When Paul Bourassa talks about how he first became a Catholic school trustee six years ago, he has two things to say about it: he signed on by default and he is so happy he did.

“There was an email circulated to the parents of the Catholic Francophone schools asking for candidates to be trustees as the incumbent had stepped down.  When the first email came, I hoped someone would step up.  When the second email came because no one had stepped up, I discussed it with my wife and whether I could make the time commitment,” he explains. “After that discussion, I put my name forward and have never regretted it.  I have input and influence over my children's and all our children's education which is great responsibility and honour. I have no regrets.”

Since putting his name in, he’s served as a Catholic trustee for Conseil scolaire FrancoSud and he’s continued his involvement with Catholic education.

Paul joined the Alberta Catholic Schools Trustees’ Association’s Board of Directors and recently came on as Vice President. Prior to the New Year, he joined CCSTA as the Alberta representative.

While he’s been in the trustee role for six years, Paul’s relationship with Catholic education started long ago.

Read more: Paul Bourassa Welcomed as Alberta/NWT/Yukon Rep for CCSTA Board of Directors

From docking a spacecraft to building an M-bot to designing a stop-motion picture production, students across two Catholic school boards in Northern Ontario have taken technology to an entirely new level – and it’s because of their teachers’ belief in what’s to come.

Northwest Catholic District School Board and the Kenora Catholic District School Board recently teamed up to launch a video showcasing a collaborative project called The Impact of Learning Technologies.

The project studied the impact of technology on student learning over an eight-month period.

The video included interviews with both students and faculty. As the students showcase their finished projects, they share their insights on the process and creating projects that integrate technology. It’s clear the students are sold on it.

Read more: “It makes kids do really cool stuff”: Northern Ontario Catholic School Boards on Technology in the...

Did you make a 2018 commitment to deepen your faith? If so, then you'll want to check out a newly released resource that encourages conversation and reflection.

The Office for Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC) and the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) have developed a web-based video resource to assist with the study of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia. This resource consists of nine 7-8 minute videos as well as discussion guides. It is designed to be used by individuals in their homes or in groups gathered in diocesan, parish or school settings.

Read more: Family Apostolate Resource Guide from OEC and COLF