May 31, 2021

A celebration of public school education in Alberta

This is such an exciting time of year for the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta (PSBAA). Not only is it spring, with longer daylight hours and generally warmer weather, it’s almost the time of year for our annual Spring General Assembly (SGA)!

Due to the pandemic, we will be meeting in a virtual setting again this year, instead of in person. However, the setting has not dampened our enthusiasm and anticipation for this wonderful and highly-anticipated event.

We always enjoy meeting and greeting fellow school board trustees and chatting about education issues. We learn so much from each other, and we appreciate each others’ passion for public education.

This year’s SGA theme is A Celebration of Public School Education in Alberta, and this theme is so appropriate and timely. The 2020-2021 school year has been incredibly challenging for students, teachers, school staff, parents, and all those who support our local school communities. They have shifted from in-person to virtual learning and back again no less than three times this school year, and their continued focus and perseverance continues to inspire all of us. We at the PSBAA want to recognize their dedication and honour them through our SGA theme. We appreciate and applaud each and every one of them.

At this year’s SGA, we will hear greetings from Education Minister Adriana LaGrange. Curtis Riep, PhD. will present a review of K-12 education funding in Alberta, and we will have Special Recognition and Long Service award presentations.

We are also looking forward to a presentation from Doug Griffiths, MBA, the President and CEO of 13 Ways, Inc. on The Arrival of the Inevitable. I’ve written before about all the changes we have experienced over the past 15 months (in particular, see my March 13, 2020 blog post On Embracing Change) and changes are coming at us even faster all the time. Doug says that our attitude and approach to change will determine our success. I couldn’t agree more.

I must also note that Doug’s national bestseller, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, is required reading for anyone interested in building and supporting a strong community. I think locally-elected public school board trustees definitely fall into that category!

We will also hear from several of our member boards in showcase sessions, like the Wild Rose School Division’s Symphonic Band, the Prairie Land Public School Division’s Agriculture program, Prairie Rose School Division’s Aviation program and Northland School Division’s Online development. On day two of our SGA, we are so privileged to hear from Hon. Chief Willie Littlechild, who is known nationally and internationally for his work on Indigenous rights. Chief Littlechild will speak on his past experiences as a residential school survivor, a commissioner on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, his experiences as a lawyer and as a Member of Parliament. This session is a MUST-hear and we know he will have much wisdom to impart in sharing his experiences.

It’s hard to believe that this school year will soon draw to a close, and students, staff and families will take a well-earned break this summer. We are thankful for everyone in our school communities, and we will be thinking of and celebrating each of them at our upcoming SGA.

Cathy Hogg,
President