Spring forward. There are positive connotations to this expression which many of us use to remember that in March our clocks are set one hour ahead for daylight savings time. Light for longer at the end of the day. For me, this year, it meant one hour closer to spring and the positivity that can be attached to this season. Last week, when the temperature shot up to 18 degrees and the warmth of the sun emanated, there was a buzz in the air. People were happy. (today, however, we received snow, but that’s weather!)

Our council was also buzzing in March with most commissioners attending at least a few committee meetings (the reports tonight will reveal the variety of topics covered), governing boards and other related work at conferences and in the community, while we learned about the best ways we can support the LBPSB; and, to borrow one of our Vice Chair, Commissioner Allison Sanders’ favourite lines from the LBPSB Task Force report on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Putting the Learner First.  This is why we are doing this work. For the students.

The students of the LBPSB have been leading by incredible example. I would like to remind our public that we have 2 outstanding student commissioners, Commissioner Leah Al-Shourbaji and Commissioner Lujain Hamdaqa who participate and sit with us at Council meetings and who also lead the Central Students Committee in their important work. They play a vital role in student and school democracy. We are grateful at the LBPSB that our students choose to be involved in making a difference for each other across the high school network and beyond. The student voice is a powerful one. Bravo to you in your contributions to the LBPSB.

The students are always busy and engaged with their communities in making positive, heartfelt differences. Culinary students who are enrolled in LaSalle’s Pearson Adult and Career Centre, PACC, to quote the Montreal Gazette’s March 20^th (first day of spring) front page story, “are taking part in an ambitious drive to fight food insecurity.” The students have been preparing massive batches of vegetarian tofu chili to contribute to La Tablée des Chef, a non-profit organization’s drive to distribute to local organizations. This is amazing. Thank you for your outstanding work.

At Horizon High School, students (from ages 17-21) in the ED-VENTURE social integration program, just completed a brilliant mural highlighting KINDNESS in several of its beautiful forms. Your work and commitment to this project reveals how you have so much good to share. The students, alongside their work, were featured in a CTV report this weekend. Bravo!

At another recent event hosted at Place Cartier, Beaconsfield campus, the students in the Cartier Endeavour program, students from the CFER program at John Rennie, as well as other programs, too, were involved in an event where they and community partner organizations hosted a showcase of possibilities for students with exceptionalities. Guests, working side-by-side with students, participated in the creation of take-away gifts – a beautiful celebration of their programs.

This evening, I ask that we all take the time to explore the very good things at the LBPSB, and to celebrate the hard work in our school community that takes place every day to help us to be the best we can be. And, to borrow a “mantra” which has stayed with me from a workshop leader at a conference I attended last week, whose session was entitled: Feeling Seen: With Acknowledgement We Rise, our job in education is that “we are all  just here  walking each other home.”

Thank you.