New School Year, New Goals

Welcome back to school!

It’s hard to believe summer holidays are already over. Whether it was a rainy season in Ontario or a heat wave in Manitoba or simply gorgeous weather out East (we’re looking at you, Nova Scotia!), we hope you at least had the chance to unwind and get refreshed for the new school year.

We know we are.

Now that we’re back in the office, we’re evaluating our goals for the upcoming school year, and we’re ready to get started; including the political front.

This year, we will be focused on the Trinity Western Case. We have been granted intervenor status along with OCSTA, ACSTA, SCSBA AND AFOCSC. The ACSTA AND OCSTA will be taking the lead on the case and we’re awaiting for a date as to when it will be moving to the Supreme Court. We will soon provide a more detailed breakdown of this scenario and next steps later this fall.

We will also be monitoring the Theodore Case as it moves to The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal. Based on a legal opinion, CCSTA won’t be seeking intervenor status at this point. When – and if – the case moves to the Supreme Court, we will seek intervenor status at that time.

Meanwhile, CCSTA President Marino Gazzola and Executive Director Julian Hanlon had a very successful two days in June lobbing the Saskatchewan MPs on the Theodore case. Stay tuned for a story on that as well.

When it comes to funding for students who wish to attend a Catholic school in Canada, we’re focused on continuing to build our Toonies for Tuition campaign. It’s gaining great traction, but the financial support requests far outweigh the available dollars. We’ll continue to encourage schools, churches, community groups and individuals to host a fundraiser on behalf of Toonies for Tuition.

Lastly, Pat Daly wrote an excellent piece about Catholic Education, which was published in the Hamilton Spectator. (Link here: https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7514978-i-want-to-set-the-record-straight-on-catholic-schools/).

Mr. Daly is the President of the Ontario Catholic Schools’ Trustee Association as also serves as the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board chair. He is also the 2010 CCSTA Higgins Award recipient.

His article is a prime example of how we need to remain vigilant about false information regarding the cost of running two school systems. Mr. Daly’s well-written piece provides facts and stats while promoting a message of collaboration and pride within the education system. It’s a good article, and an inspiring one to read as we head into the school year.

As you get set to bring your goals to life this academic year, we wish you all the best.