multi-Year Strategic Planning  Indigenous Education & Issues in Ontario Education 10. Exercising Authentic Governance: The School Board’s Role as Policy Maker  The Catholic Trustee as Public Advocate for 11. Conflict – Managing it Creatively Catholic Education 12. Family & Community Engagement  Catholic Trustee Leadership: The Triad of Home/School/Parish 13. Advocacy – Engaging the Public  The World Presence of Catholic Education 14. Legal Aspects of School Board Governance The course also includes a practicum project that allows 15. Running Effective Meetings participants to focus on a local Catholic School Board 16. School Board Finance initiative.

17. School Boards & Human Resources

18. What Makes a Great Board Chair?

19. First Nation Trustees – Leading in Two Worlds 20. Developing a Code of Conduct for Trustees

21. Social Media 22. Internal Audit & the Role of Audit Committees 23. A Journey Towards Truth & Reconciliation

P a g e | 19 7. Provides enrichment opportunities for Catholic Benefits of Membership school board trustees and staff, including the delivery of 23 enrichment modules on various topics related to the role and responsibilities of “One unified provincial voice for Ontario’s English Catholic trustees. Catholic school boards...” a. The 23 trustee enrichment modules are now

offered online in the “Trustee Modules” area on Throughout the history of Catholic education in the OCSTA website (www.ocsta.on.ca). All Ontario, our system’s strength has been our ability to members can enter this centre using their organize our school trustees under the guiding OCSTA user ID and password. principles of the Gospel to advance our shared goals for b. Annual trustee development events include the promotion and protection of Catholic education in the January Catholic Trustees Seminar, the Ontario. We achieve those objectives through our Business Seminar, Labour Relations sessions ongoing lobbying efforts, our membership development (as needed) and the Annual General Meeting services and the following key activities that directly and Conference. benefit our members. c. The recently developed OCSTA Certificate

Course in Leadership and Good Governance OCSTA: was made available to all trustees in January

2015. This unique program is offered in 1. Represents Catholic school boards on all provincial partnership with Ontario’s Catholic consultations and work groups. universities in locations throughout Ontario

2. Provides advice to boards on significant policy and includes an online component.

issues. 8. Protects the interests of Catholic school boards by

3. Provides an extensive array of classroom and monitoring activity in the Legislature, including community resources for Catholic Education Week. draft legislation, as well as the release of new Information is located online at Regulations to identify impact on Catholic boards http://www.goodnewsforall.ca. and propose amendments as necessary.

a. These resources resonate strongly with 9. Maintains a provincial network, at both the political students, parents and parishes, and boards have and staff levels, to position OCSTA to respond expressed their appreciation for the materials quickly to any issue of relevance to Catholic and information that are generated and shared. schools.

4. Lobbies the government on all funding issues most of which are identified by our member boards. 10. Serves as the designated bargaining agent for Ontario’s 29 Catholic District School Boards.

5. Represents Catholic boards on significant legal This list is not exhaustive. issues as they arise. In addition, OCSTA partners with the other three trustee 6. Develops provincial messaging and platforms on associations and the Council of Directors of Education key issues and developments in education affecting (CODE) to provide many services, most with direct Catholic schools and shares such strategic resources financial benefits only to those boards that are members with boards. of their respective provincial association. For a a. To further support effective school board comprehensive understanding, please go to the Ontario communications and community relations, Education Services Corporation website at OCSTA hosts an annual professional http://oesc-cseo.org/English/services.html. development session for school board communications staff.

P a g e | 20 Examples of the services provided through OESC include:

 Serving as the intervenor at the Ontario Energy Board to keep energy costs down for school boards. An estimate of savings over the past year of $30.5M for Ontario school boards, with approximately $10M for Catholic boards. This translates into a savings of $18 per pupil which greatly exceeds the cost of OCSTA membership.

 Provision of Behaviour Management Systems. This training is required for certain staff and is offered at a rate that saves all school boards, public and Catholic, approximately $2M annually.

 Supporting the trustee election process by providing an array of resources located at http://elections.ontarioschooltrustees.org that are designed to:

o Raise the profile of trustee candidates and the municipal election process o Educate the public on the role of trustees and school boards

 Representation and co-ordination of initiatives pertaining to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. This is ongoing and is meant to assist and guide boards through the various stages of implementation of the legislation and regulations. This service is a major savings for member boards that would otherwise be required to develop materials locally at significant expense.

 Development of resources on topics such as equity and inclusion, thereby saving each board the cost of developing such materials locally.

P a g e | 21 Association Governance Beverley Eckensweiler, President, Bruce-Grey CDSB Nick Milanetti, Executive Director Michelle Griepsma, Vice President, Peterborough Bishop John Boissonneau, ACBO Liaison to the Victoria, Northumberland & Clarington CDSB OCSTA Board of Directors Patrick J. Daly, Past President, Father Patrick Fitzpatrick, Chaplain Hamilton-Wentworth CDSB

TERM END DATE REGION BOARDS OCSTA DIRECTOR (Immediately following 2019 AGM & Conference) Huron-Superior CDSB Region 1 Nipissing-Parry Sound CDSB Colleen Landers 2019 Northeastern CDSB Northeastern CDSB Sudbury CDSB Kenora CDSB Northwest CDSB Paul Landry Region 2 2019 Superior North CDSB Kenora CDSB Thunder Bay CDSB Region 3 Michael Bellmore Northern Regions No. 1 & 2 2019 (at large) Sudbury CDSB Bruce-Grey CDSB Region 4 Huron-Perth CDSB Marino Gazzola 2019 Waterloo CDSB Wellington CDSB Wellington CDSB London DCSB Linda Ward Region 5 St. Clair CDSB 2019 St. Clair CDSB Windsor-Essex CDSB Markus de Domenico Region 6 Toronto CDSB 2020 Michael Del Grande Mario Pascucci Region 7 Dufferin-Peel CDSB 2020 Thomas Thomas Region 8 York CDSB Carol Cotton 2020 Durham CDSB Linda Ainsworth Peterborough, Victoria, Peterborough, Victoria, Region 9 2019 Northumberland & Clarington CDSB Northumberland & Simcoe-Muskoka CDSB Clarington CDSB Algonquin & Lakeshore CDSB Todd Lalonde Region 10 CDSB of Eastern Ontario 2019 CDSB of Eastern Ontario Renfrew County CDSB Brant Haldimand Norfolk CDSB Clifford Casey Halton CDSB Brant Haldimand Norfolk Region 11 2019 Hamilton-Wentworth CDSB CDSB Niagara CDSB Vacant until 2019 AGM Mark Mullan Region 12 Ottawa CSB 2020 Ottawa CSB

P a g e | 22 Staff

Executive Executive Director, Nick Milanetti Executive Assistant, Connie Araujo-De Melo

Legislation, Political Affairs, Finance -legislative analysis, government submissions, advocacy, finance Director of Legislative and Political Affairs, Stephen Andrews Policy Advisor-Finance, Dan Duszczyszyn

Labour Relations -OCSTA is the designated employer bargaining agent for Ontario’s English Catholic school boards Director and Labour Relations Counsel, Sharon Duffy Senior Labour Relations Professional, Percy Toop Labour Relations Co-ordinator, Michael McPhee Labour Relations Advisor, Jim LoPresti Labour Relations Advisor, Ron McNamara

Communications -media relations, membership communications, community relations, website management Director of Communications, Sharon McMillan

Catholic Education -curriculum, faith enrichment programming, Catholic Education Week Director of Catholic Education, Brian O’Sullivan

Administrative Services -event coordination, office management, accounting Director of Administrative Services, Margaret Binns Accountant, June Johnson

Administrative Support Ashlee Cabral, Communications and Catholic Education Pam DeNobrega, Labour Relations Marie Palombi, Administrative Services and Legislation, Political Affairs, Finance

P a g e | 23 Halton CDSB Ontario Catholic District 802 Drury Lane PO Box 5308 School Boards Burlington, ON L7R 2Y2 Phone: 905-632-6300 Fax: 905-333-4661 Algonquin & Lakeshore CDSB Email: [email protected] 151 Dairy Avenue Peter DeRosa, Chairperson Napanee, ON K7R 4B2 Patrick Daly, Director of Education Phone: 613-354-2255 Fax: 613-354-0351 Email: [email protected] Hamilton-Wentworth CDSB Terry Shea, Chairperson 90 Mulberry Street David DeSantis, Director of Education PO Box 2012 Hamilton, ON L8N 3R9 Brant Haldimand Norfolk CDSB Phone: 905-525-2930 Fax: 905-525-1724 322 Fairview Drive Email: [email protected] PO Box 217 Patrick J. Daly, Chairperson Brantford, ON N3T 5M8 David Hansen, Director of Education Phone: 519-756-6369 Fax: 519-756-9913 Email: [email protected] Huron-Perth CDSB Rick Petrella, Chairperson 87 Mill Street Mike McDonald, Director of Education PO Box 70 Dublin, ON N0K 1E0 Bruce-Grey CDSB th Phone: 519-345-2440 Fax: 519-345-2449 799-16 Avenue Email: [email protected] Hanover, ON N4N 3A1 Amy Cronin, Chairperson Phone: 519-364-5820 Fax: 519-364-5882 Chris Roehrig, Director of Education Email: [email protected] Beverley Eckensweiler, Chairperson Huron-Superior CDSB Jamie McKinnon, Director of Education 90 Ontario Avenue Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 6G7 CDSB of Eastern Ontario Phone: 705-945-5400 Fax: 705-945-5575 2755 Highway 43 Email: [email protected] Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Lindsay Liske, Chairperson Phone: 613-258-7757 Fax: 613-258-5067 Rose Burton-Spohn, Director of Education Email: [email protected] Todd Lalonde, Chairperson Kenora CDSB John Cameron, Director of Education 1292 Heenan Place Kenora, ON P9N 2Y8 Dufferin-Peel CDSB Phone: 807-468-9851 Fax: 807-468-8094 40 Matheson Boulevard West Email: [email protected] Mississauga, ON L5R 1C5 Teresa Gallik, Chairperson Phone: 905-890-1221 Fax: 905-890-7610 Derek Haime, Director of Education Email: [email protected] Sharon Hobin, Chairperson London DCSB Marianne Mazzorato, Director of Education 5200 Wellington Road South London, ON N6E 3X8 Durham CDSB Phone: 519-663-2088 Fax: 519-663-9250 650 Rossland Road West Email: [email protected] Oshawa, ON L1J 7C4 John Jevnikar, Chairperson Phone: 905-576-6150 Fax: 905-721-8239 Linda Staudt, Director of Education Email: [email protected] John Rinella, Chairperson Anne O’Brien, Director of Education

P a g e | 24 Niagara CDSB Renfrew County CDSB 427 Rice Road 499 Pembroke Street West , ON L3C 7C1 Pembroke, ON K8A 5P1 Phone: 905-735-0240 Fax: 905-734-8828 Phone: 613-735-1031 Fax: 613-735-2649 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Frank Fera, Chairperson David Howard, Chairperson John Crocco, Director of Education Jaimie Perry, Director of Education

Nipissing-Parry Sound CDSB Simcoe Muskoka CDSB 1000 High Street 46 Alliance Boulevard North Bay, ON P1B 6S6 Barrie, ON L4M 5K3 Phone: 705-472-1201 Fax: 705-472-0507 Phone: 705-722-3555 Fax: 705-722-6534 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Judy Manitowabi, Chairperson Carol Corriveau-Truchon, Chairperson Anna Marie Bitonti, Director of Education Brian Beal, Director of Education

Northeastern CDSB St. Clair CDSB 383 Birch Street North 420 Creek Street Timmins, ON P4N 6E8 Wallaceburg, ON N8A 4C4 Phone: 705-268-7443 Fax: 705-267-3590 Phone: 519-627-6762 Fax: 519-627-8230 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Rick Brassard, Chairperson John Van Heck, Chairperson Tricia Stefanic-Weltz, Director of Education Deb Crawford, Director of Education

Northwest CDSB Sudbury CDSB 555 Flinders Avenue 165A D’Youville Street Fort Frances, ON P9A 3L2 Sudbury, ON P3C 5E7 Phone: 807-274-2931 Fax: 807-274-8792 Phone: 705-673-5620 Fax: 705-673-6670 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] David Sharp, Chairperson Michael Bellmore, Chairperson Brendan Hyatt, Director of Education Joanne Bénard, Director of Education

Ottawa CSB Superior North CDSB 570 West Hunt Club Road 21 Simcoe Plaza Nepean, ON K2G 3R4 Terrace Bay, ON P0T 2W0 Phone: 613-224-2222 Fax: 613-224-5063 Phone: 807-825-3209 Fax: 807-825-3885 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Mark Mullan, Chairperson Hugh McCorry, Chairperson Denise Andre, Director of Education Maria Vasanelli, Director of Education

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland & Thunder Bay CDSB Clarington CDSB 459 Victoria Avenue West 1355 Lansdowne Street West Thunder Bay, ON P7C 0A4 Peterborough, ON K9J 7M3 Phone: 807-625-1555 Fax: 807-623-0431 Phone: 705-748-4861 Fax: 705-748-9734 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Kathy O’Brien, Chairperson Michelle Griepsma, Chairperson Pino Tassone, Director of Education Michael Nasello, Director of Education

P a g e | 25 Toronto CDSB 80 Sheppard Avenue East Toronto, ON M2N 6E8 Phone: 416-222-8282 Fax: 416-229-5353 Email: [email protected] Maria Rizzo, Chairperson Rory McGuckin, Director of Education

Waterloo CDSB 35 Weber Street West, Unit A PO Box 91116 Kitchener, ON N2H 3Z1 Phone: 519-578-3660 Fax: 519-578-5291 Email: [email protected] Bill Conway, Chairperson Loretta Notten, Director of Education

Wellington CDSB 75 Woolwich Street Guelph, ON N1H 6N6 Phone: 519-821-4600 Fax: 519-824-3088 Email: [email protected] Marino Gazzola, Chairperson Tamara Nugent, Director of Education

Windsor-Essex CDSB 1325 California Avenue Windsor, ON N9B 3Y6 Phone: 519-253-2481 Fax: 519-253-8397 Email: [email protected] Fulvio Valentinis, Chairperson Terry Lyons, Director of Education

York CDSB 320 Bloomington Road West Aurora, ON L4G 0M1 Phone: 905-713-1211 Fax: 905-713-1272 Email: [email protected] Dominic Mazzotta, Chairperson Ab Falconi, Director of Education

P a g e | 26 Calendar of Events

FALL 2019 REGIONAL MEETINGS

Monday, September 16 – Loyola House at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre - WEST Host: Wellington CDSB

Wednesday, September 18 – Days Inn – Renfrew EAST Host: Renfrew County CDSB

NORTH EAST Saturday, September 21 – Host: Sudbury CDSB

CENTRAL Tuesday, September 24 – Host: York CDSB

NORTH WEST Friday, October 4 – Host: Thunder Bay CDSB

90th AGM & Conference April 30 – May 2, 2020 Fairmont Château Laurier, 1 Rideau Street / Ottawa

2020 Catholic Education Week May 3 – 8

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20 Eglinton Ave. W., Suite 1804, Box 2064 Toronto, ON, Canada M4R 1K8

416.932.9460 www.ocsta.on.ca

www.facebook.com/CatholicEducationInOntario

@CatholicEdu