Last week Western School Division gave students from grades four to twelve the opportunity to speak with the board of trustee's about a variety of topics during a student forum.

"In the board room we are quite separated from what happens in the classrooms. We wanted to have an opportunity to interact with the students who are in those classrooms every day and wanted to listen to what they have to say about their experience in Western School Division," explained board chair Brian Fransen.

Topics discussed were leadership in schools, diversity and equity, career development, what blocks me from learning, and what student's ideal learning space looks like.

Fransen stated the information the students presented is invaluable to the board and added discussions have already begun from what they heard.

"It was more than just what the board can use out of it now," said Fransen. "Having principals around the table, having senior administrators around the table hearing what the kids are saying provided a lot of insights to what our students are experiencing inside the schools. I can't make any promises as to what is going to be coming from this, but there are already some good discussions happening around the board table and in the schools with what was heard at the event."

According to Fransen the students seemed to be excited to be able to share their perspective on what they felt in the classroom.

"We are operating and managing an education system that is supposed to educate them. If we aren't getting feedback from them that is real, then we are missing a major part in terms of helping us prioritize what we are supposed to do," said Fransen.