An archive of messages from the Executive Director

Ken Bain
CASSA Executive Director

April 2024

Join us at CASSA’s 2024 Leadership Conference in beautiful and historical Montreal, Quebec from July 3-5, 2024.

This annual event follows the very successful 2023 conference in Victoria, British Columbia.

This year’s theme is “Inspiring Systemic Change Through Courageous Leadership”.  The conference will celebrate leadership approaches throughout Canada.  We are eager to showcase outstanding practices and inspire our collective journey in educational leadership.

Speakers include Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, President, First Nations University of Canada (Saskatchewan), Louis Volante, Professional Fellow, UNU-MERIT, Brock University Department of Educational Studies (Ontario), and the Honourable Senator David M. Arnott (Saskatchewan).

Here is the link to register:

https://site.pheedloop.com/event/CASSA2024/register#category

The conference hotel is Le Westin Montreal.  The hotel is perfectly located on the edge of Old Montreal…and a short walk to the Montreal Jazz Festival.  

Rooms are going quickly so reserve NOW

Here is the link to reserve rooms:

https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1696865421135&key=GRP&app=resvlink

WestJet, Air Canada and VIA Rail are offering discounted travel.

For more information:

https://site.pheedloop.com/event/CASSA2024/Travel

Your registration includes two lunches, two breakfasts, breaks, and an opening reception.  

Lunch on Thursday July 4^th will highlight the XEROX EXL Award nominees from throughout the country and will culminate in the announcement of this year’s National XEROX EXL Award recipient.  Make sure to join us…

February 2024

Each year, the CASSA Board of Directors meets in Toronto to engage in strategic planning meetings.  

The meetings began with a review of the implementation of the three strategic plan priorities that were established in May 2022.  (Governance and Operations, Professional Learning, and Communication and Engagement) The session was facilitated by Natalie Zend, Principal, ZENDialogue.  The session was divided into three parts…a look back at the previous process and work from May 2022…a review of the current status of work from the three sub-committees…an a forward look at next steps for each priority.  There will be further follow up after our February board meeting.

The meetings also include opportunities for board members to hear from and influence the work of other organizations with similar interests to CASSA.  

The CASSA Board met with Michael Zinck, an Assistant Deputy Minister in the Federal Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Canada and Luc Titlley, Director Public Affairs and Communications – Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Canada.  The board received an update on the work undertaken by the ministry and its work with NGO’s in Canada.  Michael and Luc were interested in hearing how the federal ministry can influence K-12 education which, as we know, is the responsibility if each province and territory. Board members provided advice to the ministry representatives who, in turn,  made a commitment to stay connected.  Thanks to President Kevin Kaardal from Central Okanagan School District in British Columbia for making the connection and facilitating he session with the ministry.

This year, the board also met with representatives from CAMH (Centre for Mental Health and Addictions). CAMH is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital.  CAMH sets the standards for care, research, education and leading social change. CAMH has a large library of online mental health resources for healthcare practitioners.  The reps who met with the board were looking for feedback on how to make the tools relevant for the education sector, and in particular, principals, teachers and other school staff.  The board brainstormed advice to the CAMH representatives.

Mark your calendars for CASSA 2024 Leadership Conference in Montreal from July 3-5.

January 2024

The theme of the upcoming issue of Leaders and Learners is “Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action”.  While the calls to action in the section entitled “Education” in the final report focus on the role of the federal government, the articles in this issue highlight how school districts throughout the country are, in their own way, striving to fulfill the promise of the calls to action that span other domains: language and culture, education and reconciliation, and youth programs.

We learn how students in Lester B. Pearson School Board (Quebec) expanded their knowledge of the Haudenosaunee People of the Longhouse and were inspired to create a quilt that is now being used as a teaching tool.

Another article will explore the transformative journey towards reconciliation which included a partnership between Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools and Alexander First Nation Education (Alberta).  The education service agreement includes invitations to attend First nations events and integrating Indigenous voices into the division’s First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Leadership Committee.

The English Montreal School Board (Quebec) sees reconciliation in education as a means to create a more equitable, respectful, and inclusive educational experience for Indigenous students while fostering understanding and empathy among all students about Indigenous histories and cultures.  The article will discuss the indispensable role of reflective practice in guiding school leaders toward the journey of Reconciliation.

The Calgary Catholic School District (Alberta) is proud of the work by its Indigenous team related to Truth and Reconciliation.  The article will outline the work including its successes and challenges.

An article from Kelsey School Division (Manitoba) explores how in the Non-Indigenous education leaders have responded to the Truth and Reconciliation final report and how the Kelsey School Division engaged in and responded to the call for Reconciliation and indigenization.  The Manitoba government released a policy framework including tools for reflection, planning and reporting. Using these tools to decolonize the system, the educational leaders in Kelsey School Division are engaged in the process to indigenize the system.

The final article comes from Canadian Rockies Public Schools (Alberta).  The article examines how a small initiative for Mini Thni students has blossomed into a powerful formal partnership with four dedicated Knowledge Keepers.  Their mission includes responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls for Action and safeguarding Stoney Nakoda’s ancestral wisdom, traditions, and stories.  The Knowledge Keepers have ignited a cultural resurgence and enhancing students’ experiences.

My thanks to the authors for their timely contribution and moreover express my appreciation for the outstanding work they do to fulfill the promise of the Calls to Action.

October 2023

Canadian School Mental Health Leadership Network Update

The Canadian School Mental Health Leadership Network is comprised of approximately 30 school system leaders from throughout Canada including governance leaders (CSBA) and CASSA members.  We have met virtually for the past two years.  I am joined on the network steering committee by CSBA Executive Director Nancy Pynch-Worthylake with Mike Roberts filling Nancy’s role as she took a leave of absence from CSBA, Lester B. Pearson School Board Director-General Cindy Finn, and School Mental Health Ontario Executive Director Kathy Short.  Sessions have included the following topics./themes: Resilient Learners, Impact of the Pandemic on Younger Learners and Youth, Early Childhood and the impact of toxic stress on Younger Learners, Social-Emotional Learning, Technology Use and School Mental Health and Violence Prevention.

 We have decided to convene an in-person national roundtable with the following focus: scalable and sustainable practices supporting school mental health and well-being with a view to using knowledge and insights shared in the meeting as the foundation for the development of a national school mental health resource for school system leaders.  The roundtable will combine large group presentations and small group discussions including an opportunity to share how provincial and territorial leaders have facilitated district efforts to support school mental health and well-being.  We hope to leave with a framework for a national resource for school system leaders.

 In summary, the Canadian School Mental Health Leadership Network has continued to contribute value for the benefit of school mental health leaders from across Canada and has been very well received. We remain extremely grateful for the funding from the McConnell Foundation which will allow for continued expansion of this concept through 2023.  

August 2023

“We need allies – not saviors”

Show them your heart before you ask for their hand”

CASSA concluded its enormously successful annual leadership conference in early July.  Our keynote presenters brought their life experiences and reflections to help fulfill CASSA’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.  The two above quotes were the most impactful that participants took away from our powerful speakers: Chief Cadmus Delorme, Andrew Stobo Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashi).  Other important “takeaway messages” and strands included: the importance of relationships, education as a driver of hope, and that unequal outcomes have been normalized.  We were reminded that leadership is about being fearless and reminded of the importance of using our position of influence to effect change.

The conference theme was “Leadership from Coast to Coast to Coast”.  The workshop presentations explored various aspects of school system leadership: equity, anti-racism, mental health, Indigenous Education, newcomers, and inclusive practices.  Workshops were lead by CASSA members from BC to Newfoundland and Labrador.  My sincere thanks to the workshop presenters who contributed to the success of the conference.  Many of the presenters have shared their PowerPoints. Here is a link to the presentations (http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca/CASSA-presentations.html) for those of you wish to follow up.

I want to extend my appreciation to the members of the CASSA Professional Learning Committee: Lead Facilitator, Barb Isaak (Manitoba), Mike Helm (Quebec), Ben Grebinski (Saskatchewan), Michael Borgfjord (Alberta) Anna Villalta (Quebec), Krista Curry (Manitoba), and Joy Badder (Ontario). 

They were responsible for organizing the learning that occurred and contributed many hours on top of their day to day responsibilities to ensure an outstanding program and learning experience for our members.

We look forward to our next leadership conference from July 3-5, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec.

May 2023

I am proud to provide you with an update on the work that was completed by the Communication and Engagement Committee following the January Strategic Planning Meetings.  The following content has been approved by the full board and is being made into an infographic.

 The board has adopted the following values:

• Diversity
• Equity
• Excellence
• Inclusion
• Responsiveness
• Well-Being

In addition to the values, CASSA has established core commitments that support and demonstrate the values.

• Diversity - advocate for leadership within education systems that represents different ethnicities, gender identities, nationalities, languages, cultures, and beliefs* (OECD definition)
• Equity - advocate for access to quality, relevant, and culturally sensitive education for all learners as a fundamental right
• Excellence - promote the success of each student
• Inclusion - embrace the attitudes and approaches that recognize learner differences and promotes equal opportunities for each student
• Responsiveness - support the role of senior school leaders through individual and collective professional learning and strengthen the capacity of school system leaders to build relationships toward Truth and Reconciliation and communicate, network, and collaborate with educational partners on matters of national significance including excellence and equity in publicly funded education 
• Well-Being - promote the psychological, cognitive, social and physical functioning and capabilities that students need to live a happy and fulfilling life* (OECD definition) and support initiatives and partnerships that promote the well-being of school system leaders

CASSA is committed to: advocate, promote, embrace, support, strengthen, communicate, network, and collaborate.  Our commitments will lead to fulfilling our vision: Equity and excellence in education for each learner.

March 2023

Strategic Planning Update

As I highlighted in Issue 6 from 2022, CASSA has established three strategic planning committees: Professional Learning, Communication and Engagement, and Governance and Operations.  The work of these committees is capably facilitated by three board members Barb Isaak (MASS), Jan Langelier (AAESQ) and Cindy Finn (ADGESBQ).  The Professional Learning committee began its work to create webinars that would engage system leaders throughout Canada.  Since then the focus has shifted to facilitating and leading the professional learning component of our July conference.  Here is a link to the conference website where you will find information about flights, hotels and most importantly…our three keynote presenters: http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca/CASSA-presenters.html. The Communication and Engagement committee has been working on infographics which, when ready, will highlight information about CASSA and the association’s beliefs.  Lastly, the Governance and Operations committee has been working on preparing revisions to the current (2015) by-laws with a view to creating a more diverse board of directors and to align dates and operational aspects of the association to reflect practices that have evolved over the years.  The task of ensuring a more diverse board is not an easy undertaking since the CASSA board is made up of members selected by provincial and territorial associations.  In essence, the board’s composition is reflective of whomever each association submits as its representatives.  More to come as the work of these three committees progresses.  

National Advisory Council on Publicly Funded Education Update - CASSA’s board has given its approval to have CASSA formally join this newly formed national advisory council.  

Context
All children and youth in Canada should have access to high-quality publicly funded public education regardless of their postal code, culture, language, or family circumstance. Considering this, the federal government and federal stakeholders have a key role to play to support public education to best serve the needs of students and their families. The advent of a National Advisory Council on Publicly Funded Public Education (or NACE for short) is a necessary step in ensuring that all stakeholders at the national level have an open line of communication with each other, and with the federal government. 

Objective
The main objective of this advisory council is to bring together national stakeholders in publicly funded public education to work towards strengthening public education from coast to coast to coast for the betterment of all children and youth, and – by extension – Canadian society. The NACE will explore social, environmental, and economic challenges facing Canadian public education. 

I will have further updates on the work of our strategic planning committees and NACE along with another initiative in which CASSA has extended its reach beyond our own borders.

February 2023

Each year, the CASSA board of directors convenes in Toronto to review its successes and to engage in strategic planning.  After two years of virtual meetings, we were able to meet in person in Toronto during the last weekend in January.  Much of the focus of our work involved a review of the CASSA Beliefs.  

Currently, CASSA holds the following Beliefs:

• The role of school system administrators is essential in ensuring success for each student
• CASSA is a learning organization that promotes individual and collective learning for its members
• CASSA has a responsibility to initiate and participate in dialogue on educational matters of national significance
• It is essential to communicate and collaborate with educational and community partners to ensure excellence and equity in publicly funded education across Canada

Time was spent deciding whether we should be signalling beliefs, or values or commitments…more to come next time once the work is complete.

The board received two presentations, one from Jim Costello who serves as the Oversight Committee Chair of the Microsoft Education Voucher Program.  Approximately $165 million is being made available to K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions in the form of vouchers to support students across Canada with access to new computer hardware, software, and related training.  Visit the settlement website at: https://www.ThatSuiteMoney.ca/

The second presentation was from Dr. Cathy Martin, Senior Director of Professional Development and Certification, First Nations Education Administrators Association (FNEAA).  Dr. Martin presented an overview of a Canadian Historical Framework: Stages in the Relationship with Aboriginal Peoples.  Dr. Martin also spoke of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the  September 2017 UN statement from Prime Minster Trudeau.  She also shared the FNEAA origin, purpose, vision, value statements and a strategic plan overview. In September of 2021, there were 84 regular and 21 corporate members of FNEAA.  The association has an administrative team and a board of directors from a number of First Nations committed to the association.

Dr. Martin affirmed that at this time of reconciliation, working together is mandatory and not just desirable.

SAVE the DATE: CASSA2023 – Leadership: Coast to Coast to Coast, Victoria BC, July 5-7, 2023

 Check the CASSA Conference Website for hotel, travel and program updates: http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca

November 2022

Canadian School Mental Health Leadership Network

In 2020, CASSA was invited, along with Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA), to team up with Dr. Kathy Short, School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) to create a national network of school system administrators and governors.  Each association, in turn, reached out to key leaders to form a steering committee.  I invited Dr. Cindy Finn, Director General at Lester B. Pearson School Board in Montreal.  Nancy Pynch-Worthylake, the CSBA Executive Director, invited Nathan IP, a trustee from Edmonton Public Schools. The concept was to create a safe space for leaders to have conversations and to further their understanding in support the mental health and well-being of their students.  Funding for the network was generously provided by The McConnell Family Foundation.  The network was supported by thought leaders who have years of experience in research and practice in the field of child and adolescent mental health.

Our thought leaders were Dr. Jean Clinton, McMaster University, Ontario; Dr. Deinera Exner- Cortez, University of Calgary, Alberta; Dr Kathy Giorgiades, Offord Centre for Child Studies, Ontario; Dr. John LeBlanc, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia; 

Dr. Michael Unger, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia and Dr. Brenda Restoule, First Peoples Wellness Circle, Ontario.

Prior to the first formal meeting of the network, we asked the members to forward topics and themes they would like addressed. We used their feedback to create a series of network meetings that continued from 2021 - 2022.  The format of each network meeting starts with a presentation by a thought leader on the topic of that particular meeting. That is followed by an open question and answer opportunity for network members to engage with the thought leader. We then break into smaller groups with a cross-section of administrators and governors that represent various geographic regions in Canada.  The breakout groups are facilitated by a steering committee member and breakout notes are taken that are shared internally with the network participants.

We have recently asked network members for topics and themes that they would like addressed in 2023 and we look forward to continuing the dialogue to support student mental health and well-being throughout Canada in its publicly funded school boards.

Fall 2022

Welcome Back!  
Hopefully, you had a safe and enjoyable summer break with family and friends.  

A Tribute To Reg Klassen, Manitoba Association of School Superintendents (MASS)

It is with regret but with heartfelt thanks that the CASSA board says “farewell” to Reg Klassen, Chief Superintendent of Frontier School Division in Manitoba.  Reg has concluded his two year commitment as the CASSA Past-President having served two years as President-Elect and an additional two years as CASSA President.  Reg has been an active and supportive CASSA board member for many years having served as an Executive member as well a MASS representative.  Reg’s commitment to the importance of a national association and his vocal advocacy in Manitoba…and beyond…has allowed CASSA to grow over the years to where it is today…a national association representing school system leaders from all ten provinces and three territories…including directors-general from French-language districts outside of Quebec.  Over the years, Reg and I have developed a great friendship even though he cheers for the Winnipeg Jets and Saskatchewan Roughriders.  We will miss his wisdom and sense of humour around our table.  I wish Reg well as he continues to serve the communities in the Frontier School Division which is one of the largest geographic districts in the country.  His commitment to supporting the needs of Indigenous learners came through at every meeting I which we engaged those discussions.   

CASSA Board Changes 

Every year, the CASSA Board experiences turnover in the board of directors.  It is up to each association to determine who sits at the CASSA table and the role varies from province to province to territory.  Usually, the constant member is the association executive director with respective table officers rotating through the CASSA board depending on local by-laws.  At this time, I want to express my appreciation to Pauline Clarke (MASS), Scott Morrison (CASS) and Morris Hucal (OCSOA) who have served their terms and will be leaving the board.  We look forward to their continued involvement as CASSA members in committee work.  Welcome to our newest board members: Krista Curry (MASS), Clint Moroziuk (CASS) and John Klein (OCSOA). Congratulations and many thanks for his future contributions to Mike Helm (ADGESBQ) on his election as CASSA President-Elect!

Save the Date for CASSA 2023

Get out your calendars and save the date for next year’s CASSA Leadership Conference in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia.  The dates are July 5-7, 2023.  Lots more to come of course. Get the dates locked into your calendars

July 2022

CASSA just completed its very successful in-person 2022 Leadership Conference in St. Andrew’s New Brunswick which was attended by about 150 education leaders.  Participants from coast to coast to coast made their way to St. Andrew’s.  Regrettably, due to the Air Canada flight cancellations…approximately 20 registrants had to cancel.  Not only was CASSA re-imagining education leadership…CASSA was re-imagining a conference experience.   The conference was expertly facilitated by Jordan Tinney, retired superintendent of Surrey Schools in British Columbia.  Jordan lead us through four facilitated and six thematic sessions which provided many opportunities for participants to engage with one another in cross-Canadian conversations.  The resources that he prepared are on our CASSA home page.  In addition to the professional conversations…the conference provided participants with social events including a live music Kitchen Party and delicious Maritime Dinner.  A conference highlight was the CASSA Awards Luncheon at which time we celebrated two honourary lifetime members: Barry Litun (Alberta) and Michael Chechile (Quebec) along with the 2020 XEROX EXL National recipients: Darrel Robertson (Alberta) and Renee Closs (Northwest Territories) and the 202i XEROX EXL National recipient: Denise Andre.  We also celebrated the outstanding nominees for 2022: Phillipe Brulôt (Northwest Territories), Rob Buttars (Quebec) and Bevan Daverne(Alberta).   Congratulations to Bevan who was selected as the 2022 XEROX EXL National recipient.

I must express my profound appreciation to the members of the CASSA conference planning team: Derek O’Brien (New Brunswick), Claire Guy (British Columbia), Barb Isaak (Manitoba), and Morris Hucul and Joy Badder (Ontario).  Derek and his colleagues from New Brunswick stepped in to ensure the conference attendees could get to St. Andrew’s from New Brunswick’s airports and that the conference details were covered locally.

We are already looking forward to the 2023 CASSA Leadership Conference from July 5-7 in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia.  Please save the date to engage once again with your colleagues from throughout Canada

February  2022

THANK YOU

October  2021

September  2021

August 2021

May  2021

March  2021

February  2021

September 2020
Welcome back to another year of CASSA newsletters!

May 2020
Staying Healthy and Safe

February 2020

October 2019

September 2019

March 2019

CASSA has included improving student and staff mental health and well-being as one of its priorities and has joined four other organizations who share a commitment to healthy school communities as stewards in the Canadian Alliance for Healthy School Communities.  The Alliance is a collaboration of stakeholders spanning the interests of both health and education working together to advance healthy school communities through a comprehensive school health approach.  Our vision is “Every school in Canada is a healthy school community.”

The four other stewardship organizations are DASH BC, EverActive Schools – Alberta, Ophea – Ontario and PHE Canada.  More about the Alliance as we progress.

Since my last update, I have been to the American superintendents’ national conference.  Their annual conference is very large in scale as there are so many more superintendents in the United States than here in Canada.  In fact, the average size of a school district in the US is about 3300 students.  There were several speakers and workshops focussing on the importance of strong system leadership in helping to improve student achievement.  It was also an opportunity to gather as a group of CASSA members to celebrate the recipient of the CASSA EXL Award for outstanding system leadership in Canada.  The 2018 recipient is David Keohane, Superintendent of Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools.  David was recognized by his American colleagues during the conference and the CASSA members who were at the conference got together to celebrate his achievements.

Please SAVE THE DATE for this year’s CASSA2019 Conference at the Vancouver Sheraton Airport Hotel in Richmond.  The conference begins on the evening of July 3^rd and ends mid-afternoon of the 5^th.  Check the conference website to register and make your hotel reservations.  Here is the link : http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca.

 Look forward to seeing you there!!

January 2019

Welcome to 2019!  On behalf of the board, I want to wish you and your families all the best in the upcoming year.

I am very proud of the recently updated CASSA website Resources pages. The Resources pages reinforce our commitment to the CASSA Mission and Beliefs.

The Resources section is divided into several sub-sections: Mental Health, Equity, Learning Divides and Other and includes some new entries.  Learning Divides: Using data to Inform Educational Policy is a sequel to the 2006 report, Learning Divides: Ten Policy Questions about the Performance and Equity of Schools and Schooling Systems (Wilms 2006).  Two other recent entries come to CASSA from two national Foundations with whom CASSA has developed an excellent relationship:  Lawson Foundation Outdoor Play and Early Learning Policy Symposium and and McConnell Foundation – Empathy and Well-being for Educators Summary Report. Lastly, there is a new Equity resource: SOGI: Tools and Resources for LGBTQ Inclusive Education.

SAVE THE DATE – July 3-5 for CASSA2019 at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel.  Here is a link to the conference website to book your room using the CASSA code. More information about the conference will be coming in the next few weeks including highlights of our keynotes and registration information.

November 2018

Fall 2018

Spring 2018

Alberta I have recently returned from the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS) conference.  The conference activities included the Annual General Meeting and a reception to celebrate the members of CASS who have recently retired or will retire in the next several months.  I was joined at the CASS event by CASSA board members, Kevin Kardaal from BCSSA and Karen Edgar from OPSOA.  As I reflected on what I would say in my remarks…memories of the invaluable contributions that CASS members have made to CASSA jumped out.  CASSA had previously experienced some difficult times yet CASS (and a few other affiliates) stayed with the organization.  We are now so very strong with representation from all ten provinces and three territories.  As I reflected on the CASS leaders who contributed to ensure CASSA remained alive and well…the following names came to mind:  Jim Gibbons, Ed Wittchen, Lee Lucente, John Darroch, Roger Nippard, Barry Wowk and Kath Rhyasson.  I am certain there were many more members of CASS who helped CASSA throughout the years but, in my experience, these were the leaders I came to know and admire from Alberta.  Currently CASS is well served by its current Executive Director, Barry Litun and for the past two years…and now CASS past president, Colleen Symyrozum-Watt.  My personal best wishes and congratulations to St. Albert Public Schools Superintendent, Barry Wowk on his upcoming retirement.  Barry contributed sixteen years of service to CASSA and last year, was honoured with a CASSA Honourary Lifetime Membership.

CASSA 2018 in Ottawa Planning is well underway for our annual conference.  We have finalized the names of our opening and closing keynotes.  The conference will be opened by Dr. Michael Ungar: http://www.michaelungar.com.  Dr. Ungar is a very engaging and thoughtful presenter who will speak about the importance of building children’s resiliency.  Please look at his website to learn more about Dr. Ungar and his research into resilience.  Our closing speaker will be Dean Shareski, from Discovery Education.  Dean Shareski is the Community Manager for Discovery Education Canada. He taught grades 1-8 for 14 years and spent 9 as a digital learning consultant for Prairie South School Division in Moose Jaw, SK. In addition, he an adjunct professor at Wilkes University. His blog consistently ranks among the top educational blogs. In 2010 he won the ISTE Award for Outstanding Leader of the Year. Dean has had the opportunity to speak to a variety of education audiences both nationally and internationally. He has recently authored “Embracing a Culture of Joy” and co-authored, “Different Schools for a Different World”. His passion remains helping teachers explore the affordances of technology for learning. 

Conference registration is now live: http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca/CASSA-register.html

Travel and accommodations can be made using this link: http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca/CASSA-hotel_travel.html

If you are interested in presenting at CASSA, I ask you to use this link to submit your proposal: https://airtable.com/shr2bYVMlTBDjdTbI.  Proposals will be accepted until mid-April.

Executive Director Winter Message (2017-2018)

This has been a busy few weeks for CASSA and the Board of Directors. 

Towards a Better Way - I had the opportunity to participate in a national gathering of individuals and associations interested in promoting healthy school communities.  CASSA was invited to attend because of our commitment to student mental health and well-being and our emerging partnership with PHE Canada which began at the 2017 conference in Halifax.  It was a very productive two days and concluded with a commitment to further consolidate the group and its goals to ensure we work together for healthy school communities.  My thanks to Ontario Physical Health Education Association, Ever Active Schools, PHE Canada and the Joint Consortium for School Health for their leadership and stewardship in facilitating the work that began in Ottawa back in November 2017.

CASSA Winter Planning Meetings – Twenty-one members of the CASSA board of directors recently met in Toronto for two days of planning.  I am pleased to report that we had representatives from nine provinces and one territory along with the francophone directors general association from boards outside Quebec.  Our president, Anne O’Brien (Director of Education, Durham Catholic District School Board) has reported on the content of meetings in her article this month.  The board agreed that CASSA must continue to lead the way around student mental health and well-being by hosting resources from across the country on its website and by continuing to promote mental health as a topic at our conferences.  The board also affirmed that CASSA can and should continue the partnership, described above, with those like-minded individuals and associations committed to the promotion of healthy school communities with a focus on healthy, active living and play.  CASSA looks forward to our focused “next steps”.

AASA – Seven members of the CASSA board attended the AASA National Conference – Education in the Digital Age.  AASA is the American counterpart to CASSA.  There were many speakers and breakout sessions that I know we all enjoyed!  The current administration in Washington has not been particularly favourable to public education in the United States, which in many parts of Canada is known as “publicly funded education”.  Our American colleagues are proud of the work they do every day on behalf of the millions of students they serve in public schools across the US.

Ottawa2018 – Supporting Each Student – I would be remiss if I failed to mention the upcoming CASSA2018 conference in Ottawa from July 4-6.  We have introduced some interesting changes to the format this year.  The conference will be organized into five sub themes that demonstrate how boards/districts/divisions support each student (Equity, Use of Technology, Play and Active Living, Managing Resources, the Agile Learning Classrooms/Critical Thinking Skills).

Workshop time slots will be one hour in length with either two 30-minute or one 60-minute presentation filling the slot.  Lastly, we have reached out to our francophone leaders to offer workshops in French.  We are currently accepting workshop proposals until the middle of March.  Please use this link if you want to submit a proposal https://airtable.com/shr2bYVMlTBDjdTbI.  Registration is not “live” yet but will be very soon.  Please continue to check the CASSA Conference website for registration details using this link http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca.  Here is the link to secure your room in the room block as well as to take advantage of travel discounts http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca/CASSA-hotel_travel.html

Fall 2017

I am happy to welcome everyone back and bring you up to date with respect to CASSA news. 

I am pleased to report that CASSA now includes members from all ten provinces and all three territories!!  The total membership is around 1500 and I am delighted that we can say that we are a truly national association from sea to sea to sea!!

First, my thanks to the following board members whose terms have concluded - Barry Wowk and Loretta Notten.  Thanks as well to Simone Rose-Oliver and Guy LeBlanc who have retired from education.  Barry and Simone served the board exceptionally well as our reps to the American Superintendents’ Association. 

Secondly, I want to welcome our newest member from the British Columbia School Superintendents’ Association – Claire Guy, Executive Director.  Claire joins BC’s Kevin Kaardal who is currently a Director At Large.  I am also delighted to welcome two new board members from the Association of Nova Scotia Educational Administrators – Margo Tait, Executive Director and Gary Adams, President.  Also new to the board is Deb Crawford, President, Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association.  We thank everyone past and present for their commitment to CASSA – your national voice for senior leaders!

We had a very successful conference in Halifax at which time we celebrated several outstanding leaders who were nominated by their provincial association.  Congratulations to John Malloy, Director of the Toronto District School Board who we honoured as Canada’s outstanding school system leader for 2017.  We will honour him again at the AASA National Conference in Nashville in February 2018.  CASSA also bestowed an Honourary Life Membership Award to Barry Wowk who is a tireless advocate and CASSA supporter and has been with the association for sixteen years and has watched it grow to its current membership.

CASSA continues to be viewed as a key member of the national landscape as evidenced by our participation in the International Play Association Triennial Conference (Calgary - September) and our upcoming involvement in the Healthy School Communities National Forum (Ottawa - November) and the National Summit on Teacher and School Staff Wellbeing (Montreal – November).  I sit on a policy subcommittee for the Canadian Public Health Association (https://www.cpha.ca) and contribute on behalf of the association.  CASSA has also developed a strong relationship with the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (https://www.cmec.ca/en/) and the Canadian School Boards’ Association (http://cdnsba.org).  Recently you should have received information about the upcoming debate about copyright matters (http://cdnsba.org/all/advocacy/copyright-matters)

As part of our strategic plan, CASSA is planning to extend our reach and participate as invited in other national conversations about matters related to student success.

SAVE the DATE – Supporting Each Student” – Ottawa July 4-6, 2018 at the Ottawa Westin Hotel.

April 2017

Greetings and hope that the school year is moving along well!  A few brief updates for everyone…

CASSA has a very strong partnership with AASA – The School Superintendents’ Association http://www.aasa.org .  The new administration in the United States has brought some worries and uncertainties to the CEO role in publicly funded school districts across the US.  The CASSA Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the following message to our American colleagues:

"We are writing today to offer our continued support to AASA and our American colleagues as you continue your advocacy for the students in publicly funded schools across the United States.  CASSA believes that the role of school system administrators is essential to ensuring the success of all students.  CASSA is also committed to the values of an inclusive publicly funded K-12 education system."

CASSA wholeheartedly affirms its support for the following AASA beliefs:

“Public education is the foundation of American democracy and is the primary vehicle for preparing each generation of adult citizens to become contributing members of a democratic society.”

“School leaders have a responsibility to create school cultures that recognize and value diversity.”

We value the strong relationship that AASA and CASSA has developed and nurtured over the years.  Please know that we stand with you in affirming your advocacy for students in publicly funded schools.

I received a very grateful response from Dan Domenech, the Executive Director of AASA.

Recently, a number of Canadian school system leaders participated in the AASA National Conference on Education at which time both AASA and CASSA recognized and celebrated the XEROX EXL Award, Joan Carr, Superintendent from Edmonton Catholic.

I look forward to receiving the nominees for this year’s EXL Award from our provincial/territorial affiliates.  The national recipient will be announced in Halifax at our annual conference and will be recognized next year at the AASA conference in Nashville.

Halifax 2017 – we are excited about the way that our conference is shaping up this year!  We have secured two outstanding keynotes (Dr. Stan Kutcher and Dr. Kathryn Short).  This year we will feature a pan Canadian panel addressing student mental health and well-being across the country and 30 workshops focusing on practices to support healthy students, schools and communities.  Other highlights include…a guided tour of Pier 21…an optional tour of Halifax and its harbor…an optional tour to Peggy’s Cove…two hosted receptions and lots of Maritime hospitality!!  Here is the website to take advantage of early bird registration, a Westjet discount code and hotel registration http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca .

February 2017

On behalf of the CASSA Board of Directors I am pleased to welcome Kevin Kaardal, Superintendent of Schools/CEO of the

Central Okanagan Public Schools, Kelowna, British Columbia to the CASSA Board as a Director-At-Large.  The board is now comprised of at least one member from every province and territory and underscores CASSA’s as the national voice for school system leaders across Canada!  We look forward to Kevin’s contributions to the national c0nversation.

CASSA leaders have been very busy, as we have been invited to participate in several national and international conferences and meetings.  President Anne O’Brien and I joined school leader colleagues from across the globe at this year’s Ontario Principals’ Council Symposium on school leader wellbeing in Toronto.  She and I also participated in the CEA Symposium on Indigenous Education in Vancouver.  President-Elect Reg Klassen represented CASSA at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Education Roundtable in Calgary. 

Our next commitment is to attend the AASA National Education Conference in support of our EXL Award recipient, Joan Carr as Canada’s Superintendent of the Year who will be honoured at the conference.  We also attend in support of our American colleagues and our shared commitment to the value of publicly funded education.

Lastly, we are preparing for our own national conference in Halifax from July 5-7.  The theme is “Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities, Healthy Future”.  Keynotes and breakouts will focus on efforts to improve the wellbeing of students and communities.  Watch your inbox for conference registration and an invitation to present.  Currently, the travel page is live: http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca/CASSA-hotel_travel.html

See you in Halifax!

October 2016

I certainly hope that you are all off to a great start to the school year and that you had a restful and enjoyable summer!

CASSA has an outstanding conference in July in Winnipeg.  The keynotes were fantastic – each with his/her own message of how to inspire leaders to ensure our students develop a strong sense of social justice, equity and social responsibility in our districts/divisions.  We had over 30 breakout sessions from across the country representing some of the promising practices from classrooms, schools and systems.  My thanks to all of the presenters who gave so generously of their time.  Final thanks to Ken Klassen and the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents (MASS) for his and their support to ensure the conference was a success.

May 2016

I want to begin by expressing my deep appreciation to CASSA President Cindy Finn who will conclude her two-year term this summer.  Cindy has been an exceptional representative for the organization and was able to balance her duties as president with her role as Director of Student Services at Lester B. Pearson School Board in Montreal, Quebec.  The role of CASSA president is a voluntary one and requires a time commitment that includes corresponding in a timely manner, writing for our professional publications and travel to conferences, meetings and symposia across Canada and the United States.  At all times, Cindy’s commitment to the need for a national association of school system leaders was front and centre in her conversations and presentations.  It has been an honour to get to know Cindy and to work alongside her in my role with CASSA.  I look forward to her continuing to serve CASSA as past president.

I want to welcome Anne O’Brien as CASSA President.  Anne is Director of Education for Durham Catholic District School Board in Oshawa Ontario.  Anne too understands the importance of a national voice for education and I know will work tirelessly to ensure that CASSA remains as a strong and influential organization! 

I am looking forward to working with Anne and know she will represent CASSA well.

Welcome to our newest member of the board, Darryl Bazylak.  Darryl joins LEADS Executive Director, Bill Cooke, as our Saskatchewan members of the board. 

Lastly, I want to express my appreciation to the members of the CASSA Board who also donate their time each month to the important work we do as leaders in education across the country.

The Winnipeg2016 Conference will be truly exceptional with four keynote speakers each of whom will address a different aspect of the theme of creating cultures of caring as we examine promising practices through nurturing social justice and social responsibility.  We will also offer over 30 workshops from a variety of voices from Canada.  Of note this year is a pre-conference workshop presented by Pearson Canada:  When Mentoring Meets Coaching: Shifting the Stance in Education.  This free workshop will be held on July 7 from 2-4 in the Gateway Room at The Fort Garry.  Check out the conference website for registration and travel information (http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca)

March 2016

CASSA Examines Student Mental Health and Well-Being Across Canada

I am pleased to share that the CASSA Board of Directors recently had a very successful Winter Planning Session! 

What made the meetings such a success?

We had excellent representation with topical presentations and updates from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, English Language Schools in Quebec, New Brunswick, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

We had exemplary presentations from Dr. Kathy Short and Dr. Bruce Ferguson.  Dr. Short is the Director for School Mental Health ASSIST, a provincial team designed to help Ontario school boards to support student mental health and wellbeing. Dr. Short is a member of the national School-Based Mental Health and Substance Abuse Consortium, and led the Knowledge Translation and Exchange Team for this association of Canadian researchers and school mental health practitioners on a national project for the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Dr. Bruce Ferguson is a Senior Consultant and the founding Director of the Community Health Systems Resource Group at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).  We also had an excellent presentation from Karen Edgar, a practicing superintendent with the Thames valley District School Board in Ontario who spoke about her board’s student mental health and wellbeing journey. 

The CASSA Board drafted some recommendations that will be released later in the term and the looks forward to continuing to support creating healthy communities across Canada!

Check the CASSA website for a list of mental health and well-being resources.

February 2016

CASSA Participates in Education Conversations

CASSA continues to expand its reach and influence as we are share our Canadian perspective in national and international conferences and symposia.  In the last year alone, CASSA has been a guest at the International Symposium on the Teaching Profession, at the Ontario Principals’ Council International Symposium on System Change through School Leadership, at the CEA National Conference on Dropping Out: What the Neurosciences Can Teach Us and at The North American Leaders Forum: Integrating Health & Social Programs within Education Systems.  CASSA contributed to the white paper that will be published “Integrating Health Within the Core Mandates, Constraints & Concerns of Education Systems: Policies for Progress and Sustainability”.  CASSA has also been pleased to support other conferences and initiatives including the Annual Summit on Education Technology Strategies (http://www.educationtechnologysummit.com), the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Annual Conference (http://transitionseducation.ca) and Future Leaders in All Profession (http://www.fliap.com/index.html).

CASSA2016 Annual Conference

What better time to examine practices across Canada in the focus area of social justice and social responsibility.  Join us in Winnipeg as we engage in discussions and presentations at the CASSA2016 National Conference “Hearts and Minds: Creating a Culture of Caring”.  We are very much looking forward to our first confirmed keynote: Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish who has dedicated his life to peace efforts in the Middle East.  Here is the link to his Tedx Waterloo video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR-6x3gXYGs&feature=youtu.be)

Please continue to check our conference website (http://conference.cassa-acgcs.ca/index.html) as we build a program that promises to be engaging and thought provoking.  The call for presenters will be sent out in early February.  Please consider stepping forward to share the programs and practices across Canada that will lead us to a generation of socially responsible citizens!

CASSA at the AASA National Conference on Education 

Lastly, CASSA President Cindy Finn and I look forward to representing CASSA at the AASA-The School Superintendents’ Association National Conference on Education.  At that time we will celebrate Canada’s Superintendent of the Year, John Crocco who is the Director of Education at the Niagara Catholic District School Board.  Our American colleagues will also acknowledge John for the exemplary leadership he has demonstrated in Niagara Catholic.

October 2015

Welcome back to another school year!

EXL Award as Canada’s Superintendent of the Year

Congratulations to John Crocco, Director of Education for the Niagara Catholic District School Board as the EXL Award recipient for 2015!  John will have the chance to take part in the AASA Superintendent of the Year ceremony in Phoenix in February 2016!  Hopefully we will have a strong contingent of John’s friends and colleagues as he is honoured by our AASA partners!

CASSA Honours Robert T. Mills

After an outstanding career in school board leadership in Quebec and, in recognition of his many years of dedication to our national organization, CASSA bestowed an Honourary Life Membership to Bob.  We must express our deepest gratitude for all Bob has done to ensure that CASSA is a strong organization and we wish him a wonderful retirement with wife, Lisa.

Changes on the CASSA Board

The new school year brings changes to the CASSA Board of Directors.  CASSA welcomes two new Directors-At-Large: Penny Prysnuk from Yukon and Shelly Pepler from Nunavut.  We also welcome back, albeit in a new role, Reg Klassen as a Director-At-Large.  The new CASS member is John Waterhouse.  The new ADGESBQ member is Howard Miller.  The newest OCSOA representative is Loretta Notten.  Loretta joins the board to replace Simone Oliver who was elected as the CASSA Eastern rep to AASA.   We welcome our newest members and trust they will find the opportunity to gain a national perspective an excellent professional commitment.

January 2015

Happy New Year!!  Hopefully everyone was able to enjoy a change of pace and some wonderful time with family and friends over the holiday season.

The CASSA Board of Directors will be meeting in Toronto at the end of January to engage in strategic planning sessions and organizational meetings.  Our plan is to “take the temperature” of our progress and fine-tune our goals and the ways in which we want to ensure the success of the organization.  I will be reporting to you about the outcome of the meetings in future updates.

Please mark July 2-4, 2015 in your calendars as that is the time when CASSA will meet again to explore another topic of interest – S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math).  Please continue to visit our website to learn more about this year’s conference at Le Westin, Montreal in beautiful Old Montreal (http://www.cassa-acgcs.ca/pages/cassa-acgcs/721145731331487106/Annual_Conference)

I am preparing to send out the call for presenters for our annual conference and hope that we get an impressive response from across the country! 

Best wishes for continued success…and I look forward to seeing you all in Montreal

December 2014

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season full of family, friends and a change of pace!

Please mark July 2-4, 2015 in your calendars as that is the time when CASSA will meet again to explore another topic of interest – S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math).  Please continue to visit our website to learn more about this year’s conference at Le Westin, Montreal in beautiful Old Montreal:

http://www.cassa-acgcs.ca/pages/cassa-acgcs/721145731331487106/Annual_Conference

Best wishes for continued success…and I look forward to seeing you all in Montreal.

September 2014

I want to welcome everyone back and trust each of you found some time to relax and enjoy the different pace over the summer months!  We had a very successful Summer Conference in Calgary and thank the Government of Alberta and our CASS members for their support of our conference!  More about the 2015 conference later.

The AGM signaled a change to the membership of our Board of Directors.  I thank Lee Ann Forsyth-Sells (Ontario/OCSOA) for her many years of dedication to CASSA and wish her well as she leaves the board.  Congratulations to Cindy Finn (Quebec/AAESQ) who begins her two-year term as CASSA President and to Anne O’Brien (Ontario/OCSOA) who begins her term as President-Elect. 

I also want to express my appreciation to Roger Nippard (Alberta/CASS) who moves to Past-President.

New to the board will be Simone Oliver (Ontario/OCSOA), Cindy Fleet (PEI), Greg Ingersoll (New Brunswick/NBSSA) and Karl Germann (Alberta/CASS).  We welcome them and look forward to their contributions!

CASSA 2015 – July 2-4 in beautiful and historic Montreal!
Theme will be S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math)
Conference registration and hotel information will follow…keep checking the CASSA website.

 June 2014

I want to begin by welcoming the New Brunswick School Superintendents’ Association to CASSA.  The CASSA Board looks forward to the many contributions we know we will receive from having the voice of new Brunswick school system leaders at our table!

I have recently retuned from meetings with my American colleagues.  As always, my interactions with leaders beyond Canada provide a wonderful opportunity to heighten my understanding of the education sector in a broader context.  There are a few states in which lawmakers are considering whether to allow adults to carry firearms on school property – certainly this is a very different issue than we have to consider in Canada!  Another significant learning related to the push, in some states…not all…to introduce educational vouchers and charter schools.  The concern, based on some limited experience is that these charter schools do not have an “open enrolment” approach and that some students are accepted and some are not.  Lastly, there is a concern that money intended for publicly funded education will be redirected to charter schools, thus impacting the publicly funded school experience for its students.   The concern was significantly higher in the United States than in Canada where the implementation of charter schools is much less common.

CASSA has been working with its partner, Blackboard Engage, to develop and introduce our very own mobile app.  The app is available for mobile phones from both the iTunes Store and Google Play.  This is our first foray into this aspect of technology and communication and other enhancements will occur as the technology allows!  Also…check us out and follow us on Twitter @CASSAACGCS

I have received five nominations for the XEROX EXL Superintendent of the Year and look forward to announcing the national recipient at our conference in Calgary!  The recipient will have the chance to take part in the AASA Superintendent of the Year ceremony in San Diego in February 2015!

See you in Calgary!

Ken Bain
CASSA Executive Director

March 17, 2014

CASSA is a national organization whose only members are school system leaders!

I want to update CASSA members and other visitors to the CASSA website with some exciting news about the organization’s renewal!  A great deal of time and considerable professional dialogue took place at our January Strategic Planning session in order to develop a purpose and mission that reflected the interests of members from across the county.  At the March Board of Directors’ meeting, the CASSA Board approved a new mission and purpose:

Purpose: CASSA is the Canadian organization of school system leaders that promotes and supports quality education for the success of all students

Mission: CASSA strengthens the capacity of school system leaders and influences the directions that impact education and student learning.

These changes represent some of the renewal that is going on in CASSA and I look forward in the weeks and months ahead to let you know about other exciting developments!

Please consider attending our 2014 annual conference in Calgary.  We are thrilled to have Canadian researcher and author, Dr. Doug Wilms, as our keynote speaker on the conference theme: Engaging Students – Making a Difference.  We also have an outstanding line-up of workshops from system and school leaders from across the country!   Go to our Conference 2014 page for program and registration details

Ken Bain
CASSA Executive Director

March 4, 2014

I just returned from a wonderful experience at the AASA Conference in Nashville, Tennessee!  CASSA is a very well thought of partner with superintendents in the United States.  We have three CASSA executive members who play an important role in AASA – Barry Wowk (CASS) and Nick Milanetti (OCSOA) serve on the AASA Governing Board and Bob Mills (ADGESBQ) has the distinction of being the first Canadian to sit on the AASA Executive Committee.  We are delighted with their contributions to AASA and to CASSA.  We benefit from their experiences with our colleagues to the south as they share insights from their meetings.  Personally, I am very warmly welcomed as I meet with state Executive Directors from across the USA.  I learn a great deal from their experiences and appreciate the international perspective on our roles!

Another highlight for CASSA is the manner in which AASA embraces and celebrates the CASSA EXL Superintendent of the Year.  This year’s recipient, Kim Jenkins (CASS) was acknowledged in Nashville and received all of the same tributes and recognition as any other recipient from any of the states.  CASSA was pleased to host a reception for Kim while we were in Nashville and we appreciated the participation of some dedicated CASSA partners along with a number of CASSA members who made the trip to Nashville.

From the opening ceremonies to the closing speaker, Canadian Craig Kielburger, the AASA conference provided a wonderful opportunity for networking and professional growth!

Please mark your calendars now for next year’s AASA Conference – San Diego, California – February 25-28, 2015.

Lastly, I ask that each of you consider nominating someone for the CASSA EXL Award.  It is an opportunity to celebrate the leadership of our members from across the country.  Contact your provincial or territorial affiliate for information.

Ken Bain
CASSA Executive Director

January 2014

Happy New Year!  I am pleased to update members with respect to two vital areas of CASSA's operations.  First, you will notice the introduction of banner ads on our website pages.  This revenue generating strategy is part of CASSA's overall need to ensure its short and long term goals.  Secondly, the CASSA Board of Directors will be participating in our third Strategic Planning Session at the end of January.  Previous sessions have resulted in improived communications, a revised constitution and a strategic operating plan.  I will provide updates after our session in Toronto. Best wishes for a wonderful 2014!

Ken Bain
CASSA Executive Director