Taking the opportunity to connect with MPs from across Canada is a key political engagement strategy for the CCSTA: and that’s what’s on the agenda for its Board of Directors later this month.

On. Oct. 31, the CCSTA Lobby Day will take place at the Parliament Buildings in the Nation’s Capital where two or three CCSTA Directors will sit down with an MP at one time for a 30-minute period.

“The Lobby Day gives our board members a chance to talk about CCSTA, including our vision and goals as well as about Catholic Education in Canada,” explains Executive Director Julian Hanlon. “We talk about fully funded provinces versus partially funded, private schools and most importantly, we talk about the total number of students enrolled in Catholic Schools and how we do make a difference.”

The last Lobby Day took place in February, 2016 and directors say the meetings are a great opportunity to connect with politicians and to establish relationships.

“Previous Lobby Days have been very successful and tie in nicely with the local engagement strategy we implemented two years ago. This involves encouraging trustees from across the country to meet with their local MPs,” explains Hanlon. “While education is a provincial matter we feel strongly that federal politicians need to be aware of what is going on as there are federal implications such as the Theodore Case in Saskatchewan.”

For this month’s Lobby Day, they are working with Ensight Canada to identify MPs from across the country who they wish to see that day. They’ll then ensure the CCSTA Board Member from that specific MP’s home province attends that meeting.

Read more: CCSTA Lobby Day with MPs set for Oct. 31

When the Grade 7 and 8 students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Kenora, Ontario were asked about their ideal classroom, there was no shortage of suggestions.

Sparked from the idea to bring “home” into homeroom, the Grade 7 and 8 classroom spaces were reimagined. From inspiring paint colours to transformative desk spaces to interactive learning opportunities, the students worked with staff from the Kenora Catholic District School Board to create that classroom.

The school transformed their classrooms into learning studios and promotes new forms of learning. Other than an inspiring space for learning, the outcome revealed a student-educator decision-making process where all voices were heard and all ideas considered.

“It’s about how the KCDSB infuses Catholicity into everything we do,” explains Trina Henley of the KCDSB, adding that the St. Thomas Aquinas classroom transformation did just that.

Read more: Student Storytelling: Kenora Catholic District School Board releases Innovative Learning Video...

Is your school ready to take on a Toonies for Tuition Fundraiser? But don’t really know what to do? We’ve put together a list of popular yet creative Pinterest-worthy ideas for a school fundraiser that’ll have your students laughing, teachers smiling and parents engaging while getting total gratitude from us for your contribution and commitment to giving other kids from across Canada access to Catholic education.

Okay, here goes:

Host a Nearly New Sale: With so many children in school, there are plenty of parents who have closets busting with outgrown clothes. In the school gymnasium, host a Nearly New Sale, where parents can donate used children’s clothing and invite the community to the sale. All proceeds can go to Toonies for Tuition. Hot Tip: Put specific guidelines on the clothes that you’ll accept. E.g. clothes no older than three years and outline brand-names you’ll take so that quality clothes are donated.

Read more: Five Pinterest-worthy Toonies for Tuition Fundraiser Idea for your School