In 2022, student leaders, in partnership with the adult ally group, Possibility Seeds, created High School Too as an advocacy initiative in response to student-led protests and growing calls for consent culture in schools. This idea was first presented at OSTA's 2022 AGM, where there was strong interest in collaboration.
High School Too is a two-year project designed to strengthen the capacity to build consent culture in Ontario's high schools through community, education, and systemic change.
In this session, Farrah Khan from Possibility Seeds leads student trustees through the High School Too workshop for designing safer, supportive schools. For more information, check out the project briefing here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ETA1eE8xL002chnLWnVnNhZkRFBncnUWNa8alB1rrOE/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.j330pbt2dyao
Friday May 23, 2025 9:15am - 11:15am EDT Salons 1-3
Welcome to the Curriculum and School Community AIG, a key part of the OSTA community dedicated to enriching our educational experiences and evolving our curriculum across Ontario. In this AIG, you are stepping into a role where your insights and energy will help drive innovative projects that shape the learning journey for students across Ontario. Today, you will receive an overview of our work from this past year, from the challenges we have overcome to the successes celebrated. We look forward to your insights and contributions as we continue to refine our curriculum and enhance our school community!
At OSTA-AECO Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is a key priority for student trustees—but how can you turn ideas into action? This session will explore practical strategies for advocating change within your board, building momentum for EDI initiatives, and ensuring student voices lead meaningful progress. Walk away with a clear action plan and the confidence to make an impact.
The Student Well-Being AIG is introducing the Flex Days Initiative, a policy proposal seeking to integrate designated no-new-work days into school calendars around midterms. This session will introduce incoming trustees to our efforts and provide outgoing trustees the opportunity to present their work from the past year. Through a real-time decision-making challenge, participants will also take on roles as students, teachers, and policymakers to navigate common school-wide challenges and determine how Flex Days can be effectively implemented. The session will share the benefits of built-in academic breaks, and provide strategies for advocating for them at the school board level!
The Truth and Reconciliation AIG will be discussing the results of our completed Group vision document, allowing student trustees to learn and share their thoughts about the future of Truth and Reconciliation in OSTA and in Ontario education. This session will also be an opportunity for incoming student trustees to learn about the vision and mission of our group, allowing them to learn about their roles in making our vision come to fruition.
Transitioning to college or university is an exciting step- but it also comes with new financial responsibilities. Explore essential topics like budgeting, student loans, credit, savings strategies and the true cost of post-secondary education. You’ll gain practical tools and insider tips to make confident financial decisions, avoid common pitfalls and build a strong foundation for long-term success. Whether you’re heading to university, college, heading straight into the workforce or taking a gap year, this session will empower you to put finances at the forefront from day one.
The Student Trustee: Rights and Responsibilities is designed to offer student trustees a comprehensive understanding of their legal rights and privileges. By exploring concepts such as Robert’s Rules of Order and other important frameworks, this session will also equip student trustees with best practices and guidance to effectively fulfill their responsibilities within their respective school boards.
Are you interested in joining OSTA-AECO's leadership team next year? This session is your one-stop shop to learn everything you will need to know before applying for a position or delivering your speech during the Annual General Meeting!
This workshop will empower Student Trustees with the tools to overcome challenges, set meaningful goals, and create a lasting impact within their school boards. Through engaging activities and group discussions, participants will explore strategies for building a strong foundation, reflecting on their experiences, and collaborating to solve real-life challenges faced by Student Trustees. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to enhance their leadership and advocacy skills.
As a student trustee, you will always be told that you have a powerful "voice"—what exactly does this mean? Explore your role in forming educated opinions, advocating for change and speaking at the board table and beyond. Put these transferable skills into action while collaborating with Catholic leaders province-wide in discussions that include and transcend K-12 education.
Hot Takes of Public Education - This session will inform incoming and outgoing Student Trustees on some pressing matters in education today. Student Trustees will then have the opportunity to present and share their opinions, reflecting on different perspectives from across the province.
Thats a wrap! The ISTC will be recapping initiatives and projects that took place throughout our term and set obtainable goals for the incoming Indigenous Students Trustees’. Task force spearheads will have the opportunity to share their updates from their respected tasks and receive feedback from ISTC members.
ISTC members will also have an opportunity to contribute to the ISTC: OSTA-AECO Year In Review and ensure that their voices are properly represented.
As OSTA-AECO rounds the final corner in its 25th anniversary year, it’s important to recognize the progress and success of the organization during the 2024-2025 term. During this session, members of our Leadership Team will have the opportunity to share some of the work they have done throughout the year and highlight the achievements of each one of our Student Trustees.
