When the school year comes to a close, with the exception of most continuing education programs, that is, it is a natural tendency to celebrate, to reflect, to thank, to think back, to think ahead, to look forward to summer and to honour those who have made a positive difference in our school board work. Although there are many people the Council of Commissioners could mention, I would like to focus on two individuals, both exceptional leaders, who are officially retiring.

Steven Colpitts who was named interim Assistant Director General from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 (only five days left, Steven!) stepped into this role with a vast expertise in education: at the LBPSB from teacher, to administrator, to regional director, to director of education, director of human resources, director of international, and at the Ministry of Education as assistant deputy minister for the reseau Anglophone and autochtone. When Steven returned to the LBPSB for this past year, we were grateful and deeply appreciative for his return from a retirement he was fully enjoying. Why would Steven come back to such a demanding position from a new, more relaxing chapter in his life? Because he cares about education. Because he cares about and respects the people he would be working with. Because he knew his knowledge and skills would be of great benefit to the LBPSB. Let me be clear, Steven would never actually boast about his own successes and the skills he could bring to the table. In his kindness and soft spoken nature, Steven would never consider focussing on himself, but he would be more than willing to reach out, to help others and to be there for us. That is Steven Colpitts. Steven, on behalf of the Council of Commissioners, thank you! Embrace retirement.

Carol Heffernan. We often hear the expression – a much-deserved retirement. Doesn’t everyone deserve “retirement” at the end of a career? Yes, but Carol Heffernan, who, as Assistant Director General and Director of Finance (among many other formal and informal files and involvement) has consistently worked double-time, with seemingly extraordinary energy and commitment to the LBPSB community, definitely does. Although, I still can’t imagine Carol Heffernan – retired. Anyone who has worked with Carol during her career with the LBPSB since its beginning, will have, without a doubt, been in awe and amazement at Carol’s depth of knowledge, now institutional knowledge, and her willingness to share that expertise with patience – and a sense of humour. Carol, we have learned beyond what we ever knew we need to know about school board finances, (from cheque details to school board budgets), facilities, ventilation systems, bus routes and transportation. To name a few. Your ability to recall information, with not even a moment’s notice, the time, place, people, dollars spent when and where, is remarkable and impressive. Like Steven Colpitts, Carol’s work and her contributions to the LBPSB are not only because she is a dedicated person who cares about the LBPSB, but because she cares and respects the people with whom she works. Something else to share about Carol Heffernan is this. She is a multi-tasker extraordinaire who has juggled many files at the LBPSB with impressive expertise, while raising a family, and fully supporting her amazing four children (now all technically adults), all athletes, by the way, with the same values of caring, kindness, humour, I’m sure, and commitment to a very special and important family life. Carol, you will soon have more time to enjoy the benefits and celebrate the past many years, of very hard work. We will truly miss you, Carol Heffernan. Thank you for all you have done for the LBPSB.

Before closing, I would like to add that I had the privilege to attend a press conference this month with The Just for Kids Foundation. The event was held at Verdun Elementary School where the Foundation announced a pledge to raise 1.6 million dollars to support the Heart and Hands Pediatric Clinic which is located at the school. This long-term funding will allow the non-profit clinic to continue its critical mission of providing much-needed healthcare services to an underserved community. This clinic and healthcare team of pediatricians, nurse clinician, dietitian, speech and language pathologist and occupational therapists will be able to continue to provide services to almost 1000 students attending Verdun and Riverview Elementary Schools, Beurling Academy and the Rising Sun Childcare Centre.

The clinic which opened in 2019, was recently at risk of closing because of funding concerns, but is now in a secure place. The clinic itself is a unique collaboration between the Montreal Children’s Hospital and the LBPSB. The setting allows for a comfortable place for children to be treated at the local level. To quote a past LBSPB student commissioner, Dr. David D’Arienzo, who is now a pediatrician and co-founder of the clinic, along with Dave Meloche, who was at the time a LBPSB regional director for the Verdun area: “Early diagnosis and treatment of health, behavioural, and learning issues are crucial to set children up for success at school and life. Our goal is to make healthcare as accessible as possible for children and families who often face barriers and difficulties navigating the healthcare system.”

The clinic has now been renamed The Just for Kids Foundation Heart & Hands Pediatric Clinic. The LBPSB is proud and grateful for this collaboration that will benefit our students and their families.

On behalf of the LBPSB Council of Commissioners, a safe, relaxing, happy summer to all.