PRESIDENT'S JOURNAL

Ontario Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy and PPM 119

On Monday afternoon, March 1, 2010, the Institute for Catholic Education held an information forum on PPM 119 for Ontario’s Catholic school partner groups. Provincial taskforce members Eric M. Roher, Borden Ladner Gervais, LLP and Kevin Kobus, incoming executive director for the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association, shared their insights and expertise regarding this new policy and its impact on Catholic education in Ontario. The presentation highlighted the “duty to accommodate” and the reassurances built into the policy based on Section 93 of the Constitution Act and Section 29 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom. A discussion panel, which included CPCO’s executive director, Clara Pitoscia, addressed concerns and challenges regarding the application and implementation of this policy in our schools and boards.

CPCO has representation on this provincial taskforce which is currently developing a draft policy. This draft policy should be available to the broader Catholic school community for review by the end of March.

In the near future it is expected that boards and schools will review their existing policies to determine whether or not they include the principles of equity and inclusive education for Sept 2010.

2010 Executive Council Elections – Nominations now Being Received

Elections for CPCO’s executive council will take place at the Annual General Meeting on April 24, 2010 in Windsor, Ontario.

CPCO’s executive council members attend seven meetings throughout the school year in addition to the August summer meeting. Five of the meetings are held in Toronto on a Friday and Saturday a.m. The other two meetings, in November and February take place on Thursday and Friday prior to meeting with the District Representatives and executive council. Committee work involves another Saturday (or two) during the year.

In accordance with CPCO’s constitution, there are seven executive positions open for election:

Who can stand for election?

All Regular members shall be entitled to stand for election.

Who can vote?

All members of the Executive Council shall be elected through a democratic vote by the registered Delegates at the Annual General Meeting.

How is a person nominated to stand for election?

First, review the information package

Second, submit a nomination form

by either:

1. submitting it yourself

or

2. having someone submit it on your behalf

Nomination forms must be faxed to Executive Director Clara Pitoscia (416-483-2554) on or before 4:00pm on March 25, 2010.

If you would like to comment or provide feedback on the President’s Journal, please contact Paul Lacalamita at president@cpco.on.ca.